I’m here still! Just majorly overwhelmed w/ being a student for the first time in 24 years. I became a student & started a blog in the very same week. Now I can’t keep up w/ myself. But I was looking for the light recently & remembered it was at the end of the tunnel. The first tunnel is at the end of May when I will be done w/ my first quarter of Culinary classes at Metro. I love it but I can’t wait to be done. I get overwhelmed really easy & ended up crying in an advisor’s office this week. Just a few days later & things are looking better so now I feel like a fool. Oh well, that’s the story of my life. Attempt something, get overwhelmed, over-react & look like a fool. At my age, it’s a scenario I’ve become quite familiar with. However, in the midst of all this drama this week, my mother is always there for a good laugh. Interject ‘My Mother’s Musings’ which may become a regular part of my blog, because ya know how they say “Kids say the darndest things”? Well those kids got nothin’ on my mother.
So anyway in the middle of this crazy week, I decided I wanted to drop a class & not take any more classes until I was able to take a study skills class and learn “how” to go school & “how” to study first. My Mom’s always right there to back me up. So here’s the convo:
Frustrated me: “I’m dropping that class & not taking any classes this summer!”
My Mother: “Ya Vicki, I don’t know why you just don’t do something with animals instead. You love animals”
My thoughts: Are you kidding me? You want me to quit this, start something else, so I can quit that? And other than my own dogs, what animals do I love? I learned years ago while working at doggie daycare that I don’t love ALL dogs. And that’s why I gave up the idea of opening my own doggie care. So check that one off the list, I have already started that & quit.
Confused me: “Well I love music, so maybe I should do something in the music field.”
My Mother: “Ohhh Vicki, you don’t even play an instrument”
My thoughts: I don’t. But what about a few years ago when I wrote my own song & sang it to her? I thought it was pretty good. I even got the courage up to sing it on stage. Oh ya, that’s right. My Mother said: Why can’t you sing something like “You light up my life?” by Debbie Boone? Are you kidding me? She wasn’t kidding.
Me: “You don’t have to play an instrument to work in the music field, Mother”
My Mother starts to say something but then stops herself. (She’s famous for this)
I ask: “What?”
My Mother: “Nothing. Just forget it”
Me: “No, what were you going to say?”
My Mother: “Well, it’s just every time I try to talk to you about American Idol you don’t seem interested”
I’m not!! What can you say to that? How can I argue that point when I am clearly the only person on the face of the earth w/ a working television that DOESN”T watch that show & LOVE IT!! But that’s okay. I’m used to being the odd man out. Maybe that’s why Fletch is hiding in his office every Tuesday & Wednesday? And yes, I know these are the days it’s on because every week my Mother informs me “American Idol is on tonight!”
I do give my 75 year old Mother a hard time about her eating habits. Cracker Barrel, Applebee’s, Keno….the gravy list goes on. But I’ve never heard of someone getting in trouble for preferring a healthy diet. Every Wednesday in my 8 hour Culinary Foundations class, we make a bunch of food & eat it. One week the lesson was frying. Fried Chicken, French fries, fried okra, fried, fried, fried. I thought I was gonna die. The week we learned about poaching & made 2 different kinds of Salmon was my kind of week. But this last week, the lesson was Braising & Stewing and we made a Beef Bourguignon Pot Pie with lots of bacon, veal stock & a whole bottle of red wine. It was good for about 2 bites, but it was so rich I could feel my arteries clogging. As with every week, my Mother asks how it was. I told her it was good, but it was too rich for me.
My Mother: “Well Vicki, a lot people like that kind of food! Not everyone wants to eat healthy!”
Confused Me: Speechless!(I know! This doesn’t happen very often) I just got condemned basically for wanting to prolong my life? Huh?
In case you stumble on to this my dear Mother, please know that even with all of our differences I do still love you! So don't attack me with that Italian temper of yours. This is just my funny way of looking at it & laughing. It's all in good fun!
Well I wanted to update you all on something since Fletch pointed out last night that I was slacking on my blogging & said I was going to lose my audience. Do I even have an audience? This blog stuff is all new to me. I’ve still been going to shows, I just haven’t had time to chat about it. I will try & post a quick catch-up of some of those shows. Plus summer is coming with all its wonderful festivals, Jazz on the Green, the Taco Ride & the great shows at Stir Cove!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Good Friends & Bad Habits
That’s exactly what last Saturday night was! Good friends & bad habits. And because of that, there’s not much I can really say about it, other than that. However, I’ll do my best.
We arrived about 9pm, which is early for me, for Todd Dickey‘s annual “Let‘s see how late we can stay up“ fest. It was an open-door party. Literally, the front door was wide open & remained that way for most of the night.
I brought some of my homemade guacamole & a crock pot full of meatballs in none other than Stubb’s BBQ sauce. Fletch & I also brought a couple bottles of Vodka, some Bloody Mary Mix & as always, a bottle of Tequila. All the liquor was thrown into the hot tub full of ice in the back bedroom & all of the beer was in the tub of ice in the other bathroom.
Let the party begin!
Along with the good friends & bad habits, there was also good music.
There was a rumor that some old band members from bands of the past would be there. But Bryan Poole & Jimmy Adams never showed. It’s too bad because I would’ve loved to hear Bryan sing ‘Blue Moon’. It’s been so long since I’ve heard him sing that. And if Jimmy would’ve showed, two-thirds of The Banti Roosters would’ve been there. Shady will probably never show, but there were enough musicians that someone could’ve taken his place. In expectation of this, I wore my old Banti Roosters t-shirt, which everyone thought was in really good condition for it’s age. But girls don’t wear huge t-shirts anymore, so of course it still looks good. I had to belt it. Mick’s ex-wife, Andie & I used call ourselves the Panty Roosters since we were always around.
Anyway, back to the night. Lash & Ringo were there, so of course The Mercury’s played while the rest of us made trips back & forth to the bathroom. That’s where the liquor was, remember? Most parties end up in the kitchen, but we spent a lot of time in the bathroom.
Later in the night, The Filter Kings played while Zip & I slipped up to the bathroom again for tequila shots, as usual.
Let me take a minute to tell you how I know Todd Dickey. In 1986, the year I graduated, I went to a Halloween party at 8459 ‘C’ Street, otherwise known as The Shack. He lived there with Jim Bogensberger & Dave Lynch. I don’t know how I ended up there, but I did. By the end of that year, I was dating his roommate, Dave, for the next 4 years. During that time, Todd & I had a love hate relationship. Dave was a drinker & anyone Dave drank with, I kind of just tolerated, and Dave drank with everybody. When we broke up, I continued my friendship w/ Todd & I joke that in the break-up, Dave got the albums & I got Todd. As much as I miss the vinyl, I think I got the better deal.
I’ve celebrated Todd’s birthday with him forever it seems. Back in the day, we rented a Limo which took us to strip clubs from here to Lincoln and back. We did that for a few years in a row. Since then it’s been at Todd & Melissa’s place. It’s ALWAYS been on a Saturday night. Until last year that is. He had his party on Sunday last year! And it started in the day! And it ended early! I have not let him live it down. I give him shit about it every chance I get. I said he’s getting’ old havin’ parties on Sunday afternoon.
So when his birthday started approaching this year, I asked him if we could have a big boy party on a Saturday night this year. He said we could. And it was also great because he worked his party around my schedule. Fletch & I are always the last ones to leave & that‘s rarely before the sun comes up. However, this year, either people were stickin’ around later or I was feelin’ older because at 5am I finally had to go. Fletch & Todd & I finished off some more meatballs first & I think I begged him to go back to Sunday parties. I’m too old for this shit!
I'll check & see if there's any photos I can post, so check back.
We arrived about 9pm, which is early for me, for Todd Dickey‘s annual “Let‘s see how late we can stay up“ fest. It was an open-door party. Literally, the front door was wide open & remained that way for most of the night.
I brought some of my homemade guacamole & a crock pot full of meatballs in none other than Stubb’s BBQ sauce. Fletch & I also brought a couple bottles of Vodka, some Bloody Mary Mix & as always, a bottle of Tequila. All the liquor was thrown into the hot tub full of ice in the back bedroom & all of the beer was in the tub of ice in the other bathroom.
Let the party begin!
Along with the good friends & bad habits, there was also good music.
There was a rumor that some old band members from bands of the past would be there. But Bryan Poole & Jimmy Adams never showed. It’s too bad because I would’ve loved to hear Bryan sing ‘Blue Moon’. It’s been so long since I’ve heard him sing that. And if Jimmy would’ve showed, two-thirds of The Banti Roosters would’ve been there. Shady will probably never show, but there were enough musicians that someone could’ve taken his place. In expectation of this, I wore my old Banti Roosters t-shirt, which everyone thought was in really good condition for it’s age. But girls don’t wear huge t-shirts anymore, so of course it still looks good. I had to belt it. Mick’s ex-wife, Andie & I used call ourselves the Panty Roosters since we were always around.
Anyway, back to the night. Lash & Ringo were there, so of course The Mercury’s played while the rest of us made trips back & forth to the bathroom. That’s where the liquor was, remember? Most parties end up in the kitchen, but we spent a lot of time in the bathroom.
Later in the night, The Filter Kings played while Zip & I slipped up to the bathroom again for tequila shots, as usual.
Let me take a minute to tell you how I know Todd Dickey. In 1986, the year I graduated, I went to a Halloween party at 8459 ‘C’ Street, otherwise known as The Shack. He lived there with Jim Bogensberger & Dave Lynch. I don’t know how I ended up there, but I did. By the end of that year, I was dating his roommate, Dave, for the next 4 years. During that time, Todd & I had a love hate relationship. Dave was a drinker & anyone Dave drank with, I kind of just tolerated, and Dave drank with everybody. When we broke up, I continued my friendship w/ Todd & I joke that in the break-up, Dave got the albums & I got Todd. As much as I miss the vinyl, I think I got the better deal.
I’ve celebrated Todd’s birthday with him forever it seems. Back in the day, we rented a Limo which took us to strip clubs from here to Lincoln and back. We did that for a few years in a row. Since then it’s been at Todd & Melissa’s place. It’s ALWAYS been on a Saturday night. Until last year that is. He had his party on Sunday last year! And it started in the day! And it ended early! I have not let him live it down. I give him shit about it every chance I get. I said he’s getting’ old havin’ parties on Sunday afternoon.
So when his birthday started approaching this year, I asked him if we could have a big boy party on a Saturday night this year. He said we could. And it was also great because he worked his party around my schedule. Fletch & I are always the last ones to leave & that‘s rarely before the sun comes up. However, this year, either people were stickin’ around later or I was feelin’ older because at 5am I finally had to go. Fletch & Todd & I finished off some more meatballs first & I think I begged him to go back to Sunday parties. I’m too old for this shit!
I'll check & see if there's any photos I can post, so check back.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Hot ‘N’ Throbbing Satchel Grande
We didn’t make it in time to Polyester in time for the exhibit 'Twisted Youth, The Punk Rock Photographs of Adrian Boot'. My friends Janna & Ginger made it & said there were photos of The Ramones, Iggy Pop, etc… I wished I’d made it but it’s going on until May 29th so we all (I’m speaking to all my music lovin’ friends) should check it out.
We did make it in time for a rock star parking spot right outside of the Blue Barn Theatre. We saw Hot ‘N’ Throbbing starring our lovely friend, Kirsten Kluver. It started out funny but then it took a dark & depressing turn. It was a tragedy of pornography and domestic abuse within a family. A mother who writes adult pornography w/ a daughter who is growing up too fast, a nerdy, yet perverted son and an abusive drunk for an ex-husband. It was interesting how they used voice over characters to portray her writing & the characters thoughts. And throughout there was a connection with Moby Dick & obsession. The more I think about it, the more I liked it.
Next stop, P.S. Collective for James Carrig’s opening. James was unable to make his own opening because was ill & in the hospital. There was a poster board there for anyone to express their thoughts on his photos or wishes to him. His photographs were interesting & colorful snapshots of ordinary things we see in everyday life. We wish him well.
We headed to the Waiting Room from there for the new Satchel Grande line up. My girls, Zooey, Sarah & Melissa & I got down & funky and boogied up front as usual. We always start out w/ just our purses on stage, then, as the night goes on, we continually add more clothes to the pile that we keep peelin’ off. That’s always a good time. I did miss me my Mike Daeges though. It’s just not the same w/o beein’ able to flirt w/ his shy self while he was drummin’. The new drummer just isn’t my type.
I left the dance floor & thought I was comin’ back so I left w/o sayin’ good-bye to my girls, which is very unusual for me. Sorry girls.
On our way to the car, we ran into Justin again. This time at his art space next to Espana. Him & Daniel were working on the place & painting. We stopped in for another quick social collaboration & more hugs where I realized that Justin makes patchouli smell so much better.
The only thing on the agenda tonight is the annual event I’ve been goin’ to for as long as I can remember. Dickey’s birthday! Let’s see, I’ve known him now for 24 years. Wow, he’s getting’ old! I’m rarely home before the sun comes up. I’m exhausted just thinking’ about this night of good friends & bad habits!
We did make it in time for a rock star parking spot right outside of the Blue Barn Theatre. We saw Hot ‘N’ Throbbing starring our lovely friend, Kirsten Kluver. It started out funny but then it took a dark & depressing turn. It was a tragedy of pornography and domestic abuse within a family. A mother who writes adult pornography w/ a daughter who is growing up too fast, a nerdy, yet perverted son and an abusive drunk for an ex-husband. It was interesting how they used voice over characters to portray her writing & the characters thoughts. And throughout there was a connection with Moby Dick & obsession. The more I think about it, the more I liked it.
Next stop, P.S. Collective for James Carrig’s opening. James was unable to make his own opening because was ill & in the hospital. There was a poster board there for anyone to express their thoughts on his photos or wishes to him. His photographs were interesting & colorful snapshots of ordinary things we see in everyday life. We wish him well.
We headed to the Waiting Room from there for the new Satchel Grande line up. My girls, Zooey, Sarah & Melissa & I got down & funky and boogied up front as usual. We always start out w/ just our purses on stage, then, as the night goes on, we continually add more clothes to the pile that we keep peelin’ off. That’s always a good time. I did miss me my Mike Daeges though. It’s just not the same w/o beein’ able to flirt w/ his shy self while he was drummin’. The new drummer just isn’t my type.I left the dance floor & thought I was comin’ back so I left w/o sayin’ good-bye to my girls, which is very unusual for me. Sorry girls.
On our way to the car, we ran into Justin again. This time at his art space next to Espana. Him & Daniel were working on the place & painting. We stopped in for another quick social collaboration & more hugs where I realized that Justin makes patchouli smell so much better.
The only thing on the agenda tonight is the annual event I’ve been goin’ to for as long as I can remember. Dickey’s birthday! Let’s see, I’ve known him now for 24 years. Wow, he’s getting’ old! I’m rarely home before the sun comes up. I’m exhausted just thinking’ about this night of good friends & bad habits!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Stir it up w/ Loom & Kyle Harvey
We started the night off in the Stir lounge at Harrah’s. We were there for the much anticipated Stir Cove 2010 launch party. We had drinks & free Chicago Dawgs and caught up w/ summer friends while waiting for the announcement. They will announce more in the next day or 2. But for now, this is the list:
May 21: Goo Goo Dolls
May 22: Gregg Allman
May 30: Earth, Wind & Fire
July 4: Fireworks & Super Diamond
July 8: Barenaked Ladies with Kris Allen
July 9: Eric Church
July 15: REO Speedwagon & Pat Benatar
July 31: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Aug 1: Al Green
Aug 6: Dierks Bentley
Aug 8: Jimmy Cliff
Aug 13: Phoenix
Aug 29: David Gray & Ray LaMontagne
Josh & I got to work entering all the shows into his calendar.
And now Stir is adding more to the mix with “Stir Live & Loud”. In the Stir Lounge, local bands will be playing $5 shows on Fridays & Saturdays. It all starts on April 16th w/ Little Brazil & Digital Leather and April 17th w/ Thunder Power & Garfan?? Who is Garfan?
We got April fooled by Gary Vaynerchuk. Due to a tweet we rushed to be one of the next 100 to buy his book in order to get free wine for life! Just now (noon on Friday) went to see if we made it only to see that his next tweet was “April Fools”. That was a good one I must say. All night I wondered if I had won free wine for life.
Hung out with one of my favorite people, Buck Bowen. We planned a goin’ away dinner where he will make us sushi. Yes, Buck Bowen, the sushi chef. I can’t believe he’s moving. 2 of my favorite people are moving to California this month. They just don’t get it that they are gonna fall into the ocean & die.
I danced a little but not w/ the crowd of sweaty bodies. I like my space when I dance so I usually end up in a corner dancing by myself. Which is fine with me. That’s the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it, uh huh uh huh!
On our way to Barley Street we ran into our friend Justin Beller, who I just love & adore. He told us of his friend Daniel's new art space next to Espana & of his living space a few doors down. We stopped up at his place, which is a gallery of his beautiful
We reminisced about how long we’ve known each other & when he played w/ The Roadside Band/My Friend’s Band at our engagement party 15 years ago at McFoster's. As Justin says, things just keep getting’ better. And they do!
Back on track to BST for Kyle Harvey‘s cd realease. I have to admit. I’m guilty of never seeing his solo show. I’ve seen him w/ It’s True a million times. And I thought I saw him the night of the Thanksgiving Benson Blackout at Mick’s, but I see now he was at Burke’s that night. Hey, it was dark, I couldn’t see.
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen him yet. I felt a little left out on what everybody else there had apparently already discovered. Tim McMahan was like “It’s Kyle-fucking-Harvey!” And it was. I really enjoyed his lyrics & his interaction with the crowd that were on the same page as he was in a book that I just opened up. I didn’t leave empty handed. I bought 2 CD’s, another is on the way & a very cute t-shirt. He knows my passion & weakness for soft band shirts.
Tonight we have 2 art openings, a play at the Blue Barn, a band & a dj.
May 22: Gregg Allman
May 30: Earth, Wind & Fire
July 4: Fireworks & Super Diamond
July 8: Barenaked Ladies with Kris Allen
July 9: Eric Church
July 15: REO Speedwagon & Pat Benatar
July 31: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Aug 1: Al Green
Aug 6: Dierks Bentley
Aug 8: Jimmy Cliff
Aug 13: Phoenix
Aug 29: David Gray & Ray LaMontagne
And now Stir is adding more to the mix with “Stir Live & Loud”. In the Stir Lounge, local bands will be playing $5 shows on Fridays & Saturdays. It all starts on April 16th w/ Little Brazil & Digital Leather and April 17th w/ Thunder Power & Garfan?? Who is Garfan?
The Miller Lite guys were there & they had these cool little video badges about the size of a name tag that loops 6 hrs of video. Can you imagine if I had one of these? Oh the fun I would have. He said they’re about $200. That’s a bummer. But hey! My birthday is comin’ up.
Next stop, Espana for Brent’s birthday Loom. We ordered drinks & the bartender insisted on charging us tax on our drinks because they were still serving food. REALLY? You don’t ever charge tax on alcohol. I wonder if I can write that off.
We got April fooled by Gary Vaynerchuk. Due to a tweet we rushed to be one of the next 100 to buy his book in order to get free wine for life! Just now (noon on Friday) went to see if we made it only to see that his next tweet was “April Fools”. That was a good one I must say. All night I wondered if I had won free wine for life.
Hung out with one of my favorite people, Buck Bowen. We planned a goin’ away dinner where he will make us sushi. Yes, Buck Bowen, the sushi chef. I can’t believe he’s moving. 2 of my favorite people are moving to California this month. They just don’t get it that they are gonna fall into the ocean & die.I danced a little but not w/ the crowd of sweaty bodies. I like my space when I dance so I usually end up in a corner dancing by myself. Which is fine with me. That’s the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it, uh huh uh huh!
On our way to Barley Street we ran into our friend Justin Beller, who I just love & adore. He told us of his friend Daniel's new art space next to Espana & of his living space a few doors down. We stopped up at his place, which is a gallery of his beautiful contemporary art work, for a quick social collaboration. His work is as gorgeous & sexy as he is.
We reminisced about how long we’ve known each other & when he played w/ The Roadside Band/My Friend’s Band at our engagement party 15 years ago at McFoster's. As Justin says, things just keep getting’ better. And they do!
Back on track to BST for Kyle Harvey‘s cd realease. I have to admit. I’m guilty of never seeing his solo show. I’ve seen him w/ It’s True a million times. And I thought I saw him the night of the Thanksgiving Benson Blackout at Mick’s, but I see now he was at Burke’s that night. Hey, it was dark, I couldn’t see.
Tonight we have 2 art openings, a play at the Blue Barn, a band & a dj.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
No Rest for a Rock Star!!!
Last night was the first night in the beginning of a 6 night run for Fletch & I. Maybe we need to slowdown, but instead we went to Slowdown for my very first Bassnectar show.
Bassnectar is a free-form DJ that mixes just about every genre including ragtime, punk rock, blues, polka, salsa, film scores, gansta rap, beat boxing, balkan gyspy music, ska, death metal and dub. He self describes his music as “omnitempo maximalism,” which basically means no rules, no limitations, and no hesitation in fusing the familiar with the strange or the classic with the cutting edge.
And he has the longest hair I’ve ever seen!
The music is so freakin’ loud that there were warning signs as you came in saying “We love your ears, wear your ear plugs” And to make sure we could, there was a free ear plug dispenser at the merch table. I usually don’t do ear plugs but I wanted to shove 2 pairs in my ears. It was so loud I could literally feel the music & it felt awesome.
It was a festival of lights & heavy dance beats. The crowd was made up mostly of trippies. Trippies are a cross between nappy headed hippies and glow stick carryin’ ravers. The trippies had enough glowsticks & other toy lights to light up the forest during a new moon. It brought me right back to my younger & freer mind altered days.
Come on Scooby-Doo, where are you? At Slowdown, of course. Oscar, from Sesame street was also there. One trippy asked me who Fletch was shootin’ for. I told him The Reader & he asked if that was an Omaha paper. Who doesn’t know that? He then went on to say “Like I said, (which I don’t think he did) I’ve been in a hole for the last 2 years. I’ve been away in treatment, but I’M BACK NOW!”
Yes he was!
Then he said “I hope you have a wonderful life” & danced away.
Another guy asked me if I wanted to dance. Would I be there if I didn’t? How does one answer that? It certainly isn’t the kind of music of the dance hall days back in our parents time when a girl sat in a chair along the wall waiting for this exact question to be asked. I think I said “I am dancing!” & crawled away through the railing up to the next level. Poor guy. He looked like a really clean hippy.
I had an awesome time too but I don’t think I lost anything, except maybe some hearing, even with the ear plugs.
Tonight we have the Stir Cove Summer Concert line up announcement party. We then have Kyle Harvey’s CD release show at Barley Street. And we gotta try & make it to Loom for our bohemian son, Brent Crampton’s birthday.
And he has the longest hair I’ve ever seen!
Yes he was!
Then he said “I hope you have a wonderful life” & danced away.
Another guy asked me if I wanted to dance. Would I be there if I didn’t? How does one answer that? It certainly isn’t the kind of music of the dance hall days back in our parents time when a girl sat in a chair along the wall waiting for this exact question to be asked. I think I said “I am dancing!” & crawled away through the railing up to the next level. Poor guy. He looked like a really clean hippy.
Everybody must’ve had fun because there was so much dancin' going on the floors were sweating. My number one complaint at shows is that nobody dances anymore. Well I definitely couldn't complain last night. But seriously, the floors were wet. But they weren’t sticky as with beer so it had to be sweat. I also found a lost phone, lost sunglasses & a single lost shoe.
Tonight we have the Stir Cove Summer Concert line up announcement party. We then have Kyle Harvey’s CD release show at Barley Street. And we gotta try & make it to Loom for our bohemian son, Brent Crampton’s birthday.
Monday, March 29, 2010
SXSW Day 4
Fletch had to get to Casino el Camino to set up for It’s True’s noon photo shoot. While he was waiting for his subjects, he met Casino himself. And no trip to Casino el Camino or a photo shoot that early is complete without Bloody Mary's! IT'S BLOODY TRUE!!
While Fletch was shooting I checked out indie band from Kansas City, Roman Numerals, before heading over to finally see Miho Wada at noon. I met them on the shuttle the first night. They were a fun little Japanese Punk Jazz band.
After all that we ended up at Galaxy for the Brooklyn Vegan showcase. Inside was psychedelic garage rock band, Crystal Antlers. The raw energy of Johnny Bell entranced me and the rest the crowd. Outside was Think About Life, a party band w/ fun, feel-good, energetic electronic pop w/ catchy anthems. On our way out Duchess Says was starting & I'd be interested in hearing more from them. 
Over to Stubb’s for Rachael Ray's Feedback Festival to catch the indie folk of M.Ward & Zooey Deschanel of She & Him where we stood in the freezing cold. It was so cold & windy, I had to buy some gloves, the only pair in Austin I think.
Oh No! Have I been busted?
Nope. Not a smart phone.
Just textin' Tim McMahan to let
him know I just saw his beloved
Zooey.
Before that I sampled a tasty meatball
sub, a pulled pork sandwich & chicken
quesadilla courtesy of Rachael Ray while listening to Jakob Dylan w/ Neko Case & Kelly Hogan. In between I enjoyed the funky beats of Street Sweeper Social Club w/ Tom Morello.
Back to Galaxy w/ Jesse & Sarah. Inside was an over-flowing crowd there to see The Local Natives, an indie rock band w/ 3 harmonious singers which I really liked. Outside was psychedelic rock legend Roky Erickson backed by fellow Austinites, Okervil River. Then over to Beerland for folk rock singer/songwriter Harlan T. Bobo from Memphis.
The 4 of us spent the next hour or two at Daddy’s. We were so exhausted & needed a TIME-OUT from the cold. We invited ourselves to a table w/o even asking. Made friends with a friendly guy from Kansas that we probably could’ve chatted with the whole night.
Off to Mi Casa to see Omaha band Thunder Power for the first time who sounded better & seemed more interesting on myspace. Maybe I was just over banded by that point. I’ll have to give them another try. Then Fletch & I caught the tail end of punk legend Excene Cervenka's folk country at Red Eyed Fly. We got lazy so headed over to Stubb’s early to hook back up w/ Jesse & Sarah, but not in time for Minus The Bear. Next was 80’s sounding pop band, The Drums, which again I like better on myspace.They just kinda had a weird stage presence. Progresseive indie rock band, Circa Survive, was next.
We were too busy making a pizza on our pizza stone, the only flat surface in Austin, w/ new friend Allie, to enjoy either of these bands. A flat disc that fit 3 people comfortably. If any passerby's stepped on our stone, Allie would scare most away by asking if their feet were hot. If confused, she'd say "you just stepped on our pizza stone". This seemed to really upset one girl who told Allie, "No it's not, bitch!" & insisted on standing on our stone for about 2 minutes. We just sent her some cheesy energy until she left. We really needed Marq Manner. 
Instead, Allie & Liz turned into terrorists. The rest of the time they were perfectly pleasant napkin faces.Seriously though, it was the only flat surface in Austin. All the bars in Austin had uneven pavement, dirt floors, gravel lots or steep hills for floors. Dancing on that sucks! And that is why my feet & legs were killing me, not from bad shoes or walking 10 times my required 10,000 steps a day.
We had fun singing "Oompa Loompa doompety doo, I've got another pizza for you!" But after what seemed like hours, we got bored with the pizza and moved up close and "cut it up" as we all danced our asses off to an awesome festival ending show by glam rock disco band & fashionistas, Scissor Sisters!
Although I had an awesome time, I feel I failed terribly at SXSW. I blew it on researching which bands I wanted to see before hand. I didn’t really figure out day showcases until the end. I relied on others opinions & that‘s always a mistake for me. At other festivals I figure out which bands I’m going to see when & how long I can I stay before moving on to the next. I usually do a pretty good job keeping up w/ my planned schedule. And I didn’t get to see my celebrity boyfriend, Matthew McConaughey, who was actually at a few of the same places I was & didn‘t realize it. So I didn’t see nearly as much as I thought I would. Next year I am going to attack SXSW!!
SXSW Day 3
I’ll say it again…H.S.I.F! (Holy Shit It’s Friday!)Need I say we got a late start on Friday?
After a day with Puma and day with New Balance and seeing several others in their boots & wishing I was in mine, I decided to give my gals a shot. So glad I brought them, it was like comfort food for the souls of my feet! Again, I should've trusted my own instincts. Oh well, I got 2 new pairs of sneakers out of the deal.
After the disappointment of finding that we were too late to get SXXpress passes to see Hole at The Dirty Dog, as well as most other venues, we went straight to Casino el Camino for huge jalepeno burgers & some much needed Bloody Mary’s. This is where Fletch decided he wanted to do the It’s True photo shoot the next day.
Speaking of It’s True, that’s where we headed next. A crowd formed outside the open window of BD Riley’s. Adam Hawkins has a voice that will take you many places. He’s a crooner with a dreamy voice one minute & the next he’s down on the ground attacking his guitar strings with such angst. All the guys seem to have a mutual appreciation, understanding & goal.
Fletch & I headed to Stubb’s & waited in line for another one of my favorites, new wave rock band, Metric. I so love Emily Haines & her infectious side to side head-shaking. I danced my butt off & almost shook my head off. The next hour was lost. Like I said, we partied like rock stars. The next day we were informed that we missed a secret show by Muse right after Metric at Stubb’s. Damn! So close. I’m not too keen on the whole secret show thing. I didn’t keep any secrets from SXSW when I gave them my credit card # so they could charge me an arm & a leg for my music badge and I really don’t feel they should be keeping secrets from me. 
We then headed to Wave for the guitar-driven indie rock of Omaha band Little Brazil, where we got to see Oliver working the drums instead of drumming up trouble. They put on a good show. More quick chats with Omaha friends, then Fletch & I went separate ways. Fletch headed to Barbarella for Son Lux.
I was thinking Son Volt which I don’t care for so I fast walked the 10 exhausting blocks to meet up with Jesse & Sarah and Johnny Kotchian. Quasi was playin’ & I wasn’t feelin’ it. I know they’re good but at that moment they were just another indie rock band. So I headed 10 blocks back to where Fletch was & realized that it was Son Lux, which I do like, but by then had no energy to do anything but sit my ass on a hard to come by barstool and enjoy the beautiful chaotic sounds & trippy lights. 
We used any street but 6th to get to the next venue. The locals were out in full force on Friday & it was tough gettin' around. Caught a bit of Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers as we passed BD Riley’s on our way to Maggie Mae’s for Band of Skulls. In this photo, Russell Marsden & Emma Richardson look like a Band of Hair. They are entertaining great up front. Matt Hayward on drums was just as entertaining. I loved it! They were awesome & full of heavy driving guitar rock and packed with energy. Shuttle, home, bed.
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