My friends

We're gonna get louder; We're not gonna get any happier.

The very best line of the evening!

Here I am, all dolled up for taking Scotty's car to go ticket taking. A very rare photograph with tobacco use, I thought it fit the ensemble :) Note: I've got my purse with Jenny's button on it!Did I mention my Boyfriend is the Superest Coolest? Just before I left, Scotty mentions CJ cover a Velvet Underground song, written by Lou Reed, it's in the movie Natural Born Killers, "Sweet Jane." When Scotty's friend, Chad, shows up at the show, he mentions they do a Velvet Underground Song, "Sweet Jane." At least 10 other folks mentioned the very same song. Another couple I seated mentioned they found CJ from one of those network detective shows (Homicide?) with cool soundtracks. I chatted folks up as I patrolled the aisle ensuring no one rushed the backstage door. As the expected crowd was small, reserved seats were moot. I told a select few they may want to shift to the balcony for the second set for better acoustics.
To honor their first time performing in SD, they sang their song that mentions Mt. Rushmore. They did an acoustic opening with Margo and Michael and a guest mandolin/harmonica player, (ending with "To Love is to Bury") followed by a longer, plugged in set with Pete and Alan (ending with "Sweet Jane" to the crowd's immense delight!).
When I wasn't patrolling the aisle, I switched off with Sales in the lobby and slung some schwag for a bit. I bought the new cd (thanks to the generosity of SCB), too late to get an autographed-by-the-whole-band copy, so Margo and Alan signed it for me after the show. Funniest sighting of the night? Jeff Landborg. It was easier that we pretended not to recognize each other. Hee hee.

I'm a Cowboy Junkie!

Thanks to Jenny, I have become a HUGE fan of this amazing band. I discovered their booking at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux Falls, far too late to begin saving for our tickets :'(

Scotty called his connections, hoping for an *in* and couldn't find one. I initially pondered hanging around out back and waiting for them, then I realized that would leave me in possibly the only alleyway in town I'd be scared to hang out in. I breathed my way through the disappointment and made other plans this evening (dinner at Tena's with Scooty and H). Then, Scotty gets the call!! They need just ONE (1) ticket taker for the event this evening -- take tix at the beginning and sit down and enjoy the rest of the show. I'm bringing the camera just in case I actually get to meet them without loitering in the danger zone!

Of all their wonderful music, this is the one song I really hope they play:

I Don't Get It
Margo and Michael Timmins
The Trinity Session, 1988

Breaking away to the other side
I wanna make sense of why we live and die
I don't get it, I don't get it

I ask my friends if they understand
They just laugh at me and watch another band
They don't worry, they don't worry

Lookin for a way to lose my load
I wanna make it easy to walk this road
I can't find it, I can't find it

Yeah I'm looking for answers in so many places
I open my mind I don't get it

Walkin this earth and keeping my peace
I do what I want but the price is steep
It don't seem right, it don't seem right

My mama she told me one step at a time
And sooner or later you'll walk that line
I don't want to, I don't want to

Takin my time to live and die
I wanna find a way to do it right
And I ease on and I ease on

They say one thing always leads to another
I open my mind I don't get it

Breaking away to the other side
I wanna make sense of why we live and die
I don't get it, I don't get it
I don't get it, I don't get it

The future of the GOP

You love me so much it pisses me off!

Gemini: An even-keeled approach to romance can earn you extra points from someone you love. Even if you are engaged in a continuing disagreement, who is right or wrong matters less to you today. What is important, however, is how you can creatively turn a difficult situation into one where everyone is declared a winner. Your attitude is the key factor in making this happen.

Alright, the Real Stuff

I don't have bread pudding in the oven. Because that would mean I would have to be in the kitchen, confronted with the sixteen pieces of dishes I haven't washed in days. Scotty resorted to cereal in a cup with a fork this morning! He also changed the litterbox today, so I know for sure it's not the dishes that were stinking up our space (I've warmed them up a few times). I can imagine what the bread pudding will smell and taste like, once I get through my own resistance!
Last week, Tena (my known-me-since-childhood friend) called to tell me her Uncle Chuck had died in a one man ultralight plane crash. Tena lost her Dad a couple of years ago (death) and her Mom many years ago (ickiness) and had just been lamenting her orphan status while her beloved uncle hounded her about reconciling with her Mom. His nagging became (all too quickly) his dying wish for them -- a healing family. Tena's Mother's peaceful, joyful arrival was the beginning of just that -- their healing journey. I'm honored to have witnessed the miracle of seeing my friend actually receive a call from her Mom. A good call. A happy smile. A glad heart, or two or 12 :D
I shall be unveiling my masterpiece bag, entitled "Tena's Dead Uncle Bag" just as soon as my camera's batteries are charged!
In a bizarre twist of Universal balance, I've had the equal misfortune of comforting, coaching and loving family members who had a loved one go bonkers last weekend -- ending up in jail, even! It's sad to witness someone's self consumption via anger. Self Love can't be inspired externally; there is no such thing as a Gift of Intrinsic Value -- one either has Self Love or doesn't. The destruction of Self in the absence of Value is no less dangerous than Russian Roulette; alcohol (and Rage for that matter) seems to be less socially stigmatized than a loaded handgun though equally as destructive. Just as I might point out to someone they're not so smart walking around with that gun in their mouth, I've got a responsibility (as a human being) to point out the same thing with consuming alcohol (especially with pre-existing Anger/Baggage issues). Even bullshit therapy feels better than getting arrested and is probably cheaper too. I have zero faith in the way America deals with chemical crutches in the grindhouse called rehab. That said, I still think Rehab should be on the list of requirements for this person, followed by intense non-bullshit therapy (can't take away someone's crutches and expect them to walk freely without serious coaching!).
Ah, now I've gotta pee, which takes me right past those warm and unwashed dishes... may just have to deal with them now :D

LIFE is a Gift!

Aaaaahhhh... Life has been filled with Gifts lately, I just look around in amazement, reminding myself that this is my Life.
The upstairs neighbors are gone for a few days. Before leaving, they knocked to tell me and ask us to drink their milk before it expires :D I offered to water their garden (we still haven't received permission to *use* it, mind you) and take out the garbage can. I'm giving them not one single reason not to like me. I'm my charming self without any icky underpinnings. This is a lease I can break without consequence; I shall enjoy this space for as long as I need to be here. As I watered the forbidden space this morning (after finishing The Book and in desperate need for pondering Life, the Universe & Everything) I found a beautiful Lotus in the middle of the pond. There it was. Reminding me in a perfectly timed fashion, Life is Eternal. What a Gift a simple reminder can be!

Where Have I Been??

In my head, that sounded *just like* Mrs. Weasley!
Funny I should mention that... I really gotta get back to the new book. Yeah, we cheated. Okay, just me. I've got one chapter left, then the epilogue. 17 pages. I'm holding out. It's fecking amazing. I'll think all about it while I make some Bread Pudding when I'm done. Good consolation food. Especially the Whiskey Sauce - I've got Crown Royal.
Just as soon as I'm done with those. And blown my nose a few times. Then wash my hands. I'll come back and tell ya all about the craaaaaazy week we've had and yeah, you'll be glad I'm back!

Aaaaaah, this *is* the Life...

July 14, 2007
Conscious Abundance
Gemini Daily Horoscope

It could feel like you have an overwhelming amount of abundance which could make you more inclined to use your resources to acquire more things today. While enjoying what you have is wonderful, this may be a good time to think of your life not in terms of what you can add to it materially but in terms of how you can simplify it so that you can really enjoy what you have. Perhaps treating yourself to something that can have a more positive effect on your life such as getting bodywork done, eating healthy organic food or doing a meditation retreat may not only make you feel better about yourself but could also have a more long-lasting effect, setting the wheels in motion for greater life changes. Doing this could help you see that there are many ways in which you can spend your resources on yourself but in ways that are both healing and affirming.

Learning to use our abundance wisely can transform our lives. Our desire to go out and splurge or spend mindlessly usually stems from the need to accumulate more, for by doing so we might feel that we will become much more complete and whole. Once we recognize that this is only a temporary feeling we will become more aware of the fact that we have the power to make much more conscious and beneficial choices. Becoming mindful of the healthy choices available to you today will make it easier for you to use your abundance so that you gain something truly positive.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This is exactly where I'm at! I'm acknowledging the abundance that already exists; has always existed; a fact from which I am sometimes blind. I accept the gifts of bounty from the Universe. I realize I am worthy of abundant SelfLove; my worth remains constant regardless of my understanding/vision; I am whole complete and perfect, as is the world I live in and the dream we are all sharing. Abundance. Amen.

KISS Correction

When Scooty has his pictures taken, he sucks in his cheeks! I recognized it from one of those make-up covered KISS guys, I guessed Ace Frehley. Alas, it is Paul Stanley. See?