Havasu 09

Sorry no photos as of yet....I did not take any but Tish and Keith did so hopefully I'll be getting those sooner rather than later.
I'm back from a weekend at the desert! The weekend started off with our attendance to Gogol Bordello on Thursday, but I shall wait for photos from T as I believe the photos will tell some faboo stories...Anywhoo -
Friday morning, driving home from Pomona after about 2 hours maybe of sleep I rush into the door and pack. I get the call that we're leaving later then planned...more like 2pm...I cringe...Memorial traffic...lord. And LORD was it! Tish and I drove, Wendy riding with Tish, Sonia riding with me. We hit the road and crawled to Havasu. We were supposed to meet at a mid point - this mid point being the last stop before a looooooooong ass desert drive with no services for 65 miles. We missed it. Yup. No one seemed to know the name, Tish saw it...we missed it. So the next hour or so I was eyeing my quarter of a tank praying to the gods above we didnt run out in the middle of f-ing nowhere. We barely made it. Sadly the google maps gave us wrong directions, so after filling up we went the wrong way on the 95 and knocked another half hour out of our way. We rolled into Black Meadow Landing 7 hours later after dark. Fuck me. We unpacked, got settled, tried to find some of the other crew that was there, gave up and crashed out about midnight. We rented a mobile home that "Sleeps 6". No - barely sleeps 4.
I get the trendle bed...uncomfortable, noisy, ugh. I knew I wasnt going to be sleeping.
Saturday morning us ladies had breakfast, then I started wandering around trying to find cellphone service to no avail. But did run into Robert/Pierre as they pulled in from driving thru the nite. We helped them set up and decided to take the boat out. The weather was around 100 or so, and I was quite excited that I could probably go on the boat this year and not get ill. Sure enuff, we all headed out, put putting around the lake and anytime the boat stopped I'd hop in the water and float/play until we moved again. Pierre was my water buddy. We shot water blasters at each other, laughed drank and enjoyed life. That night we all sat around the campsite drinking margarita's and fading fast from long drives and sunshine. Sunday morning the day started off the same, Anna/Sergio/Keith rolled in. Lots of waiting around trying to get the boats launched, in order, etc and we were off again - the 2 boats headed out to London Bridge. Grasping on the to boat as to not launch out, we laughed, took breaks to dip in the lake and drank. When we arrived Keith and I were dropped off at Naked Turtle since sicky little Jami here cant make it thru the canal without yarfing all over everyone. They headed out, and we stayed at the bar drinking and catching up, and making fun of the people around us. Sadly our plans for all of us meeting there for dinner later didnt pan out due to the fact that 2 of the youngsters on Anna's boat forgot to tell thier folks where they were...sigh...we headed back. More stopping in the coves, swimming around, laughing, drinking, etc. That nite we met up with all the rest of the peeps that were there...totaling maybe around 40-50 or so. This is when the massive drinking occurred. Lets just say we initiated one of our gals by getting her topless into the lake. I think I sold her when I said "Come on...I've jetskiied naked!" (Didnt know that about me did ya...) She did. She made us proud. Later that night Wendy and I popped a squat on the beach and bonded and watched the stars. The stars are so amazing out in the desert as I'm sure you all know, and I cannot go there and not see my stars. Such a beautiful night. The next morning a bit of drama ensued trying to roll out, but we got out of there at 11am and didnt get home till 6:30. The 10 fwy came to a complete crawl. Needless to say sitting in traffic in the middle of the desert SUCKS!
A somewhat uneventful trip, but a wonderful time. I do plan on doing my usual by staying a bit longer next time around. Love you Havasu!

Doheny Blues 09...

I’ve blogged about this before, and I’ll re-blog when events like this kick ass as they usually do. Doheny Blues Festival 2009. Dad and I started going about 4 years ago and got hooked, now going every year. T joined up with us last year and has become a regular as well. This year my bro and his wife joined us. Its usually in May and it’s a 2 day event of killer blues music. We usually just attend 1 of the 2 days, this year being yesterday with BB King as the headliner.
We got there earlier then usual, hoping to get a closer parking spot and a closer spot in line. We did. Killer spot, and not far in line at all. Not many people are as insane as we are and got up at the butt crack of dawn to get down there. We sat our chairs down in line, drank our coffee, read the paper/books/magazines and chatted the 2-3 hours away. When the gates opened we headed for the mainstage to grab a prime spot. People did seem a little more psycho this year in the mad entrance rush – I almost lost my elbow to a very determined old fart. Anywhoo – we got a good spot – very close to our spot last year – in fact recognized 2 groups of people from last year (The crazy mom with zillions of kids, and the flag chair boys). Our neighbors seemed very cool and the day began.
First out was Porterhouse Bob and Down to the Bone. The singer wore a top hat, had a pimp cane with a skull on top and donned a shiny trench. Fab. They were fantastic. We were all thrilled to see the very 1st band kill it. Dad and I wandered down to the merchandise booth and had Mr. Bob himself sign a CD that dad decided to purchase he dug them so much. About this time T and I headed over and got ourselves some Italian sausage…yummmmmy, and a giant bag of kettle korn. Of course we have already begun our drinking as well. I’m stickin to the red wine booths. We stopped by the small stage to catch Keb Mo up close and personal. As we mowed down our snacks, chatted and laughed we listened to Coco Montoya in the background. Next up on the mainstage was Tommy Castro Band featuring Kenny Neal, Janiva Magness, Magic Dick and Ruthie Foster. Amazing. Tommy Castro can shred a guitar like no other. During Buckwheat Zydeco, T and I wandered the booths, purchasing some small goodies and then of course stocking up on more food (Did I mention I love festivals for the food too?). Next up was The Derek Trucks Band. Again – SICK guitarist. Derek Trucks is phenomenal. After this, T dad and I headed over to watch Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Dad had never heard of them, and was blown away. T and I didn’t stop dancing for one second. The photos I’ve included are from the promo guy who shot us at one point – my other photos will come later. After shakin it, we headed back for the master – BB King. In between this dad bought me a 2nd cowboy hat so I’m now set for more festivals and river trips! BB of course was outstanding. He chatted up the audience as much as he played. Watching the King of Blues is always amazing. His smile, his laugh, his skills – I love him. 83 and still a fucking master.
After the show as the MC was thanking everyone and the crowd was packing up their stuff, I had a battle with my chair – I handed it off to D to try to close it and as she slammed it onto the ground the ground shook. Shane and I looked at each other – yup earthquake. That’s right – this festival was so amazing it shook the earth! Ha ha ha ha!
The fun didn’t stop there – on our way home tipsy, sun kissed and happy Dad blasted oldies on the radio and when “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” we all broke out into song. Yup – it was hysterical – Dad, Shane and I were the “Weem Aways” D singing the main and of course Miss T had the opera parts. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. I do believe my bro and sis-in-law are now hooked and will join us for future years.
This is one of my favorite events of the year. T went as far as to say best day of 09 yet. It was amazing. Great food, great company, ocean breezes, lots of booze and out-fucking-standing blues music! A huge thank you to my dad for always making this possible.

May Santa Ana Art Walk

The true Dr. Doolittle...

I love animals. I truly do.
But Oppossums. Not a huge fan. But they're everywhere, we all know this. You run across them, they hiss at you, they resemble something that would remind me of a pet Satan would own. Last week my mother opened the drawer of our extremly old refridgerator and screamed. I was in the back of the house and I came running out to see what the fuss was. "There's a opposum in there!!! Get it!". Get it. Right. Please mother. My mom's groomer apparently was who to call, she came over - the roomie and I and Dr. Doolittle searched high and low and couldnt find the fucker. Whatever. We moved on.
So this evening - yup about 10 minutes ago - ergo this blog because what I witnessed was hysterical. I'm outside enjoying an evening cig and I hear something moving around in the drawer. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Mom calls Dr. Doolittle (my new name for her mind you...) She's here in 5 minutes. The search begins. Mom and her and searching high and low again, I'm watching safely from the living room window inside the house. "There it is! Oh there's 2". Ew. I watch as this woman plucks these 2 little baby opposums from behind the fridge. She then proceeds to hold them too her chest, cooing them and talking to them like they're 2 little kittens. I'm watching in utter discusted amazement, yet at the same time do have an odd respect for this woman to show such affection for these ugly little creatures. She's chatting with my mom about the history of these little guys while holding them to her chest. My mom is trying to hide her creeped out factor by smiling an nodding. She inspects them closer to find out its a boy and a girl. "Oh how sweet!" she squeals. Ugh. She puts them in the carrier she brought over and continues to chat with mom. I venture out now that they are safe in the carrier. She pulls one out again to examine it. I return inside. As she's chatting with mom now inside, with the little creatures in the carrier IN OUR HOUSE. I shoo my girls into the room to keep them away. After she leaves I scrubbed the floor with clorox. Yes they were in a carrier, but ew.
Anyway....
As much as this incident was somewhat disturbing, I do believe that I have met the true Dr. Doolittle. *shivers*

Yoga'ing...

A little backstory….
Back in the day (Lets say early 20’s or so), I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Whatever. I also had a problem with “relaxing”. Whatever. This was causing me and my body an extremely difficult amount of badness. (Mind you I was working almost full time, going to school full time and full time in the OCC Repertory Theater and pretty much sleeping – oh - maybe 1 or 2 hours a night). So ya – I was a bit nuts. So when my doctors/physical therapists/chiropractor/mom/and others were frantically trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me, why I was always sick, why I was a nut, why I couldn’t sleep or relax or calm down, etc etc and etc. I was sent to massage/yoga/acupuncture/acupressure/pills/I could go on and on with all the crap we tried. I was pretty much deemed an “Extremist” at this point. (I did EVERYTHING to the extreme – drugs, working out, theater, etc). It wasn’t until one of my injury visits to my chiropractor that he finally flipped out on me. “That’s it!!!! You’re a mess!!!! Your going to yoga!!!”. Now – I had done the yoga thing as I told him…. “No – this is different – this is bikram yoga, one of the most difficult forms of yoga, and its hot yoga – so its done in a hotter then hell room. Its perfect for you. It will kick your ass. If it doesn’t help I’m throwing you into a padded room and we’re going to box it out.”. He handed me a mat, the yoga lady’s card and shoved me out the door. I arrived at the studio a few days later quite skeptical. I aced my 1st class. I loved it. I took it pretty regularly (2-3 days a week) for almost a year. Everyone noticed a difference in me and I loved it. Life has gotten in the way since then (all you readers know) so between that and finances I haven’t gone really much anymore. I went a few months ago and almost died. This is when I realized how pathetically out of shape I was, out of sorts, out of everything. I made a goal to get active again. SO – T and I started doing some yoga research. I had heard about this place thru a friend and a sweet deal they were offering so T and I decided to check it out. Its called Soul at Home in Tustin. It offers a crapload of different classes, is a day spa, a store and just plain adorable. So we signed up for 2 weeks unlimited to try all the different classes and see if we want to do the amazing year deal they got goin right now.
Now. I was prepared not to have my ass kicked like I’m normally used too. But I have now come to the realization that I will never be a true “Yogi”. Our 1st class we took was the Beginner/Level 1 yoga class. Soon as our flustered little instructor started in T glanced over at me and mouthed “I’m sorry”, knowing I was already bored out of my skull. Lets just say I wont be taking that class ever again. Class 2 – Pilates. I’ve never taken pilates. I’ve heard about it and always wanted to try it. I liked it! I would have preferred the class go longer, but it was fun – I felt I got a bit of a workout – especially on this leg lifting bit when I felt that fire rush thru my thighs that I haven’t felt in years…(that sounded so dirty….). Anywhoo – Class 3 – Candlelight Flow Yoga. Now by the name of this I knew this was a mellower class but I’m trying to be open minded. We were up on the wall half the time, which was a bit bizarre to me, but whatever. I find I do like the “flow” aspect and I hope to maybe find a class that just keeps flowing and doesn’t pause so fucking much. Our instructor was a doll, she was nice, her voice beautiful, a total hippy yogi but not the kind you want to beat down. She rang these little bowl thingies above each of us at the end of class and read us a little passage. Nice class for chillin. Class 4 – Medatative Flow….Right? This was not quite was I expected. When the dude said “We’ll be holding some positions for about 3-5 minutes.” WTF! We started off doing pretty much “flowy” stuff which I liked but then did 4…count them 4 poses. THAT’S IT! Ok, ya meditative…whatever. He did the bowl thing too at the end, but his was super f-ing loud. It was kind of a trip and I’m sure it’s a lovely experience if your not near the door listening to annoying little bitches laughing and talking right outside. Class 5 – Tai Chi. Loooooooooved this. Its so beautiful and I’ve always wanted to try it. T had done it years ago and gave me a bit of an idea. The class was an actual “I’m going to teach you this” class. The 1st hour or so we’d move ever so slightly and stop and the instructor would adjust us. Then we worked on footwork, then we did the actual pattern once. Then he told us about the martial arts aspect and basically made us realize he could kill someone with his pinky. Oh and bonus – the instructor – HAWT. He had the perfect body…lean, muscular, his voice was awesome, when we did our hip rotations…lets just say my mind ran away with me….oooo…ok anyway. The crappy thing is – there’s only 2 more classes! I hope it starts up again, but I’m not sure. Class 6 – Level 1-2 yoga. This is when I realized I’m never going to get a workout and no I’m not about meditating and breathing and yes I’m really good at it and can do it and yes its nice and I get stretched out and what not but I was hoping for a good class last nite. It wasnt bad mind you – really at all. The gal was adorable, she gave us orange oils and read us a story and I learned what “binding” poses are….WTF!!!! Altho I think I shocked her when I actually did the thing. That’s right – little newbie can do a “Bird of Paradise!”. Its weird, but I did it! Anywhoo….I like it, I do. I just want more of a challenge…but the hot tai chi guy said there is one instructor that’ll kick my ass – so I’m looking forward to trying her class out. There’s also an “Oceana Hula” coming up which sounds interesting and I'm sure there's all kinds of different classess and I love variety...., so I will be signing up for the year deal because its such a great deal – but when I do think I’ll be popping back into my hot bikram yoga maybe once a week……