Bubble Run...

D and I signed up for The Bubble Run to take place at UCI over Memorial Day weekend.  There was a deal that went out, so it was super cheap.  It was just the two of us since the run fell on a holiday weekend.  I love trying out new runs and we had never yet done something called a Bubble Run.  D is usually game to try out these wacky races with me.  My conclusion - It was fun but I wouldn't do it again.

We decided to tu-tu it up this time and mom/Shane came to support and take photos so we got a lot of good ones!  Shane got there a bit late so he didn't make it in any of the pictures but he was there! ;)Here we are pre-race:

We checked in, got ready and headed in.  The race was supposed to start at 9am.  It didn't start until 9:25am.  Ugh.  We found out later that random people and late comers were in the way on the course.  Mom/Shane told us there was no one monitoring the course really.  I had already noticed that the volunteers were kids that could care less, so I wasn't all that surprised.  As I looked around I realized this was definitely a family event.  I didn't see too many actual runners but saw a lot of kids/families/strollers.  This isn't a deal breaker for me necessarily because I like to do the "Fun Runs" rather than just straight 5K's.  There was an MC trying to pump people up, but wasn't succeeding very well.  Finally the race began!

This little one apparently was having none of it:





 Mom was cracking up at the fact that this baby was totally engulfed.  Don't worry baby was fine:

 Here we are!!!

As we ran through the course I realized they should have had 2 runs.  A family/kids run and a regular run.  The people had no runners etiquette at all, they were walking 5 people across, stopping, chatting, screwing around.  I didn't want to mind but it was getting really difficult to maneuver through this.  We fell into my power walk pace but kept having to run around people, go off track, etc.  That was a bummer.

1st Bubble Bog we hit was the pink one.  Sadly the bubble machine wasn't on and the bubbles were flat and lame.  I was worried it was going to be like this the whole way, but it wasn't.  Our next Bubble Bog was the yellow one.  They were full flowing and fun.  We tore through laughing like kids. Next Bubble Bog was the blue one.  This was one was quite large.  D had her Go Pro again, but it wasn't working very well.  We did attempt to take some shots in the blue bubbles.

After this we realized we were starting to run the same course again.  They had laid the course out so you actually ran the same one twice.  Except the 2nd time you didn't go through the Bubble Bogs, you went around them.  A lot of people went under the ribbon and jumped through the bubbles anyway.  D and I agreed this was somewhat lame.  I like new sights, not running the same course twice.  So that was also a bummer.

The volunteers AKA kids who didn't care were not very helpful.  There were a couple who would cheer you on, but not many.  What was super cute was the volunteers at the bogs had the same color T-Shirts as the bubbles!  Loved that.

When we finally looped through the 2nd time and came across the part you break off to finish the race.  About this time we also realized there was no way this was a 5K.  I think it may have been 2 or 2 1/2 miles but not 3.  There were a lot of hills though it seemed, so we did get somewhat of a workout which was great.  I love these runs, even if they aren't all that great - I still look at it as a creative work out!

As we circled around one of the hills we saw the finish.  It was a green Bubble Bog and it was full flowing.  Shane got a couple of great shots:

Here was the 1st couple of dudes through the bubbles:



This one was hilarious.  Apparently a lot of the kids got lost in the bubbles and came out on the side:



Here are some more coming through:

Here come D and I through the final bubbles!

Our feet were awesome.  Bubble Shoes!!



Shane then got photographer on us and positioned us here to take our after race shots:

The after party was nothing.  There didn't seem to be any vendors.  There was one vitamin like water people handing out free bottles.  No medals.  The DJ was there but not doing anything.  There was another white Bubble Bog if you just wanted to play in the bubbles.  They had some photo thing in front of a green screen we did and then a merchant tent.  A few food trucks and that was it.  I would be more disappointed if we had paid more but it certainly wasn't all that.  Part of the fun for me on these wacky runs is the after stuff.  Ah well. 

D and I still had a fun time and we all went to Arthur's for breakfast afterwards.  The looks we got from the patrons was awesome.  D looked like she was crying green tears and my legs looked like I had gangrene.  Good times all around and below is my favorite shot of the whole day.  It's D and I racing up the hill after our green screen picture and I screamed at Shane to snap a shot. 

Awesomeness.









Stephen...

I received news last week that a dear friend of mine passed away.
His name was Stephen Ludwig. 
He passed away doing what he loved (writing) in a place that he loved (France).  If we could all be so lucky.  My heart is broken and I will miss him so.  It's going to take me awhile to process this, but I wanted to write a little something in his memory.

Stephen was such a passionate, intelligent, wonderful person.  He has a laugh that I loved.  There was always a little wheeze when he would really get laughing that would turn almost into a whisper.  He was a great cook and loved wine.  There was a group of us - the board members of Rude Guerrilla that became quite a family over the years.  We fought like a family.  We loved like a family.  We were a group of extremely opinionated, passionate, strong people that wanted Rude Guerrilla to succeed.  We has artistic differences and artistic visions.  We put some amazing work on that stage.  Stephen was never one to back down from something he believed in.  He was a playwright and a dramaturge for many productions that graced the RG stage.  He loved the opera, the symphony, theatre, the arts.  His passion for arts and culture was endless.

He also loved to garden.  When I moved home in November 2008, I had a bunch of plants that I wanted to leave to a good home.  I knew my roommate wouldn't take care of them and my mom already had an obscene amount of her own plants.  So I called Stephen.  He was beyond thrilled.  He would invite me over to see the progress of my plants as they grew and flourished under the care of him.  He turned them from the sad barely alive little plants to beautiful blossoming creatures that were so much happier living with him and Sharyn.

I remember he would always get so passionate about something whether it be an aria in an opera or a painting he saw and would always excitedly fill me in on every detail.  We spent many evenings in his apartment near OCPAC, his home he shared with Sharyn or Bistro 400 over dinner and wine laughing and chatting the night away.  His laugh.  Oh his laugh.

He was loving his retirement and was always telling me what he planned on doing next.  I remember when he was telling me about the writing trip he was going to take to France.  He was so excited. 

I haven't seen him as much over the last couple of years since he moved out to Las Vegas.  We would follow each other on Facebook and shoot an email here and there.  The last time I saw him was a Christmas Party he and Sharyn had hosted before he moved.  I remember him laughing with a glass of wine and telling me about France.  The last time I spoke to him was late last year.  He had called to check up on me after my hemorrhage and scolded me for scaring everybody.  I was looking so forward to chatting with him in June when he returned from France to hear all about his trip.

Stephen you were taken from this world much too soon.  A great spark has been snuffed out too early.  The only peace I have is that you were happy and you left this world in a good place.  I will miss you so very much.  I will miss your laugh and your smile and your great passion you had for so many things.  There is a hole in my heart and I think about you all the time.  You touched my life so much more than you will ever know. 

Below are a few pictures to share.

From our Club J.E.T. red party we had in celebration of Terri/Erika and my birthdays.  Pictured here with another lovely man, Tom Kelly:

This is a photo from a peaceful candlelight vigil that a bunch of us participated in protesting Prop 8:

Here is a photo from our Beach-Themed Tea Party we held at my moms house:

Here is Stephen and I at the Tai/Parker Lovefest:

And here is a photo from Alex's 40th surprise birthday.  I love this picture so much because it captures the laughter we so often shared:



I will miss you my wonderful friend.





Here is a lovely article written by Joel Beers.  Thank you Joel:
OCWeekly article by Joel

Doheny Blues Festival 2013...

I look forward to the Doheny Blues Festival every year.  Dad and I have been going now for 7 years.  We have different folks joining us or not joining us each year but Dad and I are the stalwarts.  I would never be able to afford to go, but Dad always treats.  He spoils his little girl!

This year I was a little worried because he threw his back out a few weeks ago.  He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to make it.  I was crushed.  It just wouldn't be the same without him there.  Thankfully he was able to make it, a little gingerly, but able.  He would have to pretty much be bed bound to not come to this festival that we love so much.

So, this year we went on Sat and T joined us for the VIP experience.  We got there at our usual early time to park our chairs in the growing line before the doors open.  Even though we have VIP and are let in a bit before the GA, there is still another level ahead of us and you have to grab your spot in the VIP section as well.  So we parked it, visited with our neighbors, people watched, drank our coffee and chilled.

Since Dad was down in the back and I would be carrying all of his stuff, we assigned T the job of getting in and getting our spot.  We had a bit of a scare at 1st because Dad realized he couldn't sit in his chair.  When he got up I thought we were going to be going back home he was in so much pain.  He tried out my chair and it worked better.  So we traded.  FYI - his chair is weird and uncomfortable.  Time to re-invest.   I digress...T did a great job getting our spot.  Here was our view:

Once we got settled we got our one shot of the 3 of us.  I love it!

Sunblock applied, our spot set up, we had about an hour to kill before the 1st band - so we headed out for grub.  Dad and I got some yummy burgers and T got herself a sandwich.  Dad decided not to drink this year since he was going to be taking some pain meds so T grabbed herself a beer and I hit the Wine Lounge.  One of the other things I like about this festival is they have wine.  It's decent wine too!  The drawback is the glass is like shot size it seems and is way overpriced, but still.  Wine.

Then on our way back to our spot we of course got our Doheny Blues staple:

1st up on the mainstage was Lynwood Slim and Friends.  He hails from California and when he picked up a harmonica in his teens he found his calling.  A Blues man was born.  He had a voice like Elvis and put on a great set.  The brass section in his band was great and of course my favorite - the stand up bass was awesome.  He even whipped out a flute at one point!



Also check out the sea of chairs!  I love the way it looks out here for Blues on the Beach!!



Now usually we wander over to the 2nd stage and check out parts of the other bands, but this year no one really caught our fancy so in between sets we found ourselves checking out the vendors, eating, etc.  T and I between here and there found a great little vendor called TeaTime.  The gals were giving out samples of these drinks.  They were glass bottles of water that when you twist the top, the tea shoots out into the bottle.  That way your tea is always fresh.  They had Pomegranate/Acai, Citrus/Mint and Peach/Ginger.  They were so good!!!  She gave us free chapstick and said if we buy a bottle at the beverage stand we get a free tank.  Um, hello?  You know what a nerd I am for free shit - so bam - I have a Tea Time tank.

Next up on the stage was Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt a Whirl Band with Lou Ann Barton.  He's got a huge amount of album variety.  The bio even mentions that he doesn't believe in too much of a good thing! They were fantastic.  A mix of blues and swing and rock and roll.  He also had an amazing brass section.  My favorite was the trombone player.  You don't see many trombone solos out there and this guy was incredible!!!  Lou Ann came out to sing a few songs and although she was a woman of no expression, her voice was a perfect grumbly low bluesy voice.  She was terrific.  There were a whole mess of musicians up there and they put on a great set!

At this point I think we went for round 2 of food.  I got me some Pad Thai this time!  It was actually pretty good!  More wine of course as well!  Now was our 2 favorites coming up and we headed back with anticipation.  The Tedeschi Trucks Band is phenomenal.  Susan Tedeschi has a voice that sounds like Janis Joplin, Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt made a love child.  When she talks she has this adorable little girl voice but when she sings - Holy Shit.  She's brilliant.  She also shreds on the guitar!  That's right folks - a chick who shreds on the guitar!  Derek Trucks is a guitar god.  He plays that thing like it's an extension of his body.  Well - these two were amazing as solo artists but a few years back they married and formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  That's right.  Two ridiculously talented people merged and made one big ass brilliant band.  And they did not disappoint.  I didn't take many pictures of the last two sets because I was so enthralled by the performances.  The Tedeschi Trucks has a huge band - I think there was about 11 of them and they all got their moment.  The stand out for me (aside from Derek and Susan of course) was this guy that shredded on the flute.  That's right - Shredded ON A FLUTE! Not only that - the dude skatted at the same time!!!!  It was absolutely amazing to watch.  They had a longer set since they were one of the bigger artists and it wasn't enough time.  I wish I could have watched them for another hour.  Just brilliant.

Now over on the 2nd stage I heard a bit of Mark Hummel's Blue Harp Blowout and they sounded pretty incredible.  I do regret not getting over there to see their set, but I have the name in mind and plan to keep and eye out for them.  We got some more food, this time I got myself a chicken/mozzarella/basil/tomato crepe.  YUM!!!  More wine of course and we hung out for awhile. 

Some more pics for your viewing pleasure:

We took one last wander around, dad bought me a tye dye dress!  Squeeall!  We bundled up for the night shift and anxiously awaited the headliner.  Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper.  Now - I have seen Ben Harper live before.  I saw him perform at Coachella.  He was amazing.  I am familiar with Charlie Musselwhite but have never seen him live, I just know he kills it on the harmonica.  When I heard that these two got together and made an album I about died.  My dad wasn't familiar with either but did some research before we went and was quite excited to see them perform.  T is a HUGE Ben Harper fan so needless to say we were all on the edge of our seats.  One thing I will say that I was disappointed in was the amount of people that left before they went on.  I know probably not as many are familiar with Ben Harper, but they sure missed out.  I felt bad for the performers but it certainly made for a more intimate performance for us.  They began.  Oh. My. God.  I don't think I can ever put into worlds the brilliance of this performance.  Ben Harper played I don't know how many different guitars throughout the set including a slide guitar and his voice.  Oh his voice.  And Charlie!!!  Charlie Musselwhite is seriously the best harmonica player in the world!  I could not get over how he made that instrument sound.  Their performance was beyond brilliant.  My dad said it perfectly at after their first couple of songs - "If you look up Blues in the dictionary you will see this show".  They were just phenomenal.  You felt every note that came off that stage.  It was if they were singing directly to each and every one of us and stroking our soul with sound.  The encore set was as good if not better than the main set.  The last song actually brought me to tears because the way Charlie played that harmonica and the way Ben felt every note that came out of his mouth.  My God.  It was epic.  I could have listened to them all night. 

As always this festival did not disappoint.  Every year it seems to surpass my expectations.  The Blues is not dead my friends.  It is alive and well. 

People ask me all the time what my favorite music is, knowing what a big music fan I am, and I always answer with - "I don't really have a favorite, I just like good music" but I have to say, I've been misleading because Blues is my favorite.  There is just something about the Blues.  I only have a couple of friends that I know truly love the blues and of course my dad and I'm always surprised more people don't listen to it more.  I don't know how to explain it but Blues just gets in you.  Gets in your soul and swirls around a bit.  You feel them. Taste them.  Know them.  The world is a better place with music that is for damn sure.

Thank you to my dad for raising me with such an appreciation for music and for always spoiling me rotten on one of my favorite days every year.  I love you!