Shane at the Angels Pitchers Mound...

My brother helps coach High School Kids Baseball.

The kiddies were selling Angels tickets to the game to raise money for their team.

The day of, Shane found out he got to place the game ball on the pitchers mound!!!  He was so excited, but so nervous!  It was adorable.

I think I may have been as excited if not more excited because I'm a nerd like that.  He wanted to get there early just in case.  I told him to ask questions, see if more people could come on the field with him, if just to take pictures.  I told him to take pictures.  Do a selfie.  Wave to the crowd.  Get pictures with the ball players!  Make sure to look towards where we're sitting because I'll be taking pictures!

Well, my brother is not me.  He was nervous and shy and didn't want to mess anything up.  So he did none of those things.  We found out later he could have had up to 3 people with him down on the field.  Oh Shane.  Dammit boy!!!  Sigh.  It's Shane's Day. 

So - I acted the fool for him.  Our seats were out in the outfield where the Budwiser Pavilion is.  It's where we always go if we want to pay the lowest price and watch the game.  My mom, dad, D, a few of Shanes friends, myself and my friend Cesar were all there to root Shane on.  I brought my camera.  Not my super fancy one because I'm still unsure how to use it and didn't want to not get shots, but my other nice camera that has a decent zoom. (note to self: LEARN HOW TO USE THE OTHER CAMERA!)  I got down as far as I could and kneeled in the aisle way to take pictures.  I could see Shane waiting and I started to shriek.

Then we had to sing.  But just at the end I snapped another shot because...well sorry America but my little brother is on the field!!!

The crowd around me has now realized I know someone on the field.  Cesar is doing a wonderful job helping people around me and explaining we're just there for a minute.  She's excited.  Her brother is down there.  Don't mind her screaming.

Then it was announced!  I hear Shane's name over the loud speaker.  I was screaming and cheering as he walked out and I tried to keep taking pictures but I also wanted to enjoy the moment and cheer him on.

OH MY GOD THAT'S MY LITTLE BROTHER!!!  I'm screaming and making a huge scene and most the crowd around me were laughing and joined in.

My damn brother never looked up once!  Le sigh.  Guess that's why I'm the actor.

He returned to our seats and was given a baseball.  I took a photo of the photo on my camera because I wanted to Twitter about it.  Yes - I was excited and proud and wanted everyone to know!  Then we took a selfie.  I mean look at that smile on Shane's face.

Shane I'm so glad you got to fulfill a dream of yours!  So cool to be able to be there to watch it!  Love you to pieces!!

Doheny Blues Festival 2015...

I didn't bring my fancy camera this year so the pictures below are off the interwebs except the ones of ourselves :)

This will be dad and my 9th year attending The Doheny Blues Festival!  I can't believe it's been that long!

This year it was just Dad, Lori and myself.  Dad bought us VIP tickets and we arrived at our usual early time and parked it in line, drinking our coffee, reading the paper and visiting with the surrounding Blues fans.

This year was a bit chilly than previous years, but I still opted for my usual attire of a sundress over jeans layered with a coat.  Hat for day then beanie for night.  This worked out beautifully as the sun did peek out for a bit and although there was a cold breeze all day the sun did warm us up a bit.

We herded in and got our spot.

First up was Candye Kayne.

Now, I hate to say it - but for the 1st time EVER - we saw a performance we didn't like.  I mean at all.  The band was great but this chick was so off key it pained me.  A few songs in I was out.  Lori and I scattered, just not able to stand the woman anymore.  Since we had just got settled, Dad opted to stay.  So - Lori and I moseyed over to Shari Puorto who was performing on the Backporch Stage.  She was a cross between Janis Joplin and Melissa Ethridge.  Raspy rad bluesy voice.  She killed it.  Her band wasn't as up to par as the band for Candye but she was fantastic.  Lori and I watched a good portion of her set then headed back. 

Candye was still performing and had apparently stopped to deliver a speech.  She was rambling on about survival and inspiration and we all can have what we want and blah blah fucking blah.  I guess she had cancer.  I'm sorry for that, but the way she talked about it made me want to smack her.  I felt like I was at one of those revival tent things.  Shut the fuck up.

Got a cute Dad and Lori shot:

Food time.  I was already starving so dad and I went and got some grub.  I opted for the Tri Tip sandwich, garlic fries and some lemonade.  All decent but got cold so fast because it was so damn cold out still that it turned into cold food mush.  This was a bummer.  You know how much I love my food.  But we also got our big ol bag of Kettle Corn.  Yummy!

The second stage band had started and Lori and I wandered over to check out the vendors and the band.  Now - we thought this was Eric Lidell.  The line up was a bit messed up because Taj Mahal Trio pulled out last minute (SO BUMMED!) and they had a replacement band but the line ups all shifted so the program we usually go by was wrong.  So as we're wandering the vendors and Lori is making some purchases, I keep getting drawn back out to watch the band.  We find out later it's Trickbag.  These were the fellows that replaced Taj Mahal.  These cats are from Europe and hailed as a top act out in their blues scene.

They were fucking awesome!  Lori and watched a good portion of their set.  They had you bouncing and hopping the whole time. Very swingy.  Very fun!

After this Lori wanted an "Adult Beverage" so the alcohol consumption began.  I had my 1st Pinot Noir.  Not bad!  Also the sun came out!  Yay!

Oh, and of course my new profile pic was taken:

Next up on the mainstage was Mud Morganfield and Kim Wilson.  I've seen Kim Wilson perform before.  He's an outstanding harmonica player and did not disappoint.  Mud Morganfield is actually the son of Muddy Waters and he sounded just like him!!!  It was such a trip.  If you closed your eyes you would swear Muddy Waters was on that stage. 

This was probably my 2nd favorite of the day.  Fantastic band and a great set!  Mud came out in a fabulous purple suit!  Very bluesy set which I loved.

After this Lori and I wandered around checking out more of the scene and listening to North Mississippi Allstars in the background.  Lori bought me an adorable new tank and we were again drawn to the band.  We heard this odd sound.  It was a crazy rad beat...but what the hell was it?

That's right - it was this dude - shredding on a friggin washboard!!!!!  It was awesome!  Here's a photo of the entire band:

They were super fun.  We watched a few of their songs and the musicians were spot on.  A WASHBOARD! So rad.

Next up on the mainstage was Los Lobos.  I've been dying to see these guys live!

They're so fucking rad.  They're set was more rock and roll I'd say than blues, but still awesome.  Lori opted out to go watch Eric Lidell on the Backporch Stage who was much more bluesy and I really did want to go check him out, but Los Lobos was putting on such an awesome set that dad and I just couldn't tear away.  They were so rad.  We grooved and clapped along with them rocking out to mostly unfamiliar songs actually.  The band was tight!  They were also having an absolute ball up there.  Lori said Eric Lidell rocked and I would love to check him out sometime but super glad I watched the entire set of Los Lobos!  They did not disappoint!

Believe it or not I switched over to a Rosé since this was the 1st year they offered it and I wanted to try it.  Um - delicious!  It was more like a pink champagne and better suited for the warm afternoon.  Lori and dad got some awesome BBQ pork they raved about as well.  

Another side note I'd like to mention here - so dad totally helped out during a medical situation when Lori and I were off listening to the washboard guy.  Apparently our neighbor lady passed out.  Dad of course stepped in and shouted orders to her hubs and the surrounding folks.  Feet up on a chair, brought her back to conscious and started asking questions.  I got the whole story when I returned to find my chair and blanket all askew.  Apparently she had a few beers with a new blood pressure medication and hadn't eaten!  Whoops!  The on staff medical dude was chatting with her when Lori and I returned.  Funniest part is she didn't realize dad was right next to her.  She was telling the story to a friend saying "This fireman helped me and was so nice..." and she turned around and saw dad.  "Oh my gosh you're right there!!!"  I was dying laughing.  Luckily the woman was ok and even had another beer later on.  Party on lady!  Good ol dad saving the day!

About now is when Lori headed out.  She wanted to get home to her ailing doggie.  So hugs and thanks yous and she was off. 

I'd also like to add at this point that this year seemed super chill.  Everyone was so nice, there weren't any drunken assholes, it seemed the consideration level was high this year.  Super rad and super chill!

Next up on the 2nd stage was The Mavericks.  We were kind of relaxing at this point so didn't wander over but heard the whole set and they sounded awesome. 

Next up on the main stage was the headliner Paul Rodgers.  Remember him?  From Bad Company?

I watched his first couple of songs, but here was my dilemma.  As much as he would have been cool to watch - my non negotiable was Igor Prado who for some reason was playing on the Backporch Stage.  When I saw that it threw me, but it's not his whole band so maybe he preferred the little stage because of the intimacy level.  It was him and "Friends" but I still really wanted to watch him because he's fucking amazing.  So - I told dad I was heading over.  He really wanted to come but really wanted to watch Paul, so I told him I'd head over - see what it was about  - and report back.

Off I went.  So glad I did because Holy Shit!!!  This was the best set of the whole day.  Igor is fucking amazing.  He can play that guitar like magic!

That night was no different.  It was so cool seeing him up close and personal on the Backporch stage too!!!  He brought out Kim Wilson (yup who played with Mud earlier) and he started tearing it up.

I watched a few songs then ran to get dad.  I leaned down and said "No offense to Paul Rodgers, but if you want to hear the FUCKING BLUES that's happening right now over at Backporch."  He was in.  We hurried back over there in time to see Kim Wilson's last number.  Dad's eyes lit up and I knew we made the right choice.  Next up of Igor's friends was Mitch Kashmar.

Holy shit!!!  This guy shredded the harmonica!  He was ridiculous!!!  Then of course Igor joins in with some guitar magic and I was in heaven.  Those two playing together was epic.

Next friend up was Jai Malano from Texas.

This woman stepped onto the stage and I knew we were in for a treat.  She has the raddest presence and just took command.  Soon as she belted out the tunes I was in love.  Very low soulful voice.  Fucking awesome.  This set was FUCKING AWESOME.  My highlight of the day for sure.

We headed back as Paul Rodgers was about to return for an encore and I was ready to see the last few songs, but dad said "No, let's just go." I was surprised.  "Are you sure?" I asked.  "Yes.  I want to end on the blues, and that was some fucking blues.".  Ah yes.  Dad had been affected.  How could you not be with that performance.

We packed up our stuff and headed out.  I was on such a high when I got home it took forever for me to fall asleep, but amazing harmonica sounds and magical guitar riffs were still buzzing in my ears when I finally did drift off.

Another awesome year listening to awesome music with my awesome family!

Jumping on the Comic Book Movie Train...

This is going to be one of those blogs I come back to and won't post until complete.

So.  I'm a theater geek.  This puts me in a group surrounded by a lot of other geeks.  What I have come to realize is I'm way behind with the geek cred.

My nerdom really only consists of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Huge fan by the way, own the whole series, probably watched it over 20 times), Harry Potter and The Walking Dead.  I'm a huge geek when it comes to anything horror but apparently that doesn't really count for the geek cred.  I watched the 1st three Star Wars, not the last 3 and plan to watch the upcoming three.  Not obsessed though.  Don't care for Star Trek, haven't jumped on the Dr. Who train and I'm sure there a zillion others I'm not mentioning.

I've also never read comic books.  I don't like them.  They read weird, it's laid out so strange, so many pictures, it's just utter chaos and to this girls OCD brain I've never been down.

BUT

I've always enjoyed Super Heroes.  They're fun.  I'll watch a flick here and there.  What I have come to realize is there is a whole fucking universe of this shit and everyone I know is obsessed.   I am constantly finding myself in very in depth conversations about these things that I can never contribute too because I am totally out of the loop.  Then I read some news about Suicide Squad.  This sounds cool!  I've always tended to enjoy villains more than heroes and this looks like something right up my alley!  Plus - maybe I can now be part of all these comic book conversations that are always happening around me!

I started to talk about this to some folk, one friend in particular was laughing so hard at my ignorance I posted this post to my facebook page:

So....I thought I should jump on the comic movie train since everyone always talks about it & I'm lost & can never partake.
I saw Thor years ago...just found out there's 2. Ok. On my list.
I watched Iron Man. Oh there's 3. Fuck. I just watched 2. 3 is next. (Loving them by the way! Um Natalie Black Widow is badass)
Apparently there's a bunch of Captain Americas?
So then I'll see them all & can watch The Avengers right? Oh...the one that just came out is the 2nd one?!
Ok. Avengers 1...on my list.
This Suicide Squad looks rad! Wait...what!? There's Marvel and DC?! It's not all the same?!
Shit..ok...so DC is like Superman & Batman & Spiderman right? I saw Christopher Reeves...is there more?
I saw all the old Batman's & 2 of the new ones with Ledger & Bale...that's it right?
And Spider man...why are there so many? I saw one of them
Is there more?
Oh...and the Xmen? Where the hell do they fall in? I've seen some...but they're going backwards?
I also learned to watch after the credits are done for secret scenes or something? That's fun! It's like a mystery!
But my god people! There's so many. Am I too late to the game?
I'm so overwhelmed!

Knowing I would get a zillion responses - which I did - I have been put on the mission to watch all of the Marvel Movie to begin this journey.  I've been given the order of which to watch them in.  Another friend posted the order along with TV shows but that's just too much for this non geek to handle so we're sticking to the movies.  I'm sure I'll eventually move on to DC and other venues (Um whose Fantastic Four? And aren't there a bunch of green people like green lamps and shit?) but this blog is solely dedicated to my Marvel Movie watching adventure.  

Oh - and not that there's probably anyone on the planet left that hasn't watched these but me - 

*SPOILERS*SPOILERS*SPOILERS*

First up - IronMan 1

I love it!  First of all Robert Downey Jr. is super hot - so there's that.  But I found myself squealing and jumping during the action sequences.  I also loved the humor aspect to it!  RDJ is hilarious and spot on with his timing.  I'm not a huge Gwenth Paltrow fan, but she's very cute and funny and plays well off RDJ.  It's kind of hard not to - the man is brilliant.  You get the story of how IronMan is created in this movie and it's pretty nifty!  Watching him figure out how to use the suit was a blast.  I also enjoyed the little surprise after the credits that introduces Samuel Jackson and apparently letting us know the Avengers is a thing.  So thumbs up here!

Next up I was apparently supposed to watch the Hulk, but this was before my post for help so I watched IronMan 2.

Again - hot Robert.  This one was also alot of fun!  Don Cheadle is in it and I adore him as an actor and he doesn't disappoint in this at all.  I think my favorite though is the introduction of Scarlett Johanson as Black Widow.  You think she's just a law consultant for Tony Stark (RDJ) but she has this rad scene in the boxing ring where she totally takes down Jon Favre's character in a brilliant moment.  He is also rad by the way!

Later on in the movie we get to see her kick some major ass.  Loved loved loved her!  There is a great boy brawl between Don Cheadle and RDJ that is awesome and hilarious as they destroy his home after a party having a showdown in IronMan suits.  I was dying.

The other thing I loved about this movie was Mickey Rourke as the villian!  He was so friggin scary and bad ass and awesome!  His body was RIDICULOUS!

This little surprise gem after the credits is the a shot in the desert where it looks like Thor has landed (we see his hammer) but  - I'm out of order at this point but I'll remember it!

Third up (that should have been 2nd) is The Incredible Hulk.  I was told to skip the Eric Bana version entirely, that Mark Ruffalo Hulk comes later so the Edward Norton one is the one I'm to watch (Seriously there's so many godamn re-makes/re-boots/re-whatever the hells out there!  No wonder a girl is confused!)  So Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton as the Incredible Hulk it is!

I didn't enjoy this as much.  Now - I adore Edward Norton - he is a fine actor - and he does a fine job in this, but the movie seemed kind of slow.  It gives us the story of how he becomes the Hulk and it's of course the governments fault (I'm seeing a trend here! He he!).  William Hurt plays the general who caused this and then Tim Roth - another actor I just love - plays a soldier on a power trip that takes the same dosage of whatever the hell it is to make him all crazy like the Hulk.  Liv Tyler plays the love interest of Bruce Banner (Hulk's normal self if you didn't already know).  It was kind of predictable but maybe that's because I sort of know the story already?  There's a pretty great epic battle between the two "Hulks" that will thrill the action junkies, but I guess I was hoping for something more.  The little surprise clip doesn't come at the end of the credits but actually at the end of the movie after we see Ed Norton learning to control his Hulk-i-ness.  It's Tony Stark!  He shows up when the general is drowning his sorrows at a bar and says there's a team called the Avengers recruiting peeps.  So - there ya go.  Guess the build up to the Avengers is coming!

Fourth up - Thor.

Really enjoyed this one!  I had actually seen this before way back when it was in the theaters.  My mom had wanted to see it for Mother's Day  I don't remember much of it because I just really wanted him to take off his shirt the whole time.  So watching it this 2nd time I paid much more attention and it had a lot of fun tie ends now that I know it's part of this Avengers thing.  Thor is kind of a dick but he gets banished to earth and gets whipped in shape by Natalie Portman and her comrades. 

Stellan Skarsgaard who plays Erik returns in the magic scene in the end.  He's going to help make I assume the magic potion that gets shot into our Captain America which comes up next.  Thor's brother Loki played by Tom Hiddleston is how the battle starts.

It's the usual he's adopted, doesn't feel part of the family, wants to be king and rule the world, etc etc.  I really did enjoy this though.  I think because it has the fantasy aspect to it.  I tend to gravitate towards the world of fairies and myth and magic and am actually quite familiar with the real story of Thor God of Thunder so this was right up my alley.  I also love Thor's posse:

Especially Siff because she's a girl and there are not enough girl superheros dammit!  Anywhoo - super fun.  Loved it!

Fifth up - Captain America - The First Avenger.

Again, not one of my favorites but I appreciated the story line.  It takes place back in the 1940's so he is actually The 1st Avenger.  But again - like the Hulk - he gets injected with some shit from the government and BAM - he's a Superhero.  He's a tiny guy with a good heart who wants to fight for his country and he's a true hero.  So they basically give him a magic steroid.  Now I'm not gonna lie - this was my favorite part:

I mean Jesus Christ.  Chris Evans...his body....this scene happened and I'm like:

Anywhoo.  When I picked my tongue up off the floor and paid attention to the rest of the movie, it was ok.  You're good old American Hero story.  He saves the day and ultimately sacrifices himself at the end.  Or so you think!  The movie ends with it 70 something years in the future and our hero wakes up in New York.  Apparently he'd been napping for years and guess what - Sam Jackson - our Nick Fury Avenger dude is there.  The teaser at the end is a trailer for The Avengers.  It's really fun watching how these all come together.

Ok - last up in this group.  I figure I'll blog about this 1st chunk then I'll do a separate blog when I watch the 2nd chunk.  So - last night I watched The Avengers!

This was a super fun movie!  Loki (From Thor - his evil brother actually) is our Super Villian of the movie.  He looked a bit odd in this get up:

In fact, there's a moment in the movie where RDJ calls him Reindeer Games.  Hilarious.  I much preferred:

So evil - yet lickable right?  Anyway - he has an alien army that's going to basically take over earth and he thinks he'll be king.  All the Avengers get together to fight the upcoming battle and after a few snafus where Hawkeye is bad for a bit and Loki gets them all riled up against each other - they eventually come together and kick ass.  Nick Fury is dealing with what I assume is our evil government (there's that familiar theme again.  little scary how right on they are).  We lose a rad character I was just really growing to like.  RIP Agent Phil Coulson.

But my friend told me he's apparently in the Agents of Shield TV show.  I don't think I'll be jumping on that train, the movies are enough for me.  But I was sad to see him go!  I loved the humor again.  RDJ is awesome.  When the Hulk (Who is now Mark Ruffalo and not Ed Norton anymore and I kinda like Mark Ruffalo better) whacks Loki around like a doll I about died and I laughed the hardest when he randomly punched Thor.  I also didn't realize what a badass he was.  He's like the baddest ass.  Green dude showed up and pretty much took out everything!  I also really liked these weird things:

They were so fucking weirdly cool!!!  The big battle scene at the end was lots of fun and I totally enjoyed it!

SO - I'm done with the 1st round!

I'll be starting my 2nd chunk with Iron Man 3 I guess.  I am enjoying the tie in with all the movies.  The little comments here and there, the characters, how this one knows this one or will appear somewhere with this one.  I really do like that tie in.  I don't think you can get that with DC because there's been so many reboots.  It seems Marvel is the only one I can be told an order to watch all these movies in and they tie together and make sense.  I love that.  It's good for my OCD.  Order ya know.  But so far - they're fun!  I'm still not a huge sci-fi person but they're very fun and the gentlemen are defiantly easy on the eyes.  Hot damn.  I also enjoy the very anti-government snark to them. 

These flicks have me laughing out loud, reacting vocally sometimes to action packed moments and really enjoying the whole thing.  It's just a lot of fun to watch these action packed scenes with people kicking major ass in very creative ways!  Win!