Johnny Lang...

It’s hard to even begin to describe what an amazing experience it is to see Jonny Lang perform live.  If you have not seen him and you get a chance, make it happen.  I guarantee it will blow your mind!  (In the good way of course)

Dad and I first saw Johnny Lang headline Doheny Blues Festival one year.  We had no idea who or why this little tiny white boy who was maybe 20 years old was headlining a blues festival.  Well, as you’ve read in that blog and probably the 2^nd time we saw him at the House of Blues in Anaheim a year or two ago you know – Minds Blown.

Here’s the kids website Jonny Lang educate yourself.  Trust me.

Anywhoo, I saw he was going to be playing at The Grove in Anaheim and I hit up my dad.  Dad in his usual generosity promptly purchased us two dinner tickets and two show tickets.  Done and Done.  I swear I wouldn’t be able to experience as much cool shit if it weren’t for the generosity of my father.

Last Saturday night was the big night.  Dad picked me up about 5:30 and we arrived just before the doors opened.  We were seated in fantastic seats in the 2^nd section back from the stage.  For the dinner shows they have all tables set up and I could see the stage even without my glasses!  That’s how close we were!  Dad ordered us a bottle of wine and with the exception of the place smelling somewhat like feet at times, the overly stressed waitress and the packed in feeling they do – it was a fantastic evening.

Dad and I both had the Chicken Marsala which was bomb!  Grove is always a hit or miss when it comes to the food and we defiantly had a hit.  The dessert was Root Beer Floats!  I don’t remember the last time I had one of those!  Sadly I could only have a little due to my “Not supposed to eat dairy” rule but hey – brought back some childhood memories.

The opening band was called Honor by August.  They were lovely.  They reminded me of Airborne Toxic Event a bit.  Seemed like the type of music you would hear on KROQ or even a poppy station.  All kids it looked like and great musicians.  The guitar player had a fantastic solo where he was able to show off his outstanding skills.  I do hope to see this band go far, they were a fun show.

Then of course comes the God of Guitar himself.  Jonny Lang.  As I said earlier, I don’t even know how to come up with the right words to describe this kid.  He’s adorable, humble, and grateful and seems like he rolled right out of some barn somewhere and picked up a guitar.  He is the most expressional artist I have ever seen in my life.  Now I have seen musicians feel the music, but he feels it the entire damn time.  He looks like he’s either orgasming or in tremendous pain the whole time.  THE WHOLE TIME!   It’s exhaustingly great to watch him.  When his band is tearing it up in solos – and do they – he is laughing and smiling and watching them in awe.  The whole band is having a great time the whole show.  It’s like we’re just watching a bunch of dudes have a blast in someone’s garage – except that they are AMAZING.

I have opted out of taking photos at concerts since the iPhone just can't get them very well.  Plus it's annoying :)  So here's just a few faves pulled off the internet:

He played his usual favorites – Lie to Me and Turn Around.  And of course many other greats.  One of his songs he sings about “The music in me”.  It’s him.  I’m serious.  This kid feels the music from his head to his toes.  He plays rock and blues and he’s phenomenal.  The entire crowd was blown away.  You think he just topped himself with a solo then 10 minutes later you’re screaming at the top of your lungs because he just did something twice as amazing.  He sings his licks.  He has a raspy voice that comes from his soul.  And that guitar.  Oh My God the way he plays that guitar.  There are no words.  His pianist and bass player had solos that had me screaming and leaping out of my seat.  I have never seen a bass player slap the base like this guy did and sing the licks as well!!!  The man’s name is James Anton and the pianist is Dwan Hill.  They were my favorite band members.  Jonny Lang was beautifully brilliant.  This is the third time my dad and I have seen him live and it was his best performance to date!

I want to touch on music here for a second.  It’s the breath of the soul I believe.  It lifts you up when you are down.  It brings tears to your eyes when it touches a certain part of you.  It makes you giggle.  It makes you want to spontaneously dance.  It’s a revolution cry.  It’s a hymn.  It’s a lullaby.  Its part of the world and without it I truly believe that we would wither away and die.  I need music to live.  To thrive.  To feel.  I was a musician briefly, played the drums a few years, played piano a few years even played bass a few months but I didn’t have the determination.  But I am a fan.  I need music.  Want it.  Love it and live it.  So does my father.  He and I share a mutual love and appreciation for the art of music and I am so grateful to have experienced as many fantastic live shows as I have.  

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Where words fail, music speaks.”
 -  Hans Christian Andersen

“Where words leave off, music begins.”
― Heinrich Heine

“Music is the universal language of mankind.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
― Confucius

“Music can change the world because it can change people.”
― Bono

And so many many more.  Know music my friends.  Live it.  Love it.  Experience it.  Feel it.

New Years Day 2014

I get a text from my friend Fatima a few days before.
I believe she was wondering - now which of my friends would be nutty enough to do this with me?  Ding Ding!  Jami of course!

"You want to come check out this Surf City Splash?  It's HB's version of the Polar Plunge"
"I'm in!  Are there costumes?"
"Costumes?  I guess.  I do have a USC Band Trojan Helmet."
"Awesome.  I have a couple of boxes of costumes, I'll find something."
That is something close to what our text message convo was.

I signed up online - a $20 fee that benefits the Surf Museum.   I dig through my costume box wondering what would be ok to run into the ocean wearing and decide on a neon green tu-tu, some new wacky Xmas socks from my sis in law, some green beads and a tiara.

To explain to those who have no idea what I'm talking about - I have heard of this Polar Plunge thing.  I have also thought  - who in their right mind would purposefully run into the freezing cold ocean in January!!!  Well when you are in a new place as I am now you'll try almost anything once!  I love the word adventure and that's exactly what this was.

The idea behind it is you run into the ocean and wash off the old year and are fresh and clean for the new year.  I don't know how clean we got in the waters of HB but hey - it's the idea right?

I had a wonderful NYE with one of my besties but was in bed by 12:30 knowing I had to be up bright and early to meet my friend down at the beach.  Check in was at 10am to be followed by a pancake breakfast, a costume contest and the Plunge at noon.

I headed down early not sure of the crowds and barely made it through the ridiculous fog.  I parked pretty close in the residential area and sat in my car for a moment wondering why the hell I was doing this.  It was freezing outside, you can't see 3 feet in front of you, it's early and the world isn't awake.  Grumbling to myself I headed over to the area where it was supposed to be and curled up against a wall, freezing, waiting for Fatima.  The sun was trying to break through but it wasn't looking good. I started thinking, well maybe I"ll just dip my feet in.  Just a symbolic dunk.

Fatima arrived and we watched the set up happen and the cluster fuck begin.  Oh. My. Lord.  These folks did not know what the hell they were doing.  When they finally got going and we were given our 2 tiny pancakes, 2 sausages and nasty orange juice (Where the hell is the coffee!) we sat at long tables with syrup on them.  People were now arriving, some in costume, most annoyed.  As we forced down the food we looked at each other and wondered if this was such a good idea.  "Well it's an adventure!" Fatima said laughing. 
Lord.
Since we had a little time, we headed to Starbucks to get some warmth in our bodies and then watched as more people arrived.  The sun was now winning the battle with the fog which thrilled me to no end.  About 11 or so we headed over to Fatima's truck and got ourselves dressed.  Photo op!

We headed back over and of course Fatima and her friggin 6 pack (Do you see her abs!  Jesus!) were a hit.  They started doing the costume contest and I kept hollering at her to get in there.  She was protesting but did take part.  Well guess what - SHE WON! Ha ha ha!  They gave out a few different prizes but she won one of them.  We died laughing but then she looked in the envelope and there was a $50!  Holy shit!  If I had known I would have put more effort in!  (Although how many people do you know happen to have tu-tu's and tiaras just lying around....).  Fatima said we would share it since the costumes were my idea an I nagged her to be in the contest so I suggested lunch after.

Here was some of the other kids:

As we headed down to the spot for the plunge the excitement started to build.  The messy breakfast and chaotic check in was forgotten as we all started to get ready.  I would say there was maybe 100 or so folks doing this.  The sun was now totally out.  It wasn't hot but it was warm enough for me not to cry.
We got our before shot and I tried to catch some of the action around us.
They had us all bunch up behind a sign and the guy started pumping us up from the lifeguard jeep.

The guys pumped us up and counted down.  I don't know why but I was so excited!!!  When he said go - we all shot out into the ocean, screaming and laughing!  Fatima and I both were thrilled!

We got our in the water shots which I think came out awesome! One of them is actually my new profile of course!

A bunch of people were watching from the pier:

We got a few aftermath shots as well:

I was surprised that the water wasn't actually as cold as I thought it was going to be.  I couldn't feel my feet for the first few minutes but then I acclimated.  I wouldn't stay in any longer than we did of course.  Fatima didn't dunk due to the helmet but I went all in.  If I'm gonna do it - well I'm gonna damn well do it!  We got out, dried off, headed to the truck to change into dry clothes and spent our winnings at Ra Sushi for lunch.

I felt really good that I actually did something wacky like this to kick off the new year.  I'm all about new experiences no matter how random they sound!  If it's not freezing cold outside I would totally do this again!

Talk about the perfect New Year's Day! 

2013 Recap!

2014 is here!

Time for my 2013 recap blog!

I’ll briefly recap the year, since I know I try to blog a little more often about events so I can remember them.  Hell I go back and skim them so I can recap here! 

The year began with me easing back into my normal active life.  I did cancel my Fitness 19 membership.  I just figured there was no point in trying to get over the mental block I had going back there.  Everyone I talked to understood.  I started back up Boxing Burn and have been regular there ever since.   I also took a Barre class as well!!  Feels great!  

The year also began with me adjusting to life in my new pad.  I’m still here!  It’s a bit of a broke down mess now that I’ve been here a year and really got to experience the ups and downs but I don’t mind it.  I adjust and the girls seem content.  

February brought a wonderful birthday of friends freezing out on the deck to celebrate me!  Saw Wicked.  Got lots of great presies.

This year brought me my 1^st race back.  Warrior Dash was much more emotional than I was prepared for

and totally awesome.  Following that I’ve done: ROC Race in Del Mar, Bubble Run, Color Run, 4^th of July 5K, ROC Race in Irvine, Drenched Run, Rugged Maniac, Race for the Rescues and the Stache Dash.  RAD!

I also have really expanded my mindfulness and meditation.  I did a few meditation challenges which I really dug and I now am trying to keep a regular routine of 5 minutes of mindfulness before I leave in the morning and 10-20 minutes of a meditation at night before bed.  I feel I am really improving here and am noticing little differences.  I want to get deeper into this and learn more.  Definitely on the agenda for this year.

The year had a few great musical interludes – The Doheny Blues Festival was its best yet.  We saw Tower of Power in January and I saw John Mayer and The Aggrolites this summer.  The PSO did Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon.  I saw the Post Mortem Alice Burlesque.  All great shows!

I had much loss this year as well.  My dear friend Stephen Ludwig.  An old co-worker of mine who was a delight named Kyle Daniels.  A childhood friend of mine John Brauning whom we called Little John.  And of course my Papa.  My Papa whom I love so much my heart bursts every time I think of him.  He has spent the last 3 years on such an awful downward spiral and then this last year – the year I write about – was his worst.  I’m still having a tough time with this, but I do know he is at peace.

This year also brought the 1 year anniversary of my hemorrhage.  An anniversary I wasn’t expecting to be so emotional and over whelming. Also so friggin awesome the amount of support that is rallied around me.

I had some successes at work.  Winning a few awards.  Enjoying Staff Summit.  Making new friends and still being so thrilled I’m at a job I don’t despise!

I’ve been missing theatre, but writing more.  I started a craft night that a bunch of girls have jumped on board with and it’s still going!  I did get onstage for one night again for the Adolt’s Only Christmas Pageant and had a blast!  I was also hilarious! 

Prop 8 was smashed as well as DOMA!  

It was another year of weddings!  My dear friend and co-worker Michele married Chuck.  This man loves her so much and I couldn’t be happier for her!  Terri and I had an amazing weekend out in Palm Springs not only celebrating the union of Sean and Dea but partying with so many old friends.  It was truly one of my favorite weekends of the year!  Then of course actually throwing my first wedding for my boys Dave and Pete who can finally after 19 years officially tie the knot.  The wedding was glorious and I am so happy for them!!

Had some great Halloween fun with Jay at Haunt and friends at LA Haunted Hayride and Bistro Halloween Party.

Christmas was lovely and NYE was lovely.  I rang in the New Year with one of my besties who always has a NYE party.  They are Scottish and always do this cool tradition called First Foot In.  A few minutes before midnight all the men go outside and at midnight they knock on the door, we let them in and someone else opens the back door to let the old year out.  The men come in carrying wood, booze and bread.  It's so friggin cool!  Liz and Susan also always have a ridiculous amount of food and Liz piles me with it when I try to leave.  They are my other family and I love them so!

So there it is – 2013 in a nutshell.

When I think back on this year I look at it as a year of growth.  Of spiritual understanding.  Of accepting things about myself.  The good and the bad.  Of letting things go.  Of not worrying about pleasing everyone or what people think.  Of eliminating the bad people out of my life and dedicating more time to the ones that matter.  Of practicing more random acts of kindness and practicing compassion.  I’ve become more analytical about the way I feel but it’s good.  I’m constantly trying to better myself.  I’m in a new place and it’s a trip.  I work out now to be strong and healthy, not worry about how I look.  I eat healthy to feel good not to lose weight.  I drink less to not lose my time to headaches and exhaustion.  I sleep more for those same reasons.  I try to write and create and stay active. 

There are things I’m scared of.  I’m scared to set up my appointment this month for my MRI.  I’m scared that I will never actually meet a man to share my life with.  I’m scared I won’t be able to financially get on track.  I’m scared to lose someone I love again like Papa.  But these fears don’t control me or over whelm me.  I take them in stride and don’t dwell on them.

I’m happy.  I’m in a good place.  I find it’s so much easier now to just be.  To live in the moment.  To enjoy life each day and find beautiful things in each day.  I feel like I used to dread new years and worry about what was coming.  I used to always seem to think the prior year was so bad.  Yes, last year had it’s really down moments but it was a good year.  I focus on the positive now.  The good.

I don’t make resolutions but I do hope for new adventures this year.  New friends.  Yes, a man of course!  I plan on doing some more races and crafts and playing in the kitchen.  I hope to get onstage again.   I’m just excited.  I’m going into 2014 with a smile!

Happy New Year everyone!