April 30, 2011
Saturday.
Today is the day I have lived for during the past several months. Today is the day I return to Thackerville OK. If you had never been to Thackerville, you have no understanding of what it is like to return there, on purpose.
I enjoyed the ride, the air conditioning decided to work again, and I also got to eat at Waffle House again. I love that place. I took a few breaths in between barely chewing and swallowing. Some people need to rethink their travel arrangements, and come with me, we have more fun.
I did more mooing at the cattle, saw a zebra, more armadillos, and funny road signs. I hummed the theme from Dallas as we took the interstate thru town, ending up in a wide spot in the road somewhere between Dallas and Thackerville.
I also was looking forward to sitting in the sun, and did that, too. Glad I did as it turns out. I primped and painted and managed to squeeze my swollen and blistered feet into my boots, and off we drove to Thackerville, OK. The directions to the casino? Look to the side of the road on the state line.
I ate Mongolian this night. Really, fresh cooked Mongolian food in Oklahoma. Ran into some of the most truly delightful people here, but still we all questioned why we were there.
Well, we were hustled into a large cavernous room, with the familiar set up. This time the aircraft carrier sized empty space in front of the stage was filled with seats. I sat down. I did glance to my front row seat a bit over, and it was occupied by another body. I never wish to make trouble, unless someone needs a good smack, so I sat in a different seat, for the first half, and then a different one for the second half. I hope the person who sat in my front row seat liked it, I sat in a better one, thank you very much.
I thought I heard more plopitylopitly drumming but I was assured by a good authority that the drumming in Thackerville was exactly beat for beat the same as in Houston. But my ears heard different, perhaps it was the reverb, the sound guys did their best, but this giant cavern is not the best shape for sound, and if I stood at a certain angle, my left ear heard the vocal mix from the speakers, and my right ear heard the drums, and they were great drums, I liked the drums, I was once briefly a percussionist, and I love drums. Did I mention how much I loved the drums of Thackerville?
Vocally a good performance, great guitar and keyboards, too. I was compelled to the front of the stage for my encore, and did not need to slug anyone.
I do feel bad that my traveling musician friends have to see me every night, so I am taking the next night off, and hiding in my motel room, off the beaten path, near another strip mall.
Did I mention I like Drums?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Houston we have no problems
April 29, 2011
Friday, they tell me. I only know I need to get to Houston. Two hotel rooms were packed into five suitcases, and then five suitcases and four lovely ladies, well three ladies and me, were packed into a motor vehicle. Not the largest one available at the time, but the only one that we were allowed to use. Some people need to rethink the meaning of the word entourage. Like me.
Two GPS sat nav’s going, with the American female and the British male voices giving alternating commands. They did get into it and bicker a few times. She said, “slight left one half mile on left”, and he said, “ahead, turn left in 400 yards” We took bets to see which one would respond first. He got us there better than her.
We get to another hotel, and sneak in. Who can afford pesky hotel bills? We need to give our money to better causes. Half price beer and a quesadilla for me, to go with the breakfast taco I had had earlier. Cant eat like this in Boston. And I shouldn’t eat like this anywhere.
A shower with smelly hotel soap, that did not do much to cover the odor of goat in the hallways. Makes you wonder how the smell of goat got into the hotel. But it was goat, I assure you. And not me. I go for a walk along a waterway, and find myself in a festival atmosphere.
I am greeted by polite wonderful people, and I avoid the weird ones that are talking to themselves. I think I am fairly clever, going from place to place, with the help of friends and companions, but one wonders how these odd ducks do it. Maybe I am not so clever after all. Nahh, I am clever.
I get a seat in the last row. Or at least the 6th row of the orchestra pit. There is a fence behind me, and a few thousand people behind the fence, and I thank them for buying the concert tickets, to sponsor the Band and me to come here, but once the lights go down, the heck with them, it is all about me. I like the music, I like the lights, I like the winks and waves from the stage, even the ones directed at me, should someone want to wink at me. HINT.
The lights and sound were amazing. Great job crew. This was the first outdoor concert I have been to since last summer, at Danbury CT, and I was just glad to be wearing sandals. And other items of clothing. And especially glad to be not getting rained upon. Tequila afterwards, to round out my day of eating Mexican, and a good nights sleep, with only the slightest of snoring.
No one noticed any of the mis sung lyrics. And there was less vocal issues, it was a lovely night. And no one tried to tackle me. I even did a glow stick, thank you girls for doing that, it did look good from my seat.
To answer that question asked of me by a nice couple who were awed by someone’s having been to 80 concerts, I really have lost count, but 300 + is about right.
How many times can one person hear NIWS sung live? As many as she can and as many as he will do, that is how many.
No, I havent ever gotten tired of it. No it is not the same every night. No I M NOT ANYONES GIRLFRIEND. Why on earth would someone ask me that? Do I look like someone’s girlfriend?
Houston, we had no problems.
Friday, they tell me. I only know I need to get to Houston. Two hotel rooms were packed into five suitcases, and then five suitcases and four lovely ladies, well three ladies and me, were packed into a motor vehicle. Not the largest one available at the time, but the only one that we were allowed to use. Some people need to rethink the meaning of the word entourage. Like me.
Two GPS sat nav’s going, with the American female and the British male voices giving alternating commands. They did get into it and bicker a few times. She said, “slight left one half mile on left”, and he said, “ahead, turn left in 400 yards” We took bets to see which one would respond first. He got us there better than her.
We get to another hotel, and sneak in. Who can afford pesky hotel bills? We need to give our money to better causes. Half price beer and a quesadilla for me, to go with the breakfast taco I had had earlier. Cant eat like this in Boston. And I shouldn’t eat like this anywhere.
A shower with smelly hotel soap, that did not do much to cover the odor of goat in the hallways. Makes you wonder how the smell of goat got into the hotel. But it was goat, I assure you. And not me. I go for a walk along a waterway, and find myself in a festival atmosphere.
I am greeted by polite wonderful people, and I avoid the weird ones that are talking to themselves. I think I am fairly clever, going from place to place, with the help of friends and companions, but one wonders how these odd ducks do it. Maybe I am not so clever after all. Nahh, I am clever.
I get a seat in the last row. Or at least the 6th row of the orchestra pit. There is a fence behind me, and a few thousand people behind the fence, and I thank them for buying the concert tickets, to sponsor the Band and me to come here, but once the lights go down, the heck with them, it is all about me. I like the music, I like the lights, I like the winks and waves from the stage, even the ones directed at me, should someone want to wink at me. HINT.
The lights and sound were amazing. Great job crew. This was the first outdoor concert I have been to since last summer, at Danbury CT, and I was just glad to be wearing sandals. And other items of clothing. And especially glad to be not getting rained upon. Tequila afterwards, to round out my day of eating Mexican, and a good nights sleep, with only the slightest of snoring.
No one noticed any of the mis sung lyrics. And there was less vocal issues, it was a lovely night. And no one tried to tackle me. I even did a glow stick, thank you girls for doing that, it did look good from my seat.
To answer that question asked of me by a nice couple who were awed by someone’s having been to 80 concerts, I really have lost count, but 300 + is about right.
How many times can one person hear NIWS sung live? As many as she can and as many as he will do, that is how many.
No, I havent ever gotten tired of it. No it is not the same every night. No I M NOT ANYONES GIRLFRIEND. Why on earth would someone ask me that? Do I look like someone’s girlfriend?
Houston, we had no problems.
Going to Texas. Austin, Texas.
April 28 2011
I wake up before dawn, in a still steamy city. Nothing for me here anymore. I had thoroughly trashed my hotel room during my stay, staying true to the spirit of rock and roll, and now needed to pack my carry on bag with all the accoutrements needed by such a star as me.
We leave our fabulously well appointed accommodations, with a deep sigh of relief by the staff I am sure, after all that debauchery, the likes of which had never been seen in such a grand old city such as New Orleans, and head to the west. I was assured that I might find something fun to do if I go to the Capitol of Texas. How far can that be? Coming from New England, one can drive thru several states in a few hours, but down here we travel several hours and still are in the same state. Armadillos! Dead ones. Little dinosaurs littering the road. We don’t get that in Boston. I also see oil wells, corn fields, and a lot of cows. The hanging out of the car window and mooing back at them got old after a while, and I was threatened with expulsion from the car. But we needed my humor later, when road fatique set in, I had to sing and dance to entertain us to keep us awake.
We arrive at our home for the next few hours, with runny faces and wild hair, and smelling like the armadillos. This lovely little place took one look at us, shuffled us away from the desk and hustled us to our room. The presidential suite. I did think of showering with my clothes on, to save on the laundry, but was talked out of it. Once again I open up my bag of tricks and transform myself into a glamorous female any famous person would want draped upon their arm.
Austin is famous for it’s bats, and I desperate wanted to stop and watch, but I was told I was too much competition and they wouldn’t come out if I was there. But we parked the tired car in a shady spot and went for a walk. Saw a sculpture that some said looked like a tonsil, or a light bulb, my dirty mind thought the hanging sac like object looked a bit anatomical, and not of my anatomy. Punish me.
I once again found myself being greeted by name, met some lovely people, reacquainted myself with others. I should get to Texas more often, I know so many people here.
I am given direction to get to my seat, and the lights go down, and the place is filled with the sounds of guitars, drums, keyboards, vocals, oh my. Never heard anything like this before. At least not this night. I sit in another seat the next half. Shades of Bournemouth during H&H, as the right half was up and the left was not. I was on the right. Good thing I had left the left, I would have stood out standing up.
Not perfect, the enthusiasm was visible, at least to the third row, but waxed and waned thru the night. Like the tide slowly turning. No one noticed any mistakes, at least, not to speak of. I was not wearing any socks. Some people were. Just thought I would throw that out there.
There was one large female in a dress that threatened to fall, Both her and her precariously worn dress, exposing something I did not want to see, but men might have liked seeing, shades of Santa Rosa here, and she was flailing around, and pushed me into a dear friend, then continued to elbow me in the face and head, and almost knocked me over several times. And she should rethink the amount of deodorant she applies next time she leaves the house. And her food choices, we wont mention Garlic. She assaulted me In front of those fellows whose names I forget, but have become so dear to me. I like to embarrass myself thank you, I do not need assistance I was unaware that concert going in Texas was both a competition and contact sport. That hurt. I am alright, and maybe I slugged her back, maybe by accident. Times like these I miss Red.
We saunter around, take a leisurely drive back to the strip mall motel, and blow kisses to the odd people who inhabit the area.
Eye shades, ear plugs, and a brush of the teeth and a good night.
WOW I am in Texas, y'all.
I wake up before dawn, in a still steamy city. Nothing for me here anymore. I had thoroughly trashed my hotel room during my stay, staying true to the spirit of rock and roll, and now needed to pack my carry on bag with all the accoutrements needed by such a star as me.
We leave our fabulously well appointed accommodations, with a deep sigh of relief by the staff I am sure, after all that debauchery, the likes of which had never been seen in such a grand old city such as New Orleans, and head to the west. I was assured that I might find something fun to do if I go to the Capitol of Texas. How far can that be? Coming from New England, one can drive thru several states in a few hours, but down here we travel several hours and still are in the same state. Armadillos! Dead ones. Little dinosaurs littering the road. We don’t get that in Boston. I also see oil wells, corn fields, and a lot of cows. The hanging out of the car window and mooing back at them got old after a while, and I was threatened with expulsion from the car. But we needed my humor later, when road fatique set in, I had to sing and dance to entertain us to keep us awake.
We arrive at our home for the next few hours, with runny faces and wild hair, and smelling like the armadillos. This lovely little place took one look at us, shuffled us away from the desk and hustled us to our room. The presidential suite. I did think of showering with my clothes on, to save on the laundry, but was talked out of it. Once again I open up my bag of tricks and transform myself into a glamorous female any famous person would want draped upon their arm.
Austin is famous for it’s bats, and I desperate wanted to stop and watch, but I was told I was too much competition and they wouldn’t come out if I was there. But we parked the tired car in a shady spot and went for a walk. Saw a sculpture that some said looked like a tonsil, or a light bulb, my dirty mind thought the hanging sac like object looked a bit anatomical, and not of my anatomy. Punish me.
I once again found myself being greeted by name, met some lovely people, reacquainted myself with others. I should get to Texas more often, I know so many people here.
I am given direction to get to my seat, and the lights go down, and the place is filled with the sounds of guitars, drums, keyboards, vocals, oh my. Never heard anything like this before. At least not this night. I sit in another seat the next half. Shades of Bournemouth during H&H, as the right half was up and the left was not. I was on the right. Good thing I had left the left, I would have stood out standing up.
Not perfect, the enthusiasm was visible, at least to the third row, but waxed and waned thru the night. Like the tide slowly turning. No one noticed any mistakes, at least, not to speak of. I was not wearing any socks. Some people were. Just thought I would throw that out there.
There was one large female in a dress that threatened to fall, Both her and her precariously worn dress, exposing something I did not want to see, but men might have liked seeing, shades of Santa Rosa here, and she was flailing around, and pushed me into a dear friend, then continued to elbow me in the face and head, and almost knocked me over several times. And she should rethink the amount of deodorant she applies next time she leaves the house. And her food choices, we wont mention Garlic. She assaulted me In front of those fellows whose names I forget, but have become so dear to me. I like to embarrass myself thank you, I do not need assistance I was unaware that concert going in Texas was both a competition and contact sport. That hurt. I am alright, and maybe I slugged her back, maybe by accident. Times like these I miss Red.
We saunter around, take a leisurely drive back to the strip mall motel, and blow kisses to the odd people who inhabit the area.
Eye shades, ear plugs, and a brush of the teeth and a good night.
WOW I am in Texas, y'all.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
April 27, 2011 The PM
Sobering up, sadly, and running into familiar faces, I decide that being in a jazz and blues mecca, I should venture out looking for jazz and/or Blues.
So, I follow instructions given to me, heading out for the promisingly named Mahalia Jackson Theater of the performing Arts. There was a Blues Band playing there. I could use a good night of ear ringing loud music, haven’t had a good night like that since when? I know I was in some city that began with the letter A, and took a few airplanes to get there.
So this night, I paint myself up and parade myself over to this theater in a dodgy area, not like the fun city I have been bouncing around. I get the blister of the century, and now am walking with a worse gait than usual, forgive me, I know I look funny, leave me alone. We were lucky we made it out alive.
I go to the box office, which was not box shaped at all, and a nice lady said to me “mayhapya? And she handed me a ticket. Next thing you know I am being led around the back and out onto a stage. I did not tell them I could sing or play, I hope I was not being asked to perform. Oddly familiar, this place, yet I have never been here before, or have I? People seemed to know me and looked glad to see me. HMMMMM.
Questions asked by people who paid a lot of money to be there were not limited to but included “who is the guitar player” “how many guitar players are there” “What albums do they do”
I start running into people I know. Who would believe that we all show up on a random day in Louisiana? I still think I am being framed. Well, I make myself to my seat, and there is the stage, so like the one I saw over in Europe. Blues Band?
They did have funny accents and one played a Jazz bass, so I suppose that in the spirit of the world I was not mislead. I got all caught up in the evening, the lights the smoke machine that was looking for my car, the familiar shirts and shoes, and oh look, it is them fellows and gals that follow me everywhere. What a pleasant surprise, someone should have warned me.
Things go smoothly, tightly and sound just like the records, only better. Until, there was something new added, threw us all off, I agreed that it had never been done publicly before, and told the nice man in the middle afterwards that it was “perfect” I even knew the words, love the parts about the river, I am attracted to songs with water elements in them, among other things that attract me. Might try to get lucky and hear this again some time in the distant future.
Everyone looked well, rested, confident and happy. I hope I look the same to them, but what does it matter, really, we all play our part right from the start, and I hope to go on to the end.
Sobering up, sadly, and running into familiar faces, I decide that being in a jazz and blues mecca, I should venture out looking for jazz and/or Blues.
So, I follow instructions given to me, heading out for the promisingly named Mahalia Jackson Theater of the performing Arts. There was a Blues Band playing there. I could use a good night of ear ringing loud music, haven’t had a good night like that since when? I know I was in some city that began with the letter A, and took a few airplanes to get there.
So this night, I paint myself up and parade myself over to this theater in a dodgy area, not like the fun city I have been bouncing around. I get the blister of the century, and now am walking with a worse gait than usual, forgive me, I know I look funny, leave me alone. We were lucky we made it out alive.
I go to the box office, which was not box shaped at all, and a nice lady said to me “mayhapya? And she handed me a ticket. Next thing you know I am being led around the back and out onto a stage. I did not tell them I could sing or play, I hope I was not being asked to perform. Oddly familiar, this place, yet I have never been here before, or have I? People seemed to know me and looked glad to see me. HMMMMM.
Questions asked by people who paid a lot of money to be there were not limited to but included “who is the guitar player” “how many guitar players are there” “What albums do they do”
I start running into people I know. Who would believe that we all show up on a random day in Louisiana? I still think I am being framed. Well, I make myself to my seat, and there is the stage, so like the one I saw over in Europe. Blues Band?
They did have funny accents and one played a Jazz bass, so I suppose that in the spirit of the world I was not mislead. I got all caught up in the evening, the lights the smoke machine that was looking for my car, the familiar shirts and shoes, and oh look, it is them fellows and gals that follow me everywhere. What a pleasant surprise, someone should have warned me.
Things go smoothly, tightly and sound just like the records, only better. Until, there was something new added, threw us all off, I agreed that it had never been done publicly before, and told the nice man in the middle afterwards that it was “perfect” I even knew the words, love the parts about the river, I am attracted to songs with water elements in them, among other things that attract me. Might try to get lucky and hear this again some time in the distant future.
Everyone looked well, rested, confident and happy. I hope I look the same to them, but what does it matter, really, we all play our part right from the start, and I hope to go on to the end.
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