Kinda sorta proof of the other night...

So, if  you read my last entry, you know I had the opportunity to attend a "secret" Foo Fighters gig a few nights ago. The rules were that NO cell phones, NO cameras, NO recording equipment, etc.  Well, I'm guessing that maybe there is some bootleg audio out there somewhere, but I have no clue where. And chances are there are photos as well...but I was not privy to such escapades. HOWEVER, after the show had ended, an acquaintance / friend / connection from the FFPB, Michael had found a way to have his picture taken w/ Krist Noveselic...and while this was completely unintentional, I managed to find myself in the photo as well...kinda sorta. 


Judge for yourself...unintentional photo bomb?

Foo Fighters "Secret" Show at Paladinos - 12/21/10

Foo Fighters - Secret Show
When: Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Venue: Paladinos in Tarzana, CA
Accompanied by: Cosmo & Tiffany
Genre: Rock n Roll


There had been speculation among Foo fans that the members of the Foo Fighters might announce a secret show before the end of the year somewhere in LA. So when I saw an announcement on Facebook from the Foo Fighters indicating that exciting news would be revealed on Monday, 12/20 and to "stay tuned", I was glued to my computer all day long!  It was a matter of chance. Send an email and wait. Those chosen would be notified on Tuesday before 2pm with then make their way to the "secret" location....More waiting.  Lots of wondering how many will be chosen. Will it be me. Oh, please, let it be me!


Phone rang at 12:40pm. I nearly lost my mind and tried to play it cool. I'm sure, Kristen from the Foo camp knew otherwise. We chatted a bit, she gave me all the details and assured me that an email would also be sent with everything we discussed.  Sure enough, this is the only "proof" that I  have (well before the show, anyways....)

We made out way out to the venue a little after 5pm. Weather reports had us destined for heavy rain, so we weren't quite sure how bad traffic would be. Surprisingly, we made it there before 7pm. Thought for sure there'd be a hefty line, but again, surprisingly light. Shifty was hanging by the side door chatting w/ Cosmo. I walked over not expecting him to recognize me, but received a happy hello and an obligatory pat on the back. I'm not saying he knows who I am, but it was a nice feeling all the same.


We walked inside and the front of the stage was relatively wide open. And hell, momma didn't raise no fool, so we planted roots center stage and held tight. Two hours until show time. More waiting, but at least this time there was plenty to look at and observe. There was a buzz through the crowd that Ryan Phillippe was in the house, but all I managed to catch glimpse of was Ralph Garman from KROQ.  Didn't matter, because who I wanted to see was going to be directly in front of us.  There was a set list within view as we stood waiting. I automatically started to count the number of songs we were in store for.... TWENTY ONE on the list!! TWENTY ONE!! I kicked myself for not bringing a pen (later really kicking myself for not having a damn sharpie) because I knew there was no way I'd be able to remember what songs were played.


By 9pm, we were ready. By 9:15, we were still ready. They didn't make us wait too much longer, but long enough. Bring on the rock!! And so they did! Old stuff, older stuff, new stuff, stuff not on the list, and didn't play 2 of the songs that were on the list...

1. Times Like These (One by One, 2002)
2. Generator (TINLTL, 1999)
3. My Hero (TCATS, 1997)
4. Pretender (ESP&G, 2007)
5. Back and Forth (new)
6. Learn to Fly (TINLTL, 1999)
7. White Limo (new)
8. For All the Cows (Foo Fighters, 1995)
9. Enough Space (TCATS, 1997)
10. Rosemary (new)
11. Skin and Bones (Skin and Bones, 2006)
12. Cold Day (In Your Honor, 2005)
13. Long Road to Ruin (ESP&G, 2007; not on list but performed)
14. These Days (new)
15. Best of You (In Your Honor, 2005)
16. Everlong (TCATS, 1997)
17. Monkeywrench (TCATS, 1997)
18. All My Life (One by One, 2002)
19. Marigold (Pocketwatch, 1992)
20. This is a Call (Foo Fighters, 1995)

Keep in mind, center stage here! Just a few feet away from Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Jessy Greene, and Drew Hester. But what was truly mesmerizing was being less than 3 or 4 feet away from Dave Grohl as he tossed his glorious mane around while rocking out.  For nearly 2 or so hours! There was minimal story telling or banter between songs, which kept a consistent flow throughout the night. There were crews of cameramen on every side and two or three photographers snapping away.


There were times I couldn't help but close my eyes. I could feel the music bouncing off my skin. I was immersed in loudness and it was delicious. It reminded me of back in high school, sitting in my then boyfriend's garage watching his band practice.  The louder, the better! Didn't want the night to end but couldn't wait to hear the next song. A definite catch-22.  


One of the final songs at the end of the night allowed an experience that I'm sure was emotional for many. I won't deny, I was not a big Nirvana fan. When they were in heavy rotation, I was in college and in to hip hop. But watching Krist Noveselic take the stage with Pat Smear and Dave Grohl as they performed the song, Marigold was hypnotic.


Since we weren't allowed to have cell phones, I have absolutely no idea what time the show ended. But it didn't matter. Even after the show was over, the night had just begun!  I can't describe it all, so I'm just going to snippet the highlights of what's in my memory:

• Having the opportunity to talk to Juliette Lewis and tell her how much she rocked at Camp Freddy the past 2 Fridays.
• Seeing Scott Shiflett's purple mohawk live and in person, knowing that it was inspired by my friend, Lara.
• In the middle of a monster coughing fit, being asked if I was okay only to turn around and slowly realize that it was Josh Homme doing the asking. Looking like a deer in headlights, and everything going in slow motion, I managed to get out a single "oh" as I reached my arms out in need of a hug. He sweetly obliged and I immediately felt like an idiot. But I wasn't coughing anymore, so his hugs must be magic.
• Walking up to Cosmo, Lisa and Tiffany as they were chatting up Dave, with cameras all around, and Tiffany hands me the set list signed by Dave. *me: smiles bigger than the cheshire cat* 
• Borrowing a sharpie, took the set list and obtained Chris, Taylor, and Nate and Jessy's signatures as well. Sadly, didn't see Pat around much after the show.
• Asking Tiffany to see if Krist Noveselic to sign the set list, in which he penned right next to Marigold!
• Being able to talk w/ Krist for a hot second and tell him how much I liked his crush red velvet shirt as I reached out to "pet' it. He told me his wife made it for him. Damn that man is tall. And don't let me get started on the size of his feet. Crazy big!

By this point, we are finally being told that it's time for us to leave. For the most part, all that is left is the band and their family and friends. Along with crew and club staff. So, we made our way out the door and to the car.  Of course, reliving the entire night as we made the long trip home.  

What a night, what a night, what a night. And yes, I do realize how lucky I am to have been there. I completely understand that it was by grace and chance that I was chosen. I don't know how or why. I am no more deserving than any other fan. Luck? Karma? Kismet? Mine is not to question. Mine is to go and enjoy. And I did! 

Big thanks to Cosmo and Tiffany for making the night extra special! And thrilled that I was able to share the evening with Sarah, Michael, and Nicole. 


2007 Paladinos "secret" Foo gig...

Camp Freddy Night #3 at The Roxy

CAMP FREDDY - Friday, 12/17/10

@ The Roxy, Hollywood CA

Another awesome night at The Roxy with Camp Freddy. In all honesty, it didn't feel quite as tight as last weeks show, but still kicked serious ass. Familiar faces from last Friday, such as Juliette Lewis, Franky Perez, and of course, Mark McGrath helped to kick the evening off in rock n roll style.

The special guests of this 3rd show rocked my socks off. Cypress Hill's, Sen Dog and B-Real hit the stage and got the crowd jumping with "Rock Superstar". Sebastian Bach and all his glorious hair joined the stage for "Paradise City". And that boy can sing! For those of you too young to remember the name or just weren't into 80s "hair bands", he was the front man for a band called Skid Row. So, yes, I remember him well.  Sebastian came out a little later and belted out VH's "Ain't Talking Bout Love".  (Love these youtube videos cuz whoever was shooting this was standing right behind me, Gabrielle, Kathryn and Nicole - capturing our point of view of the night!)

But the end of the night was all about Billy Idol! And I about lost it when he hit the stage. The man is pure rock and roll and I could not think of a better way to end the final night of Camp Freddy. I was lucky enough to see Billy perform in August at The Palms in Las Vegas. And again when he took the stage for a few songs at Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, CA back in September. But this? Well, to be as close to the stage as we were for this hodge podge of musical delicacies was almost more than I could bear. I can guarantee that we will be back for more when Camp Freddy returns in 2011!!

Camp Freddy Night #2 at The Roxy

CAMP FREDDY - Friday, 12/10/10

@ The Roxy, Hollywood CA

I've got no words to describe what an amazing night this was! December is proving to be a spectacular month without a doubt! The evening consisted of the following greatness:

CAMP FREDDY is: 

• Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction)
• Matt Sorum (Guns N Roses)
• Donovan Leitch (Nancy Boy)
• Billy Morrison (Billy Idol)
• Chris Chaney (Panic Channel)

12/10/10 SPECIAL GUESTS

• Billy Duffy (The Cult)
• Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)
• Jonny Lang
• Juliette Lewis
• Corey Taylor (Slipknot)
• Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray)
• Skinhead Rob Aston (The Transplants)
• Franky Perez (Scars on Broadway)
• Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats)
• Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
• Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
• Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)

Are there any paranoids in the audience tonight?

Roger Waters - The Wall Live 2010
When: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Venue: San Jose HP Pavilion
Genre: Delicious Progressive/Classic Rock


UPDATE: For an amazing recount of the evening, check out my friend, Paul's blog: isorski's musings

When this concert was first announced many months back, I knew that I would be attending at least one show. The question was where. And who would want to go with me. I considered going solo to one of the LA Staples Center shows, but when I found out that there were shows in Oakland and San Jose, I felt that it would only be proper for me to see the show there. Near where I grew up. Close to where this music first changed my life. As for who would go with me. I decided a ticket would make a great birthday/Christmas gift for my Bay Area partner in crime, Miss Kitty!!


I first heard The Wall back in or around 1980-81. Junior High. Much in thanks to having older siblings, because Pink Floyd really wasn't a band I would have discovered on my own at that age. I probably saw the movie a few years later after it was released in '82, but didn't become really enamored with it until I was in high school. More like obsessed - as I do with most good things in life. I would watch The Wall most every weekend, at least once. But usually more. Such was my routine, especially Junior and Senior years. As with most young, angst ridden teens during that time, the lyrics spoke to me. Even more so when viewed while under the influence of a little of this, a little of that. Today, even at 42, the lyrics still speak to me (sans any influence). But now I'm old enough to understand that through all adversity, it is a choice on how we persevere.



Words really cannot describe how amazing this show was. I know, I know...I say that every show I attend is "amazing" - but it is the one adjective that adequately describes the experience. I know my ability to review this show, or any other show for that matter, will lack justice in depicting just how amazing it was...so I am not going to even bother.  But I do have a few photos (sadly taken with my HTC Evo because I didn't think I could bring my new Canon SX120 into the venue).


Oh, and if I can pull off finding relatively affordable tickets for the Mon or Tue show at the Pond in Anaheim, there is no doubt that I will be there.

Set List - First Half
In the Flesh 1, Thin Ice, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1, Happiest Days of Our Lives, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2, Mother, Goodbye Blue Sky, Empty Spaces, What Shall We Do Now?, Young Lust, One of My Turns, Don't Leave me Now, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 3, Last Few Bricks, Goodbye Cruel World


Set List - Second Half

Hey You, Is There Anybody Out There?, Nobody Home, Vera, Bring the Boys Back Home, Comfortably Numb, Show Must Go On, In the Flesh 2, Run Like Hell, Waiting for the Worms, Stop, Trial, Outside the Wall


If you have 10 minutes to spare, check out this video of Roger Waters as he explains how The Wall came to be 30+ years ago. And what it means today. Powerful. Relevant. And completely valid.

Faith No More Night #2

When: Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Where: Hollywood Palladium

Accompanied By: Kelly & Elizabeth

Set List:

The girls:

The boy:

Faith No More Night #1

When:  Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Where: Hollywood Palladium

Accompanied By: Ashley

Weezer - Memories Tour 2010

Weezer
When: Friday, November 26, 2010
Venue: Gibson Amphitheater, Universal Studios
Genre: Alternative Rock


Yup, another band that I wouldn't automatically say I'm a huge fan of...however, knew just about every damn song performed at this show. Actually, I had the opportunity to see them from the pit back in 2009 when I won Weenie Roast y Fiesta tickets via KROQ and absolutely LOVED them! But a fan? I guess...but not the point where I own any CDs or have them on my iPod. Not yet, anyways. Remember, I'm a victim of radio - which in essence means I hear a Weezer song at least a few times a day.


Friday night was a blast! The show itself was phenomenal - broken into two sets. What was super cool was during the intermission when a short slide show reflecting back on the early humble beginnings of this band. And I have to say, tenacity and determination certainly paid off. I can only imagine how difficult it would have been to put in that much hard work over the years with no guarantees of success. Yet, here they are. And what was really awesome to see were the number of parents with their kids. One of the few bands that aren't pop infested that adults have to endure to keep their child happy. Looking at what the younger generation considers to be music these days makes me thrilled to be childless by choice.  Although, if I had a kid - well.... let's not even go there.


For a more thorough review, here is a look at what the OC Weekly had to say: Weezer at Gibson Amphitheater

The evening was perfect not based on the show alone - but because I was able to spend time with friends! My virtual online family that stem primarily from the Foo Fighters Post Board, but have become some much more. Thanks to Cosmo, Cassandra, Gabrielle, Maria and Sarah for making this more than just another show.


To keep with the essence of the show, here is Memories by Weezer:

unfinished random thought....

It was only days or maybe months
A place in time when we talked so much
now reduced to nothing at all
An occasional comment on my Facebook wall.
No more calls or random texts
No more wondering who will message who next
All that's left is emptiness
and a little bit of sadness.
mixed in with potential bouts of madness.
wondering what I did wrong.

~as always, unfinished thoughts lurking inside my head

Addendum: Thank you to the ones that wanted to remind me that I am never far from their thoughts. And that means so much to me. And while I won't say who...should it be read, they would know. And chances are, I won't hear from them. Simply reinforcing the sense of loss that comes with having something so awesome for a brief moment in time that when it completely shifts and changes there is a void. And such is life. 


So, in keeping with my love of Foo, on to the video portion of the show:

Lookin' back to find my way never seemed so hard
Yesterday's been laid to rest, changing of the guard
I would never change a thing, even if I could
All the songs we used to sing, everything was good

A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how
A little bit of resolve is what I need now
Pin me down, show me how

One more year that you're not here has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?
One more tear that you won't hear, has gone and passed you by
What happened to you, what happened to you?

Starpool

When: Friday, November 12, 2010
Venue: DiPiazzas, Long Beach
Accompanied by: Ann & Becky
Genre: Ska

Almost didn't go to the show. But I had no excuse because DiPiazza's is less than 5 minutes from where I live. And I promised my friends, Ann & Becky that I'd be there, and I hate to be "that" person who flakes. So, I got out of my warm bed around 10pm and threw on jeans n a tshirt, a little mascara in attempt to look awake and down the street I went! And how glad I am that I did! From the moment Starpool hit the stage, the crowd went crazy. While this particular genre of music is not something that I have in my iTunes, after the hour plus show was over, I knew that would change. You just can't listen to this music and be sad. It's impossible!  And, um, hello, they do a cover of Pump It Up, and that is ALL GOOD!!  Plus the Friday night show was in support of the BOOBIES!!  And we all know that boobies are a damn good thing!!


Here's an article from the Daily 49er for a review of the show: Starpools jokes, Entertains at DiPiazza's

Face to Face

When: Thursday, November 11, 2010
Venue: House of Blues, Anaheim
Accompanied by: Lara
Genre: Punk

Set List: Resignation, You've Done Nothing, Struggle, What's In a Name, Disconnected, Bill of Goods, I Won't Lie Down, Ordinary, You Lied, Velocity, Should Anything Go Wrong, Walk the Walk, Pastel, Blind, Big Choice, I'm Trying, It's Not All About You, A-OK

Encore: Bikeage, It's Not Over

Would it surprise any of you if I told you that I am also new to the music of Face to Face? Probably not. Aside from the one song that is still played on KROQ, Disconnected, it has only been in the last year or so that I've been turned on to this band. I owe this musical goodness to my friend, Lara (who I met online via the Foo Fighters Post Board).  As she and I ventured off a few weekends back on a road trip from So CA to the Bay Area to enjoy The Bridge School Benefit (still  need to write about that experience!), we had the iPod on shuffle, and nearly every third or fourth song ended up being F2F. She is most definitely a fan!! And I can safely say that when F2F comes back around again, I will be there!


While this article has some errors pointed out by Lara, it is a reasonable review of the show from the OC Weekly: Face to Face at the House of Blues Anaheim

A Perfect Circle

When:  Wednesday,November, 10, 2010
Venue: Avalon, Los Angeles
Accompanied by: Lisa O.
Genre: Alt/Progressive

Set List: Annihiliation, Imagine, (What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, What's Going On, Passive, Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie, People are People, Freedom of Choice, Let's Have a War, Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums, When the Levee Breaks, Fiddle and the Drum

Encore: 3 Libras (All Main Courses Mix), The Noose

Truth be told, I am new to APC (surprise, surprise).  But much like I was drawn to Them Crooked Vultures for consisting of members from three of my favorite bands, APC holds the incestuous combination of Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nine Inch Nails. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm a victim of the radio. So, I only knew maybe one or two APC songs before hopping on board. But, the sound. The sound is the ultimate draw. Dark, delicious, and a little sticky. Kind of like a Riesen chocolate caramel chew - sticks to your teeth and stays with you all day long.


To get a real feeling for this show, I will defer to the article written by Johnny Firecloud, in the online musical mayhem, Antiquiet: Covers Night with A Perfect Circle Keeps Hope Alive


I'm glad that I went. Regardless of whether I knew one song from the next didn't mean much. It reaffirmed that the only thing that matters is if the music moves you. And while this particular style of music moves me to wanting to retreat to a dark place and cut myself, the fact is, I was exactly where I needed to be for that moment in time. Oh, and as a side note - the venue, Avalon - excellent choice! It reminded me of The Bronze from my favorite TV show (those who know, will know what show I mean)

November Happiness...

Been feeling like life is finally shifting a bit in the right direction...or at least the thoughts within my head have become less chaotic. Although I can't seem to get the voices to shut up. ☺ Lots to look forward to in the next few weeks!!

• 11/11 Face to Face at The House of Blues, Anaheim
• 11/12 Starpool at DiPiazzas - which is 5 minutes from home!! *thumbs up*
• 11/17 Black Fag at The Slidebar in Fullerton
• 11/22 An Evening with Stewart Copeland at The Grammy Museum
• 11/26 Weezer (The Blue Album) at Gibson
• 11/30 Faith No More at The Palladium in Los Angeles

And a few on the calendar for December, but I'll address those when the time comes...hopefully there will be more between now and then to add on!!  Although I must say that I am beyond excited to head to the Bay Area in December to catch Roger Waters, The Wall!!  Sure, I could have caught the LA show, but none of my friends wanted to go with me at the time when tix went  on sale. And while I considered going solo, I decided that I'd pick up two tickets for the SJ show and take my friend, Karen in honor of her birthday (which happens to be today)!!

Video for the day...The Police - On Any Other day, from Regatta de Blanc...In honor of the upcoming event with Stewart Copeland!!

Pardon the emo moment..

So, I was reading a post on a particular discussion board that I follow, and came across a young woman who was going through a really tough break up with her boyfriend. And for some reason it really hit me hard. I could feel her pain, and with that brought about my own past feelings of heartache from over the past bazillion years. And I began to wonder if we ever really "get over" those that we gave a piece of ourselves to. The moments shared, no matter how brief, shape us in ways that can't always be defined. We'll never know any differently, because what's done is done and there's no turning back. Other than a frontal lobotomy, it's impossible to forget the ones that came before where we are today.


No, I'm not pining away for you. Or you. And definitely not you. Please don't get it twisted. But I do find there are times when I wonder...the occasional "what if". And with that comes the visions of how different my life would be. Knowing full well that it would not necessarily mean better. Or worse. Just different. Because when I loved you, I loved you with all my heart. And even when it wasn't love in the truest sense, I still gave you the best of me in that short moment of time. That's just the way I've always been. Even when I want to hold back, I give my all. No regrets. But lots of tears.


And then I moved on. Eventually. Some took longer than others. But moving on is inevitable. Until right now. Just for this second.


And now...for the video....

Has someone taken your faith?
It's real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You'd die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust, you must confess
Is someone getting the best
The best, the best, the best of you?

Bridge School Benefit 2010

When: October 23 & 24, 2010

Where: Shoreline Amphitheater, Mt. View

Accompanied by: Lara

Genre: Mixture of all that is good

Line Up 10/23: Buffalo Springfield, Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, Merle Haggard w/ Kris Kristofferson, Grizzly Bear, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Billy Idol, Jackson Browne w/ David Lindley

Line Up 10/24: Buffalo Springfield, Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, Merle Haggard w/ Kris Kristofferson, Grizzly Bear, T Bone Burnett's Speaking Clock Revue featuring Elton John & Leon Russell, Elvis Costello, Ralph Stanley, Neko Case and Jeff Bridges

Set Lists 10/23:

Billy Idol: Ready Steady Go, Dancing with Myself, Kiss Me Deadly, King Rocker, Running with the Boss Sound, Rebel Yell

Elvis Costello: Tell Me Why, Sleepless Nights, A Slow Drag with Josephine, Love Hurts, Wheels, April 5th, The Scarlet Tide, Brand New Heartache

Grizzly Bear: While You Wait for the Others, Two Weeks, All We Ask, Balmy Night

Jackson Browne & David Lindley: Seminole Bingo, Brothers Under the Bridge, For Everyman, Looking East, These Days

Kris Kristofferson: Shipwrecked in the Eighties, Me and Bobby McGee, Here Comes the Rainbow Again, Help Me Make It Through the Night, From Here to Forever, Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down

Lucinda Williams: Motherless Children, Ventura, Side of the Road, Greenville, Born to be Loved, Joy

Modest Mouse: A Came as a Rat, Autumn Beds, Cowboy Dan, This Devil's Workday, Four Fingered Fisherman, Custom Concern

Neil Young: Sugar Mountain, Comes a Time, Brand New Heartache (w/ Elvis), Walk with Me (w/ Pearl Jam)

Pearl Jam: Last Kiss, Unthought Known, Santa Cruz, Nothingman, Dancing Barefoot, Better Man, Walk with Me, Just Breathe, Black

 

Buffalo Springfield: On the Way Home, Rock & Roll Woman, A Child's Claim to Fame, Do I have to Come Right Out and Say It, Go and Say Goodbye, I Am a Child, Kind Woman, Burned, For What It's Worth, Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing, Bluebird, Mr. Soul 

Encore: Rockin' In the Free World

Set Lists 10/24:

Neko Case: Hold On, Hold On, Vengeance is Sleeping, Dirty Knife

Elton John & Leon Russell w/ T Bone Burnett's Speaking Clock Revue: If It Wasn't for Bad, Jimmie Rodger's Dream, A Dream Come True, Gone to Shiloh, Hearts Have Turned to Stone, When Love is Dying, Monkey Suit, Hey Ahab, There's No Tomorrow

Elvis Costello w/ T Bone Burnett's Speaking Clock Revue: Brilliant Mistake, A Slow Drag with Josephine, Jimmie Standing in the Rain, Sulphur to Sugarcane, National Ransom

Jeff Bridges w/ T Bone Burnett's Speaking Clock Revue: Fallin' & Flyin', Brand New Angel

Kris Kristofferson: Me and Bobby McGee, Jody and the Kid, Here Comes that Rainbow Again, The Promise, Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down, Why Me

Ralph Stanley w/ T Bone Burnett's Speaking Clock Revue: Lift Him Up, Soggy Bottom Boys, Man of Constant Sorrow 

Modest Mouse: Wile Packs of Family Dogs, Bukowski, Lives, Dashboard, This Devil's Workday, Blame It on the Tetons, Four Fingered Fisherman, Here's to Now

Grizzly Bear: Shift, While You Wait for the Others, Two Weeks, All We Ask, Foreground, Balmy Night

Pearl Jam: Daughter, Down, Driftin', Other Side, The End, Walk with Me, Lukin, Just Breathe, Black, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

Buffalo Springfield: On the Way Home, Rock & Roll Woman, A Child's Claim to Fame, Do I have to Come Right Out and Say It, Go and Say Goodbye, I Am a Child, Kind Woman, Burned, For What It's Worth, Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing, Bluebird, Mr. Soul 

Encore: Rockin' In the Free World

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A weekend to never be forgotten....a girls road trip along the coast from Southern California to the Bay Area, listening to back to back Face to Face songs, and discussing the sexual prowess of Josh Homme versus Dave Grohl. Josh wins hands down, of course.

And the rain. Can't forget the rain.

And the amazing people.

Open Message to the 1980s & Today

In view of today's observation of Purple Day 2010 - in Support Against Bullying, I wanted to address a few things to my past. I'm 42 years old...and the painful memories of being teased and ridiculed from when I was in grade school throughout high school still torments me in the most unusual of ways. I get nervous when I find myself surrounded by a group of young kids. I instantly regress to being 12, 14, 16 years old again and think that I may find myself the center of unnecessary comments. Silly, right? My self esteem has been challenged for years. Some days are better than others, and I still believe that if only I were thin, then all my problems would disappear. I mean, realistically, I know that's not true. But deep down, I really do think that.

And today kids are even more cruel. Way meaner. And recently, a number of teen/young adult suicides have been on the rise. Sadly, I understand what that desperation feels like. I can easily recall a number of afternoons going home and feeling worthless and ugly. And even more sad, the few times I truly thought that ending my life was the better alternative. Thank God, I had friends who knew me well enough and were always there to make sure I never left them.

Looking back, I see that I was an easy mark. I was sensitive and wore my heart on my sleeve. Trust me, today I'm much more cautious of who I share myself with or who I let in. The today me would kick the living snot out of the yesterday me. But even more so, the today me would like to kick the living snot out of the yesterday Roger M's, Gary S's, Tim O's, Jason M's, Robbie R's & G's and pretty much all the SFHS assholes who tormented me for being what? Fat? How the fuck did that impact their lives?

These young people, who took their lives after being harassed for being gay, my heart goes out to them and their families. No one will ever know how great their lives could have been had people just been a little kinder. A little tolerant. Or hell, if those who had decided to make it their purpose to torment and tease had perhaps just focused on their own lives and left well enough alone, the outcome could have so very different. It's that easy. If you don't like someone's sexual preference, or their hair color, or the way they dress, or look...take a moment and direct that attention within. Maybe it's you that is the problem.

So...to my own past tormenters...it was my fault for allowing you to have such power over me when I was young. But thank God, I did not let it break my spirit. I am awesome. I am amazing. I am beautiful. And I forgive you.


Everybody Hurts - REM
(Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe)


When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,

When you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)

When you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on
'Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand

If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on

Everybody hurts. You are not alone.