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A Couple of Things…

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Syd's 19th Birthday Lunch with Grandpa

Syd’s 19th Birthday Lunch with Grandpa

Ventura Music Week ended this past weekend, but I think I will take some time to gather my thoughts and evaluations of how it went before I write about that.  So for now…A Couple of Things…

1.  A friend recently posted on Facebook that she always felt a little less sexy because she couldn’t wear high heels.   In my opinion, one out of five women pull wearing high heels off.  The rest, look so freakin’ awkward it’s ridiculous!

2.  The same thing with contact lens wearers.  Some people you would never guess they’re wearing contacts, others make such a production out of it.  Blinking all the time or opening their eyes wider, over exaggerating looking at things.  Seriously, wear glasses!  You look silly.

3.  And while we’re at it, how about those women (mostly teenage girls) who wear sleeveless short short dresses.  They are forever pulling them up, and pulling them down at the same time.  Such a production! And again, they look utterly ridiculous!

4.  In my opinion, sexy is being comfortable.  Sexy is smiling at people because you enjoy their company.  Sexy is a mindset.  Sexy is not about the clothes.  Sure, the clothes may get you noticed, but they won’t close the deal.

5.  There is a BIG difference between worshipping bodies and connecting with an individual.

6.  I’ve yet to find a drunk man or a stoned man attractive. Just saying.

7.  Do I prefer the athletic man or the don Juan lovey dovey type? Intellectual type or simple and sweet? Dresses to kill or dresses for the occasion. Tall dark and handsome or short light and comfortable in his skin? I have to say yes to all the above, but he also must be ethical, kind and have a wicked sense of humor (bonus points for being able to keep up with me).

8.  I hate shopping:  shopping for food, clothes, men…you name it.

9.  Do you think someone who is crazy knows they are crazy?  I wonder because I know people who work really hard at appearing normal.  But trust me, they are CRAY CRAY!!!

10.  I ran into one of those “quiet” Facebook friends recently, you know, the ones who never post.  I had written recently about whether they were creepers or actually had a life and were never on Facebook.  He gleefully admitted he was a creeper.  I kind of admire that about him.

11.  From my Favorite Facebook Posts file:   “Is an argument between two Vegans still called a ‘Beef’?”

12.  Happy 19th Birthday Sydney Rose.  I Love You!!!

Thanks for listening!

A Couple of Things…Ventura Music Week

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Kat Merrick, Totally Local VC, David Comden of VC Report & Me.

Kat Merrick of Totally Local VC, David Comden of VC Reporter & Pam Baumgardner of VenturaRocks.com.

1. Ventura Music Week is underway.  I have no idea how we’re pulling it off, but I’m thinking the endless hours of planning and running around rallying the troops might have something to do with it.

2. I love the venues and the people who have stepped up to help with Ventura Music Week.  They get it.  It’s not about what’s in it for them…but about coming together as a community to brand Ventura as a music town.

3. Monday night is a special screening of Dave Grohl’s film, “Sound City, Real to Reel.”  There are obligatory rumors of a special guest showing up…just saying.

4. Our kick off party on Friday was amazing. Music from Dan Grimm, Spencer the Gardener, Raging Arb and the Redheads and the McEuen Brothers all performing in the historic Erle Stanley Gardner Building (known as the birthplace of Perry Mason). Plus we had City Councilmen, Carl Morehouse and Mayor Mike Tracy in attendance.

5. Went to a private Whiskey tasting event Sunday afternoon at The Tavern. I’ll be honest, I was a little scared of overindulging.  Especially having not eaten all day long. Highlight was finally getting to see Rey Fresco perform.

6. I love when I go out to shoot a show that I’m never alone.  I always run into friends to hang out with.

7. One of the perks of Ventura Music Week is establishing new relationships with and getting to know business owners. Most are extremely hard working individuals who deserve help.  Some others…not so much.

8. I am grateful I was wise enough to take vacation time from my day job so I could focus entirely on pulling off Ventura Music Week.  Plus I don’t have to worry about a curfew.

9. 100 bands – 30 venues – 10 days – 1 city.  Yeah, that’s Ventura Music Week baby!

10. Many thanks to Kat Merrick whose drive, expertise and commitment to seeing this through.  Seriously, without her…well  I couldn’t even imagine!

11.  Ventura Music Week was put together by a committee of business owners who donated their time and/or resources:  David Comden, publisher from the VC Reporter, Kevin Clerici of Downtown Ventura, Sam Benner of Benner Marketing, Peter Brown of The City of Ventura, Gary Stewart of Four Brix, Pam Baumgardner (me!) of VenturaRocks.com and of course Kat Merrick from Totally Local VC…thank you for all your hard work.  We did it!!!

12. From my “Favorite Facebook Posts” file:   “I would rather die of passion than boredom.” Vincent van Gogh

Thanks for listening.

(Photo above is from the Ventura Music Week kick off party)

A Couple of Things…

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Eve, Me and Kat with members of Mandex

Eve, Me and Kat with members of Mandex

1. I’ve been holding my breath waiting on my final grades for the semester.  Why are they so important?  Why do I place so much value in them.  Either I know the material or I don’t.  It really should be pass or fail, no?  Education is a privilege I don’t take lightly.

2.  So far, I got an “A” in Photography.  Neener Neener Neener!!!

3.  Another semester done.  It always feels slightly weird that I no longer have to encorporate studying into my regular schedule.  Kind of afraid my mind will turn to mush.  But it’s funny how time is like a vaccuum.  I clear up four nights of school, and immediately it’s filled with webwork.

4.  As you can tell by the photo above, I’ve been working very hard on making this music scene happen here in Ventura.  It’s really a tough gig to have sometimes!

5.  When asked what my favorite decade of music is, I’m always quick to say the 90s. But after seeing Mandex (above), I’m leaning towards the 80s more and more.  Guns n Roses, Bon Jovi, the Crue.    Good times!

6.  I’ve been putting in mucho hours toward making Ventura Music Week a success this year.  But I have to be honest, I’m so tired of whiners!!!!!

Oh wait…Was I just whining?

7.  I’ve been crazy busy.

8.  I recently had the singer of a band come up to me as I sat at a wine bar, he seranade me as he rocked me gently with his arms around me from behind.   I was very flattered until I heard he was a player…then not so much.

9.  I’m proud to say I’ve never read “50 Shades of Grey”.

10.  My father was hospitalized recently for dehydration while away on vacation in another state.  It wasn’t critical by any means, but there is nothing worse than feeling helpless.

11.  Today is Memorial Day:  “We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.” — Francis Amasa Walker.  WORD

12.  From my Favorite Facebook Posts file:  Audrey Hepburn quote from the movie “Charade”:     “I don’t bite, you know…unless it’s called for.”

Thanks for listening.

A Couple of Things…

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Mother's Day dinner with Nancy, Dad, Syd Rose, me, and Staci Brown

Mother’s Day dinner with Nancy, Dad
Syd Rose, me, and Staci Brown

1.  Mother’s Day was great fun. Felt the love for sure!

2.  I hate falling for someone’s social veneer.

3.  Alright, I admit it.  I love a man in a uniform!

4.  If a cup of coffee costs $2.00 and the same sized cup of hot chocolate costs $1.50, then how come a cup of half coffee and half hot chocolate cost $2.50?  When a coffeehouse charges me more than $2.00 for the combo, I never return. EVER!!!

5.  VenturaRocks.com is really becoming a mover and a shaker here in Ventura.  Plus I have to admit, I love the hugs I get when I go out.

6.  I’m in the middle of finals.  I have just two this semester.  One down, one to go.  Confidence level remains moderate.

7.  I hate being mean, even when it’s warranted.  But sometimes you have to let the other person know enough is enough.  It still leaves my stomach in knots.

8.  When I was married, Chris and I started what we affectionately called, “The-Kevin-Costner-Movies-That-Matter video collection”.  Really, the only ones that really continue to matter in my book are Bull Durham and Field of Dreams, both about baseball, odd.

9.  I’m now on a quest to spot my first owl in the wild.

10.  I’m not a fan of the accordian.

11.  From my “Favorite Facebook Posts” file:  “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!  Hell, who am I kidding? I hope you fall down the fucking stairs too.”  Yeah, it’s been one of those weeks.

A Couple of Things…

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Last year’s Bike-to-Work day

1.  Bike-to-Work week starts Monday!!!

2.  Is saving $20 worth it for a used wet suit, knowing someone most likely has peed in it? The gal at Play it Again Sports said, “Well you can wash it!”

3.  Mother’s Day has always been a tad bittersweet for me because I miss my mother so much, on the other hand as a Mother I get to celebrate being Sydney Rose’s mom, which has been the greatest adventure of my life.

4.  I absolutely love the sound of a basketball swishing through a metal net. Especially those 3-pointers!

5.  I wrote a blog for VenturaRocks.com on The Worth of an Artist and was promptly attacked for supporting RAW which does in fact require their Artists to sell tickets to their events. I’m going on the record as saying that RAW actually offers a great service when done correctly to all artists. And I’ve heard nothing but great things about our Ventura chapter. That being said, I’ve asked Sara from RAW to remove VenturaRocks.com from their posters because technically it is Pay-to-Play. We’re still listing RAW, just not a sponsor now.

6. The other morning at work as I was trying to wrap my mind around why Sergio Albarran listens to Hall and Oates all the time, I asked him how old he was and he said 27. It just doesn’t make sense! And then he said and I quote, “Hall and Oates are gangster.” Life is a mystery. Some things are just not meant to be understood.

7.  Just learned that Hall and Oates are playing the Ventura Fair this year.

8.  I found an old aircheck from when I worked weekends on B95.1. No comment.

9.  All spiders are Brown Recluses to me

10.  I’m not a big fan of Westerns, western music or rodeos. But man, certain cowboys make me swoon!

11.  From my “Favorite Facebook Posts” file:  “When one door closes, another one opens. Or you could just open the closed door, that’s how they work.”

Thanks for listening.

A Couple of Things…

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Playing with lifesized Tonka Toys

Playing with life-sized Tonka Toys

1. There are few things worse than giving up on a person you really care about.

2. Being served dinner by handsome firemen has been added to my Highlights in My Life file.  Thanks again Christine!

3. I love hot weather, hot salsa, and a hot man.  Definitely not in that order.

4. We have a small-time business entity here in Ventura County that has done nothing successful, continues to steal ideas from their competitors and undermine the efforts of those who are trying to make this music scene happen by serving their own self-interests.    You know who you are.  We do too.

5. I’ve never been a fan of Starbucks.  Instead, I support the mom & pop doughnut shop whenever possible.  The only problem is getting out without a doughnut…with maple frosting, or crumb on raised glazed, or an old-fashioned, or double chocolate cake, or…

6. WARNING!!! Flashback moment:  That moment when it hits you in the fifth grade.  You still have a minimum of seven more years to go.

7. Can you believe, I use to hate sports?

8.  I get that I need to get the mechanics down for taking a good picture, but I find my photos suffer when my attention is on how…instead of what.  I shoot what inspires me.  I do know in the long run that I will be a better photographer once the basic are second nature and again, I’m shooting what inspires me.

9. My next photo assignment is simply entitled “Addiction”.   Crazy fun!  Not.

10. If someone “friended me” and then they never comment, like or post…it kind of feels like they’re a creeper, no?  Of course, one has to consider that they may have a life and rarely check in on Facebook.

11. I worked in Construction Management for a couple of years and towards the end of one of the jobs we were overseeing, the Construction Foreman asked if I would like to try out  one of the big pieces of equipment.  I was floored!!!  Of course I jumped at the chance. It was amazing! (see photo above)

12. Sometimes the rumors are true! So often when I attend a festival of music I’ll hear rumors that “so and so” is expected to show up and jam. I had heard the rumors earlier in the week and because of past disappointments, I gave this one no weight. It was Moorpark College for Christ’s sake!  Well this past Saturday at the Ventura County Blues Festival, George Thorogood was heard to be on the grounds, and did in fact join Johnny Rivers on stage for about four songs. Too cool.

13. From my “Favorite Facebook Posts” file:  “Due to the recent budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.”  author unknown.

Thanks for listening.

Christine’s Dinner Served by…yes, Firemen

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Christine Law

             Christine Law

I’ve known Christine Law since the mid 90s when I worked at KXBS, 96.7 The Bus radio station and she was in the local band Tantrum that we added to our playlist. She stood out because not only was she adorable and had such an easy smile, but she was a female bass player in this heavy rock band.  She rocked that bass!  I was very impressed.

But it was just the last year or so that we started to actually hang out due to the music scene here in Ventura.  She had started up Afirm Records a number of years ago and I started a website called VenturaRocks.com four years ago which supports the music scene here in town. We really do have a lot of common interests, so it’s such a treat when I would get to hang out together.  She attended a “Girls Dress Night Out” as well as Staci Brown’s birthday celebration and I made sure I supported her husband Charles’ band, Charles Law and Jagged, when he played at The Tavern and again at Amigos.

Just a couple of weeks ago I received a special invitation via Facebook from Christine simply entitled: Girls Nite – Dinner at Christine Law’s served by Ventura Firemen!  She said she won a dinner for 8 served by Ventura County Firemen at her house.  But the truth is, she bid on the package which was a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls club.  She’s very much involved in improving conditions in her community and participates in many civic engagement projects.

I have to admit, I was a little giddy about being included for this exclusive gathering of friends.  As it turns out, the women she invited were extraordinary women, more than half I already knew and call my friends and the others I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and hope to see again soon.

Christine and Charles live up above Santa Paula, in the upper Ojai rugged terrain on a ranch style house with horses up against the hills over looking wilderness.  What a beautiful piece of land.  We arrived to find the firetruck parked in her driveway along with the Battalion Chief’s truck next to where the half dozen or so firemen were busy preparing a barbecue dinner for us women.  I didn’t even try to attempt to wipe the smile off my face.

Charles was in charge of the beverages because the rules state our firemen could not drink. Actually, if memory serves, I was informed when we went to have our photo ops that there were two rules for these beautiful heroes, no alcohol, and no nudity.  Again, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face just conjuring up some new images in my mind.

So we had our photos taken after playing on the truck for a while, and the guys were more than gracious and patient about it.  After our group shot and the women were starting to disperse, I half-jokingly mention to the chief that it would be really cool to have a picture with just me and the guys.  He said, “Are you kidding?  Of course!!”  And immediately he rounded up the boys and BAM!  It was a done deal.

We then left the men to go munch on h’orderves which consisted of different cheeses, crackers, bread, dips and fruits, we had plenty of wine, beers and shots of Patron, as we engaged in good conversations enjoying our beautiful surroundings.  Just so you know, while the firemen provided the makings for dinner, we provided the snacks, beverages and dessert. Before we knew it, dinner was ready to be served.  Some of us half expected spaghetti, but our firemen were graciously serving up tri-tip, chicken, veggie kabobs, grilled zucchini and corn on the cob with salad and more fresh fruit and they never allowed us to lift a finger. They served us and treated us like queens.

Our guys cleared the table for us and one of Christine’s guests, Melissa, brought out a bottle of Limoncello, offering up shots to cleanse the palate.  Delicious.  Before long we had our dessert of two types of chocolate cake, I opted for the German chocolate, and I was stuffed…still smiling.

At one point we asked if our firemen were volunteering their time, and we learned that our heros, which included two Battalion Chiefs, were on the clock and always on standby.  If a fire broke out, we were on our own.  Luck was with us as we only lost one fireman who had to respond to a TC (traffic collision).  It was just amazing. They were all true gentlemen.  They served us and took care of us, did not allow us to help clear the table, and when I saw one pass by with an apron wrapped around his waist, I had to follow and what I found brought tears to my eyes:  several of our guys were washing the dishes in uniform. Could there be anything sexier?

Before long it was time to say goodby and give thanks to our firemen for doing this to help raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club.  It was an event I won’t ever forget.

We hung out several hours longer as Christine and Charles opened up their home to us and we talked about my favorite subject of music as we collaborated on how to make the music scene in our town even better.

Before long it was time to say our thanks and goodbyes and with five of us in one car ready to head home I still couldn’t help but smile remembering being treated like a queen for the day and all because Christine Law considers me one of her friends.

Christine, I’m honored.  Thank you!

Looking forward to meeting up on the basketball court one of these days!

A Couple of Things…

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Me and Staci Brown

Me and Staci Brown

1. On my last “A Couple of Things” post I mentioned I hadn’t met Mr. Right, but that I had met Mr. Married.  Cute story really.  Mr. Married is not a Friend on my Facebook page, but I see him from time to time in the community because he is a musician.  He sat down one evening at my table and said, “I’d like to take you out to dinner,” then he added, “Once I get a divorce.”  I was speechless.  He doesn’t even know me, he’s still married and he’s lining up dates?  Ok, maybe not such a cute story.

2. Happy Birthday Staci Brown!  (See picture above)

3. You know, I thought surviving Valentine’s Day was a big deal.  That was nothing.  Try surviving Staci Brown’s birthday!!

4. Yeah Baby!  Clippers swept the Lakers 4 out of 4. That’s four burritos from my man Sergio at work.  Clipper Nation Baby!!

5. I have outlived my mother by almost 15 years.  That just blows my mind.

6. Being a civil servant in this climate is quite the challenge.  Isn’t it weird that people who choose to serve their community become targets of all things wrong with government?   A simple thank you would be nice every now and then.

7. I thought hash marks only applied to Twitter #DumbAsses

8. I can’t roll my R’s.  I really suck at being mexican.

From my Favorite Facebook Posts file:

“The biggest coward is a man who awakens a woman’s love with no intention of loving her.”  I was surprised and grateful it was a man who said this, and a very cool one:  Bob Marley.

A Couple of Things…

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Pam and Tina, 4th of July

Pam and Tina, 4th of July

(Originally posted on Facebook April 5, 2013)

1. No, I haven’t met Mr. Right yet, but I have met Mr. Married, Mr. Crazy, Mr. I’m-old-enough-to-be-your-father, and, Mr. I’m young-enough-to-be-your-son;  all, by the way, very nice men.

2. I’m a sucker for babies, puppies and Lemon Drop martinis.  Not necessarily in that order.

3. I have recently been invited to a friend’s home for an intimate dinner for eight where dinner will be served by firemen.  Have I mentioned that I love my friends?

4. Looking back and sharing some stories with Sydney from time to time, I know that I am one lucky son-of-a-bitch.  I survived my youth!  I did some really stupid
things…95% of which still makes me smile.

5. My email was hacked this week.  Bastards! Looks like they sent out an email from me to anyone and everyone I have ever emailed or replied to before.  So
they didn’t email to just my Contacts List.  I really tried to send out a warning email to not click on link.  Sorry about that!

6. On the up-side, it was nice to hear back from people I hadn’t corresponded with in years!

7. Okay, now it’s getting ridiculous; I’m not even allowed to speak during the Vampire Diaries.  Like they’re going to miss some trite dialogue that will alter the course of history or something.

8. Is there really such a thing as a GOOD cry?  I’d rather just be happy.

9. The only celebrity that I couldn’t look in the eye when I met him was Gavin Rossdale from Bush.  He was one good looking man!  Which leads  to my next item…

10. Matt Cooper, may he Rest in Peace, made it a quest to get me to say “I love Bush” on-the-air.   Of course he was referring to the band.  He was trying to record it and use it as a  “drop in” during his morning show to be taken completely out of context… Yeah, he was devious that way.  You had to love him!

11. From my “Favorite Facebook Posts” file:   “It’s OK to disagree with me.  I can’t force you to be right.”

This photo is of myself and Tina Bettiol, my old roommate when I lived in Fullerton.  This is in my dad’s backyard in Whittier, CA, on the 4th of July.  I think we were around 23 years old.

A Couple of Things…March 30, 2013

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Self Portrait

Self Portrait

(Originally posted on Facebook, March 30, 2013)

1. Happy Easter!

2. Every year around Easter, buying a bag of jelly beans seems like a good idea for about 10 minutes after I eat the first one. Then, not so much.

3. Peeps are only as good as they’re stale.

4. I kind of miss hiding Easter eggs for Sydney Rose and then never ever remembering where we hid them all.   Good times.

5. Speaking of Syd Rose, I’m sorry to report that my daughter has been sucked into the Vampire Diaries. Much more unfortunate is that Staci Brown has too.

6. Back down to three women in one household…but if you include the cat and dog, we’re actually five.

7. I’ve made my Facebook page private, only for my Friends.  I don’t know why.  It’s not like I have any, make that much to hide.

8. Could you imagine dating a person who never listens to music?  I had a hard time just typing out that sentence!

9. From my “Favorite Facebook Posts file”:
“A smart woman knows how to love, but an intelligent woman knows who to love.”
I’m shooting to be intelligent someday soon!

Working on my self-portrait.  I don’t even have to actually be in the shot, but it is suppose to represent who I am or what I love.  Did this one today.