Tag Archives: music

A Couple of Things…

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  1. Here now, a Public Service Announcement: When you are at a live music event such as a concert or listening room and you’re talking to a friend, I am telling you under no uncertain terms that those around you CAN hear you and you are 100% ruining their experience. So please take your conversation elsewhere or just shut the fuck up!
    Bars, wineries and breweries are the exception to the rule. Though at least you could lower your voice.
    Thank you.
Strawberry Festival with Carlos

2. The California Strawberry Festival was fun. Took the shuttle which was located just around the corner from me and spent a few hours looking at a bunch of crap…I mean arts and crafts from all the vendors. We listened to live music from Jayden Secor and a Queen tribute band, the Kings of Queen. Left without eating a single strawberry whether it be in the form of a strawberry shortcake, or a strawberry margarita.

3. It’s been decided, the meerkat is my spirit animal. They’re highly social living in cooperative groups which are called (wait for it)…mobs. Luckily for me, it is illegal to own them as pets. One blogger said, “…meerkats belong digging tunnels under the sun with their clan, not stuck in a human home.” I get it, but damn, how cute are they?

4. My first paying job was via a high school work permit at another school’s remittance office. This was back when typewriters were barely electric (I believe they were IBM Selectric), and the filing system was extremely low tech. But the upside was you really became proficient at alphabetizing.

Bike riders in front of Ventura City Hall.

5. Transportation photo op from 14 years ago in front of City Hall promoting and validating those who ride their bikes to work. It’s the best ride ever…up the coast, right hand turn at California Street and you’re there! For me it was less than 3 miles.

6. If I were on the committee to select the next James Bond, Jacob Elordi would be at the top of my 007 list. I’ve heard the candidate needs to be young, fit, convey lethality, charm and vulnerability and should be British. Elordi is Australian, but is that a big stretch to the American ear? Unfortunately, I’m sure it is to Brits. #FingersCrossed

7. This story posted on social media by the local highway patrol and it caught my eye because it happened around the block from where I live:
“While patrolling the area of US-101 and Seaward Avenue, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration. Upon closer inspection, officers discovered the driver had taken a very “creative” approach to the vehicle’s registration tabs. Unfortunately, artistic ability does not replace valid registration. The vehicle was impounded.”
#Creative #A4Effort #TrueStory

License plate

8. My friend Steve has an undying love of all things Grateful Dead. I’m a newbie, and can’t quite say I’m a fan yet, but I’m recognizing more and more of their deeper cuts. We attended the three-day It Must Be the Roses festival this past weekend here in town. The opening act was Jackson Gillies band,Jax Plays Dead. It was a great way to start the event, I’ve been a fan of Jackson for some time catching several of his gigs up in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.He was also a contestant on American Idol…I believe Season 18.

Full disclosure…I danced more than I thought I would all weekend and, Item #1 above still applies.

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No Matter what kind it is.” – Louie Armstrong

Thanks for listening!

A Couple of Things…

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Me and Syd 20111.  I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine, but I also believe that music is the next best thing.

2. I recorded my first song courtesy of Christine Law.  SOOOO much respect to artists who do this for a living.  Grueling!!  It still needs beaucoup work, like lyrics, so don’t even ask.

3.  What does it say about society when you have to offer a reward for someone to come forward and do the right thing?

4. You know that expression, “A body in motion, stays in motion”?  It’s really true, and to be honest, I hate it; because a body lying about watching a movie and eating potato chips…with dip, and a root beer float, sounds so much more fun.

Arlo Guthrie5.  It just occurred to me why people love Weird Al so much (See #1).  Combining wit with music is genius, which also explains why I love Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice Restaurant.” It was tradition for the longest time to play the title cut every Thanksgiving.  I miss that!

6.  The Huffington Post had a blog called “23 Reasons You Should Go Hug Your Mom.”  Just a couple I would share with Sydney Rose:

a.  For every event that you tried to resist photos, because your mom is probably the only person in your life who will take more photos of you than TMZ does celebrities. She wanted to capture every prom, little league game, and academic awards ceremony because to her you are the biggest celebrity.

b. For supporting your decisions and dreams no matter where they took you.

There were 21 other ones, but really, they didn’t so much apply.  I thought about how sad this one was:  “For every time you acted like she was embarrassing you and she had to hide how much that probably hurt her feelings,”  Because I only remember the times she showed me off to her friends thinking I was kind of cool, which is the best feeling EVER!  My daughter rocks!

Here is the blog:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lexi-herrick/23-reasons-you-should-go-hug-your-mom_b_5584982.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000037&ir=Parents
Syd-mom-face

7. When I log on at 4:30 in the morning, I wonder how many people are up late, and how many are up early.  Sometime for me, I’m just taking a break from sleeping.

8. Life is full of interesting phases, obstacles, amazing highs and frustrating lows.   It’s the human experience that makes the ride worthwhile.  How one handles adversity is a character issue.

Father Serra
9. Someone, some time ago, made a statue of Father Serra and it can be found in front of Ventura City Hall.  Then someone thought it would be a good idea to paint a picture of this statue of Father Serra and that life-sized painting is found inside City Hall.  Then I thought, hmmm, how can I make this even more removed from the actual subject?  Hence, this photo of a painting of a statue of Father Serra. I do what I can to forward the arts. 🙂

10. I love silly headlines.  Here are a couple more I’ve come across recently:
a.  What happens if your parachute fails

b.  Super rich pets who live better than you do.

11. This was soooo me when I was growing up:

Even as an adult, my future ex-husband use to say that I run like an upright turtle.  It made me laugh because it was so true.

12. From my favorite quotes file:  “”Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” –Stephen R. Covey

 

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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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!