9/4 - Thacker's Field Hog Roast 2010

We were the other "band", but we're counting it as a gig anyway. Gutter Monkey (the real band...notice, no quotes on my description of them) was kind enough to let us use their equipment to do a short set.


What a great experience this was! We're definitely planning on making it out to the next roast.


So, we get there and join the gathering among the planes and the tents that are taking over Bill & Janice's back yard, watching the newcomers arrive and just kibitzing in general. We decided to set up the tent while there was still light and soberness involved and thank you, Bill for suggesting the side of the yard where there were no planes (more on that later).


The neighbor's donkey (a.k.a. jackass, and again ~ more on that later) was quite vocal in making it clear to us that he did not appreciate the intrusion.


Once everyone arrived, the barnstorming began. We were regaled with the likes of Rick and his Texan, Colonel Gimlet, the bi-planes, and of course Kernel Smoker, who I need to thank for my thrilling ride that would have been even more thrilling had I agreed to the loops. After watching Mudcat's video of his ride with loops included, I'm very glad that I passed on those.


The rides and air shows went on until supper time when we were treated to Mississippi's BBQ. It was most dee-lish.


After everyone ate, the tables were quickly taken down and the chairs pushed to the edges of the hanger to open up the dance floor. Now, I have to tell you that Bill & Janice are multi-taskers to the max ~ the hanger is equipped with a disco light (and yes, he moved his plane out before the party began).


The absolute cutest girl ever was going wild with the dance moves and we were all envious of her energy. While it lasted. After a few dances, I looked over to see this little girl completely passed out on her mother's shoulder. Her mom said that she parties like a rock star. And she passes out just like one too.


Into the evening, Rick and his Texan put on a night time air show for us, seeming to be one with the stars. And speaking of stars (no, not you Jeff) ~ Mudcat, Jake and I all saw the same shooting star at the same time. That was pretty cool. And this was the first time I've ever seen the Milky Way other than in candy bar form. I honestly thought that it was just a picture in a book to illustrate a point. I'm still stunned that it's really real and that I actually got to see it. It truly was an incredible sight. I plan to take the tri-pod with me to the next roast to get some pictures. And yes, I'm well aware that the tri-pod does not take the pictures.


The band has packed it in, the crowd has thinned and those of us who stayed the night are in the process of winding down, but the donkey is cranked that we're keeping him awake and he's letting us know. He finally gave up after we settled in for the night. And oh, what a short night it was.


Apparently, donkeys and/or jackasses don't require a lot of sleep. It was not quite the butt crack of dawn when he started with the braying again. It took me a brief moment to figure out what the sound was, but then I remembered. I guess he's their equivalent of a rooster.


Not to be outdone, our resident jackass (a.k.a. Smoker) decided to fire up his RV and do a fly by or two, or three, or four as our very own wake up call and I'm thinkin' that those campers who were in his wake were most envious of our plane free campsite, although I'm pretty sure that wasn't their initial thought on the subject.


After about 45 pots of coffee and some recovery, the fun began again.


Bill took out in the paraplane, which I think is a flying lawn mower powered by flubber. His first landing turned into a go around when the unexpected sight of a full moon in broad daylight broke his concentration (and most likely his spirit as well). And that full moon risin' is captured on video. Soon to be released. Or not, if the price is right.


We can't thank Bill and Janice enough for their hospitality. You are truly the most gracious hosts and we look forward to seeing you again in 2012.

9/3 - Jackalope

Did you know that the Jackalope has opened another lope in Avon on Chester? They did.

Anyway, I didn't get to see any wild life this time around, but I did get to see the light house all aglow. That was pretty cool.

I was a wee bit cranky at this gig (okay a LOT cranky) and Jake wasn't there to talk me off the ledge. But I survived and more importantly, so did the people who were the root of my crankiness.

Things improved as the night progressed and people interacted with us by singing, chair dancing, and requesting songs....even got a request for "Big Bad John" and "Greensleeves". Honest. How could I possibly make that up?

8/29 - Trading Post

This must be Jeff Bridges' hang out, because he was there again! Nice guy.

And we had our number one fan plus his two friends at this gig. It was great.

Jake's cigar box guitar peep came out and requested Little Feet. We played it, and then he requested Little Feet. He's a happy cigar box guitar builder. His son was less happy and he actually recognized the songs that he requested.

A small, but appreciative group hung out on the deck. One of the chicks made me feel like a rock star during "Landslide" when she started clapping and cheering during the ending where the hold out is....or maybe she was just glad that I was finally about to stop singing.

8/27 - BW3, Medina

Once again, we're at a patio gig where everyone is inside. But after a bit, people started to figure it out as they headed in to begin their evening and requested to sit on the patio, so it worked out okay.


During one of the songs, I noticed a plane overhead and was thinking that it was Colonel Smoker, but neither Jake nor Mudcat payed it any mind (actually, it was because they didn't see him fly in), so I went back about my task of people watching while we sing. And it's a good thing that's what I do, otherwise I would have missed the show. People were looking up and pointing and when I looked up to see what they were pointing at, sure enough it was the Smoker giving us our own Private Idaho air show in the form of a smiley face. I really wanted to see "surrender Dorothy" in script across the sky, but nooooooooo.

Jim, Paula, and Deb came out to offer their support and Colonel Smoker joined them after he
hung up his plane at Medina Muni.

And once again, there was a class reunion there, but in the party room inside. One of the alumni came out for a smoke and somehow ended up right next to our support crew's table and engaged us in conversation. After he told us how his buddies from high school were putting their wives up to going up to him and asking if he remembered them and then being all offended when he didn't, Deb looked at him with a straight face and asked him if he remembered her. When he tried to give her the "haha, good one" response, she kept it up and almost had him convinced that she was one of his classmates.

Keeping that in mind, a couple hours later we're packed up and ready to leave (no, it doesn't take us that long to pack up, we were on a break....kinda like Ross & Rachel, but different and then did the second set), I decided to go mess with the guy one last time and walked up to him while he was chatting it up with a couple women. I said hi to the girls and then gave him a hug and acted all happy to see him and when he gave me the deer in the headlights look, I told him that I couldn't believe that he didn't remember me. Then the wheels started turning and he realized that he only had to remember me in hours, not years and gave me his "haha, good one" response.

People are fun to mess with, especially when they're drunk.