Aside from the nuclear heat setting on their thermostat, it was a most pleasant place. And I have it from an"old" man that it's a fairly common bar trick to keep the heat set at scorch to get people hot, so they'll drink more to cool off. Yeah....I don't know, it seemed like I drank about a gallon of water and didn't get any cooler. Perhaps if I had replaced the water with beer then even if I didn't cool off, I wouldn't have cared so much about being warm.
And I discovered that Bernie is a man of many talents. One such talent being the ability to close his van door without leaving the comfort of his bar stool. I think it might have been magic.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
1/15 - Riverside Wine
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This was our first gig of 2011 and what a nice (and oddly interesting) way to start ~ Riverside Wine is a wine store (don't despair, they also have beer), but with a twist. They have a bar at one end and tables at the other end. Imagine a Convenient store turned wine store; the bar takes the place of the check out area, the tables take the place of the produce section and wine bottles take the place of everything that's on the shelves.
And you can get food there too, provided you get the cheese plate as that's the only item on the menu.
I'm looking forward to playing back there in the spring/summer when we can be on the deck. I do believe the deck area is bigger than the entire store. The deck overlooks the Cuyahoga with a train track at the top of the bank on the other side of the crooked river.
And wouldn't you know it ~ I went outside to check out the view and 3 seconds after I came back inside, a train went by. I was bummed. Went back outside after we packed up and it was deja vu all over again (thank you, Yogi Berra)...as we were pulling out of the parking lot, a train went by. DAMMIT!
Six of the people who were enjoying their wine and cheese plates were the girls of Girls' Night Out, who were quite the chair dancers and back up singers from afar. They also did all the moves for "Stop In The Name Of Love" and they joined us for "Bobby McGee". Thanks, girls!
And thank you, Bernie for supporting us on our ground breaker gig of the new year (and for requesting/insisting/demanding the encore).
This was our first gig of 2011 and what a nice (and oddly interesting) way to start ~ Riverside Wine is a wine store (don't despair, they also have beer), but with a twist. They have a bar at one end and tables at the other end. Imagine a Convenient store turned wine store; the bar takes the place of the check out area, the tables take the place of the produce section and wine bottles take the place of everything that's on the shelves.
And you can get food there too, provided you get the cheese plate as that's the only item on the menu.
I'm looking forward to playing back there in the spring/summer when we can be on the deck. I do believe the deck area is bigger than the entire store. The deck overlooks the Cuyahoga with a train track at the top of the bank on the other side of the crooked river.
And wouldn't you know it ~ I went outside to check out the view and 3 seconds after I came back inside, a train went by. I was bummed. Went back outside after we packed up and it was deja vu all over again (thank you, Yogi Berra)...as we were pulling out of the parking lot, a train went by. DAMMIT!
Six of the people who were enjoying their wine and cheese plates were the girls of Girls' Night Out, who were quite the chair dancers and back up singers from afar. They also did all the moves for "Stop In The Name Of Love" and they joined us for "Bobby McGee". Thanks, girls!
And thank you, Bernie for supporting us on our ground breaker gig of the new year (and for requesting/insisting/demanding the encore).
Friday, January 7, 2011
12/11 - Wing Warehouse
Our last gig of 2010 and it had to be here.
Warehouse describes this place, but an empty warehouse describes it better.
It was the best of gigs, it was the worst of gigs. Well, I'm half right.
Warehouse describes this place, but an empty warehouse describes it better.
It was the best of gigs, it was the worst of gigs. Well, I'm half right.
11/20 - Sammy K's
What a neato-peato place this was....kinda like 3 joints all rolled into one. Ooops, wrong kinda joint. You know what I mean.
Anyway, there was an interesting mix of people. Most interesting were the ballroom dancers (after all, we are a ballroom band). Seriously, they really were ballroom dancers, complete with coordinating outfits and special dancing shoes that they changed into after their arrival. I was impressed with their moves, but was scared that the guy was going to loose his grip and drop the girl head first onto the floor. Thankfully, that didn't happen. And you haven't lived until you've seen the ballroom dance version of "Folsom Prison Blues". We have.
Their patio bar is open year round. It's like its own Private Idaho and I was not convinced that we were actually outside.
Oh, and how could I forget to mention our new friend, Al? According to Al, one of his closest friends is Joe Walsh, whom he opened for at the old Hullabaloo (hey, if I remember that place then so do you....we're not that old!). He also took his kids to see Joe play at the old Front Row (again....remember that place?) and they got together back stage to sing to Joe and share some "back in the day" stories. So, we did some James Gang and Eagles tunes for Al, which seemed to make him happy....although that could have been the beer.
Anyway, there was an interesting mix of people. Most interesting were the ballroom dancers (after all, we are a ballroom band). Seriously, they really were ballroom dancers, complete with coordinating outfits and special dancing shoes that they changed into after their arrival. I was impressed with their moves, but was scared that the guy was going to loose his grip and drop the girl head first onto the floor. Thankfully, that didn't happen. And you haven't lived until you've seen the ballroom dance version of "Folsom Prison Blues". We have.
Their patio bar is open year round. It's like its own Private Idaho and I was not convinced that we were actually outside.
Oh, and how could I forget to mention our new friend, Al? According to Al, one of his closest friends is Joe Walsh, whom he opened for at the old Hullabaloo (hey, if I remember that place then so do you....we're not that old!). He also took his kids to see Joe play at the old Front Row (again....remember that place?) and they got together back stage to sing to Joe and share some "back in the day" stories. So, we did some James Gang and Eagles tunes for Al, which seemed to make him happy....although that could have been the beer.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
11/6 - Mojo's Coffee House
As always, pretty low key.
The regulars were there, some even hung out for a song or two before taking their coffee on the road.
One woman came in, got her coffee and left, but returned in moments to sit for a bit, so that was nice.
The regulars were there, some even hung out for a song or two before taking their coffee on the road.
One woman came in, got her coffee and left, but returned in moments to sit for a bit, so that was nice.
12/4 - Mojo's Coffe House
Our new friend, Miranda was chief cook and bottle washer.
Crew Cut Colonel & Betty were there and we must apologize to Betty for not doing her favorite song...just yuckin'.
We had a memorable 2010 at Mojo's. Best of luck to all our Coffee Clan in 2011.
Crew Cut Colonel & Betty were there and we must apologize to Betty for not doing her favorite song...just yuckin'.
We had a memorable 2010 at Mojo's. Best of luck to all our Coffee Clan in 2011.
10/29 - Whole Foods
This was our first Halloween gig complete with costumes.
Thanks to Karen for stopping by and for pulling up a chair to make her self into and end cap. And because she was in the bakery section, I have to say it ~ nice buns, Karen!
We always have fun at Whole Foods, but this one especially with all the costumes that somehow make us take on a completely different personalities (well, in my case I can just reach in and pick one out....pretty sure I'm host to a multitude. Just call me Cybil).
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
10/9 - The Pub
The Pub gig is always a blast and even more so with lots and lots of peep support!
Thanks to Betty & her crew, Anne, Gail, Sugar and Tom Jones.
Of course, the most thanks goes to Matt for having us there in the first place! It's been a great run and we look forward to many more gigs at The Pub in 2011.
Thanks to Betty & her crew, Anne, Gail, Sugar and Tom Jones.
Of course, the most thanks goes to Matt for having us there in the first place! It's been a great run and we look forward to many more gigs at The Pub in 2011.
10/2 - Mojo's Coffe House
This was our first open mic with the mic being used in quite some time!
Both Amanda and Dave were great, especially Amanda with having a sore throat and all...I never would have known had she not told me, her voice was clear and beautiful.
Thanks to Betty & Bernie for coming out to have some fun with us and as always, your support is greatly appreciated.
Both Amanda and Dave were great, especially Amanda with having a sore throat and all...I never would have known had she not told me, her voice was clear and beautiful.
Thanks to Betty & Bernie for coming out to have some fun with us and as always, your support is greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
9/26 - Trading Post
The bikers...I think we're starting to grow on them.
We must be doing something right when a big, burly guy donned in full leather, including the fingerless gloves that were not removed even for the eating of the hot dog, sings along to "girl" songs. And I don't mean that he just mouthed the words while watching TV, but he sang with so much gusto that we could hear him from about 20-ish feet away. Oh, and let's not forget the choreography. He was quite expressive.
Apparently, underneath all that machoness lies a marshmallow that's been toasted a few times.
He was fun to watch and he was pretty much our entertainment until The Family showed up.
Picture this ~ into this full blown biker bar (remember the padlocked, chain toilet paper holders) walks a mom, dad, teen age daughter, older daughter and her perfect husband....all dressed in OSU attire and as clean cut as a tomato sliced with a Ginsu knife. They make a bee line for the machine with the stuffed animals that you have to scoop up with the claw crane where dad says goodbye to a twenty.
According to Dad, this is their Sunday ritual and throwing modesty to the wind, he informed us that they are quite good at this game, having more stuffed animals at home than they know what to do with.
In the middle of the stuffed animals waiting to be clawed to the top and into The Family's home lies a plastic Harley Davidson with glinting rays of light that only Dad can see radiating off the plastic it's encased in, accompanied by a choir of angels singing the sweetest of songs that only Dad can hear. This is HIS prize. He must have THE BIKE.
The girls win a couple of stuffed animals thanks to Dad and his perfect son-in-law, but not before he surrenders another bill to the claw crane machine. They have a system where everyone gets a turn and they take those turns in a very specific order. Dad's turn has ended and he walks away to give his perfect son-in-law some elbow room for his turn.
Just as Dad takes a sip of his soda pop (the one that he brought into the bar so as not to waste his money on something as frivolous as a drink), the most glorious thing happens ~ Perfect Son-In-Law scoops up the Harley for Dad and at that point, I'm pretty sure I heard the angels singing too. Dad was as happy as a kid at Christmas getting that one thing he just had to have or he would die, which must have been their signal to leave, because as a group The Family paraded past us with their winnings and they were gone.
We must be doing something right when a big, burly guy donned in full leather, including the fingerless gloves that were not removed even for the eating of the hot dog, sings along to "girl" songs. And I don't mean that he just mouthed the words while watching TV, but he sang with so much gusto that we could hear him from about 20-ish feet away. Oh, and let's not forget the choreography. He was quite expressive.
Apparently, underneath all that machoness lies a marshmallow that's been toasted a few times.
He was fun to watch and he was pretty much our entertainment until The Family showed up.
Picture this ~ into this full blown biker bar (remember the padlocked, chain toilet paper holders) walks a mom, dad, teen age daughter, older daughter and her perfect husband....all dressed in OSU attire and as clean cut as a tomato sliced with a Ginsu knife. They make a bee line for the machine with the stuffed animals that you have to scoop up with the claw crane where dad says goodbye to a twenty.
According to Dad, this is their Sunday ritual and throwing modesty to the wind, he informed us that they are quite good at this game, having more stuffed animals at home than they know what to do with.
In the middle of the stuffed animals waiting to be clawed to the top and into The Family's home lies a plastic Harley Davidson with glinting rays of light that only Dad can see radiating off the plastic it's encased in, accompanied by a choir of angels singing the sweetest of songs that only Dad can hear. This is HIS prize. He must have THE BIKE.
The girls win a couple of stuffed animals thanks to Dad and his perfect son-in-law, but not before he surrenders another bill to the claw crane machine. They have a system where everyone gets a turn and they take those turns in a very specific order. Dad's turn has ended and he walks away to give his perfect son-in-law some elbow room for his turn.
Just as Dad takes a sip of his soda pop (the one that he brought into the bar so as not to waste his money on something as frivolous as a drink), the most glorious thing happens ~ Perfect Son-In-Law scoops up the Harley for Dad and at that point, I'm pretty sure I heard the angels singing too. Dad was as happy as a kid at Christmas getting that one thing he just had to have or he would die, which must have been their signal to leave, because as a group The Family paraded past us with their winnings and they were gone.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
9/24 - Whole Foods
I made it to this gig and so did this woman who looked like a cross between the Swiss Miss girl, an Oktoberfest beer chick (not the young, sexy ones, but the older ones who who still see themselves as young and sexy), and just a wee bit of Flower Child thrown in. It was most interesting in a disturbing sort of way or disturbing in an interesting sort of way. Not sure if she dresses like that all the time, if that's what she wears when she goes grocery shopping, or if she was practicing for Halloween. Any of the choices was not a good choice.
We did have the cutest little princess there who clearly wanted to wear her Halloween costume ALL the time. I'm thinkin' that her parents had to wait for her to fall asleep so they could get that costume off her. She was dancing and twirling and having a ball. Get it ~ princess...having a ball...I crack my own self up.
Those were the highlights of this Whole Foods gig. Now, the next one will be a story to tell. It's on the 29th and we'll be dressed in full Halloween garb along with everyone else (unless they just told us that they all dress up to make us show up as the only ones in costume).
We did have the cutest little princess there who clearly wanted to wear her Halloween costume ALL the time. I'm thinkin' that her parents had to wait for her to fall asleep so they could get that costume off her. She was dancing and twirling and having a ball. Get it ~ princess...having a ball...I crack my own self up.
Those were the highlights of this Whole Foods gig. Now, the next one will be a story to tell. It's on the 29th and we'll be dressed in full Halloween garb along with everyone else (unless they just told us that they all dress up to make us show up as the only ones in costume).
9/19 - Whole Foods
This was a Lolaless gig, which left the boys to report back, which means I got nothin'.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
9/10 - Mutt & Jeff's
A wee bit cool-ish, but still a patio gig.
Other than the scent of a cherry/vanilla cigar drifting in and out, the evening was pretty uneventful...until the baseball team(s) arrived.
One couple on the team had their daughter, Clara with them. She was a cutie-patootie, but she also had that serious look about her. Anyway, Clara was probably 4-ish, give or take an ish. I offered her the shaky egg and she took it as in took it back to the table where her parents were, where she seemed to find more enjoyment in rolling it around like a miniature ball than shaking it to keep the beat to the songs.
After a while, she came back up to us and just stood there, egg in hand. I motioned for her to come up to stand by me and the second she got "in the spotlight", she was a rock star and I thought for a brief moment that my position as egg shaker might be terminated.
Her mom took pictures and then when it was time for them to leave, Clara looked up at me with those dark, doe eyes and asked me in her teensie, tinsie voice if she could keep the egg. If it
weren't for the fact that it was a gift to me, I probably would have caved and given it to her.
And of course Jake tried to make me feel all guilty for telling her no. He's nice like that.
Other than the scent of a cherry/vanilla cigar drifting in and out, the evening was pretty uneventful...until the baseball team(s) arrived.
One couple on the team had their daughter, Clara with them. She was a cutie-patootie, but she also had that serious look about her. Anyway, Clara was probably 4-ish, give or take an ish. I offered her the shaky egg and she took it as in took it back to the table where her parents were, where she seemed to find more enjoyment in rolling it around like a miniature ball than shaking it to keep the beat to the songs.
After a while, she came back up to us and just stood there, egg in hand. I motioned for her to come up to stand by me and the second she got "in the spotlight", she was a rock star and I thought for a brief moment that my position as egg shaker might be terminated.
Her mom took pictures and then when it was time for them to leave, Clara looked up at me with those dark, doe eyes and asked me in her teensie, tinsie voice if she could keep the egg. If it
weren't for the fact that it was a gift to me, I probably would have caved and given it to her.
And of course Jake tried to make me feel all guilty for telling her no. He's nice like that.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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?
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.
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.
Friday, September 10, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
8/14 - The Pub
This was sort of a milestone gig, as it was the last gig before Jake goes off to be a pilot (congratulations on that!) and to air traffic control school. I tried to make him not go or at least lie to me and tell me that he wouldn't leave, but apparently that whiny shit only works on your dad when you're two. Of course, that doesn't mean that I won't ever try it again.
He says that he'll be back every weekend, so I'm holding him to that. I do not like being Jakeless.
This was also our first (and hopefully last) gig with Pepe Le Pew making a guest appearance. He was either too little to have pewing ability or he just didn't care to waste it on us, either one being a good thing. Pepe wasn't just in the neighborhood, he was actually on the patio with us wandering around the edge and then meandering under some oblivious woman's chair. Luckily, this was all on the opposite end of the patio from where we were, but I'm thinkin' it wouldn't have mattered had he let loose. The thing that I couldn't understand was that pretty much everyone was leaning in to watch him rather than making a mad dash for the door.
Although Pepe was some fierce competition, I think we held our own with entertaining the masses, especially for the guy who cared more about hearing the blues than watching the skunk.
Some girls asked Mudcat to take their picture as we were packing the van and they were leaving, so he strategically moved back just enough to get the marque with Project Mojo on it in the background of their picture.
He says that he'll be back every weekend, so I'm holding him to that. I do not like being Jakeless.
This was also our first (and hopefully last) gig with Pepe Le Pew making a guest appearance. He was either too little to have pewing ability or he just didn't care to waste it on us, either one being a good thing. Pepe wasn't just in the neighborhood, he was actually on the patio with us wandering around the edge and then meandering under some oblivious woman's chair. Luckily, this was all on the opposite end of the patio from where we were, but I'm thinkin' it wouldn't have mattered had he let loose. The thing that I couldn't understand was that pretty much everyone was leaning in to watch him rather than making a mad dash for the door.
Although Pepe was some fierce competition, I think we held our own with entertaining the masses, especially for the guy who cared more about hearing the blues than watching the skunk.
Some girls asked Mudcat to take their picture as we were packing the van and they were leaving, so he strategically moved back just enough to get the marque with Project Mojo on it in the background of their picture.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
8/8 - Reinhart Graduation Party
Bob and Linda, you are the most gracious hosts! Thanks for all your kindness and for a fun day. And if you ever want to go into the catering business, I'm thinkin' you would be quite successful with all that dee-lish food.
Oh yeah, and congratulations, Andre.
We were semi-Jakeless this time around. Apparently, it's way more fun to be IN the party than AT the party. But, he played a mean air guitar and did some kick ass lip-synch.
Okay, how is this possible ~ one of the girls who was playing volley ball was texting during the game. She was really playing, not just standing there watching the ball zip by her head. I could not take my eyes off her. She finished her text, put her phone in her pocket and as she received a new text message, she would take her phone out of her pocket, read the message, and reply never missing a beat in the game. Now that's multi-tasking. I have enough trouble doing one or the other separately...
Oh yeah, and congratulations, Andre.
We were semi-Jakeless this time around. Apparently, it's way more fun to be IN the party than AT the party. But, he played a mean air guitar and did some kick ass lip-synch.
Okay, how is this possible ~ one of the girls who was playing volley ball was texting during the game. She was really playing, not just standing there watching the ball zip by her head. I could not take my eyes off her. She finished her text, put her phone in her pocket and as she received a new text message, she would take her phone out of her pocket, read the message, and reply never missing a beat in the game. Now that's multi-tasking. I have enough trouble doing one or the other separately...
Friday, August 13, 2010
8/7 - Firehouse Grille & Pub
Check out the booming metropolis of Malvern. And this was at 7-ish on a Saturday evening, although you wouldn't know that from looking at their town clock. Apparently, the entire town is on bar time and it's always closing time as the clock was fixed on 2:15.We thought that it would be a patio gig, which would have made sense since that's where everyone was (except, of course for us), but being that we were booked as a "Dinner Music Show" we were inside for the dinner crowd, which turned out to be some sleepy guy at the end of the bar and the owner and his wife with their 2 friends. There were a couple of other tables, but they came, they ate, they left (hopefully, they listened as well).
Their food is yummy and very reasonably priced and they appear to be THE place to go, so I'm not sure why there weren't more peeps out to eat. Well dammit, now I want Peeps. Did you know that you can skewer them like regular marshmallows and roast them over a fire and they'll get all weirdly deformed? But I digress. You're shocked, I'm sure.
So, we're just finishing up the last song and a few more people start to roll in and then a few more as we started packing up. By the time we we're done packing up the equipment and loading the van (which we've got down to a record 12 min), the place was approaching full capacity. I guess they're night owls in Malvern and/or conditioned to having the band start at 10:00, rather than finish at 10:00.
I think my favorite part of the journey was seeing the sign outside the fire/police station that just had "call 911 for emergencies" on it, which begs the question were they really giving the townspeople instructions or was it their way of saying "stop calling us for your damn emergencies".
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