50 Book Challenge

#70 Lucky Stars by Jane Heller. Quick easy chick lit.

It's Over

Hurricane Season 06 has come to a quiet close and I am quite happy about that. It definetly wasn't the crazy busy season that had been predicted. I don't know who is happier about that fact, the Goverment (FEMA) or the residents along the Gulf Coast. Now some people have told me that hurricanes can still form even in Dec. I am going to ignore that fact, and think about the fact that tomorrow it will be in the 30s or 40s. Yesterday it was 76, we had fans on in our stuffy house. My body is confused, I don't know if it is spring, summer, fall or winter. This could explain my lack of holiday spirit right now.

What The???

My work is having the Christmas Party this weekend. It will be December on Friday. Seriously...am I the only one in denial that it is the holidays? People are listening to Christmas music all over the building. My roomie wants to bake cookies for all our friends. I can not just seem to get in the mood. Even last year when my brain was still Katrina mush, I was excited and in the spirit. This year, I still have Katrina brain....but not as excited. I listened to Harry's first Christmas CD yesterday for the first time since last year. Maybe I need to put that on non stop or something. I guess I could write out some cards, but I have no desire to do that yet. Maybe its the 80 degree weather we are suppose to have today. Maybe it is the fact that there is a LARGE possiblity Brad Pitt is a block away filming "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Angelina is also around here. (seriously. movie filming a block away)

Finding a Place

There are two places that I have been going to alot. Where everyone knows my name. Okay so maybe that last part isn't true, but alot of people do! Obviously I talk about the Maple Leaf alot. I am there alot because of the two bands I help out, Bonerama and Porter Batiste and Stoltz. I will find myself going there when they aren't playing. I will either go down with the roomie or by myself. I know I will always run into someone that I know there. Most of them I met because they are always there as well. It is close to home, cheap drinks and good music.

The newest place that I have fallen in love with? Is Chickie Wah Wah. Go ahead, say it out loud a few times. It is a great name. I first went to Chickie Wah Wah when Bonerama played there. I was back there this weekend. It isn't too far from the house, but not as close as the Leaf. The music? fantastic. The drinks? good. free food? awesome. But what really makes Chickie Wah Wah, Chickie Wah Wah? Well that would be Dale the owner. He has to be one of the hardest working bar owners in the city. If not THE hardest working bar owner. It isn't in the best area, in fact nothing is really open yet around the bar. Dale takes care of his customers, the bands and I am going to assume his employees. Kristen told him she was a vegetarian. So what does he do? He made the red beans and rice veggie for her. No one else noticed. We are going to make Chickie Wah Wah a more regular stop from now on.

50 Book Challenge

#69 Full Tilt~Janet Evanovich and I think it was Charolette Hughs? Fun quick read. Just what I needed after the last book. I didn't even pick up a new book for today. I think my roomie has a few for me to read.

Legen-waitforit-dary


It seems like it was weeks ago since my last post. In hasn't even been a full week. It has been non stop action since then. I don't know when I have enjoyed a Thanksgiving holiday so much. I truly hope that everyone had just as fantastic weekend as I did.

Wednesday after work, I went directly over to my friend's house for our big Thanksgiving day dinner. It was a wonderful evening catching up with a lot of people and hanging out with the coolest 3 year old I know. The food was amazing, the conversation even better. By the time I got home I just crashed, and crashed hard. You couldn't plan an evening like that, you just let it happen.

Thursday morning I watched a bit of the Macy's Parade, one year I will go to that. It can't be as exciting and adrenaline pumping as a Mardi Gras Parade, but it is still one thing I want to check out. I then headed on over to a friend's house that lives by the race track. We all enjoyed bagels, mimosa's, bloody mary's and even more great conversation before heading on over to the race track for opening day of the races. I saw even more people I knew there, got to enjoy the wonderful weather, only lost $6, and got to enjoy one of my favorite activities, People watching. Some people really got dressed up and had the coolest most amazing hats. The races ended in the early evening and I turned down a dinner of leftovers to go home and rest for a bit. I then headed out to the Leaf for an evening of music by the Trio and see some more people. It turned out to be another pleasant evening.

Friday I woke up nice bright and early for some insane reason. I ended up spending the day working on the neverending blanket and watching movies. Before I knew it, it was time to head back to the Leaf to work merch for Bonerama. It was the first time seeing most of the guys since their return from Vegas and Comic Relief. They all had some pretty fun stories to tell. They sounded just amazing. As my friend TF said "I could just listen to them all night every night"

Saturday came, and it was really spent sleeping and catching up with my roomie Kristen who had been gone for the past week. She literally came straight from the airport to the Bonerama gig. We checked out the art market in the park across the street, then it was out to hear more music. We checked out Leroy Jones and Katja out at Harrah's then went to my favorite new bar, Chickie Wah Wah. Terrance Higgins was playing. He is the drummer for Dirty Dozen and has been sitting in with Bonerama alot. He is a fantastic drummer and a very sweet wonderful man as well.

Sunday was spent out by the river. It was a concert of Thanksgiving featuring the Arabi Wrecking Krewe all stars and it was a thank you to all the Volunteers. The first set was probably my favorite, at least 20 people onstage, brass band style. I can't convey in words how wonderful yesterday was. Seeing so many people I knew, listening to great music, in the city I love. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

Bliss is....

Finding out that my eyes are fine. That they didn't have to do a laser treatment. YAY!!

Also waking up in the middle of the night, hot as hell because you have 3 kitties curled up on the bed.

Spending time with friends.

This and That

Today I have my eye appointment. I am hoping that the doctor just says that he needs to laser any holes in the retina closed, which he does in office at the time of the visit. Hope, pray and send good mojo that I don't need another surgery!! It is a fear everytime I go to this doctor.


On a more positive, fun note. (to keep myself distracted) here are some funny/happy things that have happened.

• Sunday I was waiting for the bus across the street from Walgreens on Carrollton. There are a few trees and in those trees there were about 5 billion birds. I was leaving a voicemail for Kristy and pretty much the whole thing was "shit, a bird just shit on me. On my pants. Shit, another one just did the same thing...in my hair....now my shoulder." I don't know if I actually said anything beyond the bird shit count. Isn't that suppose to be good luck??? It was actually quite amusing....after I showered.
• Yesterday morning I got in my co-workers car and she said your hair is white. Yes my hair had frozen. I had gone outside with wet hair (never seem to run on time) and it was FREEZING outside. The short wait I had for her to show up, froze my hair. Which would partially explain why it looked like hell yesterday. However I never thought my hair would freeze down here!!
• Last night as I finished up my book, and watched "How I Met Your Mother" (funniest...ending...EVER) Maxwell (Kristen's cat) decided the best place to lay was on my lap. He has been doing that lately...this did not make my cat pleased....so later she curled up UNDER the blanket. I woke up around 3 this morning in my bedroom and both cats were curled up on my bed...on top of me. I am not going to freeze at night if they keep this up!! :)
• Happy Birthday goes out to one of the sweetest, hardest working musicians in NOLA....someone who I am lucky enough to call my friend, Mr. Craig Klein!!!

50 Book Challenge

#68 The 6th Lamentation~ William Brodrick. This was a fantastic book. Lots of twists and turns, you had to really pay attention to this one...full of a lot of history! Perfect book for my goal book. Last year I finished 58 books, this year I wanted to do 10 over that. YAY!! Still time to add on.

Comic Relief

Oh my! My face still hurts from laughing so hard of 3+ hours. It was so much fun, well put together and a fantastic night overall. So many thanks go to Laurie for getting us the fantastic seats and all her hard work!! THANK YOU!!!!!!! I saw myself 2 times!! Once on the piece they did on Arabi Wrecking Krewe and then again in the audience when Wayne Brady did a audience participation rap. :) The star of the night was Grace however. ;) So many people came up and talked to at the end of the night and one guy even asked her to pose for a picture!! My boys...Bonerama? They sounded awesome of course in Vegas. They said they had a wonderful experience and such a good time!! :)
some pics to enjoy:

The "stage" that the Radiators played from, Tom Arnold and Cheryl Hines, Wayne Brady singing to Grace, and the whole gang at the end of the night:

Up with Montana!

Up with Montana boys,
down with the foe,
good ole' grizzlies
out for a victory
We'll shoot our backs
'round the foemen's line;
hot time is coming now,
oh, brother mind.
Up with Montana boys
down with the foe,
good ole' grizzlies
triumph today;
and the squeal of the pig
will float on the air ;
from the tummy of
the grizzly bear

Undefeated in conference play!!! how the hell they made it this far is beyond me, cuz they really sucked....but they pulled it out!! Onto the playoffs!!

Big Going Ons.....

There are three things to post about today. 2 are HUUUUUGE. One is eh. I just can't contain my excitement....today is going to be looooong ass day. Even worse? Tomorrow. The waiting for the fun to begin. I have a love/hate relationship with anticipation. This is one of those cases.

• I have my eye doctor appointment set up for this coming Tuesday. Luckily, the doctor I have seen in the past is still here! YAY! Also he is still within my insurance plan!! I have to pay a deductible. BOOOOO!! :( This appointment? Yeah...I get to pay it in full. Unless it. Or at least $300 of it. That sucks.
• Tomorrow afternoon....it is one of those football games. Those of you that are into college football know what I mean. This is it. The biggest game of the year for the University of Montana Grizzlies. Okay maybe not THE biggest game (I am hoping that the 1-AA Championship game will be the biggest.) However this is the grude match between the Grizzlies and those pesky Montana State Bobcats. It is the 9th oldest football rivalry in the nation (among small colleges) and the Grizzlies lead the series (of course) We are heading into the 106th meeting of the teams!! The Grizzlies are ranked #2 right now in the nation (1-AA) the Bobcats are ranked #15. The Griz lead the Big Sky Conference 7-0 and the Bobcats are 2nd 6-1. If the Griz win? They take the BSC title and get an automatic bid to the playoffs. If the Cats dare to win, they will both share the BSC title and the Cats get the automatic playoff bid. Its going to be a tough tough game. The Griz have won some really close games this year, this I have a feeling will be the toughest. Lisa (my dear sister who unfortunatley is a a Bobcat by default, but still roots for the Griz RIGHT??) Tell that Bobcat husband of yours that he is going DOOOOWN!!! There are satellite parties happening all over the country so Cat/Griz alum can watch, however? The one here in LA is in Monroe. Yeah...not going to happen for me. I did hear that the game is being broadcast via satellite on ESPN. I was going to stay home and watch it on the computer...or at least listen...but I may have to run to Cooter Browns instead if I can get the coordinates. We will see. GO GRIZ!!
• Now that I have rambled on about the Football game. It seems almost silly to mention the next big thing. Which is HUGE believe me. I know I have mentioned it, but I feel the need to mention it once again. Tomorrow is the Comedy Relief special on TBS/HBO. (Comedy Relief? Comic Relief?) no matter....the main issue here is they are holding this once again to help benefit New Orleans. Once again...the house band in Vegas are my boys in Bonerama!!!! I can't tell everyone how proud, excited and nervous I am for them. This is a HUGE opprotunity for them. Watch it if you can. Tivo it. Love it. I will be enjoying it from Harrah's here in New Orleans...they will be doing a live feed from here to Vegas...Wayne Brady is hosting. I :heart: Wayne Brady. I am heading down there with a few people who will be slightly more excited and proud if that is at all possible....Mark Mullins' wife and her sister and Matt Perrine's mom. Watch for us. ;)

Scared

Yesterday afternoon while on the bus ride home, I started to get a eye ache. Almost like a sinus headache but centered all in my left eye. Sharp, deep aches. Lasting no more than 20 seconds. All night it did this....off and on. It is still happening this morning. For those of you that don't know, almost 3 years ago, I had a retinal detachment in my left eye. I had a surgery to reattach my retina so I would not go blind. My right eye has holes in the retina. I go every so often to the eye doctor and he will laser the holes that appear close. In both eyes. I have a feeling that I either have a serious hole or another detachment. I know I have been seeing the flashes of light lately, so there are at least holes. I should have gone sooner to the eye doc, however I always think (wrongly of course but I can't help it) that if I don't go, I can't hear the bad news therefore nothing is wrong. It doesn't really work that way does it? I have no idea if the doc I do go to is even back in town. yes it has been that long. I have the number and will be calling later this morning for an appointment. Think good mojo or whatever that its just holes and not a detachement.....I don't want to go through surgery again.

So confused

I know why my body refuses to shake this cold. It is because of the weather outside. We have been going from warm to cold and back to warm in just days. Today? Its 74, humid, rainy, thunder, lighting, and now there is a severe wind warning. Winds up to 40 mph this afternoon/evening. Good times. Our power was knocked out around 3 this morning. A few days ago? It was freezing here. Everyone was all bundled up, it actually felt like winter. It is suppose to stay in the mid to low 60s during the day for the next week or so. That should help. I hope.

Customer Service


For those of you that know me, if I get treated like crap at an establishment, I tend to piss and moan about it for awhile and never go back. The only exception being HOB (House of Blues). Why is that an exception? I have been lucky enough not to have to pay to see a show there since I have moved. One benefit to having friends in bands. There are 2 places here in NOLA that are losing my business. One I am actually undecided about. That would be Carrollton Station. I love the music that happens there. It is literally down the street from my house. The food isn't bad. The drinks are semi reasonable. The one bartender that is an asshole however? He ruins it every.single.time I am there. I was there a few weeks ago for a friend's birthday. I went up to the bar, it was slightly crowded but nothing out of control. There were two bartenders. I was standing at an empty spot at the bar. The guy bartender who was working that side? yeah he ignored me. Kept helping the people that came up to the middle of the bar. He saw me. We made eye contact yet he kept on serving those people. I waited for about 10 minutes. There were some people waiting behind me. The girl bartender had to come down from the other end of the bar to serve us. The guys behind me felt so bad that I had been waiting so long that they bought me my drink. Every time I go in there that guy is a complete and utter ass. I need to make a formal complaint about him or something. He has been there forever, even before Katrina.

The other establishment is Slim Goodies on Magazine. It is a pretty popular place, I know Kristen likes to go there as they have a good veggie selection. This past weekend was my second time there. You put your name on the list, as there is always a wait. The waiting area is 2-3 seats off to the side. Most people wait outside. When we got there, there was 5 people waiting right inside the door. 3 sitting 2 standing. We stood off to the side, right beside a booth. The lady taking the names, who turned out to be the owner, looked at us and said "there is no leaning on the booth" well neither of us was at the time we were a good foot away. Then she proceeds to say "I wouldn't let other people stand there if you were sitting in the booth so you have two choices, to go outside or go outside" then she turned and walked away. Now we wouldn't have minded waiting outside (even though it was colder than snot) but the way she phrased it? It ticked me off. I am pretty sure it kind of ticked Kristen off as well. So we stood outside and waited....pretty soon a group of 4 college girls come strolling up and go inside and put their name on the list. 2 of them proceed to LEAN on the booth...and the owner? She said NOTHING TO THEM!!!! I mean come on now. You can't tell a customer that they can't do something (when they weren't) and then let another customer do it. That is poor management skills. I was going to say something to her when we left, but she left before we did. I did have a chance to, but decided to bitch about it here instead. She was loud and obnoxious when inside (at that point it wasn't as busy) and said something to one of her workers that could have been taken very offensively by those who heard it. I know we found it kinda offensive. I have never seen such an unprofessional owner/manager. I know that is one place I won't be going back to, nor suggesting to people. The food may have been okay, but not good enough to have to put up with that crap!

Still in Recovery mode

Friday night Kristen and I made the trek out to Lafayette, LA to catch Bonerama at 307 Club. They had played this club over Jazz Fest, and I really liked it there. We set up the merch right next to the stage and really got to view the audience. There were some crazy ass people there, just having a grand ole time. The one person you will find at a Bonerama show is the guy playing air trombone. He was right up in front of the stage, playing along as it were. The guys had some special guests from the Lafayette music scene sit in with them for a few tunes. We got home about 4:30 AM or so. Our other roomie's boyfriend rang the doorbell at 7:30 AM to help her load up all her stuff for another craft show. I was unfortunetly able to really go back to sleep after that. The rest of the day was cleaning, watching a movie and eating. (Which the place we ate at deserves its own post) Pretty soon it was time to get moving and out to the Maple Leaf for the Bonerama gig there. We tend to get there soon after the first band starts so I can make sure to have my spot in front of the sound booth. This proved to be a good move on Saturday as there was a wedding party there, and the place was PACKED! By the time the bones hit the stage? There were even more people there. I have not seen it that packed since Jazz Fest time. Not only was it the wedding party people, but the other "normal" people as well. A couple of the guys from Harry's Big Band showed up (Jimmy Greene and Joe Barati) Joe sat in on the second set. Kelly Mullins, her sister, and Grace all showed up as well. You know its going to be a good time then! The guys were on FIRE that night...it was nice. When seeing them as much as I do, you hear great nights, some not so great nights and then some "OH WOW where has this sound bee" nights. I personally thought it was that kind of night. Another late night that night. Sunday was spent trying to get some rest...not much was had again. I tried not to think about not being able to go to the Harry Connick Jr. show (he was playing at a convention here in town) it didn't work very well when I was at home, so I went over to my friend Katja's house for a lovely large dinner, wine and some conversation. We headed on over to Donna's after dinner and several more of the guys from the big band stopped by and sat in. (Jerry Weldon, Ned Goold, Neal Caine, Mark Braud and Joe "Mags") John Boutte also stopped by and graced the crowd with a song. The rest of the time he just hung out and caused havoc. It was a great time. One of the guys (can't remember who) said they were all sounding better than they had earlier in the night. I hadn't been to Donna's in awhile so it was nice to hang out there again.

Yesterday? I wasn't able to come in to work. No it wasn't because I was hung over it was the fact that all weekend long I had a total of 13 hours of sleep. From Friday to Monday. My body is still trying to get over this cold that keeps hanging about. It wasn't pleased with the lack of sleep. Yesterday and today I have felt as though I am right back where I was at the beginning of my cold. Oh well. Thankfully there isn't much planned for this weekend. Just watching the boys on Comedy Relief!!

Starting Over

Right after getting to Dia and Randy's house in Hickory, TX to await my fate (will I be able to return to NOLA) I decided to make a blanket for my sister. I mean it was the beginning of Sept, and her birthday was days away. It seemed like a good way to try to keep my mind off the ongoings of the city. We are a year and 2 months past her birthday again, and I STILL haven't finished. In fact, I didn't like how it was turning out at ALL so I am in the process of taking out the entire thing...and starting over. My goal is to have it done by Christmas. (quit laughing...I can do it!! really!!) I owe her 2 birthday presents as well so she is going to be rocking in the gifts this year. I had been hoping to get one done for the baby as well, but I am not going to go overboard on trying to get that done. Maybe while I am there for Christmas I can have her chose the colors she wants.....to match the nursery. I still can't believe that I am going to be an auntie and my big sis is going to be a mommy. :) :)

50 Book Challenge

#67 Voodoo Season~ Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Outsourcing


I just heard on the radio this morning that there is a Wendy's in Burbank, CA that is outsourcing their drive thru. Meaning that someone in New Hampshire is taking the freakin orders and part of their job is to try to "upsale" items. I mean come on is that neccassary??? It is taking the whole "you want fries with that" just a tad too far.

Things that make me sad


Okay really right now there is just one thing that is making me sad. It is the fact that Harry Connick Jr. is playing here on Sunday. However it is not open to the public. It is for a convention. He will be playing here in NOLA for the first time in oh I don't know 4 years? Something crazy like that. For.a.convention. I wonder if I can sneak in? Hide in a trombone case or something. Pretend to be a real estate agent. Anything!

Hump Day

The past two days have just flown by. We have made it mid-week. I think I despise Wednesdays more than I do Mondays. They always seem to drag by, I am more tired on this day, and well they generally seem to suck. Today I finished my morning work in about oh....ten minutes. I have been here for 2 hours and am hopelessly bored. I can change this I realize, and maybe I should. Search out for what I want to be when I 'grow up'. I actually kinda know what I want to do, but not sure how to approach it. At least I have the fall season finale of "Lost" to look forward to tonight. The excitement never stops.

...and Swarley was his Name


I had a nice post all done up with a red little bow, when my computer froze and I lost everything. I then proceeded to actually do some work, and forgot pretty much everything I wrote. So once again, its comin at you bullet style, in totally random order.

• Seahawks won. They sucked, but they won. At least the first half with the 7 sacks was pretty fun to watch.
• Seriously....Neil Patrick Harris (aka Swarley) is gay? dammit. Not suprising, but dammit.
• Benefit show at Tips last night was full of wonderful music, suprises, and just plain good times. Bonerama rocked it with what seems to be their new band member Tony Clifton. Brings a whole new 'tude to the gigs.
• Tipitina's Foundations, Musicians Clinic, and Arabi Wrecking Krewe should be proud, it was a nice touch to have so many different musicians present.
• Ray finally got "boned" Hope you enjoyed it enough to come to the Maple Leaf on Saturday!
• I said two words to Mike Mills from REM it was either "great job" or "sounds great" to which he responded "thanks" I rule.
• Its flooding in Washington. Washington State. To my peeps up in Seattle, if you need some shrimp boots, waders, a rubber duckie, let me know.
• Chris Rose was there last night. I stood next to him during the Bonerama set, didn't say a word. I was/am intimated by him. He writes so well, and is always right on the money. Hell Dooce even linked to him. That is uber cool.
• With a little amount of sleep, I am feeling remarkably "normal" today.
• My sister finally sent me the pics of her ultrasound from last Friday. I may have teared up a bit when I saw my little niece/nephew. We won't know if it is a boy or a girl for about 6 more weeks. I already told her I think its a boy.

50 Book Challenge and a weekend recap

#66 Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man~Fannie Flag. Finished on Friday evening. Love this book.

Friday night after finishing the above book, Kristen and I headed out for a little Italian Pie. The food was delish, however most of the resturant was filled with a cross country team from the local high school and they were loud. Only one parent/coach there to watch over them. It was annoying. After dinner and short naps we headed over to Tipitina's to catch some George Porter Jr and the Runnin Pardners. It was a fun time. Stanton Moore sat in for a few songs in the second set and John Gros of Papa Grows Funk stopped by for a few minutes. They had been in the studio recording all day. We left a few songs into the second set and went the Maple Leaf where we had an excellent time. So excellent in fact that we didn't leave the Leaf until a little after 5 AM. We closed the place down. The funny thing? Is neither one of us was that drunk...if at all. We were just having fun. We decided that we just needed to stay up until 6 to help our other roomie load up the car (she is a glass blower and had a show on saturday) It was just after 6 when we realized she had stayed at her boyfriend's house. I slept until about 12:30 then was up cleaning house. We eventually made our way out to where the show was, saw all the other crafts and helped our roomie pick up her area. She did good as she was the only one there with glass. I helped a friend celabrate a birthday Saturday night at Carrollton Station. Susan Cowsill put on a great two sets. I actually didn't stay that late...left there at 1:30. Considering the music doesn't start until 11, it wasn't that late. Yesterday I felt so awful. I only left the house in the evening to grocery shop. I was in bed by 8, filled to the brim with drugs (cough syrup, airborne, tylenol pm) I am feeling a bit better this morning, but still not 85%. More vitams taken and we will see how we do today. There is a benefit for AWK tonight and Bonerama is playing, as much as it pains me to say it, I don't think I am going to make it. But we will see. It is also Kristen's birthday, so we are taking her out to dinner and ice cream.

Winter Drinks

One thing I love about the cold weather, is getting to drink hot chocolate. Clutching that warm mug of chocolate goodness. You take a sip, and get a mouthful of chocolate gooey crap because you didn't stir it well enough, and some of the powder just clumped up. Okay, so I don't like that part. Other than that? Its a perfect winter drink. Its even better when you add peppermint schnapps. Or a Spiced Pumpkin Soy Latte, no whip. Or a hot buttered rum.

More Random Pics!!

My favorite local "roadie" Lil' George.....
Princess Greg
Eric and Rob at Chickie Wah Wah
Kristen found a dollar on the floor of the Leaf
Big George...George Porter Jr.

Finally!! Random Pics!!


Rick Trolsen, Craig Klein, and Mark Mullins of Bonerama singing "Louie's Perch" at Chickie Wah Wah.
New Picture of Lil Liza Jane. She loves plastic buckets.
Kristy gets a bone call from Chickie Wah Wah
Liza Jane on the right with her new friend Fritzel.
I may or may not have been sippin on Craig's JD during one of Mullins' solos. You decide

Its Picture Time!

Alright.....not really. I tried last night for about oh....a half hour to post some new pics. After that I got pissy and through my computer off the balcony then ran down stairs and stomped on it a few times. I still can't find my cord that connects the computer to the camera. I also can't find the disk to load the camera software onto my computer. Seriously, everything is put away in the library, all together...why can't I find these two things? I ended up paying $2.99 at Walgreens and had a disk made that way. I guess that isn't too bad considering if/when the computer dies again at least have these pics somewhere. I really don't seem to have luck with in the technology field. I don't seem to have much luck in other areas either...but that is for another time.

The Voo Doo that you Do...


Last Friday it decided to rain quite a bit. By the evening it had all cleared up. However it made for some very soggy grounds out at City Park. Other festivals have in the past *coughjazzfestcough* have dealt with soggy grounds by putting down some hay. Not at Voo Doo. In some areas they laid down some plywood, more like particle board on the swampy areas leading to the food/drink vendors. During the daylight areas, it wasn't that bad. You could navigate around the really muddy spots. The brainiac that I am, didn't put two and two together and wore flip flops. So yes my feet did get a bit muddy but nothing to bad. There were some areas where they had dug small trenches to run cables. They failed to cover these. As it got darker, they were harder to see. The swamp pits were harder to see. The only lights set up were at the food/drink vendors and at the stages. In between, you were on your own. There was a lot of in between. I lost my flip flops at least 3 times in the mud suction. By the time I left the fest that evening? My feet were covered in mud. You almost couldn't see the skin. Another issue I had was the lack of garbage cans. I think I counted 5 throughout the entire festival grounds. Trash piled up everywhere. So not only were you dodging the mud, but now also the trash. The sound at the mainstage? Was so unbelievably loud. We stood back a good way, I can't really guestimate how far back we were and that is where the sound was comfortable. If you got any closer? You were unable to hear yourself think. On Sunday some of these things were slightly corrected. Some areas had time to dry up, some didn't. They tied trash bags to trees and barriers around the stage. I finally found one trash can at the the WWOZ stage. I even saw people walking around fairly early into the fest cleaning up. The sound seemed to be better on the main stage as well. The poor WWOZ stage didn't fair as well. There seemed to be sound issues on both days for almost all the bands. The sound completly cut out on Kermit Ruffins set on Sunday morning. He was the first one up.

As for the music? I saw some great acts, as well as some horrible acts. I really enjoyed Drive by Truckers, Ozomatli, Kings of Leon, Soul Rebels, Hot 8 Brass Band, and of course Cowboy Mouth. The Chili Peppers were okay. I can at least now say I have seen them. I wasn't a fan of the light show playing on the screen behind them. Also putting on a show was Flaming Lips. It was a spectical...the lead singer rolling through the audience in an huge inflatable ball, ballons bouncing through the crowds, streamers and confetti covering the audience, a group of dancing aliens and santa clauses, huge blow ups of aliens, spacemen and santa clauses. Notice I haven't said anything about the music? It was more about what was happening on stage rather than the music. A few songs were okay, nothing great. The Meters were alright as well. I love em to death however I have seen way better. I am glad that I got my tickets for cheap, I enjoyed hanging out with my dear friends Roger and Elyse all weekend.

It wasn't the best festival experience, but it wasn't all that bad.