Oh Em Geeee

Artwork by Darrin Brenner

Last night was amazing! I went to see Cubensis play at the Golden Sails in Long Beach and properly had my mind blown. Cubensis is a Grateful Dead tribute band that I've been seeing play since I was a young lass back in the early 1990's. I was fortunate enough to be able to see these guys play every week, sometimes more, for several years. I got to witness the transitions and evolutions of the band and various band members as they came and went. While, they have always been fantastic, I have to say that they have certainly reached new heights.

Now that I live in Oregon, I only get to see the band a few times a year. I realize how much I took the whole experience for granted and how lucky I am when I get to see show now and again. With the long periods of time in between shows, the incredible growth of the band is apparent every time I do get a chance to see them. As a budding guitar player, I'm always blown away by Craig Marshal's other-worldly solos. Last night he did not disappoint. And then there's Nate LaPointe. Sometimes I think he does Bobby better than Bobby does Bobby. Nate's a guitar player's guitar player. He's conservative with his notes but the ones he chooses to play really mean something. Know what I mean? And he plays a purdy gee-tar. What kind of guitar is that anyways? I tried to figure it out but couldn't quite see...

For those of you in the OC area, Cubensis plays the Orange County Fair on Thurs. night along with Delta Nove and Moon Alice. I plan on being there. Will you?

On a bead-related note, I got my Bead & Button 2012 class proposals all completed today and I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief! I even got them packed and ready to ship for Monday. Would you like to see a wee bit of a sneak peek?

Los Ojos Del Sol

That's your sneak peek for the day. More to come... Stay tuned.

The Continuing Tales of a Slacker

Yes, I am still around! And I am still a blog slacker. I'm in Southern California enjoying the weather and getting lots of beading done. I'm currently working on submissions for next year's Bead & Button Show and I've been beading so much that my wrist is killing me!
I'm spending time visiting with family and friends which is making me a really happy camper! I really don't want to go home. But, alas, I must get ready for teaching at Bead Fest Philldelphia. Will you be there? Here's the link.
Stop by Meet the Teachers and say "hi" or come by Gary Wilson's booth where I will be helping out. See you in Philly!

Puget Sound Bead Festival

It's that time of year again, folks and I'm looking forward to it. I will be at the Puget Sound Bead Festival in Tacoma this coming weekend. Unfortunately, there will not be any classes this year so I won't be teaching. I will, however, have a booth where I will be selling my kits, samples and some specialty beads. Please stop by and say hello if you're at the show. It runs Fri. July 9th -Sun. the 11th.

My table at Meet the Teachers Bead & Button. Ignore the suitcase.

Tales of a Slacker

I've been a bit of a slacker blogger since I returned from Bead & Button. I apologize. Forgive me. Please.
I've been busy and I've been having some fun, too! Fun that involved music, lots of music.

The good Dr.'s head & some unknown person's head

     I saw Dr. John. I couldn't believe that practically everyone in room sat on their asses while Dr. John performed. This was Dr. John, for Pete's sake! I sat for about half the show and when I just couldn't take it anymore, I slipped out of the pew (the Shed is an old church), made a beeline for the front of the room just off stage left, and found a small group of peeps to dance with. It was the best view in the house. I had ample opportunity to take some fantastic photos but this is the only one I got. I was just too busy dancing. 

     Next, I saw Steve Earle. Barry managed to purchase front row tickets! There's something so very cool about a performer looking you in directly in the eye as they are performing their hearts out. There's nothing like it. 

Steve in Action

     My good friend Peter Giri and his lovely girlfriend Rosemary stayed over Fri. and Sat night. It was wonderful to spend a little bit of time visiting with them on Sat. afternoon. We are always so busy that we rarely get to visit but we did manage to take some time to drink coffee, listen to music and enjoy some sunshine out on my front porch. Peter's full of great stories. I listened to tales of him sitting in a living room in Macon, Georgia, hanging with Duane Allman as he strummed his guitar. Duane wanted to jam with him but Peter was too shy to play. Peter's band Cowboy, used to tour with the Allman Brothers Band.
     I got to see Peter, Petee as I call him, perform Sat. night and danced my heart out at Traveler's Cove here in Florence. A great time was had by all. 

     Needless to say, after being around all of this music, I was feeling inspired to play my guitar. I really haven't played since I returned from Bead & Button so, I decided on Sat. afternoon that it was time to bust out Neil (my guitar). I was so pumped and ready rock! I tuned my tellie, hooked up the wah-wah pedal to the amp, turned the amp on, played for about 20 seconds and then.... static followed by a loud POP! The power light on my amp went out and then the smell of burning. Burning fuse I imagine. Doh! I wasn't even playing loud. My amp was not turned to 11, let's put it that way. What the...? Luckily my amp's still under warranty so, I'll have to figure out where to take it. Man, that's frustrating.