Neil, still master after all these years

So I had always heard about Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit, thought it was way Northern California, but alas just south of San Fran. When I saw the lineup: reunion Buffalo Springfield, Pearl Jam and my favs Modest Mouse, not to mention freakin' Billy Idol (I know!) who I never thought I'd see in my lifetime, I decided this was the year to go. Not really any reason not to, which is good enough reason to do it in my book. Since tickets hadn't gone on sale yet, it was a real viable trip. And when a week out I lucked into an 11th row ticket from the late releases for night one, I felt blessed. No sitting on the lawn in the rain, which despite the great music, would have been miserable. Luckily both nights I was under the big tent covering the front half of the crowd. It really lived up to the adventurous weekend I was hoping for, despite the rain, so I was very happy I'd lucked into finding out about it in time. Seeing Buffalo Springfield do all their greats, from when I was barely a teenager, was like a time warp trip. Nice to see them all but honestly Neil and Stephen Stills are still rockin' their asses off and look healthy and happy which is fun to see. Not like Dylan who's a caricature of his former self and should just call it a day. And of course hunka wunka Eddie Vedder, singing Patti Smith's Dancing Barefoot and Modest Mouse doing acoustic Cowboy Dan were also highlights. But silly as it seems, seeing a limo driver holding a cardboard sign saying my name by the exit of San Jose airport really was the most surreal moment! On to my next adventure......

Phoenix, say hello

HOLY CRAP! It's been so long since I've posted I forgot all my login shit, luckily I finally got it. So after literally years with no one spending time reading any of my stuff I see some Phoenix peruser has actually looked a few times. So write me a comment, I'm always game to hear from far away folks. And reading some old posts from 5 years ago I'm happy to say a lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same, in all the right places thankfully! Maybe I'll actually start posting more. Funny after seeing the two U2 reviews, I'll be headed to SLC to see them again in May after seeing them at the Rose Bowl Oct 2009. They never get old! I mean seeing them of course, because yes, they are getting up there a little bit! Well have to go run now, one of the good things that hasn't changed. The lack of sex, FINALLY has changed for the better. And yes, absence does make the heart grow fonder! (absence of sex of course)

More Europe

U2 Rose Bowl Oct 25, 2009

Europe Baby!

Wimbledon Just Won't Be The Same This Year

I guess I really can't complain, after last year being the "greatest match of all time" when Rafa beat Roger for the epic match title on grass. Still, it is a real heart break to see him ailing. He is such a joy to watch and will be sorely missed this year. Get Well Rafa

Finally, a new post of random thoughts...

Okay, so I've been really neglecting this blog for forever, so thought I'd jot down a few things that have been bouncing around in my head.
1. When the "regular flu" kills thousands each year, why oh why all this fuss about the swine flu. And I hate how our media latches on like a rottweiler on a childs arm to a story and that's all that's on the news ad nauseum for days on end. Surely there are other things happening around the country and world than the flu.
2. Without warning my 25 yr old son has a sudden urge and desire to play the piano that sits mostly dormant for months at a time. The 2+ hours a day he's been practicing is pretty f*cking amazing. And he has taken immediately to reading music.
Looks like quitting his job has sparked a creative streak that he's been ignoring for ages. Which leads me to:
3. When you lose your sense of smell, do your other senses become heightened as they say happens to the blind?
4. My new job at the bank is working out very well, funny how well I've taken to a rigid schedule. And I'm hoping that the novelty of having my own office never wears off.
5. When friends have a husband, new boyfriend, job and two kids you tend to be so far down on their list as to be non-existent.
6. Had a very fine bottle of Argentine Malbec, El Tango. I think I'll get another bottle at the local wine specialty store sometime soon.
7. Paying down $2k on my mortgage seems like a better investment than leaving it in the loser 401k, so I'm doing it.
8. Suprised how I'm loving the new Decemberist "hazards of love" I was so determined to not like them, ever, at all, but now that I have tix to the Wilma in 3 weeks, figured I'd revisit that mentality. So yeah, the show should actually be pretty fun.
9. Trivia may actually start being more fun with the arrival of a "drop out", we'll see.
10. Netflixed The Queen w/Helen Mirren and my pal Jamee Cromwell, it was very good. And been watching Rescue Me, why is Denis Leary so sexy? Starting on season 3 this week.

Feb 24 2009

Halloweenie

Red Sox, First Date, etc.

First off, I'm glad Boston really made them earn it, pushing them to a game seven. Now I hope the Rays have the good manners to win the world series. At least if you're going to beat my team you should go all the way. Secondly, a first date which was actually comfortable and relaxed. Of course we'd chatted and emailed for the last couple of weeks so discovered we at least had a few things in common, not the least of which is a desire to go to Australia. That's a great start. Seems we hit it off well enough and although I was attracted, and loved the way he touched my arm and hair, I wasn't so attracted that I forgot how to speak the English language, which sometimes happens. Beautiful blue eyes, hair on top and a kind demeanor. Extra points for his short stature, we're the same height. So a date two is in order, hopefully a hike and dinner, but we can work that out later. The urge to keep my own individual life and not get all joined at the hip is a strong one. It helps that he lives out of town. I don't want an all-consuming thing that takes over my life. I do however feel the slightest bit vulnerable for the first time in years, to actually put myself out there and reveal to a person I'm actually interested in them is scary.

More B Bar, no snow this time

Pink never looked so good

Late Summer Days

Colors & Textures

Black & White

Experimenting with black and white lets me know how much I have to learn about photography. I really do need to sit down for several hours with my camera manual and do some putzing around. My problem is once I know the basics and things are coming out "good enough" I tend to not bother with such trivial things as directions. My goal is to change that as I just love my new camera and have been having a blast snapping pictures since I got it. And after last evenings art walk I'm motivated again to start some painting. those two horrendous paintings I made are just screaming "cover me up" so that's where I'll start. Weather is supposed to be crappy next weekend, so that may be the time slot I've been looking for.

Pilots

3/9/08

Through my adult years of traveling I’ve always noticed a tendency of height challenged men flying the planes. Call it Short Stature-Big Bird syndrome if you like. Perfectly understandable to me: you’ve always been the little guy so you get back at “them” by flying jumbo jets.

Well, I’ve traveled quite a few times with my children and had mentioned this observation to them. My daughters especially laughed at me, said I was imagining it and then would further point out each tall pilot as we made our way through the terminals.

So of course today they were not with me as I traveled my way back to Montana from Boston. Last minute travel arrangements dictated especially long layovers and as I didn’t care to get a book or a newspaper I spent hours watching the people cruise by. And among them were dozens and dozens of pilots, a clear majority belonging to the five foot seven and under crowd. Miniature men marched by in their pilot caps and black trench coats with their little roller bags trailing behind them. Now I notice these men not just because I’d love to prove my own theory, but because I have an especially fond spot for shorter men. I don’t know why that is but it may be rooted in the fact that my dad was six two and a half and has always represented to me what NOT to look for in a man.

So as I’ve spent this long day traveling back from what can only be described as a monumental week of family history, I’ve smiled many times as I spied another shorty strolling by.

Girls Making Movies

Just watched Two Days In Paris, Julie Delpy's first movie as director. Nice first effort, a funny, painfully realistic view of the insecure, psychopathic nature of most boy/girl relationships. Then I saw Matthew Broderick on David Letterman this week out promoting Helen Hunt's directorial debut which looks very promising. I hear Colin Firth also co-stars, reason enough for me to shell out $7.50. And of course there's the funny and oh so talented Tina Fey who's latest effort, Baby Mama is supposed to be pretty funny, even if it is more of a chick flick. (SNL really suffers since she's moved on.) This brings us to the awesome realization that more and more women are sinking their teeth into movie making, not just starring as the pretty leading lady. It's about time the "boys club" gave way to an equal forum for both sexes. And who couldn't be excited by the prospect of more quality movie offerings?

Getting Back to Normal

It's been a wild ride the last couple of months but things are settling down now and spring is visibly trying to take hold, FINALLY! Spent the weekend doing more housecleaning, shredding old bills, gathering the brush from last years garden and making an effort to give myself an attitude adjustment. Still feeling disappointed in the male species however, and becoming more and more reluctant to do to any online introductions since I've had such dismal results so far. No interesting men in the "real world" either, unfortunately. I don't think it's just me though, I do believe people are getting more and more isolated from each other. Just the fact that you can't paruse the faces of the other drivers because of tinted windows is depressing. I guess it's time to face reality. I was happy to see Rafa won a fourth straight Monte Carlo title, even if it wasn't televised. Another final with Federer would've been nice to see, but alas, not a big enough event. Plus such shit like the big NFL draft, NBA finals and lots of baseball take priority. I was also happy to hear my brother has gone back to work full time after the November aneurysm that nearly took his life. The stars were obviously aligned for him.

Montana Matters

This is the first time since before I moved west, 1977, that Montana has mattered on the national political scene. Since the Obama/Hillary neck and neck race shows no signs of letting up, they're making the rounds to the rural small states this time around. Which is a real bonus for us political buffs who like to see our candidates up close and personal. Now all I have been hearing for a year is what a pair of rock stars these two are in person, so I had to go and judge for myself. And suprise, they both are. However, Clinton still holds the edge for me. She just gives off an air of confidence after spending 8 years in the White House like she knows what is expected of the president, and how those situations are handled. Bravo Hillary. So I'm still, idealistically no doubt, holding out for an '08 Clinton/Obama ticket, to be repeated in 2012 and then an Obama/Tester? or Obama/Schweitzer ticket the next two go rounds. Oh well, I can hope at least!

Jon Stewart is My Hero