beginnings of unwritten blog posts in my head

- DK’s room is finished and I must give her credit on the color selection.  Han & I thought it would too dark, but it totally works.  I’ll post before & after pics soon.

- Had a fun time at the house concert.  This guy always has such a great spread in the green room. Lamb/beef meatballs, shrimp, salmon, lots of wine & beer, veggies, brie, so much good stuff.  Han plays percussion with this performer and these shows are always fun.  The performer is getting ready to head back to his “other job” up in SF, so getting to hang with him while we can is good.

- The family gathering has come & gone and it was, by all accounts, a rousing success.  My parents finally met Han’s (well, one half of them anyway).  I found out later that Han’s dad asked my dad when Han & I would be getting married.  I think my dad handled it well (‘they seem to be doing just fine…’) and later Han’s dad & stepmom hinted at wanting more grandkids to which we firmly told them to not expect them from us.
The gumbo that John made was spectacular, and bonus, we bought a rice cooker for the occasion and now we have that in our kitchen arsenal. Overall, it was a good time and I think everyone was glad they could be there.

- Obama’s inauguration was splendid.  We watched it at work, which was cool.  When I got home from work, I watched the speech again since Han had recorded it.  Awesome.

- C came over for an Acoustic Duo meeting.  Work has begun for their 5th record.

- Got a letter from Mary and wrote her back for her birthday.  Forgot to tell her that “yes!” I want another quilt.

- Last show of the music season in Fallbrook.  Thought of maybe going up to Long Beach to see some old poetry friends but decided to close out the season with these good music friends.

- Sitting in the audience of the “Year in Ink” publication party, I couldn’t help but contemplate the many people I still know in the poetry world of San Diego.  And how comfortable I feel in it.  I almost want my hair to be more dissheveled and haphazard because I’m a poet and it makes me look more like one. Some good readers, some okay, some new faces, some happily familiar ones.  It feels good to be published in this fine book, only 30 poems out of 400 submissions made it in.

- Han is sick.  Things are unbalanced.  I realize that I often feel quite uninspired.

- Have been watching the Australian Open.  Love tennis.

- Stayed home while Han’s Rock Band had a gig.  I began to compile a catalog of all of my poems, which ones have been published, and where.  For those that I didn’t have a copy of saved to my computer, I typed out and saved them.  It was quite the journey to return to some of those past poems and recall the girl/woman/dreamer who first wrote them.   Is she still here?

- Fun Superbowl party at Cathryn & Jonny’s.  Han won $50 on some pool.  Lots of munchies and the return of the best eggrolls in the world.

- The beginning of February and another opportunity to start over with the goals for the year.  How will they manifest themselves this month?  And how well did I do in January?

- Made some updates to the blog.  Added some new pages, updated the Flicks & Books pages.  Contemplating how to incorporate my old house concert stuff here.

 

what’s in store

I’ve made a couple updates to two of my other pages.  I changed “Reading…” to “Books” and changed “Listening to…” to “Flicks.”   Check ‘em out if you’re so inclined.

I’ve also taken some time to put together a few lists.  Like my sister, I’m a big list-maker.   So I have a 2009 Goals list, a Mondo Beyondo list of sorts and a Mondo Beyondo travel list.

I didn’t make an MB list last year, though I thought about it.  And the one I created this year may be somewhat tame but I can always revise, add, delete etc.  I give myself permission to let it evolve over time : )  I did feel that I had to split it into two lists, one for overall dreams and one for travel.  The travel one incorporates places that Han has expressed interest in visiting too so it’s a combined list. Now that I think about it, I’ll probably make the MB lists have their very own page.

But first for 2009.  These range from the tangible to the ephemeral. Some may overlap here and there. Stay with me.  I’ll try to elaborate somewhat on the ways in which I would consider the less concrete ones to be successful.

1. Be active and healthy.
It’s no secret that getting up and moving your body makes you feel better.  I’m sad to say that my latest bout of inactivity (all of 2008 pretty much) causes the activity I do engage in to be more painful than pleasant and I’m tired of it.  I can make myself more aware of my body and do the things (big & small) to make it feel better:  walk, drink more water, eat more fruits & veggies, minimize portions, reduce sodas & sweets, stretch.  I’m allowing this goal to be far-reaching in its scope without pigeon-holing it into one specific success point (like a weight loss goal or to join a gym).  If those things come about due to this goal, great.  If not, I am counting on myself to find other ways to support it.

2. Focus on self-care.
Here’s the first instance of overlap.  Self-care goes hand in hand with being healthy.  But for me, this is more than just a health point. In the past, I’ve felt guilty if I took time to read some pages from a book.  I would beat myself up because I thought I should be doing something more productive.  My goal is to move beyond that self-criticism and acknowledge that hey, I love to read.  It soothes me, inspires me and can help change my mood. That’s some important shit!  And ultimately, not only helps me but everyone in my world.  If I’m happier overall, I’m much more likely to be pleasant to be around.  So that’s the point of self-care.  And as I referred to in an earlier post, I want to try to make it less about blocking time for “me” time, but simply incorporating the things that make me smile into the course of my day so it feels more natural and not forced.

3. Read 25 books.
Again with the overlap.  But you see how it fits in.  I would also like that list of 25 to include the entire Harry Potter series since I’ve not read any of them and I’m ready to take them on.

4. Travel.
Han will be going to Texas this spring with his Acoustic Duo and I would love to go along.  I’ve also talked with my sister about possibly meeting up somewhere in the US to take in a ballgame.  And who knows what else?  But this goal is always going to be on my list.

5. Get published outside of San Diego.
Here’s one with some specificity but still broad.  This goal will require some research and some discipline.  I’ve been published outside of SD before but I’m interested in organizing myself to a point where I can easily see that publication list and what poems are off the possibility list.  I’m interested in seeing what’s out there right now.  And I will also say that I will submit for both online & print but for me, print still seems more legitimate, as far as poetry standards.  Maybe that’s just me.

6. Find magic in each day.
Right.  What? This is my attempt to re-connect with my power of observation.  Something that once seemed so keen but has dulled.  This one is very subjective obviously.  It’s a reminder to myself to not get all hung up on the routine of daily living and to notice what’s going on around me.

7. Write.
Simple enough, right? Blog.  Journal.  Poems.  Letters.  Songs.  Emails. I’ve got plenty of words at my disposal.  I want to get familiar with them again.

8. Music business management & growth.
The Acoustic Duo, Rock Band and Studio will all need continued attention this year.  The AC and RB are both releasing albums this year so that will entail a lot of PR work.  The Studio will be launching its revamped website soon, too, and we’ll do some PR around that as well.  Should make for an exciting year!

9. New direction for Meeting Grace.
Since I’m no longer hosting house concerts, my website for the series has languished with inactivity since April.  I don’t want to give up the domain name (it’s up for renewal this month), but I’m not sure what to do with the site.  This goal is probably the one that needs the most immediate attention and the one I have the least idea about.  Any suggestions?

10. See 52 movies I’ve never seen before.
Thus the new “Flicks” page.  I love movies.  Especially good ones.  Since I don’t get much opportunity to actually go out to movies, I’ll rely on cable and the DVR for a majority of this one.  I should stipulate that this means that I watch the whole movie, preferably unedited, from start to finish.  That’s one movie a week.  I think I can do it

That’s it for 2009.  I’m excited about it!

And since this post has gotten long, I’ll just link to the new Mondo Beyondo page for you to check out my big dreams!

 

how I rang in 2009

Once upon a time on New Year’s Eve, 2008, my friends Matt & Joey (a girl) had a party to celebrate their new home together and of course, the new year. Han & I and many of our closest friends gathered to drink, graze, rock, roll, talk, laugh and overall be together to cross the threshold into 2009. Did I mention there was also a photo booth?

Han & I had a room that was a 3 minute walk away so we wouldn’t have to worry about the amateurs out that night. I had made sugar-and-spice candied walnuts and pecans to bring over. I wore my hair in pigtails and drank Karl Strauss Red Trolley ale from a keg all night. Did I mention there was also a photo booth?

Han didn’t drink much, some champagne and a little bit of Jameson. He rocked the drums in the sound-proof garage while I mingled from room to room, always finding someone fun to talk to or cheers with. Did I mention there was also a photo booth?

Han & I took some photos together rather early in the overall timeframe of the evening. They are good photos of us, rather tame in their composition. Cathryn had created the photo booth outside on the patio. A beautiful red curtain as a backdrop and a room divider on the side for some privacy from the party. The camera was digital and had a timer or you could just find someone to snap the button. It also had a flip screen so you could see the photo that would result and thus pose as you saw fit. It seems nearly everyone made their way over to the booth during the night. Some of us more than others as the night wore on and the drinks kept going down. The results are crazy funny and only speak to the complete abandon we all seemed to be feeling as we ushered out what was such a sorrowful year for so many of us. These photos that are emerging on Facebook and myspace are awesome, if not slightly embarrassing and unflattering (for me). But they capture a shared evening that was beyond any doubt a most awesome beginning to the year.

But the photo booth was not even my favorite part of the evening. It happened probably around 11:58 pm. Han & I were standing outside with another friend of ours. Across the patio, I saw some of our other friends. People we’ve come to know and love on new levels in 2008. I turned to say something to Han when the most amazing thing happened. Those friends all made their way over to us, saying, “Now we’re in the right place.” When I thought back on that moment yesterday (and again even now), tears fill my eyes. The fact that they all happen to be women (aside from Han of course) is another marvel to me and fills me with complete bliss. As we counted down, I felt such relief, and great anticipation for a better year. And with this group around me, with these shared feelings, the energy was palpable and amazing. And then it was midnight in San Diego. I kissed Han, and Cathryn, and Marcia, and Barbara, and the Becky. And in that moment all seemed right with the world.

Things only got better as we went around to Matt & Joey and other friends to offer our well wishes with warm hugs and kisses.  So thank you my dear friends for being there for me and for each other to get us through that bitch of a year. I am so excited to see what 2009 has in store for all of us.

And with that, I give you a photo that will surely go down in history, our Charlie’s Angels pose…happy new year!

 

goodbye 2008

So this year sucked in a lot of ways. Every year always has its ups and downs but this year seemed like every time there was an up, the down was like a swift kick in the gut followed by a pummeling that left me exhausted for weeks.

As so many other blogs are doing (and why wouldn’t they), there are various re-caps, summing ups and favorites lists to send 2008 on its way. I will not deviate from that much, but I’ll first give my thoughts on some things I’m thinking about as the new year is but hours away for me.

My sister already has her “resolutions” in place. I put that word in quotations only because it’s become such a cliche. They are goals, things to look forward to, simple accomplishments and major ideas. As she said, “I have everything from “Eat at the Red Iguana” to “end the year lighter than I started it.”” I have not yet committed anything to paper or planner or blog, but the overall sense I have for 2009 in relation to making it a good year is self care. (did you see that, Mom?) I want to be more aware of the ways I can take care of myself so that I can be more joyous, more free, more loving, etc. These things, like so much in life, are big and small. A pedicure, a walk, a guilt-free day of reading, a movie, health…

There are other thoughts I have for ‘09 but that is the one that has been resonating the most these last few days. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that I have not fully committed to that concept this year, as much as I thought I was at some points. I need to find a way to integrate it into my daily life so that it’s not just about “me” time, but a shift in how I tackle all of my tasks. This realization has been slow-coming but, if successful, will help align a lot of things that frequently seem out of whack.

So on to the ‘08 re-cap. And speaking of “resolutions”, let’s look back at what I envisioned for this year:

1. Reduce my impact on the earth.
2. Read 20-25 books.
3. Get back to my poetry roots.
4. Better prepare for the holidays.
5. Take a couple trips.
6. Release “Best of Meeting Grace” volume 2
7. Acoustic Duo goals:
- book and route tours of TX, NoCal, Northwest and midwest
- book locally
- help coordinate recording of 5th studio album

8. Rock band goals:
- work to increase visibility of band
- help coordinate recording of 1st album
- book locally and potentially regionally

9. Studio goals:
- develop word of mouth campaign to attract new clients

# 1 (Reduce my impact on the earth.) was not as successful as I’d hoped. I do remember to take my own bags to the grocery stores if I’m planning a shopping trip, but the impromptu trips after work were not as “green” as I’d hoped. I also did not lose any weight, but instead probably gained some.

I got very close to accomplishing goal # 2 (Read 20-25 books.) I read 19 books this year which I’m thrilled about. I finished both books I was reading (The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and The Almost Moon) on Monday and thought I could speed-read one more to make my goal but it’s not going to happen. Still, I loved this reading goal and it will make a return appearance for ‘09.

Goal # 3 (Get back to my poetry roots.) started out strong. I had some readings this year, I wrote some new work, and I was published a couple times. All of that in itself is really great and I’m proud of it, but I guess compared to my more prolific “early” years, I may have been a bit too far-reaching in this goal. I need to understand that my place in and my stamina for the poetry scene I once flourished in is a journey that’s come to a close. That is not to say my writing is finished or anything, but I just need to shape it into something else. Maybe it’s not about attending readings, maybe it’s about being published more and finding a new connection to other poets who are out there. I have some ideas about this one as well for ‘09. Stay tuned.

I think I did pretty good with goal # 4 (Better prepare for the holidays.) Throughout the year I kept a list of gift ideas and a wish list (sometimes they overlapped). I also completed a homemade poem-a-month calendar (limited edition) for my immediate family which had been a goal of mine in ‘07 that crashed & burned. The CD we did for our family and friends was also really fun and very well-received. My shopping was done by early December and I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I will admit that I never felt the Christmas spirit and I’m sad about that. That is not to say I was unhappy or ungrateful, but there is just something in the season that I usually always feel and this year it did not shine through. This was another good goal and I bet I can improve on it for ‘09.

# 5 (Take a couple trips.) was accomplished. I heart traveling and wish I had the disposable income to back it up as much as I would like. And although some of the trips we thought we’d take at the beginning of the year didn’t actually happen, the fates still played roles in taking me (and sometimes Han & DK) to some interesting locations. Places I went in 2008:

- Las Vegas (June)
- Julian (June)
- Mansfield, Missouri (July)
- Clinton, Iowa (October)
- Redding, CA (November)
- Chico, CA (November)
- San Francisco, CA (November)
- various trips to LA over the year

It looks like there will be Texas, at least, in 2009, and maybe (hopefully) more.

# 6 (Release “Best of Meeting Grace” volume 2) was accomplished and with it came the close of Meeting Grace itself, the house concert series I had started in 2000. I miss it in some ways, but don’t in a lot of others. The compilation CD is awesome and I’m so glad to have the memories that each performance brings.

The Acoustic Duo goals for # 7 were mostly accomplished. They toured in the midwest and NorCal and made appearances at conferences in Texas and Arizona that will help boost their schedule in ‘09. Their local bookings all were great and they are still at work on that 5th album. It will be a high priority in early ‘09.

The Rock Band goals for # 8 were general and thus more “easy.” They played regularly in town, but LA is still a tough nut to crack. They are also still in the process of recording that first album which will make ‘09 a year for release parties and hopefully some good press.

# 9’s studio goals was solitary as it is a work in progress. The name changed and a new website is in the works. Clients have been steady and should only continue as Han continues to produce amazing sounding records. All of the music business goals will remain in place with hopes to be more strategic and prepare sooner for 2010, especially with regard to the Acoustic Duo.

And that’s that. Of course, aside from the goals I set for myself, there were some other happenings (minor & major) of 2008 in my small world.

- we staged two large Acoustic Duo shows with 350+ at each (February & August)
- I volunteered as a community reader at an elementary school in Chula Vista (February)
- hosted last Meeting Grace show (March)
- we moved (April)
- Rob & Paulette’s wedding (April)
- new babies for Laurel & Lee (April), Devon & Anna (July) & Rob & Paulette (September)
- hosted a fundraiser benefit show for Eric Lowen of Lowen & Navarro who has ALS that raised over $2,000 (April)
- all the family (including Mia) visit (April)
- Junior Theatre performances with DK : Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (crew – May) and CATS (pit singer – November)
- meeting many of Han’s close friends from high school at a memorial for his friend Paul (May)
- Jonny & Cathryn’s wedding (June)
- Robert Plant & Allison Kraus concert (June)
- Jenny & Brad’s wedding (July)
- Han getting Amy Tan’s autograph for me (September)
- visiting Alcatraz and seeing Lucinda at the Fillmore (November)
- Disneyland twice while it’s decorated for the holidays, once with S, T, Han & DK and again with just Han (November & December)

And in the larger world we share, the economic fall-out has been the story of the year, but I’d rather focus on the jubilation of electing Barack Obama as the next president of the United States and look forward to 1-20-09 when he is inaugurated.

Finally, I can’t possibly sum up this year without speaking about the deaths of family and friends, acquaintances and others that all happened this year. As of today, the count is 11 as another soul left us yesterday. Julie was a close friend of DK’s mom and a very special person to DK herself having known her since she was a small girl. I had met Julie a couple times when we had gatherings for DK’s birthday in the past. May she rest in peace along with:

Paul Lowry
Craig Yerkes
“Papa” Herman Light
Brendan Moran
Dan Ely
Wanda Light
Scott Zensen
Lorna “Doone” Hamilton
Cindy’s mom
Dave “Smitty” Smith

This ended up being a very long post but hey, I’m re-capping a whole year! Here’s wishing you (and me!) a more prosperous, more health-filled, more life-affirming, more positive, more productive, more rockin’, more loving, more blissful new year and may it all start right away!

 

yes we did

 

April showers

This morning on the way into work, it sprinkled a little. When I looked to my left, I saw a full rainbow arcing over the Miramar air field. I had to smile.

Hello again. I’m sorry I’ve been away so long. It’s been so long that WordPress went and changed their interface so I’m trying to figure out where everything is again.

I’ve missed writing here, but sometimes life just gets in the way! So much has transpired and instead of a long potentially boring post, I’d rather just touch on a few significant things that happened. Another redux if you will. The other day, I even jotted down some notes so I would have a guideline, as opposed to random rambling. So, in no particular order, the things that have taken my attention, distracted me from writing here:

- the wild splashes of color on the hillsides and along the freeways
I love spring in San Diego, if I were any kind of photographer, I would share photos of these bursts of color with you here

- moving
Although the official move was March 30th, the whole month was centered around that event. Packing, purging, figuring out finances (moving is always more expensive than you think it will be), exhaustion, grief, the promise of a new start.
In our new place the other night, we contemplated how we felt. I was surprised when Han said he missed the old house and its funkiness. Me? I straddle the dichotomy. I certainly miss the charm and old style of that old Craftsman, but there is a part of me that relishes this new space. Its bright & open spaces, making it ours from the ground up. And the one thing I LOVE is all the light it gets. Plus we are closer to the ocean now and all seems right.

- Baseball is back
I love that baseball is back in action. I can look forward nearly every night to catching the game on our HD television or listening to it on the AM dial. It’s a true pleasure. Go Padres!

- Steve Earle & Allison Moorer at the Belly-Up
I bought tickets to this show for Han for his birthday. The show was on Easter Sunday. I am a huge fan of Steve Earle and have followed his career since I was in college. I’ve seen him numerous times in a variety of venues. His sister has played at my house concert series. His songs are amazing. His politics are right on for me and I just think he’s great. This show, his wife, Allison Moorer, joined him. She opened the show and then came out and sang with him on a few songs. It was just him, no band (though they rock!). The only other accompaniment he had was a DJ who put down some beats. It was okay, but I didn’t love it. He’s much better on his own. He opened with some of his classic tunes (“Goodbye”, “Someday”, “The Devil’s Right Hand”, “Billy Austin”). Then he did several from his new album. It was a great show. At the end of the evening, he came back for an encore and told an incredibly poignant story about the men of his family. How he missed out on most of both of his sons’ lives and how his own father would drive 1000 miles just to see him perform. He went on to say that he’d lost his father around Christmas and that he and his sons had just gone out for steak dinners to celebrate their birthdays. It was such a moving story. I couldn’t help but weep. For his loss, for his life, for my own father and his support of everything I’ve ever done. Then he played “Little Rock ‘n’ Roller”, a song he’d written for one of his sons, who he rarely saw because he was on the road. It was a really incredible moment.

- return of Java Joe’s at the Handlery
Java Joe’s, first in Poway, then in Ocean Beach, was an acoustic music mecca. Its existence helped facilitate my meeting almost every person I love the most in this world, especially Han. When he closed his last place, a bar in the college area, it was a sad time. But then, this little hotel lounge got the idea to have live music. And Han got the idea to hook them up with Java Joe and so it goes. Java Joe hosted an evening of music at the Handlery Lounge with about 25 artists doing 2 songs each. It was the return of Java Joe’s and it was great. It works perfectly for Joe because he doesn’t have to worry about the business side of things, just the music side which is what he always loved in the first place.

- Han’s birthday
Birthdays are always tricky. He wants the attention, but wants it to come unbidden. He doesn’t want to be involved in the planning but he wants to know that something is being planned. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? On top of it all, he wasn’t feeling very well, so I had to make sure we didn’t do anything to crazy. So I planned a gathering of our good friends at a great sushi place in PB. I got the tickets to the concert as I mentioned and then the other gift was a group effort. I asked a bunch of friends to send their thoughts, stories, photos, well wishes to Han. I compiled them and put them all in a binder. It went over very well. Who wouldn’t love a whole book full of stories saying how great you are?

- Laurel’s baby shower
One of the people I adore who I met at the aforementioned Java Joe’s many years ago. She’s expecting her first baby next month and her mom hosted a baby shower for her. We don’t see each other too often anymore, but it doesn’t matter. We’ve shared a lot over the years, been there for each other’s ups and downs, she was even my roommate for a while. As a rule, I hate baby showers, but this one was fine and I wouldn’t have missed it.

- T’s birthday
My nephew turned 10 years old in March. He lives in SLC so I don’t get to see him very often. He’s coming to visit with his mom in a couple weeks and I can’t wait to see them both. He’s a good boy, avid reader with a vivid imagination. He likes sports and music. Although we’re not super close, I’ve enjoyed seeing how his personality has developed and am proud to be his aunt.

- last house concert
With moving came the last house concert for my series, Meeting Grace. I invited a bunch of San Diego singer-songwriters (most of whom I met at Java Joe’s!) and those who could make it showed up to play a few songs. The main act was Berkley Hart and the night was dubbed Berkley Hart & Friends. That whole day was pretty hectic and I barely had a minute to let myself ponder what was really happening until I got up to speak at the beginning of the evening. I lost it, started crying in front of all the lovely people. They understood. Toward the end of the evening, I was sitting outside by myself, on the side porch so I could still hear the music. Berkley Hart ended the whole thing with “This Land is Your Land” and I cried again, this time more robustly, for the house, for the house concert, for the music that has filled my life for the last 8 years, for all the people who had called that house home over the years, for all the people who had joined me for the house concerts and who helped make it such a success. I needed to do that and it felt great.

- my reading at Rebecca’s
On March 18th, I was the featured reader at Poetic Brew which takes place at Rebecca’s in South Park. I can’t quite explain the absolute rush and simultaneous comfort I felt by being on stage and performing again. I was really in the zone that night. It was wonderful to have some good friends in the audience as well as Han & DK. There were other poets there from back when I first started, the people who initially encouraged me to keep at it. They still are and it’s immeasurable to have their support.
When I was unpacking, I was working on a box of books. I keep separate the books I have been published in and I was filled with the desire to really go for it again, be it publishing or reading out. I think in this new space, I can forge a new habit that will build on this rekindled fire.

- the Garbette wedding
“Garbette” is the combination of our two friends’ names, a la “Brangelina”. Their wedding was last Saturday and although we didn’t get a chance to stay for the whole reception, the ceremony was lovely, all of our friends in attendance, to celebrate the union of a fine couple. These two have been together a while and she is expecting their first baby later this year. The wedding made it all “official” but everyone already knew they were a match. Still, it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

- Eric Lowen Trust Benefit concert
In all of my in-between time, I’ve been planning this benefit show that’s happening this Saturday night. It’s for a musician named Eric Lowen who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) 4 years ago. It’s been heartbreaking to see his deterioration over time, but his spirit & character have only gotten stronger. My house concert series and another one here in town are co-presenting Berkley Hart & Joel Rafael. All proceeds are going to Eric’s trust that is helping to pay his medical bills and support his family. I’m sad to say that I have not had many pre-sale tickets and absolutely no press coverage. I’m hoping that people choose to come to the show and pay at the door. We’ll see how it goes.

That’s a good re-cap of what’s been happening since we last met. Still on the horizon:

- taxes: doing them this weekend, ick
- a visit from my aunt Mia from Sweden, plus my sister & T and my parents
- book club coming up on Sunday. We’ll discuss “The Thirteenth Tale” which I finished last week. At that, I’ll get to see Heather who’s birthday was last Sunday.
- label showcases for both the bands I work with
- DK starts up with crewing again for the next JT production
- a reading to celebrate the publication of this year’s San Diego Poetry Annual
- a road trip out to Joshua Tree for a show
- Han setting up shop in the new place
- finalizing the house and getting rid of the remaining boxes
- maybe attend a baseball game or two?

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I promise not to take so long until the next post

 

2007 wrap-up

As I was putting my new 2008 planner pages in my book, I took some time to reflect on some cool stuff I did or that happened each month in 2007.  Here’s the list:

January

Barbara’s b-day show at Boat & Ski – This show was a great introduction to a woman who has an amazing voice and a great spirit.  It’s been a great year getting to know her.

Sin City Revue at Belly-Up – Another fun show with Han and many others paying tribute to Gram Parsons.

February

La Paloma show – Fun night at a great old theater in Encinitas.

Start new job – Yay!  It’s been great so far and it’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year already.

March

Sessions at Studio West – One of Han’s bands had some time at a great studio in Rancho Bernardo.  Unfortunately, the recordings weren’t usuable for the most part, but the experience (at least for me) was cool.

Han’s birthday party at Calman’s – A great group of people, good conversation and a celebration of my guy.

DLF CD release at Belly-Up - one of the groups that Han worked with, a culmination of a lot of work, a rockin’ evening

Disneyland w/ Mia, Mom, Han, DK, Red & T – all of our trips to Disneyland have been great, but this one with most of the whole family was a good one

my poem “Camouflage” published in San Diego Poetry Annual – yay!

Susanville – Han’s acoustic duo travelled to NoCal for a show in Susanville

Perform at Gillian Welch tribute show – I was invited to read some lyrics of Gillian Welch at a show that was set up to honor her music

April

Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart at Meeting Grace – one of the better shows I’ve hosted, I enjoyed these two very much

May

The cleanse – I took three days over Memorial Day weekend to cleanse.  I liked it and hope to do it again in 2008.

June

Lucinda at Humphrey’s – I think our friend Lisa opened this show.  She (Lu) gave a good performance here if I remember correctly.

Peter’s wedding reception – a good friend from high school got married and said “it wouldn’t be right” if I didn’t know (hear that, Di?) and asked if I’d go to the reception.  Han & I attended and it was nice, Hawaiian theme. I wish him all the best.

Las Vegas – The Police & BH show – I wrote about this here

Sunset Sessions – Han’s rock band performed for a TV show that never actually went anywhere, but it was still a fun day

Poltz at Meeting Grace (2 nights) – 2 great nights with an amazing songwriter

B-52’s at Viejas with DK – her first big venue concert, pretty fun though B-52’s only played a little over an hour

Backyard project – check it out

July

All-Star Game – love baseball

Idyllwild weekend – totally fun weekend

Barbara CD release – same woman from January’s memory, Han produced her CD and the release show was fabulous

midwest – Han’s acoustic duo travelled to the midwest for some shows

August

10 year anniversary show – Han’s duo celebrated 10 years of playing music together, sold out awesome show

Word Mocha feature – back in the saddle again, had a great feature and met Dancing Mermaid

DK’s 10^th birthday bowling party – cosmic bowling rules!

Canyonfolk/Troubadour party – a great musical gathering

Joel Rafael at Meeting Grace – a fine troubadour in an intimate setting

Weekend in Ramona – Han & I crashed out at our friend’s place, picked sage and saw hawks

Disneyland & Wicked w/ Han & DK – you know I loved it

September

Lucinda “World Without Tears” at the El Rey in LA – a special night where she performed this album cover to cover, special guests and a live recording, too

San Diego Music Awards – although Han was nominated, they didn’t win but this was the night I met the Becky & Irisa, great girls!

Concerts on the Square – Han’s rock band played on this NBC concert

Band Camp – another fabulous production by Cathryn, always a great time

Adams Ave Street Fair – right outside our door, Han’s rock band also played and were awesome

NoCal – Han’s duo travelled to NoCal for some shows

October

Quincy Troupe reading – I don’t think I blogged about this, but I went to see Quincy, one of my former professors, he was amazing and even recognized me after the show!

CLB show in Riverside, partying in LA w/ Barbara – Han played with CLB then we high-tailed it to LA to party Hollywood style, very fun

San Diego wildfires – terrible and devastating, but worth mentioning as a happening in ‘07

November

ECPAC show, hanging out w/ Jake, Katie, Mike, Barbara, Han & Craig – an unexpected evening out with a great ballplayer and our good friends

David & Peggy CD release – another project from Han, who also played in the band that night

Birthday party at Dublin Square – a fun, yet somewhat mellow evening to celebrate my 36th

Dinner & movie for birthday w/ Han – continued birthday fun

Thanksgiving at Cathryn’s – a party & a half, with great food and fantastic friends

Thanksgiving at Mom & Dad’s – a second day of thanks with the folks

FARWest – Han’s duo went to this folk conference in the Northwest

December – these are all described in my December wrap-up post

work holiday party

Open Door books featured reading

White elephant party at Cathryn’s

Star of India w/ Mom & Dad, reading

Trip to Florida & Georgia for Christmas

Party for Donna

New Year’s Eve party

I only read 11 books this year, which is not bad, but nowhere near Red’s 42 or Molly’s 80.  Wow.  I hope to increase the total in ‘08.

Books read

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
The Bone-Setter’s Daughter by Amy Tan
Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Blessings by Anna Quindlen

 

welcome 2008

“all is quiet on new year’s day” – U2

And it was.  After a highly successful party here at the house that saw me forget my family’s favorite addage (“moderation is the key”), I was on the couch until about 3 pm yesterday.  I did watch “Music & Lyrics” which was cute enough.  Then I undertook the clean-up.  Not too bad, really.  But then came the other sobering efforts to recall how much of a fool I was.  I think I maintained pretty good right up ’til the end of the night when I slurred some mean words at Han with regard to the karaoke.  And then I got sick.  Not a real great start to the year.  We talked about it last night, but there is still some making up I have to do.

Today it’s back to work, I also worked on new year’s eve.  It should still be fairly slow which is good.  Having these holidays land mid-week is a little discombobulating.  Feels like the weekend, but nope, you’re still smack in the middle of the week.

I’ll be updating here about our trip and about some things I learned in December which threw me for some loops.  I’d also like to try to re-cap some things about ‘07 like Red did.  Until then…

 

Here I am

Here I am
On my way
Down another road I have paved
With every good intention I’ve saved
And hearts that I broke

As for me I got scars
For every mile I’ve traveled so far
And some blood on my hands
Here I am

With a song in my heart
And an attitude from the start
I took everybody apart
To see how they work

I got friends that I owe
I ain’t namin’ names
Cuz they know where they stand
Here I am

If I went back where I’ve been
And I knew what I know now then
Well I’d probably do it again
Cuz I’m just a (wo)man
At the end of the day
I ain’t got nothing to say

Here I am
-Steve Earle

I had planned to start this blog on 7/7/07 as a way to symbolize something: luck, good fortune…but typical with me, I got side-tracked, distracted or otherwise detained and put it off.

But now I’m here and unlike the lyrics above, at the end of the day, and at times between, I do have things to say. Whether anyone else is listening (or reading), I’m not sure, but I just knew that I had to create a space for myself here.

I hope you enjoy what follows as I make my way. I’ve been inspired by many other bloggers out there (see the Blogroll) and if I can give just one bit back to them that they’ve given to me to help feel connected, inspired and simply aware of the possibility that there is a place like this, I’ll be happy.

This is just the beginning.