RIP Levon Helm
Thank you for being Loretta’s daddy in Coal Miner’s Daughter.
Thank you for your voice & drums in The Band.
Thank you for Dirt Farmer.
Thank you for the Midnight Ramble.
Thank you for The Last Waltz.
Now go listen to “Ophelia” and raise a glass.
(and while you’re at it, do the same for Dick Clark & Greg Ham)
That would be the countdown to 40. I’ve seen other blogs that put lists of x number of things they’d like to do before they turn x, but I thought I’d turn that around and try to come up with 40 things I’ve done in my 40 years. So let’s get started. These are in no particular order.
1. I’m a published poet – I may not be as active as I once was, but I believe my name is still known in some circles. And it’s not over. If I ever get myself a bit more disciplined about the whole thing, there could be more publishing spots in my future.
2. Flashed in public so that only one person saw – I must admit this is a unique talent of mine. It happened more than once, usually at The Ould Sod, a bar I used to frequent nearly every Wednesday for a number of years to see my friends play music. At its peak, there was no other place to be in town. It was always packed and always a good time. I stood in the middle of the bar and Han would be at the front near where the band was. And I’d do it and only Han would notice. Maybe a couple people saw out of the corner of their eye, but it was so fast they wondered if they’d really just seen what they thought. It’s a fun trick 
3. Have 500 hours of massage training – I made the decision to attend massage school (Mueller College) when I was terribly depressed by my job at the time. I thought I would make a career change. I did the classes and paid for it as I went. I think it took about a year and a half. I graduated but never took the final steps of taking the national exam and getting my license. When I really thought about the life of a contract massage therapist, it seemed like a life that I was not prepared for. But Han gets the benefits!
4. Vandalized public property – This is not one of my prouder moments, but it was so out of character, it seems worthy to include. It was in college, with a group of friends. Were we drunk? I don’t remember. We stole a piece of public art that was on a stick and stuck in the ground. It was a carving of a bird. Large. How did we get it back up to our dorm? I don’t remember who did it, but one of us called security anonymously and said where we’d put it (in the laundry room on a different floor). I also remember, around that same time, we somehow got into a building being constructed and messed with the tools and stuff. Like I said, not a good thing. I remember feeling really terrible about the bird. I’m sorry, bird-artist and construction people!
5. Owned a cat – My dear little Shug. I got her when she was a kitten, I don’t remember the year, but I was living in my apartment on 4th Ave in Hillcrest. She stayed with me until I moved in with Han who is allergic. I gave her to a nice family. About a year after I’d given her to them, they contacted me to say they couldn’t keep her anymore. We briefly thought about taking her back, but we couldn’t do it. I don’t know what they ended up doing with her, and I honestly don’t want to know. She was a good kitty, if sometimes a bit crazy. I miss my Shug.
6. Am friends with my family – I like this one. I know so many people who do not get along with their parents or siblings. I know some that do, but it seems like the majority of folks don’t get along with their family. I’m lucky that I consider most of my family, and especially my immediate family, to be friends. I like hanging out with them and catching up with them. They’re good people with good hearts. I’m glad to know them.
7. Have met 2 of my musical favorites: Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch – I met Lu at The Mint in Los Angeles. My friend, Lisa Sanders, is friends with her and she introduced us. Lu was drunk as could be so it wasn’t the ‘dream meeting’ I might have imagined, but that’s how it is. I saw her again, although didn’t have any interaction with her, when Han & Lisa opened up for her up in Reno. They opened the show and it was awesome, but then Lu stayed on her bus for an hour or something. People started to leave and they announced that the show was cancelled. Then she came out and started playing. People slowly started to drift back in and she played a great show. It was a very surreal, rock ‘n’ roll experience.
I met Gillian after a Belly-Up show shortly after Han had hung out with her & David Rawlings up in LA with our friend, Matt. We chatted for a bit in a group with our other friends. I was a bit star-struck. Then a few days later, I decided to go up to LA to go to a poetry reading where my friend, Mindy Nettifee, was featured. It was in Tarzana and my dad decided to join me. Well, I’ll be damned but who should walk in to the reading but Gillian with Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek). They performed a short set and for a bit of the reading, Gillian was sitting next to me! I read during the open mic and she heard me read. I think I said something about having met her recently at the Belly-Up and about Han. I have no recollection of what she said, but it’s still a great story
8. Found someone to make a life with – Of course I’m talking about Han. It’s a precarious life, not one that is rooted in routine or common things. Half the things on this list wouldn’t have been possible without him! We come from different backgrounds and have different philosophies about some things, but with other things, we are in sync. He makes me laugh every day, and his talent overwhelms me. I want so much to do whatever I can to help him, and know that he would do the same for me.
Okay, that’s all for now. More on the list tomorrow as the countdown continues!
I had the day off yesterday, which pretty much meant I stayed away from silly things like computers. I did make sausage & biscuits for breakfast. And then made crunchy parmesan chicken for late lunch. Yummy. We had a friend over for a brief visit, then had a client meeting (who also happen to be friends). I did some laundry, and we watched some shows (our DVR has decided to just not record some of the shows we have set up to record-irritating).
Then, it was time for the evening events. First stop was downtown San Diego, Hard Rock Cafe, for an appreciation event for our dear friend, Cathryn. Han was the first one on so it was a tough crowd. The area in front of the stage was packed with what looked like high school students visiting San Diego, complete with the waitress yelling out the specials as Han is singing. I don’t know how he managed to pull off a good performance with this woman yelling, “MUSHROOM BURGER!” right in front of him, but he did. Then we had to rush away to La Jolla to attend Eve Selis’s CD release show. The Acoustic Duo were special guests and it was a very good time.
This morning, Han left town again for a few more shows with Flan, tonight in Fresno, then tomorrow and Monday in SF. I also left town, came up here to my folks’ house. Went through some stuff in the garage, then went to pick up Dad at dialysis, then me & Mom went out to dinner at Cha-Cha’s. I stuffed myself and it was good! It was an early birthday dinner (1 week to go!) Then we came back to the house and I began to doze in the chair so I decided to get myself up and update this thing!
That’s all for now. Pretty basic “here’s what I did today” stuff but at least it’s something!
This morning was the beginning of music season! I went to the annual Madres breakfast where Flan performed. Han, of course, played with him. It was a good show; they’re still getting their musical bearings together as they start to play. It was a ‘stripped down’ group, as opposed to what it could be, but it was enjoyable.
The show is held at the San Diego Hall of Champions, and they usually serve a great breakfast. Today, though, was rather disappointing. It’s a buffet style and the first thing available? Salad. Say what? Then there was fruit and muffins, okay. Followed by asparagus wrapped in ham with cream cheese to make it stick. Yummy, but weird. Then you had your french toast sticks which were so-so. After that, you have your mashed potatoes and gravy, sliced ham, and hamburger steak in gravy. What? It was totally bizarre. The sad thing was that in the past, they’ve served some of the tastiest bacon I’ve ever eaten, but there was no bacon to be found. 
After the show, I ran some errands and am getting ready to clean up the kitchen. Han is having a session which should be over in about 45 minutes. On the agenda tonight? Dinner (steaks) and mellowness. Sounds good to me!
…a 27-year-old girl from Port Arthur, Texas died in a hotel room in Hollywood from an overdose of heroin.
Janis Joplin was unlike any other before or since.
I never knew (or didn’t remember) the name of the hotel where she died until today. It’s funny, but it never occurred to me before to want to seek it out. I still probably won’t, but I know where it is. I could retrace her steps.
I think I’ve posted all the poems I’ve written for Janis. I’ve posted photos and videos. Song lyrics. Now I’ll post something from Janis herself from a letter dated April 1970 as collected in the book Love, Janis written by her sister, Laura.
Hello!
Really rushing through rehearsals, have a new (2 of the same guys, 3 new) smaller band & it’s really going fantastic! Great new songs-really needed new songs-so we’ll do an album while on the next tour. Albert is lightening up my schedule a little because of my old age & because I put my foot Down! 2 mos on the road then 2 off, 2 on, 2 off, etc. So I can have a little personal life, I hope. I met a really fine man in Rio but I had to get back to work so he’s off finding the rest of the world-Africa or Morocco now I think, but he really did love me & was so good to me & he wants to come back & marry me! I thought I’d die without someone besides fans asking me. But he meant it & who knows-I may get tired of the music biz, but I’m really gettin it on now! & doing much & fantastic & expensive work on the house. It’s turning into a palace-all fur & wood & stained glass & velvet couches & chaise lounges & even a chandelier hanging in the middle of an eye-full of redwoods. FANTASTIC! Have a new puppy-a Great Pyrenees all white, one of the biggest dogs around-grows to be 180 lbs. all lumbering & loving, rare & expensive-from the Pyrenees mtns, long ago a cross between a St. Bernard & a Mastiff-named him Thurber, thanks for the books when I was young, Dad. It does make a difference.
LOVE,
Janis
The guy she was talking about was named David Niehaus, but they didn’t stay together. At the time of her death, she was seeing a guy named Seth Morgan who she was hoping to marry. Who knows how both of them would have ended up had she not died that night.
When she died, she was putting the finishing touches on “Pearl.” On October 5, she was supposed to put down her vocal track to “Buried Alive in the Blues.” That song remains an instrumental on that remarkable album. It was released in January, 1971, and was her biggest commercial success. It was #1 on Billboard for 9 weeks.
I love Janis because even through all the addiction issues, I feel like I know who she was. Her sister’s book had a lot to do with that. It’s hard to explain. She just seems very real to me. RIP Janis. You are still loved and remembered.
I’ll leave you with me doing my best Janis at Halloween last year.
I didn’t watch the last episode of Oprah. Does that make me a bad woman? Human? I like Oprah just as much as the next person, but taping her show to watch later was not a priority. The thought crossed my mind this morning, but then I was distracted by the Kasey Anthony trial and knowing that I had to get gas for my truck. I’ll catch the highlights on E! or the Today show tomorrow. I did see a bit of the show on Monday. Madonna looked awesome. The tree-planting thing was cool. But then Rascal Flatts came on and they lost me.
Some sad news. Another musician was lost. John Kuhlken. I don’t know how he died, however, he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1996. He had been in remission for the last decade almost. His girlfriend, Sara Petite, another San Diego musician, only said that they didn’t realize he was sick. They had just played Pappy& Harriet’s out in Joshua Tree, and had a great time. She said that even when they went to the hospital, they didn’t know how sick he was. I can only guess that the cancer had come back. He was probably around 50 or so, maybe a little less. He had recently sat in on drums for Lisa Sanders, who Han plays guitar for. That was the last time I saw him, and he was exactly the same way he always was: smiling, happy, joking around. He was one well-loved guy. It’s tragic. And my heart really goes out to Sara for losing her love so soon and so quickly. She must be devastated. The funeral is Friday afternoon followed by a wake and ‘love-fest’ at the Ould Sod. Quite fitting.
As for what else is going on…work is very crazy. There are lots of regulations going into effect on July 1 that affect nearly everything I do so I’m working on being prepared for the changes when they come. Han is busy in the studio, plus the Acoustic Duo has their 6th studio album at manufacturing now. It will be available mid-June and the CD release will be mid-July. There are several projects I could be spending time on, but I’ve been rather enjoying not spending time on anything. In fact, I’ve kind of thrown myself into cooking and a bit of baking. I tried some new dishes last week like tomato basil salmon and parmesan-crusted tilapia. I made Thai chicken curry and baked chicken taquitos. I’ve even roasted a couple pork tenderloins with different rubs. I made chocolate chip cookies 2 weeks ago and last weekend I made pumpkin chocolate chip bars with cream cheese frosting (truly decadent). It’s been fun, and since I haven’t burdened myself with things to do in the evenings I’m able to take my time in the kitchen and have fun!
I also made time last weekend to hang out with my friend, The Becky. She and Barbara went on a European adventure so I had to hear all her tales, especially since she went to different places than I have been, and all the photos she’d posted on Facebook were amazing. It was great. We went to a little bar near my house, had a couple beers, shared some yummy tater tots and just chatted away. It was an awesome way to spend a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon.
Yesterday was my bro-in-law’s 50th birthday. Happy birthday, Marty! I hope you received what I sent to Sandy’s email!
And for those of you keeping track, yes, I’m still using the machine every night, but with the same inconsistency
I’ve been feeling really nostalgic the past few days. Between listening to an MP3 of a radio show that paid tribute to a former local musician who recently died (Stimy) to reading comments on an old Java Joe’s calendar that was posted on Facebook, I’ve been pondering the past, the now, and what will come.
I knew Stimy, but not as well as most. He was one of the former residents of the LOAM home, which I also called home for a while. He was close friends with some other friends of mine, and I know they are reeling from the news. Stimy was only 37, and the cause of death is not known. He was in several bands here in San Diego in the late 90s (Inch, Congress of the Cow, Sub-Society). Rest in peace, kind soul.
Wendy (of Wendy’s open mic) posted an old calendar from July 1997. Who played that month? Lisa Sanders, Dave Howard & Jeff Berkley, Loam, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Gregory Page, Randi Driscoll, Steve Poltz, John Katchur, and the Hatchet Brothers. Wow! Those were the days. And so many of the same people commented on the photo, about how those days were magical, creatively charged, full of love. And it’s all true. It was wonderful.
So in that frame of mind, I thought I’d look back at 2010 and share highlights of the year.
January: Driving back from Seattle with Han. Though I hate the reason we had to go up there, the drive home at the beginning of the year was a strange kind of bliss. Getting a feel for how life could be on the road with my guy. It was beautiful and sad. I’d love to take the same trip with him when we have time to hit the Oregon coast rather than splitting the center of the state.
February: Poltz’s 50th birthday show at the Belly-Up. Speaking of Java Joe’s, some of the same people I named above were there and it was a great time.
My parents had their 45th wedding anniversary.
Han & I began hosting dinners with his grandpa and aunt Frankie. Those were nice times.
March: One word: Austin. Spent a glorious 5 days there for SXSW with the Rock Band and got to hang out with my great friend, Barbara. It was awesome.
April: My dad’s 70th birthday in Las Vegas. I drove out by myself (Han was in TX again) and my sister and her family drove out, too. We texted as we went along and both got there within 15 minutes of each other. We went to the buffet, the Tournament of Kings show, went walking down the strip and did a little gambling. It was a fun trip.
Also that month, this choreographer woman put three of the Acoustic Duo’s songs to original dances performed by her students. She asked the duo to perform the songs live while the dancers danced. It was amazing and something we’d like to try again this year.
May: Rock Band got 2 of their dream gigs this month. The first was at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown, a wondrous Brigadoon in the middle of nowhere. The second was as the opening act for The Black Crowes at Humphrey’s. Both gigs were great in different ways, and a nice follow-up from SXSW.
June: For work, we had a retreat at the Hard Rock Hotel downtown. The digs were nice, the food was great, and I got to hear Bill Walton speak.
Also for work, I got to go to a conference in one of my favorite city’s: Chicago. I went to the top of the former Sears Tower, ate some great food, walked along the river, and through the city. Love that place, and the conference was great, too!
July: The highlight of July was being able to tour the Disney Animation Studios. We saw work they were doing on “Tangled” and the upcoming “Winnie the Pooh.” It was truly magical.
Another highlight was seeing “Hairspray” at the Lyceum theater and Spain winning the World Cup.
August: Going to Christina’s wedding shower with Mom was a highlight for me in August. And musically, Acoustic Duo played a great show at the Museum of Making Music and Rock Band had a great set during the North Park Music Thing.
September: Han’s brother’s band came to San Diego from the Seattle area for 2 weeks to record their album. It was great getting to know James and for Han and his brother to be able to connect through music.
I got to travel for work again, this time to Iowa!
Another visit from family, this time it was Han’s cousin Jared and his girlfriend. They were just here for dinner and then they went downtown and got to hear the Rock Band.
October: Staging the 2nd benefit for Eric Lowen was a good memory from this month. We raised $2000 for him.
I attended my 20th high school reunion, and though the event itself wasn’t memorable, seeing some old friends definitely was.
Sadly, we lost Grandpa Berkley this month, and although I didn’t witness this, I still think fondly of Han, Frankie and a couple family members in his hospital room with Han playing guitar and all of them singing together to walk him out.
November: My birthday month! The birthday itself was good, but my memories of this month are the Giants winning the World Series, the beginning of music season, and the awesome Neil Young tribute that Acoustic Duo played.
December: To close out the year, there was a lot of stuff going on. Cathryn’s tribute show is something I’ll never forget.
My company had another grand holiday party and then I got to go to Las Vegas again for work. Han went too so there was some play involved as well.
I got back into performing with a reading at a gallery in Escondido that went well.
I attended Grandpa Berkley’s military honors funeral which was very special.
The annual Star of India show was another stunner.
Finally, getting to spend time with all of my immediate family over the holidays was a very good thing.
Here’s to a great 2011!
There goes my goal of posting every day! Just kidding. The last 2 weeks of December were a bit crazy (do you expect anything less?)
DK left for Washington on Saturday, 12/18. On Sunday, 12/19, we went to San Diego Troubadour holiday party which is always a good time to see everyone from the music world in a social setting rather than at a gig. The highlight was when Jack Tempchin asked Han to join him for a couple songs, including “Peaceful, Easy Feeling.” It felt like everyone at the party found their way inside at that moment and sang along at the tops of their lungs. Sublime.
On Monday, we went to the House of Blues holiday party, courtesy of Cathryn. Han made some connections, handed out business cards. I ate something weird, or drank some wine that didn’t agree with me, and started to not feel well at all. Bummer. Nothing a night of sleep didn’t fix.
On Tuesday, Barbarella came over to discuss some business with Han. We had wine (good this time) and little snacks. The rest of the week was filled with work and whatnot. On Christmas Eve, we went over to Cathryn’s for a small get-together. We had lasagna, salad, and garlic bread. It was a nice mellow evening. After that, Han & I drove up to La Mirada. Oh, I forgot to mention that on the 23rd, my truck had to be taken to the mechanic. Tranismission. So we scrambled and rented a car and I had to wait it out over the holidays to get something going to get the truck fixed.
Christmas day was nice. We went over to Mom & Dad’s around 9 am and got to opening gifts, then Dad made chocolate chip waffles, yum! Then we decided to go see “True Grit.” We all went except Tristan and Mom. We all loved it and thought it was a great movie. When we got home, there were appetizers waiting, and then it was time for dinner. Mom made cannelones and roasted chicken. It was delicious!
On the 26th, we went over around 10:30 am, and the other Wann/O’Dell contingent was expected around 11-11:30 am. There was some family drama which I’m embarassed to say I caused, but we worked through it and had a pleasant day. Dad made chili for the group along with rolls, and various chips & dips. For dessert, pecan pie! Yummy! After the traditional photo-taking, everyone slowly took their leave. Han and I hit the road and probably made it back by 7:30 pm.
Monday, I had plans to visit with Heather, but I had to cancel in order to take care of the truck. My friend, Marcia, helped me out while Han had sessions. Thank goodness I had the day off. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I did have to work. On Thursday night, I got my truck back and Han went to pick up DK and brought her back here and we had our Christmas, which was good.
Friday, New Year’s Eve, was another day off, which I spent mainly lounging and not doing much of anything. That night, we went to Cathryn’s again. We had ham, twice-baked potatoes, green bean casserole (Han’s), plus Oreo truffles. Really good food. We played Balderdash and the wine went down easily.
We stayed later than we’d planned, and on the way home, stopping for a booze mop, that wine that had gone down so easily, came up pretty easily, too. Boo. But those rolled tacos were delicious!
I slept ’til noon on the 1st. That was sweet. The rest of the day, we spent cleaning up the house, watching the Rose Bowl and hanging out. We talked about going to a movie, but the time didn’t work out.
Which brings me to today. I’ve spent time doing laundry and thinking about cleaning, but not getting very far. I went to the grocery store and picked out this lovely new dark wood theme for my blog. I have mixed feelings about going back to work tomorrow. I am extremely conscious of the fact that it’s a new year and that there should be some resolution-making, or at the very least a concerted effort to make good things happen. You with me?
It’s been a good day so far, just puttering around the house. I cleaned up the living room and am doing some laundry. I’ll wash the dishes pretty soon. Jeff’s doing a session and later tonight, we’ll head out to Harbison Canyon for a ‘music season’ house concert.
Last night, they did 2 shows at Anthology with Steve Poltz. It was a long night but fun. It’s always good to see these people! We hung out ’til about 1 am, then headed home.
I know there are plenty of things I should be doing, but I’m enjoying just kind of getting to things today. It’s been a nice holiday and I feel it will continue. In December, there’s only one week where I’ll work all 5 days. It’s going to be a bit crazy, but what else is new?
Enjoy your day!
The weekend with the parents went well. On Saturday, we had lunch at The Fish Market. I liked what I got, but it was a bit of overkill on all the fried stuff. Live & learn. I did insist that they tell the waiter it was my birthday, so they came & sang and delivered a delicious little cake. I had to share it with everyone because it was so rich. From there, Han took DK to her friend’s birthday party, so Mom, Dad & I went to Extraordinary Desserts and drove around Little Italy. Then we came home and basically just sat around watching the Food Network. They left around 4 pm or so to go to their hotel.
That evening, an Acoustic Duo gig fell through, so Han & I had the evening to ourselves, which was actually a pleasant surprise and a welcome relief. We’ve been busy!
On Sunday, Mom & Dad came over again. We watched more Food Network and chatted, then went to Eddie’s Place for lunch. Boy, cheese steaks are filling! Then we went back home for more lounging, and they left around 4 pm again.
That evening, Rock Band was performing at House of Blues with 13 other local San Diego artists. The show was broadcast live on KPRI from 8-10 pm. Rock Band was on at 9 pm so they had a prime spot. And they rocked those people! There were 850 people there, so says the hostess, so it was a good night. Everyone was really on. I had quite a good time and was thrilled with the reaction everyone had.
Monday morning, back to work. All weekend it was cold & rainy and it pretty much stayed that way. After work, I did the grocery shopping while Han & DK were out doing clothes shopping for her. I had to work on my TA class, so they brought home Vallarta Express, yummy Mexican food.
Yesterday was another busy day at work and here at home. Han is working with different clients, DK was a friend’s house. I still had grading to do. We ended up having Swedish Meatballs (somewhat homemade, but with a sauce packet), which were good, watched some TV, and suddenly it was 10 pm! Typical.
Today at work, a girl brought in her homemade pumpkin cheesecake and it was divine! Most everyone took off at noon, but I stayed ’til 2 pm. Then I took advantage of my extra couple hours to look for something nice to wear to our holiday party and/or in Las Vegas the week after, but to no avail But I came home and finished my grading and started some laundry.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I plan to wake up and watch the parade. I’m thankful for my family, and am glad they’re all healthy and happy. I’m thankful for Han and DK. They round out my life and have given me many things that I thought I might never have. I’m thankful for my friends, far & wide, many of whom I haven’t spoken to in a while, but I know that we could fall into conversation and a bottle of wine with ease. That’s a precious thing knowing that’s out there. I’m thankful that I’m here.
