oceans of angels, oceans of stars.

I am still kind of floating from seeing Courtney Love put on a hell of a show last night. I think that means I should write about it.

This was my first time seeing Hole live.

They were late coming onstage, but I didn't much expect punctuality either. My feet started to hurt after a bit and my buzz was wearing off from 'Foxy Shazam'-- who were a VERY entertaining group, and put on a really high-energy fun show. It was my first time seeing a musician eat three lit cigarettes and crawl across the stage like a monkey, ever.

So anyway, we waited more than we would've liked. But needless to say, once I saw Courtney's blond head of hair come out from behind that curtain, a feeling of "oh fucking hell yes' came over me. Everything was right in the world.

She apologized for her voice being 'shot', but she pulled right on through nonetheless. I was actually surprised at how put-together and cute Courtney looked. She didn't appear strung out.. but I know that may not mean a whole lot.

They made my night by playing shortly into the set, 'miss world'. I think I jumped on the foot of the guy standing behind me. In fact, I know I did. Sorry guy.
I got lost in a 'Live Through This' Hole rock 'n roll nostalgia wonderland when she played songs off the album.

Impatiently, I awaited 'doll parts'. Please, please, please, I thought to myself.. You gotta do this for me! So they finished their set and fans drew them back out for the encore, and lo and behold Courtney had changed into a dress that screamed old(er) school Courtney and I just knew then that my wish was going to be granted. It was, and again everything was right in the world.


I wouldn't have missed this show for the world. Check one band off my bucket list

Read more...

summers with mommy

I'd like to take this moment.. er, blog post, to reflect on a bundle of memories I have from when I'd spend summer weeks at my grandparents' home as a little girl.

"Mommy" is my late grandmother. She's was the most graceful, witty, classy, comforting, amazing woman I had the chance to know and love as a child/young woman.

During some weeks in the summer, I'd stay with my grandparents. Not always by necessity, but often just because I loved to be there.
As technology-dependent as I am presently, I love to remember that this was before the internet, cell phones, text messaging, ten million kid channels on television, video games (to the extent they've become), even pagers. It was my"good old days".

One memory that sticks out is sitting in my mommy's wooden, cushioned rocker while she sat on a stool behind me, braiding my long blond hair. Usually, the kitchen's window air conditioning unit was on full-blast (I always loved the smell of it). My Grandaddy would have the television up full-volume either on the local news station or one of the 'stories' (soap operas) he watched faithfully for the last 15 or so years, and still does today.
I'd sit up perfectly straight, all knees and elbows. I'd be the most peaceful and comforted I really felt so closely in those days.

Sometimes, mommy would half a grapefruit between the two of us, sprinkling it with salt. Big spoon in hand, I'd shovel bits of the tart and juicy fruit into my mouth, getting a spoonful here and there of all juice and salt -- savoring it's unique taste - savoring this unique moment in time.

After lunch some days, after we'd all eaten to our heart's content mommy's delicious southern meal, Grandaddy and I would take a short drive to the quickie store. Usually, this followed after mommy said with a smile "I want something sweet" followed by a look over at me for the "ooh me too!" grin of agreeance. Not too long after, Grandaddy and I took off in his sparkling blue Mercury. Our sweet tooth cure of choice would either be candy bars; a snickers bar for mommy, 3 musketeers for me, payday for Grandaddy. Or a pint of Kinnett ice cream each; butter pecan for mommy, chocolate for me, vanilla for grandaddy.

If we wanted something else to do, we played Rummy, Yahtzee, checkers. My Grandaddy has a checker set that looked sort of royal in a sense.
I'd look at my mommy's sewing box - full of objects colorful, small, smaller. I'd gaze through her thimble collection, taking in the words etched ontp the sides, twisting them around and around my small fingertips.
Grandaddy would sing to me in the swing on their front porch - the green grass grows all around all around, the green grass grows all around.

Some Sunday mornings, my Grandaddy walked up the small hill across from their house to go to church. He walked alone, bible in hand, in his button-up shirt. I'd watch him walk.

Mommy would speak of Patsy Cline -- where had the music gone to these days?

She told me of her father, what a hard-working, handsome and wonderful man he was. He held me when I was 6 weeks old and died shortly after.

Those long days of Summer never left my memory. I can almost hear the hum of the air conditioner, taste my mommy's buttered toast & sugary coffee just thinking about it.

I harbor a love that still pulses through my bloodstream, much like her strong features softened by a delicate smile.

Read more...

Grateful

So, my fun-filled weekend has come to an end, but I'm not dreading going back to work a whole lot.. I need the structure, it's good for me.

The NIN/JA tour show was absolutely magnificent. I seriously can't even find the perfect words to describe it. It met my expectations and more.
Nothing beats feeling free in the music, singing along, dancing in your own little personal space bubble, walking barefoot up a dewy grassy hill, sweat (yes, sweat), hanging with fun people, one of those being your awesome husband.
I'm lucky.


The songs that Nine Inch Nails played and the range of emotion they are able to pull me through was intense. I was so, so glad that he put 'Something I Can Never Have' on the set list. I got so lost in that one, so I had to kind of climb my way back to reality.

(LYRICS)
I still recall the taste of your tears.
Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears.
My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore.
Scraping through my head 'till I don't want to sleep anymore.
You make this all go away.
You make this all go away.
I'm down to just one thing.
And I'm starting to scare myself.
You make this all go away.
You make this all go away.
I just want something.
I just want something I can never have
You always were the one to show me how
Back then I couldn't do the things that I can do now.
This thing is slowly taking me apart.
Grey would be the color if I had a heart.
Come on tell me
In this place it seems like such a shame.
Though it all looks different now,
I know it's still the same
Everywhere I look you're all I see.
Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be.
Come on tell me
I just want something I can never have

Jane's Addiction's backdrop intro was rad. I desperately wanted to get a good picture of the hot and shirtless Dave Navarro but I didn't manage. The side screens weren't showing up well on camera. But I did SEE him.. and it was sweet. Ha. Jane's did a nice show as well. We left about 3/4 through their set.

Not to mention, I ran into and got my photo with Margaret Cho. ;)

If you're interested in seeing pictures from the show, I've posted a set on my Flickr account. Feel free to add me.

I think there's another rock show in my future.. I'll have to update when I find out for sure.
On the lawn with the fans, I am truly in my element. One group of people together to enjoy something they love.

It's gorgeous, really.

Read more...

music makes my heart go thump

Things to look forward to are vital to my mental health.

Being the fortunate woman I am, I have a few on my list. I thought I should point them out.

This upcoming Monday, I'm going to see Meiko live at The Hummingbird downtown. It's only a $10 ticket! That makes the joy that much brighter. I've never been to this venue, but it seems low-key and chill. I am very much looking forward to sipping a drink and hearing some acoustic and a enjoying a pretty girl with a pretty voice.

On Mother's Day, (hello, special awesome treat for me) Kenneth and I, along with some friends, are going to Atlanta to see Nine Inch Nails on their NINJA Tour, also headlining Jane's Addiction. I'm getting a sweet deal here. I've been a NIN fan for years, and one of my dying wishes is to see a live show (I'll get to more of those dying live show wishes later), and here it is, opportunity followed with my utmost glee.

If Kenneth and I play our financial cards right, another Summer musical shenanigan may be in our future. That being the Mayhem Festival 09. I'm in it for Marilyn Manson, truth be told. I don't mind seeing Slayer, though. No complaints here. If we go, we're going to end up with lawn tickets (less expensive) and.. will have to set up baby sitting arrangements with my mother-in-law.

Sigh. I am thankful for the live music coming my way. It fulfills me in a way nothing else can.

Read more...

the 'big pool'

I joined my neighborhood's private pool for the summer. Today, I took Drake for the first time. It took about 25 minutes of sitting on the steps for him to warm up, but soon he was in my arms splashing around. It was so fun! It was refreshing, being a new experience for him. He's never been in a pool larger than his medium sized baby pool with a built-in slide. I was afraid it'd take days or weeks for him to brave the deep, but he eased right on in today.
I'm really proud. :) The next step is to get him to put on his swimmies. He thinks they're kind of weird right now, and I can't blame him. ha.

Read more...