Okay this picture is way better than the last one...here is a bit of who we are viewing as well as where why and what not. I realized that not everyone who reads this knows who was in the last picture. To me that is inconceivable! Well not really, but you get the drift. Today's picture once again features Mr. Mark Mullins of Bonerama (electric trombone god) as well as Mr. Eric Bolivar of Bonerama (drummer god). This shot was taken during the break of the AASECT Masquerade Ball. In simpler terms Bonerama played a sex ball. Okay it was a convention for Sex Educators but my small mind likes to call it the Sex Ball. I found it highly amusing that both of them had their iphones out and were busy doing whatever they were doing...quite possibly watching porn, watching Richard Simmons on You Tube. Checking emails...what have you. Addiction much? Like I am one to talk. This one is screaming out for captioning however and I am opening up the blog doors to allow it to happen. Hopefully I will still be the local Merch Goddess after this...

Seriously needs to have something good....

So far all I have is:
"Yeah I wore the Blazer, what about it??"

Last night I went and had some dinner at my lovely friend's house before they jet set off to another place for the summer. A lot of my friends are/will be out of town for the summer. That is just what some people do here in New Orleans. They get out of town to try to beat the heat, go where the gigs are, just get out. It really does quiet down here so the need for the musicians to leave is great. They do have to make money somehow! My housemate has been gone for all of June, she will be back in the next few weeks. My Bonerama boys are here right now, but will be on the road most of the summer, Pfister Sisters are in Ascona then Berlin, Leroy and Katja are heading to Finland, Grace is visiting family for a month, Roger and Elyse are hitting the West Coast for about a week, there is so many more going. I have realized that I have not left the city of New Orleans since last July. I haven't really had a longing to go anywhere. Yes it would have been nice to go to Phoenix for Christmas, but other than that? Pretty content where I am for now. Not to say I would pass up a free trip to Europe, or some sandy beach somewhere!! I do have a few people coming to visit. Lisa, Scott and my beautiful niece Aubrey will be here in about 3 short weeks. I can't wait to see them. Of course the Mulvey's will make their yearly summer pilgrimage. I can't wait to sit by the pool and just visit and have possibly a famous Bloody Mary!! Anyone have any big summer travel plans?

I have had the hardest time waking up the past few mornings. I go though a whole bunch of excuses in my head as soon as the alarm goes off. The usual, most you are probably familiar with. Starting with:
"just five more minutes"
"if I don't shower, I can sleep 5 more minutes"
"I am not feeling well, wonder if I can call in sick"
to "I just don't want to be awake yet!"
All week long it has been like this. Yet I drag myself out of bed, pull myself together and head out the door to work. This morning it was an even later start to the day, and as I a packing up the backpack I threw in my lunch and think that I will just grab a granola bar from the HR office for breakfast. See she has a stash of snacks for people. I leave my purse at home because it is too much to fit in the backpack, just grabbing my DL in case something happens.

Once I am all settled in for the day, I realize that yes I am hungry so over to HR I go. She isn't here today. Okay that is fine, we will have a pop tart from the vending machine. Then it hits me. The wallet is at HOME, in the purse. No change. I am on my 2nd V8 wondering why the vegetable juice isn't feeling me up! Day dreaming about my lunch in the fridge. I think it is going to be a long morning. I knew I should have grabbed the left over waffles from last night! (yum breakfast for dinner!!)

Crap, maybe writing about this wasn't a good idea, I am more hungry than ever.

I just realized that it is almost July. Where has the time gone? What have I been doing??

* Saturday was a quiet day. I didn't even go outside the house. Scratch that, I went out to have an acupuncture treatment. The rest of the day was watching movies, playing computer games and reading. I needed the rest and I got some.
* Sunday was a great day. It was filled with Friends, food, drink, laughter and of course Music. We started the morning/early afternoon out at the Marigny Brasserie to see the Pfister Sisters perform their last brunch of the summer. Kind of a goodbye party. See the lovely ladies are in fact, today winging their way over to Ascona for the Jazz Festival there. After Ascona they are heading to Berlin for about 6 weeks to take part in a cabaret show that has been put together especially for them. How amazingly cool is that?? We sat in the bar area, drinking different kind of Mojitos, (blackberry and watermelon for me) and enjoying the day. I got the chance to say goodbye to the boys that I babysit since they are going with their mother overseas. After a quick flurry of goodbyes, a few of us went in search of food. Long lines and closed restaurants didn't deter us. We found a great place and had a fantastic meal. With more mojitos. I can't remember the name, not because of the alcohol but just because, well I wasn't paying attention to the name. It is a Mexican restaurant on the backside of Decatur. The outdoor part of the French Market is at its doorstep. After stuffing ourselves we all made our way home, everyone planning on spending their evening resting. All but myself that is. I went home and changed from the blister inducing shoes to more comfy ones and then was out the door. I went to Matty and Sherrilynn's where I marveled at the siding work they have been doing on their own. Pretty soon an old friend from back in the day showed up with his wife. There is a long funny story about how I know Matty and Sherrilynn, which one day I will share. In the end we know some of the same people from back in jr. high and high school, we were all in California at the time. So we sat in the back yard drinking wine and talking about the old days. I think Nikki really wants to move to New Orleans and we may have convinced Dave as well. More food was consumed at Sake Cafe, a few more drinks at the Balcony Bar were had before we called it a night.
*I knew I had some plans for Monday night, although I wasn't sure. See Debbie had told me to keep the 23rd free the last time I was babysitting. She promised we were going to do something really fun. That didn't involve me babysitting. It would be a thank you for all the babysitting and one more hurrah before she jetting across the Atlantic. So when she called on Monday morning and told me she had tickets to go see Eddie Izzard, I was beyond happy. The only downside was she wasn't going to be able to go as she had so much still to do before leaving. I was sad she wasn't going to get to enjoy the wonderful Eddie Izzard, but it was so exciting to get to go. My friend, the Queen of Oak went with me. Even though the room was stifling hot (especially after a bike ride over) we managed to laugh our asses off. It was exactly what I needed.
*Yesterday there was a potential that Dave and Nikki would be coming down to see Rebirth at the Maple Leaf, and well I couldn't let them see my very messy house. So I tackled that, I even scrubbed the floorboards in some of the rooms. Then I found out they weren't coming. Which was fine, I was exhausted in my freshly cleaned house.
*I need to figure out what to do with my Wednesday's now that the concert series is over.

I remembered my camera this time:
Yeah it is Ed Burns and I:

Yesterday was another normal Wednesday. After work, I walked the bike down to the coffee shop and sat outside enjoying an ice tea and a book. At the appointed hour I headed across the street to the Square and signed on in for my beer pouring duties. As I was doing so I was asked by the Volunteer Coordinator if I would mind selling merch for the opening band. I said "Sure! Why not?" I love helping out bands, I really do. Granted I had no clue who the first band was. As I was talking to my fellow beer pouring folks (pourers?) one of them asked me who the first band was. Um I remember seeing their name on the website and posted today that they will be playing however I don't remember the name. I made my way up to the stage area and secured by spot behind the barrier with an empty table in front of me. I was in the sun, directly in the sun and it was hot. I am standing there, dripping in sweat listening to this band do their sound check. And you know what? They didn't sound that bad. In fact they were kinda good. After the sound check a few of the members came over with some of the CDs and a few tshirts and told me the prices. CDs were going to be pay as you want and tshirts were $10, all money was to be donated to the YLC (the group putting on the concert series) Pretty easy. It wasn't until probably half way through their set that I realized why one of their guitar players looked so familiar. It was Edward Burns. You know, actor, director, writer, producer and now musician. (if you don't know from that, he was just recently in 27 Dresses, the boss) The band is from the East Coast, and are called The Blue Jackets. They are opening for Cold Play next week at the Madison Square Garden. I know some people are going to think/say, oh great another actor trying to be a musician. But the band? It was good. Straight out rock-n-roll. I was digging a few of their tunes. I did get a chance to talk to a couple of the guys when the evening was over, and they are all very nice. They pretty much paid for their own way down here because they wanted to help the city rebuild. No, I didn't have my camera with me yesterday. I know I should always carry it. I have one more chance tomorrow night! They are playing the Volunteer party. All the guys did sign the CD and I did manage to plug Bonerama and Porter Batiste Stoltz.

On my way home, on my bike there was a crash. nothing too serious and I was able to ride the bike home. I have scraps on the palms of my hands that don't feel pleasant but are so not life threatening. It sucks that some cars aren't courteous to bike riders, but what can you do? I survived, the bike survived it is all good. I didn't ride it today however, once again I was too tired. Some allergens in the air are kicking my ass. Tomorrow, I will ride again. 3 days this week isn't bad at all!

The fat lady is about to sing. If you have been saying to yourself all spring that you want to get out to Wednesday at the Square? This is it. Last one. Tonight it is Bag of Donuts, a cover band. It is going to be a HOT afternoon here in the Crescent City, the beer will be flowing, people will be dancing, it will be a great time. Don't forget it happens rain or shine. I will be pouring beer once again hoping that the taps don't die out like last week. Don't worry it got fixed right away, but still that little trickle for a few seconds? It wasn't fun. I have no idea if the YLC will be doing a fall series like they did last year, so gets your booty down here!! And if you don't live here? Sorry man....but maybe one day you can experience the fun that is living in New Orleans!

On the bike riding front, yes I did ride it again today. I thought I was going to die the whole way here. I don't know why really, could be couple of things. There was a slight breeze and of course I was riding straight into it. I left the house about 5 minutes later than normal, and as I tried to push myself a bit more, I seemed to slow down. Could be because even though I took a Tylenol PM last night I was still exhausted? Who knows, in the end I did ride the bike and I made it in one piece. My muscles aren't pleased with me right now but tough.

I didn't ride my bike to work at all last week. Monday I was too tired, Tuesday same thing. Wednesday, I used Wednesday in the Square excuse. Thursday I really couldn't, I had to bring a bunch of the new Bonerama shirts with me to work so the boys could pick them up on the way out of town. Friday? Yeah I think I woke up late. All just excuses. Yesterday I didn't, but today I said NO MORE! And I rode the bike to work. I figured out that it is 5.6 miles one way. The first week I did this it took me about 40 mins to get to work. This morning it took 35 mins. Today it is suppose to be pretty warm about the time I will be leaving work. I tend to go slower on the way home because of the heat. I am making sure that I am re- hydrating good today. I also have this feeling that it will start raining about the time I am leaving, as long as there is no lighting I am cool. I am hoping that I can keep this up for the rest of the week. I can't use the Square as an excuse tomorrow! I have some really cute summer dresses that I would like to break out of the moth balls before the end of the summer!

Bullets because otherwise this could be very scattered (like it isn't anyway, humor me.)

* Friday the interview went okay. It is at a temp agency so if and when I need it, they will be there. I am still debating with myself if I just want to trust that they will have enough temp assignments or hopefully a good temp to hire position available. I have a feeling they won't really look for anything for me until I don't have a job. Which reminds me I need to find out when this company is moving. I did head to the Maple Leaf where it was like club night. Seriously such a weird night there with all these really young kids there. I didn't stick around long.

*Saturday I got up and spent the morning reading, I love a good book whether it be chick lit or something heavier. This weekend it has been chick lit. I then went and had a marathon acupuncture session. My friend is licensed and I have been going to her for some time now. This weekend she said she wanted to do cupping as well. I have had this done a few times and it had been awhile. Pretty much what cupping is, they put alcohol in a glass, light the alcohol and then suction it to your back. It sucks out toxins and relaxes the muscles. It leaves some pretty interesting bruises on your back, and I can say it doesn't always feel pleasant. Especially when moving the glass from one spot to another, because they keep the suction going. Some areas however as you feel the tension leaving? Oh man....it is incredible. I could barely walk out the door I was so relaxed. I went home intent on sleeping, but I didn't, I started reading again.

* I decided to brave the Maple Leaf again Saturday night. Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes were playing and I love me some Sketch. The few regulars that were there talked about the weirdness from Friday night and we all just really enjoyed the music. The energy was really high from everyone that night. Everyone laughing and dancing and having a good time. It was a great New Orleans night.

*Yesterday I tried to catch up on sleep. Read for awhile and waited anxiously for the Tony's to start. I now of course want to see every show that is on Broadway. Hopefully I will get to make a theatre run up there someday soon.

I haven't had much to say lately, mainly because there isn't that much going on. This weekend is looking to be as quiet as this week has been. I do know there is a the Vieux to do this weekend out in the Quarter but I don't think I will be hitting that up. I will most likely stick close to the house, the biggest plan is to head to the local library and get some books. There is a possible girls night in the works for tomorrow evening, so that will be nice if it pans out. Never fear, I am sure I will wander down to the Maple Leaf tonight to see if the place is still standing. A lot of the folk are out at Bonnaroo so it will most likely be quiet there as well.

I do have an interview this afternoon so wish me well, it is with a temp agency, after a month of sending out resumes, this is the first interview that has been set up. Hopefully they will have something for me!

Lisa had it on her blog and I thought what the hey...

If you have said all spring that you want to get out to the Wednesday in the Square concerts, you have two chances left. This week and next week. This week it is The Stringbeans and for the main course, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Seriously the music is going to be HOT tonight. Music starts at 5 and goes until 7:30. Food, beer, people and music. What else could you want on a Wednesday evening in New Orleans? I will be at my normal spot, pouring the beer as well as enjoying some of it I am sure. OH CRAP! I just realized I wore the wrong shoes this morning. EGADS! Oh well there are definitely worse things in life than beer on your shoes. I don't know what I am going to do with myself after next week on Wednesdays. Perhaps I will finally get my butt and gear and finally finish my sister's blanket (although don't hold your breath) ;)

Remember how I said I was hoping that Bonerama played a birthday show for me this year? Well they are. In Atlanta. I would love to say I am going anyway but with the job situation, well I can't.

Both nights at Tips this weekend was so fantastic. Too short for Bonerama, played only like an hour. Won't see the boys play again...until....well I don't know. There is only a private show scheduled for later this month here in town. Other than that? They are on the road.

Paul Sanchez put on an amazing show and everyone who took in the free show left with smiles on their faces.

Tips did some rearranging of the merch area, adding a ton more for themselves. It looks good!! I always have a good time there, people just having fun and love to talk about the great music that comes off the stage.

Is it no wonder I love this town? Speaking of there is a BBQ out on Oak Street today with some music (of course) yes I will be heading down there!

* I have had sneeze building all morning long. Every once in awhile I get an awful tickle, so much it almost burns, but so far the sneeze hasn't happened. When it does? It will be colossal. (it happened, and it was)
* Don't forget that Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road show featuring Craig Klein, Matt Perrine, Eric Bolivar (all from Bonerama) and Shamarr Allen are playing a free show at Tips tonight! If you aren't in town and want to catch it, try the webcast!
*Bonerama will be at Tips tomorrow, same deal except not free. But check out the webcast if you get the chance.
* I didn't ride my bike to work on Wednesday or Thursday but I did today. So for the first week of this? I have rode 3 times, which isn't bad. I kinda wish I had all week. But there is next week!
* I spent all last night reading this blog. Nanette had it linked on hers. Don't read it if you don't want to cry. Seriously. I started reading from the first post, and seriously cried the rest of the night away. It is such a sweet blog, Matt and his wife had a baby a few months early, and as his wife was on her way to see the baby for the first time? She passed out, and they were unable to revive her. So Matt is going through first time parenting alone and dealing with the death of his wife.

So I was thinking of ways to entertain myself here at work (seriously it is soooo slow that even the boring work is done) and I decided to count how many Bonerama shows I have been to. Both here in NOLA and out of town. As of today the grand total is 128 shows. That is a lot of times to see one band. I must like them. It helps to be able to work for them and of course live here in NOLA. It is kinda sad that I always look forward to a gig, but you just never know what you are going to hear. An old favorite you haven't heard in awhile or something brand spankin new. Not to mention the people that come out for the gigs are pretty fantastic as well. I love seeing people's reactions when they see the band for the first time. This isn't a band that you can easily explain what they sound like, you truly have to experience them. We are coming up on my 129th show this weekend and once again I can't wait. Seems like it has been forever and really it has only been a month. The summer really slows down for me as there aren't that many shows in town. Which is fantastic for the fans out across the nation. I am hoping to see at least one more show added here for this summer. I didn't get my birthday shows last year, they were scheduled and then had to be canceled. Okay...they weren't scheduled and advertised as shows for ME, but they were in my birthday month so therefore in my mind they were for me. ;) I am not going to hold my breath though, there isn't much down time for the boys and what they do have I bet they want to spend with their families...but a girl can dream right?

Last night I sat down to finally watch the film version of Sweeney Todd starring Johnny Depp. Back when I first moved to Seattle I had been working at a book store, in receiving. So I was in the back office 99% of the time. The store manager was a major fan of the original cast recording and would play it constantly. I mean, it would end, and she would start it over. Every day. For weeks. I loved the cast recording as well, but after so many listens of it, I was tired of it. I was pretty excited when I heard there would be a film version, and was interested to see how Johnny Depp would do. I knew his acting would be superb, but his singing? I knew Tim Burton would have a perfect hand in it. I didn't catch it in the movie theater as time just slipped away and it has been sitting on my Netflix Queue for awhile now. So last night I popped it in. I wasn't disappointed. Obviously not all the music was included in the movie, but what was there was performed so well. It was just as dark as I expected, a little more gory than I had anticipated, so much so that I had to turn away a few times. I was so overly pleased and so glad that I hadn't been driven away from the music forever. It made me wish that I had gotten to see the concert version with Patti Lapone. oh that would have been so wonderful!

To top off the evening of musicals, I started watching Legally Blond, the search for Elle Woods. You know the MTV reality show that started last night. They are holding a competition to find the next girl to star in the Broadway show. Laura Bell Bundy has had the role since the show started (she was the original Amber Von Tussle in Broadway's version of Hairspray, saw that show in previews in Seattle, met her afterwards, she is so a stellar Broadway actress). Now not long ago MTV showed the Broadway show of Legally Blond and it wasn't the best, it wasn't the worse. It was a fun show and Laura Bell Bundy really had some great songs but definitely not a run right out and see for myself. Although I do love to get sucked into a new reality show, and being that this is about a Broadway show I knew I had to watch. It should be a good show, no one really stood out yesterday so I am anxious to see what kind of things they put these girls through for the next 8 weeks or so.

I did rest a lot this weekend and am feeling quite awake. It could have something to do with riding the bike to work this morning. Which means riding the bike home. I hope to make this a daily thing, so wish me luck on that!

As for the weekend, well it all started on Thursday. After work I met up with Lisa at her hotel where we sat by the pool and chatted for a bit. We then had a lovely dinner with her boss then made our way out to Frenchmen Street. Yes it was another evening of fantastic music with Paul Sanchez. This time he had Shamarr Allen sitting in with him. Paul has also offered me a small job with him, which I am going to do. I am going to hope this works out really well for the both of us! After Paul's sets ended, Lisa and I made our way over to Snug Harbor where the Pfister Sister's were celebrating their CD release. I love seeing those ladies live. They are so super talented and funny. I don't get to see them that often even though they have a weekly gig at the Spotted Cat on Wednesdays. I am usually either babysitting for Debbie and Matt or working the Wednesday in the Square. The ladies will be going overseas for most of the summer, so chances of seeing them again soon are pretty slim.

I took Friday off, mainly for a mental health break. As some of you know my job is relocating in the next few months. I am however, not relocating with them. In between training a new person and worrying about finding a new job for myself, I needed a day. I met up with Lisa, had a small lunch then I said goodbye to her and went on over to Canal Place to catch a viewing of Sex and the City. I loved it. I cried. I laughed. I did both at the same time. The only weak part in the whole movie? Jennifer Hudson. Which I found gratifying since she was so mean when I worked with her. No that didn't color my opinion, it was a very weak performance, I went in giving her the benefit of the doubt. After the movie was over I made my way home. Perused the job boards a bit, and took a nap and watched the Lost season finale. OH MY WORD. I did make my way to the Maple Leaf. Of course. I wanted to see Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. They always put on a good show. They didn't disappoint this weekend. I got to hang out with some new friends and we all danced our butts off.

Saturday I caught up on some Tivo, a movie and cleaned up the house a bit. I then made my way downtown and met up with my friend Katja. We had grand plans to go either to Preservation Hall or to Palm Court, possibly both. We made it to neither. We sat outside in their backyard and ate food, drank wine and just talked. It was the most enjoyable relaxing evening and I was so glad to get caught up with Katja. Since she is on the road so much, we don't get to do that that often.

Yesterday was more job searching, another movie, a few errands and trying to cheer up a friend. I don't think I did that so well but will keep trying. I also have a potential great job lead that I hope comes to be. We will see.

This week looks to be pretty quiet as well. Other than some amazing shows happening this weekend. Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road show will be playing a FREE show at Tipitina's this Friday. That is right. FREE! He is having sit in with him Shamarr Allen, and three of my boys from Bonerama: Craig, Eric and Matt. It is looking to be a great show. Again, if you haven't experienced a Paul show yet, this should be the one!! If you don't live here, there is the potential of a webcast at www.tipitinas.com. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The next night Bonerama is playing at Tipitina's. It is a benefit show for Sweet Home New Orleans and Pot Luck Con I believe. Tickets are only $15.