This morning Aubrey, Lisa and Scott left to go back to Phoenix. I think they all had fun while they were here. I know I did. I was grateful to get to spend some time with my niece since I don't get that much time with her. I do have pictures galore to share, however my AC adapter went kaput early last week. I sent it back with Lisa to give to my dad since he is the position to get me a new one. However he didn't like how I was explaining it to him. So it was easier to just send back with them. I should hopefully have a new one in the next week and then I can post some of the pics. Life is good when you can watch a baby discover new things. I love how Aubrey growls, she would crawl on over to me and point to my lion tattoo and growl. I did get head butted a few times when we were playing, she has a strong head. I can't wait to see them all again.

Yesterday as I was holding Aubrey while Lisa tried on some clothes, I got a call from my dad. It looks like my grandpa only has a few more days. I haven't seen him in a really long time and there are no excuses as to why I haven't. I just got busy and then moved further away. It makes getting back to Montana a whole lot harder. I have just been looking at flights and it isn't cheap to get up there in the next several days. Flying straight to Missoula would cost me close to $900. Flying into Spokane, WA is a bit cheaper but not by much. I did check the possibility of flying to Phoenix and then driving up with my mom and sister and that is a bit more reasonable, however there is no guarantee that they will drive. At this point we will just sit and wait. Like my sister said, my grandpa has nine lives like a cat and might not have really hit that 9th one yet. If that is the case I need to get up there and see him and the rest of my family. It is quite possible that they forgot I existed.

As I was driving the family to the airport this morning I did say that I really hoped I would hear about the job today. They had told me that they hoped to know in the next few days, that was on Monday. I had a voice mail on my phone after I said my goodbyes. I called back and was offered the position. I will be starting on August 11th. It is going to be a great opportunity and I am really looking forward to it. This is one of the first jobs that I have been really excited for. Which of course puts me in a really weird state of mind, hence the title. I am experiencing a roller coaster of emotions today. Sadness at having to say goodbye to my sister, Aubrey and Scott. Happy about having job, sad about the possibility of my grandfather's death. I wish there was a way to release all these emotions. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

The past week has been crazy. Not insane crazy, just crazy. Some things good, some things bad. For once it seems to have a nice balance. If you want to call it that.

The bad? Well I am not going to go into all of it here. Some things are better left off the internet and just between the people involved. We are still looking for a place to live. We have it narrowed down to 2 places and well it isn't easy. Two of us want one place, but could go to either place. One of us doesn't really seem to like either, and the one they really want isn't even an option. It hasn't been a lot of fun at all. Once again my computer died. I kid you not. When I have two seconds at home when I don't fall asleep I will call and make them take it back. They need to physically do something. I need to do it fast. The 2 year warranty is about to be up.

The good? Well I had a nice time with the Mulvey's. A lot of food and drink were consumed. Other wonderful friend's coming into town for the day. Life seems okay when Gayle and Hank visit. Two very wonderful people. I received my per capita money this weekend. And instead of saving it for the move, and other various needs, I got another tattoo. It wasn't my whole per capita money but a chunk of it. I had been wanting to get a grizzly paw for some time, and I also knew that I wanted a dream catcher eventually. Well I found a design at Electric Lady Land that incorporated the two. I now have it on my ankle. Left, on the outside. It turned out really nice. Lisa has a picture of it on her flikr page. If you are anxious to see it, you can look there. If and when I get my computer fixed I will post a picture of it here. She also has a picture of me getting the tattoo....I think it is a cool looking shot. Of course you can see her newest tattoo there as well. Satchmo Fest was also this weekend. I only went for a couple sets. They were for ones that Leroy and Katja played at. They had me selling CDs for them, and sells went pretty darn good if I say so myself. It was really hot this weekend and the thought of dancing to music in the heat just wasn't there. I did however meet a very nice guy who has seen me out and about either selling merch or just enjoying the music. We had a nice lunch yesterday and well who knows...we will see. :)

This past Sunday also marked my 3 year anniversary here in New Orleans. It is amazing to think that I have been here for that long. So much has happened. There are many more things that will continue to happen both good and bad. You just have to keep on going.

This morning I didn't want to get out of bed. I got 8 hours of good sleep. So far today I don't feel like I have slept at all. Eyes doing that fun burning, just close and sleep for a few minutes feeling. That and I am really really dizzy today. My body is so messed up with the sleep thing right now it isn't even funny. By the time I get back to a "normal" schedule I will be heading to Philly/NYC and it will all be shot to hell. So goes it for a good time. Yesterday was a need to make a "change" day. I colored my hair in the morning. I took out all the red highlights and am now just have dark brown hair....way more my natural color. Maybe a tad darker. I don't think anyone will really be able to tell, but I sure can. Then in the afternoon? I went and had this done: well hell I can't post the pic right now for some reason..but I got a new tattoo. Up to #5 now!!!

It really is. I started today by listening to Harry Connick Jr. first Star Turtle, then Come by Me, and now back to Star Turtle. This is my favorite of all of Harry's CDs. If fact I got a Star Turtle tattoo. Yeah, yeah freaky weird fan is what your thinking. Well the CD means alot to me...the music on it does. I can't explain it very well, but it always makes me happy. Turtle's also have a very signifigant meaning in Native American culture, so it wasn't just about Harry. Okay so there is a star on the turtle, and it has a trombone. But I figured if I am gonna get a tattoo, I want it to encompass as many things as I can. All three of my tattoos have meaning. This one is about, culture. My love of music. Harry. I even had music notes added around my ankle almost a year ago. Mark Mullins was sweet enough to give me some of his music for that. Its a song of Bonerama's. Anyway...I am sitting here jamming to Star Turtle and singing along. I think part of my good mood has to do with the boy. We were suppose to hang out Monday and Tuesday. Things have come up that have prevented it (last night it was me falling asleep) oops. But not tonight. I am very excited. I like spending time with him.

So the tattoo is happening on Saturday at 7:30...the music is now at the tattoo parlor where the artist is turning it from the computerized version to handwritten. I am so stoked. Mark said I didn't have to copyright "Muletrain" on my leg...a computer chip implant would work too. Silly boy. Speaking of....
Bonerama's CD release party is gonna be Nov. 19th. Could I be anymore excited??? Probably not. Knowing that I get the CD on the 9th...and then 10 days later to rock out with them? Its freakin awesome.
I can't believe what a social life I have now that I have moved here. I am constantly doing things...going out...not sitting like a bump on a log at home in front of the TV. Maybe its still the excitement of being here...I don't know but for the next few months I am doing things! Not everyweekend is planned but pretty darn close!
Tomorrow Oct 8th-John Gros Band at Carrollton Station
Saturday Oct 9th-Tattoo and I am sure a stop at Tropical Isle for a drink afterwards
Thurs Oct 14th-Cajun Mary boat ride with Fred LeBlanc (Cowboy Mouth) and Kevin G (BTE) showcasing some NOLA style music
Saturday/Sunday Oct 16th/17th VooDoo fest (still not sure if I am going on Saturday)
then a calmer week/weekend...no plans yet.
Then comes Halloween and there are way to many shows going on to try to decide now...then the following week
Nov. 5th-7th I am in Vegas for Vanessa's 30th b-day blow out.
Nov. 9th Bonerama Cd is released
Nov. 19th Bonerama CD release party
Nov. 19th - 22nd Mom and Dad are in town
Nov. 24th I fly to Birmingham to spend Thanksgiving with Donna and her parents.
Dec. 5th Mom is back in town.
I think thats it so far....I mean after that its full on holiday season....and then MG.....I don't think I have had this many plans EVER! I love it.

I am soooo ready for the work day to be over with....not only because its kinda slow today ( so far ) but its Wed. half the week is over. Wed move slowly for me.....
Okay there is one other reason. I am gonna go have my turtle tattoo updated tonight!!! I am sooo excited. I am having some music notes added, that will go around my ankle and I finally got the music last night!!! I think its gonna look pretty darn cool!!! So my whole plan for tonight is to finally mail some things to my dad and to my sister....and then go and get tattoo'd. then home to play with my spaz of a cat, with hopes that she doesn't attack my newly done ankle too much.