Since there are a fair amount of people reading this blog that may or may not know what this fixation I have with a certain band called Bonerama is, I thought I would regal you all with a tale of where it all began.

It all began with a certain musician named Harry Connick Jr. I had really enjoyed his music ever since college. I picked up a few of his cds and would have them on constant rotation. In July 1999 I saw Harry and his big band perform out in Seattle. I realized after finally seeing him live, that I appreciated his music more. Not just his music but the members of his big band. I ended up buying all of the CDs that he had out at that time and was now more than ever listening to his music.

In August 2001 I joined an online community of Harry Connick Jr fans. There I "met" people who also appreciated the music that was coming out of Harry Connick Jr and his band. I actually became really good friends with several people on that board. One in particular. We used to talk on the phone ALL the time. She often talked about a couple of Harry's big band members and this band that they were in and how I should check them out. I finally ordered their CD from Louisiana Music Factory to see what all this fuss was about. Of course the members were Mark Mullins and Craig Klein. The band was of course Bonerama. I can't properly relay what it was like to hear Bonerama for the very first time. Some of the most amazing music I had ever heard was pouring forth from my CD player. I couldn't believe the sounds that the trombones were producing. The CD that I had purchased was of course "Live at Old Point" the first and only CD that they had recorded at that time. Some of the other people on that board also started to listen to the band as well and loved them as much as I did. And still do.

November 2002 rolls around and I am planning a trip to see Harry Connick Jr in concert in DC. It just so happens that Bonerama has a gig booked in NYC, so several of us decide to meet up, face to face for the first time. That trip will live on in my mind forever. Not only was I meeting some of my really good friends in person for the first time, but I was going to get to see Harry Connick Jr and for the first time I was going to see Bonerama. To this day, I remember when the the first few notes were played at Tobacco Road, the stupid giddy feeling I had. I had a big smile the whole time. The music just infects you, and you have to dance. That entire weekend ended up with one more extra Bonerama gig at the Cutting Room, which officially sealed my fate as life long fan.

Not only was the music some of the most insanely brillant music I had ever heard, but the guys behind the music were and are some the nicest, sweetest guys I had ever met. They took time to talk with us on several occasions, would pretty much put up with our inane fandom.

Not long after I moved here in August 04, Mark asked me to help out at a show selling merchandise and the rest they say is history. I have the pleasure and honor of helping out the band when ever they are in town. I have seen them play in little clubs, to now recently playing in front of millions as they played the National Anthem. I know that all the people that have been on the fandom journey with me are just as pleased and excited at the growing amount of fans. The music continues to grow and be brilliant. The band will continue to grow by leaps and bounds and I hope that I will continue to help out.

It all started on Thursday. I went out to see my friend Eric play at the Maple Leaf. He had Matt P sittin in with him and a few other dudes I didn't know. Half way through a jammin first set, Craig wanders in. He proceeds to sit in for the second set. The music is just so good. The few people there were all friends. I was talking, drinking, having a good time and all of a sudden it was 3. Yeah...not good when the alarm goes off at 5.

I did make it to work Friday, all day. The morning may have been rough, but I did survive. After work I attempted to take a small nap, however that didn't float so well. I then went over to a friend's house for a lovely dinner, conversation and a movie. Which I fell asleep within the first five minutes. On the way home, Kristen (who lasted until 15 mins into the movie before crashing) and I decided to swing on by the Maple Leaf. After all we had just napped. We didn't stay there too long but did get to hang out with some friends.

Saturday consisted on a run out the airport, Christmas shopping, and playing with the Playstation 2 that we bought. Kristen and I fell in love with the Sing Song game at Voo Doo Fest. We had to buy the game when we found out it was for Playstation 2 and not 3. Of course that also ment we had to buy a playstation 2. It was actually quite cheap. We both paid about $100. Merry Christmas to us. I then ran out to meet up with some friends down on Frenchmen. Ran into Neal Caine (bass player for Harry Connick Jrs big band) got to chat with him for awhile. I think he said he was here until Christmas. Then I ran down to Dos Jefes to see Rick play.

Yesterday it was Saints football, errands and carolling down at Jackson Square. Nice way to round out a weekend.

There was no decorating had at our house yesterday has my housemate had a lot of work to catch up with before today. That is okay, we will do it soon. Today I did bring with me a few Christmas cds to listen to. See I don't listen to Christmas music until Thanksgiving or the day after and cease to listening to it right after Christmas day. That does include my dear Harry Connick Jr. So his two CDs get a LOT of playing time during the holidays. I do admit however to watching the first of his holiday specials at random times. Okay it so I can laugh hysterically at a few of the skits. Mainly "It Must Have Been Ole Santa Claus" and "Wooden Soldiers on Parade." I just looked on You Tube to see if anyone had put those up, I didn't see them but I found a few others that I thought I would share to kind of get everyone in the Holiday spirit.
(for some reason the embedded code isn't copying and pasting correctly. )

Mad TV Clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ooKaCbMvaZ0

Happy Elf
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CTFTdo_Da-g

When My Heart Finds Christmas
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VkLYrSRh8J4

What helps you get in the spirit?

Trying to get on a more postitive track here, I decided to finish up my Jazz Fest recap. Monday was my only "free" day. I don't think I did anything that day, other than work. I think I got home and collapsed. Although part of me feels like I did something, but I have no clue what. I knew that Tuesday was going to be crazy and it was. Tuesday I went to work at the normal time of 6:30 AM. When it was done, I ran home and cleaned up the house a bit so it looked like a tornado hadn't gone through it. I then ran out to LMF to see Matt Perrine's instore. I then had some time to kill so I had some dinner then went and hung out at the hotel the management team was staying at. Bonerama had a gig that night out at Ray's Boom Boom Room on Frenchmen's street. The guys didn't start until after midnight. It was an interesting gig. Definetly not a bad one, but not one of my favorites.

I slept in a bit the next day since I didn't get home until about 4:30 AM. I didn't think I was going to be that functional. As it was, I got there before 10. As soon as I got off at work, I met Jessica at our normal meeting place for a cocktail. We then wandered on over to the Wednesday in the Square, where Paul Sanchez was the opener. He had a couple of the guys from Bonerama playing with him, it was a really nice set....after it was over Jessica got to try her first boiled crawfish over at Lucy's. We then ran home, and freshened up a bit. We checked out a bit of Eric's set at Chickie Wah-Wah's then it was out to Carrollton Station where the Bonerama Horns were sitting in with Twangorama. That was a fun night!!

Thursday I just couldn't do the work thing. I needed some sleep!! Jessica went to the airport to pick up Mike then they went out the quarter. I caught up on some Tivo. We eventually met up in the quarter, I believe for some instores going on. That was another crazy night if I am recalling correctly! We went from the instores, down to Molly's to see some Storyville Stompers, then to d.b.a to catch some of Grayson Capps set. We then headed out to the Maple Leaf. Of course we did find some time to catch a power nap!!!

Friday it was out for some more koozie fun. I think we ended up being there for about an hour before the deluge of rain came down. We ran for the car and I sat there for a minute deciding do I go into the fest or not. I went back to the hotel with everyone where we relaxed for a bit. Jessica and Mike came to pick me up from there, and we weren't even sure if music was still going on. We knew that they had stopped the bigger stages. We found out that it wasn't for long and we ran out to the grounds were we caught the last of Better Than Ezra, some Amanda Shaw, and ZZ Top. For ZZ Top we were standing in a "lake" that came up mid-shin. By the time they were done the water was all gone!! I then headed out to the Quarter where I met up with some more friends in town, we had a quick bite to eat. I then had to go and clean up a bit before going out to Chickie Wah Wah for another night of the Bone.

Saturday we handed out a few hundred more koozies and then went inside to the fest. I saw the Storyville Stompers. I also attempted to see the Allman Brothers, however the crowd was just toooo insane. I do not do good walking through extremly crowded areas, so I found a patch of grass out by John Mayer's stage. That night I was going to go to Carrollton Station, but after a shower, I decided to just stay home and sleep. The next day was going to be early.

The day had dawned. It was the last day of the fest. I was not handing out koozies this day. In fact I got up at 6:30 or so and was waiting at the gates by 8 AM. It is kinda crazy being there that early....I was with the Jazz Fest die hards. As they started taking out tickets, people started to RUN for the stages. I was going to get a good spot for Harry Connick Jr, so I started to run as well. Once I got to the stage, I realized why they were running. They were trying to get the first spots for in the seating section. They wanted to set up their camps. I however was the first person in the standing room only section. I chose to go center stage. People eventually filled in the area, some of them brought water and other cooling off goodies with them. It was amazingly hot that day. Finally sometime after 6 PM I was rewarded for my day of holding my spot. Harry and the big band hit the stage. It was an amazing set, short but amazing.

I definetly didn't regret anything that day!! It was over way to soon, and we took our sunburned bodies home. I think there was a quick meal and a half hour nap. Then it was time to head out to the Maple Leaf for the last set by the Bonerama boys. I was amazed by the amount of people there!! So many people there that I knew. It was a great way to close out the fest. The boys finished and I got home around 4:30. I promptly fell alsleep for an hour. Then it was time to go to work. What you may say?? I don't have that much vacation time at that point, so I had to go to work. It wasn't actually hard to work that day. There were a few minutes that sucked, but not too horrible. After work, I met up with Jessica and Mike in the Quarter and we went to the LMF for the Paul Sanchez instore. I eventually got to bed about 9 that night. I had been in all sense up for 37 hours. I am still recovering from that. It was the most amazing Jazz Fest.

Here is a lovely meme that was over at Miss Zoot's site. And I stole it. I am actually not listening to any music right at this moment. Much less 7 right at this moment....but here are my top 7 songs, in no particlar order

1. Sunflower City ~ Matt Perrine (Sunflower City) An amazing testement to NOLA music and her people. Seriously if you don't dance during this song, you are dead. Go listen to it here.

2. Louie's Perch ~ Bonerama (Bringing it Home) Okay so I only hear this song right now when they play it live, and the CD isn't released until April 20th. But it is such a fun fun FUN song.

3. In the Mail ~ Paul Sanchez (Between Friends) such a sweet sweet love song. Just makes me go awwww.

4. Something You Got ~ Harry Connick Jr (Oh My Nola) such a fun song, you can tell Harry and the guys are having fun on it. It is catchy

5. Mardi Gras in New Orleans ~ Harry Connick Jr (Chanson du Vieux Carre) Come on its the Bootie shake song!

6. I don't Feel Like Dancing ~ Scissor Sisters I can't ever get this song out of my head. It is so much fun!!

7. Just Thinking of You ~ Leroy Jones (Soft Shoe) it is "my" song. When the lyrics were given to Leroy to add the music too, they were very very VERY different. I laughed my ass off when I heard the line 'judy he garland me" so now leroy says it is "my" song. I love John Boutte's voice on it as well.

Mardi Gras 2007 is officially over and has been over for several days. I am just now starting to feel "normal" I don't even know where to start. I guess starting way back about 2 weeks ago. Because that is what started it all in full swing.

Friday Feb 9th. I got off work and ran down to the quarter to catch a bit of the Krewe of Cork parade. That looks like a good krewe to be part of! Dancing through the quarter in costume drinking wine. The band consisted of a few people I knew, Leroy, Katja and Mark Braud. Some friends caught up with me as well in the quarter. When the walking parade was done we headed out to Matty's house which isn't that far off the parade route. It became a gathering place. Food and booze were collected then we headed on off to catch the evening parades. We then decided to go to the Maple Leaf for an AMAZING night of music and celebration.

Saturday Feb 10th Kristen and I decided to go downtown to watch the parades so we would be closer to the ferry to Old Point. We caught about 4 floats of the first parade then we had to leave, we wanted to make it across the river before the Orpheus Open House ended. We just barely made it. Appetizers and drinks were consumed at the Dry Dock Bar with our dear B.R. friends. We then all headed back to Matty's to hang out and wait for the evening parades. We ended up missing the parades, and that was just okay. We did make it out to Le Bon Temps to see Big Sam that night. Talk about crazy packed. Le Bon Temps isn't that big to begin with. I thought for awhile it was just me getting old and not liking the crowds, but it was REALLY packed.

Sunday Feb 11th We watched the parades out on St. Charles. This was a special day as my dear friends got engaged this day. There were a TON of people out there to witness the event, Megan had NO clue it was going to happen at all. A ring box was tossed off the float during King Arthur, it was a quick swap with the real ring box with the ring, next thing Megan knew (she was trying to get beads from their friends riding) Andy was on bended knee presenting the ring. Needless to say we didn't see much of the rest of that parade!!

Monday Feb 12th. Recovery day. I was going to do laundry this day and start cleaning as family was arriving soon. I made Kristen do her laundry first.

Tuesday Feb 13th. 3:00 AM tornado rips through the neighborhood. We lost the balcony roof, shattered windows (the one in my room is not repaired yet not that I am complaining) We spent all day cleaning up the mess. I was amazed and shocked at how fast the response was. The city had people out on our street by 7:30 AM done by about 4:00 PM. Nagin (our mayor) stopped by our house to see how we were. Kristen and I decided to stay at the house even without the power.

Wednesday Feb. 14th. By noon we had power, which was a good thing because my sister was coming into town!! Lisa came to my work, hung out for a bit then Kristen came to pick us up. We went back over to Matty and Sherrilynn's for more parade madness and a very yummy dinner. While they all went out to hear music, Lisa and I headed back to the house.

Thursday Feb. 15th. I worked this day, taking off an hour early and met up with my sister on the bus who had been out exploring Magazine. Once home we got all bundled up in layers of clothes then headed back out to Matty and Sherrilynn's. There we took in the 3 parades, the favorite being of course Muses. That parade pretty much rules.

Friday Feb 16th. I went into work a bit late. I spent most of the day praying to the flight gods that the Mulveys would FINALLY make it to town (they were suppose to be here on the 14th) Lisa and I wandered through the quarter for a bit then met up with our dear B.R. friends and Kristen at the Ugly Dog. At this time I knew the Mulveys were on their flight but I was under strict instruction NOT to say anything to the B.R. krewe. That was some damn hard work. We wandered up to Lee Circle and caught the parades. Right as they were ending I told Hank that I had a few new friends for them to meet, cuz coming down the street were the Mulveys. The look on Hank's face was priceless!! We even convinced Gayle to meet us back down at the Dog, and she was suprised, though I think she figured it out before she walked in. We then ran off to the airport (back roads don't help during MG time, we kept getting trapped behind floats on the move) were we picked up my brother in law.

Saturday Feb 17th. We started off towards the quarter and saw the masses of people all lined up already for the parades. Kristen and I decided to find spots to hold down for the day. We sent my sister and bro-in-law off to the quarter with the Mulvey's while we held down a spot at Lee Circle with Matty and Sherrilynn. The best parade of the day was Tucks. Our next door neighbors were riding and they piled us with loot. In fact Kristen is still sporting the bruise on her forehead from a full on frontal attack. I had words with the cab driver who wouldn't bring my cousin downtown. It is a flat rate from the airport and the cabby would have been stuck in the traffic for awhile. Not my fault she was on the airport run. If we had given the driver a hotel to drop my cousin off in, she would have had no choice. As it was I had to give her directions to my house, which is right off a major intersection. My cousin had to sit on the porch until we got there to pick her up. Kristen knew a round a bout way to get back, and she managed to score the same parking space. Endymion sucked except for my Taylor Hicks beads that some lady caught and gave to me. She had heard me telling people around me that that was the mission, was getting beads from Taylor. (I am guessing she heard or someone told her) the throws sucked from Endymion (when they threw em) and the drunken college students that showed up (squeezing into the space we had been in for 8 hours) really put a damper on the parade. They were even throwing beer bottles at the riders. Jerk offs.

Sunday Feb. 18th. We all headed down to the quarter...again traffic was a nightmare. We let Lisa, Scott and Jessica off so they could explore out on Esplanade. As we crept along Decatur I realized I had to go to the bathroom. I jumped out of the car at Molly's used the facilities and grabbed a few drinks to go. Of course by then the traffic was moving. I didn't catch up with the car until the other side of Harrahs. Let's put it this way. I made it clear across the quarter in about 10 mins or less. With drinks. We then walked back to the quarter were we met up with everyone at Pat O's. We met up with the Mulveys out on Bourbon then we all walked past the Jolie/Pitt household. We eventually went out to the Treme to visit Leroy and Katja. We didn't catch any of the day parades this day. We headed out to the end of the parade route were we got some spots and watched Bacchus. A great parade for catches. After it was over the fam headed over to hang with some friends who booked a hotel room for a couple of nights. They didn't want to do the driving back and forth from the North Shore.

Monday Feb. 19th. We got parking early, took Jessica to Acme, Harrah's then down to Molly's. We had a hike to get back to the convention center in time for the Orpheus Press Conference. We just made it. Got to say hi to Harry. Lisa, Kristen and I decided that we were going to the beginning of the parade. Good thing we did, we got our pics with Sean Payton, Harry and Patricia Clarkson there. Sean was so much fun!! At one point he was even singing in my ear!! We raced back to the end of the parade route and caught the parade. We all then raced over to Holwin Wolf were I got the merch table set up and Bonerama opened for George Porter Jr and the Runnin Pardners. This was really the only super late night. Pretty soon the only one left from my krewe was Kristen. Everyone else had left to get some shut eye. The band stopped around 4 AM. Bed by 5 AM.

Tuesday Feb. 20th. Up at 8:30 AM and out the door by 9:30 AM. We had the best cab driver who got us down to the Bywater for the start of the St. Anne parade. We made it through the whole thing, Lisa and Scott decided to go and nap while my cousin and I kept going. By the time Kristen caught up with us, we were pretty wiped. I think we got home at 10 that night. It was one of the best Mardi Gras days ever!!

Wed. Feb 21st...everyone headed home. :(

Thursday Feb. 22nd back to work.

I suffered the worst tension headache for about 2 days...it is just now starting to fade. Have stayed home both last night and tonight. Amazing. I am just wiped, however I would not change a moment of it for anything!!

Pics with Sean Payton (Saints Head Coach) Patrica Clarkson and Harry Connick Jr.

I am trying to remember everything that happened this weekend. I did so many fun things, it was wonderful. Of course now I feel like I got run over by a slow moving tractor. This weekend the weather was almost perfect, friends, drinks and food were flowing.

Friday afternoon at lunch I ran down to Louisiana Music Factory and finally picked up Harry Connick Jrs new CD. I only got "Oh, My Nola" I will get the other one soon. Nothing perks up an afternoon like new music. After work I headed BACK to the quarter to meet up with some friends that were playing for the Krewe of Cork parade. The costumes were fun and the music was amazing. Walking through the quarter with everyone in high spirits just made the evening. I was even sweating slightly, the weather was amazing! After it was over we headed back to another friends house were we all regrouped and got organized for the parades that rolled. It was then off to the Leaf for a interesting night of music and people. Hell Frenchy even pulled out a trumpet and played.

Saturday it was a partial parade, that day was the cold day. We definetly didn't layer enough. But the sun was shining and that was all the mattered. We hit the Orpheus open house. Hung out with my dear wonderful friends that are riding and got to mess with the chip licker a bit. We eventually headed out to Le Bon Temps to hear a bit of Big Sam.

Sunday it was the big day. I had been looking forward to Sunday since I had been told about it. My friends Megan and Andy got engaged!! It was a big eloborate plan on Andy's part and Megan didn't figure it out at ALL! A ring box was tossed off a float a few of their friends were riding on, there was a ring box transfer and then Andy was on one knee on St. Charles proposing. It was the most excellent day.

I have a few days to recharge and clean before friends and family start to arrive. Here come the parades!!

In no order of importance:

Harry's two new cds come out today. That should be a good thing right? It will be...when I can afford to get the cds. With the water situation I need to count my pennies right now and cds aren't that important. It still makes me sad.
I had my lunch all ready to go. Left over soup and some crackers. Perfect for a cold day. If only it wasn't still in the fridge. I have $3.00 on me. Joy.
My shower was freezing this morning. I have no idea as to why the hot water takes so long to get to my shower. In my haste to get out as soon as possible I kept dropping/knocking over things in the shower.
My pants split. Seriously. Not because they were too small...just worn out. I was able to sew them before I left (could be the cause also of forgotten lunch)
We discovered last night that the water meter was sodded over. We don't know who did that...the water board or the gardners that the landlord hired. We don't know which water meter goes with which apartment. It is possible now that some how we were paying for downstairs as well. We are in the process of trying to get a hold of the people that used to live there so we can figure that out. Also we make too much for legal aid to be able to help us. Seriously....I don't make enough for a lawyer....yet make too much for legal aid.

Jazz Fest 2007 has released its schedule. Not the actual blocks of who is playing when. Just who. I am in heaven. Pure sweet heaven. http://www.nojazzfest.com/ Not only will I get to see Harry but it will be here at Jazz Fest. Bonerama is playing of course. Leroy is playing. John is playing. Cowboy Mouth. Better Than Ezra. I could go on and on about the local acts. National acts? I could care less about Rod Stewart, but ZZ Top??? HELL YEAH!! Joss Stone? Bonnie Raitt? Brad Paisly? (yes he is country I like it, so shut it) I don't know how it is going to be possible to see every band that I want to but I am sure as hell going to try!!

Just a few moments ago, I was sitting here quietly at my desk. The upstair office is set up a little interesting. You come up there stairs into an open area, there are 3 desks set up. One of my supervisors sits in this area. There are 2 small offices, one is the controllers. Then there is one bigger office, and myself and a co-worker share it. It is kinda tucked off in the corner. As I said, I was sitting here quietly goofing off on myspace when I hear it. My co-worker that I share the space with is cleaning off her desk. It was very faint, coming from my supervisors area. I still heard it however. I jumped up from my desk and ran into the main area. Literally ran. The HR manager was standing there talking to her. I scared the crap out of them both. They both looked at me like I was crazy then the HR lady says "oh jeez is Harry on the radio??" They both couldn't believe I could hear it from the other room, because the radio isn't up that loud at all. I don't know how I heard it...because my co-worker in here also has on a radio. It is like a homing beacon or something. I am not sure else how to explain it.

Friday night Kristen and I made the trek out to Lafayette, LA to catch Bonerama at 307 Club. They had played this club over Jazz Fest, and I really liked it there. We set up the merch right next to the stage and really got to view the audience. There were some crazy ass people there, just having a grand ole time. The one person you will find at a Bonerama show is the guy playing air trombone. He was right up in front of the stage, playing along as it were. The guys had some special guests from the Lafayette music scene sit in with them for a few tunes. We got home about 4:30 AM or so. Our other roomie's boyfriend rang the doorbell at 7:30 AM to help her load up all her stuff for another craft show. I was unfortunetly able to really go back to sleep after that. The rest of the day was cleaning, watching a movie and eating. (Which the place we ate at deserves its own post) Pretty soon it was time to get moving and out to the Maple Leaf for the Bonerama gig there. We tend to get there soon after the first band starts so I can make sure to have my spot in front of the sound booth. This proved to be a good move on Saturday as there was a wedding party there, and the place was PACKED! By the time the bones hit the stage? There were even more people there. I have not seen it that packed since Jazz Fest time. Not only was it the wedding party people, but the other "normal" people as well. A couple of the guys from Harry's Big Band showed up (Jimmy Greene and Joe Barati) Joe sat in on the second set. Kelly Mullins, her sister, and Grace all showed up as well. You know its going to be a good time then! The guys were on FIRE that night...it was nice. When seeing them as much as I do, you hear great nights, some not so great nights and then some "OH WOW where has this sound bee" nights. I personally thought it was that kind of night. Another late night that night. Sunday was spent trying to get some rest...not much was had again. I tried not to think about not being able to go to the Harry Connick Jr. show (he was playing at a convention here in town) it didn't work very well when I was at home, so I went over to my friend Katja's house for a lovely large dinner, wine and some conversation. We headed on over to Donna's after dinner and several more of the guys from the big band stopped by and sat in. (Jerry Weldon, Ned Goold, Neal Caine, Mark Braud and Joe "Mags") John Boutte also stopped by and graced the crowd with a song. The rest of the time he just hung out and caused havoc. It was a great time. One of the guys (can't remember who) said they were all sounding better than they had earlier in the night. I hadn't been to Donna's in awhile so it was nice to hang out there again.

Yesterday? I wasn't able to come in to work. No it wasn't because I was hung over it was the fact that all weekend long I had a total of 13 hours of sleep. From Friday to Monday. My body is still trying to get over this cold that keeps hanging about. It wasn't pleased with the lack of sleep. Yesterday and today I have felt as though I am right back where I was at the beginning of my cold. Oh well. Thankfully there isn't much planned for this weekend. Just watching the boys on Comedy Relief!!

Okay really right now there is just one thing that is making me sad. It is the fact that Harry Connick Jr. is playing here on Sunday. However it is not open to the public. It is for a convention. He will be playing here in NOLA for the first time in oh I don't know 4 years? Something crazy like that. For.a.convention. I wonder if I can sneak in? Hide in a trombone case or something. Pretend to be a real estate agent. Anything!

I went to NYC for 4 days/3 nights. I had fun. We walked about 3 gazillion miles, saw lots of sights, ate little food (ate like once a day), hung out with my sister, bro in law and mom the whole time, saw Harry on Broadway, got on the Today show right behind Al while he did the weather.....and now I am back at work. Good times. I told someone today that my goal for the month of June is to work full weeks that whole month. I think I can handle that. More to come later. Work has blocked alot of blogs and what not. Cool I understand. Gotta be boring for the person answering phones however....I do it for about an hour a day (2 breaks and a lunch) and I get bored as hell.

Have you voted today?? I have gotten through twice....thats it. I tried for a solid hour.

I just got back from NYC....we had a great time....saw Harry Connick Jr. on Broadway in The Pajama Game....it was a great show with the exception of stupid audience members. Oh well. Harry is a proud owner of an Arabi Wrecking Krewe button however. ;) It was a fun trip and we walked 3 gazillion miles.

I won't be able to blog as much. Work has blocked all blogging sites now. I can kinda understand that...but when you answer the phones and that is all??? It is sooooo freakin boring up there. I go crazy just being up there an hour a day covering breaks!! Oh well. So be it....

The Tony Award Nominations were announced just a short time ago. My boy, Harry Connick Jr. was nominated for his role in Pajama Game. Over all the show received a total of 9 nominations:

Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical~Harry Connick Jr.
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical~Kelli O'Hara
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical~Megan Lawrence
Best Direction of a Musical~Kathleen Marshall
Best Choreography~Kathleen Marshall
Best Orchestrations~Dick Lieb and Danny Troob
Best Scenic Design of a Musical~Derek McLane
Best Costume Design of a Musical~Martin Pakledinaz
You can see the rest of the nominations here.

What else was really really really really cool??? The Regional Theatre Tony Award is going to Intiman Theatre in Seattle. Bartlett Sher the artistic director of the Intiman has TWO shows running on Broadway right now, Light in the Piazza (which Kelli O'hara was in last year and nominated for a Tony for that role, again last year) and Awake and Sing! Before I left Seattle? I worked at that theatre. Not on an actual production, but in the subcription office. I met Bartlett there a few times. This was right after Light in the Piazza had just premiered in Seattle, and was about to open in Chicago for a short run before opening on Broadway. He is a very cool guy so I am very happy for them. That theatre puts on some really amazing shows.

Oh....guess who gets to go and see the Pajama Game in like, 4 days???? Yeah that would be myself, my mom, my sister and my brother in law!!!

The hours are slowly ticking away. I am just 2 hours and 40 minutes away from having another 3 day weekend. And I dont want to work. I so have spring fever. I just want to go lay in the sun and nap. Maybe even clean up a bit around the house and do some laundry. You know the real exciting stuff. However? After tonight? Chaos kicks in for the next 3 weeks and I could not be more excited. French Quarter Fest starts tomorrow, goes all weekend. Next weekend? Jazz Fest. Lots of stuff in between the fests as well. Not to mention the week between Jazz Fest weekends....then I go to NY to see Harry on Broadway....celebrate my mom's birthday.....then I think I will have a few days rest.

Man this is so freakin boring and lame. I apologize. I need to be doing something right now while covering the phones so I don't keep staring at the clock and wishing it would jump to be 3:25 rather than 1:25.

Harry, Branford, Ellis and a few others are making a home for NOLA musicians....here in NOLA. As it should be. Yesterday they were in town (damn it I missed Harry!!) at the space where the village will be located. I did go to look in the Quarter even though I *knew* they would be in the 9th Ward. I figured it was worth a shot anyway right? Here is the full story from NBC Nightly News. That is so cool and so needed. A way to bring the music back.

On that note...do ya think I have had enough of Bonerama yet? I mean so far this year I have seen them....5 times. They play twice this coming weekend. Again at Tips, opening for the Radiators 29th anniversary shows. I am not sure if I am doing merch. Mark isn't sure if he wants to sell it (ie bring it with him) he said "just come have fun". When do I NOT have fun at a Bonerama gig. Even if I am not right in front dancing...I am getting to chat with some of the best people...telling them all about the band, getting them to buy the cds....some of my closest friends here in NOLA were met that way. Its a mutual bond.

So far today my emotions have been on this rollercoaster and I doubt the ride will end at any time soon. For once it is NOT pms. Just life. I am excited and nervous. Pajama Game opens up its previews today at the American Airlines Theatre. It is Harry's first time performing in a Broadway show. So I am excited and nervous for him. I am hoping that the reviews are good. I want to see him do good in this arena. Just because, well its two of my "passions" together.

Then I get really sad. Tonight is the tribute show for Brian at Tips. It is going to be a celebration for him....at the same time it will be hard. Almost like its time for the final goodbye. No one is ever ready to do that, or really wants to.

I guess its more of a carousel then a roller coaster. get it?? get it?? bueller? bueller?

Just like Christmas, I can't believe NYE is tomorrow. Sunday? A whole new year. Brand Spankin New. Sparkly, Clean, and packed full of possiblities. I know I am not alone in saying I am ready to kick 2005's ass on its way out the door. Not that ALL of 2005 sucked ass. Just a few months right towards the end. In fact the whole year was pretty damn good until August 29th. Just think, only 6 more months till hurricane season starts up again. Instead of the "resolutions" I am going to say the things I am going to be looking forward to in the year 2006:

I turn 31. Not as scary as 30
I get to see Harry Connick Jr. on Broadway in the Pajama Game. Most likely on mom's 50th bday as she wants to go as well.
In less than 2 weeks I am going to be flying to Philly. Will see Marisa and Lisa there, and some boy's in a band called Bonerama. Marisa, Lisa and I will then head to NYC to hook up with the rest of the girls for two nights of fun and craziness with Bonerama.
A tribute show for Brian O'Neill at Tipitina's
The month of Feb packed with Bonerama shows, every Friday night at the Maple Leaf.
Mardi Gras. Mardi Fuckin Gras in New Orleans. With all my crazy friends.
Helping out the Arabi Wrecking Krewe.
Jazz Fest.
French Quarter Fest.
Satchmo Fest.
Hurricane Season
Possible trip back to Cali.
Possible trip to Montana to see some family.
Those are things I KNOW of. But there is much, much more that I am not even aware of yet. 2006? Will you kick 2005's ass???

It was a relaxing yet productive weekend. I "slept in" on Saturday to 7:30...a whole hour!!! I got up and puttered around the house, cleaning a bit. I ran to the PO and finally got a few of the things I had been waiting for. Now if the most important would just show up already!! I ran out to Michael's and picked up more yarn for the blanket I am making for my sister. I then went home and worked on that until Kristen got home. We then put up the Christmas tree, while viewing the "Harry for the Holiday's" DVD that came out what? 2 years ago??? We had to stop and get more lights at one point...how come it is no one ever seems to have the right amount of lights?? We then went to dinner out at Bacco's. First time I have been there...and O_M_G it was sooo good. My starter was Butternut Squash soup then I had lobster ravioli. It was the BEST. We also had a Katrina Rita. Get it?? Katrina Rita??? It was pretty good. We also really wanted to go to get beingets (yes I realize this whole post so far is misspelled its Monday, leave me alone) Cafe du Monde closes at 10, and we did the power walk on full stomachs half way across the Quarter to make it in time...we just barely made it. Yesterday I was up at 7:30 again!! It was a relaxing morning of reading and watching season 2 of Scrubs. We then went to the Santa shop in the Quarter. I got the prettiest tree skirt (which I found bunched up by the TV stand this morning...kitties moved it) some ornaments and my Christmas cards. The best news was that I found out that Central Grocery opened on the 1st. Monday through Saturday. Guess what I am having for dinner tonight??? We then went home and vegg'd some more. It was a pretty nice weekend. I was asked to come in early today, to help get some things done. I spent Friday afternoon on a typewriter. That's right a typewriter. The program we use was down. This morning when I got here at 7, the program was up but we can't print. They had also found a way to email a blank invoice to me so I could enter it on word. But it won't open on my computer. Its such a Monday here. The rain doesn't help. Oh that's the other thing....all weekend, I wore shorts!!! It was in the mid to high 70s. Earlier last week it was in the 50s....today its suppose to get up to 58. Talk about confusing a body......

We went to the Bra last night for dinner. Really its the Marigny Brassiere but that totally says Bra in there. We had originally planned on going to Palm Court, Craig was playing. Or so we had been told by his website. Palm Court actually decided to close until New Year's Eve, Craig will play that night. So word to the wise....don't always trust Craig's website. He had forgotten to change it. But he did tell me a list of places he is playing in the next month so that's cool. I told him I gave up Harry for him....Anyway...back to the Bra. I have been there a few times before. The last time was a few weeks ago, and we did have dinner. It is a bit pricey, but so, so worth it. Last night I had lamb chops with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans and bread. I also had a strawberry mojito (soooooo freakin good) and a Pimm's Cup (yes Lisa...I did a Pimm's) Not only was the dinner fantastic the company was even better. We were a tad loud at a few points....I could see people looking over at us...but they all had smiles on their faces!!

Oh and HOLY CRAP its December!!!! My roomie and I are going to decorate this weekend for Christmas. She is getting excited to watch "Happy Elf" with me tomorrow night on NBC.

I got a call tonight from my aunt. In the back ground I could hear my cousin, the baby of the family "I want to talk to her!" My aunt eventually gave her the phone (she is 5) and the first thing she said to me was "Are you okay??" It brought tears to my eyes. I haven't seen her since she was maybe 2. I talked to both her and her older sister, and when I was talking to the older one, she said her sister wanted to talk to me again. "I can't remember what you look like!" I think that means I need to get my butt back up to Montana to visit. Both girls have said that they will give up their rooms for me. That's a HUGE honor you know! I ended up emailing them some pictures of Liza and myself and the youngest responded to the email (via my aunt) "my cousin is pretty" I love that kid. They also both think that Harry Connick Jr. is my boyfriend. We are letting them think that.

If you happened to miss it...Bonerama had a segment on CNN yesterday. They were taped during their Baltimore gig on Wed. night. Craig called me last night at about 5:20 cst and said that it had been moved up and was airing at 6:55 est. and would I mind posting about it. I did better. I tried to call everyone from connick.com in my phone. It was a nice spot. I was proud of them. It has been running on CNN headline news all evening now. Usually in the last 5 minutes of the hour. Its a slightly different version than the one last night. The clip should hopefully make it up on to the Bone website in the next few days.

When Dia and Randy said last night that today was Friday, I couldn't believe it. Its almost been a week since this all happened. It still kinda seems like it was yesterday, sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago. Today will be much easier than the past two. Since last night a couple more NOLA refugees came to Dia and Randy's to stay for a bit. Its nice having others around the house. *I can't believe its after 1. I didn't wake up till just after 11, thanks to some Tylenol PM* I am going to have to make a decision soon as to what I am going to do for the next few months. I am going to make it at the beginning of the week...I need to start doing something, so I don't go too stir crazy.

If you didn't see it already, Harry was on the Today show again this morning...I just watched the video link. Its a bit heartbreaking. Hopefully others will now see why I love this guy so much. Not only is he a talented musician...but well, he is a very giving guy. Not only to us fans, but he wants to do so much for the city right now and the people stuck there....he is amazing..and like Matt Lauer said...if he can't sing tonight at the concert (his voice is shot right now) then just him getting up to tell his story would be powerful. Plus he does do more than sing....he did really start as a piano player. And is an amazing one!!

Harry Connick Jr's official statement (he is also being a special correspondant for NBC today/tonight and taking part of a benefit tomorrow:

I haven't slept in days. Although I now finally know that my immediate family in New Orleans is safe, I have not heard from many, many friends and other family members.

It is hard to sit in silence, to watch one's youth wash away. New Orleans is my essence, my soul, my muse and I can only dream that one day she will recapture her glory. I will do everything in my power to make that happen and to help in any way I can to ease the suffering of my city, my people!

Mark posted over on Bonerama's board. Craig sent me an email last night (I still haven't heard from Roger and Elyse) saying his house was under 20 feet of water. Leroy and Katja lost both their houses, the one they have spent the past 2 years renovating, and the one they are living in till it was finished. These guys have grown up in New Orleans, this was their entire lives. Their income, was playing gigs around town. That is gone. Wives and girlfriends have lost jobs as well because of this. Most of the guys in the big bands have kids. If there are some of you out there reading, who aren't part of the "freaks" as we are lovingly called at connick.com please please please consider donating to this fund. It will go to these guys directly. If you don't feel comfy doing that...Wil Wheaton is hosting an online poker tourny. Have some fun..help some people. Thank you.

Its a Friday
There is a Bonerama show tonight
I heard Harry Connick Jr. first thing this morning on WWOZ
I also heard he will be filming a movie down here!!
The chocolate almond crossaint I had for breakfast.
Next week at this time, I will be sleeping
Its a Friday

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.

I was so confused this morning...okay I am confused MOST of the time..however when I woke up, first thing I thought of was "Its Tuesday morning and I don't remember going to work yesterday" I seriously thought I slept through Monday. Then I thought I had blown off work completly. I guess its because it was a nice relaxing weekend. That must have been it. Friday night Carrie, Adam and I went to harrass Mark Braud at Palm Court. He was sweet as always...fun to talk to and of course to hear play. The lady that was singing with the band was SO much fun. I lurve her. We also got to chat with Lucien.....and he even sang a duet with the said lady. LOVED LOVED LOVED that. Saturday dawned and I just hung out at home for awhile...then went and saw Crash. I very highly recommend everyone see that movie. It is beyond excellent, and really gets you thinking...I need someone here to go see it...then we can talk about it. I then went and got Dad's father's day gift and finally picked up Harry's new cd "Occasion" I know...I know....bad Harry fan. But I had to wait for the $$. It is, of course a great CD. I just keeping thinking of "crystal clear" when listening to it. I also picked up a few new books, one of which I have devoured already....I love books like that. Sunday was just more...reading and talking to friends on the phone...planning everything we are going to do, rather they are going to do (I am tagging along for some of it) when they are here in July. I also got to see eppie #2 of "Into the West" I have gotten sucked into that series on TNT. I was a bit apprehensive on watching it this week. I had read an article in a Televison weekly mag that we get here at work....it was about the mis-treatmeant the Native Americans received onset. Things like, shooting going later than planned (no biggie that happens alot) however they would get to eat breakfast and lunch, provided to them, and then when shooting went longer...the dinner was for the crew and the lead cast...not for the extras. If they did take food from the catering table, they were asked to leave the set for good. The tutors were not supplied for the children, as were promised. Big union no-no. Several were promised more money for their bump-stunts (falling off horses, and what not) and still haven't received that extra money. The costumes of course were minimal for the extras...and the weather was extremely cold for the shoot. They were provided one heater for all the extras. The article indicated that a lot of the white extras weren't treated much better either. I just kept thinking of that as I watched the 2nd part last night. There were many, many other things I had going through my brain as I watched. I was shocked beyond belief when they showed the sun dance in the first eppie. It is such a sacred ceremony...that I am surprised the Lakota people were okay with it being aired. Not that it happens a lot anymore, but still. There are plently of things that the Salish won't let people video during the Arlee Pow-Wow. I am pretty sure I will keep watching it, although it saddens me to think of the troubles that happened on the shoot.

The Interview

Okay party people...here is something a little different for ya'll. I thought this would be fun, its a sorta interview chain making the rounds on blogs. So I asked Miss Zoot to interview me. And I in turn will interview some of you. So let me know. You know you want to play!! Leave a comment if you do. Okay #3 is really really HARD.

1. What is the ONE food you wouldn't want to live without? I don't think I could live without chicken. I love chicken. I eat it boiled, baked, bbq'd, as wings, as tenders, fried, spicy, cold. You name it. I would eat it.
2. What is the best thing about living in NO? The food or the culture? Without a doubt its the culture. Every night, weekend, and day there is something you can do here, learn, see, just experience. How do YOU pronounce New Orleans? Depends on how much I have had to drink when I try to say it. Nah Oleenz something like that.
3. If you could only listen to one musician/band the rest of your life, who would it be? I keep going back and forth between Harry and Bonerama. But, I think it would have to be Harry. All the craziness started with him, and on his CDs I can find a song to fit almost every mood I have. That and in a sneaky kinda way I would still be able to enjoy all the guys cuz they are in the big band. What if you could only listen to one ALBUM? Star Turtle without a doubt. He covers so much on that CD What if you could only listen to one SONG? One song would drive me nutso. So this is gonna have to be a good one. I am going to have to go with "City Beneath the Sea" I know, get off the freakin Harry kick you freak. But really that song meant so much to me before moving, and now that I am here, it still continues to mean alot.
4. If you could work ANY job regardless of talent, pay or naturalskill, what would it be? Ruler of the world. Okay no that would require too much commitment. Okay...Orlando Bloom's "personal assistant"
5. If you could leave tomorrow to spend 24 hours in ANY PLACE in the world, where would you go and what would you do? I would go to New York and see as many Broadway shows as I could, and get lost wandering the streets. (Wait I think I have done some of that already)

No wonder I have NO freakin money right now. In the past few weeks I have gotten the following CDs: Mark Braud, Leroy Jones, Matt Perrine (Ambassordors of New Orleans), Neal Caine, and last night BTE. Then in 13 days I can get the new Harry Connick Jr. CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear that CD. I know there are clips you can hear online, but I want to experience each song whole....want the suprise of each track and enjoy each on in the fullness. That and the clips are just a big ole tease. Kinda like me. HA. I love living in a musical mecca. So while I enjoy each CD to its fullness, I am going to live on peanut butter and ramen. At least it will make my big ole ass shrink a bit. maybe.

Okay...I am finallly all hooked up at home, and am going to attempt taking my written journal and put it online...lots of typing ahead. I apologize for the free flowing thoughts and the spelling. So here it goes:

My Move to New Orleans August 1, 2004

Its 6:15 AM, and we have been on the road since 5:20ish AM. We entered the freeway at 5:37 AM. I think we will call this day 1. Yesterday Scott (my Bro in law from now called BIL) and I loaded up a 5'x8' Uhaul trailer and part of their trailblazer. It only took about 3 1/2 hours. I was still paking some things as we went along. As soon as we were done, we headed to the downtown area so Scott could order a fresh salmon to be delivered in Phoenix next Saturday, then we went and had some sushi. By the time we got back to the apartment around 7:30-8 I felt like it was past midnight. A quick shower later, we all zoned in front of the TV. I was so tired I couldn't sleep. I finally did around 10:00. Got a good 7 hours and now, with coffee in hand we are headed up the Snolqualmie pass. Bye Bye Seattle!! The plan right now is to drive to at least SLC tonight, Denver tomorrow, where we will stay two nights with mom and dad. We will then stop somewhere in OK on Wed, in NOLA by Thursday. I think I will be sick of cars by then. The realness of all this hit a bit last night as I realized that all my belongings were in a uhaul truck, sitting on the street. Then as I took the apartment keys off the key ring, leaving non. Then as we pulled out of Seattle. Craziness.
Going on hour 13 now. Juse entered Utah about 20 mins ago. Our 4th state today. We have at least one more gas fill up to go...then we will cut across to Wyoming tonight, so that will be 5 states in one day. Have been just doing a lot of reading and listening to music. I poured over my Offbeat magazine looking at all the bands I can go and see soon. Satchmo fest is this coming weekend. I had thought it was the weekend just ending. Suprise! I willl get to see Storyville Stompers, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, of course both will be without Craig, but sill a ton of fun. I am suprised on how fast today has actually gone. Maybe because I just know how long we were going to be in the car. That must be it. Probably another hour in the car, depending on what time it is when we get to Ogden, see how Scott is doing, since has drove all day....

Day 2
Stopped in Evanston last night around 9:30 MST. 15 hours on the road. We ordered pizza and watched Zorro, then crashed. Up by 6:45 this AM. Very funny picture in the Days Inn parking lot this morning. The SUVs with uhaul trailers all in a row. We are on the road now after a gass fill up along with coffee. Short day today. We should be in Larimer, WY by 1:30-2:00, see my aunt Shoni, then to Denver. That's about 1-1 1/2 drive. Easy compared to yesterday.
Saw Shoni, Wynn and Taylor for about an hour and half. Got to mom and Dad's around 4:00, ate dinner, watched some TV and got a good night's sleep.

Day 3
Slept in, watched soaps, played online, went out for drinks, watched Open Range, and headed to bed. It was nice to have a day of "rest"

Day 4
We were on the road by 6:30 AM. Mom loaded us up with some goodies; cookies, apples, grapes, carrots, crackers, gum. Right now now its 1:44 CST and we have been on the road for 6 1/2 hours. We just drove through Russell, KS home of Bob Dole. So far Kansas has been pretty unimpressive, its not bad, just boring. We are going ot drive to Salinas, KS about 60 miles or so then head South through OK. We should end up in Dallas this eving some time. If its not too late, we will get to have dinner with Dia nad Randy and perhaps stay iwth them. We haven't decided yet. I am starting to get a bit more excited. Tomorrow, I will be in NOLA after a year long absence. I can't wait to be in that city, feel the humidity, to just feel everything. Friday we will unload the uhaul into a storage unit, then Scott will be on his way. I will spend Friday getting a cell phone and a PO box set up. I will also look at some jobs, hopefully going in on Monday to a few temp agencies. It would be awesome to be working by next week. Mid-week.

Day 5
Last day on the road!! Last night we got as far as Lewistown, TX about 15 miles north of Dallas. Its a good thing Dia called when she did, we were right by where she worked! :) So we found a hotel (didn't want to sleep on the floor at their apartment) This was around 10:15. By 10:30 PM Dia and Randy came and grabbed me, Scott wanted to sleep. I don't blame him. We had a mini drama just north of Witchita. We stopped for gas and noticed that the tread was almost completly off the driver side tire on the the Uhaul. Luckily Uhaul responded fast and we were back on the road within 40 minutes. Dinner with Dia and Randy ROCKED!! I had the best time just gabbing away with them. It will be really nice to have some friends a tad closer to me. My freaky friends that is. I was back at the hotel at 12:30 AM. I was so completly tired that I couldn't sleep. I hate that feeling, that and knowing today we would be there just upped my excitement level. We didn't get on the road until 8:48 this morning...kinda wanted to sleep and avoid rush hour traffic. We are almost to LA, now (10:14) probably about an hour away!!! Tonight, Bourbon Street.

Many Days Later (almost 3 weeks as a NOLA resident)
Craziness has been surrounding me since I got here. Lets see going back...let me see what I can remember. The Thursday we arrived, we found the guest house pretty easy. It is right on Canal Street, about a 10 minute walk from the Quarter. We got settled inot the room, brought up the stuff from the SUV (TV, Computer, Ect) and then took the street car down to the Quarter. We went to Acme Oyster House, Tropical Isle, Lafitte's and Harrah's. NOt a bad night, OH I did leave Scott for a bit at Harrah's to go and see Doug Belote play. Of course by the time I got there he was done. Also saw Steve Suter getting into his car. We (Scott & i) cabbed it back to the room and crashed around 12:30-1:00. The next morning we got a late start, around 8 or so. We headed just down the street to the local uhaul place to unload and get rid of the trailer. Let me tell you that unloading a uhaul in the humidity with a hang over is NO fun. We hauled ass, or as much as we could seeing how we were feeling. We were done with the uhaul place around 1 or so. We ran back to the room, showered then headed out to grab a bite to eat at Mother's. We shared a Ferdi special, YUMMY!! A stop at Louisiana Music Factory was next where I picked up John Gros new CD as well as Theresa Anderson's. We went back to the room and took loooong naps. Later that night I headed out to Tipitina's, my first trip there!! Saw PGF, got to talk to John for a bit and Jason Mingledorff did a killer Rick James song. Scott stayed back at the room to sleep. I got back at around 12:30. Next thing I know Scott was waking me up. It was 5:00 AM and he was leaving. I am still getting that excitement/fear/stress feeling right now as I did at that time. I stood on the balcony outside my room and watched him drive off with the thought "That's it, I am all alone in NOLA, I really did this, am doing this, ther is no going back now" I then went back to the room and collapsed, both emotionally and physically drained. I spent that day, Saturday, feeling very disconnected. I walked to the french market got a Muffelatta from the Central Market, and went to Satchmo fest. first up was New Orleans Nightcrawlers, then to another stage to see Troy Andrews, at that point I met this lady who just started chatting. turns out se was from chico, and had come down to visit her musician "friend" she had met last time she was down here. We wandered over to see Rick Trolsen play and just basked in the sun. Pretty soon, I went to see Jeremy Davenport play on a different stage, and she headed back to the friend's house. I was out at the fest for over 6 hours!!! it was AMAZING the music was fantastic and I was having the best time. I went back to the room and read for awhile. Sunday, was more of the same, seeing Storyville Stompers, Ellis Marsalis and Kermit Ruffins! I was exhausted. Again a collapse in the room. Monday I was up and moving early, I went and got a local number, a new cell phone. Oh and on the way to the Quarter, one of the house guests asked me to lunch! Then at Radioshack, one of the sales guys asked me out!! What a freaking feeling let me tell you!! I ended up going to lunch with Derek, the house guest. It was okay. I spent the afternoon looking for a job and talking to some temp agencies. That night I took a trip to Maple Leaf to see PGF again. Another great show, Tony Hall and Raymond Weber sat in, they played with Harry's funk band. Afterwards Ray was convinced he knew me. Or it was a cheesy pickup line. I am leaning to cheesy pick up line. The rest of the week that followed or at least till Wed, was spent the same way, looking for a job and an apartment. I had an interview iwth a temp agency on Wed, and went to look at an apartment I loved. I grabbed some grub and headed back to the room and just chilled. Thursday I was going to go and see Tin Men play, but never made it that far. I blame it all on the killer Jack Daniels/cokes Eric at the Tropical Isle made and the cute Johnny Depp look-a-like that was there. I ended up hanging out and talking to those two boys for a long time. So Friday I was up later and just chilled. At some point I had finally opened up a PMB, So I had a NOLA address, which made it feel more permanant. I looked at a few other apartments as well, but I was really in love with the first one I looked at, so I contacted Liz and told her I was interested. She asked if I would come over on Saturday and have lunch with her and Sou, the girl she had just rented the other room too. So I did. And that afternoon, I gave Liz a deposit!! So now I had a place ot live, but couldn't move in right away. At first we thought I could move in on the 21st, which I really didn't want to do seeing that it was my birthday and we knew that the 22nd was out for the same reason. so we set our sights on the 20th. Sou then drove me the whole 5 blocks to Carrie and Adam's place where we hung out for a bit. Carrie drove me back to my room after a bit and we made plans to go see John Gros play at DBA later that night. We had a blast even though that jackass Crawford was with us. I didn't get back to my room until 5:00 AM!! I was dead, dead, dead. Especially since that previous night I had been up until 5:30 AM trying to keep Kristy awake on her drive to/from San Fran. Insane. I don't think I moved on Sunday until 3:30 or so. Unless it was to put more quarters in the air conditioner. Carrie called about then, we were going to meet in the Quarter to go to a fundraiser for a NOLA PD officer who was shot and killed earlier in the week. the fundraiser was for her 10 year old daughter. We figured for the $15 to get in, plus raffle $$ it was beyond worth it. We saw a ton of great bands including my cutie trombone player Andy who filled in with Bucktown All Stars, ate a ton of good food and had free drinks. We left around 11 that night, the fundraiser just ending. In the end, the daughter's elementary and HS education is going to be paid for by an anyon. donor, as well as a ton more money was raised. I crashed that night HARD!! The following week, again more of the same Job hunting and interviews. going back to the room and reading. There was usually someone in the lounge watching TV already, and usually it wasn't something I wanted to watch. I did go see cutie Eric at tropical isle again on Tuesday. He is young but a sweetie! I also caught one of Mark Braud's sets at Harrah's. Thursday night I went and saw Jeremy Davenport again. OH! That previous Monday, Ray called me!! Still trying to figure out how he got my number, I think it was from John. It was a short convo and haven't heard from him since.
Saturday dawned and I still hadn't moved. Thats because the boys living there, hadn't moved out yet and were doing it that day. So my move in day was now on Monday the 23rd. Saturday it was my birthday. I treated myself to some beingets, a psychic reading, some shopping, and then some chinese food. Soon Annette showed up and we were off, to try and get her a BTE ticket, see if Eric was working, eat some dinner at TGIF. Since Annette didn't get a ticket, she headed up the street to Tower and Virgin, I went in to the BTE show, stayed until about 11:15 then met Annette back out front. We headed to Carrollton Station to see John Gros play again, and proceeded to have a great time there. I was in bed about 3:30ish and barely moved on Sunday. Monday was well, yesterday and I moved into my new, fantastic apartment!! Its on the endo fo the St Charles street car line, on Dublin. It has sooo much space, I don't know what to do and thats just in my room!! I think I almost killed Adam during the move!! I was all moved in by 2:30 yesterday. Today was spent unpacking and going to the grocery store! I think that has been my biggest thrill, no more eating out! Tomorrow another interview and more researching/applying for jobs. I need me one of those BAD!!

2 weeks later
So the day after I wrote this...I got a call. A call people dread getting. Even though they never know when it could happen. My friend's Donna and Marvin were in a car accident. Donna was badly bruised, Marvin did not make it. :( God rest his soul. I spent the rest of the evening talking to everyone, trying to find out what happened, to try to make sense of it all. I was up most of that night, I know I wasn't the only one. The next morning, I talked to Donna and was just amazed over her strength. I don't think I could have handled this as well as she has. The rest of the week was spent making plans to be there for the service, to help Donna, and to say goodbye to Marvin. Life is crazy, fragile, and scary. to appreciate it each day doesn't seem enough some times. Donna has been an inspiration to me. and I know that everything I have gone through or yet to go through doesn't compare to what si is going through or is about to go through. I am so much happier that I moved when I did. for one thing I am closer to Donna now, so whenever she needs a friend, I can get to her a bit easier. And to know that I took this chance to move here, now, rather than just sit and think about it day after day. Life is fragile, its not a game of what-ifs. Last week I flew to Birmingham and met Andrea. After a fun shuttle adventure we arrived at the hotel, where Donna and her mom were waiting for us. We went over to her house and had a quick tour. soon after Dia and Randy showed up. The we ate. It was the first of many meals. With that done, we helped Donna go through some pictures to find some great ones of Marvin to put in a collage. It really was a night of tears. Tears of sadness, and tears of laughter. It was a very sweet night really. I did feel at one time what I thought, no know was Marvin. It was like a hug and a thank you. Andrea and Dia said at some point they felt the same thing too. The next day was the service. It was a very nice service. The first preacher that spoke of Marvin really helped with that. I think Marvin would have really enjoyed it. Afterwards it was more eating. Later even more eating and talking and laughing. Seeing Donna laugh and smile was fantastic. Andrea and I stayed until Saturday.
Saturday afternoon Adam, Carrie and I hit Southern Decadance down in the Quarter. Sunday, more of the same. It was wild and crazy and a ton of fun. Monday was a recovery day. Tuesday was a 2nd job interview with an Ad Agency, and now the waiting game....

Moving has been keeping me busy....for about the past 3 days. LOL rest of the time, I have been occupied with some guy named Harry.

Going back a few days...On Monday, July 26th, we had a cast party out on Lake Washington. The place we were at was AMAZING!! It had a private dock, pool, jacuzzi, 6 bbq grills (2 inside) a bonfire pit, private home theater, I got lost in dressing areas!! The place was HUGE and we had the best time just drinking wine and soaking in the hot tub.

Tuesday I packed up a bit, had lunch with Matt, then dinner with Roxanne and Summer. We had a great time eating sushi and ice cream and just gabbed, gabbed, gabbed. I said goodbye to Roxanne that night. :(

Wed, I was on a train (my first ever train ride) to Portland. I had a nice relaxing morning..and got to Portland around 2. Kristy was still an hour or so away...so I decided to walk up to the venue, pick up my ticket and wait for her. The following was posted on Connick.com (its kinda in a random order)

I had a semi bad freak moment...but was okay, could have been realllllly bad, but thankfully I know how to control myself. I was waiting for Kristy to arrive, ( I took the train down) and was sitting a block away from the venue....at a starbucks reading my book. I had seen Jerry at one point, but he was going the other way....then....the busses pulled up right in front of me....and all the guys started coming out of what was apparently a hotel...in which the Starbucks had a corner of....they were putting their stuff on the bus, and then walking past me and around the corner to I guess the theatre....I kept calling Kristy to say HURRY UP!! Before I do something stupid!! Like molest all the guys. I actually saw Jerry a few more times before the busses came out...he was on his phone and was walking up and down in front of the Starbucks...he kept looking over at me, and I wasn't the only person out there. Later when I saw him after the show, he said he "saw" me. I thought he meant in Starbucks but he was talking about dancing at the show. He hung out with us a bit after the show....it was awesome!! I love him!!!

Mini tour galore....rock on. Kristy's word for tonight: BIGMine? I got to look down Harry's shirt from the front row....story about freezing his back with this air in can ( to clean your keyboards with) and he went on this huge triade about it...how no one in the band cared....and then he kneeled in front of us and asked if we could see the red mark....no one else got up so I did....didn't see the red mark....but DAMN he has a nice back. Show was rockin!! ORC, St. James, Smile, More, For Once In My life, Last Dance, CBM, MG song, Lucien did one of his own songs...not Luscious...but can't remember...its on his CD (could have been a Satchmo song) Derrick did a bunch of TV theme songs...bird calls, and a CB radio impression. I can't remember the other songs...but they were all BIGGot to talk to Neal, Craig, Mark, Joe, Jerry, and Harry after the show. Neal said to make sure we had his back. Funny story bout Neal...when we were chatting I gave him a hard time about the number that girl wrote on his arm and how it was a big "deal" over on the board...that he had been a hot topic about that....he said he had heard...his brother had seen the threads, then he started talking about how the girl was just a cousin...no a second cousin..so it doesn't seem so "weird" LOL gotta love him.

We moved from Portland to Vancouver the next night:
Okay....we are here....you know that motto "sleep when your dead?" we are almost dead. So yesterday morning we get up....in Portland and drive to Seattle. I get to shower and change my clothes...the ones I had slept in. We hit the road to Vancouver. We had no problems finding the venue...parking right by the buses. A few cocktails and food, we did some shopping. Then it was time to get our tickets and find a place to change for the show.....that was an adventure. We had front row seats again. Almost the same exact spot as the night before. Rock Star... Harry sang and smiled at us. I love that. His father-in-law and some aunts were there. So we got some of the same 'wuss' story that happened in Denver....but still freakin funny. How his FIL thought he was wuss for being a jazz musician. He also talked about the Air-in-a-can again. And how he tried to boil ice to make "hot" or "dry" ice. He SSTTEO (to FIL) not only did your daughter marry a jazz musician but I am dumb too. OH and then he said something about having to divorce his wife because his FIL didn't like him....big funny story.....He made fun Mike Karn a bit....told the George Jones story about recording the song for the Christmas CD...the signing of the boots. Apparently some one asked him yesterday if he was gonna play any Christmas music. Songs played??? Um...Smile, Way down Yonder in New Orleans, the George Jones song that he loves, MG, CBM, We Built this city on Rock and Roll, Magic Man, It Might as well be Spring (Which kicked Ass), Only you, Its raining Men (sung by Neal), Trombone showdown featuring Bap Bap....Show was dedicated to Aunt Marnie....Okay we made up some of the set list....but there WAS a trombone showdown....Harry didn't like the song the boys started playing so he made them start over. LOL OH totally forgot this till now...but Harry broke the piano!!! 2 of the keys...just didn't work anymore....after the show...we chatted with Joe, Mark, Neal, and Craig....I saw Harry at the M&G and made a comment about the night before...looking down his shirt...he started laughing, and said "oh its you" tee hee.

Seattle was next:
Oh my word. So Kristy, Donna and her husband and I had front row seats, in the center. Tracy and her sister were row to on the other side of the aisle....Heather was in front row further down!! Heather!!! It was awesome to meet you and your sister!!!Doug Wamble came out as usual and played....when he started "Sweet Magnolia Tree" I started clapping and he said, Oh I have one fan out there!! LOVE that song!! The guys hit the stage minutes after Doug left, no curtain so they have to walk out.....we cheered for them and then Harry bounded on the stage. He started out with Blue Skies. At least I know that was played...can't remember if it was first or not. Can I just say now that I LOVE Jerry??? He rocks. Alot of the same songs...Mind on the Matter was done tonight with Lucien....St James, and I will never be able to listen to "For Once in my Life" the same way EVER again!!!! Harry did it as a duet. Himself and Sly Stallone. I kid you not. He did about half the song that way. I was DYING!!! We had MG for the last song...and as Harry came out....he told us all to come up to the stage to dance...the first row was about 2 feet away from the stage....it was awesome....and when it was over...no one wanted to leave....so Harry came back out and did a 2nd encore...just him....he did Iko Iko....ROCK STAR!!! Okay so what did he talk about tonight? He was talking about how beautiful the area was....how he really liked it, and he started talking about a building in the area being a old hunting cabin....and he looks right at me as he says that and goes (the following is all SSTTEO) Your here again?? Haven't you been to the past few shows? Your stalking me! Last night we were in Vancouver and that includes passports, its not just a spur of the moment decision to come to several shows....you stalker, you freak. You need to stop, and when I said no...he said yes!! then he said now he has to do something totally different. I was at one point trying to hide my face in Kristy's shoulder and he looks at her and says, oh did she come with you? Then he looks at her and says Have you been to all the shows too? How come I don't recognize you? (uhhh because I looked down your shirt???) no it must have been from the M&G line....Kristy didn't go through either night. So he poked some fun at me....then he moved on to other people....played some songs....almost played songs from TSN but then decided at the last minute not too. Then he was talking about how he slept ALL DAY....and woke up at 6:30, thinking it was 10:30 AM, and that he looked outside and saw everyone lined up to come in...and he didn't know where he was....that he wasn't ready to come on...that he was just waking up and getting into the groove a few songs...then he looks at me and said, I still thought I was dreaming until I saw you. Kinda sweet right??? NOOOOOOO He apparently wasn't done picking on me. I am his personal nightmare....and he made several references to Nightmare on Elm Street....and me. I was DYING!!! I made a sad face and he said...awww no I am kidding...no I am not, yes I am, no I am not, yes I am...he said it several times......I was to say the least mortified. Mark, Craig, and Joe were all laughing their butts off!!! No...it was all in good fun. There was no meet and greet tonight...the venue was really weird. We just talked to Mark for a bit after the show and that was it. So thus ends the Kristy and Stacey mini tour. Each show a bit different and had incredible moments of music....laughter and just....I can't explain it. I wouldn't trade it for anything......I so wasn't expecting Harry to remember me....I was shocked. And very happy. LOL Yesterday after spending lots of time in the car, I got to check connick.com and saw that this article had been posted:
Concert ReviewNew Orleans comes alive at Marymoor By Friday night, Marymoor Park and RedmondPaul de BarrosSeattle Times jazz criticThey call it Marymoor Park. But Friday night, as far as Harry Connick Jr. was concerned, that grassy piece of heaven in Redmond was Rampart Street on Mardi Gras weekend.In the most madcap, memorable and musically superb concert ever offered here by the 36-year-old dreamboat crooner, Connick sang 21 songs, "murdered" the piano, messed relentlessly with the audience and, for a closer, danced the funky butt. This was a devilish Harry we've seen glimpses of before but never for a whole evening. At one point, he zeroed in on a woman in the front row (yes, there were a lot of swooning women, but a lot of guys, too), and asked, with a wink in his drawl, "Haven't you been here every night for three weeks? You've been stalking me. I've got to think of some new things to do." Maybe that's why he sang "For Once In My Life" as a hilarious impersonation of Sylvester Stallone. Dressed in jeans and an untucked black shirt, the Sinatra-esque swinger and his scorching big band drew on tunes from his current, million-selling album, "Only You," as well as older material. In a voice that has gotten pleasantly deeper and richer over the years, Connick swooped down to a low note on "You Don't Know Me" and it resonated out to the parking lot. Connick closed the show with his rollicking New Orleans signature, "Come By Me," inviting the crowd down to the stage to dance. He was called back for two encores. Now wasn't that a party!
Yup thats about me!!

Saturday was spent loading up the Uhaul....Sunday 15+ hours in the car...yesterday...only bout 5

Okay...now that I have a few minutes. Going back almost a week and a few odd days.

Tuesday July 13th. Last day with Matt, first day of training JD, my replacement. It was okay....pretty calm. Okay thats a lie. Matt and a group of 6 others were traveling to the east coast, to have some meetings with American Ski Company, a new client. They have 2 resorts, Killington and Sun River. I was instructed by Matt and Randy (CEO) to get the cheapest flights out there. Which means layovers. And the flights were already full. So I had everyone going complaining about their seats (middle) and the layovers. Flights were changed for some. Seats were able to move, for some. I really didn't get into much "training" with JD. Matt leaves, I cried a bit. Then I headed for rehearsal.

Wed July 14th. I assumed it was gonna be a slow day, and I was gonna get a lot of things done with JD. Never ever assume. I know this. I did it anyway. It bit me on the ass. Matt and his group ended up being stuck at Dulles for 6 freakin hours!! Crazy storms on the east coast closed a closure of the airport, cancelled flights, and just plain chaos. I spent most of the day on the phone trying to get them on flights, as they did the same thing at the airport racing from gate to gate. Poor JD was starting to wonder what she got herself into. Welcome to the madness, strap in and hold on. I was able to get some things done with her. Finally. Day ends....I go to rehearsal. Last one till tech the following Tues.

Thurs July 15th. Last day of work. Sweet Jesus the day finally arrived. I told JD I would be around...in the resource library, and that if she needed anything I would be there for questions. But I wasn't working. LOL She only had a few questions....I spent the day saying goodbye to some people and working on the program for my play. A group of girls (Carisa, Stephanie, Kristin and Kirstin) took me to Racha for a going away lunch. Susana gave me a wonderful bouquet of lavendar....then around 5:00 I was summoned to the Main conference room. I didn't want to go. I knew what it was. The T-mobile team presented me with a cake and some champagne and a Gift certificate to Old Navy. It was very sweet, but sad too. See I normally do that for people's birthdays and other special occasions. Aw well. We ate our cake, drank some champagne....then headed to Peso's. This is where Scott (my other boss) wanted to go. At this point....I hadn't seen him all day as he was over at T-Mobile stuck in meetings since 7:30 AM. Pretty soon the back area of Peso's is filled with Publicis folk, all for my benefit. I was truly expecting a few people....and there was almost 40 people there!! I was a little miffed that no one from Matt's team showed up. Only Amy had an excuse as she is due to have a baby any day now. The drinks flowed...and pretty soon I was handed a phone, you have a phone call. It was Scott, and it was around 7:30 PM...he was STILL stuck at T-Mobile and wasn't gonna make it. He felt soooooo bad. Bastards work him way....way....way to much. A group of us ended up going to Chopsticks, a dueling piano bar. My friend Michael showed up there.....then a smaller group of us headed to R-Place, a local gay bar. Okay it was Dwight (HR manager) his boyfriend, Michael, Jinger and I. LOL We drank more....danced ALOT, and just plain went crazy. I was taken home around 1:30....and I proceeded to get sick. Gross.

Friday July 16th. Hang over city baby. I woke up around 10ish. I showered and headed back to Publicis to pick up my box of stuff. I was able to sneak in and back out pretty quickly. I was hoping to get on an earlier flight to Denver. Ran back to the apartment and packed a bag. Note to self.....never, ever pack a bag with a hangover. I was soon at the airport and was #2 on the standby list for the 2:00 flight. It finally boarded at 3:30ish...with me aboard. Get to Denver and just hang with my parents for the evening.

Saturday July 17th. Day dawns...its finally time for a Harry concert!! WHOO HOO!!! We actually had to be out of the house by 11:30 because my parents are trying to sell the house. So we go run a few errands, and then drive up to the Flat Irons in Boulder and have a picnic up there. Then we run to Old Navy. Then to Tom and Ski's for a few beers. See we can't be back to the house till 4:30, as there was an open house as well as the earlier showing. We finally head home, change, and jump back in the car. We make the hour drive with me chanting most of the way, please no rain, please no rain. I had talked to Spencer earlier and it was pouring where he was. Luckily the rain held out and it was the BEST EVER Harry show. I am not just saying this. 2 hours and 40 minutes of the best music...he was working the crowd. You could tell how much fun everyone on the stage was having. The energy that was in that venue was fantastic. He played a lot of the songs I hoped he would...with a few suprises. Always some suprises. Got to talk to Mark and Craig after the show....always just awesome. Mark tried to pay me off for the bet we made last fall. LOL Then it was time to leave...we make the trek back home and got there around 1ish...

Sunday July 18th. Up at dawn. Okay 7:30. Our guests arrived at 8:00 AM. Some friends from Montana, my parents and I load up a Blazer and head to breakfast. Then back out towards the Red Rocks area. Time for a little NHRA drag racing babee. I hadn't been to one of this in YEARS!!! we used to go in Spokane ALL the freakin time. This time I could go into the pits. Standing by one of the rail cars, or a funny car when the are burning the engine. HOLY SHIT. Nitro filling the air, burning the eyes, the whole world feels like its is shaking....it rocked. I got soooo sunburned. We spent the entire day out there and just had a freakin blast. around 5, when all the drivers my parents and friends were pulling for were out of the finals, we left. Went home and had a bbq.

Monday July 19th. Fly back to Seattle, collapse

Tuesday July 20th. First tech rehearsal in space. We had an hour to get the right look with the lights and run the show. Needless to say we didn't get to run the show. The lights took the whole time, then we did a quick cue to cue.

Wed. July 21st. 1st attempt to have lunch with Scott, of course a T-Mobile meeting popped up, we reschedule for Friday. 2nd and final tech rehearsal in the sauna....ran through the show twice. Gotta love 30 minute shows.

Thursday July 22nd...Work on our poster for the show.....Show opens.....sweat like a fiend....show goes great. Festival shows are crazy, fast, intense and a whole lot of fun. One show ends and we have 10-15 mins for the them to take down their set and ours to go up and start. Rock star.

Friday July 23rd. Lunch actually happens with Scott. He really has been the best boss ever. I am gonna miss him a lot. Matt decides that he needs to have lunch with me as well. That happens Monday. No show this night...

Saturday July 24th. Show. It rocks again.

Oh have you noticed I haven't said anything about packing??? Thats because I haven't started yet!!! I have a show at 4:45 today...hopefully gonna buy some plastic bins at Fred Meyer today. Tomorrrow I have a spa appointment at 9, then lunch with Matt, we are also having a cast party...but I am also hoping to go out one more time with Michael. Tuesday, I truly have to pack. Dinner with Roxanne and Summer that night. Wed, I am on a 10:00 train to Portland for a Harry show...drive back to Seattle with Kristy that night. Thursday we head to Vancouver BC for another Harry show....Friday Harry show in Seattle and my Bro-in-law shows up. Saturday, load up Uhaul, Sunday, we leave. Damn.

Kristy is on her way to the Berkely show right now. Girl gets to hang with some cool folks down there. And suprise suprise...guess who else is gonna be there? Doug Belote. :) :)

One week from today...thats it, the jobs over. And its already 6:30 PM PST. soooo I only have 4 more days of work left!! But really, I will be here this weekend. I need to get things done, and it doesn't look like they will have hired anyone to fill my spot by the time I leave. Well I shouldn't say that. Matt and I both like JD, she actually temped over at Safeco, and I worked with her that way. If neither of the two other candidates don't just WOW Matt, then Scott will meet with JD on Monday. I don't know how fast she can start at that point. If she can start right away, I will have 2 days MAX with her. And if she can't, she comes in blindly. Which royally sucks.

Yesterday, Scott said "Take me with you" and Matt still claims to be in denial. Now to just get past Thursday, then I can concentrate on Harry. :) :) Speaking of....I heard about this the other night:

with this as part of the copy: Bonerama features four trombonists, sousaphone, guitar, bass and drums. The band is led by Mark Mullins, who works with Harry Connick Jr.'s touring band on the road, but leads his own eclectic group when he's back home in the Crescent City.

In the main article they are mentioned twice:
There were plenty of savory musical dishes, served up buffet-style, on 12 different stages. This year's festival combined dozens of up-and-coming performers like Bonerama with older, established road veterans such as James and Winwood.

and ...while the British soal singer Joss Stone, the Joe Krown Organ Combo and the local funk and rock band Bonerama all found wider followings as a result of their shows in front of international audiences.

For the full article, check out July's Relix. Awesomeness

oh my....too much fun was had last night. I am paying for it today. I must resist cute boys but it is way too hard!!! Other than the red wine being spilled on a white shirt...there was no major drama....just a lot of alchol being consumed. Trying to decide if I can escape here early now. A great time was had by all.

I am very much looking forward to going home and sleeping. Of course don't want to sleep through Friends!! Must watch the final eppie tonight. So I can bawl like a baby. The state I am in now...I will so be bawling.

Mom and Dad are giving me an early birthday present. They are bought half a plane ticket for me to come down there to see the Harry show on the 17th of July. I am very excited, my first Harry show was with mom and dad...and to go to the Red Rocks Ampitheatre..thats gonna be well breathtaking!!

Phoenix was so much fun. For awhile. It had its ups and downs. Shopping was fun, seeing Lisa and Scott's new house was fun. Seeing Cowboy Mouth kicked ass of course. The Phoenix Open was a blast. The way my sister and her friend acted after it sucked. They were mad because they had to work and couldn't come. Or some lame crap like that. They had known for how long???? Oh well. Its done its over. Going from cold and rainy to warm and sunny was nice. Coming back to the cold and rainy was not so nice. I now have another freakin cold. 2nd one in like a month and a half. I need a nap.

Tonight I get to see Bette Midler. I am very excited. I have always wanted to see her in concert. I just can't find my binoculars. :( oh well.

Even better about today??? Harry Connick Jrs new CD "Only You" was released today. I actually picked it up at midnight. It is simply amazing. Of course I find out that Target has a bonus CD so now I need to go and buy that. Oh well. Anything for Harry.

Damn it I want to go to Mardi Gras!!! Harry, Cowboy Mouth, NONC, BTE, and more....I WANT TO GO!! But I need to try to think about this reasonably. If I want to move...I can't go running off to Mardi Gras. I have to be an adult. It just hard sometimes. Looking at the big picture I know this is for the best. But right now I just want to book a plane ticket and be there. A few days ago I wanted to just do that and pack up and ship the rest of my personal items to NOLA. Just screw it and go. Didn't care that I didn't have a job or a place to stay there, I just wanted to be there. I get random urges...or longings I guess out of NOWHERE and I will want to be in NOLA walking down a certain street. I have never had that before. I don't know what, if anything is down there for me. But I won't know until I get there. I don't remember the last time I have wanted to do something so bad in my life. Sure I have had goals, but this one seems like well, life changing. And I am ready for it. Will everything change? Maybe, maybe most everything will stay the same. Its time.

oh sweet jesus what a week and a half it has been. Chicago was the BEST!! I got to hang out with some of my best friends and see Harry and the big band. What could be better??? Oh yeah getting lots of love from the boys!! I got to spend lots of time with Leroy which was nice. Of course getting to talk to Neal was nice too. I love those guys don't really have to spend time with us but they do.

Now I am at mom and dads and just hanging out, playing with the dogs, watching soaps, reading. Oh yeah and getting my on-line fix. I think today I will walk out to the store about 2 miles one way. Get some excersise.