Monday, September 7th 2009 - 8:57 pm
Please comment to be added. If you've already been friended, no need, I haven't defriended anyone. Friends without LiveJournal, please email me for news!
Thursday, May 28th 2009 - 9:55 am
Mood: proud
My daughter posted this:
DEGREES AWARDED
Awarded: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Degree Date: May 15, 2009
Institutional Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Departmental Honors: Distinction in Specified Major
I am so proud of my daughter.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 2:24 am
Mood: 
ecstatic
I will write a separate post about the whole weekend, but I want to write about the Toad the Wet Sprocket concert while everything is fresh in my mind.
Beth, Nean and I arrived at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta yesterday evening around 6pm. And I sat down in front of the door...first in line. It's the first time I've ever been first in line for any concert, so I was already happy. Beth and Nean went off to find food, so they missed getting to hear sound check through the doors, but I heard "All I Want" among other pieces of songs, and I sat there smiling, not sure how I could sit still in such a high state of anticipation.
Not long after they went off, a man came up and stood behind me, so we talked and introduced ourselves, and now we have a new friend named David, from SC, who was just a lovely man, so nice. It was his first time seeing Toad, and he was alone because his girlfriend couldn't come, so we invited him to hang out with us. I also talked with another guy named Scott, who said he had just seen Glen out on the street and talked with him for a few minutes. A few minutes later, I saw Todd walk by, but I was so surprised that I didn't say anything. A few minutes after that, I saw Dean, and called out a "hi" to him, and he responded. Glen came by, and when I called out to him, he came over and gave me a hug and we talked for a minute. Randy came by and responded when I called out to him, too, so I had now seen all the guys. But a bit later, Joe came with a tray of food to go in the front door, and I got a big hug from him and we talked for a few minutes. My excitement was now at an unreasonable level since I'd seen everyone I wanted to see, but I still hadn't talked to Todd, the person I most wanted to talk to. There was time...I was impatient but hopeful.
At 7pm, the doors opened, tickets were scanned, and we went directly to the center of the stage and stood there grinning. I turned around to see David sitting down in the front row of seats, and I said something like, "No, you can't SIT for your first Toad show, come down here with us," so he did, and later he agreed that I was right to call him down there. There were a fair number of people at first, but I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't packed. My disappointment didn't last long; by the time David told me about the t-shirts being sold in the lobby and I made my way back there, I could hardly get through the mass of people. YAY for Toad fans!! :)
I bought two shirts, the only ones they were selling, hugged Joe some more, bought the three cds of Glen's that he was selling, talked to Joe and hugged him some more, then Glen came out, and I got another hug from him and asked him if they were planning to talk to fans after the show as they had done in the past because there was a nice man with us who was seeing them for the first time. He said that it was their last show so they wouldn't stay long but they would come talk to the fans. Secure in the fact that I would get a chance to talk to Todd and David would get to talk to them, I went back to my spot at the center of the stage, happy as could be, more excited than anyone my age should be about a band. :)
A few minutes after 8pm, Tony Furtado came out to open. I'd never heard of him, but we were all (the whole audience from the sound behind me) quickly impressed with both his voice and his skill on guitar and (of all things) banjo. This man's fingers can FLY! He played a lot of slide, which I love, so after he finished playing, I went back to the lobby and bought one of his cds, and had the opportunity to talk with him briefly. He had said that he was from Portland, OR, so I talked with him about my love of Portland music, and he seemed surprised that I knew about Calobo, and said he knew Jerry Joseph and Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine, so that was a nice little "connection" moment. I'm looking forward to listening to his cd...I could only afford one after spending so much on Toad stuff, so I asked him which had the most slide and bought that one. I'll report on it after I've listened, but I do highly recommend checking him out. I took a couple of pictures of him while he was playing...
( Read more... )And finally...the moment arrived. The band I've loved best in the world, the sweet, gentle men I love so much, were on the stage.
Beth snagged a setlist after the show, and I'm putting it here because it's hers and she needs to pack it since she's leaving soon:
Something's Always Wrong
Whatever I Fear
P.S.
Woodburning
Stupid
Good Intentions
Inside (A Todd song!!! And he sounded GREAT!)
Windmills
Way Away
Know Me (Glen forgot the first line...so funny, so Glen)
In My Ear
Nightingale
Come Back Down
All I Want
Little Man Big Man
Brother
Fall Down
Encore:
Come Down
Crazy Life (Another Todd song!! More about this below)
Walk on the Ocean
That reminds me...when I saw Glen out in the lobby, I did ask about "All in All" and "All Right" and he said they wouldn't be doing them because they hadn't practiced them. Someone also held up a sign during the show that said, "'Hobbit on the Rocks' please," and Glen said something like, "Oh, hell, no," with a grin. But basically, I think all of us - everyone in the theater - were so overjoyed to be just seeing and hearing them again that they could've sung the phone book and we would've all been happy.
They sounded wonderful. The audience sang along to most songs. Since I don't sing well, I sung silently, mouthing the words and singing in my head, but not inflicting my voice on others. I wish those near me had done the same. :) Glen was a little hard to hear, probably because we were so close. Someone said they were looking up his nose, and we definitely were...he was less than two feet away and was five feet above us. "P.S." was a surprise and was excellent. "Inside" was a favorite of mine because it's a Todd song. For those of you who don't know, Todd has always, always been my favorite...I love the other guys, but Todd and his voice and his guitar are just the ultimate for me. "Little Man, Big Man" was another surprise. Joe came out with the cowbell during "Come Down" and was great. Another guy played with them...John or Johnny something, but he was distracting for me because he was doing the fancy guitar parts that Todd usually does, and I much prefer Todd's playing to anyone else. I understand that they need some help because of Glen hurting his hand, but I still prefer Todd. He said later that he was lazy, and I told him he shouldn't be because he was better. He tried to argue with me, but I told him he was wrong, he was the best. :)
I had made a deal with a nice guy named Cliff before the show. He was standing where he would be in front of Todd, and he was a Glen fan, so I asked him if he wanted to swap places when the time came, and he said yes. I didn't want to be separated from Nean and Beth and David for the whole show, so I waited till they started "Brother" and then got Cliff's attention, and we swapped places. This put me in front of Todd for "Crazy Life," and I said later that I could die happy after that. Todd also tossed me a pick, which is white and says "Fender medium,"
and which I kissed when pulling it out this morning. Yeah, I'm 14....or 12.
The guys seemed to be having fun during the show, and Glen commented several times on what a great crowd we were. They seemed to be genuinely touched that they still had such dedicated, loving fans...they SO underestimate that love and dedication. Highlights for me (other than the two Todd songs) were: Todd waving to me from the stage while I was still over in front of Glen; "Way Away" because that was the song that killed me after they split up, feeling like I'd never hear that delicious harmony again; and Glen smiling when he sang, "I will not repeat myself again, I will not repeat myself again," like he still enjoyed his own little joke in the song. I always enjoy it, too, so it was fun to see him having fun with it.
Pictures from the show: Most of them aren't great, a few are blurry, but they are my tangible memories of one of the most beloved evenings I've ever spent:
( Read more... )After they left the stage, security had us all leave the building, so we went out where I had gone so many years ago (the first time I ever saw them was at the Variety, too). A group of 20 or 30 people waited patiently outside near the van. Security had us move back behind a line, saying not to rush them, that the guys would come to us. That is so Toad, to let us know that they would come talk to us.
Glen came out first. I didn't try to talk to him then, except to tell him that David was the person I'd told him about, because I'd already talked to him twice. Dean was next, and was his old funny self, ranting about someone's burned copy of "Dulcinea." Then Todd came out. I waited my turn (because that's what Toad fans do...respectfully wait their turns so that everyone has their personal time with the band members), and then we had a lovely conversation. We talked about how Beth and I had met on a Toad message board but this was our first time seeing the band together. We talked about the fact that he (Todd) had said, "See ya next time," on the stage after their last song, and he was pretty clear that they were just waiting for everyone to see that they should play together and that they would be back, hopefully fairly often. He told me that he and Dean had been writing songs, mostly country songs, and had been working some in Nashville. We talked about "Reincarnation Song," and how I missed him doing the main guitar work and how he was much better than the guy they had with them. Todd said, "But I'm lazy," and I told him he shouldn't be because he was the best. I told him that the Variety was the first place I'd ever seen them (because of course he wouldn't remember that) and the first time I'd ever met him and the rest of the band. He tried to remember the last time they were in Atlanta, so I reminded him that it was the Cotton Club below the Tabernacle, and that Joe had gotten us in to the after-party after the show. I think we talked about some other things, but those are the ones I remember now. It was a long, wonderful conversation, most of the time just the two of us, and I will treasure that memory
David came over and I asked if he would take a picture of Todd and me, but my camera wasn't cooperating very well by then, so the flash wasn't working and we couldn't even tell if it was getting the shot or not.
( Read more... )I spoke to Dean briefly after that, and I had spoken to Randy briefly before I talked with Todd. There was a guy there, begging Randy to come over, and I heard him saying that he was a drummer, too, and that Randy had inspired him like no other drummer, and even though I don't play anything, I understood this guy because Randy is the first drummer who ever made me pay attention to drums and notice their effect on the music. So yeah, I think Randy is awesome, too. Anyway, after Dean, we were ready to leave, and we all (David was with us still, for which I was glad because he's such a nice guy) headed back to our cars. I did a silly little "yippiee, what a night" dance, which made everyone laugh, but I'm surprised that my feet were touching the ground at all, it was such an incredible evening.
With Dean and Todd both sounding hopeful about another Toad tour, I am trying not to be so emotional. I got choked up during "Walk on the Ocean" because I knew it was the last song of the evening and was hoping it wouldn't be the last one ever. I got choked up listening to "Coil" today because of the lyrics to "All Things in Time." But I am going to try to remain hopeful that I'll see them again, hug Todd again, tell them how much they're loved again...and most of all, hear that beautiful harmony again.
Oh, and one more thing...I managed a video of Todd singing "Crazy Life." The quality isn't great, but it's my most cherished memory other than our talk and the hugs, so I'm posting it here...
( Read more... )Saturday, May 16th 2009 - 9:30 pm
Mood: 
accomplished
I did it! All in one day! Pictures of my accomplishment behind the cut...
( Read more... )Friday, May 8th 2009 - 12:08 am
Mood: 
pleased
I wrote all the parents of the adopted SlyBabies3.0, and tonight I got pictures of Eden! Who is reported to be "lovable and rotten." :)
( Read more... )Tuesday, April 28th 2009 - 12:51 pm
Mood: 
enthralled
( Read more... ) And yeah, I'll make a real post at some point. Life is wild and hairy.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 3:07 pm
Mood: 
angry
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dog+fightingIf that doesn't work for you, go to whatever Amazon you use and do a search for "dog fighting," and see if that doesn't turn your stomach.
So...the help I need is...what do you use INSTEAD OF Amazon? Where online do you buy books, movies, music other than Amazon? I want a list to point people to when they act all helpless and not able to live without Amazon.
And if you'd like to write Amazon to protest their selling that horrible stuff, please do, and let me know that you do. I closed my account with them last year when I saw what they were selling, and they acted like they didn't give a hoot. Do they also sell snuff films? Child pornography? Same thing to me.
Yes, I'm angry. I'm tired of people closing their eyes to this stuff and supporting a company that is helping produce more Michael Vicks.
Excuse me, I'm off to write Oprah because I hear she's friends with the head of Amazon.
ETA: I'm making this post public so feel free to share it. Just remember not to post excuses such as "free speech" (would you say that if it were your dog?)...I don't want to hear it.
Sunday, February 22nd 2009 - 9:43 am
Mood: 
tired
Music: CBS' Sunday Morning
In the midst of my crazy day yesterday, which you will see documented in other photos, I managed to get some pics of the dogs...mainly Petey to show how much he's grown.
( Read more... )Tuesday, January 20th 2009 - 10:20 pm
Mood: 
thoughtful
Music: "At Last" being played for the Obamas to dance and kiss to :)
As most of you know, my oldest (time-wise, not age-wise) best friend, Nean, is black. We've been friends for almost 25 years. I'm closer in age to her mother, but Nean is and always has been the sister I didn't have. She is the best person I've ever known and is an inspiration to me to try to be a better person.
I've been trying to think to have real discussions with her through this election. We work together and are constantly interrupted or sidetracked by trivial or work matters, but I've been trying to get her viewpoint on Obama and what he stands for, what he means to her. A few months ago, I asked her if it was extra special to her that Obama was black, and how she felt about his being President. I want to try to see things through her life as much as I can.
So today we talked about how there were some young people in Macon who just weren't with the program because on MLK day these young people robbed three places, and how sad that was. We talked about how she grew up, and about how I grew up...what made us what we are today.
I was telling her during this conversation (and this is what I came here to post about) that I remember both of the Kennedys being killed, and I remember King being killed, and I even remember seeing signs when I was a child that said "whites only" and "coloreds only." Yes, I am old. I remember in my senior year of high school meeting the first black person to attend my high school (graduated in '67). We talked about how anyone who wasn't around for those things might find it harder to feel on a profound level what today meant for those who did live through those times. It isn't just Jesse Jackson who remembers and is moved greatly by today's events...even we old white people can be. :)
I told her about something I'd heard on tv last night about how people were now feeling like they needed to find a black friend, and we laughed about how I was way ahead of that little plan. She said I'd never been one to let that make a difference in how I treated people, and we talked about how we really are all the same because we all want and need the same things...we're all just people, no matter our differences.
I'm not black. But my sister-of-my-heart is. And I was alive through the sadder times. Let no one doubt how deeply today affected me. I see how far we as a country have come because I saw the road much earlier than most of you who might read this. When I say that I am proud of my country today, I am thinking of nearly 60 years of seeing my country. As an American, today is the proudest day of my life. I am proud to call Barack Obama MY President.
Tuesday, January 6th 2009 - 11:48 am
Mood: 
cheerful
Music: "Sing Me Sweet" - Matt Nathanson
Ms. Wanda would like for you to see the newest pictures of her babies so that you can fall in love and adopt them. :)
( Read more... )Monday, January 5th 2009 - 11:06 am
Mood: 
bouncy
In deference to
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
yueni and her totally understandable request to put videos behind a cut, I'm putting my new love behind this one...
( Read more... )Wednesday, December 31st 2008 - 9:34 am
Mood: pleased
Tuesday, December 30th 2008 - 3:30 pm
Mood: 
amused
Sunday, December 28th 2008 - 6:58 pm
Two more of Wanda's children have been named...
( Read more... )Friday, December 26th 2008 - 11:07 pm
Mood: pleased
A few pictures of Wanda Waddlesworth's babies...
( Read more... )Wednesday, December 17th 2008 - 1:47 pm
Mood: angry
This is just a reminder to those who are shopping, or those who are getting gifts from others...
Amazon.com sells books and videos about dog fighting. If you support Amazon, you are supporting an organization that is helping to promote dog fighting.
I'm disabling comments because I don't want to hear anyone defend this in any way for any reason.
Saturday, December 13th 2008 - 10:11 am
Friday, December 5th 2008 - 3:41 pm
Mood: smiling
Ok, it will take about 15 minutes to watch, but I guarantee that it's worth it. Or maybe I just love TJ Thyne that much, but seriously, it's terrific, pleeeeeeeeease watch! :) And SMILE! :)
Sunday, November 30th 2008 - 10:37 pm
Mood: awwwww
Wanda has had 9 babies tonight! (I know I said 8 to some of you, but now it's up to 9.) All are doing well, and Jari says that Wanda is being a very good mama. Pics:
( Read more... )Sunday, November 16th 2008 - 7:05 pm
Mood: pleased
Music: The Obamas on 60 Minutes
Well, by the time I remembered the camera, I was pushed for time, so these aren't great, but I think you can definitely see that they are enjoying their new area. I saved the best for last, so keep scrolling down!
( Read more... )