Wake Up Exhausted

Last Saturday, the weekend BEFORE Halloween and all it’s upcoming shenanigans, was quite busy itself. Kieran had been off school for two days, feeling feverish, but by saturday was just a bit sniffly and bored out of his gourd sitting indoors. Well, he would have been, if not for daddy letting him try the “Video Gaming Cure”, where he got to spend hours in front of the tv rally car racing and pretending to be Batman.

It was his first Saturday sitting on the sidelines only watching his Earthquakes, and we ended up going to the Home Depot Center to watch the actual San Jose Earthquakes get smashed by the LA Galaxy. Kieran was distressed for about a minute that we couldn’t root for “his team: the big guys.” His mind was changed by the fact that Rice purchased a Landon Donovan Jersey for him pre-game, and Donovan went on to score 2 goals. Kieran has since sat around looking at the game program chanting “GO GALAXY! GO DONOVAN!” I smell hero worship!

Sunday the Tegan & Sara concert was FINALLY HERE. It seemed we only bought the tix a million years ago. After I proceeded to get tipsy on pumpkin martini’s at Ugo, we made it to the Orpheum Theatre in pretty record time. Oh wait, it was Sunday.

Tegan & Sara did not let us down. They were jovial and talkative, and of course, the music rocked. They played the entire new album along with older faves (I recorded a few of my faves. Bad, bad techy girl!) and left feeling pretty excited for the new album. Now that it is my possession, I keep getting different songs stuck in my head.This is their 6th album peoples! They had me at So Jealous. Check them out!

Tegan and Sara at the Orpheum Theatre

 

Ting Ting Tueday: The Results Are In.

What can I say about the Ting Tings show from last night?

1. In an attempt to get wristband for the pit, got in line early amongst a surprisingly large group of under 18-year-olds wearing really bad faux ‘80s garb. Result: Felt terribly old.
2. Wore the sluttiest top I’ve worn in a very long time. It was completely backless which means: No Bra. Result: Felt extremely naked, not very worthy. But my tatts looked cute!
3. Downed well drink after well drink (instead of my usual penchant for Bacardi) to save money. Result: Still dropped $25 for a T shirt.
4. Hot Tub really wanted to channel Salt-N-Pepa, but I wasn’t buying it. I’m sure those ladies never shouted “Hey LA, let’s make some SANDWICHES!” Result: Still wondering where the sandwiches at?
5. Second guest, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, sang to us about a sideways ponytail, which lead singer kindly demonstrated beforehand. Result: Clearer understanding of the teenyboppers in audience now.
6. Ting Tings finally come out to wow and get us party people to dance as soon as my feet cry “Mercy!” Katie White, bless her, wore a hideously printed bodysuit with sleeveless purple sequined shirt over top. Sound was LOUD and sometimes hard to distinguish actual tunage or lyrics (though, of course, I knew them all) TT’s sang every song on the album, stretching a few to get the crowd pumped, said goodnight and left. Result: Made it back home by midnight. No sandwiches in the house, so wolfed down some mac & cheese. Didn’t turn into a gremlin.

 

Working on September, Living in July

It’s hard to believe that I am working on the September issue of DAYSPA Magazine. Didn’t summer just begin? I have not taken in all those live shows I signed up for, or tended to my kid’s bruises after he takes off his training wheels, or shook enough sand from my bikini bottoms, or lost that last 5 pounds so I’ll feel really spectacular lying on a beach towel. Well, that last one’s pretty much not ever going to happen. I am female. There’s always 5 more pounds.

Hell, we’ve already had July 4th. We soaked up some sun at a pool party/BBQ/drink fest but never made it to fireworks. We still had an awesome time hogging the rafts and freaking out Jeff’s dog, Paisley. Kieran even got to try out a very lubed up slip-n-slide. I kept my nose in some Captain ‘n Coke, which is probably the real reason we didn’t hit the fireworks and nothing to do with one nervous Kieran.

Then there was The Hollywood Bowl. Figures my husband read “Show at 7″ as “Doors open at 7.” I nearly missed The New Pornographers, and actually did miss about 15 minutes of their set. They still amazed, though it was short, and I now I have a mission to see them as headliners. Ending the set with “The Bleeding Heart Show” was genius—our friends had to know the name of that song.

Next was Tegan & Sara. What can I say but, could I love these 2 anymore? They were the epitome of cute, bantering a bit between their songs, letting us all know how nervous they were to be playing such a large forum. I knew Rice loved them [I think he has a T & S marathon every few weeks] but he didn’t hesitate to buy a Tshirt and then wear it for the rest of the night. I just really want to hear them somewhere nice small. Guess that’s another mission.

Above: D, sad we missed some New Pornographers. Steve, Cindy, Jen, and Matt [Yokes] ready for a good time.

Death Cab For Cutie with the LA Philharmonic was the headlining act and though I’ve never given the band much of my time, it was a really great time. Of course, none of these bands I go out for put on “shows” like Brittany or Madonna, but the energy of the music was in full force, they were back and forth on that enormous stage totally lost in their groove. That’s what translates to me, gets me pumped, and the music turned out to be much more that I recognized than I’d originally thought.

The sad part? With three big bands [well, they are all big to me] we were home by 11:30. I know, right? maybe 3 hr. 45 tops for these insanely awesome bands? A travesty! Maybe there’s something to much lesser knowns opening up for you. TNP and T & S have 9 albums between them. NINE. And I know almost every one of them by heart.

But hey, atleast Death Cab went out with a bang. Rice and I got to see our fireworks.

 

Summer of Love

Suddenly this year I feel like reliving how I wish my teen years were. Or my 20s even. Basically, I want a T-shirt in my closet from every concert I attend that I thoroughly enjoy. At present, it holds Rilo Kiley, Feist, The Airborne Toxic Event and Metric (freshly purchased at the Wiltern Monday night!) Really, I’m a sad excuse for a 33 year old mom. And one who wants to “appear” cool. But this summer has me excited with all I’ve crammed into it so far, with the potential for so much more to creep in. Next up:

• Thursday June 11 at the Henry Fonda: Camera Obscura
• Legoland trip with our good friends, the Malloys, and possibly my sister’s fam
• College and Career Day downtown at friend Amber’s school. I get to possibly “interview” students and talk about my college and job. Hot Dog!
• June 25th at Descanso Gardens: The Bird and The Bee
• a rockin’ Pool Party, BBQ Baby Shower
  
• July 5th at Hollywood Bowl: Tegan & Sara, The New Pornographers and Death Cab for Cutie
• Aug. 8th at the Ahmansen Theater: Spam-A-Lot
• Aug 21 at the El Rey: Los Campesinos! [jury still out on this one, though I'm gonna push hard to make it happen!]

Mix in a few visits from my parents, and plenty of lazy weekends at the beach, and I’m hoping this summer makes up for the crapfest that has pretty much been this year!

PS I just wanted to mention that the Metric Concert at the Wiltern on Monday was killer. I love Emily Haines SO MUCH now. Everybody, everybody: ilovemetric.com

 

something about genetics…

I love this quote from All About Eve. I can totally apply to my situation:

Margo Channing: Bill’s thirty-two. He looks thirty-two. He looked it five years ago, he’ll look it twenty years from now. I hate men.

D: Rice’s thirty-six. He looks twenty-one. He looked it five years ago, he’ll look it twenty years from now. I hate men.

I love Bette Davis.

 

Not Don Delillo’s Airborne Toxic Event

So.

Still trying to get into the swing of this year, I’ve found some new music to listen to and of course, as blog post before this one states, new show to droll all over. Recently, I surprised my friend Teresa with tickets to the Henry Fonda to see The Airborne Toxic Event. Blindly I went into this concert, having only seen a video to a song I thought was just, eh. Blessed be that ole Henry Fonda Theater, The Music Box, for I had one hell of a good time. Sure the first two acts, of which neither were on any billing, decided to play every song in their repertoire, and I could care less about the second lead singer who must have been 21 and spewing on and on about the death of rock, but The ATE (hee hee) THEY were something. They were definitely worth waiting for. Their energy was hypnotic, as was the lead’s voice, and when they brought out 3 more stringed instruments, it was sheer genius. The addition of the lead singer telling everyone from down front that it was ok if they could get past security and on stage to dance felt totally real and the energy of everyone singing and dancing along was….well….awesome.

And the Henry Fonda has a rooftop speakeasy! A Rooftop Speakeasy! Just needed a few more friends, some mint juleps and some fab glad rags. Now you’re on the trolley!

Also listening to quite frequently: Tegan & Sara: So Jealous and If It Was You; Santogold (which I hear is now Santigold); The Postmarks and Little Joy.

 

Riding on the Meto [No solider sleeping next to me]

More public transportation for me this weekend, as we took the Metro from the (FREE) Universal lot to Hollywood for Sunset Junction.

One the way, 3 girls complained about the five block walk. “Isn’t there a stop any closer??” they whined.

Really?

But they weren’t hefty so I couldn’t be rude and say “Well, you look like you could walk a little.” Still. Everyone needs to walk a little these days. I suppose I should just be glad they used public transit.

Sunset Junction was alive and awash with some of the greatest people watching spots ever. For those not in the know (and before Saturday, that was us) they close down a section on Sunset in Silver Lake, put up 3 to 4 stages, rides, vendors and alcohol tents and charge about $20 to get in. All the vintage comes out, the hip kids, the hollywoodies and some crazies too, because you can’t be near Hollywood without some loonies.

We came for the Cold War Kids but took in some Broken Social Scene, which sounded pretty damn good. And pretty much like Broken Social Scene. Don’t really have much to add to that. After chowing on a sausage (heh heh) and some Sake drinks, I braved the job-johnnys.These people are serious about their  port-a-pottys. One set had a group cheering every time someone came out.

Cold War Kids kicked major ass, and now I’m afraid to see them again, cuz we all know how THAT will go. Maybe as long as I don’t pay for a large venue? Still can’t quite figure out the shirtless, hairy fat dude banging the drum during the final song.

Now why doesn’t the Metro go to the Westside??

 

The rest of the summer schedule…..

Coming up:

Birthday party
4 year old’s dream party: pirates, cowboys and cars all in one. Down the street from Sony Studios. I feel so…in the ‘biz.

Beach party
Kieran’s friend decided to have his mom arrange a beach party. They have a blue cabana and stripped umbrellas. We love stripped umbrellas.

The Dark Knight
Oh hell, I’m not missing out seeing this movie. The ONE movie I want to see in theaters this summer. My total geek is showing.

Housewarming party
A new rockin’ house deserves a rockin’ housewarming party. And lots of jealous laser beams shooting from our eyes. But hey, we can bring the kid!

Me First & the Gimmie Gimmie @ House Of Blues
Alas, no Punk Rock Karaoke opening up this time. But we’re going out with  C & C again (the couple not the Music Factory). They just better do Over The Rainbow.

Mom Visits
Yay, Mom! And a babysitter. No wait….MOM! Can’t wait to see mom!

San Diego
Gotta drive mom down to SD to see her other grandchild (we know which one is more important. )

Company Picnic
Geez, do I have to? Well, if we’re having too much fun in San Diego…oops! We might just miss it.

X-Games
Rice is determined to go this year. I think we’re only able to check out the Skateboard Vert Women’s Final. HA HA. AWESOME!

Sunset Junction
Bands & heat & vintage & bands & heat & vintage. Who am I kidding, I’ve never been, just lived vicariously thru my friends. This year, I wanna see the Cold War Kids. I will survive the bands, the heat, the vintage.

And then?

Kiki & Andre’s Wedding!!!
Thank you summer, and goodnight.

 

Incredibly Cultured D.

“There’s a hole in the world like a great black pit
And it’s filled with people who are filled with shit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it.
But not for long…”

The Ides of March have a second meaning for me, ever since Rice proposed to me on that day, back in 2003. This year, for our “Beware the Ides, yada yada” and  Engagement celebration, we joined another couple and went downtown to the thee-ah-tuh. We so cultured. Rice was forbidden to wear jeans.

We dropped Kieran off at the Emde’s, noting the sleep crust still in their eyes and crossed our fingers that he didn’t wear them out too much. Downtown we dined at a French Brassiere located below the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion—and as the placed filled up, realized we were the only customers under 55. I chalked it up to being early, and maybe mainee’s are more popular amongst seniors. It certainly wasn’t the establishment or the food.

The production of Sweeney Todd was a surprise. All cast members were on the stage at all times, and they all played instruments as well. And as you know, there was blood. Although done more symbolically than anything, certain audience members nearby sounded shocked at each murder. I really hope someone warns them NOT to see the actual film.

Back at the sitters, we got to hang out for a spell and catch up with a few friends. Kiki and Andre were in town, Natalie is about to move out of town, and Joy and Adrienne were there for fabulous measure. All of us got immersed in a round of “what movie should you have seen but still have not” — mine was Citizen Kane.

But I already know about Rosebud.

 

And the lame award goes to….Me.

Ah yes, there’s nothing like being sick.

Especially when you’ve just gotten into a great routine going to the gym, all kinds of stress is going on at work, and you’ve got that extra little body you need to feed, wash, and entertain.

Sure sure, I was very fortunate NOT to come down with the flu or whatever is working it’s way through my office. I just caught a bit of the sniffles, but with enough of an ass dragging punch that I decided to take a day & a half off to lie around and watch lame movies.

Usually when this happens, when I’m just checking out shows or movies I’ve deemed “too stupid sounding to waste my time on,” I end up finding myself fascinated by them….and giving Rice the entire breakdown as I feel better. So, on this day and a half of pure self indulgent exercise in time wasting, I watched Death Becomes Her for the 50th time, Teaching Mrs. Tingle, and Derailed. Now, here comes the excuses….

• Death Becomes Her. I happen to like something or other about this movie. It’s just weird. I like Bruce Willis all geeky and being yanked around by two self-absorbed, venomous women. And it’s Meryl! And Goldie! It’s just delicious, and when body parts start falling off……
• Teaching Mrs. Tingle. Welllll, who hasn’t had Katie Holmes in their line of sight lately, whether they want it or not? I gave The Faculty, and the Scream’s and I Know What You Did Last Summer a chance, and at the time I saw them I was kind of digging them. I guess timing/mood really is the key. With the added plus of Helen Mirren as Mrs. Tingle ? How can I miss a Helen Mirren performance, no matter how terrible the movie? She’s right up there with Catherine Denuve, and you know how I feel about Cat.
• Derailed. I didn’t finish this one, but found myself slightly upset when I had to get up to go pick up my child from daycare. I know, upset? I really wanted to see how it all played out. I was going to be pretty surprised and all to find out Jen An. was involved in that blackmail plot somehow. (I checked it out on IMDb. I was right! I never had one ounce of desire to see this, not even to drool over Clive Owen, yet when I turned to it, I thought “what the hell, lets stick with it, if only for some hot, cheatin’ sex”—and then, just as she goes down, bam! A gun to her head?! WTF? And when Clive’s sitting there, chattin’ it up with his friend in the car and hour ahead of meeting Mr. Blackmail, BAM! Hole shot thru buddies head mid-sentence?! WTF II? I found myself hooked.

But as I stated from the beginning. I was sick.