Beach Balls and Dolphins

So, I haven't been around much - around the blogs, that is.  I've been busy.  Sure, I could have probably made time if I really really wanted to, right?

Anyway, we opened a restaurant 6 months ago on October 6.  October 6.  The same day that we closed the restaurant for a week long break.  And here we are (the FP and me) in Austin in a stranger's condo that we rented on airbnb.com.  We came here for ACL, otherwise known as Austin City Limits Festival.

So, the driving force that compelled us to take a week off and come to the festival was that fact that the FP's 2 favorite bands, and 2 of my favorite bands, were headlining.  Why do I say it all weird like that? Well, the Cure is probably still my favorite band, but Depeche Mode is not really my second favorite band, if they ever were.  I still like them, but I haven't been really impressed with most of the past couple albums.

There.  I said it.  Sorry Chris Schiefen.  I know they are like your god band.  I understand, but I don't feel the same way about them that you do.

Also, I've grown tired of Dave Gahan's weird and sometimes pedophilliac antics on stage.  What do I mean by this?  Well, like when he sings Question of Time and grabs his crotch while singing, "You're only fifteen, and you look good."

And furthermore, I feel like the last 2 shows I've seen, Depeche Mode was partially phoning it in.  I felt that they really were ready to get off the stage last night.

So, I didn't mean to go on so much about Depeche Mode.  I still like them.

Anyway, The Cure played tonight, which was the main attraction for the weekend.  You could say the FP and my relationship was based on the Cure.  Basically, when we first met, the FP asked me who my favorite band was.  It was a quiz, and I answered right.  So he decided to pursue me and make me his girlfriend.

So, our whole time at the festival today was leading up to us getting to get a good spot to watch the Cure. We got there in time to watch the Silversun Pickups, which was great.  All this time we've liked them since Lazy Eye came out, but never saw them live.  After that, we tried to see Grimes, but weren't really feeling her vibe, so we went to the far side of the Lady Bird stage.  That was where the Cure were going to play, but Passion Pit was going on first.  So we sat on the side and listened to Passion Pit.  It was interesting to see the band live, especially because their songs always end up on our Pandora mixes all the time (shhh... don't tell ascap).

So anyhoo, as soon as Passion Pit was over, we jumped up and headed into the crowd to get a spot.  We got a pretty good spot, about the same as last night.  So, then, we waited.  And then finally the Cure came on.  And they sounded great.  And they were in good spirits.  And they appeared sober.  And it was amazing.

But there were these beach balls.  They were being hit and floating around the crowd.  Just once, I wanted to hit one.  They kept passing near, but not near enough for me to hit them.  And then, I felt something by my head, but by the time I realized it was a beach ball, someone had already hit it.  This happened a couple times.  But finally, one floated to my left, and I got it.  I was so surprised, that I kind of threw it.  It wasn't the hit I wanted, but at least I got the opportunity.

And then, there was this happy looking looking inflatable dolphin that they were batting around the audience.  I just wanted to get a hit in with that one too.  The FP got a hit or two.  But not me.  And then finally, I got to touch it.  I didn't really help propel it in the air, but I touched.  I was satisfied.

Then later, it poured, and people put their umbrellas up!  Those of us behind them were pissed.  There was one person that left their big black umbrella up and high.  So, everyone started hitting the balls and the dolphin towards the umbrella.  It took a while, but the person finally got the picture and put the umbrella down.  Later on, the dolphin got deflated.  It was sad :(

But the Cure were amazing!

mow the lawn

So, this was one of those weird days at home.  The FP had to work, so when he left, it was just me and Rudy and The Fuzz and Stinksy.

Rudy and I hung out out back.  I went swimming a bit, and I tried to get Rudy to join me, but he wasn't really into it.  In all fairness to him, it actually wasn't stifling hot.  I was slightly chilly in the pool, so I wasn't in too long, and I didn't push it with him.

So, then, I figured it was a good time to mow the lawn.  So, of course, I had to pick up all the poo so the mower wouldn't get all pooey.  Yes, pooey.  It's a word.  I went to college for writing.  No, I don't make money writing.  So, maybe pooey isn't a word.

Anyhoo, I picked up all the poo.  So I thought.  Of course there were a few fairly nice logs by the back corner of the fence.  So, I only discovered that when I started mowing of course....

Anyway, the dog, Rudy, was out back with me when I first started mowing.  But he just started barking at the lawn mower.  I figured I couldn't listen to that the whole time I was mowing, so he had to go into his "den".  No, it's not inhumane.  He honestly likes his crate.  I swear.  He's in there right now of his own volition.

Really.

Swear on your deathbed.

So, I mowed the back lawn.  And I started to do the horrible weedy messy back behind the fence where all the garbage cans are in the alley.  But it started raining, so I didn't get to finish it.  Which sucks, because I probably won't remember to finish it again sometime soon when it's not raining...

Anyhoo, what does mowing the lawn (a new activity to me) remind me of?

Endian.  And their song, "Your Favorite Song".  I think I might have mentioned this before.  But anyway, here I am mentioning it again.  I guess I have them on the brain because they just played a show last night in Chicago, where they are based.  Good band.  No, great band.

Stellar band.

Here's the link to the album if you've never heard it:
http://www.myspace.com/endianmusic/radio

Enjoy.  BTW, this album is not for the faint of heart.  If you are contemplating suicide, or just plain depressed, I recommend exercising caution when listening to this album.  And maybe listen to the album in short stints....

New Post

So, to update from yesterday, I went to the clinic and saw the doctor.  I opted not to fast, because I could really use the coffee, and also needed to drink some Boathouse Farms Green Goodness juice to tie me over until we had lunch.  Anyway, I wouldn't have wanted to leave the exam and have to wait around in the lab to get blood drawn, so I'll just go tomorrow when they open.  So, that's that.  Getting tested for diabetes and hyperthyroid.  So, Stinksy didn't have hyperthyroid, but maybe I do!

So, moving on, once again, I had a topic in mind and I forgot it!

Well, I could talk about the radio spot that the FP's band had last night.  So, I can't reveal the name of the band, because then you might find out who he is and in turn find out who I am.  If you don't know who I am and you really want to find out, I'm not going to just tell you.  So, anyway, they were on the local radio station to promote their forthcoming album release and show for said album release.

So, this should be an exciting joyous occasion, but it was kind of not, leading up to it.  The band leader was kind of late in letting the band know what time to go there, so they were just in a holding pattern for several hours wondering if he was going to pull the plug or what.  They got the word first on facebook that it was a go, and then half an hour later he texted the FP to let him know.

Anyway, it worked out, they got there in time, and the DJ played 4 of their songs, and then they plugged the show and album.  So it was successful.  I really don't know if anyone we knew was listening, but either way, it was a great opportunity for them.  

I just realized that I will have only played 2 shows in 2011 by the time 2012 rolls around.  2 shows.  The first one was in January, and our female singer didn't make it.  The second one was our CD release show, which while people in the audience said it was good, we knew better.  It was kind of like a train wreck.  We didn't rehearse enough, and instead of it being a joyous exciting night, it was just kind of  night of hoping to get through each song without any major mistakes.  That's so sad.

I know I don't sit around all day with a guitar in my hand, but I do enjoy playing music.  I love playing live shows.  That's the best part of being in a band for me.  It's the most fun.  It boggles my mind when people say how they hate playing live shows because they have such high anxiety that it's not fun.  As long as there is no band drama, it's just fun to me.  The anxiousness or nervous energy I play before playing a show is good energy, it's like getting a energy drink filled with dopamine.

The more electronic influenced project that we started working on was really starting to take shape, but then I had to go and decide to move us across the country.  So, we'll see what direction our music takes when we land ourselves on the east coast.  It should be interesting, and it will most certainly be a wild ride, but I will definitely do my best to enjoy it.