Let's Except that I am a bad Blogger

I go through phases of ignoring my blog. It's sad to admit, yet it is true. 

The unfortunate thing is that all of the interested and not so interesting things I have to write about happen during times in which there is no time to blog about such activities. 

It's a horrible cycle and I'm  going to try my best to break it!

I'm a much better at reading other peoples blogs and this gives me both a way to keep with some friends and give me a mental break at work. It also gives inspiration at times. 

For example: (the following commentary was inspired by is Maestro and his thoughts on the not so modern thoroughly modern millie. 

The BGB's upcoming concert is all show tunes and such things. Fine. Whatever. I can't say I dislike musicals as I do own my fare share of recordings and have played for a number of them, but they should sometimes (more often than not) keep to themselves and stay on broadway. 

So when designing the posters for the upcoming concert I couldn't resist the urge to lay it out as a playbill with the title: The Pride of Indy Band Presents Off Broadway: You Know You Love Show Tunes. I mean the concert is for Pride Festival after all and with the exception of Maestro I've not really met any other "family" that doesn't love a good show tune. 

I'm slightly jaded about all of this mostly because instead of playing trumpet for any of said musicals and show tune debuts with the BGB or in pits. Instead I've been sequestered to playing percussion. While I typically enjoy playing percussion on the side I must explain that my enjoyment is based on being challenged and or having a good time with the music. Musicals, Broadway themes and show tune compilation pieces for a percussionist may be the most mind numbing task ever to be set out upon. Think of how tuba's and horns feel about marches...their parts are reduced to mere downbeats or off beats. Welcome to my personal hell. I don't think I can ever say that it is fun to play boom chick over and over and over and over....well you get the idea. 

Hodge podge

I feel as though this will be quite the hodge podge of information. 

an overview of things to come:

A review of the weekend in Chicago

Reflections on a book I'm reading

Super Tuesday

Boy, oh boy,  does my job suck right now

The weekend.

First off, I never seem to go to Chicago when it's not freezing. Saturday was tolerable but sunday the statement that the weather isn't so bad came back to bite me in the ass, not that I could feel it since it was so cold. Aside from the arctic air and flurries the weekend was phenomenal. I know I will get berated for this next like but...Wicked is awesome. I went in armed with the notion that this may not be as good as I think it is. Much to my excitement I was proved wrong, it was excellent. The Costumes, Dancing and in general the entire production is meticulously planned. My only complaint is that I want to run up to the two young ladies who have delved into the roles of Galinda and Elpheba and say, "Don't hold back, let 'er rip, belt it out!", anything to get them to not be so conservative with their voices. They are wonderful actors and truly bring the characters to life, but there are times when I expected and wanted more from their vocal contributions. There were times when they cut loose and it was good enough to give you goose bumps. After a taste of that you want that feeling all the time. 

We did a good job of not eating, shopping or doing things that we would normally do here. 

We ate at Giordano's (I do love chicago pizza), we walked around boystown, had coffee at places other than starbucks, ate dinner at Petterino's (I highly recommend), shopped in stores that aren't usually found around here, had lunch at the Grande Luxe Cafe (also recommend) fell in love with Argo Tea (I want one to come to Indy) and sought out art and things that you just can't find here. Not to mention becoming master of mass transit. 

On to the book I'm reading...

I've never read anything that could both make me want to cry and throw my book all at the same time. There were some passages I read (within the first 2-3 chapters) that made me sick to my stomach and so angry I wanted to yell. 

Normally if I was stating the above it would be followed up with a story of how someone did something so completely stupid that I can't even comprehend it. 

This is not the case. 

I'm reading Comeback, a true story of a mother and daughter torn apart by abuse, miss-communication, drugs, and more drugs. There life is sad, yet comical. There are moments where the authorities the two come across in their life are just appalling! They tell this mother that the best way to deal with her runaway-drug-using-self-mutilating 15 year-old is by letter HER decide what is best. Now I'm not a mother but absolutely not. It's frustrating to the point of anger. Yet time and time again the two overcome only to fall again at the next intersection. The writing is brilliant and is written from both the mother and daughters perspective. I'm not finished yet but I can hardly put it down. 

Moving on to Super Tuesday:

I'm not sure who to root for at this point I think I just want to have tuesday come and go so that I can have less choices and dive in to the "real" election. That's all I have on that for now. 

* I do find it interesting that there are very few things Clinton and Obama do not see eye to eye on, the biggest of which is the war. I may be tired of something that is thousands of miles away from our country controlling our lives and distracting our leaders from furthering our country. 

On the topic of my job. 

It's misserable! Silly festival is one month away, excuse me 21 days. I feel sick. I know in the end things will come together but right now it's one pitfall after another. I feel like it's a catch-22, damned if I stay, damned if I go. 

Hot Dogs

So let's talk about the inappropriate use of a meat product: Hot Dogs

There's are great things to be said about an all-inclusive resort.

Free Drinks, all your meals, there's a restaurant open 24/7. 

But sometimes people cross the line...

Let's talk about the hot dog. 

Here's a food you expect to find at Ballparks, family cookouts and street vendors. 

NOT AT EVERY MEAL IN A RESORT. 

Tiny hot dogs at breakfast, grilled ones at lunch and dinner, and the worst offense of all...ON A PIZZA at the snack bar. 

come on really!!!

Into the City (t may be too americanized for me)

This evening we traveled into the city to go to the market. 

The world may be becoming too americanized. 

Example: There are the following establishments here...

Mc Donalds

Burger King

Taco Bell (I have a real problem with a taco bell in mexico)

Carl Jr's

Walmart

Sams Club

Home Depot

Pizza Hut

Dominos

Costco

oh even passed a Dippin Dots Stand!

The city is interesting. It's divided into north and south sections by a river. The north is the more modern section of town and the hotel district. But in downtown there are still cobblestone streets. The market was not as busy as I thought it would be but we did find some cool stuff. 

We plan to venture into the older part of town and see the churches and art that it has to offer. 

More later

Puerto Vallarta Here We Come

New Years Day: Depart for St. Louis for an overnight before flying out to Mexico the next day.

First of all who ordered the craptastic weather on New Years Day?!? It was like a snow tornado most of the way to St. Louis. However in the long run the trip was worth it.

Day One, Part One: The St. Louis Airport
Longest Security Line EVER!!! Were talking wrapped 5 times through the lobby. Finally we get to go through the whole unpack your bag, take of your shoes go through the air puffer machine fiasco. Of course it’s obligatory that when traveling in a group at least one person must have their bag searched and one person must step into that little roped off area to be wanded. Today was certainly no exception. Then all we wanted was a wheelchair and one came but oh wait, it was for Southwest customers only and we would have to wait for another one to be brought to us. Are you kidding me, just push us to the gate and you can have your blasted wheelchair back! Normal people arrive to their gate 30minutes to an hour before a flight, we arrived with 10 minutes to spare. Thank god it was a chartered flight and not your typical domestic airline. I’ve been scolded and had late stamped on my boarding pass just for not making it to the ticketing counter to check my bags by the hour prior deadline.

Anyway we were finally up in the air

Day One, Part two: Puerto Vallarta International Airport
Again with the wheelchair. We asked for one to be at the gate for us when we deboard the airplane. The stewardess was kind enough to call for one, yet we were in the back of the plain and when we got to the gate there were three groups waiting for the ONE wheelchair that had been provided. Now in this situation what does one do? Smack the other group with your cane and jump in the wheelchair and make a break for it? That’s what We all probably were thinking. Instead we were asked if the person in our party could walk a little bit and they would get us a wheel chair when we got downstairs. So we walked and arrived downstairs...no wheelchair. But, there was a very dilapidated rolling stool so we used that to go through customs! HA! We did finally get a wheelchair when it was almost our turn at the customs desk.

here's the "wheelchair"

Day One. Part three: Hola Resort and Spa, Puerto Vallarta
IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL HERE!
Ocean view room, all inclusive, pool then beach right there, tasty beverages included. I can’t believe it! It’s perfect.

We checked out the hotel and the pool and the beach. The downside: The ocean is a bit on the freezing side so far as is the pool, but the hot tub is perfect.

We enjoyed dinner on the beach our first night here. We’ve also booked a whale watching excursion for Monday! More to come tomorrow.

Adios

Christmas Time Is Here

I know that this is a tardy post but the holidays have kept me busy.

Christmas was good. The Saturday before was spent with my family and then Christmas eve with Shelly’s family. Christmas with my family is interesting to say the least. The usually gifts for grandkids and such and then the adults do a white elephant exchange. This usually is a hoot and tragic all at the same time. This year was a bit time. Almost everything entered into the exchange was somewhat useful and tasteful. Huh...


This entailed Christmas Eve service at her moms church. Shelly’s mom is a Methodist Minister at a small church in the Haute. I nice and brief service complete with a rousing chorus of Oh Holy Night (which btw, probably shouldn’t sing the other three choruses because no one knew the words). But it was fun(ny).
Then we went to her sisiter Susan’s house (greeted as always by the angry tiny dog). So family and friends gathered and what did we do...watched videos of the Parke County Police learning how to use a Taser and taking turns getting tasered! WHAT?!? It was pretty funny.

It was good times and the next morning I spent with my dad and my step family. Christmas at my dads can be summed up by the following two statements: 1. It’s the only time you will see 3 months of work destroyed in 5 minutes flat and 2. It’s like Christmas from a mail order catalog, what you ask for is what you get. Not that that’s bad, just kind of funny sometimes.

Ahh Christmas Time....

---

Laura Blake
Event Coordinator
Music for All, Inc.
39 W. Jackson Place Suite 150
Indianapolis, Indiana 46225

www.musicforall.org

Direct Line 317-524-6227
Phone 317.636.2263
Toll free 800.848.2263
Fax 317.524.6200
Laura.b@musicforall.org

Music for All's mission is to create, provide and expand positively
life-changing experiences through music for all.

Bands of America and Orchestra America are programs of Music for All, Inc.

Parties and Such

Now I'm all for hanging out with friends, having a few drinks and being social. Heck, I even enjoy hosting these events. But for some reason that past few times large groups have gathered I just find myself annoyed. 

Now the evening started off with a bang as the surprise portion of the party went very well. The guest of honor was indeed sufficiently surprised and the party commenced. What more could one possibly want...

I want people to not be bitchy and ignorant. Further more complaining and talking bad about one or more of your hosts friends is completely unacceptable behavior. 

MAJOR buzz kill for me. 

I find that in moments like this I just want to ask people to leave. However, it's not really my party so who am I to cause a scene. Yes it was at my house but not my party so I stewed quietly and prayed for them to leave sooner that later. 

It was later...way later. 

the next party I'm posting signs that read if you talk about my friends get the hell out and if you talk about the BGB for more than 5 minutes you owe my a dollar for every minute you talk. 

Parties are there for people to socialize if you have a problem with someone or something go to a bar, that seems to be where most of the gossip and bitching happens anyway, let's keep it there. 

and now I will step down from my soap box and return to our regularly scheduled program.