As my Illinois car registration expires in February, I could no longer stall. It was time to register my car in Arizona, which meant giving up my Illinois driver’s license. Many of you have seen it and would agree; my license picture is one of the best photos ever taken of me. Go figure. Seriously, strangers comment on how great a picture it is. It was with great pain that I gave it up.
Compounding the loss of the phenomenal photo is the fact that the Arizona license is good for a LONG time. Weirdly long. Like, until you’re 65 long. That’s a lot of pressure on a photo – it better come out good because you’re not taking a new one in 5 years. Suzie gave me some good tips on make up/ hair/ wardrobe, and off to the Registry I went.
While it wasn’t as good as my last license, it’s not awful. Which is good since I have to look at it until 2036.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Susan Tedeschi ROCKS
Last fall over dinner, our friend Jill went on and on about how great Susan Tedeschi is and lamented that her tour never came to Tucson. We talked about finding a fun city on her tour and making a trip of it to see her. After we cleaned up the dishes, my phone chimed to alert me to a new email, “On Sale Now – Susan Tedeschi in Tucson”. Not kidding. Figuring the universe was listening to us we immediately started talking about how great it would be to win the lottery.
The concert was last Wednesday. Her opening act was interesting – James Hunter. He was a tiny Englishmen with the energy of a hummingbird on crystal meth. His sound was R&B meets Do-Wop meets Otis Redding meets the Commitments. Not my cup of tea, but he was interesting and he was very good. We later learned he was a Grammy nominated artist. Not many times can you say the opening band was Grammy level good.
Then, Susan Tedeshi took the stage. I really didn’t know her stuff, so didn’t know what to expect. She kind of looked like a school teacher (maybe a grade school art teacher), and was soft spoken with a lovely lilt to her voice. Then the music started and she started ROCKING. Oh my word, it was so spectacular. She was like Bonnie Raitt + Janis Joplin but turned up to 11. She rocked one song so hard she was actually out of breath at the end. I can’t believe how great she was. You must go see her. The only way you won’t enjoy her is if you are dead and cold on the inside. There are lots of You Tube videos of her live performances, go listen to some of them.
She was like the female Marc Broussard. If they ever paired up, day would become night because the earth’s rotation would reverse in the wake of their magnificence. I can’t even imagine how great that would be. Someone needs to get on that.
The concert was last Wednesday. Her opening act was interesting – James Hunter. He was a tiny Englishmen with the energy of a hummingbird on crystal meth. His sound was R&B meets Do-Wop meets Otis Redding meets the Commitments. Not my cup of tea, but he was interesting and he was very good. We later learned he was a Grammy nominated artist. Not many times can you say the opening band was Grammy level good.
Then, Susan Tedeshi took the stage. I really didn’t know her stuff, so didn’t know what to expect. She kind of looked like a school teacher (maybe a grade school art teacher), and was soft spoken with a lovely lilt to her voice. Then the music started and she started ROCKING. Oh my word, it was so spectacular. She was like Bonnie Raitt + Janis Joplin but turned up to 11. She rocked one song so hard she was actually out of breath at the end. I can’t believe how great she was. You must go see her. The only way you won’t enjoy her is if you are dead and cold on the inside. There are lots of You Tube videos of her live performances, go listen to some of them.
She was like the female Marc Broussard. If they ever paired up, day would become night because the earth’s rotation would reverse in the wake of their magnificence. I can’t even imagine how great that would be. Someone needs to get on that.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Two Words: Roller Derby
Saturday was opening night for the Tucson Roller Derby. I know, right? How do you *not* go?
The place was packed, which made me happy. So great to see local events do well, especially in tough economic times. None of us had been to roller derby before, so we had no idea what was happening. I was expecting to see hair pulling, tripping, lots of elbowing, but I was sadly disappointed. As Skip said, "huh, this is more like an actual sport." And it was. Rules, several refs, scoring. I've kind of figured out the rules, sort of, although I'm not entirely sure. But, we had fun anyway.
Now I want a bad-ass roller derby name. Any suggestions?
The place was packed, which made me happy. So great to see local events do well, especially in tough economic times. None of us had been to roller derby before, so we had no idea what was happening. I was expecting to see hair pulling, tripping, lots of elbowing, but I was sadly disappointed. As Skip said, "huh, this is more like an actual sport." And it was. Rules, several refs, scoring. I've kind of figured out the rules, sort of, although I'm not entirely sure. But, we had fun anyway.
Now I want a bad-ass roller derby name. Any suggestions?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Groundhog Day!
It has been quite a while since I've lasted posted here. No real reason, other than a powerful combination of busyness and laziness.
The last few months have been great. A quick recap:
For Thanksgiving Skip, Sam and I rented a house in Prescott, AZ. We had the full on turkey dinner, watched a lot of dvds, and basically spent a long weekend in our pj's eating and lounging. The house we stayed in was very warm and cozy, but what really kicked it up a notch:
Kids, those are 8-track tapes. And they worked, to varying degrees. Fan. Tastic.
December brought my usual extended winter break. I had three weeks off and did very little. It was great. Skip took me to Florida for my birthday, aaaaw. My brother spent a few days with us, it was very nice to see him. While in Jacksonville, we saw Marc Broussard again. I'm telling you, people, go see him.
Liz came to visit in mid-December. While she was here, it was cold and rainy. There was even snow in the mountains. One day it was warmer in Chicago than it was in Tucson. I felt so badly since she came here fleeing winter. There were several cold and gray days in December which I guess is typical winter in Tucson. It was nice to wear sweaters for a while.
For Christmas we stayed in Tucson. We had a lot of travel planned for early 2009 so we spent some lovely quiet time at home. It was really nice. Sam once again donned the festive head gear:
Doesn't he look thrilled about it?
We kicked the year off with a hike with Jeff and Jill on a gorgeous New Year's Day. I much prefer starting the year like that than I have the last 36+ New Years in sub-freezing temps. Skip's doing at lot of hiking as he prepares for his big climb in March. I didn't join him on this particular hike, but oh, the poor dog:
We spent most of the days at the Convention Center, but did get to see some of the city, had some beignets, and many, many, many drinks.
This weekend we went to San Diego to celebrate Jill's birthday. We rented a house on Mission Beach. Gorgeous.
We pretty much spent the weekend at the house (um, did you see that hot tub?) with a few walks and brief excursions to mix things up. There were lovely dinners, many many many cocktails, and even a french pirate.
The last few months have been great. A quick recap:
For Thanksgiving Skip, Sam and I rented a house in Prescott, AZ. We had the full on turkey dinner, watched a lot of dvds, and basically spent a long weekend in our pj's eating and lounging. The house we stayed in was very warm and cozy, but what really kicked it up a notch:
Kids, those are 8-track tapes. And they worked, to varying degrees. Fan. Tastic.December brought my usual extended winter break. I had three weeks off and did very little. It was great. Skip took me to Florida for my birthday, aaaaw. My brother spent a few days with us, it was very nice to see him. While in Jacksonville, we saw Marc Broussard again. I'm telling you, people, go see him.
Liz came to visit in mid-December. While she was here, it was cold and rainy. There was even snow in the mountains. One day it was warmer in Chicago than it was in Tucson. I felt so badly since she came here fleeing winter. There were several cold and gray days in December which I guess is typical winter in Tucson. It was nice to wear sweaters for a while.
For Christmas we stayed in Tucson. We had a lot of travel planned for early 2009 so we spent some lovely quiet time at home. It was really nice. Sam once again donned the festive head gear:
Doesn't he look thrilled about it?
We kicked the year off with a hike with Jeff and Jill on a gorgeous New Year's Day. I much prefer starting the year like that than I have the last 36+ New Years in sub-freezing temps. Skip's doing at lot of hiking as he prepares for his big climb in March. I didn't join him on this particular hike, but oh, the poor dog:
Not bad for a rain-coat made out of a garbage bag on the fly. That dog is a good sport.
In mid-January we headed to New Orleans for a trade show - FenceTech2009! It was my first time in New Orleans, and we had an amazing time. We stayed in this ridiculous house in Uptown, so pretty.
We spent most of the days at the Convention Center, but did get to see some of the city, had some beignets, and many, many, many drinks.
This weekend we went to San Diego to celebrate Jill's birthday. We rented a house on Mission Beach. Gorgeous.
We pretty much spent the weekend at the house (um, did you see that hot tub?) with a few walks and brief excursions to mix things up. There were lovely dinners, many many many cocktails, and even a french pirate.
Sign of the times - just a few condos for sale in this building in downtown San Diego:
Aside from celebrating Jill's birthday, Skip and I got to spend time with my cousin Terri and her husband David. We had a very nice visit, having lunch, sightseeing from Point Loma, and a lovely sunset view at the cliffs. Just fantastic.
We also had a SuperBowl party, as so many of us are Arizonans. There were Cardinals t-shirts, lots of temporary tattoos, and a good deal of heartbreak when they lost. Oh well.
Aside from celebrating Jill's birthday, Skip and I got to spend time with my cousin Terri and her husband David. We had a very nice visit, having lunch, sightseeing from Point Loma, and a lovely sunset view at the cliffs. Just fantastic.
It was awfully hard to leave San Diego this morning.
We're home for a few weeks, then we're off to London in late February. After London is North Carolina, then Chicago, then possibly Detroit. Like I mentioned, lots of travel this year. It's exhausting, but wonderful.
We're home for a few weeks, then we're off to London in late February. After London is North Carolina, then Chicago, then possibly Detroit. Like I mentioned, lots of travel this year. It's exhausting, but wonderful.
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