Have you ever wondered where the term "ugly American" comes from? I'm looking at it. So I figured, with three days off in Orlando, Florida, why not go down some water slides? I think I'm scarred for life. I've vowed never to eat fast food ever ever again. But onto sunnier topics, I went to Bruce Hall's house for his son's birthday party on the 5th. For those of you who don't follow REO Speedwagon, Bruce Hall is the bass player. The whole crew was invited to attend, we drove over in the bus and parked on his palacial estate. I found it interesting that the neighboring palacial estate (with the same layout but in terracotta rather than stone gray) was in forclosure. Even rockstars can't distance themselves too far from reality. It was a lovely time. We ate burgers and ice cream cake and felt a sense of home for a short time. Watching 13 slightly overweight roadies in their late 40's and early 50's eat cake and drink soda in a sea of kids made me break out in a quiet laugh as Bruce passed out brownies. REO Speedwagon has been a journey thus far. A journey into a certain reality. All the hot chicks are gone, the blow dissapeared long ago, instead, wives pictures poke out of wallets and images of kids are displayed proudly on iphones. There is a sweetness to the whole thing, a sense of a brotherhood, and it's comforting knowing that even when the late nights turn into early bedtimes, the band plays on. We walked into the main foyer and there, displayed in all their glory, gold records and bass guitars. Bruce Hall's Hall. It was rather breathtaking. It wasn't the Hall of Records at Graceland, but then, nothing is. I turned to a nice looking man with a long white ponytail tucked into a basball cap, smiled and said "thanks for having us in your home". He winked like Santa Clause would to a kid with a tray of cookies and turned to attend to the grill. They really are very happy. And I feel honored to have been a part of such a sweet day, Tomorrow we play Lampe, MO. Lampe is 45 minutes north of Branson, Missouri. Hopefully I'll make friends with some local folk and aquire some grade-A moonshine. Here's hoping.
Monday, July 12, 2010
goodbye to a good one...
a really amazing girl I know is leaving LA. She's been here two years,
built a solid reputation in the industry and is off to Austin. Her
story is not uncommon; she had her heart broken by a boy and feels its
time to move on...move home really, back to Texas where she can "be
closer to her family" who live in Houston a mere 2.5 hours away. She
plans on picking out a cute new one bedroom for no more than $700/mo
because that's standard, and getting a freelance job in the industry
just like she did here. Her tone is optimistic and light. She reflects
on the good times had in LA and is hopeful of new adventures before
her. Yet she does have a sad quality in her voice when she says "this
place is crazy though ya know, I feel like the last two years have
been a blur", And I understand what she means. As she said it feels
like you never get any traction in LA, like your always moving and
rather frantic and the highs are really high and the lows are rather
unbearable. Its a funny place this Los Angeles. Full of dreamers and
wish makers; hope and despair share equal sides of the coin. I feel
the city itself is anthropomorphic, a living breathing organism with
character traits and mood swings and everyone has a personal
relationship to it. I wish my friend well, knowing that going back to
her roots will suit her well. It will be safe and yet independent and
all together a good fit for her 6 foot blond varsity volleyball frame.
I can't help thinking I've lost another good one to the holes of LA,
that people come and slip through and don't stick around; but that's
the nature of an animal, its ever changing. So here is to good people
and good times, happy trails and new adventures. May we all be so
lucky to have good friends to say farewell to on our journeys to new
places~ adios Regan Beam.....
built a solid reputation in the industry and is off to Austin. Her
story is not uncommon; she had her heart broken by a boy and feels its
time to move on...move home really, back to Texas where she can "be
closer to her family" who live in Houston a mere 2.5 hours away. She
plans on picking out a cute new one bedroom for no more than $700/mo
because that's standard, and getting a freelance job in the industry
just like she did here. Her tone is optimistic and light. She reflects
on the good times had in LA and is hopeful of new adventures before
her. Yet she does have a sad quality in her voice when she says "this
place is crazy though ya know, I feel like the last two years have
been a blur", And I understand what she means. As she said it feels
like you never get any traction in LA, like your always moving and
rather frantic and the highs are really high and the lows are rather
unbearable. Its a funny place this Los Angeles. Full of dreamers and
wish makers; hope and despair share equal sides of the coin. I feel
the city itself is anthropomorphic, a living breathing organism with
character traits and mood swings and everyone has a personal
relationship to it. I wish my friend well, knowing that going back to
her roots will suit her well. It will be safe and yet independent and
all together a good fit for her 6 foot blond varsity volleyball frame.
I can't help thinking I've lost another good one to the holes of LA,
that people come and slip through and don't stick around; but that's
the nature of an animal, its ever changing. So here is to good people
and good times, happy trails and new adventures. May we all be so
lucky to have good friends to say farewell to on our journeys to new
places~ adios Regan Beam.....
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