emswazzu.com ~ Random Ponderings :: HAS MOVED!

emswazzu.com has MOVED!

2008-12-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! It's been coming, and it is finally here...with the new year beckoning, it is time to make the blog move to it's fun new home under my main website!

All the archives have been migrated, so while they may also reside here for googley purposes(lol), the new home is where all the action is!

Join me at: http://photosbyelisa.com/blog aka the new :: emswazzu.com

Update your blogspot bookmarks!

xoxo
~Elisa

Thea

2008-12-02T13:26:00.000-08:00

Tsk, tsk, tsk, I have been so behind on photo projects...

Thankfully, I have had about a week off of real life...aka work, etc...so I made a point to bring my back log with me, and get back to it. I have gone through probably hundreds or thousands of photos over the last week.

One of the most fun was to revisit a couple of photo sessions I did with this aspiring actress/model, Thea! She has the most gorgeous eyes, and firey hair...and it was a great experience for me shooting someone I didn't know and who wasn't on stage...definitely out of my comfort zone!

It was full of challenges: working with someone as a 'model', shooting portrait style versus event, and light light light! Shadows and light are always the challenge...to embrace them, not fight them...

Anywho, with all the time that has passed since these 2 sessions in August & September, I was able to actually revisit the original images and find something new and fresh...which is always fun! I think it was meant to be, that time that has passed. I found things I hadn't expected...

Here are my top 7 in the following linked slideshow from both sessions:

http://photosbyelisa.com/gallery/slideshows/models/thea-2008/

A couple from session two:

And this time I do not lie...Europe and California vacation photos are coming...they are gorgeous...and so fun to look back and remember what fun was had, and all the gorgeous scenery that was captured!

xoxo
~Elisa

Rock Star: Led Zeppelin? Help bring back your favorite show!

2008-11-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

Bringing foward the love, because, well, I love me some real tv crack...ergo, I must have more Rock Star!

xoxo
~ems

Originally posted by my friend Cheryl:

TVweek.com just published an article about reality shows that should be renewed, and guess which show is leading the online voting? Rock Star is far in the lead, currently with 79% of the vote!
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/adalian_column_no_new_reality.php

If we want the show to come back, we need to show CBS how popular it
is - and the best way to do that is to VOTE, and leave no doubt that
Rock Star is the show most deserving of a time slot in the coming
year.

The current buzz is that Led Zeppelin is considering doing the show.
How do you feel about that? Would you watch? Would it be a smart move
for the band? Do you have a better idea?

However you feel, make your voice heard! Make a comment or two both at
TVweek at the end of the article AND at RockBandLounge.com - every
comment counts!
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/adalian_column_no_new_reality.php
http://www.rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=9829

CBS is listening and we have a platform right now with this poll to
make our voices heard. So please, take the time to go vote and to post
a comment or two. It'll be worth it, when our favorite show comes back
next year. After all, once Brooke Burke wins Dancing with the Stars
she'll need her "regular" job back!

Cheryl Spelts
RockBandLounge.com

And the Winner is...

2008-11-03T12:23:00.001-08:00

The Color of Love...

2008-10-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

The preceding image(blog) was a cool reflection I took with my iPhone in the foyer of the Cirque show in Vegas ~ Beatles Love...

This one, is in the same area, a blur of colors...I would "love" to see this as fabric?

And then, there was the ceiling of the same foyer...I don't know...everything there just really popped for me, all the color and light...

Oh, and if you haven't noticed, I gave the blog a face lift...or would that be an eye lift........don't be scared!!! lol;)

Love

2008-10-26T23:32:00.001-07:00

This is a photo, I live blogged from Vegas via my iPhone...I love the color, I love the reflection and composition...and well, it is shot in the foyer of the show, LOVE;)

Love, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Sense of self

2008-10-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

Who are you? Who am I?

I have had to confront this with myself, specifically of late.

I have had to think whether I define myself or others define me.

Do I define my value, or do you?

Well, after 35 years and counting, I think I can answer this question.

I do.

I have a desire to be desired, loved, liked, admired, valued, depended on, etc as do most people. But...

I cannot let others define me.

I cannot let others value of me, be my value.

I have always preached that if people(friends, etc) do not want to be around me, they shouldn't. I really only want people around me that want to be. Be it 1 person, or 100.

That old cliche, it's really not quantity, it's quailty. I think here it is true.

I value me. And I value people that value me. That value my friendship, that value my heart, that value my loyalty, that value my very being.

There are people that will decide I am not worthy of them. Their prerogative for sure.

But I cannot take any one elses hang ups, issues, opinions unto myself.

I can only be the person I am. Flawed, caring, loyal, sarcastic, smart, flakey, aloof, independent, provacative.

Knowing oneself, valuing oneself is something that is a continuous challenge for me. The confidence in my own value. Not letting anyone else through their attention, or lack there of make me think, I am not worthy. Be it professionally or personally.

Life is not easy. Being true to yourself, at every turn is not easy. Loving yourself, valuing yourself, is not easy.

But it is so important. It is what I need to do, to want to wake up each day. To want to live. To want to love. To want to chase that life that I most want.

My deepest desire, my ever long goal, is to chase my bliss. To be passionate, to be bold, to be myself.

Love life, love you, love me. We are all worth it. Value you.

OH NO! Say it ain't so...

2008-10-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Greetings my people, lol...

I have not shot any photos in a few weeks...but I will get back to it soon, I think...

I have so many photo projects that are still in process to finish...ie images taken but not fully processed! yikes!

Here is something new here...I am a huge political junkie, though I haven't really blogged about it yet.

I am going to start now...not to go and tell you who to vote for, but just to share some amusement...

I will stipulate I am a flaming liberal, or at least that is how I vote, though according to some recent surveys I have taken, apparently I have some libertarian tendancies...who knew??!?! Be that as it may, I willingly and enthusiastically will be voting Obama/Biden. In my heart it is the only way I can vote. I believe in it passionately.

Anywho, given that, and that I love good snark...it is so easy to find nowadays. The lovely Mrs Sarah Palin is like this golden ticket! Be it the excessively hilariously accurate (barely) impersonations by her doppelganger Tina Fey, or her *may I call you Joe* greetings, and *winks* to the camera, it's like an endless well.

One of the most funny bits of email I have gotten recently on this bit(I only get funny snark, nothing serious---coincidence?!) is this diagram of her debate style...it just cracks my shit up.

I think I am having far too much fun, at America's expense! Say it ain't so!?!?!?!

But in the end, amusements aside...I implore, my friends, my family, my fellow americans to VOTE! Vote because you mean it. Vote because you can. Vote because it matters.

VOTE

xoxo

P.S. Sarah, love the suit!

Nobody Buys Normal...

2008-09-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Do they? Really?

I would counter...

Recently, a friend has made me think. I know, watch out...a random ramble is sure to be forthcoming...lol;)

ok, seriously though...what is normal? Do any of us really want to be, normal?

Why?

Anyway, what inspired me to this, is a friends birthday post...about their life, what they have done, been through, etc. Hasn't been an easy life. But is life supposed to be easy? Kind of like, should we want to be normal?

I would say, no. The most interesting people, I have ever met, are quirky odd people. People that inspire me due to their strengths.

In part, my own parents. They were/are good people. They did not have easy lives.

My father came from a littered bit of a broken home. His own father, well, he never really knew(though they met a few times); he had no love loss for him. This man was more than a bit flawed, and for sure did my grandmother wrong. Following that, a step father, who was more than a bit challenging to their family.

His mother, my grandmother...well she is my hero. She still lives...has seen both my father and her step son pass. Has persevered through 2 earlier marriages, that while they gave her 2 beautiful boys, and a step son, were no joyride. 2 husbands that anyone would have rather not dealt with what she had to battle through. All through that, she worked, she owned her own business, she put bread on the table, and so much more. She finally met my grandfather(the only one I ever knew), my dads step dad, who she has been married to, just shy of 50 years. They have had a wonderful life. But grams, lived through the depression and a couple loser husbands before all that. She triumphed over the first few hands she was dealt before she got her winning hand. She is strong, she is brave, she is more than I could ever hope to be. These were just a few of her challenges...there were many many more. But she is one of those people, that show me that there is no quit in life. I am sure she always dreampt of a white picket fence life. But that is not what life gave her. But it is not matter, you figure it out, and you make it work.

My dad saw how his mother made it through life, and it shaped what he wanted out of life, I think. He wanted a solid home, a family that was valued above all else. He worked and lived for us. We always went on family, non extravagent, vacations, we always ate at the dinner table together, we watched tv together; he pushed both my sister and I constantly to do well in school and follow our potential through to a college education. He was proud of us. He was critical, sure, but it was always with love. I think in someways, he wanted what was "normal". But quite honestly, what we had was so much more. I value that. Not everyone got what we did growing up. I still miss him; but what he gave to us, I will forever be grateful and cherish. He taught me love and commitment. Strength and loyalty. And he taught me, yes, just a bit...about being a smart ass;)

My mother...her story is I think, so fun, interesting, heart wrenching and inspiring. She grew up in an imperfect family. My grandfather(RIP) was no saint(though some would argue). My grandmother(RIP), who grew up more than a bit spoiled, raised a family under conditions and settings and events, I don't think she ever imagined would transpire. On her passing, we read some of the love letters her and my grandfather exchanged in the early days of their courtship. It was so strange reading the prologue to their lifes story. The hearts and flowers and romance of it all. Well, like we all know, life does not end with folks going off into the the sunset, living happily after all. Life is full of both glory and agony. There was much of that in their story. Some truly horrible things, that are too personal to share. But, aside from that...there were times my family worked in the fields, lost their house, were hungry, were left wondering, why? But my mothers mother, this grandmother, was also one of my heros in life, she still is even as she has passed. She triumped over an imperfect husband of more than 50 years, raised 5 children and several foster children in sometimes exceedingly challenging circumstances...she lived to see many many great grandchildren--though she always wanted more more more(sorry grams!). She suffered, she loved, she was there for so many of our family when they needed her most; I can only wish we had all been there for her a bit more.

I think her choices and her life, always guided my mother. My mother who grew up, and I swear partied more than I ever did, through her 20's...lived a fun life following her youth. Who was unafraid. Who also then, had to conquer additional health challenges(in her youth, in her 20's, and ever since a varied slew of challenges physically). Mom was always extremely strong in her beliefs. I think it is in part a result of her being the middle child. She was an observer. She knew what she wanted and what she did not. Always has been that way. Her and dad often clashed as I think they had such strong fundamental personalities. But it is also what kept them together. Their shared value on family. Their love of us, and of each other.

They are my example. They were not normal. I see normal every day. The were extraordinary in many many ways, even as they were imperfect.

I struggle constantly with where I am in life. I often find I am nowhere. What the hell am I doing. Sometimes I think I am far too normal. I go to work, I don't do anything crazy, I just am. I hate drama. But sometimes life needs a little drama.

I am one of those people, perhaps that has had it easy. I never did drugs, rebellion, casual sex, etc etc... Not because I am necessarily above any of it, it was simply never a choice I had to make. Never got offered any of it! Never...seriously. LOL.

I think when I have done some crazy things in recent times, it has been with maturity, and my eyes wide open. I know who I am. I am not reckless, but I hope, I am not normal either. My path is still uncertain. I hope to find where I am going. Who I am will be who I am, when life takes me there.

In the end, people, I believe in Carpe Diem...sieze the day, live your life, it's the only one you got. I am going to live mine. Hopefully, I don't fall asleep along the way...if I do, please...wake me up!!

xoxo

Live by the...LA Guns

2008-08-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

The truth is they are a brand new Guns...or at least the Trees say so...

It is not your 80's Guns...it isn't even your 90's Guns...It's not Guns and Roses...and it's NOT Phil Lewis' Guns...(thank god, no offense)...

The truth, while perhaps in the Trees...is that this iteration of the LA Guns, is a band, of founding member Tracii Guns, with a fresh lead singer, Marty Casey. The most striking thing about this band, is the chemistry that Tracii and Marty have.

Marty, is a talented front guy, that while getting exposure on 2005's Rock Star, has seemingly not yet broken beyond the regional success with his childhood band. But not for lack of charisma or presence. And I know there is plenty out there he has done that I have not been privy to...

I have no idea, if this turn with LAG will push him beyond, but it certainly gives us all a chance to see him spread his wings. He is raw talent, electric, charismatic, and a washboard of ripped abs(seriously, does he crunch them in his sleep?!?!?)

All together the entire band was very interesting...younger(save Tracii) than I had expected...more charismatic as a whole...I honestly expected a bunch of tired songs, performed by old guys, and just not music nor a band that I could get behind. I was hugely SURPRISED! In a good way. Marty leads the whole band, in breathing freshness into material...On top of that, they don't shy away from covering Marty's teevee debuted love in the sky, the truth is there too, song: Trees...I loved their take on it. And they covered one of my favorite Rolling Stones tunes, You Can't Always Get What You Want...LOVED it!

Oh, and Tracii reminds me a little of Keith Richards, lol...that is weird. Not correlating talent or no...but the look and style...Tracii, on his own merits, is a great guitar player...Aside from Marty, he totally steals or at least co-stars the show. And of course, he got to be in that "magical" guitar god light...

In all, thank you to my friends who encouraged me to go. Thank you to Marty, for being as great as I know you are...Thank you Tracii, Jeremy, Big Al, and Chad. Your band is something special. I wish you the very best.

And now, here is a bit of what I saw...

For full set: on flickr

Slideshow: on slide.com

http://lagunslive.com/
http://www.martycasey.com

xoxo
~Elisa

Who is that shirtless man?!

2008-08-20T03:13:00.001-07:00

whoisthatshirtlessman, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

...ponders...

Stars Down is Minty Fresh...

2008-08-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

In the last stand of their residency at The Mint I saw the band play July 29th...

I have seen Lukas play 2x previously acoustic...this was my first time seeing him accompanied by the new band...

I was convinced I liked him calm, thoughtful, and focused on his music, and voice. I was never a fan of the drunken frankenstein bit, that frankly was a turn off for me from his Rockstar: Supernova performances on the TV.

But, alas, that may have been just distant memory, because he was both melodic and fun to watch amongst his new bandmates in Stars Down. This band incarnation, is interesting, and you can see they are starting to get that organic band thing going.

I wish them much success. We(my friends and I) got to hang out with the Bass player, German Briseno, after, and hear what it is like being in this band, other bands, and what it is like to choose this life, a musician's life...

I am a big supporter of the creative path in life...I myself struggle with having made the 'safe' decision to work in the business world over pursuing more creative endeavors. And I love music, as a consumer... I respect that the folks that struggle, oft times for years, chasing their dreams, may make it, or may just get by. The pursuit of what is art, and I believe music is art...is a long hard road. Sure there are "rockstars"...but mostly, there are folks that toil day to day, from band to band, dark bar to dark bar, playing their music for whomever will listen...Because they believe. Anywho, I just want to say to German, Lukas, Jon, keep doing what you are doing. Follow your bliss. Dream the dream.

And with that...I sipped my Diet Coke this evening, and snapped a few images from my lovely table right in front...

xoxo
~Elisa

Full set of images on Flickr!
www.starsdowninc.com
www.myspace.com/starsdownmusic
RockBandLounge.com :: Event thread ~ Stars Down at the Mint, July 29th

Stars Down at the Mint sound check

2008-07-30T07:17:00.001-07:00

Stars Down at the Mint sound check, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Foo-kin orgy...

2008-07-10T00:52:00.000-07:00

Seriously...I have sweat soaked through my clothes coming out of this show...and I am not sure any of it's mine! ick!!!! lmao...

With time passing, perhaps, I will just remember it as an orgy w/the Foo's...lol, if only! Up front I was...I can only dream the dream...but the Foo Fighters were fabulous.........and...

Dave Grohl was so hot...I don' t know how to describe it..it's not his fashion sense...perhaps it is the plain guy speak...when he says he is going to play some more good shit for us,lol...or perhaps when we , the masses voiced our preference for FIVE encore songs versus his stories...he thusly tell us "Fuck you!" ...with love, of course...

He promised they would play all night if they could, or until they got kicked out...we got almost 3 hours of constant music...both sides of the arena...pulsing all around...everyone got their fix...

I will say, I may be too OLD for the mosh pit! lol...oy!!!! I was almost freaked out when he said they would play for hours....I honestly didn't know if I could handle it....the writhing throbbing mass of 10k(probably a few of which were all crushing the floor) felt like it was pressed up against me with so much force...oft times, more than 10people were crushed on top of me practically...

And so many crowd surfers surfed them selves right out of the show....as they got spit out from the writhing crowd up front, that was their cue to exit...so weird the surfing....I clearly have not gone to enough of these types of shows...I had never seen it so prevalent...oy indeed!

As to photos, I had a camera packed in my purse that I could never get to...so I satisfied the brief urges via my iPhone...mostly though, I was half rapt by Grohl & Co...half holding on for dear life...

Foo-kin Orgy indeed! Thanks Dave! P.S. he wears grey underwear...lmao, yes I was that close! So, yes, thanks for the Orgy, Dave;)

xoxo
~Elisa

P.S. some more...cross posted on RBL with some fresh thoughts there: http://rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=7399

Me and the PNA...

2008-07-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Heya folks...yeah, yeah, I know, where are those damn Europe photos!?

Patience my lovelies!

I did want to stop and mention one of the new things I am up to...

I mentioned before, I need to get more involved, volunteer somehow...

Well, I think I found the perfect opportunity to give back to the community and further my current obsession! I am volunteering as the photographer for the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association - the PNA : http://www.phinneycenter.org

They do cool things for their surrounding community, host neat events, and what they do is full of "life" and that, I think, is what I am about as a photographer...

So keep a lookout...I have just started, so don't have much to show yet, I sent them some of their building exterior shots that they have running on a mini slideshow on their blog: http://phinneycenter.blogspot.com/ ...there will be more, and they have some upcoming things like a beer taste, and a Farmers Market...so I will keep y'alls updated here, to check out new stuff!

Some other stuff image wise too...but we will see how that pans out...

Life otherwise is ok...Foo Fighters this week! squee! might sneak the old p/s into that...we will see...I have general admission tix, so we will see how close I get to that dirty rocker boy David Grohl---yum! ha ha...

Laters my people...

xoxo
~Elisa

Seattle comes Out...

2008-07-02T23:24:00.000-07:00

They sure did...it was a bright, shiny and a freaking HOT Seattle Sunday...and it was the big Pride Parade day...the featured parade in the few weeks of gay pride celebrations hereabouts...

I am not gay(not that there is anything wrong with it...tm J. Seinfeld, lol), and have never made any effort to check out the festivities...I mean I am totally ok with whatever folks do, have gay friends, etc etc...I have just never bothered to do more than notice that traffic is bad during these times!

Well, lately I have been a bit of an image whore, and any good opportunity to capture some colorful life out and about, and I am there! So...lol...needless to say, this event qualified! The previous weekend (see preceding blog) I had shot from within the Fremont Solstice parade...and this was a clear followup opportunity...I love shooting people...from an event/editorial viewpoint...capturing their passion and joy in life...

I have to say, this was very different, this Pride parade, than I expected, and from the preceding weekend...

First, one of the big call outs I would say is just how political it was...and I don't mean, gay rights perspective, though there is that...

I mean, ALL the big local, I think mostly democrat, politicians were out, with their supporters...and legions of Obama supporters...

And kids...lots of kids...definitely a family feel to the thing...

Lot's of official and varied church support...god is love was definitely a theme...

The obvious, drag queens, the Sisters, and super stereotypical gay imagery accompanied much of the displays...and was easiest to capture via photograph...the camera loves the flamboyant...and I have to admit, these folks are who I knew would get captured well in frame, and they did not disappoint...

But, the formality and grandiousness of size of the event also surprised me a bit...

I guess, it was so much in contrast to the free and arty Solstice bit, that the big floats and police escort kind of threw me...and of course, I was just a spectator here, so shot from the sidelines...

The other bit that pleasantly surprised me, were all the locals that came out to stand with me on the sidelines...many totally straight, and many families...just coming out to see a fun parade, and share in the love...

To me that was mostly what this thing was about...it really wasn't all that showy to me...not excessively flamboyant, as compared to the exhibitionist displays from the preceding weekend(though I did recognize a handful of the same folks turn out in the parade:)...it really was about love, acceptance, diversity, and excitement---the political supporters were effusive, even...it was catchy....

So, without further adieu, I suppose, here are my favorite images from the 2 hours I spent in the scorching sun...

The preceding are a subselection(though majority) of the full set I have loaded here:
http://flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157605917942489/

Peace & Love Seattle...

xoxo
~Elisa

Fremont brings in The Summer...

2008-06-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

Spent this past Saturday bringing in the Summer over in Fremont at the Summer Solstice Parade and celebration...

Went on Friday to get the press pass so I could shoot from w/i the parade...

So I shot walking through the middle of the parade, back and forth from every angle...It was fun, crazy and full of sheer abandon from the participants...

From the naked(yes, I said NAKED) painted cyclists, the topless chocolate painted dancers, naked skater girls...to all the fabulous people powered floats, the imperfectly gorgeous belly dancers, the fabulous drag queens, the political statements, the zombies, the love fest huggers, all of the enthusiastic participants, the crowd, all of Fremont...it was all sheer madness...

It was fabulous. By the end of the day with the bare and painted skin scattered through out, I was numb to excessive exhibitionist displays...

It was a celebration...Fremont, goes full monte bringing on The Summer...

Here are the images I clicked that hopefully communicates some of the pure joie de vivre that was there at every turn...Here is a slice of the spectacle, the PG version...you can go straight to the set for the "full monte" so to speak;)

Full slide show of the set including the chocolate lady and a few select painted bicyclists, skaters...beware, NSFW(not safe for work)!

Europe photos will be coming soon!!! swear! lol...

xoxo
~Elisa

Noise for the Needy ~ Festival 2008

2008-06-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, I do not lie...as I mentioned previously, I am back to tell everything about the Noise for the Needy Festival shows I shot this past weekend!

I shot 2 shows: The Funhouse on Friday the 13th(spooky! lol) and King Cobra's early show on Saturday...super fun!

The lines ups for the shows were as follows:

The Funhouse ~
Omnia Mutantor
Oswald Effect - www.myspace.com/theoswaldeffect
Mos Generator www.myspace.com/mosgenerator
Sunday Night Blackout - www.myspace.com/sundaynightblackout

King Cobra ~ Featuring Fourthcity DJ's http://fourthcity.net/ - www.myspace.com/fourthcity
DJ Zapan www.myspace.com/zapan
DJ Same DNA www.myspace.com/djsamedna
DJ Absolute Madman www.myspace.com/absolutemadman
Specs One www.myspace.com/specsone
Delicious People www.myspace.com/deliciouspeeps

Both fun shows...the first at the Funhouse, a hardcore rock line up...the second, a kind of mellow chill hip hop bit with DJ spinners, etc...

As well, both shows were just a few in the line up of the Noise for the Needy ~ Festival 2008, www.noisefortheneedy.org. This year, the NFTN festival sponsored the charity: Urban Rest Stop ~ www.urbanreststop.org.

It felt great to contribute in some way...my way is to give images to them(NFTN) and the artists. I had a great time...it was great practice and I got to meet some great people. My good deed for the year(I kid...)...

I actually rented 2 lenses ~ a 24mm f1.4L(test drive), a 50mm f1.2L(dreaming), and used my own 100mm f2.0. I had a flash in my bag, but I am both not a huge fan of flash in show photography, and I honestly don't know how to properly use it in such a setting...so it was more a if I absolutely need it back up. I was pleased with the images I composed and captured with out...

Here are a smattering of my favorites from the two nights!

I love music...it is a beautiful thing!

Full sets of images on flickr www.flickr.com/photos/noisefortheneedy
>>Full set from the Funhouse<<
>>Full set from King Cobra<<

xoxo
~elisa

The camera loved Johnny Blackout

2008-06-16T00:06:00.001-07:00

Hola! It's been a while...vacation was fabulous, and I have almost 5000 images to sift through!

But, more on that to come, promise...

This past weekend, I volunteered to shoot the Noise for the Needy Festival(www.noisefortheneedy.org) at 2 of their shows. More on that later, too:)

I had rented a couple lenses to push my kit to it's max since I knew lighting would be challenging at these gigs, and I wanted to test drive the 24mm 1.4L. So I shot primarily with that and the 50mm 1.2L and the 100mm 2.0 .

What came of these shows was some pretty good images I think...but the most striking for me on reviewing all the images from assorted bands, was the guitar player for Sunday Night Blackout ~ Johnny Blackout... He had all the rock star moves...some may even call them cliche...but it does not matter when it comes to images...Funny because he was also in the best light on stage...coincidence? I really had to push to get any images of the rest of the band. In frame it was magic when pointing it at Mr Johnny Blackout...take a look...............

Johnny's myspace :: www.myspace.com/rockaction1978

More from the show at: Noise for the Needy's Flickr

The whole experience was great...the organization is something I can get behind, and loved being able to contribute in some way...like I said, more on the whole bit soon!

~Elisa

Le top! Le Tour Eiffel

2008-05-31T08:05:00.001-07:00

Le top! Le Tour Eiffel, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Venezia!

2008-05-28T07:59:00.001-07:00

Venezia!, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Siena Siena!

2008-05-21T15:17:00.001-07:00

Siena Siena!, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Ooh la la! On a wing and a prayer...

2008-05-18T01:49:00.001-07:00

Ooh la la! On a wing and a prayer..., originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Harmony ~ Ebony and Ivory

2008-05-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

I am leaving for Italy this weekend...so excited!

Anywho, I just processed the first rolls of the black and white 120...I think I will be taking my remaining 6 rolls of 120(color and b/w) on the trip with me...

Some multi's of St James...

www.flickr.com

More of Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com's stuff tagged with Holgabw2

Some random multi's around town...

www.flickr.com

More of Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com's stuff tagged with Holgabw1

Fluttering Light...

2008-05-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Blooms Caged and Forlorn...

www.flickr.com

More of Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com's stuff tagged with flowersetmay4

Red Red Trees...

www.flickr.com

More of Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com's stuff tagged with redtreesmay5

Branchy branches...

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More of Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com's stuff tagged with branchytreesmay5

Sex and the City ~ The Movie!

2008-05-05T13:54:00.001-07:00

Count Down...I cannot wait!

From the TV show: “It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!”

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/sex_and_the_city/

Poster at the local Theatres!

SATC, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Trailers...

http://movies.aol.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2008/30247/video/trailer-no-1/2033774

http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/

Get out your Manolos! The Cosmos are waiting..............

120 fun with the Holga...

2008-05-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

I finally had the first couple rolls of 120 developed...some fun and a lot of wtf ever images lol...I liked these best...

I know I should fix the dust on the scans...next time;)

www.flickr.com

More of Elisa Sherman | emswazzu.com's stuff tagged with 120firstfour

Clickin' around the Neighborhood...

2008-04-26T22:01:00.001-07:00

Walking the wide angle around the neighborhood...really trying to get a feel for what I will be clicking when I am in Europe next month!

So, I decided to keep it in my neighborhood...so here are a few of the images from right around here and the cathedral just 2 blocks up...

First a few scenes from my neighborhood...

Seattle ~ Around Town, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

...and then, St James Cathedral...

Seattle ~ St James Cathedral, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Skagit Valley Glory

2008-04-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

I went up to Skagit Valley this past Sunday...the annual Tulip Festival is there every April...and it was gorgeous!

It really is such a lovely area...the buildings, the landscapes...the fields of COLOR...the light glinting off the raindrops that befell the petals, simply beautiful!

Of course...though, there is always, ALWAYS humor to be found:)

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

LOL...

But alas, to the beauty...the Glistening...tulips...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seas of Red...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Orange orange orange...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Pretty in Purple...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Reflections of...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festiva ~ Tulip Town, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Dandy Daffodils...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Fields of Dreams...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Lovely Landscapes...

Scenes from Skagit Valley, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

And well it was Sunday...and there was church...

Scenes from Skagit Valley, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

But...I heard the Truth...is up in the *Trees* ;)

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

But the truth is...there were rules...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Happy Spring!

Live Blog ~ Tulip Town

2008-04-20T16:24:00.001-07:00

Live Blog ~ Tulip Town, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

My Kit with a side of Holga 120

2008-04-19T16:32:00.001-07:00

Just picked up 2 new lenses to round out my current kit for my XTi...

Got the 10-22mm 3.5/4.5 wide angle zoom, and the 100mm 2.0 medium tele...

Walked it through town today, and will take it up to the Tulip Festival tomorrow...

One can only ponder what I will get...we have been getting teased with snow and hail lately.........IN SEATTLE!!! lol...in APRIL!?!?! wtf?!?!

Oh, and while at the camera shop, picked up one of those plastic Holga's to shoot some 120film with...we will see....might take a couple weeks before we see the results of this! I am trying lots of multiple exposure 'art' stuff with it...lmao...one can only imagine the troubled messes of images I am creating!

My Kit with a side of Holga 120, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

More Today...

2008-04-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

So I think the blossoms are starting to wan, and I just wanted to get a few more...and I wanted to shoot some with better ISO settings for better quality at high resolution so...I ran out this AM and clicked again:)

Apr06_075, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_070, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_002, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_087, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_078, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_022, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_047, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_011, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_037, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_036, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_048, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_027, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_029, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_004, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_019, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_016, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_014, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_003, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apr06_061, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

...See the petals laying on the ground...pretty soon...this is where they will all be........

Apr06_001, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Just out my door...

2008-04-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Can you believe right across the street from my house...so pretty...I had to run in and grab the camera...funny bit...at the same time, the fire department was blocking the road because a car had caught on fire! lol...City life:)

April05_018, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_019, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_023, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_025, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_035, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_027, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_037, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_052, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_047, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_060, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_061, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_081, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

April05_070, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Spring in the Emerald City!

2008-03-23T11:02:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter! LOL...hop hop!

Yesterday, I was searching for something to photograph. To get the kinks out, so to speak ahead of my May travels to Europe with the new dSLR. My plan was, to head over to the Belltown neighborhood and shoot Sculpture Park...

The outcome...almost the polar opposite. Everything on the way to, during and after that drew my eye, was other than this target!

It was a gorgeous early Spring day(just the second!) in Seattle...the sky was clear, though barely blue....very light...the air was quite crisp, and a bit hazy light. It was a great day to: walk the length of the city. To let in the sparkling water, stunning mountains, blooming trees, and fun colors and scenes from around the Emerald City. And to remind us just how there is no place like home.

Just after I loaded up with my grande latte, a bit of humor caught my eye from across the street! I had to snap it...I could not resist!

Seattle_Spring_2008_012, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

After this, what was there? That drew me in this second spring day? Well it was that the Trees had ALL bloomed...Of course! The Cherry blossoms, etc...simply gorgeous...and everywhere...

From Harbor Steps and all through walking up to Belltown, this is what I saw...

Seattle_Spring_2008_030, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_026, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_040, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_053, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_059, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_124, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Gorgeous, no? I was in love with those blossoms!

The next thing that pulled my eye...was after I walked through most of Sculpture Park...perhaps it in and of itself is part of it? I am not sure...but it was this walk way, lined by this varigated glass of rainbow colors...It was so cool...the lines, the colors...I could not get enough of it!

The Live Blog featured the first photo I took of it...here is my favorite that captures the brilliant color on display:

Seattle_Spring_2008_122, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

And here, I couldn't resist taking a picture of the city from this angle, through the colored glass...I think it gives the image an interesting effect...lol...my little version of creativity! ha ha...

Seattle_Spring_2008_120, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Which then drew my eye to the view of the city from here...I don't head out this way often...the train tracks...plowing their way through this trendy part of the city and waterfront...challenge the popular "right side of the tracks" mantra...

Seattle_Spring_2008_124, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Spring in Seattle, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_090, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

And then...ding...the WATER! This view and the mountains is why I say, I could never live in a land locked city...even if you never go out on it...this vista, in every direction(Lake Washington, Lake Union, and here: Elliot Bay) is inescapable, and purely addictive...

Seattle_Spring_2008_132, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_003, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_202, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_157, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Spring in Seattle, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_165, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_199, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Another bit of humor hits me...not photographic greatness...but...(lol)

I shot the photo of this fountain from above since there was noone around, I thought it made a nice clean image...then when I was down at eye level with it...I come at it from the side...and and what do I have in my face...the ASS of one of the Sculptures in my face...LMAO...I had to click! It made me chuckle...I suppose I am 12!(metaphorically of course;) Simply, I am easily amused...

Seattle_Spring_2008_131, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Spring in Seattle, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Ok now...silliness aside...it is now Spring...and it was the buds blooming all over, and the willowy things, twirling bits of ivy and plethora of tulips on sale that one just could not escape...

Seattle_Spring_2008_100, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_089, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_043, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_037, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_058, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_083, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

And with the lovely weather and day...MASSIVE amounts of people were out and about...and with that...walking through Pike Place Market...there were street musicians everywhere...I love this...It reminds me...it has been too long since I have been to a show...I love people playing music. I love music.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_099, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_111, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_115, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_120, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

My final bit...I have a weird obsession with stairs to places we cannot see...So, I leave off with this...and we will see what Random place we go next!

Seattle_Spring_2008_2_039, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Photo note: All photos were either shot with my Canon XTi and 50mm 1.8 lense, or with my iPhone...

Happy Spring!

~ems

Spring in Seattle...

2008-03-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

On this second day of Spring the emerald city is shining...more photos to be posted from todays walkabout soon-ish ...

~live blogging from my iPhone

Spring in Seattle..., originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Randomly Friday, Thank God!

2008-03-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

Thoughts to ponder.............

...It shouldn't be so difficult...whatever...easy is good...

Girls are crazy........myself included...

Life can be both achingly slow, and excessively fast...all at the same time.......

Rock is sex.............does there need to be any more to that bit?! lol...

Cool is an attitude...Hottness is perception...the Beholder grants both...

Happiness is our own to have or leave...at our own volition...

Reality...is ours...

Love...is bliss.

Seattle St Patricks Day Parade ~ 3/15/2008

2008-03-15T20:10:00.001-07:00

AY matey! Arggh! lol....it looks like even the Pirates are Irish this weekend...

Seattle St Patricks Day Parade ~ 3/15/2008, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

As are the Scots...

Seattle St Patricks Day Parade ~ 3/15/2008, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

And how cute is he?!?

Seattle St Patricks Day Parade ~ 3/15/2008, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

>>Click For more pics from Seattles Parade<<

Rock or Kitchy Catchy Pop?!

2008-03-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

LOL...Confession is good for the soul, no!?

My most recent Itunes purchase...I can't get these songs out of my head...

I may be a rock girl...but I will go super sugary sweet pop on occasion........

Starting strong...

The Pretender - Foo Fighters <---must see live

Slightly more catchy kitch...

Paralyzer - Finger Eleven <---majorly addicted to this song

Ok, now hold onto your trenchcoats... I know the Platinumback(ha ha) is the fave snark of some...but I adore the song ...

Rockstar - Nickleback <--- da lyrics are tres true!!! lmao...it kills me...

Now for the MAJOR kitchy catch poppy gooey mess...

Um-br-ella-ella-ella - Rihanna <---hey, I live in Seattle...and I don't wear parkas!

Glamorous - Fergie <---spell it girl...I'm flying first class...mmm hmm, I wish...

And to reign(ha ha) it all back into semi respectability...

Anyone Else But You - The Moldy Peaches <---thank you preggers teenagers...lol Sigh...

And to wrap it all up...of the aforementioned...I adore the saccharine sweet some may say cliche lyrics of Rockstar...and you know...I am all about those dirty boys;)

"NICKLEBACK
"Rockstar"

I'm through with standing in line
to clubs we'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
and I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
quite the way I want it to be

I want a brand new house
on an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
for ten plus me

I'll need a credit card that's got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high club
At thirty-seven thousand feet

I want a new tour bus full of old guitars
My own star on Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher and
James Dean is fine for me

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[CHORUS]
'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With her bleach blond hair

Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I wanna be great like Elvis without the tassels
Hire eight body guards that love to beat up assholes
Sign a couple autographs
So I can eat my meals for free

I think I'm gonna dress my ass
with the latest fashion
Get a front door key to the Playboy mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves to
blow my money for me

I'm gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair
And change my name

'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With her bleach blond hair
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and
today's who's who
They'll get you anything
with that evil smile
Everybody's got a
drug dealer on speed dial
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I'm gonna sing those songs
that offend the censors
Gonna pop my pills
from a pez dispenser
When they ask why I drink all day
I'll say because I can

I'll get washed-up singers writing all my songs
Lip sync em every night so I don't get 'em wrong
Then listen to the fans tell me how damn good I am

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name"

My Dating Reality...

2008-03-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

For those of you following along...

Yes, I know I need to...

I have posted ads everywhere...as previously blogged/stipulated...

But, my people...I suck at actually pulling the trigger and making dates...

And even when I do, I often don't go on more than one with the blokes(ha ha, such a funny term, blokes)...

If I don't like 'em, I don't bother with more...just like that book...just not that into you...It's quid pro quo, no!? lol...

It is quite simply, hard to meet new people, friends, co workers, etc...not least of all folks you may want to have a deeper connection with. Dating can suck...but if you meet the right person, it can be fabulous...or all end in a mired mess...lol, such is life. It is not neat nor predictable.

But it is scary. New people. New emotions...new new new...sigh...lol...fabulous and horrendous all at the same time.

Have I mentioned before it is all too much!? Yet not enough...

I have forced myself in this new year to take a slight step out of my insular world and shell, and to do more than talk about it here...(never did meet more than one or two of the CL guys last year...eepers!)

Of late, have I dated many or just one!? Well that is mine to know...and if you are lucky, yours to find out;) Ha ha...just joshin...

My reality, not so mysterious...if you know me, just ask...if you are just randomly reading...well, you can imagine whatever you like...

A note...those Sex and the City girls...(the characters)...noone I know in reality gets that much action...not by an exponential amount...just sayin...lol...that would be tiring.......

And...noone has that many great pairs of shoes...........

"Hello........lova!" (You must be an SATC fan to get this, lol)

Your friendly excessive blogger come oh so innocent groupie.....

~ems
xoxo

Do YOU Google Yourself?

2008-03-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

LOL...it sounds so wink wink nudge nudge funny, eh?

But come on, admit it...you do it! And if by some gap in the cosmos, you haven't...you are right now! lol...you cannot resist...no worries--tis not a sin..............yet;)

For years...I, myself...yours truly, was null on google returns. And I liked it that way! I adore being anonymous. I have a online handle as it were(look up)...that has googled well for a few years now. But me: First Last, name, not so much! Now, if I put quotes around my name, I am 1st-3rd-5th on Google returns...of course that varies...

I am however still not first consistently on unquoted name Google...ha ha...but I am first page;)

What has changed?

Well, there is my Linked In page(sparse as it is), and Facebook(I have my privacy settings allowing for public searches). But what seems to have joined it, and I shouldn't be surprised...my photos were recently published under my name on a friends website which generally googles quite well, even now after it got renamed. And pop...there I am.

Sigh, I guess my days of anonymity are over. At least the googles don't show me doing anything crazy...lol, then you would know they were fake! Ha ha, I am not that crazy...I am just tongue in cheek in cyberspace...in reality, I am pure innocence..................

LMAO...

An aside...I was not born in the 1800's! LOL that would be my alternate identity;)

Now, what are you waiting for.............go Google yourself!

xoxo

In Bruges

2008-03-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

A beautifully disturbing film. I have to admit, I don't see many flicks with Mr. Farrell headlining...

However, I found this one quite interesting...that is when I wasn't (pleasantly) distracted by my date..........

But we will leave that for another time perhaps...

Movies...I really have gotten out of the habit of going in the last couple years...but I do love them...

Even bad movies have value. I love the escape, the far off locations...it is a bit like a 2hour vacation every time. Fantasy, comedy, drama, action...pure escape...bigger than life. It envelopes you...

Colin's character, in this film, did not appreciate the gloriously historic surroundings...though everyone else in the movie did...but then, he was but an inept hitman who really just wanted to get a pint and get laid...

I am not sure he ever got the second...sadly. Clearly, his character was not of his own clear charms(I mean how sexy is that Irish accent!?)...

Anywho, I would give this film *** stars...not the best, but very intriguing in its characters...definitley a character piece, not anything epic, nor earthshattering...but interesting and quirky...and oft times quite amusing.

Ralph Fiennes comes in for last portion of the film...so funny...these hit men almost have a heart...but then, not really? Or do they?

Anyways...my message? Go to the movies. They are the cheapest vacation you will ever go on!

http://imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809826831/info
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/01/18/sundance-review-in-bruges/

Shallow...yet Fair...lane...

2008-03-02T10:45:00.001-08:00

...Depth of Field, lol...I love it...I love my f1.8 lense...

The slice at minimum distance...so cool ...The Nifty 50 rocks...

Feb08_2_040, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Feb08_2_043, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Anticipation...

2008-02-25T20:25:00.001-08:00

Stomach in knots...nerves all a flutter...

Mind whirling...

Tic Toc...

Inability to properly focus...

Any of this sound familiar?

Anticipation...

That sweet ache...

So much we anticipate...

What am I currently anticipating...

Well am currently dating...

Dating is a merry go round of anticipation, of uncertaintly...a mentally exhaustive exercise...

It is almost too much...

Why do we do it?

I suppose because we desire...

We want...

To chase our bliss...

But holy fucking cow(lol)....................it really is almost too much...

The questions constantly swirling in my head: does he like me, does he want me...do I like him, do I want him...?!?!?

The fantasy...will reality measure up?

The reality...are we ready for it?

The risk...if it doesn't work out...if it does...?

Sigh...and we keep coming back for more...

The nerves on edge, for that chance...we anticipate...

We cannot stop...

Driving Light...

2008-02-19T21:06:00.001-08:00

Some sort of plant off the freeway....just holding the camera up pointing randomly out the windshield....clicking until the the AF would lock in...

Washington ~ driving, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Eyes Bored...

2008-02-12T20:01:00.000-08:00

Or rather I was...as I sat there waiting for this report to run, I took out my iPhone and started snapping...

www.flickr.com

Creepy!? lol...

Oh, and those are my real lashes;)

Rock Star 3 ???

2008-02-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

It might happen!

Read about it: RockBandLounge.com Big Letter Writing Campaign

It brought us the extremely talented musicians: JD Fortune, Marty Casey, Ryan Star, Lukas Rossi, Toby Rand, and many more ...It brought INXS back to us...I can't wait for it to bring me more more more!

It's time to start cranking out those letters again...the iron is HOT

WRITE 'EM NOW!!!

Ghen Maynard
Executive Vice President
CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group
7800 Beverly Boulevard R
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Conrad Riggs
Mark Burnett Productions
640 North Sepulveda Boulevard
2nd Floor
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Mark Burnett talking to bands for Rock Star 3
February 8, 2008

http://www.thedeadbolt.com/news/104033/burnettrockstar_news.
php

quote:So what's the current status of Rock Star, and will it be back for a third season? Here's what Mark Burnett revealed to us about the future of Rock Star:

"Yes, it’s funny... you look at these online studies and one of the most requested shows to come back, from anything I’ve done, is Rock Star. And yes, I’m in discussions with various bands. But there is one flaw as a business in that you have to find a suitable rock band that actually wants to find a new lead singer. So you’ve got a barrier to entry, but yes, we are in discussions and people do want to see that series again."

The long lost S T O R M...

2008-01-31T21:55:00.000-08:00

...interview...

LOL...

It is here...no doubt about it...

My friend Tamara and I sat down with Storm, and intermittently her Balls...before a show, November 18, 2006...

That afternoon, I saw a truly lovely woman, of strong spirit, much vulnerability, and good heart. A woman who embodies her talent, in a real way...She pulls no punches, tells it like it is, and you just can't help but fall in love with her...

Her stature, her voice, her sheer presence on stage is stunning. But face to face, hanging in her dressing room...it is where you see, that she is truly beautiful...in mind, body, and soul...

Enjoy...

RockBandLounge.com Storm Large Interview

iPhone photos!!!

2008-01-20T11:44:00.001-08:00

photo.jpg, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Shot, uploaded and blogged from my iPhone!

Twas the 13th night in January...

2008-01-14T23:43:00.000-08:00

And all through New Glasgow...the music was flowing..........

****photos up on offical site****

I swear it must be like a religion there...GREAT music, hot and talented musicians are apparently born and bred in Eastern Canada's Atlantic Time Zone.

Who knew?

Well, I suspected.

I am a unabashed fan of one Mr JD Fortune...that hot tall dark drink of water that won the dramatically Burnett produced reality series Rockstar INXS...thus sending him on promotional and album tour spanning about two years...

I went to a few of their shows(lol)...INXS perhaps the most entertaining live band out there...them Aussies, now plus one Canuck...bring it each and every time.

Anywho...now that the Switched On Tour is over, everyone has returned home..........even me:)

JD retreats back to home waters of the Maritimes...specifically the far east Canadian province of Nova Scotia...I remember sitting one night with him and a friend, discussing the proper strategies of a 3-card poker game--a forgettable speck on his endless tour journey of memories...where he told us about where he was from...he said it was beautiful...........and that they even had electricity and running water...in Canada...how advanced we joked.

Having been north of the border a few times myself, I was confident he wasn't just floating dreams in this estimation...Canada is lovely. But I had never contempleted visiting Nova Scotia myself. I didn't even realize until recently it is FOUR hours ahead of the west coasts pacific time, in what is the Atlantic Time Zone. Holy criminy!

So...one ponders, what to do with oneself now that INXS is off tour? Well...hmmm, what is that? Mr Fortune is putting out a solo album? Hmmm... Ooh, the Eastern Canadian Steven Bowers promotes the 2nd annual benefit concert: One Night in January...........and gets JD signed up to top off a listing of already extremely talented set of Eastern Canadian musicians...

What is a bored girl to do? Go to the beach? If only...really JD, why do you not live in say...Maui?!? or perhaps, Cozumel?!?! The Greek Isles? Erm no...the Batshit come Twig zooms around the crisply cool(brrr) town of New Glasgow in the freakin Tundra.....well, ok, not Tundra...but...sheesh!??! Pipe dreams of tropical drinks drift away. A musical groupie of the purest form---massive appreciator of awesome music...I figure...what the hell...this event is close to my 35th birthday...one only lives once, and no regrets, right? For sure.

Not to mention, its somewhat frigid destination...pretty damn cheap to wing ones way to...just sayin;)

So off I found myself, winging my way via red eye to meet up with a bunch of fellow Twig worshipping friends to check out this one cold night...this bevvy of beaming talent that would perform for us, this one lovely night on the 13th of January...2008...

I went, because I knew we would hear JD...catch some new news...I leave the great north...in awe of the water these people must drink to produce such inspired talent. There was so much goodness...the following artists all really stood out for me...

Not least of all we got to hear folks like the catchy Slow Coaster...a mix of rythms and catchy lyrics that make you want to search out their most recent CD....

The funky Blues guy with his steal guitar and more, John Cambelljohn...get out my boogie shoes...

The quirky scene stealing Kev Corbett...he is charming on stage...in a sort of beatnik funny way...and in person, just as cool. He will stop and listen to whomemver approaches and truly listen. And as so many others, I see this night endlessly talented...not sure...but pretty sure I saw him play about 3+ instruments this night...both during the main event, and at the after party down the street at one of the main sponsors, Fibbers.

The quirky but oddly interesting sounds of Rebekah Higgs...her voice was often sharp and lilting...but altogether, a pleasant turn...

The hot, did I mention HOT Jon Landry of Folds of Policy.....clapping your hands so long, they start to sting to his band ribald fun tunes...oh, and I might have to 'dump' JD..........yes, he IS that hot...slurp, thud, etc etc...yummy. Tall strapping and cute...on top of talented and entertaining...a killer combination for sure...

The singing about dead people(according to the joke stealing Mr Bowers) fabulously talented and successful David Gunninng...quite the charming entertainer, even if you are not a huge folk fan...

And really...Steven Bowers, the heart of this event...making it happen to support the IWK Health Centre Foundation...Steven is a bit of a cherub cheeked hottie himself. So adorable, nice, funny, and fucking talented. I am for sure going to be ordering all of his cd's...no joke. His music goes beyond the clips you may hear...I will for sure be talking him up to everyone I know. His show set both at lead vocals and in support of others was awesome...and well, his rousing barn burner bah-bah-bah! version of Neil Diamonds Sweet Caroline towards the end of the post show at the after party...was so fun...he is just cool fun personified...embodied in pure talented Canadian musical goodness.

And of course...the ever obsessed about Bat himself...the still quite Twig-ish JD Fortune...His performance was the closing to this great night both at the main show and the after party...During the main event...he kicked out a strangely familiar yet indescernible new tune...I am not sure it was my favorite, but I would bet that it's instant familiarity will bode it well on the way to possible hit potential...never underestimate tunes that folks think they already know! And a totally reworked Pretty Vegas where JD and co, put a cool rock come Nova Scotia vibe on this now very familiar tune...he repeats often "It ain't Pretty"...well JD, I beg to differ...especially in that so familiarly wafting open button up shirt, bearing belly that the fans still so obsessed, just want to reach out and touch...............lol;) The hair, dirty greasy hot rocker boy...the sides falling down on his cheeks the back chignoned back into a bit of a cue pony/bun ...but alas, it is not all about the looks...eh? Twas the final tune, another new original...I think Steven later mentioned the working title was perhaps "Tension" but JD hasn't really settled on a name...this was my favorite tune...I can't really describe it other than to say...I loved it. If all the rest of the show had sucked, but I was able to get a sneak preview of this, it was all worth it...

But alas, the entire night was magical...the friends, the awesome community coming out for the cause, the fabulous and hot peeps over at Fibbers...who put up w/my crowd for 2 days...made sure we had the best spot in the house...and served the best cosmos...........well, it can't get much better.

After this weekend...I want more for sure...Obviously, the upcoming album from JD...Death of a Motivational Speaker...the CD collection from Steven Bowers...and probably going to look up the others I have mentioned as well...

Such good good times...I want to start planning to attend for this event next year...I don't really care who is on the bill...I somehow, only imagine...it is a show that will be more than worth catching a peek to...

Steven Bowers and New Glasgow, and all the surrounding musicians and community...have great hearts and great spirit. They make you fall a little in love with them for sure...

Can't say I blame JD for revving his Bat mobile engine around this lovely town...zoom zoom...

For sure...the talent, hotness, and utter goodness runneth over...

Scenes from the weekend...

Hot Bartender come Break dancer, Drew...laid out in all his splendor with my girls...

Squeaky Squeak........(photo courtesy of Norskanne)

Bond, Derek Bond and us girls.......

Dave Gunning head to head...photo courtesy Norskanne

Steven Bowers and company at after party

*video removed on request*

JD at Fibbers after party

A super short clip of the cover that JD started the final bit of the night at from the after party...
*video removed on request*

ONIJ, Fibbers will put up official photos soon, as well as a 2008 CD of the live show set to be available in February...They asked attendees of the official show to forego their own tries at photographs, etc, to preserve the recordings, etc. As well, when JD came on at the after party, and went into his yet unreleased work,they asked to please not record, etc...the crowd, with much love, I would say complied. The least we could do, respecting their wishes for such a great night in return.

www.onenightinjanuary.com
www.fibbersmusic.ca
www.forums.fibbersmusic.ca
www.rockbandlounge.com\forum ONIJ thread

...maybe more, maybe not! ;)

Sold Out!

2008-01-13T07:31:00.001-08:00

Halifax-NewGlasgow_2_018, originally uploaded by Elisa ~ www.emswazzu.com.

Apparently it sold out in the first day...

Do I believe? Do you? New Years resolutions...

2008-01-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

I usually don't do them...or I suck at doing them...or I just forget them?

This year, I want to see if I can do these 5 things...they are not that hard! I should be able to. And I think, they would be good for me.

Let us see how it goes!

http://ems2008newyearsresolutions.blogspot.com/

Rant ~ Malice & Hypocrisy

2007-12-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

Mean dark twisty words. For sure.

I don't like them. They piss me off.

Malcontent of heart turns your spirit to stone IMO.

Hypocrisy, leads to bad policy, bad feelings, and bad practice.

Both of these are relevant in our daily lives, in politics, in our every move.

I do not get being mean to destroy. What the fuck is the point? I mean, yeah, I am a bitch...I have my evil moments. But real meaness, with out true bearing on reality? Malice out of boredom, that is meant to truly hurt? This pisses me off. I cannot help it. Get a grip. Live how you want. That is the right of the individual. But I truly believe that do unto other stuff. And Karma. She's a bitch. Just sayin...

So what has set me off? Turn on CNN. Review the world. There is much greatness. I will not lie. But, the individual ugliness, cannot be ignored.

The world is what we, each and every one of us makes it. For every negative turn, I take my own actions responsible. But, yes, there is a but...But, I have empathy. I may think someone is a bitch, ass, etc...but I try to see their side. Why, why do I give a fuck? I have no idea. But, I refuse to judge others for petty trangressions. To me that illustrates the practice of malice and hypocrisy, all rolled up into one.

Do 2 wrongs make a right? Sadly, no. Thus, cracking on someone's ass, just because you "think" they have done you wrong, well it is petty, and it is small. Ok, maybe it is huge. But it is not productive. Productive is solving things, working for something, creating things, promoting things. Productive is not tearing things down. That would be called: destruction.

While destruction may have it's attraction, it is without a next step.

Sleep well, and make love not war.

~Hypocritical Bitch

Am I famous yet?!?!

2007-11-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

Find me and you win.........a gold star...

This was on TV......in Canada! lmao...yes, I crossed borders to see an Aussie Band.....in Canada!

Less likely to make me "famous"(as if the other is moreso! lol)...just youtube, no tv...praise be:)

Am I a *star* yet?!?!

Lukas Rossi ~ Live & Acoustic

2007-10-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

Added new photos to my flickr!

Reality Blurred

2007-10-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

What is reality?

It is no secret we have become obsessed with celebrity culture. The more than a decade anniversary of Princess Dianna's death reminds of this in no uncertain terms.

Ratchet that up a notch? Try reality TV. Where we put "real" people, in front of the camera, to be consumed by the masses. It's a great profit for broadcast...much lower overhead than scripted tv, etc. But is it dangerous, healthy, or good TV? I think the answer is yes, yes, yes! Sometimes, more of one than the other, but...

And I am not preaching here...I am a huge fan of some of these shows. And am meh, about many others.

My favorites over the years ~ MTV's pioneer series: The Real World (ha ha!), Rockstar, The Hills, Rock of Love, Project Runway... There have been others...but those are the ones I still watch! (new / old). Arguablly the most popular over the years have been Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother, American Idol. I have watched the latter 3 some, and recognize their success. Remember some of the others: The Bachelor, Joe Millionaire, The Osbournes, The Newlyweds(lmao, didn't work out so well after, eh!?), Road Rules, etc, etc.

All of these things have created a new kind of celebrity. Talented or not. What it has also born, is a new type of fan. Or maybe it is a new level of fanaticism. Again, not counting myself out here. If anything, being a fan of some of these folks, I think it gives me unique insights...And I am nothing if not critical of myself! Know when thyself is crazy, ya know?

So anyway, to my point...and yes, I do have one!

What has this new "reality" done to us? It seems, in some cases is has let these "real" people right into our living rooms. I think the TV star(scripted) has always inserted itself more deeply into our consciousness than the fabulousness of the movie stars...that seem just out of reach. But, it would seem that these "real" people bring us in, just a bit closer, no?

We learn all about their lives. Their foibles, their fears, their inner demons, their dramaramas... We see what we think is their "true" character, revealed to us on these series. And for the truly enamored, read: somewhat obsessed(again, include me right here!), there is an element that pushes all of this one step further... Cyberspace! So, take the equation: "real" people + edited for entertainment drama only + fans that read and post about your every move...what does that equal?

It equals a hyper "reality" . But is any of this real? Take one of my favorite shows in the aforementioned: Rockstar. I loved that show. It is so accessible in my opinion. Rock music. Hot musicians. Colorful, fast, spectacular. (We won't lament here that they have not renewed it for a third season--wahh!). But it wasn't just music. It included, in addition to live performances... a peek into the weekly trials of the competition, "back at the mansion". Great, great TV. And they had great material. The first season's winner, featured that too cute bad boy: JD Fortune from Canada. The second season, the skunk hair faux hawked Lukas Rossi, also from the North, eh. Add in the bunch: other would be rockstars, all tattooed, fighting over songs, calling each other out, saying one wanted it more than the others, others thinking they were better singers, and weekly excessive voting by the viewing masses... Freaking good TV.

Anyways, what goes with this, is that we think we know these guys. There are sites all over the internet on all these shows...dissing various people/contestants (on the competitive shows), lamenting their choices, and in many cases, carrying on into the post show. Folks send them gifts, etc. Fans meet these "real" people, and ask them questions about their personal lives. Judgments are made, movements are tracked. What was once saved for stalking the celebrities is now, the obsession, with these "real" people, as if we know them and are friends with them.

It is crazy. Fun crazy sometimes, but crazy nonetheless. Now, don't get me wrong, I have met, so many fabulous people, being part of a fan community. I have enjoyed live concerts with folks that know how to party like nobody's business! And yes, I have met some of these "real" people, from the TV! It has been a great ride, I will not diminish that.

But...but, it is so strange! That I know, who someone is dating(or doing, lol) when it is not public knowledge(read not in any tabloids), have corresponded with folks about some would say scandalous goings on behind the scenes. It is weird, when I see live, in front of my very eyes, folks acting as if they are 'owed' something from these "real" people, because they have supported them, because they know their birthdays, because they gave them gifts, because they paid alot of money...because they show off their boobies............................

When you see folks practically throwing down to scratch and claw their way to look into the eyes of these people that were introduced to them, or reintroduced to them via this medium, of reality tv...it is so strange. When folks use cyberspace to promote their cracked agendas, and their alternate realities about these "reality" tv personalities... It's as if, we, the people, the fans, forget, these people are REAL.

They are not a "character". They are simply human beings, that sure, have used TV to further themselves. But, that does not make them my best friend, and it does not make them need to tell you how their mom or dog is. They are not our friends, they are not our family. They are actors, doctors, singers, etc, that came to us, presenting a condensed version of themselves, that was then edited to a "reality" story, that producers wanted to show us. That is not "real" ...that is TV.

Blurry, isn't it? That's life...that's, "reality".

For what more drama these "real" folks can blur themselves into obsession with, read: http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/

The shows, are getting more freaky! And I hate to say it, but maybe, so are we!

Less is More...

2007-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Check the 19 show, singular recap(s)...

http://emswazzu-inxs-concerts.blogspot.com/2007/10/19-words.html

They don't call it INXS for nothing...

It really is ALL about me...here...

2007-09-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Ha ha, yes, my blog, my words, my bitching;)

Well, this one moment...I am going to publish the fine words of one of my most creative cyber friends...from the UK he jumps into the den of inequity we wrought... one guess the subject...lol;)

Life Thru A Lens

[{(I say this in parenthesis
For she's a girl you cannot miss!)}]

Attitude to life so big
Snapping shots of BINX and Twig
Photographic lens so long
It catches in her boy's thong

Multi shots and posts prolific
Protests many are too horrific
No one cares, they just want crack
When from a concert she comes back

Technicalities aside
To telephoto or just go wide
A lens and SD cards to choose
Batteries that never snooze
Going up to 18X
Climbs Mount Olympus then whines
Blury shot my boy looks gaunt
A steady shot of him I want

Obscure comments...(LOL)
despite which she's still proud
To be a moderator of fun
And pinch somebody's hot BINX bun
Gotta post; update her blog
Reviews of who she'd like to snog
Computer nerd of highest order
I think she's nearly crossed the border
Insanity and so much fun
For 13K, when it should come...;)

by the most adorable INXSer I know...

For more of his words of wisdom read here.

Love, Lust or ... ?

2007-09-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

Which will I find?

So, I am a single gal in the city...

I have tried online dating half heartedly, I admit.

Match.com, yeah, signed up!

True.com ....been there, done that!

Eharmony.... who can finish that grueling personality survey?!?!? eeps!

So, I just posted a personal ad on Craigslist, Seattle... I figure, what can it hurt... minimally, it could be amusing....

Here is what I wrote:

Are you tall? You must be tall...I like to wear heels...humor! - 34
You must get my humor..........and not hate that I overuse ellipses; they are irresistible. I love the city, and hope you do too...it is a beautiful fun place. Music...must like music...rock is my favorite--love live shows. Travel...traveling is good...it gets you out into the world...everyone should have a passport...Pretty soon, if you don't, you won't even be able to go to Canada...the horror! I love photography...that is random, but true...I am learning to shoot a SLR as we speak(well not this very second, as I am writing, but generally). Are you real, or a figment of someone's imagination? Does that sound like a ridiculous question? It is. You should be smart, normal, tall, dark and deathly hot...well, at least tall. I like to wear heels after all. I am a nice gal, I hope...I like people who are cool and want to have a good time. I am as serious or not serious as needed... Would love to meet anyone. No fuss, no muss. I am low mainenance (read not demanding) but like nice things, nice places, and nice people...I have a dry sense of humor...and have even been called a smart alec on a work review(?)...I like to think I am pretty...but really, who am I to judge...a troll to some, a goddess to others...a reflection to myself. The facts: I am half latina, half white...in reality a mix of many different things. I am single. I am 5' 6". I am not petite, rather a girl with a real figure and curves...if you like model slim I am not your girl--I want to feed the hollywood girls some cheesecake...but I do not have to shop in special stores, or sizes... If you must know what I look like...those are my feet...a view on the beach where I would love to be...And myself in S Korea last year...the last, is me...self portrait...I can provide other pics on request...I would expect the same courtesy. If you have read this far...well, you know the drill...
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/w4m/419223311.html

I was feeling amused with myself, clearly...not sure anyone will 'get it' or me, for that matter.

But ya know, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I once sent an email off to a guy on match, and his response was that we lacked chemistry....uhm, ok... we never met... EVS!

I now have an email full of responses. I fear a little what type of responses I will have gotten. But remember, humor cures all worries.

The answer to this blog coming soon! Pray I live to tell about it;)

New MOLI page...

2007-08-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Check it!

www.moli.com/emswazzu

It's a pretty cool new networking site, currently in beta...

I like the ability to add multiple pages to my main profile page...the drag and drops and the RSS feeds are its coolest features thus far explored...more soon...

I am RIGHT! You are WRONG!

2007-07-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

There is a time to fold 'em, time to walk away, time to run...

This is my time to blog.

Adventures had... Peoples met... Crazies witnessed...

Recently, I have been feeling a bit under the weather, and more than a tad punchy...

You know, I have issues. I have issues letting things go, when I know I am right. That the 'right' thing to do is to just let it lie...I want to say NO....listen to me! See...right here, I am right! LOL...that is not always the best strategy. But the pull of it is SO strong. I am an arguer at heart... I want to take on everything said, especially when I feel it is simply incorrect. I think it is the logical side in me... 2 + 2 = 4 ....if you say it doesn't....it makes me twitch! Yes it does!

In this world....there are many opinions...I am fine with arguing those...there may be ones I like better, but I don't feel like I need to convince everyone to mine. However, facts... facts like equaling 4... those are absolute. I don't like not arguing that to the end. But, sometimes, the satisfaction of 'being right' is not worth the drama it takes. I have a hard time reminding myself of that.

It's like those emails, discussions, forum debates, holiday dinners....or whatever, where you are arguing a point...you know exactly how many records were sold, what year someone is born, or who was in the Orange Bowl last year... but others are adament that they KNOW. All of those things have absolute answers.

So really, let's just stipulate...RIGHT now...

I am Right! Go Left.

Rockstar, the music, the hotness, 2 years past...

2007-06-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

Rockstar, what a great TV show we had the last two summers? I am sad that it is not on this summer, perhaps next year?

Anyways, what I am thinking about, right now, is all the music I have rediscovered and found through this show.

Season one, Rockstar: INXS... The first time I turned it on, I was like, wow, this isn't as tacky as I figured! LOL...I had already fallen out of love with American Idol, and was happy to hear, what I considered cooler songs being performed. And, and...I was happy to hear / see folks that weren't so clueless, that they actaully knew what they were doing on stage...and a band actually playing. Such a great show.

Oh, yeah, and those old boys on the couch...I vaguely remembered them;) So that was INXS nowadays,eh? Sans Michael of course. I still remember flipping through the channels, landing on MTV, that Novemeber in 1997, and hearing Kurt Loder tell us, the charismatic front man of INXS had just died of an apparent suicide. Honestly, INXS was no longer on my radar in 1997, but I remembered them from Highschool/college years. I still have Kick in the old casette collection. I wasn't quite sure why they had decided to go on TV, now, in 2005, but, whatever, great show.

Something interesting happened that summer. I fell in love with music in a whole new way. The performers kicked ass on stage, performing some of the coolest rock tunes. And, I started listening to INXS again...I was surprised to find, I still really enjoyed their music, moreso, I think I appreciated it more than I ever had back when. I had a few random tracks in my CD collection, and went out to pursue the rest of the collection. It was a combination of nostalgia and discovery, as I heard songs I remembered, and discovered new ones, to me, that I had missed when they had fallen off my radar musically. By the end of the summer, I was suddenly, more concerned that they pick the right person for this job, than just enjoying the awesome performances. I wanted to see them live.

Fast Forward, eighteen months later, and I was pratically their groupie, lol...sixteen live INXS shows later... Their music, if possible, was even way cooler live. Apparently those dudes on the couch, the summer of 2005, could actually really play! Ha ha...And, they had picked the guy, that I had initially thought was a bit of a pretty boy punk...who totally could sing their songs exceedingly well. Well done boys. Great times were had.

(for more Marty Casey / Lovehammer pics click HERE)

Lucky for me, the other guy that I had really liked during the run of the show, beyond just great performances, Marty Casey...INXS had invited his band on tour with them, so I was lucky enough to see him live as well. Saw them a total of 4 times. Such fun. Honestly, while I had loved the show, the performances...refallen in love with INXS, and gotten to see them and the Lovehammers live, the rest of the artists from that season, pretty much fell off my musical radar. I never went to seek out their stuff. Well, I did actually get to hear a couple of tunes from Tara Sloane I liked...I honestly never cared for her on the show, but at least one of her tracks I still listen to...that kind of snuck up on me. I did see Deanna Johnston live in Las Vegas in January 2006, after the INXS show. She is a petite little thing, with a huge ass voice. I have a huge respect for her after seeing her live.

What that summer of 2005, did for me, more than anything, more than INXS...was re-awaken me to music. I mean, I had an Ipod, I listened to music...but I was anything but focused on it before that point. Now, all of the sudden, I had this desire to see music live...had actually seen a single band perform multiple times...inside of a year...nutty for sure. So, what came next is even more interesting. Summer 2006 swung around, faster than we can say G-R-O-U-P-I-E(or J-A-S-O-N if you prefer;), and the new season of Rockstar, was upon us.

This year, the incarnation was dubbed, Rockstar: Supernova. It was to be a supergroup of sorts, gathered in part for the purpose of the show, a Tommy Lee project it seemed. Gilby Clarke and Jason Newsted joined... Hey, I was never huge fans of these guys, certainly didn't have the memory of their music in my braincells like I had INXS... But, I knew, I had first loved the previous summers show, for the performances, and the music, so I watched. It was a very different season. I think the musicians were more edgy, perhaps because of the band that was seeking this year. I wasn't sure I loved what I was seeing performance wise on the TV...but, since I was very defintely more interested in new music now, I looked up what these artists had been up to leading up to the show...And oh my god, there was some serious good music to be had! Honestly, it changed how I watched these folks on screen this summer. I had started to get their cd's and explore who they were as musicians. I really liked their edgier styles too. I think I am really a rock girl at heart, even if I do have alot of kitchy pop sitting as some of my all time favorites...

The first performer from the show, that introduced me to now, one of my favorite bands music, was Phil Ritchie...noodly, bobble headed, loose lipped(apparently) Dirty Phil Ritchie... His band Lennex had 2 indie CD's out prior to Rockstar, and a new EP out by midsummer(just after he got the boot from the show)...I love, love love their sound. They have such a varied set of music through their CD's...ska influences, rock, alternative...rythm, catchy melodies...edgy rock. Altogether, I was so pleased to have discovered another band, even if it wasn't the one hosting the show! A treat, they were for me.

I really loved their sound so much...and since the last year had taken place, I thought nothing of traveling ot see live music that I liked...I popped over to Maryland in September of 2006 to see one of their live shows...they are based out of the Maryland area...It happened to be their CD release party for the EP released that summmer. Oh my god.........so good live. Seeing the guy from the show, up in front of his own band, with a crowd that loved them behind me...and music that I had recently discovered...blaring...very cool. They have made a fan of me for life I think. Nearly a year ago now, and I hope I can get to see them again sometime soon.

Just before going to Maryland to see Lennex...I got to attend a Rockstar taping...yes the TV show, live! I had become good friends with some of the local Southern Californians that were regular spoilers/attendees of the show, and they got us passes in. I am so grateful. What a cool experience. What you see on TV is not like what you see live. LIve is always, always, always better. The energy, the off mic commentary, the stuff that end up on the cutting room floor...all of that does not make it through to the TV audiences. At this point in the season, most of my favorites had left. Most recently Ryan Star...the hot (did I mentio HOT) dark brooding 'dark horse'. I was a bit sad, but had made a pact to see him live eventually. So I figured, I generally admired who was left, and this would be a cool peek in.

Who was left: Magni, Toby Rand, Dilana, Storm Large, and Lukas Rossi. They were all really good. The most fun was probably Toby. The most surprising for me was Lukas--I was surprised his voice really was better live than on TV. But the most stunning...I was shocked. Storm freakin Large. Holy Hell. All six feet of her. I am not a huge fan of female rockstars, I admit, so perhaps I had not given her a fair shake that summer, I don't know. But that week, when I saw her live, first performing Sufragette City with Dave Navarro, and next her own composition, Ladylike...for the first time ever, I truly got chills, goosebumps almost. It was mid taping, I was like this is cool. But, in my estimation, when Storm took the stage, the room exploded. Ah, now I get it! The chick is balls to the wall engergy, with a stunning voice. I would bet, she could get on stage with anyone and match them. It was that week, that Storm got added to my must see live again list from that season.

So, I had seen a taping, been to see Lennex live...who was next. You guessed it, yes, that enigmatic Dark Horse, the uber hotness that evaded my taping attendance...Mr Ryan Star. Ok, yes he does have big ...uhmmm feet(my friend, that was not my first focus--but I do believe the boy is 'proportional')...Anyways, I got to see Ryan in San Diego--he almost evaded me again, since his live date here in Seattle was to be while I was out of town, but where there is a will there is a way, and I managed to see him live, in one of the cities I rediscovered last year. During the summer, I had bought his independent CD, Songs from the Eye of the Elephant(long title) and I knew Ryan had a good hand at songwriting.

I mentioned he was super hot, too, right? Yes, I am shallow. He is hot and talented, and that is more than enough to make me want to see for myself. He performed acoustic, a one man show...It was interesting. I would love to see him live with a band. I think he has so much to offer musically, artistically, and just let's admit, visually. Next to the definition of tall dark and handsome, is a shot of Ryan Star. Yum. His Live Dark Horse CD that he recorded, post show, with the backing of the Rockstar Houseband(amazing), is a great CD. I can put it in and just let it loop. Ryan, besides his already mentioned uber hotness, has this tortured voice that just grabs you, and you know, listening or seeing him live, he feels the music. Very hot.

Did I mention while I was talking about Lennex, that Dirty Phil is super hot too, lol...just thought I should stipulate, to my own shallowness. It should not be overlooked.

Ok, so year in Rockstar post season two, is still going, it is November, who was next... well, get this, the House Band from the show is touring with Paul Stanley...yes, the lead singer of KISS, lol...Sign me up. They are fabulous musicians. I had bought 3 of their CD's-from Rafael Moiera, Nate Morton, and Jimmy McGorman, while I was down there at the taping, and have since bought another from their bassist's(Sasha's) other band Clock. These guys are pure musicians, whether listening to their individual CD's, or seeing live, or on your TV screen, they are just stunning. They are just superb, some of the best pure musicians in the business that I have ever seen. They are hot too. Just sayin...

But hey, I am not ALL about the hotness...I did say I had become a fan of Storm? She is beautiful granted...I envy her this. She is this magnificent amazon that I wish I could be, lol... I got to see her and her band, Storm and the Balls(SATB) live in November of 2006. She is somewhat local to me, based in Portland, so I knew seeing her was always going to be easy, and after seeing her live at the taping, I knew I would make it to her shows in the northwest. I first attended the one in November in Portland...wow. Way more stunning in person, with her own band, doing her own stylized music. It was 'her thing'...She is just more than the covers she did on the show. Their music, is a combinations of mashups of covers, new music, and just a crazy good rocked out time. She is bawdy, engergetic, bigger than life. I also got to sit in on an interview with her, and that increased my admiration for her even more. Her and the balls, truly cool cool people. That's one of the things I had experienced this last 18 months, after having met most of these artists I had gone to see....they are just really cool creative people. I wish I had their talent.

I went to see Toby's band, Juke Kartel in December. Toby, a fine specimen, no doubt, has a rowdy crew of rocking Aussies (he is Austrailian after all)behind him in this band. They are really good live musicians. Full of energy. I especially like their guitarist, Todd Burhman. He is hairflipping yumminess. I think, they have a rocking good time on stage, and their fans seem to quite enjoy. I am not sure their music, specifically is to my taste, but I wish them well.

I would see Storm each time she has come to Seattle since, in February of this year, and just this last week. Her new EP, Ladylike, side 1, is out, I picked that up. She worked on it with some help from the House Band in LA, has the guitar featured Dave Navarro version of Ladylike on it. A nice set of tracks on this EP.

But it was this other one that I would finally come to see. Just last weekend, I finally saw the winner of the show, Lukas Rossi again - the first time since the taping I had attended. He is currently touring acousitically with one accompanyist. I would estimate that the band from the previous summer's show seems to be over, but whatever. I was never much of a Lukas fan, unlike his masses...but he makes it to Seattle, just blocks from my house, so I would of course go.

His new music, is pretty darnend good. I picked up the 4song EP. I think he is another of those truly talented songwriters that the show Rockstar, has presented us with. He does wear a bit more make up than anyone I know, male or female, but EVS(tm Toby), lol. I often don't care for some of what he does with his vocals, but on balance, I think his voice, when just playing/singing, rather than prancing like a crazy person across the stage, is rather lovely. His music, and lyrics though, prove to me, that he is a true talent. He says he is forming a new band with parts from his previous bands. I think I will keep an eye on them.

So what is next? Well, believe it or not, I am commencing another groupie vacation to see my beloved INXS...and who will be in Ottawa the night before we see INXS? Storm and the Balls! LOL...not only is she local, but clearly, she is stalking me! I kid. A whole crew of us are going to hit the SATB show on the 12th. I am excited for all those that have not seen her live yet. Of course the next 3 nights, it is all INXS baby...in freakin Canada. One more time, this tour(I swear) I will see them in Southern California, with my magnificant crew there...much fun will be had, much music will blare, many *doubles* will flow.

I would still like to see my MiZtreZZ, Zayra Alvarez...but alas, I have not heard much from her after the end of last season. I do have her last CD, Ruleta II. It is quite good. I will order whatever else she puts out there.

Here is what I still have on my ipod from the Rockstar performances, season 1 & 2:
Wish You Were Here - Marty Casey
Lithium - Marty Casey
Baby Hit Me One More Time - Marty Casey
With Arms Wide Open - Marty Casey
Don't Change - Marty Casey
Trees - Marty Casey
Everlong - Marty Casey
Creep - Marty Casey
The Letter - JD Fortune
California Dreamin - JD Fortune
Come As You Are - JD Fortune
Hand In My Pocket - JD Fortune
YOu Can't Always Get What You Want - JD Fortune
What You Need - JD Fortune
Crazy - JD Fortune
This Time - JD Fortune
As Tears Go By - JD Fortune
Man Who Sold the World - Jordis Unga
Losing My Religion - Suzie McNeil
Smoking Umbrellas - Phil Ritchie
White Rabbit - Phil Ritchie
Jenny (867-5309) - Zayra Alvarez
Razorblade - Zayra Alvarez
Not an Addict - Zayra Alvarez
All the Young Dudes - Zayra Alvarez
Everybody Hurts - Zayra Alvarez
Losing My Religion - Ryan Star
Paint it Black - Ryan Star
Back of Your Car - Ryan Star
In the Air Tonight - Ryan Star

Here are the CDs I have bought from the Rockstar artists:
Ladylike, Side 1 - Storm Large
Hangin with the Balls - Storm and the Balls
Lennex, self titled
For the Sake of Simplicity - Lennex
Part Math, Part Euphoria - Lennex
Songs from the Eye of the Elephant - Ryan Star
Dark Horse, Live - Ryan star
Love & Lust - Lukas Rossi
Ruleta II - Zayra Alvarez
Marty Casey & the Lovehammers, self titled

And of course...
Switch - INXS
Switch, Austrailian Edition (including 4 live tracks) - INXS
Shine Like it Does, Anthology - INXS

All of this said, done, and fun still to be had, I have re/discovered lots of other new music...but Rockstar, the tv show, and these amazing artists, they were the catalysts. They brought me to the joy of live music, and together with friends I have met through on line mediums. Music, is truly a lovely thing.

xo

ems;)

Black and White Flowers in Seattle

2007-06-10T22:41:00.001-07:00

00_bw_Seattle_06102007_078, originally uploaded by emswazzu.

>>The Set on Flickr<<

The Return of The Police - they're back baby, back!

2007-06-07T02:27:00.000-07:00

The Police, 2007 - Key Arena - Seattle, WA

Set list:
1-Message In a Bottle
2-?
3-Spirits in a Material World
4-Voices Inside My Head
5-Don't Stand So Close To Me
6-Driven to Tears
7-Walking on the Moon
8-?
9-Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
10-Wrapped Around Your Finger*
11-
12-Murder by Numbers
13-De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
14-?
15-Walking in Your Footsteps
16-Can't Stand Losing You
17-Roxanne*
End Reg Set

Encore 1
18-King of Pain
19-So Lonely

Encore 2
20-Every Breath You Take*
21-?

?'s - still working on figuring out...
* - brief video clips, mainly of the video screens where the show was being projected bigger than life, ergo, my wee little camera could actually capture it...sound is so so...raw...small mic, big sound, lol...

Commentary by song (can you believe I actually took notes?!?!?!):

4-Voices Inside My Head - assuming this song is the right title...anyway, this one had the most amazing guitar solo, and extended instrumental...

5-Don't Stand So Close To Me - Slower arrangement/tempo than original, previous versions...this type of thing repeats itself intermittently through a few of the other selections this night...it is not a good/bad thing, just different...changes the energy of the song, over all feel...

6-Driven to Tears - Beginning/opening notes, great guitar work!

10-Wrapped Around Your Finger - Cool additional percussion accessories come up on stage...

A wee clip...video of the video screens, lol...

12-Murder by Numbers - This was one of the bits where Sting told a bit of a story...he said, remember 1983? who remembered Jimmy Swaggert...Said that Swaggert had claimemd the Devil must have written this tune ...I think Sting was being sarcastic/tongue in cheek...Especially at the end...he said - Thank you Jimmy Swaggert, wherever you are...

14-? - not sure the name of this song yet...still trying to figure it out...But what was truly compelling in this performance was the intermixed video images--with the live performance...it looked to be a war torn Iraq, or other some such country...children, people amongst the rubble, soldiers, tanks, food, just lots of images...I am not sure they were trying to make any sort of statement...I think it might help if I knew what song it was...What I did find interesting, compeling, and impressive...is that while alot of artists/singers/performers take concerts to speak out...The Police simply used their own song, and images...no excessive commentary...I think this was the perfect combination of art and commentary...wish I knew what the song was!!!

15-Walking in Your Footsteps - A back drape/screen came down(sorry folks in back) and images of animated dinosaur skeletons played along in the back ground...I thought it was cool...more killer guitar solo...

17-Roxanne - right before this song, Sting talks to the Seattle audience, about just getting here, and how they had spent time in Vancouver(where their previous shows just were), and what/where they should check out here...This version was very much extended(alot of songs had extended instrumentals as well)...meanering instrumentals...before final climax and...

...another video of the video screen clip...

End Reg Set

Encore 1
18-King of Pain - Pre-song, faux bickering between the band members...most folks know, the bad has a history of not getting along...the boys seem to take that in fun on stage...by all appearances...at least I hope so!!! It seemed playful...more additional percussion/chimes come up on stage used in the instrumentation...cool sound...

19-So Lonely - This song, of all, was the most 'islandy' musically...in total, I was surprised by how much reggae/island bouncy sound The Police catalog actually has in it...I mean, I have their songs...but listening to them live for a whole set, it really jumps out at you in a big way...especially in how they arrange for these live versions...

Encore 2
Every Breath You Take ...video clip...

...eventually, the end...

Altogether...I was impressed...I was surprised by the excellent guitar work, interesting percussions...and how cool the sound was for just their 3 pc band... Glad I went...it was surprisingly a relaxing type of show...I think it was the island flavor I think their live set had...I felt like we could have had this out at the beach w/some fruity drinks...or perhaps by the pool...

Their overall stage production, I think was kept simple, clean...and I appreciate that...let the music do the work...where there were some small extras, they added to the overall bit, like the one video overlay, and the dinosaur bits...

Fashion, etc---I wouldn't forget that...well, the other two were meh...but Sting...lol...he could have worn that back in the 80's...perhaps he dug it out?? Skinny pants are back in though...lol, so maybe he gets a pass...and he had a lovely plain wht muscle shirt(pants were black btw)...showing off his extremely well toned arms...I have seen pictures of Sting from back in the day...when he was uber uber uber hot...he still is hot...but while I was content up in the stands now...judgeing by his demeanor...and imagining his past uberness, I can imagine, had I been old enough back in the day, wanting to lay down the cold hard dough for a spot up front...hell, I could probably deal with it now.........but alas...I was there for the MUSIC!!! LOL;)

Hope everyone with a show coming, truly enjoys them!

Velvet Aftermath...

2007-05-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

OH MY HOLY HELL...

I feel like I was just fucked every which way to sunday..........and NO not by the band....shame too, because there was some definite hotness onstage...

Seriously, I feel like I was in a washing machine or some such madness, was the crowd...this wins for roughest crowd of my life...hardcore...out of control, weed fuming madness...

And NO crack getting to be got...serious security, just feet away...thankfully...they threw more than one person out...unfortunately none of whom were responsible for practically crushing moi to death!!!

I think this show, in particular is reason # 448 why, ems does not want to reduce her stature.....lol 3rd person, I know...its late...but FUCK...had I been 50lbs lighter(better wt) I do not think I could have held them off...

Ok, all that madness said...VR rocks-REALLY HARD---they are that CLASSIC rock band---balls to the wall bravado loud killer music...Scott is a sinuous freak...quite striking on stage, if a bit fey--seriously...Slash...is beyond magnificent on guitar...most of night less than 3 ft from me...felt like he was playing just to me all night---bwah--in my dreams! The hottie that surprised me, due to ignorance...was the blond locked bassist...yum--that would be Duff...he really was yummy...

Scott was shirtless most of the night, often featuring a captains style hat...with the lowest of low slung pants...V well displayed...Duff in leather vest...that was a bit abbreviated, showing off his slender but extremely defined build--and V...encore, Duff was shirtless as well...mmmmm....

And despite the no smoking indoors laws...this did not stop our classic Slash, top hatted, ciggy smoking, killer riff playing...and the man, looked to have the most impressive package on stage...lol...sorry, I couldn't help it...I did, in fairness, try to check em all out! bwah...

And boy did the boys sweat...they were all dripping...

I suppose I could comment more on the music...lol...but most of what they played I did not recognize, though they performed it very well...they had 2 encores...multiple songs each...during one of the encores....they played Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here...the guitars were mad good...Scott was sensitive, quiet, and still really sexy...

Holy hell, I am spent from the show...my attention was totally split and fried between the killer crowd, and the dripping rock hotness on stage...

Very odd show for me....I feel like I just woke up in someones bed, after a night of excessive passion, yet can't even remember my name kind of shocked awe of the show....very weird, crazy night...I think this is what they mean, by ROCK AND FUCKING ROLL...

Velvet Revolver: hot fast loud crazy wild...ROCK hotness....

2007 Concerts, the First Round: Daughtry, Storm & Dude w/Big Head!

2007-03-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Daughtry 2/6/2007 @ Neumo's

Pictures for the show are all >>Here<<

Slideshow:

What do I have to say about this show…here were the first impressions I posted on Rockband Lounge after the show:

Show fucking rocked. He made the right choice to turn down Fuel.He was way toorock for AI. AI did not show his true presence and talent. While I preferred
him, over the rest of the AI bunch, I never thought he was that great from a rock perspective. Tonight totally won me over. I am really glad I went. We will not be seeing him on a small club tour again, it was a once around chance I think! You know, as much as I am not a fan of idol, he got alot more exposure on that show than say Rockstar. And, he is using it in the best way possible. I think he totally has cred. This was a straight rock show. Oh, and he did a couple covers in addition to the album songs. One notable one was Sunday Bloody Sunday. They rocked the shit out of it just right. I was impressed, and I am a U2 fan, so, that is saying something. Of course, it made me really want to see U2 as well.........one of these days.

My thoughts after a month…not so different. It was a really good show. Daughtry, and Chris as the front guy have IT. They have a serious fanbase, thanks in large part to AI…but what they definitely have is a guy who can straight up sing…and front a rock band. That is the bottom line, and will be a very successful combination. I wish them much success and I will see them again, given the chance.

Storm and the Balls 2/24/2007 @ the High Dive

Pictures for the show are all >>Here<<

Slideshow:

I posted a bit from the show at >>Rockband<<. These were my thoughts:

Just saw Storm and her Balls, lol, in Seattle...and they were so good. The most impressive bit of the night was this italian song she sang a capella. Her voice is so, so strong, pure and just outerworldly. The lady has pipes. She sounded like full opera singer quality, vocally. It was stunning. Wow.

I later found out the Italian song: “O Del Mio Dolce Ador”. Per Storm, posted at the Ballz Board

Roughly translated , it is a song of desperate longing for someone who is credited with keeping breath in the body of the one who loves her ... ie ..
without her , he dies , so , when she dies ... of dyptheria or something poetic and awful like that ... he's going to the happy place and his love for her will be in his last breath ... "Al fin respiro....."

I love the Italians ... besides my bias towards one in particular ... they really know how to eat , fuck , live , love and die . Mmmm .

The set list per the Ballz board was:
Set 1:
1. Brain Stew
2. Brain Damage
3. Star Strangled Pushernoia
4. I Want You To Die
5. Missionary Sandman
6. Beautiful
7. Abba-Gadda-Davida
8. Tainted Love

Set 2:
9. New rocking original song
10. Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?
11. Hopelessly Devoted To You
12. Ace of Spades
13. Ladylike
14. N.I.B.
15. Where Is My Mind
16. Heartbreaker
17. Sweet Homie Mutha Fucka
18. ?

Encore:
19. Song in Italian sung a cappella
20. Total Eclipse of The Heart

Big Head Todd & the Mondsters 2/28/2007 @ the Showbox

I only took a few photo's...

I was totally unfamiliar with this band. My biggest impression is that folks that are fans *love* them. It also looks like a really cool fan community...the band seems to encourage folks planning big gatherings, etc. So, if you are a fan, and they are in town, GO GO GO to their show. Everybody in the place (21-60) was having good time, and rocking out!

My pics of them are >>here<<, more may get loaded.

So that is the first quarter! Blue October on Sunset Strip, sold out show tonight!

Goo Goo Dolls tomorrow!

So, much more to come!

Don't Fuck with my Mellow - Rant #2

2007-03-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

So, what kinds of things are sticking in my craw right about now?!?!?!

LOL…eh, so much to choose from.

First, this is my place, so I can talk about whatever the fuck I want, so I will...if you don’t like it, you can just click away to another place…good, we understand eachother, xoxo ;)

That same consideration I give to everyone....you have your own myspace, blog, whatever, you do whatever you want…it is yours. I won’t tell you what you can do with it, if you should, shouldn’t moderate it, track it, delete it, make it private, whatever…it’s all yours baby.

Me, well most all of that shit, is too much trouble. Can I have a tracker…hell yeah! Do I? Well that’s my business! Lol…But honestly, all that stuff is more trouble than its worth mostly…What it does teach you, is that there is little to no way, that anyone is truly anonymous. I am not, I don’t really ever try to be.

But, I also hold no illusions.

Do any of us really? If I really want to know you are you, well some of us will meet, some of us not. For those of us that don’t there is a giant leap of faith we take. In the end, though, it matters not.

Cyberspace is a wonderful, crazy, dangerous, exciting, amazing place. We get to chatter w/folks from around the world, from all walks of life. Doesn’t matter if you are famous, or exceedingly common, or even DULL! Of course, folks will impersonate and represent themselves alternately through this medium. This is part of the ultimate craziness.

Do I really care about this? Not really. Do I ever pretend to be other than myself out there? Sure, it is fun. Do I care if you do? Not really. Do I care if you share space with someone and say you are them, and them you? Oy! Tres confusing. But your thing , not mine! Some call this cyber fraud. Whatever. If you are a frog, and pretend to be Prince, lol…well, at least use a nice picture! If you are a goddess and pretend to be an Adonis……..well…uhmmm, you have your own issues! If you are a real person, and are portraying an inanimate object……..just play it REALLY still. Just sayin;)

OK, then….

So what else is there…well, I have been privy to….alot of interesting information recently…..about all sorts of folks………eh, it’s entertaining…but then so is E! News, and People magazine.

Reality, I don’t necessarily care who is fucking who, who is impersonating who, who is cheating on who, etc, etc…………..but….but it is funny to hear about, sometimes. I find it amusing, really, those that get overly caught up in it………..that want to have a say, in say, some famous person fucking someone else. Uhmmm, lol, if it is not me they are fucking, then it probably doesn’t matter what I really think about it……….unless one of the 2 parties is calling to ask my advice, lol….and so far, that only happens w/the closest of close friends, lol……..

You know, if any artist, singer, dancer, movie star, decides to date the funniest looking person ever………..with the most disgusting job ever……..whatever…..how they are both having a good time. Not my issue…just sayin….that said, I might find it amusing if you tell me about it…but it does not effect my state of mind…..though sometimes other peoples craziness…lets face it…….helps make us all feel a little more sane. That is why the Enquirer, has such high circulation……….That and the space aliens……

Ok, now …let me not beat too far around the bush…………..I have been reading all over the internet recently, a few people that are all BENT over a few chicas that are all up in their Boytoy’s interests……….SHOCK! lol….quells……..

Peeps…this is not new!!!! Girls DO THIS. Lol…I mean, seriously! I have talked to lots of significant others of folks in the music industry this last year……….they are, mostly all cool people….I do not know them, but they have all been polite…whether I have met them face to face or chatted w/them via email through some research I was doing on said artist.

I have talked to family members, band members….all cool peeps. SO’s are just an extension of this. Many have been very active on their mates sites, message boards, etc….some are artists or musicians themselves……..others, are just there, doing whatever for their Man or Woman, as it were…. It’s all good peeps.

And big FAT evs to any of you that give a rats ass about anyone that has impersonated anyone. That’s right… WHO THE FUCK CARES?!?!?!?… most of the folks I have met in person, are cool. What goes on in cyberspace…it is just crazy as I said above. I really hold no expectations of it.

I am all for promotion of artists and their respective talents. Let’s do what we can. I am also all about amusement and fun…………….. tell me shit, I will lmao w/you…. Snark about someone’s hair, yeah baby, you know I am there… tell ME ALL ABOUT how they sang song after song to YOU looking into your eyes the whole time, BWAH… it’s all good.

The rest, if you are just about this land of cyber, to complain, or yank my chain about your agenda……..well, I might listen, or I might tell you to fuck off. That is MY prerogative.

Love Baby Love. Don’t fuck with my mellow.

Doubles for EVERYONE!

Ems

Must.Have.More.Rockstar!

2007-03-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

It is not confirmed yet whether or not CBS is bringing back RockStar this summer.

We can't let that happen! We got a great band back with RockStar:INXS, as well as JD, Marty, Suzie... We got to discover many great artists with RockStar:Supernova... Lukas, Toby and Juke Kartel, Magni, Dilana, Storm and her balls, Ryan, Josh... (and let's not forget Dirty Phil and our MiZtreZZ Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!)

And most notably with both seasons, we discovered the talented musicians of the House Band... Jim, Paul, Nate, Rafa and Sasha. Those guys rocked our TV for both summers, and we love them for it! Without the TV show, most of us would have never heard of them or of their music.

The vast majority of us would have never heard of those all those talented people if it was not for RockStar!!! We need a third season! We need this great show on our tv this summer again!

If you want to help bring back one of the best reality tv show to CBS... Please write them a note and post it at the following address:

**UPDATED**

Ghen Maynard
Executive Vice President
CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group
7800 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles , CA 90036

Or to email them, go visit the following link and fill out their form: CBS

Please please please please please!!! Do this once or twice a day for a month or so... CBS won't be able to ignore all the mail and emails they'll receive!!!

Another great idea is to send them one LETTER (not email) per day for 30 days. You can send emails in addition, but how much more of an impact will it have on them if they get MANY letters in the mail each day, asking for RockStar to be back on the air this summer?

For more information on the Letter Writing Campaign, check out this thread at Rockband.com

With everyone helping, we just might get another season of RockStar!

Also, spread the word! Copy and paste this into your blogs & bulletins and let all of your Blog & MySpace friends know that we need their help!

On a personal note, do it for me! I must have more ROCKSTAR...more, more, more!

Elisa/ems

New Years Rant... Being mean, Hypocrisy, Friendship, etc...

2007-01-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

So, there are many outlets these days, for all of us to say our piece, right? Well, hell, this is my blog, so, eh, I am soooooo, going to say it here!

Continue to read at your own risk. Not for the faint of heart. Also, this is not a hearts and flowers bit, as I am more prone to. This is just a bit angst filled, so again, proceed at your own risk. This is me ranting to myself. I am not sending this to anyone, you will only read this if you are making an effort to. Additionally, this is not directed at anyone. Period. Alot of stuff has just set me off lately, so I am just going to go off on some stuff that I think here...

- I am sick and tired of folks being holier than thou. WTF!??!?! Live life as you mean it, don't preach to me, what you think I am doing wrong. Worry about your own choices, behavior, actions, etc.

- Being mean - there is no excuse, if you are mean, fucking own it. Am I a nasty ass bitch sometimes, yeah, probably. I am cool with that, and I own the consequences. That said, don't make excuses for others that are mean, rude, etc. We all have to live with our own actions. If you do something that hurts someone else, be careful, karma is a bitch, it might come up and bite you back on the ass! That said, please becareful! This can become a viscious cycle...

- Hypocrisy. Do I really need to go on? Well I will anyway. We see this in politics all the freakin time. I see it daily, in person. The way people behave. Again, I think this goes back to owning what you do. Actions speak louder, etc. Don't say one thing, believe one thing, and then, do the other, act another way. Just freakin be consistent whatever you do. This is tough, even for me! But, it sure makes more sense. Just sayin;)

-You don't have to like me, and I don't have to like you. This is the biggest issue I have with some folks. The need to 'be liked'. You know, I don't like everyone...and I really don't want everyone to like me. We are all different. That I accept. Sometimes, some of us do not see eye to eye, and will never converge on the basics. That is cool. Those folks do not need to be my enemy, but they sure as heck, do not need to be my friends either.

- Friendship. I have friends that I have been friends with for over 20 years. Gee, am I getting old? I also have friends I have met in the last year. I love you all. I value you all. I am extremely loyal. If you ever need anything, I will be there for you. I expect the same thing in return. If you have a problem with me, come to me, don't be passive agressive, don't bitch about me to someone else. Also, I don't choose between friends. Sorry, just doesn't happen. I don't fight with friends either. It is simply not worth the drama. I accept that my friends, like myself, are not perfect. But you all are fun, and decent, good people. Lets just respect each other, and carry on.

Ok, so the brunt of my bitchiness has worn off...maybe more will come to me later? LOL...I hope not, but you never know. Over an out for now. I hope everyone is having a good day;) See, I am a hearts and flowers, kumbaya chick! Really, I am ! (what the fuck ever, eh?!?!?!?!?)

A (groupie) year in Review…

2006-12-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

What’s that you say?!?!?! Groupie, me? Uhmm, yeah, lol;) Mind you, I have absolutely NOT had sex w/any rockstars…swear…pretty sure…hey, just kidding… What I have done is go to about 24 or so musical events/concerts/gigs, this year…note, my prior count, lifetime was about 4 major concerts and less than a handful of small bar type gigs…

And let’s not forget, of that total double dozen count, sweet 16 of them have been INXS shows… Yes, you heard me…INXS . Before this year, they were but a musical reminiscence for me of years past…this year they became my heart. (see INXS concert recaps)

I did do a few other things this year…I did go to South Korea…and wow, what an awesome experience that was. I almost went to Austrailia and Europe, but those did not pan out…I will have to plan those in upcoming years.

In the end though, this year was all about the music. Music and all the friends I have made through the sharing of the love for it. I can thank (or blame) Rockband.com and the lovely people that post on the forums there for helping make this year so awesome. I can also sincerely thank a band, that 18 or so months ago, I barely thought about…INXS, for pushing me to this journey. Or maybe I should thank Mark Burnett…whose reality TV series Rockstar, has seemingly changed my musical life forever.

What started out as whimsical summer viewing on Tuesday/Wednesday nights in the summer of 2005…somehow, what followed has enveloped and shaped the entirety of my year this 2006. Watching this one dude win, what seemed to be his dream, to front, a band I fondly remembered from my youth…warmed my heart. I had no idea that is would shape my very existence.

So the year…how did it start? Well, I believe it began, more or less, with me deciding I needed to post more on Rockband.com since I was going to be meeting a bunch of ‘em in Vegas at the end of January. Yeah, the madness that had been fed by obsessively reading the forum there, was just about ready to spread…

So, by mid January, I was ready to attend my ‘first’ INXS show. I had tickets to this show, here in Seattle, and to the Las Vegas show…which was a convention or massive gathering of sorts for folks post Rockstar, to come together from the various fan communities. It was supposed to just be those 2 shows…

So, on January 18th, I was there…here at the Paramount…front row just behind the 2row Pit (I had sprung for some upgraded seats)…I ended up w/noone in front of me…just about 5 feet in front of Tim Farriss all night. The band, that I had fallen in love with, in a whole new way than I ever admired their music back in the day, I was getting to see live, with that guy that I had wanted to win, on that TV show I had watched…

I was beside myself. First I had never seen a concert from that close before…practically at the stage… Next, I had simply never been to such a show. This band was so good on stage. Each member, amazing…connecting with the audience. I was in awe. (my Seattle show recap here)

Not barely a week and a few days later, I was in Vegas, at another show…After a preparty gathering of the folks from Rockband.com, there was the big show. I had brought one of my friends along…who was not a big fan…she was blown away at the show—we were not up front, rather in the stands with the common folk. Apparently, the lead singer, JD, was sick, but honestly…it was still an amazing show…the energy in the 10K or so people that were in that room. It was a thrilling experience. Following this, there was an afterparty sponsored by the forum I had been reading/posting at (Rockband.com). It was just some of us fans, and one of the contestants from the previous summers Rockstar, Deanna Johnston was performing. No the band(INXS) was not there, so don’t go thinking it was that type of party, lol…It was just a chance for all of us that had been waiting for this for so long, and for folks that had gotten to know each other online, to finally meet in person, and share this great experience. It was interesting…I feel like I kind of met some people, but it was odd…so many…and so many of us…uhmmm, a bit shy… but it was still great fun. I was so glad I went…that was supposed to be the end of this little INXS adventure come obsession. What a great ride… (Vegas show recap)

Well, that was not then end, rather just the jumping off point. I kept posting at Rockband.com . I got to know the posters online better as time went on…In fact, not even a full week later, one of the leading members, posted about some front row tickets becoming available on ebay for some rescheduled show in St Charles (suburb of St Louis)…for some crazy, undefinable reason, 6 of us, bought them, and decided to all go, to the middle of the country to see INXS …again!… what was up. Was Vegas not enough? The lure of the front row, was strong, and airfares cheap. There was no turning back on this journey now.

So we all ended up in St Charles. It was an amazing show, to say the least. I met up with some (some I had met briefly in Vegas) of the most amazing people here…many of which I call good friends today. The bonds we formed here, in the middle of who knew where USA…I will always treasure. The concert, the addiction that was INXS, exploded. (St Charles recap)

It was some time later a few wks I guess, when I found out I would be attending a work conference in Nashville the same time INXS had a show there in April. Needless to say I bought a ticket. And not just any ticket. One that eventually landed me in the front 2 rows of pit. It also, was an amazing coming together of many other Rockband.com members…we dubbed it Nashvegas. I had a great time meeting so many more folks I had come to know through this amazing online community. Also, a side benefit of my ticket was a meet and greet with the Band…don’t get too excited…it was just a kitchy little photo op w/the band, and them basically coming down a line of us, chatting briefly and signing stuff. But still, it was fun, to see them face to face, and tell them how amazing they were, and thank them for some great shows. This was really a special show for me, meeting the band for the first time, and really meeting and getting to spend time with so many Rockbanders. (Nashvegas recap)

So, was the madness over yet? One would think. But no, the band had a couple more dates scheduled close to me again, here in Seattle and Vancouver (BC). I bought tickets.

However, in a surprising turn, my sister called me not 2 days after I sprang for a front row Vancouver ticket, with an amazing opportunity. She offered me a chance to go along with her to South Korea for a week. Unfortunately, this was the same week, that INXS was going to be in Seattle and Vancouver. But, what am I thinking…I only had to buy airfare, the rest of the vacation was paid for…I had already seen INXS 4 times. I had to go with my sister. Family and grand international adventure was calling. I made the only logical decision, and I am so glad. Korea was amazing. The people were beautiful and kind. The country was so rich with cool things to see, do, eat! The pictures were amazing that we took on this adventure. I am so happy I took this little detour in what is otherwise a tale in excessive concert going… Traveling, is one of my first loves. It was great sharing it with my sister, and experiencing this land first hand was truly an honor.

So, was my year in groupiedom, cut short by real life trans Pacific adventure to another land? One would think. But no, not a week later, rather just 4 days after my return from overseas, I left on a trip I fondly call California Dreamin’. I took a groupie vacation if you will, and went to every INXS show from Reno to San Diego…meeting up with friends, staying at houses, and hotels with my friends I had met along the way. Seeing a band play, almost every night to fans that simply love them. I cannot tell you what it was like. Needless to say, band run ins, poker, flowing cosmos, tour bus tours, lol…it was amazing. The friends I had made during my concert going and posting online, helped make something unimaginable a year before, be so amazing. Being a fan of a band I had only one cassette tape of, prior to the previous summers TV show…had brought me so much joy and so many friends, I can never thank them enough. The music, the sound track to this journey…INXS baby…they are simply like no other.

So with that ended my bit of groupiedom…for a while… I had contemplated going overseas to see them in Oz and / or in Europe, but those trips never materialized for me. That was ok, I had definitely had my fill. Over the summer, I let the latest incarnation of the Rockstar series take me away. I had become a moderator on Rockband.com and watched the show, discussed it and snarked on it with an expanded community of folks. It was really cool. I had not experienced the show quite like this the previous summer. It was different though…there was not a band that had those youthful memories for me, trying to find a singer, rather a new one, that honestly, I never got too invested in. The folks they presented to us on TV, did not initially impress me…but as I started to listen the off show efforts of some of them, and the show progressed, I became a fan of many.

I even planned on going to a taping. I ended up going to the taping of the main performance show the second to the last week. I got to meet up again with so many friends on this trip. We even got to go to a ‘red carpet’ commercial taping the day before. It was cool. I was amazed at what it took to put a show like this together…and surprised again at how different it all is when you see it sans editing…you get to see all that really happens, not just what ends up on that hour of TV. The singers even sound different! And the energy…live music…it is simply impossible to trasmit that over the television screen. I am so glad went. I plan on going flying down for a few next summer if at all possible. It is like a free concert (not counting the airfare)…and just an amazing experience.

Thus begun the second half of the year…the year that I discovered live music in general…to an extent that I had never before let come into my life. I guess all that INXS concert going madness was now spreading!

One of the contestants from this summers show, that was dismissed early…I had become a big fan of his bands music, Lennex. I simply thought their CD’s were amazing. As luck would have it, I decided to hop a quick flight out to DC /MD area to see one of their shows, and meet up with some of my east coast Rockband friends. I am so happy I did. I was blown away by this band live. I even got to meet (and hug! Squee!) the lead singer…and take a lot of pictures! It was fun. I could not believe that another season of Rockstar, had brought me to be a fan of another band! And it wasn’t even the winner this time…lol, I think I am a goner;) (Lennex, Live! read all about it here!)

About a month later, I saw another band (this time local!) called Blue October. What is funny, is that I was exposed to their music because one of the contestants from this years Rockstar, sang one of their covers on the show, Razorblade. I was intrigued by the sound of the song that I was previously unfamiliar with. Added to that, I had heard some other positive buzz about the band following this…so when I learned they would be in Seattle, I bought the tickets! And all I can say is WOW! They are simply phenomenal. I now own 2 of their most recent CD’s, and seriously plan on buying the rest of their back catalogue…their music is great! Live, they are stunning. Not the prettiest bunch, lol, but intense, excellent and passionate musicians.

The following week, I had tickets to the sold out Killers show here in Seattle. They were pretty good, but honestly, they did not compare, musically, in my opinion with Blue October. I am extremely happy I went though, it was a fun show. My favorite songs were live were off of their previous album, Hot Fuss: Somebody Told Me, and Mr. Brightside. (Read my little review of Blue v the Killers here)

The next day, I was headed down to spend some time with my mom, as she was to be recuperating from knee surgery. I had a lay over in San Diego that I engineered to meet up with some friends again, and go see Ryan Star…yet another contestant from this most recent series of Rockstar. He is, simply, gorgeous. LOL. And, an amazingly intense musician, and really good songwriter. It was fun to get to see him in a small setting, doing his thing. I listened to his live CD(that he put out with at the end of this season backed by the amazing Rockstar House Band) on the drive up from San Diego to my moms. Really good CD.

Are you thinking I am done? Tsk, tsk, not so much;)
I found out in October sometime, that Paul Stanley (of KISS fame) was touring with the Rockstar House Band as his supporting band! I love them! They, honestly, are half the reason one watches the Rockstar show. I got to meet(briefly) a couple of them when I went down for a taping, they were so sweet! And live, at the taping they were amazing. I knew, another opportunity to see them peform, was too good to pass up, even if I couldn’t care less about this Paul Stanley fellow! Ha ha…I was right...

In early November, the Paul Stanley tour touched down in Seattle…me, armed with my ticket, met up with, yes, yet again, some fellow rockbanders and set myself up front and center! I was excited once the show started that it looked like we would be able to take pictures…this is something I had come to really enjoy at some shows earlier this year, the opportunity to take photos of the band…as a fan, it was fun to capture the moments on stage, to look back on. And oh my, the House Band, was blazing…they rock out on stage, play their instruments so brilliantly…it is almost blinding to the eyes and ears. Stunning they are on stage…I almost have no words. Sasha…surprisingly, wowed me even more than I anticipated. He is their HOT bassist…uhmmm, yum! His bass lines are amazing. Rafael, lead guitarist…O…just sayin. Nate, back there on drums! Yes…Paul Mirkovich on keyboards, and Jimmy McGorman on Guitar…just awesome. They made me think I was a Paul Stanley fan by the end of the evening! LOL…I cannot say enough about these guys. They are the best. Period.

.

What could follow this? Well, I got to see Storm and the Balls the following weekend. Storm Large was another contestant introduced to me via this years season of Rockstar. She is really an amazing woman. I got to sit in and record an interview one of my friends (yes, from Rockband—who flew in from OKC!) who conducted with her, before the show. I cannot tell you how much I like and admire this woman….she is not only gorgeous in pictures, amazing on stage, but truly a beautiful spirit. Her show that night was incredible.

Aww, the holidays, a break from the musical madness that has overtaken my life…Thanksgiving…I spent this year with friends rather than family…a conscious choice as I really did not want to travel during this holiday weekend. I am so glad I did this. It was relaxing, and friends are truly an amazing thing to have in your life…and in a way, are a type of family. It was a good holiday.

But never fear, a few more musical shows were in the offing. It turns out, that INXS had scheduled their last 2 shows of the year, in California…yeah! It was time to reconvene the California crew! Well, not everyone could make it, but the few I got to meet up with, and good friend I got to stay with made it an awesome trip! And seeing INXS again…probably a perfect circle to this fine year. They were a couple of interesting shows. So Cal shows and the fans…very devoted to say the least. The first show at the Disneyland House of Blues…out of control crush…and the boys, on stage, were as remembered, amazing, though, uhmmmm, feeling no pain (yeah I caught a wiff of their happy sauce pre show—just sayin;) Made me kind of munchie. And Indio, the very last scheduled concert of the year…it was really really good. They were on, like only INXS can be on.

They had a special guest guitarist come on during encore, and their love for eachother and for performing was at it’s height here. This trip ended, not with this INXS show, in the desert of of Southern California…but at my friends house, shooting video of her pug dog Coco…adorable pooch, hilarious video. Coco is a ‘star’ ;)

One more bit of musical madness to cap off the year…a quick trip I paid for via miles earned ;) I had the chance to pop over to Baltimore again…and the chance to see Juke Kartel (fronted, by wait for it…another of the contestants from this years Rockstar)… And of course, meet up with some fellow Rockband friends again. Always a good time. Though Juke Kartel did not blow me away with their sound or songs, I found them all excellent musicians on stage, all very pretty and hot!, and Toby, their lead…has a really good voice. I will be interested to see where they go from here. I wish them the best. Another of the bands from this night, did spark my musical interest though, Whitestarr, I am going to have to look up their music! See, alls well that ends well.

So that is it …the Christmas and New Years holidays await. I will be spending them with family. I have yet, no concert plans for 2007, though I am sure I will attend a few. However, I expect nothing will ever compare to the outrageous ride that 2006 has been. I know, I will never see a band 16 times in a single year, ever again! I am pretty sure real life happenings other than concerts will take precedence once again in my little reality. Though I am also sure, I will continue to partake in live music, and make sure it is a significant part of my life from now on. While this year has been outrageous, I am looking forward to the fun, this years experiences will lead me to in years to come. And to the great friends I have made…there are no words. I can only say, I love you all, and I cannot wait until we meet again!

NEW! Photoland...

2006-10-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have decided to create a blog dedicated soley to the pictures I have taken over the course of years...

Right now, I have begun to really enjoy taking photos during concerts, but have always enjoyed taking pictures of my friends and family, not to mention pictures while on vacations.

Now, I am very much just an amatuer, but I like to click the button that makes pictures! Anyway, check out my Photo page...I will be loading much more here as time permits...

So far I have just loaded a couple of the slideshows from recent rock concerts...but the sky is the limit!

Ems

San Diego: BIGfoot or bust!

2006-10-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

So, yeah…you are looking at the title and thinking…wha?!?!?!?

Let me explain…(WARNING, mcwordy words start here…)

So one of my friends is very much…uhmmm, specific in that a certain contestant from this year’s Rockstar Supernova, has uhmmm, BIG feet. And you all know what that fact leads many to conclude………………………………

Consequently, post show, a small few of us have been referring to this Artist come rocker as BIGfoot. It is our fun little nickname as it were…both highly amusing and provocative. We are easily amused, clearly.

Anyway, this muscian, is none other than Mr. Ryan Star. I had been following his progress since he left the show. I was a bit perturbed that I was able to make a taping literally the only week he was absent, as he had been eliminated the week prior, and came back for encore the week following…the Sunday I was there, was seriously the only Ryan-less taping ALL freakin’ summer… Not fair, lol ;) Sheesh, what do I have to do to see this guy on stage? Well, it just gets funnier (though I might have lacked amusement along the way!). It is announced that he will be hitting some west coast cities before returning for his big ‘welcome home’ in NYC. I was excited because this meant I would not have to miss him, nor contemplate traversing the continent for yet another rocker… Sounds good, yes?

Yes, well… Once the dates were announced…I was like, ooh, a Seattle date! Yay, home….errr…oh no! it is during the time while I am in CALIFORNIA…grrrrrr!!!! What the hell. Seriously?!?!?! BIGfoot is trying to escape me. So my mind starts churning…what to do…do I see if somehow I can switch weeks with my sister (we are helping my mom out)? No, that is not cool, I had already committed to being in Fresno for a very specific time. What else could I do. I looked at all the dates available, and note that there is a stop in San Diego the Friday that I was due to arrive in CA. Well, I immediately contact my So Cal buddies and am like…hey do you all want to get together in SD and see Ryan aka BIGfoot? Answer: yes! BIGfoot was on the itinerary. The planning commenced.

So I bought tickets, literally the day BEFORE they went on a 2fer. So typical! Then I finally schedule my open jaw flight…literally the day AFTER the prices go up like a $100…Gee, I am just full of luck, eh? Whatever…nothing is getting in my way…BIGfoot will NOT escape again! Logistically we even had some rearrangements to tackle last minute…including waiting until the day before to book hotel, where ONLY one room is left. We were getting to San Diego, but is was NOT easy, people! Good news towards our arrival in this lovely Southern California city…one of our other concert buddies was in So Cal, and would also be joining us! Yay! We were SOOOOOO going to be having a good time. These peeps are my FAVORITE people to hang out with and see a show. Pure fun we have. Pure fun we would have. Heck, BIGfoot could bomb(he would not), and we would still have a raging good time. That is our way. Good times or bust!

So we arrive in San Diego…nice room! Yay. Things are going well. We all get ready and head to the House of Blues. We plan to have dinner there, so we get first in privileges. All is as planned. We arrive, and as we are waiting to be seated, first sighting, as the BIGfoot-mobile rolls up behind us, waiting at the light to go around the block to the entrance to the showroom. Yeah, BIGfoot is too cool for school, slipping his shades on…I am sure the fabulousness of all that was 5th Avenue was overwhelming, lol;) My friend, who is the one that is very much responsible for all of these feet references, SQUEE’s---‘that’s Ryan!’ LMAO. Yes, we are sooooooo going to have a good time. We just have to sit down, order some food, and have a drink! Ooh, I had a mojito…yum! So we eat, we amuse ourselves...

Eventually, the rests of our crew shows up. We then head out to find our early entrance line. Well, this gets a little comical. We literally were led 2-3times back and forth through the restaurant and back, being directed different places where we were supposed to be….errr! What the…. Anyway, we finally found the ‘line’ we were supposed to be in, first we were…shocking. Here's a picture of us (or our feet, lol) as we wait...

So finally, we get to go in, and most of us head right up front, as that is what we had all done this for. We are front row wenches, we were not to be distracted! But wouldn’t you know it…a few were…the merchandise table held a few rapt for a bit…but they soon realized their distraction and glided over to the stage along side us and some other cool fans. Many of the folks there were for reasons OTHER than BIGfoot. That is cool. We made friends with them, told them they could scoot right up front after Ryan…Always make friends with those around you! Rule one of successful Front Row experiences (we should write a book gals! Eh?)

So we are there, about an hour before BIGfoot is scheduled to grace us with his dark presence. What to do? Well, we should probably get drinks. So we send a couple of our peeps up stairs to the bar. They, so nicely volunteer to get us drinks. Well funny, they are ceremoniously told, after they order like 5 or 7 drinks between the two of them, that they were not allowed to bring them back…and they had already been made so…what to do…well, they courageously knocked them ALL back. What seemed like an eternity later, they come back to us, making their way through the fan friends we had made…and told us this sad tale. Needless to say, they were feeling GRAND! Shocking, I know.

Pre-show we got to see the very Zen one that is referred to as Elephant Eye…Stoney, some will call him. He recognized some of the others from previous shows, and I make sure and point out to the others that the Zen one is in the house. He seems very cool. I am glad Ryan looks to have some very cool people in his circle. Also, once our imbibed gals rejoin us, I decide to go ‘powder my nose’ and check out the merch table. I decide I should support them, and I guess I will get a tshirt, since I already have both CD’s. So I proceed to have the gal working the table (who I would later figure out is the one oft referred to as CakeorDeath) to pull out at least 4 differernt sizes of shirt. Needless to say, I decide on the last shirt extacted. So I head back over to the stage…Soon, the show would commence.
So, finally…the shadow of the TALL dark one enters the stage…Squee! Behind the keys he first sits. My friend that KNOWS feet, nudges me, ‘he is good looking, yes?’ Yes, lol. He is. Shocking, not!

My impression of Mr. Star, on stage is that he is VERY much INTO his music. Completely drowning in it. He is a one man show here, this night, and yet, he does fill the stage, and his concentration and sheer intensity is palpable and very cool. I believe he could have been up there, with none of us there, and the same energy, and intensity would have happened. I see a true artist on stage. Once he steps out from behind the keys and the Zen one hands him a guitar…he comes up front of stage, and we really get to view and feel, the intensity a bit closer.

That said, the aforementioned friend, nudges me again…’see feet?!?!’ Uhmmm, yes, of course, and yes, they are, in fact, BIG. Confirmed.

BIGfoot lives!

So, throughout this night, amidst the intense and emotional performance, there is much squeeing along side me…much, errmm, mentions of foot size, and some conversation of his eternal hotness. We are rather obvious in our observations, no? Yeah, uhmmm. Friend next to me calls other friend that is home far far away, as she is ALSO a BIGfoot admirer, to let her listen in to the show. In addition to basically allowing said remote friend to enjoy the show audio-ly, she also gets to hear our squees, etc, and references to foot size. I am sure, even remotely, we are highly amusing, or not, lol;) Hey, we amuse ourselves! At one point during the night, early on I think….BIGfoot is close to front of stage, right in front of us, playing his guitar, he is starting, what I think is a somewhat serious number…and I think some of the squeeing from my friends along side me, penetrated his concentration, lol…I believe we got ‘shushed’! bwah! I think it was half in jest, or not, errr…my friends that were most excitable though, failed to even take this in…they were having too good a time…Sorry Ryan, we are in our own little world. Oh well, clearly we were all enjoying ourselves. Soon enough, BIGfoot, errr, Ryan, drowns once again back into his performance…all squee’s aside, the night’s performance is quite good, interesting, and intense.

At the end of the show, Ryan, grabs his backpack(yes I said BACKPACK) and hops off stage…this is too funny…shifted from that guy on stage, intense and dark, to a normal guy, off to his next destination (just a few feet away, but still! lol)

Following the BIGfoot show, we retreat, handing our front row spots to the Cheyenne fans behind us..they were very excited. Fans working together, very cool.

We make our way over to the merch table, to where the de-packed Ryan has set up shop. Folks there to see him , are lined up to buy more merch, have stuff signed, get pictures w/him, etc. Our group is a jumbled one, chatting and wandering off at intervals as we await our turn. Honestly, I already had my cd’s, and had already bought my shirt, so I really had nothing to do. So just hung out w/the girls…chatting and waiting. My friends all picked up one of the CD’s. Most got them signed. I believe my one friend introduced herself to CakeorDeath and identified herself as the one that most often referred to the Dark one as the one with BIG feet…CorD amusingly retorted, that they were very thankful, bwah! I am dying. Some more amusing interactions followed, and then we were done for a bit…the Dark one aka BIGfoot, continued for a long while to do his job, signing and posing…His fans might have not been vast here, but they were very dedicated. He is much loved. After the show, we saw some of the Cheyenne(the headliner) fans exit w/some of Ryan’s CD’s, etc…yay! New fans. Always a good thing.

So after we dispersed, we briefly went back to our hotel...I opened a an event thread on Rockband.com including the set list...thoughts of decoding the extended scribblings?!?!?! I will leave that to your imagination...

…I left the Zen one a comment about how cool he was on his myspace…then we went back to the HOB to have a few cocktails as the main show, and set breakdown finished up…

Once it was all over, we all hung out at another club for a bit…as per our typical beverage of choice while in San Diego especially, Cosmos were flowing. Yum. This club, no idea what it was, I was just a sheep this night, and followed my friends, opened my wallet for what I thought was a steep cover, $20…but hey, it did look pretty trendy…so out came my hard earned cash…we all got stamped w/the invisible stamp…how classy (sarcasm). We go in, ‘My Humps’ is playing, our eyes roll, lol;) Overall though, good mix of music, for all ages, lol…good mix of people…including BIGfoot, the Zen one, etc who we eventually ran into. I think they thought we were quite odd, as we liked to take pictures of our feet and what not…LMAO. Seriously, do we have a problem????? Don’t answer this. We all live with our own illusions;)

...I believe this is SOH's, the Zen one, and my feet...the Zen one is apparently giving either our feet or us the bird! lmao...

And then Stoney show's us his famous pose...

After we had our fill of cosmos, took pictures (of our feet, etc) we eventually leave to go for yet, another meal, just my small group of friends…some of us decided we deserved another meal, and one had missed dinner earlier, so…of courses, 1-2oclock is a normal time to have another meal, right? So what do you call a meal between Dinner and Breakfast? LMAO, well I had breakfast, and I think the others had either items off of the lunch or breakfast menu…then we all toddle back to our hotel, to crash for about 4hours, before we must break back to our real lives.

As we all awake about 7ish the next morning, we are chatting, and it comes up that NONE of us had told BIGfoot that he had a great show, or thanked him for the performance, etc…What the heck kind of fans are we?!?!? Oh, well, I hope our endless squee, and our obvious admiration were just that, obvious. It was our little ‘Oscar moment’ where we forgot the most obvious thing…to thank the artist. 20 lashes!

So the great adventure to see BIGfoot had wrapped up…myself and one other stay behind to have breakfast on the roof of the hotel, and we witness a serious downpour in usually sunny San Diego…nice, lol…

Soon, we leave, I pick up a car at the airport to drive up to Fresno…pop the Dark Horse CD in…6hrs later, I arrive here…Ryan’s voice was a perfect accompaniment for my journey. Never once changed the CD out. Nice.

Right now, I know BIGfoot is in Seattle, my hometown, and his most faithful there, are excitedly anticipating him taking the stage. They will not be disappointed.

I wish all of them the best, and Ryan a great show. My belated thanks to him and his…. I can’t wait to hear where the future next takes him in his career, his success, and his fans. BIGfoot, forever;)

www.rstar.net
Rockband.com forum on Ryan Star
www.myspace.com/rstar

Blue October v The Killers - Face Off

2006-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

written the morning of Friday October 13th, 2006

So…I have seen 2 concerts in the last week here in Seattle. Last Friday, October 6th, I had the privilege of seeing Blue October at the Showbox. This Thursday the 12th, I got to attend The Killers show at the Paramount that was sold out. Both were relatively impressive. It was a different experience for me to date this year, concert wise though…as I was only a casual fan of each band, familiar with only a few songs lyrically, though a fan of their music generally.

Coming out of the shows I am definitely a more avid fan of one, but a continued fan of the other.

Here is how it all went down.

So last week, I went to the Showbox. Blue October came out after 2 openers (who were both impressive themselves – Test Your Reflex & Oslo). The venue, which was pretty laid back up to that point…well the crush in anticipation of the main act was evident in the pit/floor area after the final opener left and the stage was being prepped for the Blue. Then they came out, and wow, Blue fans are awesome, the crush towards the center of the pit was serious. And in no time the pit was bouncing…I could the floor vibrating from it under my feet. And how bout those boys on stage. Wow. This Justin character, the lead…he may not be the prettiest guy, but he is intense and effective. I was scared! I was most impressed with their musicality though. Blue rocks hard, but it isn’t just loud, it is eclectic, it is raw, it is cool, it is scary, it is really awesome to take in. They definitely have some synthesized sound combined with usage at point of an electric violin/fiddle(?)…tres cool. Their sound is just so full and rich and rocking hard.

I was familiar with 3 of their songs lyrically, most obviously Razorblade, as that was the song that got me hooked on them originally this summer when it was covered on the TV show Rockstar Supernova by Zayra Alvarez. Have to say, that is still my favorite of theirs, But, the other 2 songs I was somewhat familiar with: Hate Me, and Into the Ocean were also crowd favorites, and I think they are for me too! Overall though, even the songs I was ot familiar with, I totally dug. I already own their current CD, and might have to look into digging back into their catalogue…they really impressed me.

Blue, was an intense and true experience…Their music and lyrics have a visceral quality. They, I suspect, will be huge. Their fans, though not massive in this venue, were avid, and I now totally GET it. I am now a full on Blue October fan. Sign me up,

Now to The Killers. Ok, so folks are probably more familiar with this group. We all remember their first album, Hot Fuss…does anyone not know: Mr Brightside or Sombody Told Me? Yeah, me too! Love those songs. Well, The Killers just dropped their newest cd: Sam’s Town last week. I have to confess, I have not yet bought this one, so I am less familiar with the bulk of their set that is focused on their newest work. That is ok, I like what I hear. It is definitely more rock than their first effort in my opinion. Also notable, the group amuses me…visually…the band looks very 70’s, hair/attire, then there is Brandon Flowers…he is so preppy looking (kind of cute too) at lead. He is a good lead though. Like his vibe.

I would have to say though, their biggest songs in the room, crowd wise, were the ones we all know off their last album, the aforementioned Somebody Told Me(I think it was 3rd on their set list) and Mr Brightside (closed the main set)—the latter, the crowd went crazy. It also, in my opinion, underscored what worked so well off their last album…I call it the chasing beats. They had managed to resurrect that dance rock vibe with these songs…and the crowds respond. They are musically the most well rounded pieces of the night in my opinion. I would say the masses agreed, though the last 2 closing songs of the encore definitely came off well (don’t ask me to name them though, I am with out strong knowledge of their song titles save the title track to their new CD(that opened the show) and the to already mentioned.

Another note. Yeah, this show was sold out. It was a 2-3thousand persosn venue, not sure that many actually showed up. But it was definitely full-ish for the main act. It was SRO on the main floor, pit area. The crowd/venue though more massive than the venue at the Showbox for Blue, was not quite as avid in the front area, by my estimation. Funny, while the Killers seem more popular, I would say, they are just that, more pop…but the fans of Blue…LOVE THEM. It was palpable.

My opinion of the music. Well, they both clearly rock. And The Killers have obviously attained a much earned level of success. Brandon and company are a really good act. I would go to their show again. That said, not sure I need to pick up the new CD, the music just did not speak to me. I prefer Hot Fuss. In contrast though, the folks I came with, the one, prefers the newer CD, so different strokes I guess!

Overall, loved Blue October…must have more! Really liked The Killers, good show.

And, as I sit now, wrapping this up, I am actually in the air, winging my way to San Diego to meet up with some friends. We are going to go to a show at the House of Blues to see a certain Mr. Ryan Star. This is the one guy that I really liked from this last season of Rockstar, that I have not seen live yet. I am very excited. Listening to his live CD, Dark Horse. Very good.

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