My Time

Pink Martini at the Hollywood Bowl

Our annual Hollywood Bowl season started last weekend with a concert by Pink Martini. 

There had been some changes at the bowl since last season.  I was surprised to see the restrooms completely re-done.  Not just new paint, it appeared they had ripped out everything old and revamped it all right down to the floor plan.  Yes, I was impressed by the restrooms. LOL

Though we have seen many Pink Martini concerts, it had been a while and we were not even aware they had brought in a second vocalist.  Storm Large joined the group in 2011 when China Forbes had surgery on her vocal cords and was unable to sing.  China has since made a full recovery, and the group has maintained the relationship with Storm, and we were very fortunate to have both voclists perform during this show.

I was a bit dubious when I heard about a second vocalist.  I mean, really, China Forbes IS Pink Martini.  When I heard Storm sing, my doubts faded away.  She is amazing and fit the group almost perfectly.  The voice was a perfect match for this group, but Storm also sports a HUGE tattoo across her back that says LOVER, and sported a backless dress to show it off.  This is not the classy, neat and immaculate image we are used to from Pink Martini. 

This is a photo from Storm's my space page showing the tatoo. 

 

I don't think this was their best performance, I was not as mesmerized as I had been at previous concerts, but still I was definitely well entertained and will seek them out again for sure. 

And also I was amused at the barefoot Storm Large during the finale.

 

Feeling Exposed

I was recently in a situation that made me consider how much of my personal information is out on the web. For my personal life, I didn't think it mattered much if the world knew places I was going or things I was doing.  My thought process was - hey - why not let the world know?

And then this situation came about where I felt threatened.  These people knew my name, so what else could they find out about me if they looked ?  Turns out, quite a lot.  A blog post, a FaceBook post, or a "places" check-in and anybody could find me.  I've got to say it left me feeling pretty vulnerable.

I abruptly stopped blogging, and stopped all facebook activity.  That just made me feel isolated, and that just isn't me.  So - I have to consider ways to continue putting myself out there, without putting too much of myself out there.

It will forever change the way I interact on the web, I will post after events instead of before, for example.  And the pepper spray is probably a permanent addition to my purse.

My situation has calmed, and I am none the worse for wear.  Please, consider the information you put on the web.  I really never though it mattered, until it did.

Peking Acrobats

 
We saw an amazing performance of the Peking Acrobats at our local performing arts center.  Edge of your seat, jaw dropping action for sure.  If you've ever seen a performance by Cirque du Soleil, it's the same sort of fascinating human artistry.  Just incredible.

They have performed in TV shows and movies, including Oceans 11 (remember the acrobat they used in the vault ?.....hmmm)  They are in the midst of their Silver Anniversary Tour, so you just might see them near you.  If you ever get the chance to see them - DO IT.

Fireworks Canceled

Our Stevenson Ranch Fireworks have been canceled this year.  We are just too dry and the fire danger too great.  This would have been our 10th annual fireworks show, it started the year our home was built.  It has become a tradition for us to watch this show either from our home, or to walk up the hill to the park and watch from there with thousands of others.  This had grown to be the largest display in the Santa Clarita Valley and for sure one of the better shows in Los Angeles. 

According to this article - the Los Angeles County Fire Department is good with the show going on, but our Stevenson Ranch Community Association is using an abundance of caution in their decision.  Stevenson Ranch has seen many wild fires approach our community in recent years - and some have been just too close. 

Although very sad to not have our usual display - I am good with the decision.  I would much rather we be safe than sorry.

So - now we just need to find a "Plan B".

Farmers Market

We made a trip to the local farmers market yesterday.  Look at these georgous mushrooms.  Lacy and huge ! 

The bag of greens you see there was an interesting "stir fry" bag we bought, complete with edible flowers.  I made a very nice stir-fry with the mushrooms, and with broccoli and green onions from the "bag".  But I couldn't bring myself to lash out and put the flowers into the mix.  Val did throw some on top of his stir fry though -- turned out to be a bad idea -- Let's just say I'm glad I didn't eat them ! 

We also found some georgous strawberries and some HUGE artichokes.  Even scored some kitty grass and catnip.  What more could we want right ?

So as part of our participation in The 3/50 Project, we are going to try to make the local farmers market part of our ordinary routine.  And pretty sure it's got to be more healthy for us too.  Maybe won't get any more edible flowers though.

Now - what other local retailers should I put on my list to frequent ?

The 3/50 Project

I read about The 3/50 Project in the paper this weekend and was immediately impressed. 

I'm sure we have all seen businesses close in our neighborhoods recently.  I know I have.  All types of businesses seem to be affected - large and small.

The 3/50 Project is a simple concept -- select 3 local owned-businesses and pledge to spend $50 a month in those businesses.  What 3 locally owned businesses would you miss if they were no longer there ?  You were probably going to spend that $50 anyway -- which is why I think this project is brilliant.

So - check it out at www.the350project.net

No more Loose Goose

 

Well here's yet another victim of this tough economy.   Val & I have enjoyed attending the Loose Goose Wine Festival each October for the past few years.  It has grown to be the largest wine event in California - which is saying a lot.  But the Loose Goose Society yesterday announced that they are no more and have already closed their doors.  This was a great event and right here in Santa Clarita.  Makes me very sad.

I also learned that our own Abbey Lane Cafe will be closing.  It is a very cute little cafe right here in Stevenson Ranch, only a few doors down from my home.  Now I admit I didn't go there as often as I should have - but it was really nice to have around.  That little strip mall area in Stevenson Ranch is having a hard time - so many of the business have closed.

Too much bad news for one week !