"20 years and Then Some Later......"

No, this blog isn't about my battle with procrastination. I'll put that off for a little bit longer. This IS however a grand example of this lifelong struggle to be timely. Below is an entry that I wrote the 2nd week of November and yes, I'm very aware that it is the 2nd week of December.  So with my head hung low, I post this untimely entry with the intent of entertaining or perhaps distracting if but for a moment and maybe, just maybe sparking your interest.......



Living in New York City provides many opportunities and outlets for your above average music lover and aficionado.  I had the great pleasure, 2 weeks ago, of seeing 3 bands that have been together for 20 years or more.  Tuesday night, The Black Crowes played at The Best Buy Theatre in midtown (formerly the Nokia Theatre).  Thursday night, Social Distortion rocked Roseland on West 52nd. Finally, on Saturday night, Don Hill's was THE place to be!  Dramarama brought the house down at the ANYTHING ANYTHING 2nd Anniversary Show! My overall impression of ALL 3 shows is "WOW!  I am SO lucky to live in this awesome city!"  When bands play here, unlike many other cities, they ALWAYS bring their "A" game.  As an audience member I am keenly aware of this honor and am so thankful for the privilege to witness such talent first hand.
  20 years is quite a milestone for any relationship.  The peaks and valleys over such a period of time are indelible and so it goes with rock bands....... 

Courtesy GlideMagazine.com

  The Black Crowes celebrated their 20th Anniversary by playing 5 nights in New York City at the Best Buy Theatre.  Fashionably late,  I arrived at 9:00 pm.   I admit "Kelly-Time" comes to mind for some of you who know me all too well. For those who don't, "Kelly-Time" is 15 minutes later than the actual start time of any event.  Yes, I have my own "Time Zone".  It mostly exists in Florida and not so much here in NYC.  But I digress.......

NYC 2010 Best Buy Theatre, The Black Crowes

I approached the EMPTY bar in the lobby of the concert hall, ordered a Jack & Coke and asked the bartender if the opening band was still playing. She said there is no opening band. The Crowes had been playing since 8:30.  8:30 !!!
I grabbed my drink and rushed into the hall.  It was general admission. 
The theatre has 3 levels, two are standing room only and the top has some theatre seats.  The crowd was not packed in and I was able to maneuver my way to the third row stage left.  They sounded great and what I enjoyed most of all was watching all the band members smiling and really enjoying playing together.  There were many smiles shared and a general vibe of well-being.  Incense filled the air and we all grooved on the energy that ONLY The Crowes can provide. They played for almost 3 and a half hours with one 5 minute intermission and one encore.  They reached deep into their catalog.  In true Black Crowes fashion, they didn't even "SELL OUT" with their playlist. "Hard to Handle" was one of few popular songs the played. A testament to standing the test of time, The Black Crowes are as good and in many ways better than they were 20 years ago.  I will always be a fan.  
                                                 "VIRTUE & VICE" ~The Black Crowes

NYC 2010 Roseland, Social D

  Punk band Social Distortion has the dubious honor of having 30 yrs and then some, under their studded black leather belts.  Though many of the band memebers have changed over the years, Mike Ness has managed to keep the anthem and core sound of Social D alive and kickin.  Roseland was packed and Lucero ushered in Social D with their great Memphis "Punk-try" sound.  Raucous revelry ensued during Social Distortion's "When She Begins" with an encore of their famous cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire".  Fun was had by all who attended. I have seen them play twice in my life and if you are looking for a high energy, great rockin time, go see Social D live.  You won't be disappointed.                                           
                                               "WHEN SHE BEGINS" ~ Social Distortion

NYC 2010 Don Hill's, The Dirty Pearls

On an impulse Friday night, while listening to my friend and brilliant DJ, Bruno's "New Wave and Classic Alternative" show on WFCF at Flagler college, I decided to get tickets for Saturday night's ANYTHING ANYTHING 2nd Anniversary show.  It was a 4 band billing with Dramarama was headlining.  Don Hill's, off Greenwich and Spring, is a gem of a venue. Small without being cramped and a sound system that left my ears ringing until Sunday night (I'm not kidding.  Note to self:  Keep ear plugs in clutch.)  I arrived at 9pm.  I entered the dark club and made my way passed the sea of leather, rivets, studs and tats placing my order at the bar.  With Jack & Coke in hand, I made my way to the rightside of the stage.  The Dirty Pearls were setting up and I had a front row advantage.  I cannot say enough great things about the energy of the Dirty Pearls. A Rock n Roll good time!  They brought me back to my fondest memories of the early 90's local rock scene in Tallahassee.  Such amazing memories and some of the best musicians that I proudly call my friends!  The Dirty Pearls play original music that has a a heartbeat all it's own.  They closed with The Ramone's "Sheena's a Punk Rocker" and their New York Anthem "New York City is a Drug".       
                                      "NEW YORK CITY IS DRUG" ~The Dirty Pearls

NYC 2010 Don Hill's, Dramarama

I was so impressed that I intend on seeing these guys again soon... real soon.  After a brief intermission, Dramarama took the stage.  John Easdale dawned a black leather fedora and belted out songs like he was singing them for the first time.  Along with original guitarist, Mark Englert, the newer members of Dramarama played with verve and enthusiasm.  Easdale finishing his TAB cola, mentioned that he an Englert had played at their high school prom in the 80's.  Yes, TAB !  I'm not sure when I last saw a TAB. I think it was the 80's!  They encored with "Last Cigarette" and the crowd pleasing rock anthem "Anything Anything".  Yours truly danced my booty off and wished the song would never end.  On a side note, Easdale said that she said "Yes!"  And perhaps that was not such a great idea considering they are no longer married. At the end of the evening Dramarama invited all the earlier bands back on stage and performed  the Rolling Stone's classic "It's Only Rock n Roll" and closed with KISS's "I Wanna Rock n Roll All Night" !  The show was an injection of rock n roll energy and my ears didn't recover until Monday.
                                                           "ANYTHING ANYTHING" ~Dramarama


Bottomline:  "A Girl's Gotta ROCK!"  \m/>.<\m/ Just sayin.


~Namaste'
    Kelly :)

Ode To Halloween II

Halloween is a frightfully wonderful time of year!  I remember as a child the excitement of getting down the Halloween costume box from the closet !  Playing dress-up year round was a joy when I was a young girl.  I must admit, those who know me can attest that I still like my "costumes" year round. However, my mother did not let us play dress-up with any of the things in the "Halloween Box".  It was a sacred treasure trove. Filled with the likes of my mother's white majorette boots, a straw barbershop hat, pirate earrings, Mardi Gras beads, assorted glasses, make-up, mustaches, masks from Halloween's Past and many other props and baubles.  My brother and I would run to the bedroom for the annual opening of the box filled with awe and wonder as this simple beat up cardboard box with it's tattered flaps invited us into a world of imagination and possibility.  We could BE anything we wanted.... once a year !!!!  One of my favorite photos is me at age 2 dressed as the irreverent comedian Phyllis Diller.  My parents are awesome.  They put me in a leopard moo moo with a teased out wig and beads around my neck.  I must dig for this photo. It truly is PRICELESS.



For the child in all of us.... Try your hand at this game!  I bet your children just might take you to the cleaners. It's fun for all. Vampy is TOO cute!  I love making him fly!!!
TRANSYLMANIA 2









Trick or Treat !
Me and my pumpkin, filled to the brim with all the joys of sugar, would stumble into our kitchen! Having been scared by the urban legend of razors and pins in apples and candy, my parents would police our bounty as my brother and I dumped our ALL our confections out on the table and began the meticulous ""Sorting and Inspection".  No candy consumption without MANDATORY inspection!  Then we got to pick 5 or 6 pieces to enjoy!  The rest was relegated to the top of the refrigerator, where if we finished our dinner for the next month we could have 2 pieces after dinner.

This Halloween a friend suggested I be a Cigarette Girl.  After some thought, I got busy putting my costume together.  I love making my costume from things I already have around my home or in my closet.  I guess it's just the way I was raised but we RARELY bought our costumes.  There's so much satisfaction in nailing your character without having to grease the wheels of the retail machine.  I had recently purchased a beautiful corset at the Ren Faire and I knew I had a black skort, circa 1995. I made my bustle out of my grandmother's vintage slips.  They had ruffles on the bottom.  One was red and one was black.  I rolled the tops down safety pinned them up and then took the tie from a black satin robe I had and pinned that to the top of the bustle so I could tie it like a backwards apron.  The corset hid the pins.  I bought black sheer tights with a v-ing pattern and I had dark gray platform rounded toe Mary Jane pumps (very 1930's) that I bought while in Vegas last Christmas.

Next, to tackle my props.  I needed to design & create my pillbox hat,  I had some silver circle boxes that fit one inside the other like the little Russian dolls.  I found the right size and I started adding ribbons, bows, feathers, tulle, a black satin rose and some glittered red balls.  I went to Michael's crafts for these supplies.   The colors of my costume were red, silver and black.  With my color palette in mind, I spiced up the hat with a pinch of leopard and three red glittered cherries.  I bought some hair accessories at Strawberry with the intention of taking them apart in order to use bits and pieces on my hat.
My hot glue gun is my best friend, well let's just say the triumvirate is dust tape, safety pins and hot glue.  A person could handle most situations with these three items.  But I digress......

Finally, I had to make my cigarette/candy box.  Fortunately I decided to purchase the tray from Michael's.  It saved me valuable time and was perfect.  I went to Economy Candy in the Lower East Village and bought candy cigarettes and I purchased movie size boxes of candy with old fashioned names like Sugar Babies, Boston Baked Beans, Atomics Fireballs, Peppermint Bark, Whoppers, and Bazooka Gum from The Dollar Store.  I emptied the boxes and re-glued them shut.  I then glued the boxes to each other, in order to stabilize them in the box.  I used a rolled up place mat in the box to prop up my wares.  The candy and cigarettes fit perfectly.  I then used a shoulder strap off one of my weekender bags to attach the tray so I could carry it with ease.  Velcro secured the straps to the tray.  I stand corrected.  I must add Velcro to my essential items list.

I think I was the ONLY Cigarette/Candy Girl in ALL of New York City this Halloween.  The feedback was AMAZING!  Everyone loved my costume and surprisingly many wished I HAD been selling my wares!  I could have made a mint if I had had candy to sell.  The next time I wear this costume I will keep that in mind.  It really IS easy to create your own costume.  You just need a little imagination and then inventory what you already have and with little time and expense you would be surprised what you can come up with.

Happy Halloween!  I hope yours was Boo Spooky!!!!


Just sayin......
~Kelly

Ode To Halloween

Halloween,  How I Love Thee Let Me Count The Ways......

October is my favorite month.  The cool crisp air of Fall washes over everything and the heat of Summer releases it's grip.  Thoughts turn to chili, OktoberFest beers, corn bread, football and all things pumpkin!!! In the Frisco family Halloween is equal to Christmas!  In fact, I may be the ONLY person who exchanges Halloween care packages with my brother and BFF's. First RULE of Halloween gifts:  They CANNOT BE TACKY. Thought MUST be given to the proper coolness and spookiness of the present.  In the past, I have given a VooDoo Doll Surfer, kinda looked like the Trilogy of Terror Dude. C'mon you know the one....the little native guy with the tiny knife slashing at the girl and she throws him in the oven and jumps out and slashes are ankles.  Now THAT is scary stuff!  My brother HATED that movie growing up.  The best is that he keeps it up year round in his bathroom.  I love that!  Means the world to me!  I had a friend visiting me recently and I asked him to figure out what things in my apartment were always a part of my decor and what I put up JUST for Halloween.  Yes, my apartment is eclectic and eccentric and well, Halloween IS every day ! By the way, my friend did pretty well (I was pleasantly surprised.)

Most of you who know me also know my LOVE of the supernatural and October is an homage to ALL things paranormal.  Yes, I BELIEVE in ghosts. For most of my Life I've believed because those I respect and love believe. Namely my parents and close relatives. I wish to take the next thoughts to express to you my deep belief and respect for the Ouija board.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouija  I also hope to discourage anyone from using this method to communicate with those who have crossed over.  It truly IS nothing to be "played" around with.  It IS NOT a game as Parker Brothers would like you to think.  My parents, my aunt and uncle used to do the Ouija board before they REALLY understood what type of spirits with which they were communicating.
One must realize that ONLY the LOWEST forms of spirit still walking this Earth will come through....the tormented, the criminal.  Though they always had holy water next to the board and they ALWAYS asked if the spirit believed in God, not always did a relatively harmless spirit come through.  They had those that cursed and took God's name in vain.  Scary Scary Stuff.  They would refuse to communicate and stop for the night.  If good exists in the universe than so does evil.  It is fact. But enough of my cautionary tale.  I leave it to you to make good decisions.....or bad.  If I have learned anything in this Life, we can ONLY control ourselves and how we react to what Life places in our path along our individual journeys, we cannot control anyone else or their reactions to Life.  I must remind myself of this daily.
That being said,  I suppose I should also share that I have had two auditory paranormal experiences in adulthood that have given me concrete belief that our energy goes on once we pass through the veil of death to our next existence.  My first experience was in a house that my father knew to be haunted by the previous owner but I was NOT IN ANY WAY privy to this knowledge.  I think because my father did not want me to be scared or to taint any experience I may have in the house.  We were painting the home after the lastest tenants had vacated the premises because of the haunting. I was in the "Florida" room. Or the sun room as they call it here in the North.  Typical terrazzo floor with lots of jalacy windows, I was up on an aluminum ladder painting the small spaces between the ceiling and the top of the windows.  I climbed down and went into the kitchen. I had no view of the room and I heard the ladder being dragged across the floor.  A VERY distinctive sound, trust me. I called out to my dad, thinking he was in there, moving it for some reason.  He answered me from the back bedrooms way to the right of the Florida room. I went to the room and the ladder was RIGHT where I had left it!  I was shocked.   I went running to where he was because I knew we were the ONLY 2 people in the home.   When I told him of my experience he then confided in me about the experiences going on in the home.  He said, "That was Mr. Comfort."..... very matter of factly. He went on to tell me he had seen him.  The previous tenants did not know of the haunting and the woman asked my father if someone had died in the home.  My dad said yes.  She told him she saw an apparition of a man in, of all things, his tighty whiteies.  Well, anyone who knew Mr. Comfort when he was alive, knew that his home was HIS CASTLE.  If someone came to the door he would answer it wearing his underwear because this was HIS domain. Yes, kinda funny and scary!  I'm just glad he moved my ladder and I didn't have to see him in all his unfit glory.  Frightened is the last word I would've used to describe my state of being.  I also find it ironic as I am writing this that his surname is Comfort.  He surely did not provide that in Life or Death.

  My second experience was a month after my sweet Osrius past away.  He was almost 22 yrs old.  I had the pleasure of his company since 1986!!!  My first pet in adulthood.  He passed in Feb of 2008.  If he had made it to June it would have been 22 yrs old!!!  I was in a bad place. A sad break up, unexpected surgery, "Sirus's" passing and general bad luck....not like me AT ALL.  I have 2 felines that I share my life with currently, Simian and SoHo!  For a month after Sirus's passing the boys would NOT lay in the places where Sirus would lay.  Very odd behavior especially for SoHo because they shared a special kinship and ALWAYS slept in the spaces.  One night I was changing the linens in my room.  I have a loft bed. Sirus could not jump in his old age and slept in a basket near the side of the bed.  It had remained empty.  I looked at the basket, his bed, and was talking to his spirit telling him how much we collectively missed his presence in the house.  And all of the sudden, out of thin air I heard his "Meow".  That does not sound miraculous to you and you say to yourself it was one of my other cats.  Those who know me and Osirus, know VERY well that he could "meow" the word "Hello".  My parents were they first to discover this when we moved home briefly in the early 90's.  At first I did not believe.  Then I came home late one night and he was in the window of the screened in porched saying "Hello" to me.  Well, he said "Hello" that night a month after his passing and his "Hello" was his "Good-Bye".  He knew I would be OK and he stuck around long enough to make sure of that.  I did not hear his vocalization in my head, nor was it right beside me.  It was in the distance.  I went to find the other cats and they BOTH were in my bathroom in the back of the apt.  It was Osirus. After that night both cats started sleeping wherever they wanted.  Sirus's "spots" were no longer sacred because he had crossed over into the light.

I leave you with this music tribute....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhG8zC4npsE&feature=fvw

I must sign off.  Need to work on my costume.  I'm attending an "underground" party for Halloween.  So secret I'm not allowed to blog about it.  I'm going as a Cigarette Girl.  Gotta work on my Pillbox hat.

I will have a few more blogs before Halloween....I just have too much to share.  Your attention has been kindly noted.  Now run along and find ways to frighten or be frightened my minions !!!!!  BaaaaaHahahahahah!!!

Just Sayin....
~Kelly :)

"Awaiting Earl"

I'm sitting outside at TOAST on the "Eve of Earl" with a frozen mango margarita.  When I tell you it is like an oven in the City right now...Believe ME!!!  Stifling.  I still have some trepidation about Earl's arrival.  Honestly I love Hurricanes!  Not the disaster and destruction but the primordial adrenaline rush in the preparation for nature's wrath.  Earl is a thorn in my side if but for the mere factor that I have RUSH tickets for tomorrow night, 8pm in an outside arena!  I've had these tickets since July. And of ALL the days EARL could have made an appearance in the BIG APPLE.....Did it have to be Friday September 3rd?!  Really?!  Seriously?!  So far they have not cancelled or postponed the event.  I await word like a worried wife pacing her catwalk in hopes of the Sea returning her Love. Will he or won't he? It's very frustrating.  I am if nothing always hopeful and glass half full so at this juncture. EARL is NOT going to ruin my plans. Period. End of Report. :)

I promised Dan's "My Thai" Recipe:

3 lrg Chicken Breasts
1 lrg Onion (cut ito 1/4" wedges)
1 small Red Pepper (chopped)
1 small Yellow Pepper (chopped)
15-20 small Shitake Mushrooms (you may substitute Baby Bellas) de-stem and slice
4 to 5 Tblsp Canola Oil
1 pat  Butter
1 bottle of Thai Peanut Sauce (your fav store brand)
Juice of 1/2 lrg Lime
1 1/2 Tbl Thai Chili Sauce with Garlic

************************************
In a large skillet, on med heat sauteed cubed chicken in oil and butter (*hint: oil added to butter keeps butter from burning). Remove meat to a bowl and place aside.  In remaining juices & oil saute onions, peppers...... then add mushrooms. Then add Peanut Sauce...... Stir well. Then add the Chili Sauce and Lime juice.  Fold Chicken back into the mixture.... Stir well.  Turn heat to low and allow to cook for 15 more minutes.

Meanwhile, Take 2 cups of Chicken Stock and bring to a boil. Once boiling add 1 1/2 cups of Rice (I use long grain... Dan uses Jasmine).  Stir Well. Turn heat to low and Cover with a lid tightly for 15 minutes..... remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. DO NOT remove the lid.

After time has passed remove lid and fluff with a fork.

Serve Chicken My Thai over a bed of rice and Enjoy!!!!  Serves 4

*********************************************************

I've got BIG plans for the Labor Day Weekend!  Involving Rock n Roll, Rochefort Trappist Beer, a new Tequila (Corzo), Shrimp Scampi, Berry Beer-ritas, Water Ballon Fights, The Last Exorcist, Drinks with my sweet cousin, The US Open and much Mayhem & Merriment with friends!!!!! I wish you all a BLESSED and Adventurous Holiday!!! Just sayin.....

~Namaste
    Kelly

"My Cup Over Flows"

I'll keep this brief.  Still learning much-a-do about blogging and designing this page for maximum "AWESOMENESS".  I am SO humbled and thrilled by the generous outpouring of love and support from....well YOU know who you ARE!!! Whether you emailed,commented, "liked" or are one of the first to "Follow".... My heart is so filled with warmth, appreciation and strength that it overflows.  I feel your excitement and I will draw off that energy!  I cannot wait to sculpt this space into a cozy, hip, pit-stop to entertain, educate and intrigue.  I hope you will leave here feeling a little bit happier than when you stopped in.

On a random note, I was walking to catch the commuter van to work this morning and to what to my surprise.....of course, ONLY in New York.....a man in a tuxedo, top hat AND stilts!  YES!  Stilts! I quickly reached into my trunk (i.e. my 18 lb purse-I'll save that for it's OWN posting at a later date!), grabbed my trusty canon elf and *snap*! The man saw me and smiled just in time! I thought to myself, "The perfect, cool, quirky first picture for your blog!-AWESOME." :)

 "A Girl's GOTTA ROCK" \m/>.<\m/ ...... with that said I'm TOTALLY digging the group BAND OF SKULLS.  It's been quite sometime since I have "sat" with an album for over a week listening to every song.  Ipods make it so easy to appease our quick-to-bore, instant-gratification D.J. dream.  I'm including a link to their website.  I would say they are a little The White Stripes meets The Rolling Stones with a dash of Hendrix- Heavy and Tasty.  I appreciate the male and female lead vocals.  They can rock and they can serenade. An ecclectic group of songs with intelligent, real lyrics.....listen and be moved. (Side note: I'll try to post a video...not sure if it'll work....still learning.)

http://www.bandofskulls.com/

Death By Diamond and Pearls


I made "Dan's My Thai" for the first time and it was SPECTACULAR!  Check back tomorrow for the recipe!!!  It's easy, a lil spicy and yummy.  Thanks Dan!
Just sayin......

~Namaste
     Kelly

"Packed With Awesomeness"

Now wait just a minute!  In a quick-to-judge society, please allow me to explain.....

April, 2010, Cold Spring, NY:
  I'm out on one of my many "adventures", namely exploring the nooks and crannies of Cold Spring's MANY antique/junk/treasure shops.  I spent WAYYYY too much time in the very first shop but I found many gems, including some vintage vinyl (doesn't every girl need a little Tom Jones in her collection?), a stainless steel cake pan with locking lid AND a glass bowl with 8 bulbous but tubular shot glasses for tequila! You know you have a find when the staff commends you and asks "Where did you find THAT???!!!" Happy with my purchases, I sauntered on to the next shop that was SO crammed full of trinkets & treasures that I could hardly walk through with my bags. So to my dismay I had to leave before investigating the troves of magnificence because I was an accident waiting to happen.  Outside I phoned a friend and while explaining to him about my dilemma, I exclaimed that this little store was "packed with awesomeness!" He laughed and said "You, Kelly, are packed with awesomeness!"  I humbly thanked him for such a wonderful compliment!
And with that a phrase was born!

Time passes..........

September, 2010, NYC: 
  I discovered the "Joys of Skype-ing" two night's ago.  My bestfriend suggested during our session that I start a blog.  For many years those closest to me who know, love & appreciate my unusual sense of style & creativity, have been encouraging me to find an outlet for, seriously, years. 
Hence, this blog. 

  I have given much thought to what I want this blog to be about.  I want it to be broad and all encompassing because my affinities and affections span the gamut....The Quirky, The Cool, The Ecclectic.....a place where I can share my sense of style, music, food, libations, and Life.  My very own cyber curio shop "packed with awesomeness"!  I'm still "unpacking" and "constructing" this new space and it will change. I kindly ask for your patience and your thoughts.  I'm not sure about the frequency of my posts but if I have a new tid bit I'll be sure to share.

  So Welcome, Beinvenu, Benvenuto, Beinvenido, Willkommen, Failte!!!
I invite you to stop in, browse, regularly or whenever the mood stirkes you.  Sometimes.... if you look in the "nooks and crannies" you will find some gems you can use and other times you may think it's full of junk.  And that's just fine with me, as long as you enjoy yourself and don't take Life too seriously.      Just sayin.....

~Namaste
     Kelly