July 4th weekend 2011 .... Let Liberty Reign !!!

 HApPy  235th  BiRtHdAy  America !!!!

 Little Known Facts about the Revolutionary War:

• The Americans of 1776 had the highest standard of living and the lowest taxes in the Western World!
• There were two Boston tea parties!
• Benjamin Franklin wrote the first Declaration of Independence!
• John Adams defended the British Soldiers after the Boston Massacre!
• History's first submarine attack took place in New York Harbor in 1776!
• Benedict Arnold was the best general in the Continental Army!
• By 1779, as many as one in seven Americans in Washington's army was black!
• There were women in the Continental Army, even a few who saw combat!
• George Washington was the best spymaster in American History!
• By 1779, there were more Americans fighting with the British than with Washington!
• At Yorktown, the victory that won the war, Frenchman outnumbered Americans almost three to one!
• King George almost abdicated the throne when the British lost!

For More Information on these Facts !!!! 

*The main source being information compiled by Mr. Thomas Fleming, a noted historian.

So many blessings we have as Americans.  This 4th of July, take a moment between your next burger and beer to reflect on ALL those lives that were given and those STILL sacrificing daily in the theatres of war, in the defense and pursuit of our FREEDOM.  I know it's easy to focus on the freedoms that are taken from us daily because of the evil in this world.  Bottomline, We remain the country with the MOST FREEDOM for our people in the entire world.  WE ARE BLESSED.  So enjoy your 4th of July!  Be safe!  And Let the FIREWORKS begin !!!!!

~Namaste'

  Kelly =)

Summer, Summer, Summer.... Oh Oh It's Magic !!!

This past Winter was brutal.  It was persistent and littered with a bumper crop of 
blizzards.  So it is with great pleasure that we welcome Summer with open arms!  Oh how we've missed you , Summer.  Summer's entrance ushers in so many great past times..... BBQs, the Beach, Outdoor Concerts and Movies, Cocktails with Friends.  New York City is full of wonderful FREE things to do in the Summer.  In particular, I am looking forward to MidSummer's Night Swing at Lincoln Center.  Almost every night for the next 3 weeks, you can find everything from salsa to soul to swing under the stars.  There is a dance floor that requires a ticket for entrance but people gather all along the outside of the dance floor to listen and dance the night away.  There are small bars scattered about where you can purchase your favorite adult beverage for around $6-10.  It is always a good time!  And you don't need a partner, there are many friendly strangers who love to "cut a rug". On one such
evening I learned how to "sweep the floor"-a swing move that I have added to my repertoire.

MidSummer's Night Swing at Lincoln Center 2011 

Then there are the FREE outdoor movies !!!  Two of my favorite venues are the movies at Bryant Park and River Flicks o the Hudson.  Grab a chair or blanket, your favorite movie munchies and libations and enjoy the cinema under a canopy of stars.  It's as close as to the drive-in as it gets in the BIG CITY minus the privacy of your car. *wink wink*

RIVER FLICKS ON THE HUDSON ~FREE MOVIES/ ADULTS

RIVER FLICKS~ FREE KIDS MOVIES

MOVIES AT BRYANT PARK ~FREE MOVIES/ADULTS

 

MUSIC to our ears!!!! Music in abundance, ALL over the City and in the 5 burroughs.  The greatest being Central Park Summer Stage.  Once again, you can purchase tickets but if you are anything like me, I do not need to see a performance in order to enjoy the music.  Sometimes it's just nice to listen with joy and intent with no distractions.  I discovered the amazing music of Rodrigo y Gabriela several Summers back at Summer Stage in just tis way. 

Rodrigo y Gabriela ~ TAMACUN 

Here's a sampling of some of the other Summer festivals around the BIG APPLE: 

• Central Park Summerstage Free!
  Frequent summer concerts at the Central Park Summerstage, located at Rumsey Playfield. Some concerts are benefits, but many are free!
• Metropolitan Opera in the Parks Free!
  The Metropolitan Opera perform concerts in parks in the five boroughs from July 11-28, 2011.
• Naumburg Orchestral Concerts 2011 Free!
  The oldest free outdoor concert series in the US, the Naumburg features symphonic and semi-classical music on select Mondays and Tuesdays in Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell.
• 58th Annual Washington Square Music Festival Free!
  On select Tuesdays in July you can enjoy this free outdoor concert series.
• GMA's Summer Concerts Free!
  On Friday mornings in May - August, be a part of Good Morning America's audience in Central Park and see popular acts, including Lady Gaga.
• NBC's Today Show Summer Concerts Free!
  On Friday mornings (mostly) from May - August catch some great performers at Rockefeller Center and a chance to be seen on TV!
• River To River Festival Free!
  From June 19-July 16, 2011, the NYC River to River Festival features a variety of musical performances, as well as movies, readings and more.
• Summergarden Free!
  Concerts presented in the MoMA Sculpture Garden on Sunday evenings July 10-31, 2011. Sculpture Garden opens at 7 p.m. and 60-90 minute concerts begin at 8 p.m.
• Broadway in Bryant Park Free!
  On Thursdays at 12:30 from July 7 - August 11, 2011 see performances from popular Broadway shows live in Bryant Park.
• Celebrate Brooklyn! Free!
  Celebrate Brooklyn with a wide variety of musical performances at the Prospect Park Bandshell.
• 4Knots Music Festival Free!
  Replacing the Siren Music Festival, the Village Voice will be sponsoring a new indie-rock music festival at South Street Seaport this summer on July 16, 2011.
• Mad Sq Music: Oval Lawn Series Free!
  Free concerts on select Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. from June 15 - August 3, 2011.
• Mad Sq Kids Concert Series: Free!
  Free concerts for kids on Tuesday and Thursday mornings nights at 10:30 a.m. from June 14 - August 11, 2011.
• Lincoln Center Festival
  Ballet, music, dance, and more are featured throughout the festival which runs from July 5 - August 14, 2011. Some free events.
• Mostly Mozart
  This Lincoln Center series dedicated to the works of Mozart runs from August 2-27, 2011.
• Lincoln Center Out Of Doors Free!
  Over 35 different events including world music, internationally acclaimed dance, cutting-edge performances, special events, cool jazz, and fun for kids from July 27 - August 14, 2011.
• Cityparks Concerts Free!
  In July & August, free concerts will be held at many of New York City's neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs.
• Summer in the Square Free!
  On Thursdays, from mid-June to mid-August Union Square is host to a lunchtime concerts, afternoon yoga classes and evening performances.
• River Rocks Free!
  Check out these free concerts on Pier 54 in Hudson River Park (at 14th Street) on July 14, 28, and August 11, 2011.
• Blue Note Jazz Festival This city-wide Jazz festival is being put together to celebrate Blue Note's 30th anniversary and lasts throughout the month of June.
• After Work Music Free!
  Check out this series of free Wednesday evening concerts in Bryant Park featuring New York area jazz musicians and singer-songwriters.
• Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Free!
  On Saturday August 27 and Sunday August 28, experience the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in two Manhattan parks where Parker lived and worked.
• Rythmn & Blues Festival at Metrotech Free!
  On Thursdays from noon - 2 pm see great R&B performances in Brooklyn.
• Harlem Meer Performance Festival Free!
  Jazz, blues, gospel and latin music every Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at the Harlem Meer in Central Park on Sundays June 19-September 4, 2011.
• Williamsburg Waterfront Concerts Free!
  Enjoy waterfront concerts in Williamsburg in the East River Park between North Eighth and North Ninth Streets.  

These are just a few of the outlets for audiophiles and music lovers alike. We are blessed to live in a cultural mecca, New York.  I encourage all of you living across this great country of ours to explore your city and you will be surprised at how many great things you discover.  Many communities have music in the park and movies under the stars.  Seek & you WILL Find. So pack those picnic baskets, beach blankets, lawn chairs, hats, sandals and sunscreen..... Get out there & Enjoy Summer 2011 !!!!

~Namaste'
  Kelly  =)

On the Brink of Summer.......

As I write, I am currently 37,000 miles in the air on my way South.  I cannot wait to see my family and my friends, new and old.  This was an early morning flight and I don't "DO" early-anything well.  I need to take this moment to praise JETBLUE.  I'm not sure how many of you are brand loyal.  I find the older I get the more I realize that I am very brand loyal.  If you win me over with your product, I will be a faithful consumer until the day you decide to discontinue your product and forget to tell me. (grin)  This has happened to me SO many times now, especially with cosmetics, that I just have to laugh.  It's a very ZEN thing.  You can be angry but ultimately you are forced, by the circumstances out of your control and the Universe, to just "Let go".  When a product gets discontinued there's is nothing you can do.  I would say if you LOVE a product and can afford to buy multiples, then you should do it while it is available and popular.  Trust me. You will thank me for this tip.  In fact, as I type I realize I am giving myself the same valuable advice.  
Oh APT. 5 Lip Gloss how I mourn your demise.  Maybelline Cover Stick, you perfected my flaws and when you decided to leave, you were gone.  I have also found that the "new/improved" product usually pales in comparison.  Example, Maybelline changed their liquid foundation to mineral foundation.  The new foundation is runny.  So I have to use more for the same coverage AND it costs more.  The new products usually do.  They give you less and charge you more.  I suppose that is beneficial to the corporation but as a loyal consumer, I would LOVE a "heads-up" if a product is on the fast track to certain death.  Save yourself the shock and loss and stock up on the things you love when you can.  The Universal truth "Nothing lasts" or as my mom always says (usually about something negative but it goes for the positive too)  "This to Shall Pass" always holds true.  So enjoy everything.... every minute..... because change is always on the horizon.  I plan on taking my own advice and buying several tubes of my new favorite shade of covergirl lipstick...
#215 impassion passionnee'. Done and done. 

37,000 feet in the air once again, four days later.....Florida was a delightful escape and also a joyous visit.   On Saturday, I went to “my” beach.  I say mine because I have been going to this particular spot since as far back as I can remember being allowed to go to the beach alone.  It is my sanctuary and my salvation. I tune-out the stress of Life and plug-in to the Universe.  It allows me to re-charge my “batteries”, re-boot and degauze all things negative.       
                                                
This day was an amazing day.  Very few beachcombers & sunbathers, random and far away.  When I say the water looked the Bahamas, it did.  Turquoise blue and azure green... a sandbar about 20 to 30 yrds off shore. A light breeze and no real wave action.  In chest high water you could see the bottom without a mask.  I waded out until I waist high in the water.  I was enjoying the sun and surf, huge pieces of orange lettuce leaf-looking seaweed floated by me.  It was around 4pm, dinner time in the animal kingdom so I was very aware of the sea life around me.  I was standing with my feet firmly planted in the sand because there was a little bit of a undertoe running North to South.  I glanced down between my legs and I saw a large zebra-striped Angelfish.  I found it odd that it was alone.  I have never seen one without their school.  It was angeled head down like a bonefish feeding.  I thought perhaps it was dining on plankton and other microorganisms and that my legs were funneling the food to it.  I noticed that the fish was swimming in and out and around my legs coming ever so close to hitting me with it’s fins but not even slightly grazing me.  It stayed in the shadow of my body.  I thought, “I wonder if it thinks it's hiding from a larger predator” and I started scanning the waters around me for any other large fish and God-forbid, a shark. After a few minutes I went back to communing with my new friend.  Yes, crazy as it sounds, I did talk to him-out loud.  (No, he didn’t answer.) You can laugh.
I just could not believe this was happening.  About 15 minutes had passed and this Angelfish just kept gently swimming under me.  I fanned my arms in the water above him to hold my balance and it didn’t flinch.  Fish are skiddish. Super skiddish. An this Angel was an anamoly of grace, alone and calm.  I decided to test my bond with my new found friend.  I started walking backward slowly and “Angel” followed me like a puppy dog.  No matter where I went, it just swam right along between my legs.  The I decided to run actually more like a jog in the water, still travelling backwards and it just sped up with me.  Twice it got ahead of me and I ran into it and I was startled and jumped.  But even though I had hit it, the fish stayed with me.  Finally it swam out to my left slowly, paused and then swam away.  I’m not sure how you would interpret this, but Life has been testing my family as of late and I am a STRONG believer in signs.  This trip was not so much a vacation as a much needed respite and family reunion.  I think an Angelfish is a very auspicious omen.  I think it was not by accident that it was an “Angel” fish. An Angel for sure.  I communed with an Angel for 20 minutes and in the end I KNEW everything would be OK.  IT WILL. BE. OK.

It’s almost Summer.  I know it’s been hot enough to be Summer for a month and a half now.  Florida has been hot since February.  NYC had been hotter than Florida.  Sounds crazy right? It was 100 degrees last Thursday in New Jersey and 97 in NYC.  Florida was upper 80’s to low 90’s with a constant sea breeze... really lovely. So we’re 6 days from Summer 3 days at the time of this publishing) and I’ve had one thing on my mind....Ice Cream.  I FINALLY bought an ice cream maker.  I gave up the ghost when I turned thirty.  There are certain appliances that were the quintessential wedding gifts.  The Blender. The Waffle Iron. The Ice Cream Maker.  Well, I bought a blender and waffle iron over a decade ago.  But finally I got an ice cream maker.  My Sicilian ancestors would be proud! A Cuisinart Stainless Steel colored, 2 quart, freezes in 25 mintues Beauty !!!!  I made my first homemade ice cream last Sunday.  I misread the recipe. Distracted at the very moment the milk and cream BOILED, I ran to the stove and removed the pot from the burner.  
The recipe distinctly said, "DO NOT LET the MILK BOIL!!!!"  ~ CRIPES!!!!! Then.... well apparently, I was supposed to add the heavy cream LAST after the mixture cooled down.  I missed that part too and heated the cream and the milk.  Oh well, I cooled the mixture overnight in the refrigerator and poured it into the maker and in just 25 minutes I had ice cream Nirvana.  My father, who is THEE ice cream connisseur, said that it was the BEST homemade ice cream he ever tasted.  He said it tasted like it was bought. 
My heart smiled.

Here’s my recipe:

Ingredients:

4 egg yolks

1/2 pint (250ml) milk  (* I use Whole Organic Milk)

1/2 pint (250ml) double/heavy cream 
(*I used Heavy Whipping Cream)

4 oz (100g) sugar or caster sugar
(*I used granulated sugar)

1 vanilla pod (scored down the middle)  
(* I substitute 2 tsp of PURE Vanilla extract)

Pour the milk & cream into a saucepan and bring slowly up to boiling point but DO NOT LET IT BOIL.  ONLY w pod: ((Place the vanilla pod into it and leave to infuse for about 20 minutes.))

In a bowl, beat and mix together the egg yolks and sugar until thick. Carefully remove the vanilla pod from the pan of milk and scrape out the seeds into the milk. Pour the milk into the mixture of egg yolks and sugar whilst stirring. Pour the mixture back into the pan and heat gently, stirring until the custard thickens - DO NOT BRING TO THE BOIL OR IT WILL PROBABLY CURDLE.  When you can see a film form over the back of your spoon it's time to remove the saucepan from the heat. Leave to cool. (* I put in frig overnight)  Transfer the whole mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.  My cuisinart takes 25 minutes to freeze.  Ice cream will be thick....transfer to a container and place in freezer until ready to serve.

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

Just in time for Father's Day ....Do I have an Amazing invention for you!

                                The Bug Kwik Zap Racket. 

I was in Maine last Summer for a family reunion and my cousin had these bug zappers and boy, did they work.  So I bought a package of them for my parents in Florida.  Mosquitoes LOVE my mother. No matter how much my dad sprays and keeps the standing water from accumulating around their home, the mosquitoes thrive.  A nusance for sure, mosquitoes are also a carrier of not only malaria, dengue fever but also west nile virus and many others.  This can be very dangerous for the young, elderly and immune compromised.  I figured this would be a perfect way to personalize the mosquito eradication without harmful pesticides.  Both of my parents have been blessing me for sending them their rackets.  They are fun AND useful !!! ZAP! SIZZLE! ZAP!
It's awesome!  My brother phoned me about them and I just bought some for myself.  They come 2 to a pack, take 2 AA batteries and can be found on Amazon.com for $14.99 + shipping.  Well worth EVERY penny !!! Give'em to the kids at a BBQ and they will have fun for hours and keep the bug population down !  I get NO kick-back for turning you on to these.  I just feel they are worthy of singing their praise!


~Namaste
  Kelly =)

Hibernation Cessation......

Spring has been trying to decorate our parks, yards, highways and byways. Winter unfortunately has been acting like the obnoxious drunk guest at 4am when the party is over who refuses to go home.  It has been a LONG Winter.  On my way to work this morning, I was pleasantly surprised by the tress lining Broadway.  Could it be? Do I see buds that have bloomed? I'm gonna go out on a limb (pun intended) and say that Winter has FINALLY left the building.  Inspired by this turn of events, I realized it was time for me to dust off my keyboard and come out of hibernation.
  I am so excited about the journey ahead. Spring, ah Spring.  I'm feeling the urge to purge.  "Spring Cleaning" is music to my ears !!! I'm not sure about you and your situations but I am definitely wanting to lighten my load.  The older we get we find sometimes, depending on your mind-set and upbringing, we start to accumulate.  We accumulate things, stuff, items that we deem important for this reason or that.  We make excuses....whether out of sentimentality or the fear of the "lack of"  (I might NEED this tomorrow.)  Those who know me KNOW I have stuff ....cool, eclectic but stuff just the same.  I had a conversation with my mom recently about collecting "stuff".  I came to the realization recently that aside from photographs and some treasured heirlooms, if I lost it ALL tomorrow I would be fine.  I do not define myself by my "stuff".  In fact, once I let something go I rarely miss them.  Something may remind me and I will reminisce fondly but "out-of-sight" truly is "out-of mind".  This epiphany has opened my eyes and this year's "SPRING CLEANING" will be deep . Guaranteed.

ROCK SOLID & INSTRUMENTAL FOR THE SOUL:

Artist to check out:   Nicole Atkins  "Mondo Amore"
"Maybe Tonight" Nicole Atkins

I had the pleasure of seeing Nicole in the NJ suburbs at a "House Concert" in a man's photography studio in his backyard.  She played for 50 of us and she ROCKED!  We had pot luck dinner after the intimate concert.  I felt it only appropriate to buy Mondo Amore in Vinyl.  I was NOT disappointed!  She played SXSW 2011.  I feel her voice reminds me a little of K.D. Lang with a pitch of Alannah Myles "Black Velvet".  Sultry Soul...... Enjoy!




Random Usefullness:


Cucumbers

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

         

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

   

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

                   
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Libation Library: 

  I highly recommend Vihno Verde (Green Wine)  Gazela - Crisp Clean Cool White Wine.....Tasty with Seaood, Chicken, Salads or after a long HOT day......AWESOME for SPRING & SUMMER !!!!      



~ Namaste'

   Kelly :)                                                            

"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 :)