Boom Boom Ain't it Great to be Crazy?

I made my first set list yesterday, which is a pretty good trick for someone who isn't in a band.

September 9, I was signed up to volunteer to work the Lost Children's booth at the State Fair from 12-3 p.m. and to report to volunteer for Veggietales at 4 p.m.
I got everything ready as best I could the night before, and headed off to sleep way too late, as usual around 3 a.m.

At 7:45 a.m., Mollie wanted to go out. She just goofed around. At 8:15, she was pretty insistent about going outside again, so I took her out and came in about 8:30 a.m. Just as I was ready to head back to sleep for a few more hours I got a phone call saying that the Lost Children's booth was covered, and they didn't need me. I checked my e-mail and got ready to go back to sleep again. The telephone rang once again. It was Calvary saying that they needed a volunteer for wardrobe. I said I'd go, but I wasn't dressed yet so it would be a little bit. So much for a shower. But I got ready as quickly as I could, stopped to get gas, and headed for Salt Lake City.

When I arrived at the fair, I went to the Media trailer (I knew where it was this time) and got a entry pass for the fair. Then I headed for the Grandstand. I met Karen (who co-wrote the script for Veggietales) and she said that the person I was supposed to work with was out doing laundry, so she found someone else. He had me do a small errand (plugging in all the battery packs) and then I followed him to the sound booth. He handed me a white binder with the script and asked me to make a list of all the songs - all of the song titles were underlined and in caps. I ended up making two, one for each side of the stage. The title of my blog was song #13, I believe. LOL

Then I was just told I could have something to eat if I wanted while I waited for Selina (I have no idea how she spells her name) to return. I spent some time talking to the bus driver and his son. The little guy is just about to turn four, and he was adorable. There was no doubt about what he wanted, either - to go on rides. LOL I think dad mostly wanted a nap.

I really can't recall where it fit in on the timeline, but somewhere in the schedule, I ended up in the tent with some of the cast/crew having lunch.
I met the stage director, Hunter, and we had a nice conversation. At one point I tried a little potato salad. At some point I did go back and have a little bit of the rice and refried beans with some salad, and a couple of cookies just as the caterer was putting things away.

Finally Selina and Lucy made it back from doing laundry and they sent me on an errand to get rubber bands. First, I had to get a Veggietales "Volunteer Crew" pass so I wouldn't have to pay to park again. Once that was accomplished, I made a quick trip and came back to the fairgrounds with the rubber bands. After my errand I went into the trailer and steamed shirts. I think ironing would have been easier. The steamer really spits. I told my daughter I wanted one for my birthday, and it rather does the same thing. It's a great concept, though. I finally did get finished steaming the shirts, and then was told I could break and look about the fair a bit until 5 p.m. It was about 3:30.

I started to walk out into the fairgrounds and "King of the Road" caught my attention. I still know most of the words to that song. It was being done in four part harmonies, including bass. Now, I rather enjoy that sort of thing live a whole lot, although for some reason I never like it quite as much in my cd player. I went over and sat down and listened for a bit and took a few pics with my point and shoot. I left my SLR back on stage mainly because I didn't feel like carting it around. In hindsight, I rather wished I'd taken it along.



Afterwards, I went over to see if the Tigers were still there. Not only were the tigers there, but they were just starting the show. I tried to get close enough to take a few photos, but it was difficult. I didn't want to push in front of kids. LOL
Finally the guy in front of me left, so I was able to get a bit closer. The tigers were all quite beautiful creatures. Three of the tigers were white tigers, one was golden, and one was the tiger colors we are all used to seeing. A couple of the white tigers were huge, dwarfing the trainer, the largest weighing about 450 lbs.





Once the show with the tigers was over, I went over to the photography building and went through it rather quickly. On the way in and out of the photography exhibit, I stopped and took photos of a clown making balloon animals for children.



Finally I headed back over to the Grandstand. I met up with Jim who is the one who called me about volunteering and chatted a bit. Then I found Selina and Lucy again and tried to figure out what I was going to do. I ended up stage right with Lucy and one other volunteer. I helped the cast get in and out of the Veggietales characters, and helped a few times with zippers, untying shoes, etc. It was quite an experience. I really enjoyed meeting Lucy and getting to talk to her a bit. Hunter was a total crack up during the show and I think he kept us all entertained. So was Wes (one of the dancers, who also played Larry a few times during the show.)
The cast knew their costume changes pretty well, so they made it seem rather easy. The first time I almost did the raise/lower thing backwards (I knew, I think it was tiredness setting in) but I did figure it out. LOL Sometimes I felt like I wasn't doing enough, but then it got a little busy towards the end. I was supposed to put a bowtie on Mr. Luntz and Larry, and couldn't get Larry's bowtie to stick. I barely got Mr. Luntz's. So Larry ended up bowtieless for the last number. Oops! But overall it went rather smoothly. Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. IT had been rather windy all day, so the show went without the usual backdrops, and the show managed to end before it started to sprinkle (the Veggietales costumes cannot get wet.) I stayed around and helped hang up costumes, and then I went to try and get a pic or two of the Larry/Bob characters (in smaller off-stage, non batttery operated costumes.) The flash didn't go off, so the pics were a tad dark, but when I used flash, my hat blocked it. LOL So I only got a couple.

Then I had my photo taken with Hunter, and one with Lucy & Selina, etc. I took a quick pic of Wes also. I took a photo of Karen, that didn't turn out real sharp, so I took a pic of Karen and friend (I think his name was Jordan?) who co-wrote the script. Then I ended up going out to look at Sheep with Selina and Lucy. Lucy had never seen sheep in person before and she was surprised at how big they were. Selina went back to the Grandstand and Lucy and I went and looked at the giant alligator. I paid for her to go in with me since she hadn't seen an alligator, either. I think the 13 ft. long alligator was real enough, but the eyes looked weird, so I was rather wondering if it was really alive. Inquiring minds want to know. Maybe it was stuffed - but it was in water.










Anyway, we walked back to the Grandstand, chatted a bit longer, and then I went off to have some Rice at the Gyro stand (best rice around) and a baklava before heading for home. To summarize the trip home, traffic was horrible and went to one lane. Then it wasn't clear where to go and I ended up on a freeway that leads to home, but rather the long way around. I tried exiting, and the entrance was closed, so I ended up taking the scenic route again. So a 1/2 hr. to 45 minute trip home only took an hour and a half. But I made it home.

Yet another adventure bites the dust. It was a fun time. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Peace out,
Melanie

Natalie Grant

Tonight I saw Natalie Grant at the Utah State Fairgrounds grandstand. The concert was free with a fair ticket, although you do have to get a reserved seat ticket at the box office. I was supposed to work the merch table, but the merch never arrived. Then I was all set to be an usher, and just about 1/2 before door time we found out there was a miscommunication, and they had to use the union staff ushers. I didn't have a ticket because I wasn't supposed to need one, so I was given a ticket in Section C, Row 2. I was basically dead center. God is too good to me sometimes. I also had free fair entry because I was a volunteer.

To back track just a little, I arrived at the fair a little after three, spent some time looking for the volunteer trailer, and was told I could wander about the fair until 6 p.m. I spent most of the time trying to help someone find her daughter, and taking pics of some white Tigers. They were gorgeous.

Natalie Grant was simply amazing. She truly has a beautiful voice. She was very personable and expressive on stage. She talked a bit about the songs, and about how we could come to Christ just as we are. We don't have to "clean ourselves" up first and about being free to be who we really are - imperfect.

At any rate, no one seemed to know that you should scream "one more song" and some were even starting to leave, so I said something to the gal next to me and we both started screaming encore. People joined us, of course. As a result, we did get a very beautiful encore by Natalie, who was already sans shoes.

Afterwards, I wandered about the fair, stopped and had a gyro with rice, and took photos at the Floriculture building before heading home.

Paul Coleman at Wheeler Farm

Wednesday also known as September 3, 2008, I had plans to go to a place called Wheeler Farm to see Paul Coleman at a free concert. A friend of mine who is the local Rep. for People for Christ Ministry had set it up for a new, local artist to open for Paul. I asked if she wanted to ride share since I have so many trips planned to Salt Lake, not to mention a trip to Phoenix, planned this month.

Eleanor picked me up around 3 p.m., and she had a few errands to do before we actually went to the venue. She made a pit stop by the dentist and had me take her car to Albertson's to get something to bring to the dinner part of the show. They were serving hamburgers, I think. I picked up a couple of desserts and some cut watermelon to take along. The watermelon looked yummy.

Finally we stopped to meet with the Dick of People for Christ who was coming to see Chrissy, as he is looking to be her manager. We all ended up riding in his little econo car to the Park. When we arrived, Chrissy was already starting to sing, which was a bit early, so we went right over. I took some photos. Chrissy is a very mellow artist with a quite beautiful voice and a cute personality. I waited to eat because I was a little out of sorts when I first arrived, so I just hung around by the stage and took photos. The Farm was really gorgeous.

After Chrissy played, Scott (of Pivitplex) took the mike and introduced Paul Coleman. Paul has a nice voice, (except for that one really painful screech which was rather on purpose to be funny) and Paul was pretty funny and engaging on stage, much as I remembered him in Boise when I saw the Newsboys. I took quite a few photos of Paul during his set and enjoyed his performance immensely. At one point he did a whole set of "Bob Dylan sings contemporary Christian music" numbers. I went over to Scott and mentioned that he sounded more like Bob Dylan than Bob Dylan did. He left out Bob Dylan does the Newsboys so someone shouted out that he should do Newsboys and he did Shine. It was hysterical. He really did sound like an old Dylan record, though. Paul has a gift for involving the audience, which he used quite readily at Wheeler Farm. It was very memorable - good worship, and good fun.



Afterwards, there was a speaker, and I went over to see if I could get some food. Much to my dismay, it was all pretty much put away and cleaned up except for cake - chocolate with chocolate icing and ice cream. I can't have either. I figured I was going to have to fix me something to eat after all. Then they brought out some white cake, and I figured I was in luck. I asked to have one without ice cream and guarded it so no one would put ice cream on it. I guess I was a little hungry by then. LOL

After cake, I went over and bought Paul's cd, got a photo, and chatted a little. I also took pics of Paul with other people I knew as I wanted them to have that also.
I promised Paul I would send him a message so he could tell me where to send pics. LOL Eleanor told him they should take me on tour to do photos. I about died. That would have so terrified me. LOL Let's just say it wouldn't have worked. LOL

Finally we loaded our gear in the car and headed back to the hotel. Then Eleanor dropped me off at home.

The next day, the plan was for Chrissy to play at a nice little Italian Restaurant here called, Rivoli's. Dick and Eleanor were there as well as some of the PFC volunteers. It all went really well - the food was good, and the atmosphere was quite relaxing. It wasn't a really busy night, but several people inquired about Chrissy and the owner of the restaurant introduced himself and made sure we were happy with everything. I took my camera but left it in the car until Eleanor asked me about photos, so I went and retrieved it.

Tomorrow I am volunteering to work at the Natalie Grant concert at the Fairgrounds, and I also volunteered to work Tuesday for Veggietales and the lost children's booth. That should keep me busy and in trouble. Hopefully I'll get to take some pics along the way. The very first show I ever used my DSLR on was Veggietales. LOL I didn't even know quite how it worked yet. Consequently, I had rather slow shutter speeds in a low light setting. I still got a few good ones. Nothing much has changed. LOL

Hope everyone is having a great week and your next week is a pleasant and memorable one.

Peace out,
Melanie

Park City, Deer Valley, Bob Dylan and the Thunderstorm

When I purchased a ticket to see Bob Dylan clear back on June 28, I figured that I would probably find a place to stay the night and come home on Monday. I asked my husband if he wanted to go up with me and get a room (he likes driving more than I do) and he was definitely interested in the notion. LOL So, after much research I booked a room at the Marriot Park City. It took quite a while to find a room because I was mostly getting resort condos - we're talking up to $500 a night, or less but requiring a minimum stay of more than one night. Definitely out of my price range. But I found the Marriot, and the price was actually quite reasonble. Since it's a ski resort area, it is "off season" so I'm guessing that's why.

Anyway, we left for Park City a little before 10 a.m., made a pit stop at Smith's for gas and some Duct tape (to keep my back window from leaking if it rained) and headed down the road. Yahoo said the drive was 1 hour and 7 minutes, and that actually turned out to be pretty close. The directions to the hotel were perfect and we found it with no trouble. We stopped and I inquired about early check-in and that went well and we were in our room in a short amount of time. The room was really very nice indeed! There was a balcony overlooking the pool, which I never did get to use.

Anyway, once we got settled, I conned my husband into dropping me off at the venue. He wasn't too keen on picking me up after the show, and I wasn't too keen on getting lost late at night and I thought he might decide to go for a drive or something. But he went ahead and being a good guy, he dropped me off. Later I would call the hotel to ask about a shuttle service and was told that I could take a bus to the hotel if I left by 10:30 p.m. That was the plan.

There were 7 "lanes" going up to the venue with about 10 people in each lane. I got into the shortest line and prepared to wait about 6-1/2 hrs. for the gate to open. I had planned to bring a book, but with the promise of rain, I didn't think it wise. People ahead of me were well prepared - books, lawn chairs, tarps, umbrellas, coolers and even booze. It was amazing. It looked like they were moving in for the long haul. LOL I had a small wallet, my cell phone and a pack of gum. I didn't want to be delayed with searches and the ticket said no cameras allowed. Part of me wished for the camera later. They really didn't seem too concerned with the point and shoots I saw and there wasn't much in the way of a search going in.


A few hours before the gate opened, we did get rained on lightly off and on. There was sun and blue sky on one side, dark rain clouds on the other. I started to look for a rainbow and found a small one. I love rainbows. It didn't last long, though.


Potty Break - the bathroom was really pretty:

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity (the time really seemed to drag), it was time to go in and find my spot for the evening. We were even let in 15 mins early. That never happens!! I managed to find a good spot by the barricade. I even managed to squeeze in and out for some food at one point. Others around me were gracious enough to hold my spot for me. Just as I left with my food it was starting to rain, and was pouring before I finished my Grilled Chicken sandwich with mushrooms and onions. One thing I had looked for at Smith's was a rain poncho, but didn't find one. I would regret not stopping for one later in the evening. I was soaking wet.

Bob Dylan started the show pretty close to 7:30. He came out with a huge white hat and wore it the entire evening. I was to his left, and he was at the keyboards facing my direction. There was a guitarist in front of me, and a bass player, then a drummer. On the other side of the stage was the sound guy and another guitarist.
Dylan pretty much stayed at the keyboard except for two or three times when he went over by the drummer. I noticed that for a good part of the night, the guitarist and bass player would just watch Dylan, like they were looking for some cue. The guitarist referred to his set list a few times. I decided I was going to try and get that list. LOL

Dylan played 15 songs, and then left the stage to raucous applause. I really enjoyed the music. I have a feeling the sound on the vocals might have been a tad better a little further back. His voice had a rather growly sound on some of the lower notes, but higher he sounded pretty good. I didn't recognize all of the music.
I knew from talking to others that Dylan doesn't say much from the stage. In fact, he never said a word, other than the words to his music. I really did enjoy it, but by the end of the set I was almost glad because I was freezing. LOL That made me feel kinda bad. LOL But I cheered with the others for an encore. He came out and sang Rolling Stone - now there was one I could sing along to. I loved the encore! And I knew the words. LOL





At the end of the night I kept my eye on the set list. I asked the security guard if he could ask for it for me. I told him that I knew he couldn't get it off the stage. He said he couldn't even ask, I'd have to yell. So I hung around and waited and tried to get someone's attention eventually. Another gal came up looking for a pic. I told her I never saw any or noticed any left behind. I persisted in my quest.
Two security guys were there now and told me they didn't think anyone would get anything tonight. Finally a guy came close enough that I got his attention and he got the set list for me. So, Mr. Security had to admit that persistence pays off. LOL I set out across the mud, and headed for the merch booth. It was only about 9:30 or so. I still had a little bit of time.

At the merch booth, I thought most of the shirts were kinda ugly and a little costly.
The only one I liked was $35 and I just didn't want to spend that on a tee. So I bought a cd and a $15 poster. I normally don't get posters, but this had the date and venue printed. I bought the last one. On the way out the door, some guy offered me $60 for my poster. I turned him down, but had lots of second thoughts. LOL I think the next person he approached was going to take him up on it, but I went to find the bus stop.

It was a long wait for the bus. I just missed one, and it was probably a good 1/2 before the next one came. I was supposed to change buses at Main Street. AT least the bus was free - that was rather cool. At any rate, the bus driver told us that he was going to take the back road or he'd be waiting in traffic for 40 minutes. I think it may have been even longer. There was a lot of traffic and the roads weren't that big. It seemed like a long drive, compared to my drive up. I talked to the guy next to me, and watched the guy across from me pour at least two glasses of wine and down them. I couldn't believe he was doing that. He was pretty smashed.
We got to the Main Street transfer station, and the bus driver called in our situation. I think we must have missed the last buses, so he just drove us all to our respective locations. He dropped me off right at the back door of the hotel just as three other people were entering, so I didn't even have to fidget with the door!

I was kinda hungry, and asked the hotel about food, but everything was closed. A guy at the hotel offered to take me to 7 Eleven. I wasn't too sure, but the desk clerk knew, and he was registered at the hotel, so I figured it was relatively safe. He waited for me, and dropped me back off and went to park his car. It was really very nice. The sandwich I bought was kinda dry, but at least I wasn't hungry anymore.

Then I took the longest, warmest shower I could stand. It felt wonderful. I almost fell asleep standing twice. Then I turned in for the night and slept. I was awake at 7 a.m. Ed and I went to McD's and had a breakfast, came back and loaded the car.





I took photos of the hotel and the mountain with clouds sitting on it with my point and shoot, then got out the DSLR. Then we headed out of town. Along the way Ed found a good place to pull over in a business lot, and it was adjacent to a little "bog" with a bunch of cattails. Across the street was a good shot of the hil with low lying clouds, so I took a few photos.





Then we headed for home. I was able to see a good show, and spend some good time chatting with my dear husband. Another adventure bites the dust.

Peace out,
Melanie

P.S.
Set list for Deer Valley (Denny)

1. Rainy Day (my note - good choice LOL)
2. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (A) Times Db) Masterpiece (A)
3. Memphis (Ab)
4. Not Dark Yet (F#)
5. Twice Tambourine (Db)
6. Million Miles Blind Willie
7. Desloation (F) MIssissippi Woman
8. Levee Breaks
9. Simple Twist She Belongs to Me (Ab)
10.Honest With Me
11.Spirit
12.Highway
13.Queen Jane (Db)/I Believe in You
14.Thunder
15.Ain't Talkin'
-------------
Rolling Stone
Watchtower/Blowin/Times (Db)

Hurricane Gustav hit Haiti pretty hard. In particular, a very good work there, The Hands and Feet Project http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=69956497 suffered quite a bit of damage. Please consider helping!


Here are some pics of the damage:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=69956497&albumId=2249438

Video by Mark Stuart (of Audio Adrenaline) one of the founders of the H&FP:



God's blessings,
Melanie

One Nemesis among many....

nem·e·sis (nm-ss)
n. pl. nem·e·ses (-sz)
1. A source of harm or ruin: Uncritical trust is my nemesis.
2. Retributive justice in its execution or outcome: To follow the proposed course of action is to invite nemesis.
3. An opponent that cannot be beaten or overcome.
4. One that inflicts retribution or vengeance.
5. Nemesis Greek Mythology The goddess of retributive justice or vengeance

There are two things that I dearly love that are my nemesis, and both fall under def. #1. Both lead to gluttony, and give new meaning to the term, "glutton for punshiment." I guess some "sins" are self-correcting, or should be.

I love Circus Peanuts, especially if they are nice and fresh. However, I can't seem to stop eating them until I am nearly ill from the experience. This is why I don't buy them often. But tonight, at Wal Mart, they were calling my name, and the price screamed out only 97 cents... such a good deal. I ate half the 11 oz. bag. That's approx. 5-1/2 ozs. of nearly pure carbs, with just a bit of food coloring thrown in.

Here is the dietary breakdown (you were just dying to know, weren't you?)

Serving size, 4 pieces (if I would just stick to 4!) LOL

Calories, 140 (not so bad if you only eat 4. ;))
Total Fat, 0 (well, at least they aren't high fat. LOL)
No cholesterol, of course, that's only found in animal products.
Sodium 5 mg sounds good so far
Dietary Fiber, 0 (not so good)
Total Carbs, 35 g OUCH!!
Sugars 25 g
Protein less than 1 gm.

Multiply that by 4 and that's probably about what I had. No wonder I'm queasy!!

The other similar nemesis would be Candy Corn. Gratefully, I managed to ignore the $1.88 container full of those little gems.

And that, is why you should never go shopping while hungry AND, why self discipline is a good thing. LOL

--Melanie

A Pleasantly Welcome Uninvited Guest

This morning my husband hollered down the stairs to me that there was a moth... or a butterfly in the kitchen. I meant to go up and see, since I am pretty good at distinguishing a moth from a butterfly and was rather curious as to what he found. I was sure it was probably some moth. Then, I got sidetracked and forgot about our guest completely. After some sleep, I went upstairs to find something to eat, and I heard wings frantically flapping behind the kitchen curtains. I pulled back the curtains to see a Painted Lady butterfly. What a nice surprise that was! So, of course, I went downstairs again and grabbed my camera. The lighting wasn't the best, but I did what I could. LOL

At one point I was able to get the butterfly on my finger, and it seemed to calm down for a few minutes, but then I realized that I couldn't click the shutter with a butterfly on my right hand, so I carefully place my Painted Lady friend back in the windowsill. It resumed it's furious attempts to fly out the window into the great outdoors. I took a few more photos and had Ed come up and act as a butterfly perch for a short while.

After the photo session, I took the butterfly to the front door, and was going to open the door and release it. The butterfly got into a bit of a hurry and landed on the ground. Mollie the dog, thought it looked like a treat, and I had to rescue it in a hurry. Finally the butterfly was set free and I watched it sail up, and out, past the telephone wires into it's next adventure.

Anyway, a few of the phots, mostly unedited (one was cropped slightly) since my hard drive (and therefore "scratch disks") are all full.