ncgurrl

Permaswooned just called me from SeaTac. She is on a Southwest flight filled with fans and most of the show cast and crew. Quiana is sitting in the exit row so their safety is dependent on her. *g* Perma stayed on line until they shut the door but she saw neither Clay nor Ruben board the plane.

Asheville Meet and Greet Recap ncgurrl Due to a very generous invitation I was present at the Asheville charity meet & greet during the Timeless tour. Generic instructions to meet at the box office were evidently sent by someone who did not know the Biltmore box office is three miles from the venue. Everyone tried to be helpful but it took a while to sort out the correct location of meeting at the house by the lions at 6:00 pm. Even that led to more hurry up and wait before Jerome showed up to lead us back stage. Off we went down the steps and across the ‘football’ field. For everyone else that was start, build up speed, remind Jerome there was a pokey one in the group (me and my cane), slow down and wait. Once we got to the white fence screening back stage the group was split. The charity group went first while the fan club group was directed to wait. Once behind the barrier we were directed to wait in an area next to the food service section-- in the sun. The choice was to sit on a bench in the sun or stand in a scrap of shade by the perimeter fence behind the trash cans. I picked the bench because by then my aches had become pains. The location felt a bit intrusive because just a few feet away some of the cast and crew were eating and talking. Ruben, Felix and the guitarists were there. When Ruben came up to the food service area someone behind me asked him if they had a vegan meal for him. He noted that they had black-eyed pea cakes that were ok but what he wanted was the watermelon. Ruben asked if we wanted any but we declined Later Ruben brought us all ice cold bottles of water. Heaven. Jerome took us up onto the stage for a look around. I was not impressed with the wood stairs as they were a bit steep. They did not look solid but were. The view of the seating area and house was impressive. The performance area, on the other hand, seemed tiny. We were led back down the stairs, me with the assistance of Jerome, and back to our hot spot to await Ruben and Clay. I again sat on the bench. Ruben arrived first as he was still in the craft service area. He pulled up a small table and two chairs. After shaking hands, Ruben sat down directly in front of me. Clay walked in and shook hands and introduced himself to everyone. He then stood right by my shoulder. Next was the obligatory question of where we lived. I said Riverside, California which led to Clay and Ruben figuring out where that was. I told Ruben that if he was ever driving from LA to Las Vegas to visit the Wyn’s he could stop by my house for a vegetarian meal. Ruben hollered at Clay that there was another vegetarian in the house and asked me my favorite recipe. My mind went blank before blurting out Puerto Rican red rice and beans without the ham. The question of how many other shows we would be seeing led to Geekette’s reminder of “the city of Vermont” and Clay ragging on Felix. Clay went into a little spiel about the two charities which led to me asking Ruben if he had an inclusion element in his music camps. He turned to Clay and said that was not something they had discussed but maybe should. He and Clay then talked about how that could be done. Someone mentioned funding it through a grant. When I said that sounded good, Mr. Snarky-pants asked me if I was on the grant committee. I told him no but if he helped write the grant it should get approval and if it did come about they name it Camp Linda. Clay responded “I don’t think so.” He then added maybe they could make me a certificate. Ruben did ask Clay if they did a camp session would Clay visit. It was a light conversation but maybe it planted a seed of an idea the two men can nourish. The discussion went on from there. I was really impressed with the approachability of both Clay and Ruben. They drew people out and ran wherever the conversation was going. From Geekette’s recap you can see that both Ruben and Clay were quite chatty. I had Clay and Ruben sign my walking cane. Photo time was so casual that we had the opportunity to get photos of Ruben and Clay while we waited for the photographer to get set. I think the casualness led to a bit of overtime as I heard Clay and Jerome agree to tighten that part up for the other groups. After the meet & greet we got out pick of a t-shirt or a tote bag. I took the bag and then bought a shirt. Team Clay was friendly and helpful. I just wish the weather had been as hospitable. It was beyond hot.

I am leaving for Asheville by way of Raleigh tomorrow morning. I will get in at the Doubletree sometime on Thursday. Treenuts, I know how helpless you feel. Strength be with you.

Timeless is the password for the Nokia LA concert preale today

I have my LA ticket in hand. Just a note. The ticket has a start time for the concert of 6:00 pm. Anyone driving from Reno better plan on an early start. It is a long ten hour drive if the traffic is not heavy. There are some bottlenecks so it may be longer. Flying is easy and fairly cheap. Just get a nonstop flight and watch your arrival time.

What Saturday would that be? Asheville concert is on Friday.

I am staying at the Doubletree. I have yet to figure out how I am getting from Raleigh to Asheville. I was supposed to be traveling with my sister but she bailed on me.

I will be at Asheville and LA.

Except the one about not beating dead horses. Couchtomato, hope you make it to Asheville.

Group buy information for Asheville Concert has been updated.

The person organizing this said it can be shared. If anyone is interested let me or jmh know and we can pass your name and e-mail along. Since the tickets go on sale in early April the timelines for the group sale are quite short. Read the details if you are interested.

If you are interested in the Asheville concert, check the CH concert thread for information on a group ticket/hotel room sale.

New time helps a lot as I leave in the afternoon. Put me down for one.

Tirnanog Irish Pub is across the street from Moore Square. Some more about the parade and the park fair. Moore Square is also the starting and ending place for

heee did you buy it? Not this vegetarian.

Saturday morning is good for me. I leave Saturday afternoon unless I change my flight.

I saw a package of Buffalo meat hot dogs at the story yesterday. They were each of a goodly size in length and girth.

Count me in.

I think what was said was less of an issue than that Clay had no intention of including HER in HIS private theater experience. A polite hello was not going to be expanded into a discussion of any sort so Clay shut her down quickly.

I posted the above a while back. I talked to GS's dad. We decided on the TAS-DR-07 digital recorder. It should give good results for what GS does and the price was less than I expected. There are some recorders out there but the prices were higher and my son did not want me to spend that much this year.

My daughter's family does the Farmville thing. DD says it has done a lot to teach her son about time mangement and planning. I talked to him about it one day. He bent my ear about what crops paid off quickly with little effort (avocados) and which ones needed more tending to pay off. He also noted the importance of timing the harvest with his real life schedule. One lost crop taught that lesson.

Help! I am looking for a good quality digital music recorder. My 17 year old grandson is a good, and I mean really good, guitar player. His high school instructor gave up trying to teach the guitar class and has Patrick teaching it for him. They plan to hire him part time while he is in college to come back and teach for them. His own instructor says he is done all he can for him and now wants Patrick to just keep playing and writing. I want him to be able to record his music and send it to me. I feel like I am missing out on some good stuff. I want to hear him play. With Christmas coming up I figure I will give us both a gift-- him the recorder and me the music.

Happy Birthday, Kareneh! Write all about your celebration in your blog.

{{{jmh123}}} May you always be wrapped in love and strength from family and friends.

At my campus for students it was free. For staff and faculty there is a $10 service charge for administering the shot. The first day only students could get the vaccine. This week it is open to all on campus. And, yes, many places charge for the innoculation.