Steve Martin: The Crow

June 28, 2010July 4, 2010Sara 1 Comment

Good morning to you! Bacon and eggs are on the griddle and coffee is brewing. A rooster crows and a banjo serenades your bright-eyed morning. Today is going to be a good day, it’s Saturday!

Well it’s not really Saturday, but every time I play Steve Martin‘s 2009 debut album, The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, my day just gets brighter and feels more like a weekend morning with nothing to do but lay around. All smiles, Thomas runs around our bedroom bouncing to the twang of an instrument most kids haven’t even seen, much less enjoy. The banjo harks a simpler time where face time meant something entirely different.

Bluegrass and the banjo have a special place in my heart even though this born and raised California girl has no real country connections. Last year, Roger and I had the opportunity to see 80 plus year old Ralph Stanley who is known in the bluegrass world for his claw hammer technique of strumming a banjo. Although a legendary experience to just be there, Ralph was not at his prime, only able to play a handful of tunes. The rest of the show was filled with other guitarists, fiddlists and banjo players that were thrilled to be on stage with the man who they idolized.

A man of diverse talents, Steve Martin has mastered comedic and dramatic acting, magic and the banjo. This little known trait has now become another reason for me to love the guy.

The highlights of this album include the first track, “Daddy Played the Banjo” where you soak in the concept that Steve, who late in life does not have children, seeks to inspire children to love the banjo and inspire music in their lives. Tears well. I smile.

“Late for School” is the only song on the album where Steve Martin sings. His candid voice races as he picks up the speed of his fingers picking the strings while telling a childhood story of being “late to school.” The stress of running late bring flutters to my tummy as I recall the days where I rode my bike to school in combination with my perpetual lateness (even now). Some things never change.

Currently, Steve is touring the country with the Steep Canyon Rangers with one of the most hilarious riders ever written. I wish they were coming to San Diego, but I understand that we are only the 8th largest city that happens to be located in the worst physical location to reach for touring purposes. However, for Steve that may not be the case since the only California dates he as on his tour schedule is Davis… hmmm.

Aside from this eclectic taste in tour stops, the album is wonderfully delicious. You must taste this charming album that should have been on my 2009 albums of the year (if I hadn’t been so delayed in purchasing). It really is truly wonderful and just as advertised.

Weekend at the San Diego County Fair

June 25, 2010June 25, 2010Sara Leave a comment

If you don’t see me around this weekend, then your plans don’t include going to the fair. As promised by many (well… maybe just me), this weekend will be of epic proportions. The San Diego County Fair secured an incredible line up of events starting today…

Friday, June 25

Michael Jackson Day: Today is the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death and the fair is by no means ignoring that fact. They have a whole day of entertainment planned including a “flash mob” of 200+ people (zombies and Michael lookalikes) doing the dance from Thriller on the Avenue, “Moonwalking with the Best” on the infield where expert moonwalkers will teach kids (and you if you pay attention) how to do MJ’s signature move, and Who’s Bad, A Michael Jackson tribute band at 9pm on the Paddock stage.
PennySaver Value Day: Free coupons for the fair give to each person who comes to the fair including food, beverages and products.

Saturday, June 26

6th Annual Gospel Festival: The spirit may move you through the voices of God… these voices will surround you as the festival incorporates nearly all of the fair’s stages into an uplifting musical event.
Grease Sing-a-long: Yes. I actually know people who are excited about this. The 1978 musical with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta will be played on the Paddock Green at 9pm. I’m sure if you live in downtown listen closely you will be able to hear “Summer Lovin'” from your loft apartment.

Sunday, June 27

Dia de la Familia: Includes “fabulous, lively, Latin-themed entertainment and activities.” I’m not entirely sure what that means.

All Weekend Long

World Cup Soccer playoff games: You don’t have to miss out on this exciting games just because you are at the fair, the fair will set up viewing locations throughout so you can shout GOOOOOOALLLL!!! with the rest of the world.
Battle of the Bank III: Of course you can come visit me as I live-textcast this momentous roller derby event in the Del Mar arena. Check the schedule so you don’t miss out on your favorite teams playing.
San Diego International Beer Festival: Beer! Good beer! This is not a free event with fair admission but a great deal if you love beer. And it is in the same location as the roller derby tournament. Hmmm, coincidence… Not at all.

Well, I better get going if I don’t want to be late… traffic is mad. Make sure you use the free parking lots and shuttle. It will be much quicker and cheaper than dealing with the paid lots. It took me an hour and a half from the beginning of the line on the freeway, to the gate the first time I went this season (and paid to park). Don’t make my mistake.

Hidden in the Arches: Princeton Harmonies

June 21, 2010Sara 2 Comments

Memorial Day weekend, I stepped out of my realm of West Coast weather and familiarity to venture into the history of our so-called “great nation.” Dreams of awe fulled my head and transferred into reality as we made our way back east to Roger’s 25th college reunion, at Princeton. Orange and black adorned every individual and stationary object in the vicinity of this small town. As we were making our approach, I realized I had no idea what I was in for.

Nightly parties with bands filled the campus courtyards as well as day time activities that could include drinking if you were so inclined, and the highlight of the entire event was a parade of all the classes including the recent graduating class (talk about long term connections… equating to fund raising). The P-rade although incredibly inspiring was also incredibly long, therefore not the highlight of my trip.

Hidden in the arches, scattered throughout the campus you will find one of the jewels of Princeton in the form of rich, and sometimes, vibrant tones. A variety of a cappella groups serve as the campus’ most pure form of music and really the only performance that Roger and I cared to watch the entire weekend.

The groups sucked crowds into the arches with their melodies and harmonies and beat-boxing?? Yes, one of the groups, Old Nassoul changed up the traditional white boy collegiate sound by adding a bit of contemporary R&B with a smooth back beat that was out of this world. Several groups perform competitively against other Ivy league schools while other just want to share their voices with the world. Here is a pretty comprehensive list of groups that perform at Princeton:

Dream Team

Firehazards

Jock Jams

The arches capture the sounds of their voices and ring perfectly through the air, like a small, vaulted church ceiling would do for a choir. Blair Arch, the most famous and largest of the arches on the Princeton campus is where we spent our evenings, in awe of their voices and communication for executing the highs and lows and solos. Sadly, I did not even attempt to capture the music on film as the thump-thump-thumping from the reunion dance parties would drown out the most incredible vocals on tape. But I guess you will have to trust me or make the track yourself.

Short Story: The Easy Way Out

June 15, 2010June 15, 2010Sara Leave a comment

As a writer I feel like I have grown, less like a flower more like a weed… fast but rough around the edges. It has been two years since I started this blog and I have now participated in a year’s worth of Writer’s Weekly 24-Hour Short Story Contests. This particular story I actually completed in about 3 hours and is dedicated to Steve Poltz and his wildly entertaining tweets.

The Easy Way Out

Silence filled the living room. Superficial words were only thing passed between us in what seemed like weeks. Her eyes looked shallow from lack of sleep and constant crying, yet hard with the same intensity of the question that managed to come racing out of her lips. It was brave of her to make the first move.

The grandfather clock in the hall, a wedding present from her parents, chimed, reminding me I should be leaving for work. But somehow I don’t think even work will grant me reprieve. Yet still no words were coming.

I would like to say there is an easy explanation as to why she saw me walking barefoot down the sidewalk at 7 a.m. Sunday morning wearing a silver, sequin dress with the matching pumps swinging from my finger tips. I would like to say it was just a silly frat boy prank played on me by old buddies from my college days, or even a cross-dressing theme party thrown by coworkers down at the firm. Those would have been the easy way out; well, if I hadn’t let my instincts take over. Ducking behind the nearby park bench maybe would have worked, if she hadn’t already locked eyes with me as she slowed to get a better look.

Oh, and I have to say borrowing (and subsequently losing) her handbag wasn’t one of my brightest moves either. But I really couldn’t justify buying a new one since she already had a purse that perfectly matched the dress AND the shoes.

My lifelong weakness had always been for football, golf, and younger women but ever since that night I first got up on stage with the lights and the room filled with young college boys and bachelorette parties, none of that mattered anymore. Anyone who sings karaoke or performs in a play knows the feeling. The high from the cheers and boos from perfect strangers acknowledging your guts for doing what they are too timid to try themselves.

The night in question, instead of sneaking home after the show, I stayed to watch the carnage that I had heard so much about from the other drag queens. The nightly hook ups turned the club into a feeding ground for unsuspecting young boys. I figured these kids had to know what was coming with a place called the Cockpit, located many miles from the nearest airport.

Staring at the mirror backstage, I touched up my make up. The vultures had already made their way onto the floor, already fighting over the best morsels. I found myself drifting ghostlike and ghost white around the club, not sure of where to turn. Bailing after each show separated me from my audience and now here I was, mingling amongst them.

A drink, I needed a drink. As I saddled, rather floated up to the bar a older gentleman dressed in a suit complimented my performance and offered to purchase my drink. I thanked the guy and accepted his offer even though free drinks were on the house for all performers. We got to talking about dog shows and horse racing, two of his passions in life. I interjected a thing or two but it was mostly just him droning on. I was slightly interested, but getting sleepy. I excused myself from the conversation politely, stating I needed to retire for the evening. He generously offered a ride home, noting that I looked utterly exhausted. I respectfully declined even though I was drained. That is the last thing I remember before I woke up with a pounding headache, naked in a strange house to the wafting smell of bacon cooking and coffee brewing.

Panic filled my lungs as I scrambled to gather my clothes scattered about the room. Squeezing back into last night’s dress was the last thing I wanted to do, but it beat the alternative. I noticed the sliding glass door of the bedroom led to the back porch. My heart raced, as I opened the door and dashed out, though the yard, over the fence and down the back alley. I didn’t stop running until I reached the park just blocks from our house, where I slowed to gather my thoughts.

Struggling to remember the details of the remainder of the night, suddenly I felt a gentle touch on the pulsating vein on my hand bringing me back to the quiet living room, my eyes flashed open and in the same instant, the words finally came, “Annulment now.”

Partying it up at the San Diego County Fair

June 8, 2010Sara Leave a comment

I love the fair. Love, love, love the fair. But some people absolutely hate the fair with its crowds, smelly barn animals, as-seen on-tv hard to resist products, fried food of all kinds, creepy carnies, and those rides that who knows the last time they were inspected. Those are the same reasons I love the fair, that and my well-known obsession of large-scale events as well as my secret, dark obsession with the carnival atmosphere stemming from Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes.

This year I was invited to attend the San Diego County Fair’s media party where they offer San Diego’s media outlets a first hand, free look into the food and fun of the fair (oh yeah, free booze is also prevalent). I should really emphasize the FOOD since the theme of this year’s fair is Taste the Fun.

The usual suspects will be there including Chicken Charlie’s , Gingerbread Shop, Hot Dog on a Stick, Bloomin’ Onions, Texas Tater Twisters and more. I personally can never resist the mini-donuts and indian fry bread. Each year the food vendors concoct new items to add to their growing list of fried or sugar-dipped foods. Here is the list of the newest foods offered at this year’s fair.

For the last 5 or six years I have not missed going to see the Demolition Derby in action. “”Wh-wh-what?!” you might say. Every year the demolition derby draws crowds into the Del Mar arena, normally where the prancing pony, horse shows happen. This year the rumble happens on July 4-5 and a bonus one on June 19 at 4 p.m. as a part of the Fire Expo. Firefighters doing demolition derby = hot!!!

Oh yeah, and new to this year’s fair is a three-day banked track roller derby tournament, Battle on the Bank III. Think it can’t get better than that, wrong! Same time, same place (in the Del Mar arena), the San Diego International Beer Festival is happening. Good beer and derby. Three days of heaven. Sadly, I’m not skating due to my busy schedule in May causing me not to make my attendance. But San Diego Derby Dolls will be hosting and representing with two teams: Banked Track All-Stars and Hard Corps. Other teams include LA Derby Dolls, Texas Roller Derby, Team Legit (best flat track skaters in the country), Arizona Derby Dames and more! Um, and it is free with fair admission. If you can’t be there in person, watch online at derbydolls.tv or on DNN. I will most likely be hanging out in one of the chatrooms for most of the tournament.

There is a ton more stuff at the fair than I can really list in this blog post, including games, rides, music, stuff you can buy, stuff people made, stuff people collect and animals that get judged. So I do suggest you check out their website for schedules and exhibitions.

Also, don’t forget to pick up your fair tickets ahead of time (they are definitely cheaper that way). I got my season pass and you can too for $22 for 22 days of the fair until June 10 at Albertsons. So much is happening you really don’t want to miss out.