Fantastic Weekend

I don’t know where to start about the exciting weekend that was just had.  So if it seems I’m jumping all over the place I do apologize.  I will try to keep it contained and on one subject at a time.

Clairy Browne and The Bangin Rackettes

Love this woman.  She’s bluesy, gritty, rock a billy, rock-n-roll and dresses like a pinup girl from the 40’s.  The Rackettes do too.  I bought her album last year when it had to be in an import and she was signed in here in the States this year.  They’ve already toured once earlier this year but the closest they came was San Francisco.  I wanted to go, but it was the middle of the week so I pouted but silently prayed that they came back.  Sure enough they did so I jumped on those tickets.  I’m sure glad I did, because her show was sold out.  She was playing at the BuBinga Lounge in Reno, Nevada.  I asked Craig if he wanted to go, but he wasn’t sure what time he would be getting off of work as the concert started at 7pm and it takes a couple hours to get up to Reno.  As I was thinking about who I wanted to join me in my concert adventure, I thought my sister and I haven’t done our sister weekend yet this year and this would be perfect!!

It just so happened that the seafood buffet was right next to the BuBinga Lounge, so we ate seafood until we were full and happy (oysters on the half shell were just delicious).  Then we went over to BuBinga, listened to the sound check and watched people.  Before I knew it, there was the band.  Standing right there!!  I felt like a little kid, got really excited and a little star struck.  Watched them walk into the very buffet that we had been in about 30 minutes prior.  I didn’t talk to them, just watched and stayed star struck.  Roxane was laughing at me and I was kind of laughing at myself too.

The lounge opened at 6:30pm, so as soon as we were able to we got the table we had scoped out earlier and settled down for a great time.  Ordered some drinks watched the cheesy lounge singer guy as the opening act and then they came out on stage and killed it.  It was great.  They are just as good live as their cd.  I cannot wait to go see them again.  I had purchased a couple pictures of the band and brought my cd with me to get autographed.  We got to talk to them a little bit while they were signing the pictures to the nieces and my cd. I did go purchase another cd, so the autographed one does not get ruined.  It’s getting framed along with the ticket stub and will be hung somewhere in the house.

Waiting patiently for the concert to start

Up on stage just killin it. I would see them again in a heartbeat

There she is walking about out of the buffet with a Rackette

 

Casinos

The Hotel room at Circus Circus was reserved (way cheaper than at the El Dorado Casino) and the countdown began to the big weekend.  We got up to Reno, checked into our room (that was on the 19^th floor and I hate elevators) and decided to go play for a bit before eating and concert going.  We wandered around the casinos for a little bit and decided to finally play a couple machines.  It was exciting to know that they still give out free drinks.  So we ordered our drink and settled down to play the penny slots. I know, big spender, but your money lasts longer that way.  The machines we sat at were okay, so we decided to cash out what we had left and wander around some more.  We settled down again at the Wizard of Oz machines, they looked fun and fancy.  I was watching Roxane play for a bit then decided what the hell, I will play too.  Well, I activated the Ruby Slipper feature and hit a decent amount.  I almost cried as that is the most I had ever won.  Last time I played and won anything I was my 21^st birthday.

Roxane and I wandered back over to Circus Circus and walked the midway; she chose a basketball game to play.  We gave the gal the money, we each got a basketball and holy cow we both made the shot and got a nice little stuff flower.  We decided it was time to call it a night after that.  So we went to our room.  The next day we thought we would hang around for a bit before leaving, so we checked out, put our stuff in the car and went back in for more fun.  Played a machine called Buffalo, now, my uncle loves this machine because if you hit it just right you get free spins and can possibly get more free spins from the free spins you won the first time.  He’s hit decent jackpots playing this particular one.  So we thought we would give it a whirl.  Settled down to our machines and I was excited as I got free spins.  Then more free spins, and even more free spins.  I cashed out my winnings as soon as it was done free spinning and it was about time to head home.

I had to tell Craig about my luck and he told me to go buy a lotto ticket, but I haven’t yet.  Probably should.  Overall, it was a great weekend.  I could care less if I won anything or not.  I got to see Clairy Browne and spend time with my sister (which by the way had no idea who the band was, but really enjoyed herself).  To me that was all that mattered.  The rest was an added bonus.  I would do it all over again too.

 

Our lovely flowers from playing basketball

Random

Emily and Autumn were excited to get their autographed pictures.  April and I went over to Michaels and picked out the perfect frames for them and they received them Monday night.  Emily was a little more excited than Autumn.  They both could not believe that they each had their own signed to them.  I told them all about it and showed them the pictures that were taken.  Told them that I talked to Clairy a little bit and hopefully they will be able to come with me next time she comes around for a tour.  I know I will definitely be there.

Becks Bits

Wine Hoard

My beloved twin was at Hospice Thrift Store one day and called me about a wine rack.  She said described it to me and figured it would hold about 67 bottles.  Told me how much it was (or so she thought) so I told her to go ahead and get it, I would pay her back.  Turns out it was only $22!!  Talk about a score.  I couldn’t wait to get home to check it out and finally get my wine out of the hall closet.  As I got to work filling it up, it turns out I have a lot more than I originally thought.  The rack holds 5 cases and I still have 2 more in the closet. I kept one of the empty boxes for any new wine that happens to come home with me.

 

Backyard Cleanup

My other beloved sister and awesome brother in law came up to help me trim up a couple trees and take one down.  After much cutting and trimming my backyard looks a little naked, but it looks great.

 

Ready for Fall

I love this time of year.  The leaves are changing colors, the weather is cooler and it’s time to “winterize” the house.  So the trees are trimmed, barbeque is in the garage, water spickets have been disconnected from the garden hoses and covered with frost caps.  Next up is to clean out the gutters which will be this weekend.  It’s also time for my favorite day of the year.  That’s right, Halloween.  The neighborhood kids came over to help set up the tombstones and hang stuff from the trees.  The yard looks great.  Now to stock up on candy for the onslaught of kids looking for candy on Halloween night.

Upcoming concert

Last year I hunted down a cd by Clairy Brown and the Bangin Rackettes.  Since it was an import, I had to special order it.  It was a very exciting day when it arrived and it has been a staple cd in my car since.  Earlier this year she started touring here in the States and I hoped and prayed she would be coming close to my area.  Low and behold she is!!  So I bought tickets, booked my hotel and am going to get my groove on the weekend of the 19^th to Ms. Clairy Brown and her lovely Rackettes.  I am beyond excited and cannot wait to see her live.

 

So angry

Just to clarify, it takes a lot to really make me angry.  It’s not very easy to do but it was easily done yesterday.  I received a misguided interoffice message stating “all Becky does is just repeat what her dad says”  pretty much implying that I don’t think for myself and my father’s word is golden.  I saw that and was fuming angry.  Whether or not the sender was looking to pick a fight or just accidentally sent it to me without paying attention as to who it was actually going to.  Personally I think it’s jealousy of the close relationship I have with my father. Which seems to be the case a majority of the time.

First of all, I am very close with my father as my sisters are too.  We each have our own special relationship with him and are very protective of him.  Second of all, he’s a very smart man.  He pays attention to what’s going on around him, what’s going on in the news and actually listens.  He’s always been there for us when it seemed nobody else was, is my sounding board and in some cases my confidant, has been into politics way more than any of us has and I do value his opinion a lot more than others.  BUT I also do have my own opinions, think for myself, do my own research and yes depending on what is talked about will repeat what he says.  Because it makes sense and gets people thinking.  I DO NOT think his word is golden.  I’m very opinionated when it comes to certain things in life and thanks to my childhood feel very strongly about certain things and make it known.  That does not mean that they are my father’s opinions.  He does, however, feel very strongly about the same things that I do thanks to the hell my sisters and I were put through growing up.  So we do share certain opinions.

To the sender of the misguided message, I do feel sorry for that person.  I feel sorry for them because they felt the need to belittle me to make them feel better about themselves (that’s fine I have thick skin).  I also think it’s very childish and pathetic of that person to start talking shit that early in the morning.  I’d like to say it was fun watching them squirm their way out of it.  If they are miserable in their own life, then be miserable; leave everybody else out of the misery or fix whatever is making you miserable!  But it’s easier to wallow in the misery than to actually do something about it.  My father has been a mentor to many of the people who have come in and out of my sisters and I’s life.  He’s a strong man with much patience and has the morals and values that are really lacking today.  I’ve been called old fashioned and do have those values and morals which I learned from my father that yes DO DATE BACK TO THE 30’S because of my grandparents.  I’m rather proud of my old fashioned morals and values.  Because that just means that I DO NOT in any way feel entitled, feel the need to be included in everything all the time, know the world DOES NOT revolve around me (as the sender of the message once told me), am happy doing things alone, value a great work ethic that is extremely lacking in today’s society and also value the friendships that I do have as they have been carefully selected for those I want to keep around.  I have no time for drama nor do I welcome it in my life.  Not saying my life is drama free, but there is very little of it.  And if I do not want you in my life, you will be excluded rather quickly.  I’m excellent at that as again, lessons learned from childhood.  I do not need a hundred friends, do not need everybody to like me and actually work for what I have.  I am not fake nor do I need to be. If you like me great, if not I'm okay with that too. 

OH and since this is MY BLOG.  If you don’t like it, don’t read it.  It won’t hurt my feelings.  One last thing, if you don’t have anything nice to say then keep your mouth shut as I don’t want to hear it.

What's your theme

Apocalypse Theme

Put your media player of choice on Shuffle and this will be the music to your movie

First Song is the overall theme for the Apocalypse – Final Countdown – Europe

Second Song is the one that plays during your first zombie kill – The Sinner is You – Volbeat
Third Song plays while you are getting chased by a Horde – Walkin on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
Fourth Song plays while you are being forced to kill your loved one – Party Doll – Buddy Knox
Fifth Song plays when you find your new love – Rio – Duran Duran
Sixth Song plays when you make your final stand – We are Young – Fun
Seventh Song  plays when you (think you) make it through it all – Venus – Bananarama
Eighth Song plays when you discover a bite mark on you – The Mighty Fall – Fallout Boy

Back to the old drawing board?

I had a dream about a week ago that Craig and I had split up.  So the following morning did my usual of sending him a Have a great day Love you and told him about my dream and asked if we were okay.  He said he needed some space.  I was a little set back by that as we only see each other once a week due his crazy work schedule and talk for only 15-20 minutes at night.  But he wants his space, I will give him space.  Now the callous side of me is saying “whatever.”  The other side of me is saying “he’s really stressed at work, this will pass just hang in there.”

So I figure while he’s doing whatever it is he needs to do, I will get back to basics and get my ass back to the gym, delve back into my music hobby, devote more time to my blog, get going on my house projects that have been put on the back burner and spend much needed time with friends and family.  I don’t know how long he is going to need and I can’t guarantee I will be around when he does figure out whatever it is that he needs to.  That’s the part that breaks my heart.  We’ve been together for a little over a year and I don’t want to give up on him.  At the same time I’m hoping he doesn’t give up on me, on us.  I’ve waited for our relationship, been through a lot of assholes and dating horror stories (although they are funny now).  I don’t want to just walk away.  Now I know what some people are thinking “I would just leave blah blah blah”.  But those are also the same people that would be quick to divorce as soon as something goes wrong and that’s just not my style.  Not every relationship is perfect everybody has their ups and downs.  This just happens to be our down.  So I will just kick back and relax as best as I can until whatever is meant to happen happens.

Too much for one weekend

Last week was quite the week.  I started it off with a bang and ended with one (and not in a good way).  Work was interesting, busy and a tad bit on the stressful side.  I tried hard to hide the grumpy, but don’t think it worked out quite so well.  The two things I was excited about last week was spending time with my sister on Wednesday night and then talking to Craig after work.  He always makes things better…well not last week.  Friday was a good day, finally had a little time to breathe while at work.  5pm rolls around and it’s WOO HOO WE ARE FREE!!!  3 day weekend, this is going to be great.  I had plans to go grocery shopping and Saturday I was going to go down to Craig’s early and surprise him by having dinner in the oven when he got home from work.  Then the plan was derailed. 

I was coming up to the stop light and noticed 2 cars on the light rail tracks and one car sitting at the crosswalk.  I thought to myself “look at the dumbass sitting on the tracks, don’t they know better?”  so I stopped what I thought was far enough back just in case the crossing arms decided to come down it would give them enough room to back up.  Well sure enough the lights started blinking and the crossing arms started coming down.  Before I knew it was looking at the backend of a Toyota 4 Runner as she backed right into me.  I could not believe what just happened.  I had a bad week and then this.  She felt bad for what happened and I was going into hysterical mode and couldn’t even remember how to use my phone to call my sister.  Since she wasn’t answering her phone, I called my brother in law.  Thankfully he answered and I spoke to him.  We moved our mess to the parking lot across the street and exchanged information.  She offered to wait while my family was on the way, but I told her it wasn’t necessary that I would be okay. 

She asked that I call her once they arrived so she knew I was okay.  Once Mike got there, I broke down again.  But did call her to let her know that they had arrived and I was okay.  I also let Craig know that I wouldn’t be down as I didn’t want to go anywhere just wanted to go home.  All in all it could have been worse.  The airbag didn’t go off, we both walked away with no injuries and as I told her, I would much have her hit me than get creamed by a train.  She did send me a text on Saturday asking how I was doing. If I had felt like I had been hit by a train (bad joke).  But we were both just a little stiff and sore. Claim has been filed with the insurance. Ironically we both have the same insurance company.  So it’s up to them to duke it out now.  Car is over at the body shop for repairs and I have a pretty Blue Volkswagon Jetta for a bit.

Saturday morning Bluka had a vet appointment as she was wheezing and coughing, so to be safe I took her in for a checkup.  Well, a few chest x-rays and a bottle of antibiotics later she has Bronchitis.  So she gets medicine once a day for 4 days, then twice a week with a follow up appointment.  I’m thinking I got her taken care of then Fabio starts throwing up. Which with him, I’m thinking it’s something he ate because there was chunks of what I think were other animal in it.  Who knows.  All I know if that I almost threw up cleaning it.  So I was at home this weekend with two sick kitties,  a sore/stiff neck and upper back.  ONLY to throw in there no phone call, text NOTHING from Craig on Sunday or yesterday until I reached out to him.  I’m getting to that part

I spoke to Craig on Saturday after he got home and the phone call ended with “I will talk to you tomorrow”.  Okay fine, I had a headache and just wanted to go lay down anyways.  But ended up crying myself to sleep Saturday night.  Sunday morning I looked like hell, but  I spent the morning cleaning the house and making my guest room as cozy as I could, but not too cozy.  I was hoping that Craig would come up after the week I had I just wanted to spend some time with him and just be.  But I got nothing.  No phone call, no text.  A big fat zero zilch nada NOTHING.  I looked at it as a reminder as to why I am the strong independent woman that I am and why I was single for so long.  Sometimes I just feel better off that way and this was one of those times.  Sunday night came with still no word from him, so again I went to sleep feeling alone.  But I knew I wasn’t, as I have the love and support from my family.  Roxane came up and we took the nieces to Apple Hill for a few hours, then Roxane and I went to lunch.  I always feel better when I’m with my sisters. 

Not being able take it anymore and I told him that I needed to know he would be there for me no matter what.  Meaning, I really needed him this weekend and he was being one with the couch.  He translated my “I don’t want to play anymore” comment into I wanted to be alone so that’s what he did.  We did talk and he apologized, but it still doesn’t make it any better.  It’s been a weekend of ups and downs, one that I really don’t want to ride anymore.  But it can only get better from here and I’m strong enough to wade my way through the muck and persevere.    My bank account though, is a completely different story.

Try to not panic

There are certain things about myself that I do realize and would like to change, but don’t think it’s possible.  For example, when somebody is sick I try to not be so callous.  But when you grow up in a house with a couple of hypochondriacs it’s really hard to not be callous.  Another really good example is what happened on Friday. 

My sister called me around 2:30ish to let me know there was a fire in my area and they were evacuating.  My first thought was “don’t panic, it will be okay”.  Then as I was talking to her I pulled up the local news website and read the article and too late, panic was starting to set in.  She sent my brother in law over to see if he could get through to pack up the furry children (Fabio and Bluka, my kitties) but he was unable to get through.  So I went tearin’ out of work. While still obeying the speed limits but at the same time wanting everybody to get out of my way, not quite road rage but almost, it was the longest drive of my life.  Once I got up to my area, I was shaking so bad and trying hard to keep it together. The fear of the unknown is the worst feeling anybody could possibly have.  The Sheriff wasn’t letting anybody back, even the back way was blocked off.  So I figured I would walk back as far as I could.  While trying to not panic.

I spoke to a few different people along the way and each one had a conflicting story which wasn’t making my brain relax, just putting it into more of a panic.  Finally, I spoke to a retired fire fighter who was sitting in his spot for about 4 hours. After speaking with him I felt a little bit better.  But I still wanted to get back to my house to see for myself that everything was going to be okay.  On my way back to my car, I spoke with Craig and he was trying to keep me calm by telling me everything was going to be okay, the cats were okay and to just wait it out.  But did I feel better? NO!!  So I went to wait it out at my sister’s house about 10 minutes away.  My sister and I would take a trips back to see if they would let us in and still no.  So we drove up to the high school where it started to check that out. 

My theory is this. Some kids were up at the tennis courts where the fire started and they were smoking.  Saw a teacher and threw the cigarettes down so they didn’t get caught.  Then BLAMO instant fire.  Now I could be wrong, but where those tennis courts are at is a great spot to go.  Heck I would if I went to that school and smoked.  Anyways, I was finally able to get home around 8pm Friday night and thankfully everything was okay.  I called the kitties and it was the happy reunion.  They smelled like campfire, but they were alright, which was my biggest concern.  Initially I thought that the fire had been stopped a mile from my house, I was wrong.  It was stopped about a ½ mile away.  Quite a few people had their backyards scorched and some awnings burnt.  If it wasn’t for a lot of garden hoses and those manning those garden hoses there are a lot of houses that would not be there.  One house was lost in the mess and another had their car melted.  A total of 116 acres had burned.  It’s all black and bleek right now but come spring time, it will allow for new growth and be all pretty again.

Still can't get through

Finally can get home, this is what I saw

Toasty

Passenger side of the vehicle is melted