Through the hallway of shatterproof glass

Lately I have found myself going to see a lot of music. I was decidedly burnt out on going to shows at the end of my tenure in San Francisco, but despite all of my complaining (expensive drinks, annoying crowds and the inevitable sore feet) its something I quite enjoy.

I checked out The National at The Wiltern the other night. It was grand. I haven't listened to much of them, but they put on a good show. I didn't feel like taking any photos but you can see some here

The tickets were compliments of the lovely Heather Ryan to whom I am forever indebted. I also ran into some blasts from the past, which is always nice. And I must say that The Wiltern green room had a rather diverse offering of soda (Diet Dr. Pepper AND Country Time Lemonade in a can). I suppose such things are only exciting to me...

Anyway, I had also heard that Band of Horses was playing a private show at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. I thought maybe it was not in the cards for me to attend, but I got a last minute text from Mr. Awesome, Dan Hadley saying he had been able to get me on the list! I had 20 minutes to get across LA during rush hour to make the show. I don't know how I did it, but I made it before the show started. And what a show it was!

WOW. It really was just one of the coolest things I have ever seen. The show was in the chapel mausoleum on the cemetery grounds. There were only about 100 people there and the band played acoustic. So it was just right. And Dan did an amazing job on the lights, which truly made it that much more rad. I don't really know who the other people were that were in attendance, but it seemed to be a mixture of fans, bored fashionistas and record label types who stood nervously in the back incessantly checking their iPhones.

I kept thinking that it was a pleasure to be there and not have to work. Or do anything, really except sit back with a glass of wine and listen. They played only for about an hour and in addition to many of their beloved songs they did a cover of Gram Parson's "A Song for You". Which was amazing. Its one of those songs that I have been randomly hearing everywhere. I have often lamented that the Parsons version reveals how trashed his voice was by the time he recorded that song. You can hear 1000 cigarettes and late night parties in his voice. But the Band of Horses version was flawless.

A very dear friend has pointed out that one of the ways to find happiness is to simply appreciate simple things. And this was one of those things. I was so thankful to Dan who went out of his way to get me into the show and I guess I was just glad I got to see it. I know I am super gushy. But it was one of the many examples of awesome that are out there for us to pay attention to. So yeah. Good couple of days.

underneath and unexplored

Busy times. But oddly enough I don't feel like I am crossing very many things off of my never ending to-do list. Baby steps I suppose.

Miss Heather Ryan is in town this week. And I feel the need to stop for a minute and say that she is probably one of the most genuinely nice people I know. I have known her for years and have flaked on her numerous times. And she still roots for me. She was on the tour I did last year, and as I mentioned back then, I don't know what I would have done without her. Its nice to know you can maintain friendships despite geographical limitations. That reminds me, I owe a few folks phone calls....

Any way. We met up in Hollywood and despite the unnerving scenester crowd, the whole gang seemed to be in good spirits.

PS, I don't think dude in the back with the goatee knew anyone. Apparently he was just excited by the groups' collective jovial mood. Good times.



Oh and here is some adorabs of LJ drying her mommys' hair.

Echelon your dreams and they'll come true

Lately I seem to be hanging out in places that are impossibly low lit.



This is telling of how shitty of a photographer I am. This is a place Jen took me in Silverlake. Its a restaurant owned by the son of Grace Slick. I wish you could tell how charming it is.

Also went to see the Parkes', which is always a pleasure. Their stories are mostly hysterical. This was on their fridge. Its from a booth at Dave and Buster's that shows you what your baby would look like. Notice how felon-esque Chris looks.



Apparently their child, although adorable, is meant to be born with a cleft palate....



Also checked in with Erica and Baby A. I am so sad they are moving considering the Dustons are some of the few people I know in LA (this is untrue but feels accurate sometimes). Poor little kiddo just got over the chicken pox!



She was in good spirits despite being itchy.

Finally, Lucas and Lexi invited me out to meet a group of visiting Parisians. They were rad!





Emilie made the comment that she often looks bored in photos. Oh and L &L are doing the "Renee Zellweger" in this one. Hilarious




Random, entertaining bouts of social interaction.

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