Scenes From A Rock Concert: Greg Kihn

"If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."

-Bern Williams

Last night we went to the opening night of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk's," Concert On The Beach" series. Greg Kihn kicked off the summer long event, and what a great beginning it was! He is a fabulous showman and quite personable with the audience. :) It was especially nice in Santa Cruz yesterday, with temperatures 30 degrees cooler then they have been for the last week or so. It was so comfortable that everyone was pretty much in the mood for the beach...and a lot of fun. Tons of beach balls flew across the audience, and lots of dancing right under the stage. ;)

And lets not forget the tunes...

Jeopardy, By Greg Kihn

Where were you, when I needed you

Well you could not be found

What can I do, Oh I believed in you

You're running me around

Well you can take it, as a warning

Or take it anyway you like

It's lightning, not the thunder

You never know where it will strike

Our love's in jeopardy...baby

Ooooh-ooh-oooooh

Our love's in jeopardy...baby

Ooooh-ooh-oooooh

Don't be cute, don't be funny now

It's later then you think

Oh, what's the use

Save your money now

It's hanging on the brink

Don't let go, while I'm hanging on

'Cause I been hanging on so long

It's so hard to be all alone

I know you're not that strong

Yeah, yeah...

Our love's in jeopardy, baby

Ooooh-ooh-oooooh

I love that lyric...

"Don't let go, while I'm hanging on

'Cause I been hanging on so long

It's so hard to be all alone

I know you're not that strong."

:) I love music, I love my camera, I love the beach...and oh how I love the month of June! :)

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to the loneliness."

-Maya Angelou

-OndineMonet

"Scenes From A Concert"

Santa Cruz, California

June 23, 2006

Evening

John Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #117: Chores You Hate

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."

-Erma Bombeck

Weekend Assignment #117: We all have to do chores around the house. Which chore do you like to do the least?

Extra Credit: Do you recycle?

-John Scalzi

It's been so HOT here in the Bay Area the last few days, in fact, we have broken a few records here and there. Here in in Alameda County, where I live, we were issued a severe weather advisory because of the unusually high temperatures. When it is like this, I have NO desire to do anything, let alone do household chores. And I get a bit grouchy too. But life goes on and so does what needs to be done. So, I chose cleaning the cat box as my least favorite chore to do, particularly on a hot summer's day. I could go into detail about why, but I am fairly sure you already know what's involved. LOL. Instead I wrote a pleasant Haiku that is both informative and enjoyable. :)

Cat Box Memories (Haiku)
By Carly Gordon

Scooping soiled sand
My cat Elvis has chores too
His box is now clean

Tee Hee! ;) Extra Credit: Yes, I certainly do. Elvis makes me. Ever since he was a small kitten he has insisted that it is only 4 plastic bottles per bag, no matter how big or small the bag is. If there are more then 4 bottles in the bag, he will remove the extras and stack them in neat groups of 4 next to the recycle bag. We have watched, in amazement, as he does this. It seems to be his pet peeve or something. LOL.

-OndineMonet

Boxers or Briefs?

"Life is like a B movie: It's stupid, it's strange, it's a directionless story, the dialogue is lame, but in the 'he said, she said' sometimes there's some poetry, if you turn your back long enough and let it happen naturally."

-Ani Difranco

I think I have shared here on Ellipsis that I love old movies, especially the classic, black/white comedies. There is nothing like that humor, it is certainly difficult to find movies today, that can carry off the simplicity of those wonderful old films. It totally makes my day to relax in front of a good black & white comedy, or maybe sometimes, something kind of spooky depending on my mood. So, it wouldn't be a big surprise to learn that while I was up in the wee hours of the morning, the other day, working on my blog and making some forward progress on my book, I was also tuned into Turner Classic Movies watching one of my very favorite of the old movie comedies,"Abbott And Costello Meet The Invisible Man."

The popcorn was popped, and I was sitting back enjoying the very best of all worlds. A slightly spooky movie, that also contained some wonderful humor. What more could a movie buff ask for? :) I was in classic film bliss. About a third of the way through the movie however, something occurred to me. It was a curious thought to be sure. I wasn't even sure why I had noticed it this time,as opposed to the dozen or more times before that I had seen this film, but there it was, plain as the nose on one's face. Was it a censor thing? Was it an oversight on the part of the screenwriter? I wasn't quite sure, all I really knew was that I had found a new element within that film to laugh about, and a whole new layer to consider. See, I all of a sudden realized that the Invisible Man, that Abbott and Costello met, walked around commando.

Now by commando, I don't mean he walked around with large, intimidating weaponry in his hands, no I mean he didn't wear any underwear underneath his finely tailored slacks. Now in all fairness, he was being pursued by the police after being falsely accused of a murder he didn't commit. So he did have a lot more on his mind then remembering to put on his, Hanes or Fruit of the Looms. After all, Madison Avenue didn't have catchy little advertising jingles for undies back then like, "You Can't Over Love Your Underwear." If they had, he probably would have put some thought into what he wore underneath it all. Especially since after he swallowed the potion that made him invisible, he was going to be undressing in front of private eye, Lou Francis, played by, Lou Costello.

It is quite the mystery don't you think? What do you suppose a well dressed man, such as the invisible man, would have worn back then? Do you think he was a briefs man or a boxers kinda guy? Or did he in fact go around commando? I know there are more important questions in the grand scheme of things, but I am kinda curious about this one, because it presents an interesting question about censorship, and what may or may not have been considered acceptable in 1951.

If in fact it did have to do with censorship, and there was some rule about what articles of clothing were deemed unreasonable for removal back then, why stop with the undies? Why not simply have the invisible man step behind a curtain or maybe a screen? Wouldn't watching the invisible man's silhouette slowly disappear behind a screen be kind of eerie to watch? Maybe, maybe not. Still, I wish I knew the answer either way. I know one thing for sure...I will probably never think of the invisible man the same way again. Isn't that great, to be able to find something new, and of interest from a fine old film that was already wonderful...just the way it was? :)

During the deluge of boring summer repeats and silly reality programs, try something different, try picking out a fine old film, and enjoy it for all the reasons that make classic films CLASSIC! And don't forget to tell me what you think. What do you say...Boxers or Briefs?

Turner Classic Movie Schedule June 2006

-OndineMonet

I Think Micky Found Out!

"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music."

-Victor Hugo

One of the brightest moments last year, happened on a hot night in August, when Micky Dolenz took the stage at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to perform a free concert on the beach. It was a lifelong dream to finally see my favorite Monkee, and one of the great loves of my life, in person. If I said it once, I probably said it a 1,000 times..."I'm A Believer!" Just ask Karen! LOL. It felt so good to just sit back and enjoy the crowd, and the music, and the man himself. My heart was so full last summer, I was sad, and frightened, and not feeling too well, because I hadn't been properly diagnosed yet, but when he came out on the stage... all that faded away, and all I felt was...well...alive, and in the moment.

I think he may have found out about all those gushing entries I wrote on the AOL version of Ellipsis, because he isn't doing the concert series on the beach this year, RATS! LOL. That's ok, in his place will be a number of terrific singers and bands, and I have already decided to go to a beach concert at least once a month, beginning this Friday, when Greg Kihn will open the 2006 summer series. :) I will miss Micky Dolenz, he did lift the curse of Santa Cruz after all, but I have always been a big fan of Greg Kihn, so I think it will be a lot of fun. Not to mention a great photo op. :)

According to InfoPlease.com, the 2006 Summer Solstice begins today, June 21, at 8:26 A.M. EDT. And I am really glad it is officially here, because I really need to have a little fun right now. My heart has been so full lately. Yesterday, I finally allowed myself a good long sob. I cried till I couldn't cry anymore. Sometimes, when I least expect it, I find myself missing Pamela. She was a neat lady, and a good friend. I read on her blog today an entry that had been written by her daughter, who is now dealing with the practical matters that come up when you lose someone. I sure know about those details. :( I started to leave her a comment of support...but I...couldn't find the words. :( I felt like a coward in that moment, because I couldn't think of even the simplest of messages. I will go back sometime in the next few days and leave her a comment...I just can't stop thinking about having spoken to Pam on the phone just about a year ago, just after she had been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Sigh. I miss my friend.

There are a couple other hurts, some little, some a little bigger, but I am ok...just a little tired, so it's time to go and get away from all the pain. Political stuff that both hurts me, and makes me crazy, missing my friends, and so on. I don't like to spend too much time dwelling on the hurts and slights in life. It's been my experience that after a while it becomes a way of life. I won't stand for that anymore. Depression has had it's season in my life. Enough is Enough. So, this Friday night, if you happen to hear a strange screeching sound, riding on the night breeze, don't worry, it will just be me, singing and dancing on the beach in Santa Cruz! LOL. Like Greg Kihn says... "They Don't Write Um Like That Anymore." :)

So tell me, what officially marks the beginning of summer for you? Do you have a favorite summer activity that you never miss? Share with me, in this comment thread, your favorite summertime activity!

-OndineMonet
"Hey Micky"
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, California
August, 2005
Early Evening

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Still Life

"We have lost the art of living, and in the most important science of all,the science of daily life, the science of behavior, we are complete ignoramuses. We have psychology instead."

-D.H. Lawrence

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Take a snap of something in a "still life" mode. It doesn't have to be a bowl of fruit, mind you (although there's nothing wrong with a bowl of fruit, if that's your thing). But something that you can get contemplative about would be nice. Also, it doesn't move, unless you go and pick it up.

-John Scalzi

Do you think the above quote by D. H. Lawrence might be true? Have we forgotten the lost art of living. Do we mortals take enough time to just indulge ourselves? Have we forgot the simplest of pleasures?

When I saw the topic of this week's Monday Photo Shoot, I really thought about the term, "Still Life." A still life image begins with the artist choosing a subject that has some meaning to them. Then the artist brings into focus not just the image, but what it means to them personally. It didn't take me long to decide what to photograph, I chose my favorite treat when I need to give myself a break from the world. Chocolate covered strawberries.

I have always believed that when you have a meal, it should be presented with some elegance. So, I made the strawberries, placed them on my favorite French platter and placed a vase with some gorgeous silk roses right next to them. I ate them in my backyard today, while a breeze coming up from the bay, made life feel cool and ticklish, and the Ethereal Musician put soft tunes in my imagination. Today he was playing, "I Try" by Macy Gray. I am really beginning to appreciate life in summer. I know, technically it is still spring, but if today was a taste of what is to come...then it will be sweet, smooth and oh so decadent. :)

-OndineMonet
"Still Life With Chocolate"
Berkeley, California
June 18, 2006
Afternoon

A Continuation Of Fate

"Dream as if you will live forever...live as if you will die today."

-James Dean

Early last week I wrote an entry about fate, and being at the right place at the right time to receive the messages that life holds for you. Well, today I was at an old familiar place, again in my car, just outside Berkeley, when I saw the continuation of a message that is clearly meant for someone to see...but who? Is it for the world to see and consider? At first I thought that might be the case. Like is was a cosmic shout, for we mortals to remember that life is too damn short to give up our dreams so easily. But with this new message, I'm not so sure.

"Fine, live in despair." Sigh. I found myself saying those very words this past week to someone I love a lot. He is brilliant and he doesn't know it because life has beaten him down once too often. I , as his friend, have to choose between standing by and watching him implode or let go and let him choose his own path. No, actually he has that right. He says he can't change...sigh... so who am I to insist he can? We once went 4 months without contact, and then one day, there he was sitting in my inbox. He knew that I never let go completely. Once you are my friend, you own a piece of my soul that I never try to take back. That's just me. So, I suppose while I have decided once again to let things be...someday he will turn up in my inbox and I will of course open the window and say, "hello old friend." I am such a schmuck. Sigh. But for today, it really felt like a message for me, saying I did the right thing, once again. On the other hand...maybe it was just graffiti art.

Click here to read my original entry and see the other two messages.

Tell me, do you think the messages are meant for the world? One specific person?

Aimee Mann played a concert today in Golden Gate Park, I always loved this song by her.

That's Just What You Are
By Aimee Mann

In our endeavor we are never seeing eye to eye
No guts to serve us so forever may we wave goodbye
And you're always telling me that it's my turn to move
When I wonder what could make the needle jump the groove
I won't fall for the oldest trick in the book
So don't sit there and think that you're off the hook
By saying there's no use changing 'cause

That's just what you are
That's just what you are

Acting steady always ready to defend your fears
What's the matter with the truth did I offend your ears
By suggesting that a change might be a thing to try
Like it would kill you just to try and be a nicer guy
It's not like you would lose some critical piece
If somehow you moved point A to point B
Maintaining there is no point changing 'cause

That's just what you are
That's just what you are

Now I could talk to you till I'm blue in the face
But we still would arrive at the very same place
With you running around and me out of the race

So maybe you're right, nobody can take
Something older then time and hope you could make
It better that would be a mistake
So take it just so far, 'cause that's just what you are

Acting steady always ready to defend your fears
What's the matter with the truth did I offend your ears
You're like a sleepwalking man, it's a danger to wake you
Even when it is apparent where your actions will take you

But that's just what you are.

-OndineMonet
"Another Day On The Wall"
Berkeley, California
June 18, 2006
Afternoon

Flower Power...A Round Robin Promotion

"When you have only two pennies in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other."

-Chinese proverb

I am looking forward to our next Round Robin Challenge, Renee has chosen, "Flower Power" as the theme this time around, and I have been considering the possibilities ever since I found that out. I became especially inspired by the exotic flowers I saw at the Conservatory of Flowers last week. There were so many different flowers, it was difficult to take it all in. Although, creature of habit that I am, I was of course drawn to the Aquatic exhibit, specifically to see the water lilies. So lovely. This is only one of the water lily photos I took, so I will be sharing some more soon. When you have "Monet" as any part of your screen name, it's a sure bet that water lilies would be one of your favorite flowers. So beautiful.

Water Lilies

By Sara Teasdale

If you had forgotten water lilies floating
On a dark, lake among mountains in the afternoon shade
If you have forgotten their wet, sleepy fragrance
Then you can return and not be afraid.

If you want to join us for this Round Robin, don't be shy...we would love to have you come along. All you have to do is visit the official Round Robin blog and read the entry for "Flower Power," follow the directions, and you are good to go! If you haven't played before, simply read the ***Welcome Entry & Rules Of Play*** and the entry titled, "We Interrupt This Program" then leave us your RSVP. It sounds more difficult then it is. :) Come on and join us...you know you want to! :)

-OndineMonet
"Water Lilies 4"
Conservatory Of Flowers
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
June 15, 2006
Afternoon