2012/02/28

Did You Get The Blues, Too?

Da Goddess @ 13:33

Obama invented the blues. Or he discovered them and brought them to the nation at large. I know that’s what many sheeple will think. But, there’s history there. More than could have been packed into a single televised hour. More than you can find in a few books or on a couple of CDs. The blues: our musical gift to the world. A true American creation. And don’t you forget it!

Anyone else watch the blues at the White House special on PBS last night?

I could handle Mick doing his rooster strut. I could handle him singing “Miss You”. I could take all the artists they threw on that stage. But, I could not abide the President singing “Sweet Home Chicago”. Maybe, just maybe, if we’re lucky, it’s foreshadowing. Can we hope for that? For him to be sent back to Chicago after the elections?

Let us pray.

I would have much preferred to see/hear more of Shemekia Copeland, Keb’ Mo’, and the vested wonder that is Jeff Beck (seriously, how cool is he? Everyone else is dressed to the nines and Jeff Beck is there in a tank top and vest!).

What made me sad, other than Obama singing, was seeing B.B. King in a wheelchair. When I saw him, he was walking onstage on his own. I know he’s getting older and he has his health issues, but to see that much decline…it breaks my heart.

Okay. I’m done with my rambling for the day. Don’t mind me. I’m cranky because I don’t get out to see bands these days. I don’t get out to shoot the way I used to. It weighs on my heart. It makes my gut churn.

Still, I’m glad the people have been gifted with a night of blues even it had to come via The One. I just hope people will keep listening and exploring the music that is so very, very truly American.

2012/02/25

I’m Blue Over Red

Da Goddess @ 21:23

Iverson “Louisiana Red” Minter died today. He’d been in a coma after suffering a stroke last Monday. He was a a true blues original.

Louisian a Red in 2005 from Laughing Rhino Photography

I’ve written about him before but can’t find the post. His life read as one long blues song: his mother died shortly after giving birth to him, his father was lynched by the Klan, he lived in an orphanage for a spell, lost his first wife to cancer, and he left the U.S. to live abroad when it was obvious that Europeans treated our bluesmen better. Those are just a few of the key points. What you don’t get from any of that is just how vibrant his music was or how his smile would light up a room. While I’m so very sad to hear of his passing, I’m glad I have the memories of meeting him and watching him perform.

Some of you may remember this song I’d posted years ago. If you don’t, it’s a good introduction to the man’s music.

Dig through some of the videos on YouTube and enjoy Louisiana Red’s legacy. You won’t be sorry.

It’s been a tough year for the blues. A tough, tough year. So many gone…

Great Blubbering Mama

Da Goddess @ 19:44

I cried at the airport today. I’ve cried several other times, too. I’m so out of sorts, I haven’t even folded my laundry yet.

LD left at 1450. On the Shamu plane. Seriously, it was a Southwest jet painted like Shamu. Quite apropos for a flight to San Diego.

I wanted like crazy to get on the plane with LD. Or at least make him miss that flight…and the next 1,000. I didn’t want him to leave.

My sweet boy remembered to give his sister my little gift after his aunt picked him up at the airport. Nothing major. Just a bracelet I helped create. Okay, I simply connected the intricate knots my friend had made, but still it was something I had a hand in making and I was happy to be able to send Mojo something special. I happen to have a bracelet exactly like it. And LD now has a necklace made of the same knots. I had no involvement in that one. And yet it’s something that connects us all.

About my laundry: in truly manly form, LD took all his stuff out of the dryer, carefully weeding out my things (which, of course, took longer than just grabbing it all), and then got himself packed. I was rather amused at the whole thing even as I was so horribly sad. I guess boys are all the same no matter the age…

Anyway, I’ve shed tears of sadness and pride over both kids today and I’m missing home in the worst way.

Sigh.

I’m going to drown my sorrows in Downton Abbey and a strawberry shake. It’s the only sensible thing to do.

2012/02/24

Proof That We Exist

Da Goddess @ 22:36

Just thought I’d share a photo taken a few hours ago at Outdoor World (Bass Pro Shop…place is freakin’ huge and just up the street). Please note my hair: graying at the temples and, yet, I don’t care. I’m just happy to be with my boy. See? I’m smiling! But I’ll be all frowny in just a few hours.

with LD in Vegas

LD goes home tomorrow.

I’m gonna miss him.

2012/02/22

Hulp!

Da Goddess @ 01:13

I have a kid suffering terribly from boreditism and don’t know what to do. He’s stuck here at the house while I nanny…no little hikes or explorations like we used to do in the past. We have movies. He has the computer. We have some games. But there’s just not enough to do for an active 15 year old who should be out roaming and running wild.

I feel horrible that I don’t have the time off to take him out to do the things we’ve done in the past. Yet, I’m glad he’s here and we have the time to talk and catch up. Like last night. I got done a bit early and he was ready to go to bed (out of sheer ennui) and then I asked him about his airsoft league. We got into a whole discussion about various guns and other gear. And we also discussed the lack of ROTC at his high school. Weird that his district doesn’t have ROTC at all. He wants to go to a school where that’s an option…he’s very decided on the military. I admire his determination.

We have had a few laughs. Mostly, it’s been me watching this lovely young man who has grown so much in the past ten months. I find myself admiring his gentleness with the baby, his kindness to others, his respect to all, and his outgoingness when meeting new people – especially those who should be intimidating because of money or fame…and yet my kid just jumps in there and charms them. Makes me realize I’ve done a few things right, as has his dad, over the years.

So, what should I do with him during the bulk of the day while I’m nannying? Hulp! I need answers.

2012/02/20

Ta Da!

Da Goddess @ 14:01

Yep, I’m back! Aren’t you glad? Or is there anyone still out there?

Anyhow, I have internet again and am happy. Currently sitting next to a sleeping baby while (Not So) Little Dude is downstairs playing a computer game.

LD and I have packed a lot in since he arrived Saturday evening. We’ve (in semi-order of occurrence):

  • He met a reigning king
  • Gone to Denny’s
  • Gone to Walmart for groceries
  • Come back to the house
  • Been silly (oh wait, that happens all the time)
  • Watched a movie
  • Played with a baby
  • Gone to the park
  • Been sword fighting
  • Gone to TGIFriday’s (where he admired our pretty waitress…I picked that restaurant specifically because of her)
  • Saw Human Nature (his 5th time, my, um, almost 40th time)
  • Saw a current Miss United States
  • Went to a rock club
  • Hung out with cool musicians
  • He met a tv star
  • …and even though he’s only had breakfast twice, his current bowl of cereal total stands at 6 (I should’ve bought a bigger bag of cereal)

I have missed this boy so much! He’s so freaking smart and funny and sweet. On top of all that, he’s just a plain ol’ good kid. I’m a proud mommy. The only thing that would make me happier is to have Mojo here, too.

Ahh, having my son here is like having a warm hug all the time.

2012/02/05

It Lives, But…

Da Goddess @ 18:42

And it’s a big but. Not a large ass, just a big “but”.

I have no internet at the new house. Well, that’s not entirely true. There’s internet, but no wi-fi and the bosses haven’t bothered to fix the wi-fi situation since we moved in at the beginning of January.

I don’t mean to be absent without just cause, I’m merely absent just ’cause someone else dropped the ball and doesn’t feel the need to pick it up and play fairly.

I’ll post as I can from the local Starbucks.

Also…Little Dude arrives in less than two weeks. How happy do you think I am?