CSGL – Waking Up In Last Nights Makeup

I just got up about an hour and a half ago, with full shadow, liner, and mascara.   (Seriously, if you have issues with shadow wearing off or creasing, try Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion and also their eye-liner doesn’t budge.  OK – enough with the unsolicited cosmetics commercial.)  I tumbled straight into bed this morning sometime around 3:30 – exhausted, sticky, sore, and passed out.   So, as you can see, last night was epic.

Hepcat, one of the most amazing bands I know, played at Slim’s in San Francisco last night.   Despite the fact that they didn’t play my favorite song (again) their set was still beautiful and reminded me, as it always does, what love feels like.   There’s just simply no way for me to feel like there is anything wrong with the world while I’m dancing at a Hepcat show.  And boy did I dance.   And dance.   And dance.   Surrounded by so many of my friends and favorite people, such enthralling harmonies, heart stopping horn work, and a crazy laid back grove, how could I not.  Thankfully I had the right shoes on, and apparently the right make-up, as well.

Then we of course had to stop by Crepes-a-go-go.    It’s like the icing on the cake of a great show at Slim’s.   A handheld tomato, cheddar, avocado crepe at 1:00 in the morning is just the thing to set you right after hours of good times.    But the night didn’t end with my crepe.   We then made our way down the block to Ooh-La-La, a sixties DJ dance night.   More dancing!  We were also joined at the club by some of the members of Hepcat, and got to spend some more time with them.   I also ran into a friend who I  hadn’t seen in quite some time, and he did not recognize me – me and my silly ever changing hair color.  We danced until the music got weird, too psychedelic to really groove to.   Then we took what seemed like another hour to say goodbye to everyone.  Many hugs all around, before limping back to my car for the ride home.

We all made it home safe, and then I collapsed.

That was an amazing night, and I felt very happy to be there, to be dancing, to hug everyone, and to just be living my sometimes crazy little life.

Just sayin’.

CSGL – Just Another Friday Night

Friday evening, Hepcat played with Flogging Molly at The Fox in Oakland.  It was my first time seeing a show there.   Kayphore came with me, and we spent a lot of the time during the opening act discussing our new band, what kind of band we want to be, and how we would like to get it off the ground.

However, before I had gone out on Friday, I had slipped into my I Don’t Give A Shit Attitude.   So I feel as though I may have some amends to make.

To the German girl who’s feet I absolutely clobbered while dancing to Hepcat – I’m really sorry.   I’m almost as sorry that I don’t speak a lick of German, and so couldn’t even express my regrets to you.

To all the people I wrote on – you’re probably realizing now that that was a medical grade marker that I was using.   I nicked it from the hospital when my dad had his surgery.   It’s not washing off is it?   Sorry about that.

To the guy who I made buy me that drink because he interrupted my conversation twice – your girlfriend didn’t seem to happy when she found us talking at the bar.   Sorry about that.    I hope you’re not in too much trouble.

To the guy I called “sweetheart” on the street – I don’t normally behave so informally towards strangers.   I’m sorry . ..  but seriously, call me.

Uh, and too anyone else who might have been offended or startled by my frankness, my verbal diarrhea, or my complete lack of any kind of internal censor, I apologize.

Just sayin’.

Crazy Single Girl Life – Holiday Wrap-Up

Let’s start at the ending, or the new beginning as it were.  It’s a new year, and yes, I’m single.   Still.   (I hate the word ‘still’.)    No one even attempted to kiss me at midnight.   I blame a horrific breakout and an unfortunate lei for that.

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Anyway, I spent the evening at Slim’s seeing The Slackers, The Impalers, and The Struts.   And really, what better way to ring in a new year than with some favorite bands and favorite friends, like Clam, who showed up as unannounced as always.

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I am very thankful that 2008 is behind me, and I know there’s not truly much difference between a couple of days ago and today, yet it feels like a huge page in the book has been turned, and I’m very much looking forward to the next chapter of life.

So far, 2009 is starting with the band still looking for a singer, but still charging onward.  I’ve joined a soccer team, and games start next week.   I’m still at the same job I’ve been at since June, and I love it.   And the biggest shock of all, I’m still in the same apartment.  It’s been well over a year, and I am showing no signs of moving.  Whew!   

Now, moving backwards, a few days before Xmas, I was extended an invitation from my Aunties and cousins to join them in Las Vegas for the holiday.   I decided this was the perfect opportunity for one last road trip for 2008.   I sort of got so excited that I forgot about one thing – mountains.  There are mountains between here and there, and where there are mountains, in the winter, there’s bound to be snow.

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So I learned really quickly how to drive in the snow, and eventually arrived safe and sound in The City of Sin.  It wasn’t a very sinful trip, considering how I was with the fam, but I liked it just fine.  I walked just about everywhere and drank too much.  In fact, I was so parched by the time I left that I decided to give up drinking when I got back for at least a bit.   I only had a small amount of champers at midnight on NYE. 

The highlight of Vegas for me was sitting in the dueling piano bar in the Paris hotel.   If you’re in town, looking for a break from the gambling and the bustle, I say it’s a great way to spend an evening.

But, of course, it’s not Xmas without the Strange Manor gang, and I spent the evening with them before heading out of town.   They had their usual party with gift exchange, good company, food, and drinks.
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And of course, there were a pair of ska and reggae shows the weekend before the holiday, The Aggrolites with The Impalers and Hepcat with The Soul Captives.  

 

The Aggrolites
The Aggrolites

 

 

The Soul Captives
The Soul Captives

Overall, it was a brilliant Holiday season, and I’m mostly pleased with it, but I am equally pleased that it’s over.   I’m ready for brand new Crazy Single Girl Adventures!

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Onward & Upward!  Science & Honor!

Here’s to you, 2009.   Don’t let me down.

My Heart’s a Little Bit Broken

A couple of days ago, I read some terrible news on MySpace. It’s taken a couple of days to process. One of my favorite bands has lost a member. David Fuentes, the bass player for Hepcat passed away this last weekend.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of knowing a Hepcat show, then you have no idea what you’re missing. I’ve never met anyone who has heard their music, and not liked it. I have never met anyone who has seen them live, and not loved them. They will always be one of my favorites, no matter who or what else comes along.

I don’t know if the band will go on. I hope that they will, but I will understand if they won’t. There will never be another.

If I were a praying woman, he’d be in them.

David Fuentes: 1971 – 2007

http://www.myspace.com/hepcatlive

Current Mood: Bummed Out

Playlist: Scientific
Hepcat