DUH!
Mashie and Vance celebrate their 24th anniversary in style:
1. Vance resorts to on-line free you-print-em anniversary card on the morning of!
2. They go to dinner at DiVino with CorporatePerks.com discount coupon! (Thanks for the password, CFO!)
3. Children are nowhere to be found!
4. They watch a "Chick-Flick" "together" while Vance pretends to watch but really listens to an audio book!
5. Vance pretends to be wild for some of that Crazy Lovin' but is relieved when Mashie is too "emotionally drained" by "Chick-Flick"!
6. Vance and Mashie celebrate with wild W/E (actually Thursday/Friday) at the Mysterious Cabin of "What-Were-We-Thinking?"!
7. Vance wonders "What was she thinking?"!
8. Vance hopes there'll be a #25!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Vance’s Big Squeeze/English Beat at the Mountain Winery Review by Vance*
*Sometimes Vance’s Big Reviews are NOT by Vance.
WARNING: Ones NOT by Vance may not be as good or reliable as ones BY Vance. Or kew. But this one is.
Mashie and I went to see the English Beat and Squeeze at the Mountain Winery with Slick and Kewlene. A Squeeze concert was something I’d been hoping would come around for years, and it finally happened! And it was in a venue I like! I’m not much for the Filmore/Shoreline/raucous-type places where any reasonable exit strategy requires leaving after the third song, and then having to get your hearing checked a week later. I was hoping/praying/waiting for a Squeeze Tour, but I have to admit I really wouldn’t have gone more than 20 miles to see a show, or paid much, or have gone if it was too late, or if it was a work-night, or if “Breaking Bad” was on telly…
The Son-in-Law was also there with The Daughter**, but they were in the cheap seats, up in the bleachers, so we didn’t see them during the show. WE had good seats in section 21 which is close to the stage on the right end side. Another couple of friends were there, coincidentally, back behind us a few rows. We could see perfectly and were no more than 25 feet away. I forgot my camera of course, but remembered the binoculars which were totally unnecessary. Slick took some iPhone pics and a video which I’ll post.
Speaking of iPhones, Stephen Large of Squeeze (he’s really a Glenn Tilford and the Fluffers member who fills out Squeeze on this tour) played a keyboard solo on an iPad.
Kew.
He also had some karate chop moves and other…. um….. well,….chops on the keyboard that Slick particularly enjoyed. Chris Difford was also fussing with an iPad on a music stand. Maybe he forgets the lyrics?
Was he texting?
But I get ahead of myself.
The English Beat played first. Interestingly, Dave Wakeling (he is the voice of the EB) and is now the only original EB member in the present band. They played nothing but the hits; none of this “Here’s some new songs we’d like to play….”, and Dave still looks fit and sounds good. He was modest and witty, and made a big deal about getting to open for Squeeze. I figured this should’ve been the other way ‘round, since my impression was that EB had a much bigger US following than Squeeze. I guess w/o Ranking Roger or at least some other original member, the band’s cred is not what it used to be. But, what do I know?
Dave recruited two local musicians for the show, one kid on keyboards and a dude on tenor saxophone. His other musicians travel with him, I guess. I thought EB were great, everyone else liked ‘em fine. There were some middle-aged groupies in the audience obviously hoping to jump Dave’s bones. The audience was sparse when EB started the first song, but got larger as the set went on.
The audience filled in and when Squeeze came out, the place was packed. They played many of the 45’s and Under hits, and some newer and less well known songs which all sounded great. Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford, and John Bentley, their bass player, are original Squeeze members (or good enough). Tilbrook and Difford are looking older and a bit scruffy, especially Glenn, who has packed on some serious poundage. Thank goodness this was a venue that frowns on mosh pits and stage diving. However, their music was clean and professionally executed with an energy and good humor that made it obvious they were having fun and enjoying their moment. Tilbrook has lost nothing musically, although the bloom of youth has passed. He retains his clear tenor, and he can play that guitar. However, should he invest in a new suit, and maybe get on the stairmaster for a bit?
CD sang lead on Cool for Cats, sounding as always, and was adequate on his other lead, which I forget the name of, since I’d never heard it before. The newer, younger members, drummer Simon Hanson (who looks like a slender, natty Bruce Willis), and the keyboardist, Stephen Large (reminiscent of a taller, young Elvis Costello), were playful and were obviously enjoying themselves and enjoying being a part of the nostalgia. The audience held nothing back, and showed their appreciation for the band’s efforts.
We were all on our feet for much of the time, and there was some serious dancing in the aisles, which security finally gave up trying to stop. They even had a young (-ish) lady try to jump the stage. She was a bit too drunk to manage it and fell off before she got up. It looked as if it must’ve hurt. She made another feeble attempt to get at the object of her lust, but she sort of lost her inclination to deliver. Sensing weakness, Security rushed her and whisked her away.
Aside from our young fan, the crowd was much as you’d expect: middle-aged and ready to go home at 11:30 after downing several $11-$20 (ridiculously small) plastic cups of wine. But, they had a really good time, and obviously were fulfilled by this opportunity to hear two old favorite bands and the songs they love.
Me, too.
After waiting for one well worth it encore, “Another Nail for My Heart”, then “Pulling Mussels From a Shell”, we were out of the seats and on the freeway in 15 minutes. Whoo hoo! Another flawless execution of the exit strategy. It can sometimes almost give me wood…..
On the way home, I realized that this concert was totally what I’d hoped for, but would never need to repeat. As the CFO would say, “This box is checked.”
Awesome!
Now I’m waiting for The Cure.
**See the "Moving Day" post.
WARNING: Ones NOT by Vance may not be as good or reliable as ones BY Vance. Or kew. But this one is.
Mashie and I went to see the English Beat and Squeeze at the Mountain Winery with Slick and Kewlene. A Squeeze concert was something I’d been hoping would come around for years, and it finally happened! And it was in a venue I like! I’m not much for the Filmore/Shoreline/raucous-type places where any reasonable exit strategy requires leaving after the third song, and then having to get your hearing checked a week later. I was hoping/praying/waiting for a Squeeze Tour, but I have to admit I really wouldn’t have gone more than 20 miles to see a show, or paid much, or have gone if it was too late, or if it was a work-night, or if “Breaking Bad” was on telly…
The Son-in-Law was also there with The Daughter**, but they were in the cheap seats, up in the bleachers, so we didn’t see them during the show. WE had good seats in section 21 which is close to the stage on the right end side. Another couple of friends were there, coincidentally, back behind us a few rows. We could see perfectly and were no more than 25 feet away. I forgot my camera of course, but remembered the binoculars which were totally unnecessary. Slick took some iPhone pics and a video which I’ll post.
Speaking of iPhones, Stephen Large of Squeeze (he’s really a Glenn Tilford and the Fluffers member who fills out Squeeze on this tour) played a keyboard solo on an iPad.
Kew.
He also had some karate chop moves and other…. um….. well,….chops on the keyboard that Slick particularly enjoyed. Chris Difford was also fussing with an iPad on a music stand. Maybe he forgets the lyrics?
Was he texting?
But I get ahead of myself.
The English Beat played first. Interestingly, Dave Wakeling (he is the voice of the EB) and is now the only original EB member in the present band. They played nothing but the hits; none of this “Here’s some new songs we’d like to play….”, and Dave still looks fit and sounds good. He was modest and witty, and made a big deal about getting to open for Squeeze. I figured this should’ve been the other way ‘round, since my impression was that EB had a much bigger US following than Squeeze. I guess w/o Ranking Roger or at least some other original member, the band’s cred is not what it used to be. But, what do I know?
Dave recruited two local musicians for the show, one kid on keyboards and a dude on tenor saxophone. His other musicians travel with him, I guess. I thought EB were great, everyone else liked ‘em fine. There were some middle-aged groupies in the audience obviously hoping to jump Dave’s bones. The audience was sparse when EB started the first song, but got larger as the set went on.
The audience filled in and when Squeeze came out, the place was packed. They played many of the 45’s and Under hits, and some newer and less well known songs which all sounded great. Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford, and John Bentley, their bass player, are original Squeeze members (or good enough). Tilbrook and Difford are looking older and a bit scruffy, especially Glenn, who has packed on some serious poundage. Thank goodness this was a venue that frowns on mosh pits and stage diving. However, their music was clean and professionally executed with an energy and good humor that made it obvious they were having fun and enjoying their moment. Tilbrook has lost nothing musically, although the bloom of youth has passed. He retains his clear tenor, and he can play that guitar. However, should he invest in a new suit, and maybe get on the stairmaster for a bit?
CD sang lead on Cool for Cats, sounding as always, and was adequate on his other lead, which I forget the name of, since I’d never heard it before. The newer, younger members, drummer Simon Hanson (who looks like a slender, natty Bruce Willis), and the keyboardist, Stephen Large (reminiscent of a taller, young Elvis Costello), were playful and were obviously enjoying themselves and enjoying being a part of the nostalgia. The audience held nothing back, and showed their appreciation for the band’s efforts.
We were all on our feet for much of the time, and there was some serious dancing in the aisles, which security finally gave up trying to stop. They even had a young (-ish) lady try to jump the stage. She was a bit too drunk to manage it and fell off before she got up. It looked as if it must’ve hurt. She made another feeble attempt to get at the object of her lust, but she sort of lost her inclination to deliver. Sensing weakness, Security rushed her and whisked her away.
Aside from our young fan, the crowd was much as you’d expect: middle-aged and ready to go home at 11:30 after downing several $11-$20 (ridiculously small) plastic cups of wine. But, they had a really good time, and obviously were fulfilled by this opportunity to hear two old favorite bands and the songs they love.
Me, too.
After waiting for one well worth it encore, “Another Nail for My Heart”, then “Pulling Mussels From a Shell”, we were out of the seats and on the freeway in 15 minutes. Whoo hoo! Another flawless execution of the exit strategy. It can sometimes almost give me wood…..
On the way home, I realized that this concert was totally what I’d hoped for, but would never need to repeat. As the CFO would say, “This box is checked.”
Awesome!
Now I’m waiting for The Cure.
**See the "Moving Day" post.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Mysterious Cabin of Spontaneous Combustion
OK! Dweebert and I went up to the cabin. It was hit and miss all over the place whether or not the cable, meter, and pole repairs were ever going to get done due to weather. First it was on, then it was off, then it wasn't going to happen, and then they did it. PG&E came through, in the end.
We got there Friday night, a half hour before dark and checked it out.
There were no fires, electrical or otherwise.
We flipped the main switch, then the rest of the breakers, then waited for it.....waited.....waited......
Everything worked! No explosions! No fires! No tripped breakers!
So, there you have it. You've been waiting for it. You've been on pins and needles. Now it's happened: the re-wire was a success. All circuits are go. We have lights, we have hot water, we have baseboard heat, we have a stove, we have a vent fan OVER the stove!! Woo hoo! And it only took 2 years.
OK, three. But it's quality work!
And the revenuers never caught on.
I know! WTF!
So Dweebert and I did some stuff. We fixed the wall. We put the base cabinets in the kitchen. Dweebert installed the cove-base on the mudroom wall, and we installed the dryer. I don't really want to talk about the cove-base installation, though. There was lots of bad language and tears.
But, then we did some laundry and dried it.
Whoa. That made the whole cove base fiasco worthwhile. Even though I thought I heard an f-bomb or two, which is very inappropriate.
Then, Dweebert broke the beautiful counter top he made. God was a bit upset that he made a perfect thing, so, in His infinite wisdom, He caused the old table we were using as a workbench to collapse, thereby sending Dweebert's creation dashing to the floor where it hit on the optimal place to cause the most possible damage.....well, possible.
Dweebert took it pretty well, considering.
I spent some time under the house. This is not my favorite place. I did not see my friends the salamanders, this time. They help to make the whole under-the-house experience somewhat more tolerable. I suppose it isn't the right time of year for hot salamander love.
But here's the best part: we took nice hot showers!! Indoors! I took two! One at night, one in the morning! Indoors! Woo hoo!
We both went around turning electrical stuff on and off will-nilly. Pretty soon, we got jaded.
So there you have it.
Stay tuned for the next installment, whatever it might be.
We got there Friday night, a half hour before dark and checked it out.
There were no fires, electrical or otherwise.
We flipped the main switch, then the rest of the breakers, then waited for it.....waited.....waited......
Everything worked! No explosions! No fires! No tripped breakers!
So, there you have it. You've been waiting for it. You've been on pins and needles. Now it's happened: the re-wire was a success. All circuits are go. We have lights, we have hot water, we have baseboard heat, we have a stove, we have a vent fan OVER the stove!! Woo hoo! And it only took 2 years.
OK, three. But it's quality work!
And the revenuers never caught on.
I know! WTF!
So Dweebert and I did some stuff. We fixed the wall. We put the base cabinets in the kitchen. Dweebert installed the cove-base on the mudroom wall, and we installed the dryer. I don't really want to talk about the cove-base installation, though. There was lots of bad language and tears.
But, then we did some laundry and dried it.
Whoa. That made the whole cove base fiasco worthwhile. Even though I thought I heard an f-bomb or two, which is very inappropriate.
Then, Dweebert broke the beautiful counter top he made. God was a bit upset that he made a perfect thing, so, in His infinite wisdom, He caused the old table we were using as a workbench to collapse, thereby sending Dweebert's creation dashing to the floor where it hit on the optimal place to cause the most possible damage.....well, possible.
Dweebert took it pretty well, considering.
I spent some time under the house. This is not my favorite place. I did not see my friends the salamanders, this time. They help to make the whole under-the-house experience somewhat more tolerable. I suppose it isn't the right time of year for hot salamander love.
But here's the best part: we took nice hot showers!! Indoors! I took two! One at night, one in the morning! Indoors! Woo hoo!
We both went around turning electrical stuff on and off will-nilly. Pretty soon, we got jaded.
So there you have it.
Stay tuned for the next installment, whatever it might be.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Mystery Cabin of Spontaneous Electrical Fires
Well, I suppose it's time for an update. It's been quite a while since I've blogged about the cabin and all the doin's and goin's on up there.
Not to mention the antics.
Well here's something: we are about to experience a major breakthrough at the cabin. The main service panel is installed, wired, approved by the county, and about to be hooked up to the power line and re-metered. April 27th, baby!
This is big. Once this is accomplished, and the switch thrown, we may have hot water, a stove, heaters, and lights! And less important, but still nice, a washing machine and dryer.
Hot shawrs! Indoors! Woo hoo!
If the place doesn't burst into flames the second we throw the main switch, that is.
This will also mean that we can button up the sheetrock in the kitchen and install the cabinets, make the countertop and install the sink. No more doing dishes outside in the snow!
All right, it's going to be summer soon, and doing dishes in the snow might be a welcome relief from the typical hellish heat of summer, but you know what I mean. Once the kitchen's done, that means the rest of the work will be focused in the living room. And all we've got to do in there is flooring and finish work.
We are getting almost near to sorta being in serious danger of getting kinda close to almost nearly being about done.
I know! WTF!
Dude!
Not to mention the antics.
Well here's something: we are about to experience a major breakthrough at the cabin. The main service panel is installed, wired, approved by the county, and about to be hooked up to the power line and re-metered. April 27th, baby!
This is big. Once this is accomplished, and the switch thrown, we may have hot water, a stove, heaters, and lights! And less important, but still nice, a washing machine and dryer.
Hot shawrs! Indoors! Woo hoo!
If the place doesn't burst into flames the second we throw the main switch, that is.
This will also mean that we can button up the sheetrock in the kitchen and install the cabinets, make the countertop and install the sink. No more doing dishes outside in the snow!
All right, it's going to be summer soon, and doing dishes in the snow might be a welcome relief from the typical hellish heat of summer, but you know what I mean. Once the kitchen's done, that means the rest of the work will be focused in the living room. And all we've got to do in there is flooring and finish work.
We are getting almost near to sorta being in serious danger of getting kinda close to almost nearly being about done.
I know! WTF!
Dude!
Vance's Kick-Ass Review of Kick-Ass (The Movie)
Roger Ebert warned me.
I knew Mick LaSalle is an idiot.
Yet, the dude and I went to see "Kick Ass". We saw it because "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" started at 8PM. Mostly.
Hey! It's a long movie!
So I read the Mick LaSalle review of "Kick Ass", and suggested we go to see it. Mick LaSalle said it was kew.
It wasn't. An eight year old girl saying "cunts" gave me the wobblies. Plus she hacks and shoots and spears and sets fire to a shitload of people. Not plopa wow. Not at all.
Don't go see it. It's no "Kiss-kiss, Bang-bang".
I knew Mick LaSalle is an idiot.
Yet, the dude and I went to see "Kick Ass". We saw it because "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" started at 8PM. Mostly.
Hey! It's a long movie!
So I read the Mick LaSalle review of "Kick Ass", and suggested we go to see it. Mick LaSalle said it was kew.
It wasn't. An eight year old girl saying "cunts" gave me the wobblies. Plus she hacks and shoots and spears and sets fire to a shitload of people. Not plopa wow. Not at all.
Don't go see it. It's no "Kiss-kiss, Bang-bang".
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