August Break - 2019 Movement

Looks like this one didn't get posted!  Found it in my draft file. Ooops!

Day 19 of the #Augustbreak2019 gives us the prompt of movement.  It has been pretty warm in our neck of the woods lately so we have fans going in most of the rooms in the house:

If you want to see the actual moving version, check out my Instagram post at:  https://www.instagram.com/scr4pl80

September Smiles - 2017 - Jason Bonham, Cheap Trick And FOREIGNER

We have 3 concerts left for the year (unless something spectacular comes up).  The first was Jason Bonham and the Led Zeppelin Experience, Cheap Trick and Foreigner at Shoreline in Mountain View on September 2.  As mentioned in my last post, we are having a HEAT wave here and the temperatures were up over 100 degrees, even at 6 PM when we pulled into the parking lot of the amphitheater.  The temperature was not the only thing that was going to make this night different for us (me).  

After being successful in sneaking in some alcohol at the Mountain Winery and AT&T at a couple of shows earlier this year, I got bold and decided to try it at Shoreline.  No such luck.  My "hidden" compartment wasn't so hidden and I got caught.  Oh well, one wine cooler confiscated.  I was only slightly embarrassed.

We took our picture standing in the shade of the bar...

and then got a bonus picture in front of the stage.  

It was not quite so hot when we were in our seats and as the sun set behind us it was bearable.  Fortunately we were sitting under the canopy so we were never in the direct sunlight.  While we were waiting for the bands to start, we were surprised by a high school classmate of mine that was sitting in the row behind us, a few seats away.  In all the concerts we go to, rarely do we see people we know.  

First up was Jason Bonham and the Led Zeppelin Experience.  Jason is the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham.  I didn't realize that I actually like Led Zeppelin until I recognized most of the songs.  (How do you not know if you like Led Zeppelin?)  Now I'm taking my husband's CDs and downloading them.  Here are a few pictures from the JBLZE:

Jason Bonham

Next up was Cheap Trick.  We've seen them before several years ago and were not impressed then.  They were better tonight.

Robin Zander

Rick Nielsen

In between bands I went to use the restroom.  I had brought a deodorant stick with me to refresh, after all it was HOT!  Unfortunately, I dropped the top and it rolled under the door to the stall next door :(  I had to wait until that person was done and fortunately I was able to get it.  That could have been a mess in my purse!  On the way back I took this picture of the tents that cover the venue.  I didn't realize until I was looking at it today, on the wall are pictures of other acts who have appeared there and the one on the right is Steely Dan.  Sadly, Walter Becker passed away September 3.  Kind of eerie.  

This is one of the projections on the ceiling.  So perfect for me to use in my concert scrapbooking.

By far the best of the night for me was Foreigner.  I am in love with this band and have written about some of our experiences, including the time I came in close contact with Kelly Hanson last year.  If Steve Perry returned to Journey, perhaps there would be a contest but failing that, Foreigner is my band.  The energy they put into the concert was amazing.  Mick Jones was even with them this time.  He has been ill and the last 3 times we've seen them, he wasn't there.  This is their 40th Anniversary tour so we are lucky that he was able to make it.  

From our seats we could see through the slit in the curtain.

Mick Jones

Mick Jones and Bruce Watson

Kelly Hanson

Kelly heading into the crowd as he does

  

Jeff Pilson and Thom Gimbel

URGENT

Lemme Hear Ya

The opening drum beat started for "Juke Box Hero" and a huge spotlight appeared in the back of the crowd.  All of a sudden the words..."Standing in the rain..." and the shadow appeared.

It was the first time I had seen them do anything like this.  It was terrific.  I'm so glad my husband was able to take these pictures because all I could see was the bright light.

The guys really seemed like they were having fun.  

I had another up close and personal, this time with Bruce Watson.  He came walking up the aisle near where I was standing so I just went over to him and put my hand out to shake his hand.  He shook mine and I said, "Thank You."  Later, I read an article about him from January of 2015 when he first started playing with Foreigner because Mick Jones was ill.  He seems like a really nice guy, very fan friendly.  This was right before I shook his hand.  I had the camera so my husband couldn't take a picture. 

After the concert there was the moon, almost full. 

Next comes Nickelback and Daughtry.  Are you ready?

September Smiles - 2017

September is here and with it some extraordinary heat!  San Francisco broke it's all time heat record of 103 degrees (from June of 2000) with a high of 106 (on September 1); however, we are not to be fooled into thinking that this is any type of global warming.  They have, however, issued an excessive heat warning that goes until Monday.  

Before the day got too hot, I was on my way to the job interview at Michaels.  I haven't been on an interview in 23 years, but I think it went okay.  The first question the assistant manager asked me was, "Why do you want to work at Michaels?"  I told her that I owned my own business doing medical transcription but the increase in technology and retirement of some clients is taking my work away and I wasn't ready to retire yet.  I told her I had never worked in retail but I don't want to work in a medical office.  After 30 years I'm ready for something new.  I told her I do a lot of crafting so Michaels seemed the perfect fit.  

Then she asked what I would bring to the "team."  I told her that I would bring enthusiasm because I would be doing something new.  I told her I would bring wisdom because I am old.  She laughed.  She told me about the hours and I said that I wasn't going to give up my business but that I could work afternoons and evenings.  One of the "perks" of the job is a 30% discount at the store!  All in all I think it went well.  They are doing a background check on me at the moment and then we'll go on to the next step.  Pretty sure there is nothing in my background too shady for Michaels.  She told me the dress code was casual - jeans, any kind of shirt and they give me a vest or I could buy a Michaels employee T-shirt.  She said she tells people that she is an assistant manager and wears jeans and a t-shirt to work.  I told her I had been working my dream job for the past 17 years and maybe Michaels could be dream job #2.  We'll see.   

Me, squinting in the sun in front of Michaels.  

After I left the interview I went for a walk by the bay.  I felt very light and in great spirits.  I think the interview went well because I had been feeling no particular pressure.  It wasn't live or die if I don't get the job.  I have reached the age where I could collect social security if I wanted to but the longer I delay, the more money I'll get.  Three or four years working at Michaels could definitely help that.

And then I went home and checked on my typing work, which fortunately there was some of but which won't be due until Tuesday because of the holiday.  I went into the craft room and made two cards for a double birthday we were invited to and tried to keep the house as cool as possible.  Toward evening my husband called me into the living room and said, "Look at this!"

The sun setting behind the house across the street made it look like it was on fire.  I love that Bill calls me when he finds something interesting for me to see.  He gets that I love to take my pictures.  

Tonight we have Foreigner, Cheap Trick and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience.  It is going to be a warm evening but I'm sure we'll manage.  How about you?  Having a heat wave?