250 Million Reasons To Spend 5 Bucks!

It has become a part of corporate culture and is a part of what binds employees together! It carries with it the promise of retirement, travel, kids education, whatever the recipients desire. It is the department lotto pool and I have definite ideas of how I would spend my cut.

This is the exciting time, when there is actually a possibility of being a multi-millionare! It is the time where you actually start thinking of what you would do, who's life you would help change. The fun part of playing the lottery is the dreaming, the scheaming.

I would do the usual: pay off debt, buy a new car, maybe finally get an IPod. I would then travel to experience what I have always wanted to experience: learn to surf on Kanapali Beach in Hawaii, learn to ski in Aspen, climb the harbor bridge in Sydney, go to the Hockey Hall Of Fame in Toronto and the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, stay in Manhattan and see a play on Broadway.

What excites me though is not material stuff. What's exciting to me is helping people out. I would help my musician friends follow their dreams. I would pay the bills for a year so they could take a year off devote time to music, to songwriting and not to working the nine to five. I would donate not only money but time to my two favorite organizations: Special Olympics and Pet Orphans! I would give friends and family what they need: bills paid, homes and cars bought, whatever! That to me is as exciting as the propect of following Bon Jovi to every city they play....ok, almost as exciting!

Yep, tonight I have part of 50 chances to win part of 270 million dollars. All it takes is one. One chance to make my dreams and some of the dreams of my friends and family come true. That is exciting!

I Can't Believe I Am Watching Idol!!

I am convinced this show is sent straight from Hell.....and yet tonight I find myself watching. Of course I am talking about the show that is helping dumb down America...American Idol! I am watching this and feel like a trader to all my talented musician friends who can't catch a break while this damn show is manufacturing pop stars! I have hours of far more superiour Television on the DVR...shows that talented people actually wrote....shit, I still have the last episode of "Heroes" and two hours of "Chuck" to watch! And here I am watching the show that I swear will eventually kill music as we know it! Why? Because my roommate and I almost fell over when on "Access Hollywood" they showed some gourgous dude who's a contestant! Crap! I can be bought, it's sad! Money, a pretty face...I have all kinds of prices!

1 hour in and it isn't that bad. They did show some guy auditioning with a Jovi song and these guys are actually quite good. And there is a rocker or two. After all, this crap show did produce "Daughtry" although America prefered that Taylor Hicks. Who? Exactly! I should probably tune in to see the cutie while I can because chances are he won't stick around, regardless of if he wins this thing or not!

Thoughts On Love And Valentine's Day

I woke up today to start the day with an outpouring of love like many of my friends did. I was greeted by a "knock" at my door (actually a scratch) which was followed by an outpouring of "kisses" (actually licks). There is no doubt in my mind that this love is unconditional and given freely without any expectation in return. Its not given because Hallmark says it should be. In fact, it is given every time I walk through the door and every time I ask for it. It is often given when I don't ask for but need it more than anything. I give him all the love I have in the world and would give more if humanly possible. Should this love be viewed as any different because it comes from my amazing Rottweiler, Thor and not from a spouse or boyfriend?

It is so easy for a single person to view Valentine's Day with bitterness, scorn, unhappiness. It is common for us singles to look down on the day as a overly commercial "Hallmark" holiday. I have been there many ...most....years and started down that road to cynicisim this year. However, in keeping with my new found positive outlook, I decided this year to not dwell on what I don't have, but what I do. Yes, I don't have a boyfriend but that doesn't mean I am not surrounded by love!

I have two dogs that love me more that anything except empty water bottles and trash digging! I have amazing friends that love me in spite of all they know about me! So I don't have a boyfriend....right now! I am choosing today to celebrate the possiblity of love and the fact that it is all around even us single people. We just need to get out of the rut of being jaded and bitter and open our eyes to it in all it's forms. That way, when the right guy comes along, we will know it. I am sure in my case he will be walking a dog while listening to Bon Jovi on his Ipod and drinking a latte. A girl can dream, can't she?

An Invite To THE Mansion!

My friends and their band have an opportunity that doesn't come around that often. In fact, for most of us it doesn't come around at all. It's an opportunity that has sparked some interesting discussions between friends of both sexes. My friends have been asked to play the Playboy Mansion. Yep, Hef's place! Half naked women, The Grotto, pajamas. My first reaction when I heard was "How cool? Not a lot of people can say they have been to "the mansion", yet alone perform there". I didn't think, initially, about all the mansion is perceived to represent: the sex, the objectifying of women, the debauchery. It wasn't until some of us started talking that I realized that my reaction was not really in the norm among my female friends. Oh....did I tell you the date of my friends big gig? Valentine's Day.

Women in our circle of friends say "Hell no, not on Valentine's Day, not at all". The guys say "What can I do to go? Carry equiptment? Whatever it takes". This started me to think: Why is the Playboy Mansion threatning to us as women? Is it what happens there or the woman that work there?

I was asked if given the opportunity, which thankfully I wasn't, would I go? As a person who loves new experiences, especially those that are unique, I would! But then after thinking about it I wondered how I would feel once I got there. Me....the born again Christian who is slipping off the virtuous wagon! The overweight woman who wouldn't fit into a bunny costume if she didn't eat for a year, that's me! What would someone like me be doing at the mansion?
That's when it dawned on me: the bunnies at the mansion are like standing in front of one of those mirrors at the fair. You know the ones, the mirrors that distort how we look, make us look humongous when we aren't. That to me is what I think of when I compare myself to a Playboy Bunny! They are young, fit, gourgous....all the things I am not! But should that be a reflection of me? I could be things that they aren't: smart and funny. That's not to say that the bunnies are dumb, that would be falling into the stereotype! But women, bunnies or not, need to be so much more than boobs and a tight outfit. Sure, you might have a great view but what happens when the view gets old, literally and figuratively?

In my opinion, women need to get over being about what they look like, myself included! We need to feel comfortable with who we are, what we are and to stop comparing ourselves to an unobtainable ideal, be it supermodel, actress, playboy bunny! If I had a boyfriend that wanted to go to the mansion, I would say GO! Have that experience that not many have, look and drool all you want as long as that is all you are doing! As long as he comes home and appreciates me and all I am, I am ok with that! Just as long as this experience isn't taking place on Valentines Day!

Lights Make The Party Happen At Paladinos!

Shan and I go to Paladinos quite often. We have both always have friends in bands and it's a right of passage of sorts for a rock/tribute band to play there. In the Valley it's legendary. If you are in a band or know someone who is, there is a 99% chance you have been to Paladinos. It is a place with character but it is not the lounge at the Four Seasons or even the Canyon Club. It's a dive. Bar, pool tables, stage. Not much else. You walk into the door and you know marriages have been made and broken at that place, most likely in the bathrooms or parking lot! Shan and I get ready for a night there, find ourselves in nothing more than what we would wear to a hockey game and say "it's just Paladinos", Rockers and those that love them, though, can't stay away from the place.

Saturday night when walking out of Paladinos I felt different than any other night I had been there. I felt that I had just heard, just witnessed something special. Sure a few bands played, sure I have friends in one of them but this night the closing band blew the doors off the place and the dive rocker bar felt more like an electrified arena. The band? Lights: The Premier Tribute To Journey.

Lights consists of Berto Zepeda (drums), Casey McNerney (bass), Jeff Vincent (keyboards, vocals), Jonny Papa (lead guitar, vocals),and Juan Del Castillo (Lead Vocals). Five very talented musicians who love the music of Journey. No costumes or wigs. No tux jacket for Juan a la Steve Perry and Jonny doesn't wear an afro to look like Neal Schon. By definition, Lights are a tribute band, But this is one band who's talent exceeds that definition.

On Saturday night at Paladino's that talent combined with energy off the charts created a show that had the band and crowd rockin! With Jonny's blazing guitar and Juan's soaring vocals, the band opened with "Escape" and that got the crowd going in a hurry! One of my favorite drum riffs is at the end of the bridge of that song and Berto nailed it! He and Casey are the backbeat of the band and they do it well!

The energy level stayed high as the band played songs from all Journey eras. The classic Journey is represented with hits like "Lights", "Lovin Touchin Squeezin" and the crowd pleasing "Any Way You Want It" "Just The Same Way" is a personal favorite, highlighting the vocal talent of Jeff and Juan! Journey's mega-popular "Escape" is not forgotten with songs like "Stone In Love" and "Who's Cryin Now", and of course, "Don't Stop Believin", which as the closer had the crowd to a man singing at the top of their lungs! The "Raised On Radio" era gave us "Be Good To Yourself" and "Ask The Lonely" and its these songs that highlight what to me is the strength of "Lights". They all sing and do it well! One of the drawing points of Journey is their harmonies and the guys in "Lights" nail that time and time again! You can have a band of good musicans, and a band of good singers. To have five guys that can play and sing, that's amazing! That is Journey and it is Lights!

I know that those of you that know me (and know me well) are waiting for the verdict on the guitarist. You know there is one! :) Here is the thing: what's scary about Jonny is that he is 24 years old and can only get better! He is a very good guitarist now and sounds better with every show! I am not throwing that praise around lightly since this guitar girl's love of the instrument and player started with Neil Schon back in '79!(Sure I was only 1, but still....LOL) Honestly, from the rockin "Separate Ways" to the melodic "Only The Young", Jonny gets it! He rocks!

You can have great music and a bummer show if the crowd isn't into it. Not the case Saturday. What made this particular show was the crowd. The band views Paladino's as their "home turf" and the fans never disappoint them there! When Lights play, the crowd gets bigger by the end of the night, not smaller. Newbies, longtimers, friends, family! The crowd was mixed with fans that saw Journey on the Escape tour, fans that have parents that are Journey fans and those that became familar after watching "The Sopranos". Everyone was on their feet and singing along with every song from the opening note of "Escape" to the final note of "Party's Over"!

It is a rare night when the band and audience connect as one. For this band and their fans, this was the night! I walked out of the club Sunday morning feeling like I witnessed something special, something more than "just Paladinos". This could be the start of something big for these guys and the skys the limit! I envision looking back at this show and saying " remember THAT night at Paladinos...." :) If you want to get in on the ground floor of something special go to http://www.lightsband.com/ to see where/when they are playing next or keep an eye on my page. You won't be disappointed!
:)

First Day Of Rest Of Life....AGAIN!!!

I have been feeling funky lately and couldn't figure out why! Not necessarily feeling down or wallowing in self-pity but just thinking that I am not good at my job, not going to ever "get a man", going to live the rest of my life as "the dog lady". Last night, I discovered that if I don't change those thoughts, that is exactly what will happen!

I am cleaning out my DVR and come across an Oprah episode I hadn't watched. On this show, the discussion was on "The Secret" and how to actually put it into practice. "The Secret", "The Law of Attraction", "Power Of Positive Thinking", this is the theory that your thoughts genererate energy and that they create the actions you take. It isn't a new theory, it's been around for centuries. Yet when a easy read book was written a year or so ago and Oprah gave it her stamp of approval, it became part of the current cultural landscape. The theory that thoughts are energy and like energy attracts the same now has a name, a book and a celebrity endorsement!

It is much easier to get caught up in the negative thinking! Some of us are just wired to automatically think positive but a lot of us aren't! At the very least, thinking positive improves your mood and the moods of those around you because you can't be bitchy if you are thinking positive! Logically then, your actions follow your thoughts. If you are thinking that you are worthy of a good man, then you aren't likely to be truckin around in your baggy college sweatshirt and raggy sweats! If you are thinking you are good at your job, your confidence and abilities will reflect that, it's just logical!

Before you roll your eyes, let me tell you what happened to me last August. I decided that I was absolutely miserable at the customer service job I had at 21st Century and decided I wanted to be in a new job by Labor Day. So I posted my resume on Monster and kept thinking about that Labor Day deadline. Within a week and a half i got a call from a sound company wanting to schedule an interview the next day. I went to the interview and walked out of there thinking "this job is mine". That was at 11AM. At 4:15 that afternoon I had my job offer. Not only was I out of the miserable job I had, but I was back in the Entertainment Industry where I always wanted to be. The start date of the new job? September 4th, day after Labor Day!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life and my new outlook on life. A positive outlook. I am making my lists, affirmations, and vision board. There is no harm in trying this and I have already experienced it's power once. We all deserve nothing better than the best and I am going to set out today to get it!

Almost Better Than A U2 Show Itself!!

Britney and her meltdown, evil paprazzi, pregnant 15 year old stars of kids TV shows, celebs either driving drunk or slamming races/sexual orientations not their own, writers striking for what the public perceives to be only four cents, there is little wonder the Entertainment Industry tends to be looked down on lately. I used to look for opportunities to tell people I work in Entertainment but stopped when their reactions moved from amazement to pity. Last night I experienced something so amazing, so visually and aurally stunning that I wanted to shout it from the aisles that I work in the industry that would produce such a piece of cinematic art.

U2-3D is more than just a concert film, it's a film experience! For 1 1/2 hours you are transported from the theatre to the front row of a packed stadium! From the opening shots of people running to get into the stadium, to the closing shot of the bands heartfelt thank you to the audience, this film is a close to a U2 concert experience as you will get without mortgaging your house for tickets. In fact, it's better! Filmed in Argentina among what has to be at least 100, 000 people, the film captures the visual artistry of a U2 show! The camera shots from both the audience angle and stage put the viewer right in the front row. The 3-D and Imax elements don't put the band in the viewers lap, but they put the viewer in the audience or onstage. You forget you are watching a film.The incredible 5.1 surround sound (shout out to my pals at DTS....you guys outdid yourselves) is clear and highlights the musically amazing talents of the band.

What is so special about U2 is their heart and passion, not only for their music but for the world in general. What is so incredible about a U2 live show is that the heart and passion of the band spill over into the audience and creates this energy that transcends the stadium and just uplifts the souls and hearts of everyone there! This film captures that feeling for all involved: band, audience, viewer! I almost lept out of my seat a few times to dance, scream, cheer! I know on "Sometimes You Can't Make It", I started to tear up! This film does not leave out the most important part of U2: the heart of the music!

Because I work in the industry, I am jaded. It takes a lot to get me this excited and passionate about a film or music project. To have both mediums combined into this incredible experience is awesome! If you are a longtime U2 fan, a casual listener or fan of film or music, get yourself to this movie! You won't regret it!