The Heat Is On...

 

If you said, "Glenn Frey, 1984, from the album AllNighter, and used in the movie Beverly Hills Cop," you get 30 bonus point.  If you thought that was Kenny Loggins, so did a lot of people.

A weather report?  Yeah, pretty much.  Today, the high is supposed to be 89º, with 90s predicted for the next week.  90s in February?  Yep, we are in record territory.

 

This isn't just about the weather - another music day today: the "big group" at Mark's house.  We two guest musicians - Mark's half brother and his wife.  And, whoever else shows up.  I don't think there's enough room in Mark and Cindy's living room, so we will likely be in the garage again today.  It's gonna be a hot one.

Two days in a row for music.  I like making music, but I'm less enthralled with the drive.  The "big group" days are more about having fun; not rehearsing for anything upcoming.  

 

 

In the words of the philosopher John Lennon...

 

... referencing an audition.  If you said, "John Lennon famously said, 'I'd like to thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and hope we passed the audition.'  He made this remark immediately following the final song of The Beatles' rooftop concert on January 30, 1969, at their Apple Corps headquarters in London," you get 15 bonus points.

The Hip Replacements auditioned for a gig in May today.  It was kind of a rehearsal for us, as well.  We were playing a song when the woman who was auditioning us came in - first thing out of her mouth: "You've got the job."

We did several other songs for her... 'cause, we were there.  This one is not for an Alzheimer's group or charity, so this gig is paid.  She is part of a women's chorale group and they are putting on a concert - they'd like us to back them on a few songs, a set of their own, and a set of ours.  I asked a couple questions so we'd know what we need for PA equipment.  She left happy and will be in touch for final arrangements.

The last time I did an "audition," it was for a band back in the mid-70s.  I played with them for several years, until we moved to the Black Hills.  

 

 

Heading Northeast...

 

Out in the van today; the kitties got lunch early, with a bit extra to hold them.  Joan suggested we go to Fountain Hills, northeast of Scottsdale.  Maps and I worked out a route, and we were off; an hour or so enroute...

 That is the only photo I took today.  My plan: shoot some video clips with two different cameras (DJI Action 4 and DJI Pocket 3) and try editing it with Final Cut Pro.  You may hear some people say that FCP is like "the grown-up version of iMovie" - they lie.  The actions are all different.  But, I will see what I can do before the 30-day trial period is up.

We drove to Fountain Hills, arriving at the park just as the fountain was going off (on the hour).  We didn't try to time it that way.  A drive-by with some video, and by the time we parked, the fountain was done until the next hour.

From there, it was onto McDowell Mountain Regional Park, one of the Regional Parks in the County system that we have an annual pass for.  It is out there a ways, but as pretty as any of the other parks we've been to.  Of course, I like to see what the camping is like, both with hookups (water and electricity) and without.  Interesting; I have good intentions to get out there "one day."

Then, on to Rio Verde, another community north of Fountain Hills.  Then, through Carefree, and into Cave Creek.  I was surprised that Cave Creek was more "touristy" than upscale, like the other communities we checked out today.  Almost like it was trying to be "old West(ish)"... it felt like a weekend biker destination.

We were looking for a lunch stop when Joan saw an Oregano's - "How does that sound to you?"

"Pizza?  I'm in."  Our waitress was great, the food was exactly what we expect from Oregano's (and that's a good thing."

Time to find a route home.  Joan routed us to a Costco along the way so we could gas up for 50¢ per gallon less than everything around that area.  Onto the Loop 101 and south on I-17.  Not the pretty scenery we enjoyed on the way north, but I was happy to be out in the van.

Back to Laveen, we swapped the van for the Equinox and back home.  The kitties seemed happy to see us.  Well, happy to get treats and know we were back in time for supper.

And I have downloaded videos and will start working on that.

A test of a new logo...

 

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Here is the "unlisted" video I shot today.  I didn't use wireless mics (intentionally), looking to keep this as simple as possible.  I am still learning Final Cut Pro, so this is more about the editing than the video itself... thus, the reason the video is unlisted.

 

Laveen BBQ Festival...

 

It's a big deal: the 74th Annual Laveen BBQ Festival - a couple dozen food vendors and at least 50 other booths, from banks to political candidates to other businesses (our vet was there - more on that in a bit) to a bunch of kid attractions (bounce house, giant slide, bungee jump swings, face painting, and others).

We rode our bikes to Caesar Chavez Park, where the festival is being held...

 We locked the bikes up and wandered around...

Shade shelters set up for eating the BBQ...

Entertainment on the stage...

 We stopped by the booth our vet (well, Murphy's vet) had set up - they had a "spin the wheel" set up for various prizes.  Joan won a cooling towel and I won a large Yeti dog bowl (worth over $50).  We gave the bowl to Steph and Dan as a prize for the Guide Dog group.

And, yes, we had some BBQ - a good deal: a large pulled pork sandwich, a bag of chips, a chocolate chip cookie (from Chick-fil-A) and a soda... all for $10.

It was a good outing on the bikes and fun to see all the vendors and people at the park.  Oh, and we met the owner of the Chick-fil-A that we go to - he thanked us for our business and gave us each a card for a free breakfast.  I complimented him on the training they give their staff - always friendly and efficient.  He said, "If you know of any great kids that are looking for their first job, we can give them training that will give them an advantage as they move on in life."  No doubt about that.

 

Tired of the Sweet Crap, Yet?

 

Yeah, me neither.

Both kitties laid by Joan last night.  For a good part of the evening...

 I love it!  They both want to be by their Momma, and they are getting better sharing a close space.

Speaking of which, we have been giving then Churu treats at the same time.  If we use the regular Churu holder, only one at a time can lick the treat, but they take turns.  If we put it on a spatula, it is wide enough that they can both lick at the same time.  Yeah, that's pretty darn sweet, too. 

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Comments...

If you're a regular reader here (and there are generally over 1,000 each day), you have probably seen the comments.  On Blogger, you have to register to comment... and most people don't register.  One regular commenter is Earl.  Earl is a friend we have met "in real life."  The Facebook Memory from 8 years ago today was the first time we met in person...

 We first met online when we had our C-Dory and they were curious about that boat brand; found out we have many other things in common: cats, guitars, motorcycles, and aviation.  Nice people.  Just thought you might like to see who that regular commenter is.  And my "Hi, guys!" to Earl and Alice.

 

I thought this was the end...

 

A near-death experience?  Oh, hell no.  Just one of those times when you're thinking "Just kill me now."

Yeah, another HOA board meeting last night.  It was supposed to be my last one.  The management company rep asked if I'd open the annual meeting the first week of March.  The meeting where the newly elected board members take over.

So, how was the meeting last night?  Thanks for asking... same shit, different day.  Two more significant items got tabled until the next meeting (the annual meeting).  One was due to vendors not getting us bids in time.  The other due to the same board member that drove 3 of us away.

There was a greatly watered down version of a Meet the Candidates during the time scheduled for the board meeting.  A half hour that ran long.  Candidates saying they want to work together and get the community more involved (yes, some of the same people that were particularly nasty on Facebook, but have deleted those posts).  Then we still had to wade through the rest of the meeting.

And the beat goes on.

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How About Something Happy and Sweet?

I had music with my local guys today (Allan and friends).  A good time.  Even more fun: when I got home, Joan wasn't in the living room... when I walked back to the bedroom, she gave me a finger up to the lips (Shhhhhhh) and a big smile.  When I opened the door a bit wider: Murphy and Stella were laying on the bed with her!  Another first!  And everybody looking sweet.

Joan had taken these photos earlier...

 Joan couldn't get up to get a different angle, but I could see how sweet the kitties were being and how happy Joan was.  Me, too.  I am looking forward to a time when both of them can be in the bedroom with us overnight.

Oh, there is still All Star Cat Wrestling happening - I took these a couple hours later...

 Stella has grown a bunch since we first brought her home, but she is dwarfed by Murphy.  As you can see in that image directly above, she isn't intimidated by his size.  It is the first time that Stella got the "high ground."  Mostly, the wrestling is playful, but we do have to intervene on occasion when it gets rough.

 

Sunrise, Sunset...

 

If you said, "From the Broadway musical Fiddler On the Roof, 1964; made popular by Perry Como," you get 30 bonus points.  Partial credit will be given for any of those 3 key components.

I heard from my C-Dory buddy Harvey yesterday.  We are going to get together with him and his lady friend today.  Harvey was asking me about Arizona things and commented that he was told "there are some beautiful sunrises and sunsets here."  That is a fact.  It may be because of dust in the air at the horizon, which takes away from the thought of that beauty.

This morning, while taking Murph out after his breakfast, we were treated to this...

Technically before the sunrise, but quite pretty with the clouds being lit from below.

Murphy did not enjoy the scene as much as I did - a street sweeper came through the neighborhood, and he was not a fan of that different, and loud, noise.  He wasn't any happier about it when it came back the other way just a couple minutes later.  We did get him some good walking around, after.

And speaking of cats (and I frequently am): Murphy and Stella were not wild and crazy while I was getting their breakfast ready.  I know we are not beyond Thursday Morning Smackdown (or ANY morning or evening smackdown), but I am seeing an easing of "establishing dominance" - for the record, neither is coming out the victor, and neither is giving in.

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The kitty detente lasted a couple hours.  That's kind of a big deal.  As you might expect, little Stella broke the peace...

Murphy was on the highest level, chillin.  Stella jumped to the second level (above), then stood on her back legs (she is getting long) and bit him on the neck (below)...

 To his credit, Murph pretty much ignored her and she moved on.  Not sure where Stella is, but I need to check out her whereabouts.  ;-)

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We got to see Harvey and meet his lady friend Carol today.  They made that long drive from Florence.  A nice visit!

 Harvey sent me this one that he took with the 4 of us...