End o' Week Musings

2011 is inching closer as each week ends... I don't care much for the holidays, but I do like Halloween, so this week's been fun.

Last Friday I was invited to attend the opening soiree for the Tap Room at the Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena. It was a wonderful event with bar bite and drink samples. I sipped and nibbled and networked. The lounge's decor is wonderful- it's been updated, yet it still retains a connection to the past. I especially liked the boomerang-ish shaped couches graced by rows of cushions- not only was it an inviting place to sit, it was a comfortable spot to watch all the action. The Tap Room is a great place to unwind after a hard day... a little bit of luxury with a nice view.

I was sooo busy Saturday! Early afternoon, my mother and I went to the Pasadena Museum of History's Victorian tea and fashion show at the Altadena Country Club. Although it wasn't required, we donned our Victorian-inspired garb for extra fun. We sat with a nice group of women and had an interesting conversation as we enjoyed our tea- finger sandwiches, scones, petit fours, hot and iced tea and fresh fruit.

The fashion show was really great. We learned about life and fashion from the late 1800s through the 1930s. The models wore different types of dresses- daytime, evening, etc. and one came out for each era in undergarments. What people wore under their clothes made all the difference, as they affect how the garments hang from and cling to the body. If you wore underthings from today with a real dress from the past, the outfit wouldn't look right. I learned this from a costumer from an Oscar-nominated period film. It seemed so obvious when she pointed out that the seams and lines of the outfits had to lay just so and that modern undies would change the fit of the design.

After the tea, my mother and I went home, changed and went to Covina's Thunderfest. My mom loves old cars, so we spent quite a bit of time walking up and down Citrus looking at the vehicles on display. We also checked out some of the bands. Despite the hint of rain in the air, the event was crowded- good for Covina! I hope the visitors spent some money in the shops along the street, goodness knows they need it.

The rest of my week has been spent dancing, playing music and writing. I interviewed Fred Mascherio of Terrible Things too. He was really interesting and just seemed like the kind of guy you could hang out with and chat about almost anything. I really like the Terrible Things album and hope I can catch them when they come to the Glass House in Pomona in November.

On Saturday I'll be performing with Danse Macabre in Riverside. Here's the flyer:

Sunday, I am planning to attend the opening of the mosaic show at Howeeduzzit Gallery in Alhambra. My friend Leigh Adams is co-curating the exhibit and also showing some of her work. I love her stuff!! I have several different options for Halloween night and haven't made up my mind yet...

In rotation this week: Terrible Things, "Scrambles of Earth," David Olney, Pete Francis, Israel Houghton, Amie Miriello, Upground and Frank Sinatra.

Photos we got 'em: Just some cute kitty photos from the Web.

Thought o' the week: Don't spoil the fun. On Facebook, I've been posting photos of Halloween's past and inviting my friends to share theirs. For me, Halloween is an opportunity to be creative. I like thinking about possible costumes and then making them with all the little details. Maybe I'm still a kid in some ways.

Some of my closest friends don't like Halloween. They don't care for scary or ghoulish stuff nor do they get into dressing up. I understand their point of view, but I also think it's healthy for people to let loose and be someone (or something else) for one day. And learning to laugh at fear is cathartic as well. Don't you laugh after being spooked in one of those haunted house mazes? I sure do.

I also think Halloween is a big day for kids. I don't really care for this movement to make it an adult holiday. I remember how much fun my dog Tramp and I had greeting children at the door. Tramp had to look in every goodie bag - he never touched anything, just looked - and kiss the kids as I passed out the candy. It was as if he thought the children were coming to visit him. Man, do I miss those days and that wonderful dog...

Before you pooh-pooh Halloween, think back to when you were a child and how excited you got deciding who or what you wanted to be. Perhaps your parents let you stay up extra late or maybe you liked being in a costume parade at your school. Whatever part of the day that made you happy, cherish it and, even better, share it with your friends. We could all use a little more tolerance and a lot more laughter.

Keep on rockin'

Mickie