End o' Week Musings

My week went from O to zoom in two days!

As you may recall, I planned to hang out at home on New Year's Eve and I did. I was comfy in my pjs and sipping a glass of sherry when the ball dropped Friday night. The next day I watched the Rose Parade on television as I fiddled around with this and that on my to do list until my friend Byron showed up. We went to his sisters' house for a barbecue dinner and boy, can his sisters cook! There was pulled pork, ribs, coleslaw, greens, potato salad, corn bread and more!!

Sunday I joined movie expert Vernor Rodgers (see Aisle Seat at http://www.sgvn.com/ and Ticket Please at http://www.dabelly.com/ ) at the theater for "Tangled." It was a cute film. I especially liked the characters Pascal the chameleon and Maximus the horse and the fact that Rapunzel wasn't afraid to fight or use her charm to fend off danger.

The rest of my week has been a rush of interviews and writing. I spoke with Paul Zaloom, who you might better know as Beakman of Beakman's World. He proved intelligent and witty. In fact, I would relish just chatting with (rather than interviewing) him about life and art over a cup of coffee. He will be bringing "Beakman and the Brain," a stage show for kids ages 7-12 and their families to Caltech in Pasadena later this month. For more info, visit http://www.events.caltech.edu/ and http://www.paulzaloom.com/

I have also talked with bluesman Otis Taylor (coming to Arcadia Blues Club next Friday), Troubadours of Divine Bliss (at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena soon), artists Jove Wang and Brian Carlson, Todd Park Mohr (touring with his band and other musicians on the Robert Johnson Centennial tour in Costa Mesa end of the month) and Katy Moffatt (at Caltech end of the month).

The last of my excitement this week was going to see "Hair" at the Pantages with my friend Jules (see B Notes at www.DaBelly.com). The show was terrific with wonderful vocals and a hot band. We even got to join the cast on stage at the end to dance and sing "Let the Sun Shine In." Do you think I can put that on my resume? Ha ha ha!

Next week holds more surprises, plus NAMM, the big music trade show, in Anaheim. I can't wait!

In rotation this week: Coldwater Canyon Band, Haarp, Sacred Oath, Otis Taylor, Katy Moffatt and the Troubadours of Divine Bliss.

Photos we got 'em: Just a couple of cute dog photos from the Web.

Thought o' the week: Let the sun shine in. OK, it's a little hokey, but the song is still timely, as it works on several levels. It is a song of hope, happiness and spreading love and joy.

You cannot truly receive happiness and love without opening yourself to it. Part of opening yourself also involves hope, as we all seek to feel good about the world and ourselves. I'm a very optimistic person who looks for the good in life and is always hoping that there's better times around the corner. Yet, I celebrate the little joys every day. It is in this celebration that you can spread love and joy to others.

The other day I came into the office and one of my co-workers was looking down. I said that she looked like she needed a hug and gave her one. It wasn't the total fix to her problem (she had locked herself out of her office), but it gave her a minute to feel better and rethink her dilemma, which she was able to resolve.

How about you? Are you up for some hope, happiness, love and joy? Let the sun shine in and

Keep on rockin'

Mickie