End o' Week Musings

And what a week it was!

Saturday I went to the Altadena Community Music & Arts Festival with my mom and my friend Byron. There was live music all day and tables with everything from fine art to jewelry and crafts. I danced in the evening accompanied by a few drummers, Aldo on digeridoo and a puppeteer. The crowd seemed to enjoy my act, especially the swords.

It began raining while we were at the festival, which was fine because it was indoors, but we still wanted to go by McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World for it's absolutely final barbecue. When we arrived there was a band playing and a table overflowing with food. What was left of the gallery was decorated with assorted art, past catalogues, newspaper articles (many of them mine, which made me feel a little weird and sad) and more. We looked at everything and watched the band for a while before leaving for dinner.

Sunday I finished all my classes at the Renaissance Faire and I'm ready for our dress rehearsal this Sunday.

My big excitement this week was going to the Huntington to speak with curator Mary Robertson about the upcoming exhibit exploring Regency Era England. It was interesting to learn how many parallels that point in history has with what is happening today. I also had the opportunity to see books, prints and other items from the early 1800s out of the case and close enough to touch. It's going to be a good show with a little something for everyone, as well as some good fun while you learn.

I also enjoyed my trip to Kaiser Permanente in Baldwin Park Wednesday evening (don't worry, just picking up a prescription). The poppies were in bloom in every color and the ducks are back, swimming in the fountain and pond. Spring is certainly here!

Today I'm going to be speaking with Lin at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra about its upcoming Edward Scissorhands exhibit. The show will feature work by artists around the world all toasting the 20th anniversary of the film. I'm a fan of "Edward Scissorhands," so I am enjoying seeing some of the art.

Tomorrow is a big day for me, I'll be on the judges' panel for the Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade queen tryouts in East Pasadena. If you've never been, it's a huge party with a talent show. There will be bands, as well as an assortment of interesting people, plus drinks, food and more. Info is on my blog below and at http://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info/ Please say hello if you drop in.

Next week I'm back at hula class and also going out on another dining review assignment with co-writer Mike Davis. Oooo! And the Renaissance Faire will be opening~ huzzah!

In rotation this week: Miss Derringer, Recoil, Monster in the Machine, Brendan James, Susie Glaze & the Hilonesomeband and Susan James.

Photos we got 'em: A couple of animal photos from the Web that made me smile, plus my phone camera pix of the poppies and ducks at Kaiser.

Thought o' the week: Cherish memories. It's April Fool's Day and it always gets me down. Not because I'm worried about someone tricking me, but because I miss it. My father and I would always make a big thing about trying to best each other on this day. The tricks would start early in the morning and go on through bedtime.

There were too many different gags to recount or remember. What sticks with me, however, is the fun we had. I would spend months thinking up the best ways to fool my dad and I'm sure he only spent a couple of days on how to fool me. It was a big giggle that was ours alone. Mom didn't kid around nor did she like to be punk'd and my brother has never been big on it either. And I still haven't met anyone else who got a laugh from being taken on this day like my dad and I.

As you know by now if you're a faithful reader of my blog, things were not often great between me and my dad and he's been dead for more than 10 years now. April Fool's Day was something special for us. It is one of my few really, truly happy memories of him. I hope you have some special memories to cherish of the people in your life.

Keep on rockin'

Mickie