End o' week musings

Yeah, yeah, I know it's early again, but I will be out Friday and away from my computer. And since I was unable to blog properly last week, there's lots of catching up to do!!

On the 10th, I spent the day on Catalina Island with my foster parents Carin and Tom. After a yummy pancake breakfast (I always ask Carin to make her pancakes when I come for breakfast, as they are the BEST!), we headed to Long Beach and got on the Catalina Express. Once ashore, we went to Catalina Segways and took a nice "rolling" tour of the isle, from the Casino up through the Bird Farm. It was really neat to ride a Segway-- a little challenging, but very fun too.

After the tour we ate at the Lobster Trap and then wandered down to the beach area. I couldn't resist wading in the warm water and picking through the stones for a prize to take home. I found a pinkish rock that was just right for my pocket. We finished our day by returning back on the boat and soaking in the spa. Could life be better?!

On the 13th I went to the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk. I found nice parking at Pershing Square and made my way to the Spring Street Tower in search of work by my friend Dave Lovejoy. His art was along about half of a wall and included ceramic and assemblage pieces and many of them were ones that I have never seen before. I enjoyed listening to the comments of other visitors as they looked over Dave's work~ most seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

Next I made my way down Spring to the starting point of the free art walk tours run by Richard Shave of Esotouric. The tour was fabulous. I learned about the history and the architecture of the area, listened to gallery owners talk about their spaces and discovered a few cool spots off the main drag. I would recommend that anyone going to the Art Walk for the first time should definitely sign up for a tour.

Later I ran into friends. We stopped in a bar for a beer and then headed back out for adventure. The most interesting thing we found was a great little blues band who had set up shop in an alley next to a Dumpster. They had a very good saxophonist and a strong harmonica player. We listened to them for quite a while. My friends, who are members of the Atom Smashers, couldn't resist commenting that they would love to book their next gig in an alley next to a Dumpster. They may have been joking, but looking at the crowd that gathered to listen, it could be just the ticket to getting some notice.

Saturday I went on a Melting Pot Tour of Pasadena. The company has run tours in Farmer's Market for quite a while and has recently branched out to Pas. The guide was extremely informative about the history, especially the growth of various cultures and the many architectural changes, of the city. She shared her knowledge in between stops at various eateries, where we sampled a wide range of cuisine. It was very fun and is a must-go for any foodie. (Watch for a story soon at http://www.sgvn.com/ ).

Sunday morning I met DaBelly.com and SGVN movie critic Vernor Rodgers for "District 9." It was a lot different than what I expected and I found myself sitting there as the credits ran still trying to absorb everything that had happened in the film. It tackles some heady topics, mainly focused around man's inhumanity to man. Even if you don't care for sci-fi, you may want to check out this movie, as it is very deep and makes you think.

In the evening I went to the Burbank Starlight Theatre to see the Gin Blossoms. I'll be honest, although I acknowledge their talent, I'm not really a fan. I was more into having a night out with my friends than trying to see a band.. This Will Sting opened. They are a Sting tribute band which covers much of his repertoire with plenty of Police hits and they are very polished.

The Gin Blossoms were up next and by their second song, I had to go to the front of the stage, I needed to dance. They were that good and that lively. It was a tremendous show. After their performance, I just had to go to the lead singer, Robin, and tell him how much I enjoyed them. And yes, I would see them again.

Over the past two weeks I have interviewed actresses Carol Channing and JoBeth Williams, artists Sonia Romero, Nancy Romero and Jennifer Vanderpool and recording artist JnaturaL.

I'm dancing Saturday at Cal State San Bernardino. My next big show is Sept. 4 at the Art Gallery at the End of the World, visit http://www.almasearabesque.com/ for details. Sunday I will be taking a didjeridoo workshop at the Folk Music Center in Claremont. Other than that, we'll see what adventures await....

In rotation this week: Joe Walla, Crooked Jades, Scott Warren, Motley Crue, Dredg (they're awesome!) and Jewel.

Photos we got 'em: Enjoy this cute pet pic, plus two photos by Terry Miller of me on the ASID tour preview (that's SGVN photographer James Carbone in front).

Thought o' the week: Find your path to focus. My special guy has been lamenting about losing his focus this week. I find this very amusing because he always tells me I don't have enough focus nor discipline-- so much so that I made a little sign saying: "Focus and Discipline," which I posted above my bedroom door so I see it every day when I walk out to conquer my world.

I believe, though, that we all have different ways of reaching our goals. I am very creative and often am called a free spirit, but I graduated college with an English degree by age 20 and have managed to land a terrific job that I love, where I get to do many things that my friends envy. I definitely have focus and discipline, I just have a different style.

My special guy has a great sense of humor, but he is very serious when it comes to his goals and how he plans to get there. I think sometimes I frustrate him when I say that I'm not going to worry about something or make it a priority despite its importance. I'm not avoiding these things, it's just that I can't function with all the stress on me, so I write down my goals and my ways of getting there. Oh yeah, you've now found out my dirty secret-- I'm a list-maker. I have a notebook where I jot down what I want in life, pros and cons of decisions I need to make and all sorts of other things. Writing it down makes it real, but allows me to put it aside so I can sleep at night.

I understand what my guy means about focus because I have a couple of friends who really seem aimless. They work and flit about at different interests in their lives, but never really seem to get anywhere. Sure, they talk about their goals - a lot - yet they can never set a path to them.

For example, one friend went back to school for a teaching degree and is now in year three at a two-year college. He lacks one course to graduate and dropped it because he was too busy with other (fun) things. Another friend is at a deadend job that pays less than dirt. He all too often has to pay his rent or car insurance late. He refuses to get another job because then he would have to quit where he is now, as the schedule flexes and makes it impossible to have a second job. He is also afraid that he will have to change occupations and do something he doesn't like, even if it's only for a short time.

Too much fun and fear are two of the worst obstacles to your goals. Create balance in your life so you won't be bored, miss anything or worry too much, but also seek your style in planning out the path to what your want.... find your own way to focus and discipline~ and success!

Keep on rockin'

Mickie