My old friend Jim from Tri-Marq took me on another Red Prairie show. One thing I know is Tri-Marq produces one heck of a show. They are meticulous on how the show looks and sounds, how the client is treated and how the crew is treated. One thing that makes this show look good is the use of white sheer panels that with the use of back and front lighting, the Lighting Director can change the vibe of the show simply with light.
Larry Miller (actor/comedian) was brought in to entertain the crowd one night. Funny guy but pretty nice to boot. I had to watch the show from my camera position.
Another thing that sets Tri-Marq apart is the quality of the crew. I am in awe watching the lead techs work their craft. Colin (lead audio), Glen (lead video) and Ian ( Lighting Director) know their craft. Jim and Chris treat us very well with comfortable rooms, great food and plentiful drink.
A good show... A dedicated crew... Amazing gear... That all makes for a great experience.
Tonight we celebrated Amelia's fourth birthday. The festivities started off around mid afternoon with Mealz getting her first ride in the two seater while Meema baked the requested birthday cake. A round, tall chocolate cake with white frosting, pink, purple, blue and yellow sprinkles. Topped off with four pink and white twisted candles. the only thing we didn't have? Yup, the yellow sprinkles. Jim grilled some burgers to perfection then it was cake time. We sang to Amelia and she blew out the candles. We then hear Olive, "what about me?" so we lit the candles again and let her blow them out. Since it was Amelia's birthday we lit the candle one more time for her to blow out again. She stood there just waiting, we were all confused until Kim figured out we had to sing again, so we did. I sure love my family...
My how a few events can change just about everything...
The Wentz contract was quite a bit higher than was originally quoted. It's still going to happen but the decision was made close down the campus for 3 months to re group and do an official re-launch rather than just a move. Then I find out that my boss is moving to a different area of CCC and a new guy is coming in. It's his choice on who to hire for the different positions. So now I am back to job limbo....we having fun yet? I officially have a gig until the end of May. Guess I can't quit the bar yet...
As of May 2nd The Down Town campus of Community Christian Church will be holding our services in the performing arts center at North Central College known as Wentz Hall. I'm still the acting arts director there and have not been asked to leave so since a full time job has not come through yet....here I am. I've got a good set of musicians to work with and things have greatly improved since some of my previous posts. Wentz Hall is going to expose all shortcomings of anyone who isn't up to the task of raising the bar of their musicianship. With that some tough decisions are going to be made. I'm not thrilled with the position I am in but I can do it. New auditions will be held in the next few months. I had a 15 piece Orchestra this past Sunday playing with one our better rhythm sections. It was a great morning. Our church move qualifies us for some new gear so new inner ears are coming along with a wide screen format projection system is going to make for an amazing experience for the future attenders.
The Bar is still, well the bar... Pianos are slowly increasing... The next few months will be an interesting but fun ride!
Well how interesting is this... I'm in a rut. There's hasn't been anything really new going on in my life for a month or so now. How weird is that? Tend bar... Work at the Church... Babysit... Kim left for Israel last night while I was tending so I came home to an empty bed. Babysat today, came home and took a mess load of garbage to the curb. uhhhhh yeah, I seem to have become quite boring. I have to say that makes me a bit angry. I work hard enough that when I get home I don't feel like doing anything else, throw in I make 1/4 of the money I used to and you have all the makings of an unhappy Doug. On a plus side, I am fitting into a groove at the Church. The musicians and such are accepting me a wee bit more. Friendships are growing. That's good. Olive turns two this week and Elle has cut two teeth so she's happier. Hard to believe that Mealz is going to be four in May, she still seems to be my buddy, not sure how long that will last but so far so good. On the amusing side of things, Kim's rooster (Kiev) absolutely hates me and wants me dead. I can't go around him without his neck feathers flaring out like the spitting dinosaur from Jurassic Park and charging after me with talons, spurs and beak doing everything in his power to draw blood which he has done several times usually ending up with me holding it by the neck and handing it back to Kim. He's just fine with her...me? not so much. With her gone. I have to take care of them, dang talk about biting the hand that feeds you, it's gonna be a long ten days...
This is the longest I have gone without posting at the very least a kid picture or something. Steve Aubry promptly has scolded me for slacking here and I must say I don't really have an excuse. I just haven't been in a blogging mood. I guess I could give a wee update on life in the White house... I am still bar tending,tuning,taking shots and yes, working at the Church. Four gigs...no benefits, gotta love that. Bitter? I have to say a little. I'm working very hard but feel like I have job ADD. "oh yes, we have a fine Belgian trappist ale..MUSIC! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY CAN'T PLAY THAT SUNDAY!!...oh, sir would you like a glass with that beer? I am all over the road. I feel like am not giving any of my gigs the attention they need. On the up side I seem to be settling into the Arts Director job. People are being nicer and I have had some amazing players stepping up. A rare treat for me was having Jon Glista come up from Dayton to spend some time with our old friend Wayne McGee. He offered to play guitar with us but knowing he leads worship at a pretty big Church down in OH I told him to just plan on leading for us. I haven't played on stage with him in about 27 years. What a treat.
Another group of players have also stepped up to take over music one Sunday a month. To have a Hammond endorsed player offer to well, play. You gotta take hi up on it. These fine folks also bring four serious voices to the table...seriously good.
Oh this picture reminds me that yes, I know my beard is getting stupid, I'm just going as along as I can take it. I was eating cereal the other day, finished realizing that my beard had been resting in my milk...interesting. I have no clue how those Civil War dudes ate with the crazy face hair they used to sport...I digress.
I actually really am liking the music job. A far departure from a month ago when I wanted to kill 60% of the people on the music team.
The bar is the same...no need to go on.
The wee ones are great to play with, they came over after this weeks snow for some play time. Kim is really learning how to get some great shots with the camera, I only afraid she's going to want to claim it as hers...ha.
Well great now I can't shut up! I guess I did have a couple of things to blog about.
Have you ever had a light bulb moment? One of those times that isn't necessarily an earth shattering event but things just seem to become clear. This morning that happened to me. With a fresh eight or nine inches of fresh powder on the ground, I went out to clear the drive so Kim could get the car out to go to Church. Dressed in a flannel and a sweater, I decided that the 25 degree weather wasn't that bad so I stayed out to do the walk also. After about 20 minutes I stopped, leaned on my shovel and looked up. I saw smoke drifting from my chimney and a wave of peace came over me. Missing Christmas in Minnesota was hard on us and Kim's family. Carole sent a lovely package that arrived a couple of days ago. I have an incredible collection of unique Santa's that has been growing mainly thanks to my Mother in Law. Why should this year be any different? I received a stunning Father Christmas in the most perfect colors.
Our Niece Kellie Beth joined in this year and provided me with a new nightlight that has floating sparkles that move as it heats up...
What does some smoke and a couple of Santa's have to do with my moment? Everything. Seeing smoke means my house is warm. I am thankful for that. A couple of amazing Santa's means we are loved and I'm really thankful for that.
Many many people don't have such luxuries. We are fortunate indeed. I always try to live by the adage "You can't always control what happens in life but you can control how you react to it" Time to see what 2010 brings...
