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catching up
Posted on February 12th, 2009 at 2:30pm
As promised, just because I'm now twittering doesn't mean I'll stop blogging. Twittering = fewer words more often; blogging = more words less often. It's all good, as they say. If you want to follow me on twitter, start here: http://twitter.com/curtsmith.
So, the first two shows at The Standard Hollywood are now behind me, I hope those who have been there (hello Eileen, Sheila, Hermest, Justine, to name a few) will agree a good time has been had by all. Some Twitterers (tweeple?) came all the way from Las Vegas to see the show last night - that would be Mike and Danny - and there was even somone there who had been at the NOTP show in Cologne! Anyway, if you took pictures and want to share, you can send them to us at csow (at) curtsmithofficial (dot) com and we'll put them online. We prefer 800x600 (or 600x800) and 72dpi (in other words, web resolution).
There are two shows left, on the 18th and 25th. The room tends to fill up so do call The Standard to book seats if you haven't already. The number is (323) 650-9090 x2921. If they tell you the Cactus Lounge is all booked, that's okay, ask for a seat on the deck which is lovely and you can see and hear just fine from there. And sometimes people cancel at the last minute so you're able to move to a seat in the Lounge after all.
The set list last night was the same as the one Arlene posted for the first week, although I did add Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" (thank you for the suggestion Yara) to the beginning of the second set. We had literally only rehearsed it moments before, during the break between sets, but as it was fresh in our minds I was prevailed upon by Charlton and Doug to give it a try. It went rather well, if I do say so, and may be a keeper. We got a request for "Snow Hill," but both a shortage of time and the fact we hadn't rehearsed it meant we weren't able to work it in. Maybe next week...
There seems to be quite a buzz about the planned TFF West Coast tour this summer. This is NOT an official announcement, as contracts haven't been signed yet so far as I know and therefore things are subject to change. So with those caveats in mind, here are the likely dates:
July 10 - Seattle, WA
July 11 - Portland, OR
July 14 - Santa Rosa, CA
July 15 - Saratoga, CA
July 17 - Costa Mesa, CA
July 18 - Las Vegas, NV
July 20 - San Diego, CA
We'll probably also play in Vancouver either July 9 OR 12 - not clear yet. When everything is confirmed I'll post the news here. Before you ask - I don't know when the on-sale dates will be, you'll need to contact the respective venues/ticket agencies for information about when and how to get them.
In other news: those of you who frequented my previous website may remember that along with the lyrics, I included short stories about "Perfect Day" and "Halfway Pleased" as well as explanations of the lyrics. They're now rightfully restored to place here, along with the previously unpublished story / explanation for "Coming Out." Just go the pages for those tracks (in the "Music" section), the stories and such are beneath the lyrics if you scroll down.
Bella has been gone at puppy boot camp and will return shortly, more pictures of her once she's back. The house has been very quiet without her, but she was allowed a "home leave" visit the other night and the skills and control she's attained in a very short time away are remarkable.
I'm thrilled as you can imagine that Manchester United are atop the Premier League. I'll be glued to the screen as usual when they play Fulham next Wednesday (luckily, it won't conflict with my show). Hm, perhaps a good reason to rehearse "Snow Hill"...
Until next time.
EZEZ
Papa S.
Comments
Posted by yara on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 22:06.
Suzanne -- What's the biggest problem your husband would have with you leaving? Money? That you are going alone? You won't be around at home to help him with things? I hope it's something that's actually negotiable and that there's a chance you can make it to a show =)
And BTW, Celeste I'm almost 42 coming up in March and I don't feel a day over...well...30 maybe..lol. Depends on the day! I agree though, life is short and there are only so many "maybe next times" that can work as you just may never get the option again.
One my friends, since 1986, who is a couple of years younger than me is fighting major cancer. She had both of her breasts removed already, had a full hysterectomy today and then has to start chemo in 2 weeks. I know you don't know her but can you all keep her in your thoughts for me?
Yara
Posted by ck2d on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 21:07.
Don't overthink it. Have you already told your husband about the concert, or are you just predicting his response? It's possible that it won't be like scaling a mountain for him to agree to it. Don't dismiss his concerns - address every one of them. Negotiate. Because if he digs his heels in and refuses to look at your plan, then that's the same thing as if you just blurted out you were going without discussing it with him.
Hang in there - you'll figure something out. :-)
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 20:55.
Brian, you hit the nail on the head - it was the point I was trying to make (you just made it better). I not only have myself to consider - if I make my husband so mad that it damages our marriage beyond repair, then I have hurt my children. That's my biggest consideration. Brian, you're lucky because your wife understands being a fan!
ck, you have a point too - and your strategy usually would work. It's a lot to consider - you know, how I decide to approach it.
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by ck2d on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 20:25.
But you've also got to take into account that it's not just "a show" - if you're flying across the country to see it, then it's "the show."
If someone has been a fan for 20-odd years and wants to do this, then that needs to be taken into consideration by both partners, difficult as it may be to grasp for one of them, when making this decision.
Yes, it's potentially a lot of money, but so is 20 years worth of morning coffee runs or the stack of DVD's that hardly ever gets watched or every tourist t-shirt acquired on vacation. Everybody has some unnecessary thing they do that costs serious money when you add it all up over time. Just come up with a plan to cover the cost and say it's your thing for this year or for the next X number of years.
Lots of guys like to see numbers. So break it down for them like this:
"It's going to cost $800 (or whatever), and the last time I took a trip by myself was 10 years ago. So $800 divided by 10 years is only $80 a year."
Could work. Plus you've got 5 months to get the cash together, that's only $40 a week if it's $800 you need all together. It's very doable. Tweak the budget and find another small source of income.
Like I said, if there's a will there's a way. But petulant temper tantrums won't work either - you've got to present your plan, explain why you want it so badly, and convince him that shielding you from a massive disappointment is, in the long run, better for your marriage than fussing over you running off to have some fun. And, who knows, you might be so used to the new budget that you keep it up after your trip, which would also help the family in the long run.
It's all in the way you present it!
Posted by IdeasAsOpiates on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 19:27.
"If this is what you want to do, then just do it" is not a good partnership motto (which is what marriage is). It shouldn't be about permission, it should be about joint decisions. When you have a family - you don't just get to do whatever you want to do. Often this boils down to priorities - where does flying cross country and taking in a show rank? That's what the discussion should be about.
I am lucky that I live in CA, so I have a couple of options for working something out (and the travel cost is much cheaper).
Posted by SuzanneOlden on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 18:38.
Celeste - I wouldn't call it permission as much as if he disapproves and I do it anyway the consequences...well let's just say life could be unpleasant. I wish I could just up and go and do as I please, but there are other people that I have to take into consideration. Do I wish that my husband was more understanding about things like this? Of course I do, but he isn't and I have to either accept it, or work around it. So in this situation, I'm trying to work around it.
And please stop making 40 sound like the end of the world! I'm 41 and it's not as old as it sounds ;P
EZEZ
Suzanne Olden
Posted by Celeste on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 18:19.
I know you're just joking jazz but, LMAO, you honestly wouldn't want to be seen with me when I'm drunk because when I drink I tend to overdo it and then I wake the next morning and I don't remember what happened the night before. Which is why I'm a teatotaler. ;)
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Posted by Celeste on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 18:08.
Suzanne,
If this is what you want to do then just do it. You don't need your husband's permission to do anything like this.
As for me I'm planning to be at the San Diego show come hell or high water. ;) No way I'm going to let an opportunity like this pass me by because after I hit 35 it will only be 5 years until I hit 40. :) I suppose 40 is the new 30. :)
Celeste
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Blog Your Journey
Posted by eva elena on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 15:42.
Kudos! To the genius team behind the Mandalay Bay Hotel who have not only succeeded in promoting the sales of high-priced concert tickets despite the inability to be comfortably seated, but also that the ticket holder will spend a few hours, at the very minimum, standing in knee-deep water.
How I wish that they could work for me! ;-D
Posted by Celeste on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 14:01.
This is good to know Kate. Thank you.
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Posted by Jim on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:52.
As for Vegas show in 2007, there were some kids there. They were running around searching for guitar picks that were thrown from the stage at end of the concert. So, it appears the Mandalay shows might be for "all ages".
Posted by Sheila on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:52.
Suzzane,
The last TFF concert in Vegas was at Mandalay Bay http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/ you either sat in the sand or stood in the water above the knees(thank God that the wave machine was off)......plus, if mother nature decides to make an ugly appearance, the concert can be cancelled due to lighting, rain, wind, etc...I'm not saying that it was a bad venue....it was actually fun!! I just don't think it would be safe for little ones...*Sheila putting on her Grandma hat*
Posted by kate on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:41.
As we strolled the OC fairgrounds pre-concert, I wondered to myself, "Will I now always associate the smell of cotton candy with TFF?".
Although the fair is a huge event w/ thousands of people, some of the first fair-goers we saw roaming around were Frances, Diva and Wilder. What are the odds?
If without kids, I'd skip the fair and around and lounge at the hotel pool or whatever beforehand.
Allison,
OC --> Orange County Fairgrounds
There's a venue within it.
Posted by Alissa on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:24.
The 21-over venues, does this ever bring back memories. After that b*tch Katrina, concert venues open to all ages were closed and/or being repaired. Only venues open were the 21-over clubs, even the rock rooms at Hard Rock Cafe. The band “The Fray” were touring a few months after the storm, my daughter LOVES their music (Over My Head, How to Save a Life), and I wanted to take her sooo bad to see them at Hard Rock. She was too young to get in. Sucks for us - I know :(.
Count me in as one wishing I could to get to L.A. (oh hush, Jazz : ))), but it’s just not a feasible choice for me right now with the younguns home and all (financially speaking as well). But this much I can say: If I never have the privilege to see Papa Smith and Ro live in concert again - I’ll actually be fine with that. Every day I get up is living proof how TFF music has affected me throughout the course of my life, and by the grace of God too. It’s truly a blessing to have come this far - which is a helluva lot more than what I ever thought possible 20 + years ago. I log in here and Twitter to communicate in live time, something else I never thought possible. There’s also been several times at CSO or MySpace where Smith and fans have reached out to others, simply because it was a kind thing to do. That means SO MUCH to me personally, and I wouldn’t trade all these experiences for all the live shows Hard Rock had to offer. Just so you know you’ve got many of fans Smith, who may not be there live for your show, but WILL BE there in spirit! Thanks man.
And KOOKS, please tell Roland I said ‘Hello!” when you see him, and thank him for everything TFF has done : ))). I’m sure you all will be seeing him far sooner than I (Yes, I’m speaking to YOU Jazz, Ideas/Brian … )
Posted by stephen_kohlmann on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:01.
I have to vouch for the show that (may) take place at the OC Fair. If you're visiting from out of town (like me), there are a lot of hotels in the area (I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, which was really nice and very reasonable priced). And checking out the fair is a perfect way to kill time during the day since you get free admission to the fair with the purchase of your show ticket. Personally, I found it very interesting and somewhat refreshing to see an image of OC other than ones often portrayed through the media (though THOSE other images definitely exist at the nearby South Coast Plaza). Anyway, the venue for the show itself is comfortably spectacular. Being a larger venue, it looks like most seats have a decent view, though there may be some slightly obstructed viewing spots. The sound in the amphitheater is fantastic, if you make it out there, you'd have a great deal of difficulty not enjoying yourself. It's totally worth, which is why I have no problem gearing up my budget for another trip out there!
Posted by Celeste on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 10:16.
Vegas would definitely be 21 or older wouldn't it? I mean if the show was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Humphrey's in San Diego would be 21 or older too?
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Posted by ck2d on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 09:51.
General admission - no assigned seats so you line up ahead of the show and run in as soon as they open the doors to get a good spot. And it must have been raining.
The last time I saw a show in Vegas it was in June and we had to wait outside lined up on the pavement in 117 degree weather - not fun! That was at the Hard Rock Casino. They should have let us wait in the pool out back - that's the place to be in Vegas in the summer!
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Good luck to your friend. My mother had breast cancer multiple times starting in her 40's and has had over a decade cancer free. She swore that her survivor's group (vs cancer group - it's an attitude thing) and visualization helped her through it. I'm skeptical, but it worked for her, so who am I to judge. Take care of yourself, too - having a loved one who is sick drains you, and you need energy to help care for your friend.