I know it’ s still Summer…and August…and I’ll admit to a certain amount of Holiday Season dread in the past few years, but I’m trying to get past that.  So, I’m embracing this new release from Bob Dylan called “Christmas in the Heart.”  You have no idea how happy I am that this is coming out.  Seriously.  I need to hear this album the minute it’s released on October 13th.  The proceeds go to a great cause too. 

Here’s the press release information.  Check out the songs he’s going to do.

Christmas In The Heart will be the 47th album from Bob Dylan, and follows his worldwide chart-topping Together Through Life, released earlier this year. Songs performed by Dylan on this new album include, “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Must Be Santa.”Bob Dylan commented, “It’s a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone — 12 million of those children — often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from. I join the good people of Feeding America in the hope that our efforts can bring some food security to people in need during this holiday season.”

All of Bob Dylan’s U.S. royalties from sales of these recordings will be donated to Feeding America, guaranteeing that more than four million meals will be provided to more than 1.4 million people in need in this country during this year’s holiday season. Bob Dylan is also donating all of his future U.S. royalties from this album to Feeding America in perpetuity.

Additionally, Bob Dylan is partnering with two international charities to provide meals during the holidays for millions in need in the United Kingdom and the developing world, and will be donating all of his future international royalties from Christmas In The Heart to those organizations in perpetuity.

Just another reason for me to love Bob.

When my friend Chris and I took a road trip in the summer of 1980, and we were approaching the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, we made sure that the cassette player (note date of the trip) was cued to “Brass in Pocket” so we could hear it while crossing over the landmark.  

 It was  a very special moment of a very special trip, the rest of which I will only write in my memoirs to be released when I’m either on the other side, or too old to care.  I’m not at that point yet.  A woman has to have some mysteries after all.

The first Pretenders album captured my heart from the first listen.  Every song spoke to me in some way.  Holy God…they even did a Kinks cover!  And a woman with attitude and sass who led the band.  I was hooked.  Still am.  I remember how excited I was that they were coming to Portland back then, only to have my bliss turn to disappointment when they canceled because of an injury to someone in the band.  I think it was Martin Chambers.  If you remember this detail, please let me know.  I have this vague memory of someone putting their hand through a glass door or something like that.  Anyway, it was a huge let down.

I did eventually see the band live in their original form and they were everything I had hoped they would be.  Through their history, the members have changed, except for Chrissie, and Martin even left for a time.  They are better together though.  The history that they have is just good chemistry.  Martin Chambers is my favorite rock drummer.  Okay, you can tell me your favorite, but his assault just works for me.  I also love that they get up there and just rock through the set.  Even the slower more melodic songs move along nicely.  I have nothing against jam bands…I’ve been to my share of Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Govt Mule, Phish, etc. shows, but I like the way The Pretenders do their set.  I love Chrissie’s comments.  I love her boots.  As I told my son last night, if there’s anyone I would want to be on stage, it’s her.

So, while hanging about in the VIP tent, checking out the people who were checking out the people…there was drummer Martin Chambers hanging out with Pennie Lane.  Yes, THE Pennie Lane.  She does exist, she is real, and she is oh so cool.  The conversation between Pennie, Pam (our sales manager), Jackie (my new friend after last night) and myself is etched in my mind for those memoirs to be written later.   Dancing and singing along with my friend Maria, Amy sneaking a picture or two, Erin (our GM and a GREAT girlfriend to do a concert with) enjoying the whole thing and wearing the perfect outfit for the evening…it was all great stuff that I’m still holding close today. Plus, I ran into my friend Dorothy from Eugene before the show and that was so random.  Loved seeing her right after I told a story about her.  Life is like that.  Tune in and it happens.

The Pretenders at Edgefield.  What a great night.  They played everything I wanted to hear.  I didn’t write down a set list because I was too busy having fun, and that’s the mark of a great show.

Chrissie Hynde is an effing goddess. She has the best boots known to man. She sounds amazing, every song perfect. I am in awe. Iris is singing every word to every song and dancing. Never seen her so radiant. That’s Iris- not Chrissie.

But Chrissie? All the women want to be her and all the men want to do her. She is unbelieveable. This might be the best show ever and they aren’t even done with their set.

Oh, and VIP is brimming with stars, Penny Lane and Martin Chambers just to name a few. I’m dying.

Bootleg video and pics up tomorrow. I leave you with this: Chrissie Hynde is immortal.

Seriously. I can’t wait until the Pretenders concert tonight out at Edgefield. I saw the Pretenders once before in 2007 and Chrissie Hynde is a rock goddess. She might be the coolest chick in rock and roll. My favorite part of that show was Chrissie yelling at this lady in the front row who was taking video of her. She literally stopped singing at told the girl, “That’s enough!” Gotta love it. Chrissie was so pissed after that, she intorduced the next song and said, “This one’s for all the ladies out there, if there are any.” OUCH!

Lesson- don’t get caught taking video of Chrissie. I will need to be very sneaky and stealthy when getting my bootleg video tonight. Look for it on the video page tomorrow!

Shannon blogged last week about the Beatles article that was in the latest issue of Rolling Stone and I finally got around to reading it this weekend.

Best. Article. Ever.

Looking forward to Beatles Day this September 9th, the same day the entire Beatles catalogue is re-released, remastered, and the Beatles Rockband game. Too good!

After getting an estimate to have our house paint from guys that do it as part-time summer jobs I decided not to get one from the professional dudes. I was flabbergasted how much they wanted. I’ve painted houses before, albeit twenty years since the last one, and I know it’s a lot of work…but the money I’m saving is astonishing.

If you have the time, consider to DIY. I’m working at my own pace making sure I get in my must have golf . It’s taking me most of the summer to get it done but it’s worth it. The first thing I did was buy a quality ladder. It’s one of those Little Giant Ladder Systems (no, I’m not doing an offcial endorsement) …you know, it’s like ten ladders in one. It was quite spendy but it’s actually paying for itself with the dough I’m saving. It’s the sturdiest and safest ladder I’ve ever been on. My friend Dan, a professional contractor, helped me with a few repairs I felt needed his handywork…and again, it’s paying for itself because of the extra money I’m pocketing from the paint guys. I also hired my friend and  jack-of-all-trades Zach to help out when he has the time. All in all the job will cost me less than half of that first estimate.

Want to save lots of cash? Paint it yourself…if you can color you can paint. Here’s some more tips.
 http://www.house-painting-info.com/

Van Halen fans should be on the lookout for axe man Eddie Van Halen on the CBS Comedy Two And A Half Men when it returns to the air on September 21st. Van Halen has agreed to appear during one of the show’s episodes after being asked by the show’s executive producer who approached Van Halen while he was on his honeymoon with new wife Janie Liszewski.

Reportedly a big fan of the program, Van Halen accepted the invitation and will be playing himself on the show and also playing guitar. What else would we expect from Eddie Van Halen?

Two And A Half Men debuted on CBS in 2003 and stars Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer. The program has been nominated twice for a Golden Globe award and has earned numerous other awards.

Van Halen is expected to be on the set taping the show in Burbank this week.

Recovering nicely from recent hand surgery, Van Halen has been talking in recent weeks about the future of the group, which appears to be moving forward with talk of working on new music and putting together another tour at some point in the future. The group is expected to continue with its current lineup, including off-again-on-again frontman David Lee Roth and Van Halen’s son Wolfgang on bass.

I remember where I was when I heard my first Beatles record. I remember how it felt to sit in front of the TV and watch the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show for the first time, and the second, and the third.

It was the Beatles that made me want to learn how to play guitar,  the British Invasion fueled the fire… (my folks bought me a Silvertone Twin Twelve amp and Strat guitar for Christmas in 1965 because I wouldn’t quit hounding them) and it was the Beatles’ songs of love that led me to my first girlfriend. I even owned a pair of Beatle boots.
Something’s you remember forever.

I’m not a fanatic; I’ve never been fanatic about anything or anyone (although I’m very passionate about the music that shaped my life, and my job) but I truly believe there will never be another band like them! The Beatles changed everything.
I just finished reading the latest edition of Rolling Stone:  “Why the Beatles Broke Up” the inside story. I had always believed it was all Yoko’s fault, but in the end it seems, it was John’s insecurities. For Beatle fans, it’s a great read.

Like in the Kinks song… 

“When ev’rybody’s fast asleep, I start to creep.
Through the shadows of the moonlight, I walk my beat.
Better close your window tight:
I might come in for a bite,
Oh yeah. “

I’ve got to stop watching “True Blood” so late at night.  I was catching up and I like to watch episodes twice sometimes.  I just can’t get these vampires out of my head. 

I’ve always liked the vampire stories, read all the Ann Rice books, and now vampires are this crazy rage with teenagers.  Pre-teens too from the book series that are out there.  I enjoy the shape-shifters too.  If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then move along. 

Actually I was up until after 1:00am and had to force myself to shut down the “monkey mind” that starts when I’ve stayed up too long.  Then I got up at 5:00am.  That’s when the body clock goes off, and the cats want to eat and prowl.  It’s not really insomnia, it’s just a REALLY active mind.  Insomnia is what happens when you’re trying to sleep and can’t.  I wasn’t really trying. 

Tonight though….ZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Those who know me personally know how much I complain about being sooo busy at work, and usually I am. Today, I’m mostly bored. Possibly because I have a meeting at 4pm with the big boss, which means absolutely no drinking in my office before said meeting, which is not normal for me. Contemplating taking a little pain pill for this atrocious back injury I’m suffering through, which is requiring me to wear flat shoes as opposed to my delicious collection of high heels, which not only make my ass look better but make me appear much taller than I actually am. But if I take my lovely little white friend, I might just drool, trip, babble or otherwise make a complete ass of myself in the 4pm meeting. I can do that quite well without help from Mr. Back Pain Be Gone.

So I’m really just sitting here kinda bored. My boss is out at jury duty, Clark is on vacation this week. I’m actually considering staying home for the rest of the week, working from my blackberry and paying the girl who works for me to open my office and turn on the lights so I can pretend I’m actually at work.

In my boredom, I found some fun stuff on the internet.

First, Ron Wood was in trouble for being drunk at an airport in London. Wow, that’s news?

John Cleese of Monty Python fame ended up with a divore settlement which leaves his ex-wife with more money than him. And they didn’t even have kids together! Justice NOT served.

And apparently I’m not the only one who’s bored because one of the girls who works in promotions just forwarded me some fun little tidbits which I would like to take credit for, but I won’t. It’s just not fair to the actual author. I mean, think of all the young upstarts out there wanting to copy MY writing. Don’t do it, kids. Don’t do it. Here are some random thoughts for the day. (Author unknown but not me.)

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can’t wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that’s not only better, but also more directly involves me.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase “Regards” again.

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

Whenever someone says “I’m not book smart, but I’m street smart”, all I hear is “I’m not real smart, but I’m imaginary smart”.

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

Bad decisions make good stories.

“Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this ever.

It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.And the last little gem is certainly true today:

I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

I don’t understand the purpose of the line, “I don’t need to drink to have fun.” Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they’ve invented the lighter?

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you’ve made up your mind that you just aren’t doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

Amen.