Butch Walker Stats Updated

As my legions of faithful readers know, Bibi has many, many talents and skills, but understanding how YouTube gathers data is NOT one of them.  For a few days last week, the counter on Say It Isn't So was stuck on 4688.  Maybe someone reported this, or, as computer things do, fixed itself, because today, October 29, the count is up to 5145.  Whew--what a relief!  My excel spreadsheet rejoices!  Just love seeing Butch's so-happy face before and after on that one.  And, of course, to hear his beautiful voice with Daryl Hall.  Such a wonderful version!

Butch tweeted last night that he had cried and now felt great.  hmmmm.  I tried to cajole him out of any funk by joking about it.  (Important note to Bibi:  no more stupid tweet responses. Please.) Being the ever so sensitive Bibi, though, I've been concerned for him.  (Fans are SO symbiotic with no encouragement at all.) Maybe he was worried about something, got great news and cried--I've done that.  That's the way I want to think about it.  After all, if he's really sad about something, for all my wonderful abilities, there's nothing I can do to help.  It's too helplessly true, isn't it?  Some of our most painful emotional experiences, we have to endure alone.  At least for me, in those tough times, whenever someone offered their totally useless sympathy or advice, the first comment that came to mind were those immortal 3 little words from the Terminator:  Fuck off, asshole.   And today, been watching the  different numbers from LFDH, Episode 54 to reassure myself that Butch is okay.

So, for what it's worth, love ya, Butch!  Hang in there!

Had to listen to Say It Isn't So again before signing off--the count is up to 5151!

The Butch Walker Ameliorative Effect

Halloween's been a very good season so far.  Can't even believe this--the costume was done well before the usual time--an hour or so before the party.  lol  W e I R d feeling!!  Credit has to go to that vaunted Butch Walker ameliorative effect, right?  Have always listened to music and/or watched movies while I sew, figuring out intricacies of opaque  pattern directions, while bleary-eyed and experiencing huge doubt about the costume.  But this time, got Sanne's present done and in her hands 3 days before the shower, Sarita's costume done in under a week that was so drama-and catastrophe-free, it was like someone's TV life (makes for boring TV, but quite refreshing for me), had a very good visit with her, and had a WINNER costume for work on Friday. 

The costume for Saturday was finished with time to spare and completely baked in terms of concept and execution.  The only difference I can think of is that this year, I was listening to Butch Walker while doing the work.  It was a very satisfying experience, forever etched in my memory with a Butch Walker Mixtape II soundtrack. 

One unfortunate mishap:  lost the hat!  Got dressed, including the pesky, downright annoying eyelashes--those matinee idols really  suffered for thier art--walked to the neighbor's apt to show off, walked to the car, got in, realized I'd forgotten the cool bolo tie I made, walked back to the apt.  Noticed the hat had fallen off (couldn't really feel it because of the wig) and thought, okay, pick it up on the way back to the car.  Well, never found it.  The neighbors came out with flashlights to help search; no luck.  TROP BIZARRE!!!  What happened?  In the 1.5 minutes it took to drop the hat and come back to pick it up someone walked or biked by, saw it and took it?????  Oh, well...tried to console myself that the overall effect was still okay, but really. 

The party included the usual suspects--the theme was Haunted Hollywood/deceased Hollywood stars--Carmen Miranda (great costume my aunt selected for herself), Liz Taylor as Cleopatra (two), Marilyn (four), 3 Elvis, er, Elvi? (one white, one black, one Mexican--good contrast), Audrey Hepburn, Lucy n Ricky Ricardo, Johnny Cash with HUGE hair, but very in character, so I liked him, two Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra.  Unexpected:  three Amy Winehouse!  One Amy arrived with Kurt Cobain; cool.  Selena showed up with one of the other Amys.  There was a couple who had painted their faces like Dia de los Muertos; kind of neat.  Totally outside theme:  Star Wars storm trooper, Axl Rose (his career is maybe dead, but does that count?), one who might have been the Phantom of the Opera and his girlfriend who might have been a 20's flapper; guess they would be dead....Still, good to be there,even without my hat.  The Lupe scrapbook went over well, too.  There was food, drink, a band, some dancing.  Sure, some of that dancing--including mine--was "like I been shot in the leg for sure" but that made for more spirited and varied participation.  

Gave Rolan (Jimi) the famous Butch Walker Mixtape II.  It was very sweet that some of the partyers had seen my John Oates costume on fb and showed it to others at the party.  One of the Amys mentioned to her boyfriend, Kurt, that I was a huge AC/DC fan, traveled to Europe, Mexico and the US to see them and now had turncoated from Angus to some other musician.  Felt like I had to defend Butch.  So, talked him up a bit, including that I had bought tickets to see Butch's Chicago concert on December 30.  I know I'm excited about it.  But those who don't know Butch's oeuvre--what are you gonna do?

Still, there is a prospective Butch convert in the works, along with the chance to wear a costume, so it was a good night's work, with fun along the way. 

All thanks to the Butch Walker ameliorative effect!

Butch Walker in Chicago, December 30!!!

WOW! 

Great news for the fanbase:  Butch in Chicago before the NY Eve bash!  So, plan to buy tickets on Saturday; at $25 each, can't lose.  We'll see if other dates are announced between now and then. 



Would really rather see him in NYC so I could combine his performance with seeing The Scream at MOMA.  And maybe going to a Broadway play.  Fingers crossed!

See ya, Butch!

Butch Walker and John Oates: Unlikely Combination

OK, ran the errands, drank the coffee, watched/listened to Butch Walker singing Say It Isn't So from Episode 54 of Live From Daryl's House http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj2PUz3Jax0&feature=colike As I think of it, the butch version of Say It Isn't So.

and it's now time to get back to the costume for Saturday.  The hat and jacket are ready, except for the embellishments.  The skirt looks easy enough so might go to Southern Imports to look at the wigs one more time.  Took the scrapbook and hat to Stitch n Bitch last night and they didn't look at them with pity in their eyes, so I'm encouraged.  Was thinking that if I go to the rodeo this year, parts of this costume could work.  Can't say that about all costumes, so this is a plus.  Here's the concept: 

I'll be Lupe Velez/The Mexican Spitfire, famous B actress from the 1930's.  Most of her glamour shots showcase that side of her persona which IS impressive, but obviously, I had to select something less outré, more accessible to me as a seamstress and for the audience.  Been a good experience so far and that's really helping with the momentum.

Have been practicing for tomorrow's costume--John Oates from Hall and Oates.  I think I've got the music down--Rich Girl and Private Eyes--have to work on the patter and presentation overall.  Nervous about the moustache and spirit glue.  Might go for a trial run on that part while I'm working on the costume. 

Let's say this all works out in terms of execution, MAYBE there will be pictures later.

Butch Walker Fans: One Viewpoint

Remember the time I blasted the music critic from Belgium over his dismissive review of AC/DC's concert in his area--en franҫais, no less?  Apparently he was a broken man after that.  I did contact his online paper and offered to buy him a drink before the Paris concert, but got no reply.  Anyway, I suppressed the urge to fire off an angry reply to some guy who recently blogged about Live From Daryl's House and included some comments about Butch.  Whatever his name is, blocked that, he extolled the virtues of LFDH--good venue for upcoming talent, not so good sometimes when the match between Daryl and the guest is off because their styles of music are so different or there seems to be a personality mismatch.  He gives a few examples of the bad and praises both Ceelo Green and Butch Walker for making the most of a very good showcase for them as artists.  THEN, he says that Butch Walker is good, a talented musician and music producer, but as an individual performer he is idiosyncratic and some negative term--really tried to block that, too--making his concerts  an uncomfortable experience.   He goes on to say that Butch learned a lot from working with Daryl Hall, allowed himself to learn from Daryl Hall, whose superior style and ability went a long way toward making Butch more appealing and his performance on LFDH one of the more successful episodes of the show.

WHAT!!  Who is this guy, anyway?  I was so ready to come after him with guns blazing--I am from Texas--and then remembered that poor Belgian.  So, I held back, but it's been a festering wound for me.    Possibly, he has the advantage of having seen Butch live, but really!  Daryl Hall is great--sure he thinks so, too--but when I watched Episode 54, I saw mutual enjoyment among the musicians, including Daryl, no sense of the master Daryl bestowing wisdom on grasshopper Butch.  And, true, Butch expressed his happiness at reaching his bucket list goal of playing with Daryl, but Butch seems to be a nice guy and pretty sharp about show biz encounters, so what would he say? 

Today, I feel less antagonistic toward that blogger who shall remain unnamed, or maybe the  out of control acid reflux just has me in a weakened condition.  Throwing up tends to do that to me.  In any case, just like a lot of things, everyone has their own opinion.  And God Bless America, in the land of the free, home of the brave, that's a good thing.  

Butch Walker on Live From Daryl's House, redux

LFDH--See Butch 

One of the things that bothers me about the LFDH page is that Butch is not mentioned in the text areas as one of the stars who has appeared on the show.  Well, guess I'm just not going to get over that--and the one picture they have of Butch with Daryl screams:  I don't know the guy next to me--but VH1 currently has a promo that  features Daryl Hall and Live From Daryl's House and  Butch shows up three times!!  They're a passing sort of mentions:  in the scene with the guys eating dinner, you kind of have to know that's Butch over in the right hand corner and they show the bit where Butch is asking about singing a certain part of Why Was It So Easy (you would know this if you'd watched  Episode 54 even half as many times as I have) and one other quick glimpse of him during Episode 54.  (dismissive snort here) Fans, you gotta love 'em (or feel sorry for them).  So pathetically starved for news of their idols, any kind of way they can get it.

True, Daryl's doesn't say Butch's name, but okay, lots of the other performers who've been to DH are not even shown in this promo, much less mentioned by name.  So I take it as a WIN!  There should be lots more mentions of Butch everywhere...this is a good start.  lol 

Also noticed that the title of this clip is Artists Makes Themselves at Home at Daryls House...no spell check or anyone watching for that glaring writing faux pas:  too many "s" at the ends of words.  Along with that pesky not enough apostrophes in the world. (dismissive snort here, too)

Love you, Butch!

Sarita as Emma Tenayuca

Can't see the entire in-depth interview, but Sarita looks fab and comes across SO well, representing Emma Tenayuca, San Antonio labor activist of the 1930's.

http://www.foxsanantonio.com/newsroom/daytime/videos/vid_979.shtml?fb_action_ids=458625410842323&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.UIawvAa33lM.like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%22458625410842323%22%3A297012970400940%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22458625410842323%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%22458625410842323%22%3A%22.UIawvAa33lM.like%22%7D

 Emma Tenayuca

She does the costume credit.

My costumes on tv, two years in a row!!!  Have to add to my already impressive resumé.  Sarita looks so adorable!

                                                               She had her face painted at the Dance with the Dead event.

Just to keep this post relevant to a blog dedicated to Angus Young with recent posts about Butch Walker, I did send Sarita the famous Butch Walker Mixtape II.2, but she hasn't listened to it yet--she's very busy.

Butch Walker CDs Found! AC/DC RULES!

The weekend had a wobbly start (and I don't even drink...that much)--had a strong urge to listen to The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and The Spade in their entirety and could not find my Butch Walker cds. (Terrorized Bon Scott scream here!) Terrible sick feeling in my tummy--where could they be?  Made me think of the two times all my AC/DC cds were stolen--damn those thieving assholes!  They are definitely on really rutty Highway to Hell. Especially because I just hit it lucky, finding The Rise and Fall cd and Sycamore Meadows seemingly difficult to find, even on Amazon.com.  Resisted rushing to the office--why would they be there?--and had to wait until today to see that, yes, they were at the office, safely stored (whose lame idea was this?).  Since I had them in my computer at home, I made some temporary replacements, so was able to listen to the first Butch Walker cd (for me), The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Lets-Go-Out-Tonites.  Just love it.  Since I  knew Butch only from his appearance on LFDH and videos on YouTube, but hadn't heard any of his cds at the time I found this one at the HPB in Clear Lake, it was a perverse kind of revelation to me.  The music was so unlike the Butch that I knew--this album has a seen-it-all, LA noir feel to it.  He comes across as a totally  louche LA habitué, less the likable, sweet and affable Butch on LFDH.  However, we all know the irrestistable allure of that insider guy in any scene and the gritty world in which he lives the low life.  Go ahead, deeply inhale the faintly sweaty, mixed with alcohol and a soupҫon of after-sex taint in the music.  My favorites are Hot Girls in Good Moods (who doesn't like them or want to be them?) and Bethamphetamine ('Cause we're hotter when we don't give a damn) but the whole album has this 90's vibe, complete with great melodies and hip, snarky lyrics that keep the album going full speed, so also really like Ladies and Gentlemen..."The Let's-Go-Out-Tonites!" and Too Famous to Get Fully Dressed, and of course, When Canyons Ruled the City (...With her nose up in the air/Pushing up her horn rimmed glasses saying, I don't fucking care/...la da da da...).  Wouln't it be the ultimate cool if Butch did one of these songs in an upcoming concert?  BTW--when is that upcoming concert????

Thinking about the famous The Butch Walker Mixtapes, some of the mis-steps I made, although I'm not apologizing for them, is that I tried to,

1. Set up the concept by putting Mixtape first

2. Give a judicious mix of Butch's different styles

Item 2 led me to include the best of each of the four cds which would give a fuller picture of Butch, but I don't know how motivated some listeners would be to listen to each song with appropriate consideration.

3.  not enough space on one cd to do this.

4.  In making II.2 with the idea of leaving out songs with the f and s words to broaden playability, had to leave out some really great songs.

5.  not enough space on one cd to do this for my specialized Butch Walker taste.

Just so glad I found the cds!

It ended up being a very good weekend:  began by taking Friday off, getting the place ready for Sarita's visit, finishing her costume--she liked it!--enjoying a relaxing, if short, visit with her.  Got some great work out of her, too!  We went through a small portion of my shoe population and got rid of 6-8 pairs--whoa!  She also loaded Rich Girl and Private Eyes to the PaperJamz guitar, so I'm almost ready for Friday's Fall Festival.  I'll be off work on Thursday, so plan to practice the moves and patter while I'm working on the other costume.  Very happy that the hat is just about done for that.  It's not professionally-made looking, but could work.  I might cave in and look for a real hat; not sure yet.

On the AC/DC front, found a news tidbit that thrilled:  the opening to Back in Black was voted the top riff of the 1980s.  Wonder what we would have thought of this in the 1980s?  http://ultimateclassicrock.com/acdcs-back-in-black-named-top-riff-of-the-1980s/ The article explains a bit about how this vote and results occcurred.  Brings to mind the polls about the presidential race--really, who's asking what questions and who are the people being questioned?  Any of those "undecided voters" aka idiots and/or voters suffering from attention deficit included in these polls? 

Greatest Guitar Riff of the 80s--and forever   I love this picture of Angus with his hair so short!                                                                                               

But I digress.  So wonderful that AC/DC is still and forever recognized.  When I saw them those oh, so few times in concert, I was surprized that BIB gets played so early in the concert, kind of like, well, let's go ahead and do it now.  I know:  they have so many hits, how to fit them all in and the new stuff.  Anyway, said it before:  AC/DC and Angus RULE.

Butch Walker Converts and Halloween Costumes

Talked to a prospective Butch Walker convert today and amazing how it energized me. He asked me to name my favorite song. Had to go with She Likes Hair Bands on the spur of the moment. But, then emailed him the link to LFDH, episode 54, along with the mp3s of Here Comes the… , and Synthesizers. Really didn’t like being limited like that. How to introduce someone to Butch's range with one or three songs?  It’s like being asked to name your favorite AC/DC song. Impossible. Plus, made me realize that I hadn’t had an infusion of Butch Walker music in a few days. Recently have been immersing myself in Hall & Oates in preparation for the office costume extravaganza on October 26. Actually, already a bit disappointed in this upcoming extravaganza. The name has been changed from the ever-hip and au courant Fall Festivus to the boring although more predictable Fall Festival. What that hell is that?

Anyway, to sustain my belief in the transcendence of my costume, thought that listening solely to Hall and Oates would guide me to a more meaningful John Oates characterization. Along with the costume, not smiling so much, looking a bit annoyed and put upon, and singing only back up sections of the song.


This is hard because one of the key tenets of singers-along, we sing the lead, right? My thought on this is that chances of triumphing over the other lame costumes are vastly enhanced if I’m in character as much as possible, so I plan to sing only the background stuff while I'm strumming the PaperJamz guitar. Selection of the appropriate song has shifted, as well. Wanted a song that didn’t have a long lead-in (to better capture the attention-span-impaired audience) and had some substance in terms of the back-up part of the song. First, it was going to be Rich Girl: it has a short intro AND Butch likes it well enough to have included it in some performances, but am kinda sorta leaning toward Kiss on My List—possibly more recognizable to the general public—and it might make the point about John Hall being in the background of the partnership more emphatically. He doesn’t get to sing until late in the song. Or maybe, Private Eyes or I Can’t Go For That. Since every time I hear Say It Isn’t So, I tend to sing the Butch version (ha, ha, the butch version of Say It Isn’t So), don’t intend to go for that, as some might say.

While I was selecting the two songs I sent to D today (still protecting the names of the innocent and/or unaware), found some YouTube videos I hadn’t seen—Butch singing Sweethearts in Napa and at some other live performances last October—and it occurred to me again: Butch is chameleon-like in his fashion choices and personal looks. Huge fan worry:  I might not recognize him in the off-chance (in a billion light years) that I'll ever be in the same geographical location with him. Currently, he’s going through a plaid shirt, slicked back hair phase. The tight jeans and work boots thing are a constant. Brougt to mind the Seinfeld episode about the woman who looked scarily different, depending on the lighting, situations.  Of course, Butch always looks good, so whatever; just the inane concern about being able to recognize him.

Blogs--another way to encourage people to blather on and on about…nothing…but the smidgens of thoughts in their little squirrel brains.
So, for at least awhile today, listened to The Butch Walker Mixtape II.2, which  includes Freak of the Week—what a cool song! Did I ever hear that song, back in the day?  What radio station would it have been on?  Hmmm....late 90's release...the 90's were a tough time for me.....nothing comes to mind on this, so guess I never heard it.  The intro grabs you right away—reminds me 8 Miles High and some other song from the past--the repeated riff throughout, a lot of reassurance and identification for the listener hearing it. With Butch, there’s that AND the memorable, repeatable lyrics: He thinks it’s all about culture and art/…Can you make me a promise?/…Tell me I sold out…tell me I sold out…(a mantra to hold on to)…tell me I sold out, go ahead.

Freak of the Week video
Butch doesn't really like this video, but what a great face--the camera loves him!

ain't no geeks that look cooler than him, then or now

Butch Walker knows: Why Was It So Easy

As Butch Walker knows, it's so great waking up the morning after creating something important to oneself.  lol Of course, the magnitude of that creation varies from person to person.  The resulting sense of accomplishment, pride mixed with exhaustion--but in a good way--the surge of believing we can do anything we set out to do, is analogous.  Ooooh, check out the big brain on Bibi!  really lol  Somehow, it made getting up this morning easier, drove to work with an optomistic outlook....Which brings to mind Why Was it So Easy:

Why Was it So Easy 

I had never heard the song before, very glad that Butch selected it for his appearance on LFDH.  His voice, phrasing are excellent!  He really feels the lyrics and attitude: reflective longing, remembrance, loss.  Such an appealing and sensitive performance.  You can tell Daryl is so impressed that Butch wanted to sing this specific song and he seems to experience a rediscovery of that carefully guarded place within himself when he wrote this song.  So cool that two artists found themselves in a place to engage so well.

So, enjoy!  And then, as Butch has said, get out of the house, get yourself downtown and shake it all out tonight!  

Butch Walker, Halloween and New Year's Eve

Still recovering from the effects of being uber-rational about the Butch Walker-NY Eve show in Chicago.  Slow process, but self-medicated on Saturday by going shopping for Halloween costume accessories.  Won’t actually begin the creation process for the October 27 party until after I finish Sarita’s costume, which should be this week.  Now that I have the wig for the Fall Festivus event, done with putting together that outfit.    Should be funny AND a winner.  What people will do to win a $25 gift card! 

Sarita's costume is now 2/3 to 3/4 done.  As the world knows, I do my best work between 11 pm and 3 am, weekends.  Part of that is because I must procrastinate to exteme ends --clean the place, take out the recycling, carefully go through some previously ignored tedious task and hours later, begin sewing.  The Process includes watching/listening to old movies while I'm working; very reassuring and encouraging.  The movies always proceed in familar ways and end the way I knew they would, comforting me when the sewing is more complex or mysterious than anticipated.  But it could take at least an hour to decide on a movie.  No convoluted decision-making last night for 48 Hrs.  Walter Hill put together a knockout cast--Nick Nolte and new-at-the-time Eddie Murphy, James Remar, Annette O'Toole (thankless needy female role--but she gave it a gutty fuck-you reading--and she looked great), Brion James, Sonny Landham, all in a foul-mouthed buddy flick setup with a gritty San Francisco back drop.  Nick and Eddie are good together--wary, sniffing each other for cues or weaknesses, giving the movie a reckless, edgy feel:  these guys could really hurt you if you gave 'em half a reason.  In more recent times, Walter Hill was one of the producers of Prometheus--I liked that movie.  A very good addition to the Alien series.  Of course, Walter Hill has had some notable moments:  who can forget The Warriors, Streets of Fire, Trespass and everyone's favorite guilty pleasure Arnold movie:  Red Heat?

So satisfying getting Sarita's costume together AND having a clean apartment.  Of course, if she does decide to visit this coming weekend---more cleaning in store.  At least don't have to start at ground zero.  Hope to take Friday off so I can get started Thursday after work--leave early on Thursday?--making it sound like I have to sand and re-stain the floor, too.  Need to at least put some of the books and New Yorker issues away, finish the new tablecloth for the entryway table.  And maybe hang a couple more pictures in her room.

Has also helped me accept not going to Chicago on New Year's Eve.  Butch is bound to tour sometime, not in the dead of winter in a northern location, maybe NYC by mid-April.  That way, I could see The Scream at MOMA and see Butch.  Time will reveal all....Back to work on the costume; maybe listen to one of those famous Butch Walker Mixtapes!

Butch Walker Decision Time, Friday, October 12

For all the big talk--fb words are so very cheap--have to decide whether the Chicago/New Year's Eve trip is at least half baked.  On the continuum between fool and their money  and only slightly overboard fan,

+_____________________+_____________________+
Fool and                                          OSO Fan                                       Infuriatingly
their $                                                                                                 Rational

                                        


Bibi has to make a decision---(tiny little growl here)

 reality, rudely shouting in my dainty, adorable kitten ears says, don't do it.  Reality sincerely bites it.  On the other hand, think about this

along with She Likes Hair Bands, Bodegas and Blood, Sucker Punched (a New Year's Eve song if I ever heard one), Ponce de Leon Ave.,  Race Cars and Goth Rock...there's always a chance of Sweethearts....

By tomorrow at 11:59 am, reality could be different.

Butch Walker Live, Chicago, December 31, 2012

Incredible tweet today:  Butch plans to party hearty in Chicago on New Year's Eve!  Do plan to buy a couple of tickets, although, really, who will go with me?  New Year's Eve is so fraught with issues for most people, even usually normal people get weird about that day.  But, the hope is that it could mean there will be a few other dates for Butch.  Fingers really crossed! 

Been a full, emotional day--not just the Butch show announcement (lol)--and hope to lay low for the evening recuperating.  Played a lot of Chicago, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones to and from and while at the cemetery.  Always think it works out well that there are rarely any other visitors since the music is so loud.  Just the way Jimmy liked it.  Was thinking about my one chance to hear Buddy Guy when he opened for the Rolling Stones at the Compaq Center--great concert, btw.  Couldn't beat the Compaq Center as a rock concert venue, not too big, not too small.  You always left the concert deaf and you wouldn't hear clearly for at least the rest of the night.  The Stones killed it that night, all the hits, of course, and they did a thing where people had voted online for some golden oldie.  I desperately wanted to hear Under My Thumb, and YES, they played it.  About halfway through the show, they walked down the center aisle from the main stage to the small stage very close to our seats (we were just behind the sound booth).  Jimmy had been complaining about the seats (they weren't obstructed view, but he wanted to be closer to the front) but almost right away, he became buds with one of the guys in the sound booth, asking questions about the Stones and any insider information the guy could give him.  He gave Jimmy his copy of the play list on Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon tour letterhead.  Telling you, Jimmy could talk to anybody.  Plus, the Stones were so close, just like they were performing for us.  The sound guy kept saying:  what do you think of the seats now?

Anyway, they announce Buddy Guy and Jimmy says:  let's go walking around in the lobby--can't stand the blues.  The way he looked at it, life already had its lows, why listen to music that wallowed in them.  Really great outlook on life, I thought.  So I never got to hear Buddy Guy, just came really close.  I still have the tshirt he insisted on buying me.

Of course, one of the coolest things about that concert is that Jimmy hit the pick-3 that night, $4000, and we came back the next night so he could buy the tour jacket--like a football letterman's jacket--the hoodie, sweatpants, whatever else they had.  That jacket was a hit whenever he wore it.  Still looked great when it was displayed at the funeral, too.  We often tell stories about Jimmy when the family is together; I get to tell this one and everyone loves it.  Jimmy is the star of the story and as usual, without really being obvious or trying too hard, he comes out the winner, getting way more that he had even hoped for, just being himself.

Jimmy Rendon, August 23, 1952-October 10, 2005

For the past 7 years, October 10 has been a tough day.  I miss my brother Jimmy--he called pretty much every day and I saw him two or three times a week.  He read the entire newspaper every day, so he usually had a story or remark about something we had in common or something he knew I would be interested in:  Boston, the Beatles, Gata, UH, going to see Grand Funk if they ever came to Houston, etc.  And what a personality!  He filled up the room, wherever he was.  He was always so open to the possibility of the future.  As so often the case with us, I was usually the gloom and doom character in the script, he was always working on the "sure, things could be better, but living now sure beats the alternative" and the best thing was to keep a positive outlook.   Funny how you think things will always be the same and all your family will always be there.  It wasn't till after that awful bright, sunny, hot day when he was gone all of the sudden, so unexpectedly, that I realized how much he meant to me, my self-esteem, how much he loved and respected me.  We spend so much time being self-absorbed, missing out on what's right next to us.

One of Butch Walker's songs  reminded me of Jimmy the other day:  I passed your place, there was no car, I thought of you. 

Of course, Jimmy wouldn't want me to be sad.  He wouldn't mind me thinking of him, some of the memorable events we shared, the good and the weird, ups and downs, but he would much prefer to be thought of in the words of one of his favorites, Rod Stewart:  Forever young.




Always the sharp dressed man


So, let's drink one, or more, in his memory today.  He didn't know the expression carpe diem, but he certainly lived that way.  I'm so glad he did.  Love you, brother!

Butch Walker' s Say It Isn't So Stats--Update

Whoa, since August 28, 1669 views of Say It Isn't So from Live From Daryl's House, Episode 54, have occurred--and believe me, not even half the views are from me (lol)!  Sure, I watch the song at least once a day, but I have rules about over-viewing.  Guidelines, really, more than rules.  Most of the time, I limit myself to watching the one song only once (or twice) and then, maybe watching the entire episode.  Butch seems so enthralled with the whole experience and really, so does the entire band, especially Daryl.  Looks like they had so much fun.  Love to see that!

If I hadn't been so besotted with Butch from the beginning, I would have kept track of the different videos I watch that showcase him; so now the stats really need some re-thinking n terms of value.  Of course, I can't identify any other videos I've watched with as much devotion as Say It Isn't So; there aren't any, really, that I watch over and over.  Geez, guess all researchers go through this--support group out there?

Have watched the Letterman performance a few times--probably no more than 10-15 instances and the video with Wooderson a few times.  I do love Sweethearts from the LFDH episode, so I've watched it a few times, maybe 20.  Such a great song, how could anyone fault me for that, though?  And, of course, watch Mixape whenever there's a bit of time.  Justification there is that he doesn't include this song in his performances so much, so that makes my revisits to that one okay.  Between all the viewing of whichever videos, makes the day better for me and we all know how important it is to keep me happy, right?  Plus, wonder again how the songs were selected for the show.

In terms of a never before seen videos, recently saw a coouple of Butch singing She Likes Hair Bands and Closest Thing to You in a California bookstore.  Of course, Butch always looks good, but he really cleaned up well for the book signing. 

Butch acoustic, She Likes Hair Bands

Butch acoustic, Closest Thing to You I'm Gonna Find

Conjured up that scary fan fear:  what if I were somewhere innocuous--the mall, the grocery store, the car wash, at the doctor's--and Butch was there and I didn't recognize him????  Awful feeling!  He has different looks, depending on whatever, so it's a bit worrisome for me.  I feel the same way about Angus--really think it could happen.  Guess it works out well for my sanity that neither one of them is anywhere near Houston...sad, but true.  Oh, well, just means that I need to find/watch other videos to console myself until I can see Butch in concert--somewhere.

AC/DC News from Malcolm!

Have taken some flak from the fb friends for taking up with Butch Walker and my quick n dirty response has been that Angus Young isn't touring, with small chance of a soon-to-be-announced tour.  A few weeks ago, Brian Johnson made news by saying that the guys were busy working and in the next year or so, could hit the Highwy to Hell again.  In the meantime, I had discovered Butch Walker, but was really counting on that upcoming AC/DC tour.  Butch is truly great, but the blog name says it all:  Bibi loves Angus.  So, sad to read the Malcolm update to the Brian news today: 

"He confirmed they’re working on a potential follow-up to 2008′s Black Ice. But he warned fans are in for a longer wait than expected, after singer Brian Johnson suggested there would be new material next year.

Young explained: “You know what Brian’s like. He just says things and then walks away. It’ll be a little while – a year or two anyway.  I’ve been doing some jamming on some song ideas but I do that all the time, as do the rest of the band. We are still working. But we had a long rest between Stiff Upper Lip and Black Ice, so I think we need a couple of years to recuperate and work on it a bit more.”

He added it’s unlikely any world tour in support of a future release will grow to the scale of the AC/DC Black Ice trek, which lasted almost two years and sold nearly five million tickets.  His son Ross pitched in: “It would probably be a bit less, a year or 18 months. That was very long last time.”

Glad to see that Ross is around as a spokesperson for his dad--he seemed like a nice guy when I met him in Amsterdam AND he took the picture of Angus n me--but the news is (big sigh) so disappointing.  The wait (ing) to see AC/DC, like Tom Petty says, is the hardest part.  It's really great that none of AC/DC are the kind of guys we'll snicker about in the TMZ news, but not having any news from them  does make the last time I saw them--June 18, 2010--seem like a  r e a l l y  long time ago.
There should be a font that signifies great sadness, tinged with regret, that could express how I feel about this right now.   I know, what a drama queen.  Malcolm did say they're working; a very positive sign, although it brings to mind that it was years between Stiff Upper Lip and Black Ice.  We will see.  We will see. 

Miss you, Angus!!!

Believe this or not--heard from an actual bibilovesangus blog follower!  So, y'all are out there--cool!   A bit overwhelming to think real people actually read my blog, really.

Anyway, he said there are ways to share The Butch Walker Mixtape via the blog.  Will keep working on that; in the meantime, check out this choice cut.  Showcases Butch's writing--"she knows the Japanese alphabet, but she doesn't know me"--vocal styling--a bit langourous, smooth, warm, tasty relaxation incarnate--and his sense of humor.  Attitudinally and effect-wise, She Likes Hair Bands kind of sort of reminds me of Steve Miller's The Joker, "throw away your phone and your inhibitions too".  If you haven't heard Butch sing--what have you been doing?--here's a very cool, very engaging first song for you.

For me, can't listen just once.  Butch Walker chant here....!

Butch Walker--He Can Really Help You Out

Well now that the costume ideas are settled, nose to the grindstone making them, along with Sarah's costume--got her package with the material during the week--and, of course, the baby gift for Sanne.  First to prioritize the projects:  Sanne's gift is easy, already cut out, should be quick to sew together, but needs to be mailed to Holland, so it should be first.  Sarah's needs to be ready soon since they do a lot of local tv spots before the "Dance with the Dead" on October 27.  YES, my handiwork on view on tv--two years in a row!   And, either have to get her here for a fitting or drive to SA--ask tomorrow.  The cousins' Haunted Hollywood event is October 27, too, and that costume is elaborate, except for the wig and boots, have to make it all myself.  Boot shopping in the hood tomorrow since the costume will be color-coordinated with the boots.   The costume for Fall Festivus @ work--not sure of the date--really just needs wig and facial hair.  Think I can leave that for next weekend.  The costume prop is on its way, Amazon said.  Will wear one of those costumes for the Stitch n Bitch party.

Now that I read over this to-do list, it seems too real (as opposed to unreal, surreal or villarreal) and like a LOT of work.  The superior being, though,  can  often discover a silver lining to any self-imposed clouds.  Look what I found to encourage me to just grab on with gusto, y'all, to the upcoming challenges and make 'em happen, check this out:

Great picture, huh?  Berlin earlier this year.

And here's one I like even more, taken sometime in the further past. 

-----significant pause-----

OK--already feeling less beleagured, more energized, ready to, well at this late hour, read some light murder mystery, with no care in the world but getting a good night's rest before a full and fully fabulous day of fall-like weather and accomplishment tomorrow.  With lots and lots of Butch Walker as the audio track.  (In the movie, would Butch's music be on the radio or playing over flash cuts of idyllic Saturday errands, including the obligatory shopping bag with the baguette all while driving around with the top down?)  And, maybe "Casablanca" at midnight at the River Oaks tomorrow night.  Watching a classic movie the way God intended, on the glorious big screen in spectacular black n white, sounds like a very good Saturday ahead. 

Those pictures really did it for me--how about you? 

Butch Walker Out of Focus Could Get a Screening

Got a great tweet today:  if we check out the YouTube trailer for Butch Walker:  Out of Focus and it gets the most hits, The Arclight will screen it (LA theater)!  Hey, it's a start--it could get to Houston.  After that, it's only a matter of time before Butch gets here, too, right?

Butch Walker Out of Focus trailer 

http://t.co/aapqL1R3

Deadline is October 14, so get on it!  The sooner Butch plays Houston, the better!

Butch Walker Makes It a Great Wednesday Night After All

The week started great--fall-like weather on Monday evening, was able to drive home with the top down, listening to The Spade (not some crummy mix cd--lol) good and LOUD!  Butch sounds great really loud, btw.  Yesterday, not so autumnal, fighting my way through traffic to get to the homestead, but okay.  The Spade STILL rocked and life seemed cool, enough.  But THIS afternoon, humidity and heat are back AND, oops, forgot about the baby shower tomorrow and the gift I was going to make.  Had the material, had already cut it out, but geez, would have to miss Stitch n Bitch to get it done.  To get past this loss in fun and frolic, which is almost as good as a California night out on motorcyles, first listened to one of The Butch Walker Mixtapes (version unknown) a couple of times and then put in Butch's Live at Budokan dvd--genius!!!  Sewing, singing along, living la vida loca alright...it's what the creative process is all about.  A bit over halfway done, went to the kitchen and, great (sigh), there's a puddle of liquid between the washer and the fridge.  On the continuum between not so bad and really gross, could be the washer and/or fridge needs  to be replaced or the cats had to express themselves (about WHAT??!!??) again this week.  Last week, someone peed on the laptop case that was inadvertently left on the bed.  No explanations, no remorse, not even guilty looks,  just there.  Honestly! Never got to the bottom of that matter.

Since I can't smell anything, the best clean up strategy is?  Are we talking simple mop up or get out the Hazmat gear?   (Hard to get too upset about the whole thing, singing along to Race Cars and Goth Rock), but OK, get a "specimen" of the mystery liquid in a sandwich bag and take it over to Stitch n Bitch for a verdict, right?  Luckily, the next door neighbor, let's just refer to him as A to protect his identity, was taking his evening constitutional (smoking his evening cigarette) on the steps outside, smelled the bag and pronounced it water.   HUGE sigh of relief!  But, the water came from ...?  A is a nice neighbor and it turns out, something of a Home Depot-type, so he came in and checked around, moved the washer, all those kinds of checklist things the house-sensitive kind of person knows.  Glad I had the big flashlight right there next to the washer/dryer so I at least seemed like I was prepared for minor household emergencies.  A thinks it's the washer.  He even went to his apt., checked the common wall between our apts (who knew there was common wall?) and returned to let me know the diagnosis so I could report to the apt management. FYI, that's a loosely applied term, apt management, but really not something blog-worthy. 

Unlike Butch Walker, who got me through what could have been a real drag of an evening.  Both the BWM cd and the Budokan dvd had put me in a more relaxed mood, so the water leak wasn't such a drama.  Looking at this washer problem as a plus:  have never liked that washer; a new one would be great.  AND, once again, Butch's music is a highly recommended analgesic for whatever ails you--totally fantastic, life embracing, gets you out of your funk no matter what, rocking, or breaking yer heart, grabs you out of the blah ordinary and kicks your butt back to what's real!  He made an evening that could have been disastrous--forced to work on a sewing project with dread, deadline looming, missed my weekly copanionship time, annoying nuisance of a household disaster--into something pretty easy to take.  I worked on the baby gift in a very positive spirit, with lots of happy thoughts going into it, got to show it to the Stitch n Bitch crowd and get their approval and admiration--it's a 2-sided flannel coverlet with a hood at one corner, enhanced with a color-coordinated bias edging--and happy thoughts from them toward the upcoming birth.  Made them laugh with the "specimen" idea I had for them to tackle before I ran into A.

 And, got to know my neighbor A a bit more.  Their baby is almost a year old now--haven't finished either of the two gifts I've begun for her.  What a nonentity neighbor I am!

Thanks to good neighbors and to Butch, for providing the needed and appreciated positive vibe!

Rock on, y'all!