Visiting the Ghost Town of Calico

Every time my friends and I drive to Vegas we pass the Calico Ghost Town sign and invariably someone in the car always mentions that we should stop and see it some time, and then of course, we never actually do. Not too long ago we finally made the time and went.

I don't make a habit of visiting ghost towns, so in all honesty, I don't know how this one ranks among others. I can tell you that I pictured something like the old west sets and facades in the backlot of Universal Studios, if you've ever seen those, except that of course, they would be real and genuinely old.

As it happens with Calico, that isn't really the case. Yes, the location was a small town back in the 1800's but much of it is gone. There remain some pieces of walls and such, but most everything there was reconstructed in the middle (or so) parts of the 1900's if I remember correctly.

That being said, the experience, much as with everything else in life is really what you make of it, and we had  fun. The town is about 3 miles off the freeway exit and it should be noted that there is a $6 per person charge to enter. Something I don't think we realized before we got there, but paid nonetheless.

Almost the entire town is comprised of souvenir shops of some sort or another: Soap, candles, Native American knick knacks, food, and so on. A couple of the buildings are dedicated to the history of the town, like the firehouse which has a few old carts in it, and another building which shows you (with mannequins in much need of dusting) the way of life at the time, but again, primarily it's souvenir shops.

For an extra couple of bucks you can take a "tour" which promises a weird and whacky experience. I couldn't tell you what the experience was though because while we would have done it, no one ever showed up at the ticket counter to take our money despite walking by it about three times.

You can climb the hills and look at the view, which we did. And again, for another $2 you can walk through an actual old mine, which we did. It brought to mind the Big Thunder Mountain ride at Disneyland, minus the actual ride. For another few bucks you can ride a little train that takes you around the area and probably tells you more about the mining that was done there, but that one we did not do. We did wave at the passengers while standing atop the hills though.

I think possibly, our favorite thing was the best worst thing we've ever paid a quarter to see. It was this guy, sitting outside one of the souvenir shops (I think it was the "book" shop).

For a quarter you could "watch him suffer" which of course we could not help but be curious about, so we put in our quarter. He began to shake and speak in an old tired voice, saying something to the effect of how old and tired he was. Classic. We could not stop laughing. And no, they won't give you your quarter back when you realize that's all he's going to do.

We expected to be there no more than an hour but as it turned out, we were there for two. Like I said, we wanted to make the most of it and our six bucks, and I think we did.

DMB: Let the Fans Pick the Setlist. Just once? Please?

I was on Muse's website earlier today and saw that they are supposedly letting fans pick the setlist for 27 upcoming shows in England this summer. While I think it'd be a brilliant idea, I also think it makes for a great April Fools joke. And if it is one, they're going to have some pissed off (or at least marginally annoyed) fans when they let them in on the joke. Since I can't make the England shows, it makes no difference to me one way or another, I guess.

But it did get me to thinking... why don't bands do that from time to time? Namely, why doesn't the Dave Matthews Band let us do that? I think they'd be perfect for it because they tour every summer, so one show out of a whole summer tour is not going to disrupt anything, and they have some of the most loyal fans on the planet! Letting us have a say on what we want to hear for one show would be a nice thing to do. Right? The other thing is that of course, with the amount of show trading within the community, we could all get our grubby little paws on it. Or, they could release it as part of the Live Trax series.

I understand that we'd all go for the obscure stuff that Dave has forgotten the lyrics to, but hell, he forgets the lyrics to even the non-obscure stuff, so it wouldn't really big a big obstacle:  If it was voted on early enough  it's not like the band couldn't take some time to prep for it. I'm just sayin'. A pain in the ass for the band, no doubt, but relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, no?

The more I think about it, the more I convince myself it's a brilliant idea. I couldn't tell you the logistics of it, like how, with the many options of songs, we could narrow it down so we're not all over the place with choices. Or what venue it should be held at. I think it should be between the Gorge, Alpine or SPAC because those are hardcore fan favorites and the ones most fans migrate to. How would that work out for the casual fan? No clue. Valid things to work out, but certainly not deal breakers, methinks. I'm sure there's a reason- a good, valid reason for why this is not a realistic thing to do, but until someone can explain to me what that is, I may just start a movement on Facebook. Hey, that's how they got Betty White to host SNL, right?

Mmmm, Crumbs!

I keep a list of places (mostly food related) that are of interest to me which I use when I've got time and am out of ideas for where to go or what to do. These places come about in many different ways, not least of which is from television. Yes, I will take note when watching a t.v. show of where they're eating and if it's somewhere nearby and it looks good, I'll add it to my list. Ok, I'm totally shallow, but at least I know it, right?

Anyway, I'd heard of Crumbs but I'd not paid much attention until last week when I was sort of watching, ahem, Beverly Hills 90210 (though I think as part of the renovation to make it cooler and more relevant, it's been renamed just 90210, I'm not sure). In all honesty, I don't watch this show regularly. It was on as background noise while I stalked people on Facebook last week. Honestly.

In any case, there I was stalking away with the t.v. on in the background when I hear one of "my" little known bands, Blind Pilot, playing on the television. I have crazy music hearing abilities, as I've mentioned in another post-- I'm hyper aware of music being played anywhere, anytime. Especially artists I know that no one else seems to have heard of, so of course, my little ears perked up and I turned to see what was going on. There, on the screen were three very skinny girls seated outside of Crumbs enjoying some cupcakes, except I don't really think they showed them take a bite (though I could be wrong). After clapping giddily at the fact that Blind Pilot was actually being played as background music on t.v. (even if it was that show), I googled Crumbs and proceeded to drool for a good ten minutes after adding it to my list.

If you're reading this, Google it! Or, click on the link above! Tell me those cupcakes don't look ridiculously delicious. I was all about the Caramel Apple Cupcake. For about a week, I'd been salivating, dreaming and talking about that damn apple caramel cupcake. I could not stop my mouth from watering every time I talked about it and it sped Crumbs to the top of the list of places to try.

So, Sunday, there I was standing in the store at the Americana in Glendale, giddily staring at the display case where three Caramel Apple Cupcakes sat flirting with me. Only, we'd just eaten dinner and I needed to walk some of it off, so we left the store. We left the store! My friend actually mentioned that they might run out and I said, nah, it'll be fine, we won't be too long. I'm not making this up. Any of it.

On the way out of Barnes & Noble where we'd wandered to "walk it off", I see a guy walking with a clear plastic container full of cupcakes in hand, one of which is Caramel Apple, and I start to panic. I practically run back to the store where to my relief there is one Caramel Apple Cupcake left. There are two people in line in front of me. And yes, you guessed it, the person at the counter took the last one. I honestly almost cried. I actually contemplated trying to talk him into switching it for something else. And, most embarrassingly, I almost decided to throw a hissy fit and just leave because, why would they not have more cupcakes in the back, when there were still three hours until closing time?! How could they possibly not make enough to last the day? I was so pissed.

Of course, we didn't leave. There were three of us and we each got a different one so we could try as many as possible. We got Boston Cream Pie, Chocolate Pecan and Half Baked. Despite being ridiculously sweet and rich- especially the half baked, they were as good as you'd expect them to be for almost $4 a pop. I can only imagine (quite literally) how good my caramel apple would have tasted!

 From top left: Half Baked, Boston Cream, and Chocolate Pecan

I will be back, Crumbs. And you better not be out of Caramel Apple cupcakes or I will throw a full fledged tantrum right there in the middle of the store- and nobody wants to see that- least of all me!

Jem: She's Truly Outrageous

When I love something, however trivial it may be, I truly love it, like, for life. Smurfs still make me giddy, Felicity is still my fictional BFF, and Dylan McKay and Brenda and Brandon Walsh will always have a place in my heart.

For that reason, I am still just as fascinated by Jem as I ever was. Jem, yes that eighties cartoon with all the crazy-color haired characters and those evil Misfits. When I watch clips on Youtube (oh, yes, I do that) I remember how it felt to watch it when I was a little kid and I still enjoy it. I'm not entirely sure what that says about my mental and emotional development, but I'm not willing to delve too deep to find out.

Anywho, a couple of years ago I decided I had to have it on DVD. I thought it'd be fun to pick up the first season, get a couple of girlfriends together, mix a batch of margaritas and watch a couple of episodes. We we are all eager and willing but there was a glitch in the planning.

To my disappointment I found that while the first two seasons (I believe) were available at some point on DVD, they no longer are. The only way that I know of to get them is to keep checking E-bay where they do eventually pop up but at ridiculously expensive prices.

Not too long ago I was at Amoeba (a music/DVD store here in L.A. which sells both new and used stuff- which rocks, by the way) and did my customary check only to find I was about a day late in getting a copy. Yes, they'd had one, which they'd had in the fancy "Rare stuff" case, and it'd been snatched up just the day before for the "bargain" price of $60. I thought the sales guy was worried I might cry. Hell, I was worried I might cry. So close!

I don't know who has the rights to the cartoon or who's in charge of distribution out there but to them I say: Way to crush the young, pink haired, rocker girl inside me! I've looked around and I think there's interest. I don't know how much interest would be needed to get them to distribute more, but I know there are some hardcore groups out there who would love it. So, seriously, Jem owner/distribution people: Get on it! GIVE US OUR JEM!

Until then, I will keep making due with some crappy quality versions on Youtube, which after all, is better than nothing!


Seriously, if you grew up with this, don't you see this and get all giddy like a school girl?

Gomez at El Rey

Sunday night I got my Gomez fix at El Rey theater. In my opinion, Gomez is one of those bands no one knows about but really should. Though they've been moving away somewhat from the kind music they made when I first started liking them, they're still so good- especially live.

Sunday night I ended up going with a friend I'd been trying to get to listen to Gomez for years. I still don't know why he never gave them a chance, but on this night he was only coming as a favor to me because the person I had originally bought the tickets with couldn't make it.

I get nervous when I take a non-fan to any kind of show. Only because I worry they'll be bored and then I end up not having as good a time as I would have liked. As it happened, I need not have worried, and really, I should not have doubted Gomez's ability to win over a non-fan.

We watched Family of the Year, who I'd never heard of but really enjoyed, open for them. We then edged our way to the front of the stage, about 3 people back from the stage which is the closest I've ever watched a Gomez show from- by choice. I get really uncomfortable sometimes being that close because I can't help but think: they can see you! Makes me nervous. I can't help it. As is quickly becoming evident in this post: I'm a nervous worry wart. But I knew that. It  also didn't help my nerves that by 10:15 they still hadn't taken the stage and my friend was getting antsy. Especially since he had to be at work especially early the next day.

I have a horrible memory for setlists, but I can say they opened up with Revolutionary Kind which was a mellower choice, but as soon as that was over, a guy behind me shouted "Ok now, here we go!" which was exactly how I felt. They delved into Shot Shot and all of a sudden we were all dancing and I forgot all about my friend not being a fan or having to work early in the morning.  As he was dancing too, I figured it was a good sign.

It was the last night of their tour and the entire band was in good spirits. There was a lot of onstage banter between all of them. Tom was charming the crowd and getting us to clap along, as usual, sometimes coordinating a goofy dance with Paul while they jammed. They called out a friend who was having a birthday and handed her a tambourine to play during a song (again, horrible with setlists, so I don't remember what song it was!), letting her also sing a little backup, and just before a song towards the end of the show when everyone was staring at Ian waiting for him to start he turned to the crowd and said something to the effect of "I don't know what to do, this thing is fucked" looking a bit frustrated by his laptop then turning to the crowd again and asking if anyone knew about computers or worked for Apple specifically, then asking us "What should I do? Just reboot?". After a minute of awkwardness as they tried to figure it out, Ben just delved into Black Dog until the problem was fixed.

I was disappointed they didn't jam to How We Operate as they had when I saw them last or in the DVD I have, but I'm guessing that was due to time more than anything else. Despite the fact that they only played one of my top five Gomez songs, I really enjoyed the show. And obviously watching them from that close helps a lot since you tune out everyone else (except on occasion the incredibly annoying over-dressed, under 21 goofy girls that wouldn't stop giggling and being goofy) and just focus on them and what they're doing. It was awesome!

Needless to say, my friend is now a full-fledged fan. Since that night he keeps texting me with how great certain songs are that he's just now listening to. To this friend I say: You're welcome!

Here are some pics taken with my camera phone (so not so great):

 Ben Ottewell

 Tom Gray

Ian Ball, Paul Blackburn and Ben

Ben, Paul and Olly Peackock on drums

Vegas and Lack of Sleep

This past weekend I met up with a bunch a friends to celebrate one of their birthdays. I will not talk about the debauchery that took place as that should go without saying. What is really on my mind is the issue of sleep, or lack thereof.

Here's the thing: every night we would all go out and pretty much expend the same amount of energy, drink relatively equal amounts of alcohol and eventually go to bed anywhere between 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. and yet, every morning I would find these people up and about the next morning by around 10:00 a.m. ready for breakfast and looking relatively well-rested and fresh faced. To look at them, you wouldn't guess they'd been up most of the night consuming large quantities of alcohol. I, on the other hand, looked like a train wreck.

How? Why? First of all, I don't want to be up that "early" if I've gone to bed at 5:00 in the morning. Secondly, if I have to be up then, you can sure as hell bet people will know I was up until 5:00 in the morning just from looking at me! There's just no camouflaging it. No amount of make-up can realistically cover up the misery that is my face. And I'm just dragging. I not only do not have any energy but I am really, really cranky.

This happens to me every time we go to Vegas and I'm honestly baffled. It irks me. Is there something wrong with me for wanting to get my eight hours? Not only wanting them, but needing them in order to function properly? And what's with my friends that they seem perfectly okay without the sleep?

I honestly haven't met anyone who is as miserable as I seem to be without enough sleep and it's plain bugging me now. I just can't stop thinking that there's something fundamentally wrong with me that I can't seem to get it together like everyone else does. I hate being left behind sleeping while they go to breakfast buffets and poolsides. I know that I'm missing out and still, I can't make myself get up and join them. I would feel loads better if they spent half the day in bed, like me!

Twilight, Robert Pattinson and Other Things I'm In the Closet About

Actually, there are no other things. It's just those two. They are both, without a doubt, guilty pleasures. I hate that I'm too weak to just say: Yes, I read Twilight and I think Robert Pattinson is hot. So what?

But you see, it's not that people are indifferent about these two things. They don't just take it or leave it. Those that love them, passionately and unconditionally love them, while those that don't, don't just hate, they loathe. I've not met people who simply say "eh, it's not my thing" and leave it at that. It's pure hostility that comes out of those who don't care for it even if a lot of them haven't so much as read the books or watched the movies. The amount of anger they elicit frankly scares me. I want none of it directed at me so I cower in a corner pretending I know nothing of this Twilight phenomenon everyone speaks of, or the guy in the leading role.

When I first heard of Twilight I wanted nothing to do with it. I am an avid reader and though I read the occasional chick lit, I mainly read "acceptable", serious things, including the occasional feminist non-fiction. I had no interest in young adult vampire fiction. It was so not my thing and I couldn't understand what people were going on about.

I belong to an online book club and it was some of the women in that group who finally broke me down and got me to at least try the first book. I dutifully went to Borders and bought a copy. At the time, Breaking Dawn was about to be released and the book seller asked if I wanted to pre-order it. I rolled my eyes and told her I'd be surprised if I could get through the first one. Well, my story is much the same as most people who've read it and loved it: I started it on a Friday, was hooked right away and stayed up almost all night reading. The next day despite still being about 150 pages from finishing I went and bought the next one in the series, New Moon and eventually Eclipse. And yes, when Breaking Dawn was released about a week later, I showed up at midnight to get a copy. 

At that time I didn't yet realize the hate that would come, only because the movie wasn't out yet. But then it was and it was time to choose sides. Hate or love it, but no room for indifference. That was about the time I realized I couldn't just admit I was a fan. I just couldn't. I could see what it looked like to the non-fans: The screaming fan-girls, the cheesy movie with the awful make-up and the bad acting. If I'm being honest I'll say I'm still not a huge fan of (the movie) Twilight. Too many things about it bother me, which don't seem stop me from watching it over and over again.

As far as the books went... well it was hard to argue with people who thought it was plain bad writing. In truth, I don't try to defend it. Do I believe it's prize-winning literature? No. But I do think it's fun and a great love story (which I'm a sucker for) with some very lovable characters who do what they're supposed to do: take my mind off of real life and transport me to a place I like spending time in.

Then, there are always those ridiculous debates about Bella being weak and Edward being too controlling and how these books give girls the wrong ideas about what relationships should be and so on and so forth. I just roll my eyes. I mean, really? But to be a fan of all that, well, how to justify it? I couldn't.

And then, there was Rob. I admittedly was not a fan of Robert Pattinson right away. Yes, I thought he was incredibly good looking but I was one of those who wasn't all that impressed with his acting and I just didn't get him. The messy hair, the awkwardness, the rather weird interviews he seemed to give. I don't know, I just wasn't so sure about him.

Since then, I've seen a lot of footage of his interviews and read a lot as well (more than I'd care to admit, truth be told!), and I finally do get him. I feel badly that so many people don't though. He's genuine, down-to-earth and humble. And his awkwardness now just makes him endearing. He's in an impossible situation under an incredibly bright spotlight and not everyone could handle that as well as he has. How he's managed to keep it together under all the scrutiny is beyond me, but quite impressive, really. I want him to do well and make great movies that will  hopefully get some of the haters to ease up on him a bit. Yes, it'd help if sometimes he'd shave or brush his hair before doing an interview, but he doesn't and everyone just needs to get over that- what's that we're all taught at a young age? Never judge a book by it's cover? People would do well to take that advice.

For the longest time, I had no one to talk to about the books, movies or Rob because I knew of no one who was a fan. It probably didn't help that I was in the closet, but who knows, maybe they were in the closet too? I'm fairly sure I'm not alone in this.

I now know two fans: A good friend of mine who is a few years older than me, and her teenage daughter. It makes all the difference having someone to talk to who is a fan as much as I am, and doesn't make me feel like there's something wrong with me for enjoying these things. I think it's brought the three of us closer and that's another great little unexpected thing that's come from all of this. Though I know I will remain in my little Twilight packed closet, I will still continue to be a big fan, just (figuratively) hiding under my baseball cap and sunglasses.

Further Reading: This guy hasn't written anything in a long time, which is a shame, but what he has written in hilarious. Twilight Denial was the first time I realized I was not alone: Twilight Widowers Anonymous