Always True Part 1: Staples Center

Morrissey Listening to Words of Love and Loyalty

The life of a rock star is tough, especially if you are NOT a rock star.

 What a weekend! It began at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (or Moz Angeles as they say), and ended Saturday night at Hollywood High in the auditorium. I have spent Sunday and part of today, Monday, recovering from the excitement and the exertion from all of it.

I found school quite difficult to live through on Friday. Don't get me wrong. Despite complaining a bit I love my students. And since I have thus far failed at becoming a writer, I feel like teaching is the next best thing. Still, the golden lights of the performance world sometimes lures us into the night life. Thus, was my passion on Friday.

The Drive

I was on the freeway singing to Patti Smith (Horses) at 4:30 and arrived around 6 at the Staples Center which is pretty good for a Friday night. I parked the car, and quickly found my friend Jasmine (@Morrizzy) waiting first in line. I realized my dozen of red roses was not going to make it into the venue so I quickly wrapped them into my Smiths sweater after decimating the stems. If you did not know, the roses were for Morrissey. I feel naked if I don't have at least one to bring with me to his performances. Of course, blue roses would have been better (Blue Rose Society) but they are not easy to get last minute and hey, red is better than dead!

Arrival

We quickly made our way to be first in line on the floor level. I just wanted to know what my seat was like. I had floor seating but it was not at the very front so I was just curious. As we waited we could hear the sound check and it was "How Soon is Now?" which made my excitement even more palpable. Once the security let us in, I found my seat which was pretty far back and I realized that after people filled in the floor, it would not be easy to see anything. There was a security check for the Floor 1, which was just in front of my section. I just thought I'd have to give it time. I sat there contemplating things with my heart racing with excitement and realized I should get a beer. What the hell!

Merchandise

After getting my beer I ran into Johnny (@johnnyinacoma) and Mauricio (I don't know his Twitter name-which is kind of ironic). We looked over the merchandise and I ended up getting a shirt with Morrissey and the cat on his head on a stamp. Then also, I purchased a Morrissey bracelet. 

 Johnny, Mauricio, and I decided to walk around just to get a feel for what was going on and we stopped again for a beer. It was then I realized that I did not have my ticket. I could easily envision someone wandering into my section on the floor seating. Grrr. But following Johnny and Mauricio's advice I asked security person who eventually located my lost ticket. That was a huge relief. Security had found it on the floor! I was very grateful.

Go Veggie

Also, it was a huge night for PETA people and other animal rights advocates as The Staples Center was meat-free as per Morrissey's request. I heard that there were some vendors upstairs selling food with meat but McDonald's was closed and that in itself was HUGE. Morrissey scored BIG points this weekend!!

The Performances

I met some Morrissey fans I had not met before including Roy's Keith (FB) and then we went in since Patti was up. I ran into the K/Crystals in my section about two rows ahead of me. We said hi and it was then that I heard Patti begin her set. I couldn't believe how close she was and how few people were at the stage. I quickly said, "See you later," and made a bee line to the stage forgetting, ignoring, and passing security. I was up at the stage. I was so excited, I waved to Patti and she waved back!!! I was over the moon. I can't even begin to put words into how much I admire Patti Smith. I read a book she wrote (Just Kids) about her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe (photographer) and her voice is still with me. I just could NOT believe it!

I like the way Patti takes a swig of water and spits it out on the stage. Its just so punk rock! 

I was actually losing my ability to breathe! I kept smiling looking around, really relishing the time. I cannot find her set list so I apologize but I sang along to "Because the Night" (which was dedicated to Fred "Sonic" Smith on what would have been their anniversary), "People Have the Power," and "Gloria" among many others. Perhaps I looked the fool to her but I was over the moon! 

Quietly, ever so quietly, I began to realize that I had done a difficult thing in such an easy way. Security began to slowly move people to either side of Patti at the rail and it was then I lost my key spot, dead center. It sucked because we (the people in the audience and near the stage), were just singing our hearts out and all of a sudden her audience is being parted like Moses parted the Red Sea. She was brilliant but all I remember of her departing song was trying to hang onto my great spot at the front rail.

Then security began to check for pink bracelets which meant you were in the first few rows. If you did not have a bracelet, they told you to go back in a rather rude manner. Afraid they'd ask to see my ticket, I tried to hide. I made temporary friends with a German lady named Anita and a rockabilly guy and his girlfriend who complemented my style. In fact, they told me they'd hide me from security, and they tried but a gruff woman basically pushed me back where I joined the other people who had "illegally" entered the border of Section 1. 

While the music videos of various artists such as Nico, Shocking Blue and the New York Dolls were playing, I moved to the far right side of the stage (my right) and sat in an empty seat about two rows from the front. I bided my time until the lights went out and Morrissey and his band appeared. Then I somewhat clumsily climbed over chairs to get to the rail finally losing my balance on the last one, but regained my footing just in time for the first song.

 Here is the set list:

"Shoplifters of the World" 

"Irish Blood, English Heart"

"Alma Matters"

"You Have Killed Me"

"You're the One for Me, Fatty"

"Action is My Middle Name"

"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"

"I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris"

"Speedway"

"Meat is Murder"

"Ouija Board, Ouija Board"

"November Spawned a Monster"

"To Give (the Reason I Live)" Frankie Valli Cover

"How Soon is Now?"

"Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want"

"Everyday is Like Sunday"

"Let Me Kiss You"

"First of the Gang to Die"

Encore:

"The Boy with the Thorn in His Side"

Hand in (Latex) Glove

I had a dozen red roses with me in the hopes that Morrissey would take one. I had this idea of wearing a blue latex glove on the hand that passed him the rose. Its kind of lame but it was meant to make him notice my hand among the sea of hands grasping for him in the shadows. I also thought that it kind of went with Morrissey's illness theme. But the chasm between the stage and the rail was simply too wide and I was so far on the side near the PA or some large speaker-type thing that I could not reach him. Nor could he reach me or anyone else. The "hand in glove" made no difference. In an attempt at a humorous gesture, I simply put the rose in my teeth and smiled up at him, reaching into the air below him. 

Blue Rose Society Gives Morrissey THE RING!

The highlight for me was when Morrissey gave my friends Jasmine and Angie (who I had not yet met) the mic. She said, "In honor of The Blue Rose Society will you accept this gift?" Morrissey said yes. They gave him a ring that has been traveling around via other Blue Rose Society members. He then asked for the flowers which Jasmine had smuggled in but were now dead. Thinking quickly she handed him her blue rose hair clip. Bear in mind, I could only hear what was going on as could 20,000 people. I just was on the other side of the stage. As soon as "November Spawned a Monster" began Morrissey began tossing Jasmine's blue rose clip in the air to the beat of the music.

During the concert as I faced the excitement of the stage, I looked out among the thousands of people, everyone-even the ones up in the "rafters." I thought that they must have been wondering what it was like to be so close to the stage. I certainly felt lucky! I felt sorry for the folk who didn't get the sensation of feeling like their skin was falling off until all that was left was a skeleton from pure joy and elation.

Morrissey's voice was amazing, stronger than ever, which did not surprise me. He was looking well-not like one who had some serious medical issues for the past few weeks. One fan asked him how he was and he said, "Okay."

 Another thanked him for keeping us sane. He said, "Thank you for keeping me sane."

The chasm between the stage and the floor was so wide, only one guy made it up on the stage. 

The concert went by so fast, and every song was one I loudly sang along with, as did so many people in the arena. It was actually a bit of a communal experience. Everyone around me was pretty cordial and I surely hope the guy in front of me at the rail knew that I did not intentionally repeatedly touch his butt.

I saw a throng of people screaming and gathering around a section as we departed. I heard someone say that it was Quentin Tarentino. I've mentioned my inability to recognize famous people before. I guess I may have known it was him though since he reportedly was wearing an Inglorious Bastards jacket. Wonder if he'll include any Morrissey songs in a film. 

The After Party

I met the K/Crystals by the restroom and we attempted to meet the band as they had done last year in San Diego. Yes, I felt like a stalker. It was kind of awkward but we had fun. Then I grabbed what was left of my roses in one hand and a stick (for protection) in the other and walked to my car. So, yeah, our after party was kind of "high school" but I had more fun than if we'd gone to a bar-although the C/Krystals did end up going to Mal's Bar where Jose (Maldonado) was spinning some records. 

Concert friends are kind of funny because we hang out and experience this great thing together or simply at the same time and then once the concert is over we just leave. Sometimes you don't even say good-bye. But by saying that, I'm not complaining! It simplifies things. You are there for the same reason and its really about the music in the end, isn't it?

I had a long drive home but was filled with excitement for the concert on Saturday. 

Part 2 will be posted soon. Sorry for such a long blog but it was a MEGA MOZ weekend. So much to tell. Also, apart from the Patti Smith photos, they are from my collection I took on Saturday, March 3 at Hollywood High.

Also, for a full explanation and account of The Blue Rose Society, please visit www.followingthemozziah.blogspot.com.

How Soon is Now?

Jose Maldonado spinning and "reeling round the fountain"

There's a Club and You'd Like to Go

Sunday night I had this strange desire to go out. Perhaps I was inspired in the knowledge that Morrissey is in Los Angeles recovering from his ulcer and Barrett's Esophagus  Now, I have been married for nearly ten years and I can honestly say that during these ten years I have never really wished to go to a club. I love going to see bands, you probably know this (one particular singer as well), but I'm a late bloomer. I didn't even get married until the age of thirty-eight. Up until that time I went out every single weekend. So as far as clubs, it just doesn't usually appeal to me. However, I heard about a Smiths/Morrissey night at The Echo in Hollywood and I thought it might be a fun place for me to go. I mean, Jose Maldonado, who is the singer of The Smiths tribute band, Sweet and Tender Hooligans was the DJ. He also hosts the Indie103 radio show, Breakfast with The Smiths. Who better?

 I wanted dance to "Sing Your Life," which I kept playing over and over again in my mini van as I dropped kids off to school and swim practice. Even better, when at the club, I would be with other Morrissey fans rather than sarcastic kids rolling their eyes when I attach my iphone to the car speakers. "Morrissey? Again?"

The seed of attending began to sprout in my brain and I recalled an evening in which Roland and I tried to go to a bar where Jose was spinning records one night months ago and it was in downtown Los Angeles. I know, I probably watch too many crime shows and documentaries so Roland was not at all surprised at my observations about that part of town. It was seemingly desolate except for the club, and I noted that there were many convenient dumpsters in hidden alleyways. "Convenient" for dumping bodies.

I tweeted this fact to Jose and he suggested having security escort me from the parking lot if I was too fearful. You see, Roland has even less interest in clubs than I do and before I could even suggest it, he fell asleep.Therefore, I was devoid of a male escort. I wasn't sure if it was a great idea to go after all. I planned to leave at 10, giving me plenty of time to get to Hollywood from the OC.

You Can Meet Somebody Who . . .
There is the imaginary barrier dividing the the OC from Los Angeles which I call (and many others) the Orange Curtain. We (Orange County people) have realistic and unrealistic fears of "the big city." For example, once not too long ago I was sucked into a conversation with a man wearing a Spiderman costume showing me random pictures of dogs he encountered and  mumbled "Kill, kill, kill" under his breath. Its a little unsettling to most of us suburban dwellers.

I have also seen Jesus just outside the Comedy Club on Sunset and believe me, Jesus would not hang out in the OC!

So You Go
Since my husband was asleep and two of the kids, I figured no one would especially notice my departure, except Jovanny, who was very excited for me. So I put on some make up so it would look like I went to some trouble to get ready, but most clubs are dark caverns anyway, so I figured if I didn't look like a supermodel, no one would notice.

Having been brought up Catholic, and therefore born with a guilty conscience, I wrote a  note to Roland and stuck it to the bathroom mirror letting him know where I was when he woke up (if he were confused).

My note of guilty conscience

The ride to Los Angeles was joyous as it was empty and devoid of anyone except for me so I blared "Sing Your Life" and "My Love Life." I could have driven clear to San Francisco.

I discovered when I arrived that The Echo was not the scary, desolate place I had confused with the bar in downtown LA, so no security person was required as an escort.

And You Stand on Your Own

After I paid the $10 to get in, I ordered a drink and then wandered around. It was pretty large and  as I walked in Jose was playing "How Soon is Now," a little later he played "Sing Your Life" which had me on the dance floor. I got some photos of Jose and some of the patrons. I tried to find people who had tried to look like Morrissey and I found some but the pictures didn't come out so well since it was so dark and the flash is too strong. It tends to blind people.

Dancing to The Smiths

Lounging Smiths/Morrissey Fans

I felt kind of shy so I didn't particularly speak to anyone. I also knew that I'd be leaving soon. If I had a group of friends there, I might stay longer but I did not have the energy to meet people for the first time. 

But there were quite a few people on the dance floor and the music was of course, great since it was music I love. Jose interspersed Morrissey and Smiths songs with other great 80s (and perhaps some 90s) music-like Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life." Jose doesn't just spin records, he also dances which is fun to watch as it reminds me of spinning records in my own living room when no one was home as a teenager. Honestly, I don't get out much so if every DJ dances around, then I suppose I should not be surprised.

I wanted my picture with a Morrissey cut out but the people in charge would not let me take a picture with my own camera. So they offered to take a picture of me with the 2 dimensional Morrissey but I have no idea how the picture came out or where it may appear some day.

More spinning

And You Leave on Your Own
After getting enough pictures, I left. It takes about 35 minutes on the freeway to get home with no traffic.

I know it sounds anti-climatic and boring if you are a night owl to be home by 12:30, but I had a good time and I would definitely go again, but I would bring a friend or else be in a more outgoing mood. Sometimes I worry that being out going could be confused with flirting and that might be embarrassing for someone.

And You Go Home
When I arrived the house was dark and Roland was still asleep in his clothes with his contacts in as I had left him-obviously he had never even wakened!

Jose Maldonado is the host of Breakfast with The Smiths which airs Sunday mornings and Wednesday mornings on Indie 103. He also spins records occasionally in clubs like The Echo in the LA area. If you have the chance to see The Sweet and Tender Hooligans you should go, they are amazing and its always a good night out!!

These Things Take Time

Me singing into a CLEAN toilet brush 1990, Dublin (most likely singing to The Smiths)

So, I went to Chicago last week. I took Thursday and Friday off, and went to stay with my friend Alicia-who I lived with in Ireland all those many years ago-and little did I know that the gig was postponed until I landed at Chicago O'Hare.

Yes, it was cold. My desert skin felt it. Perhaps it sensed my impending doom:

As you know, Morrissey had to postpone the Chicago gig set for Saturday and also had to cancel the Flint, Michigan gig he was due to perform at on Thursday evening because of  a bleeding ulcer and other ailements.

Alicia 1990 (probably singing to American Music Club or REM)

I didn't mind. I haven't seen Alicia in at least a year and even then it was a brief dinner with us here while she was interveiwing for jobs. I think she was actually relieved that there was no gig. She needed a night off from her hectic existence. She is completing a new book, teaching writing at a university, taking care of a four-year-old and a two-year old and maintaining a relationship with her partner. Whew!! Needless to say, she was glad to have someone else there to lend a helping hand.

Alicia now

I met Alicia over twenty years ago in a small office at the University of London, Senate House where we were oddly placed in the same place. I remember filing things my first day and her first question was, "What do you want to do?" (meaning with your life probably) and my answer was to be a writer. Her answer was the same and unlike me she actually became a writer. Alicia had her first novel made into a movie called "Towelhead," directed by Alan Ball, several years ago.

I won't say what became of me except you might gather what happened given that Alicia's writing novels and memoirs and here I am writing a measly blog that I hope somebody in the universe reads!

But nevermind, being with Alicia is strange because I just slip into our relationship which basically picks up where it ended a year ago and several years before that. I think this may be because we had such an intense experience when we moved to Ireland after we met in London.  It is not adivsable to live in Dublin, Ireland with virtually no money or decent job prospects in the early 90s. People thought we were crazy. If only I'd been given a penny for every time someone asked, "What are you doing looking for work here? My brothers and cousins left here to find work in America."  Yet, we were determined to make it work. It was a tragi-comedy if there ever was one.

It sounds kind of selfish to say it was fine for me not to attend the concert, but  poor old Moz was lying around in a hospital having tubes shoved down his throat and having all manner of tests done. There was nothing I could realistically do for him and I had to make the most of it.

Me and Anne (do you like my hat?)

I have another friend who lives in Rockford, just out of Chicago. Her name is Anne and she also teaches college-although she has been on medical leave for a while now. Anne is originally from Taiwan and we became pen pals when we were sixteen. Since that time, Anne has been married and had a son who is now fourteen and she has a new man in her life at this point. I was lucky enough to be able to have lunch with them.

All in all, my trip to Chicago was somewhat simplified by NOT seeing Morrissey. It would have been great, and I was a bit sorry, but it simply gave me time. Just time that I could never have if I had not dreamed of seeing Morrissey perform.

So, not long after I arrived back here in Cali, Morrissey issued a statement:

The reports of my death have been greatly understated. Once admitted to the William Beaumont Hospital at Royal Oak in Michigan, I received treatment for concussion, a bleeding ulcer, and Barrett's esophagus. The positive from all of this is that there are now no known ailments left for me to try.

I am fully determined to resume the tour on February 9 at the Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas. If there's an audience of any kind in attendance, I just might die with a smile on my face, after all. If I am not there, I shall probably never again be anywhere.

Equally, I am determined to play Flint (Michigan) if it kills me (which, on the face of it, it almost has.)

Thank you to everyone present at both Brooklyn (New York) and Melbourne (Australia) during recent weeks for two of the best nights of what might charitably be termed my "career". My debt to you will outlive time itself.

pause at my headstone,

MORRISSEY

31 January 2013.

With the mention of Morrissey playing in Las Vegas the old rusty wheels in the brain started spinning and suddenly Roland and I were planning a much deserved weekend getaway to Las Vegas. 

Yet, just yesterday afternoon, we learned that due to doctor's orders Morrissey cannot play Las Vegas this weekend. 

Okay, I'm disappointed. Truly. But Roland and I are still going to Las Vegas. It doesn't mean we can't get away and spend some quality time together. We will attend some other show and return to Las Vegas when Morrissey reschedules. Why not make the most of it?

I swear,  I am one of the most sarcastic people you'll ever meet. Pollyanna is not my name by a long shot. I rarely see the silver lining. But I feel like in some ways the journey to see Morrissey has allowed me to spend some much-needed time with important people in my life. Had I not planned on going to his concerts, I would not have created the opportunity to make these plans. 

Also, when I think about how Morrissey must feel, I think he must be just as disappointed. Very few people in existence know the stress of having to let down so many people-to have so many expecting something that you cannot deliver. It has to be frustrating for him. And stressful. But I think with his medical issue, the best thing is to give it TIME.

It seems inappropriate to thank Morrissey for getting sick so I won't but making plans and not being able to follow through has turned out to have created some great memories.

Gone From This Unhappy Planet

On Saturday morning I found out that my Aunt Kim, who has been battling cancer, passed away. Its weird that when we think of death, we think it comes suddenly. Sort of like disappearing. But I had the distinct impression after speaking with my uncle on Friday night, that death comes slowly. Like a process. It isn't simple and is not something necessarily pretty or graceful.

I suppose when you really think about it, we are in a constant process of dying. Like a dog constantly barking. Annoying and always there in the background and one day you finally hear it and notice it.

When I think of Kim, I think of her as a lively person who laughed at herself for always befriending weirdos. She said it and it was true that people who were odd balls or the type of people you'd go out of your way to avoid eye contact with, she didn't mind talking to. She said she minded and would roll her eyes, that kind of thing, but I think deep down she was entertained by the odd ones. She took an interest. I consider that kind of interest brave because I always feared speaking to really odd people.

When I was younger, I would spend part of my summer vacation in San Diego or Oceanside to visit her and my Uncle Rick. Rick is my mom's brother. So Kim is related to me by marriage.Often Rick was working so my cousins and I would take the train down from the OC and Kim was the one who was there looking after us while Uncle Rick worked.

She had three children. She took good care of them. And then one day she left my Uncle Ricky.The reasons why don't really matter right now. But she left for a long time.

Fourteen years later, she came back and my uncle was there for her. They had such a short time before they found out about the cancer. They stayed positive and fought it.

But they could not beat it.

When I think of Kim, I think of days on the beach and us laughing at my constant ability to sun burn so easily and my inability to catch a decent wave. But sometimes its just the trying that counts. Not whether or not you achieve something.

The Table is Rumbling . . .

 

Bobby the Cat

 Life has been interestingly boring-if that is at all possible. As ever, I find myself in the role of what the modern era has termed the "Super Mom." Amazingly, I recall having a conversation with Roland just before I found out I was pregnant with Oliver in which we lamented the fact that we were admittedly too selfish to have children. Therefore, we thought a perfect family included us and a few furry friends. Ha ha. Fate is hilarious, isn't it? Here I sit writing this with a few furry friends and three children.

 

Yes, the joke is on me.

 

Then, of course, as we age, so do our parents. As our parents age, our responsabilities to them increase. Well, perhaps some of that depends on your relationship with your parents.

 

Morrissey seems to have a great relationship with his mum. As most Morrissey fans know, he actually postponed part of his U.S. tour to be with his mum as she recovered from something she was hospitalized for. Like many who love Moz, I was sad that I did not get to see him when I thought I would, but I still get to see him perform and at least he is good enough to understand that some things are more important than money and fame.

 

On the other hand, from what I have read, Morrissey is not as close to his dad. And in this, I have something in common with dear Morrissey. In fact, there are probably many who have a similar kind of relationship with their fathers.

 

That's all well and good when you and your parents are younger. But what happens when they age and its just no use holding a grudge? How far should your loyalties go to a shitty parent?

 

This is a question I am faced with on a daily basis:

 

I was never close to my dad. He was a raging alcoholic and because of his drinking and smoking when he was younger, he developed mouth, throat and lymphatic cancer many years ago. I was living in Dublin, Ireland when we found out he had a 30% chance of surviving and because of that and because job prospects were pretty dismal in 1990, I left Ireland and came back home to California.

 

He survived, but lost the ability to eat properly. Because of all the radiation and the chemo he lost the ability to swallow. Therefore, he eats through a tube. He has had many surgeries and skin grafts so he does not even look anything like he used to.

 

Now, he has trouble walking-he shuffles and he lives on his own in a trailer park for elderly people with a cat named Bobby (see picture above).

 

Bobby has recently had a slew of health problems and I helped my dad out by paying for some of Bobby's treatment. But now my dad has gotten into debt in order to pay for Bobby's vet bills.

 

I don't want to bore you with all the details of how much driving around I do for my dad or the fact that he never calls except when he wants something. But, I guess if you are going to go into debt, let it be to keep your animal companions alive. It would have been cheaper for him to put Bobby down, but he saw the unfairness in that.

 

I did not mean to write so much about my situation, but let me just question about how much is too much or too little to give an old person when they have sucked as a parent? How much do you forgive so that you can go on with your own life with no regrets?

 Watching them thrash around in their old age is like watching animals hanging from a meat hook in an abittoir. There is no joy or satisfaction in that.

 

I had hoped to have written something more uplifting after not having written in so long, but perhaps it gives you some insight as to part of the reason I have not written.

 

Ah well, it makes me look forward to seeing Morrissey in Chicago and LA even more.

 

 







Paint a Vivid Picture

Rasmus and Oliver at Hume Lake in King's Canyon National Park

 You probably think I have forgotten about Morrissey. Look, I know I have been away for a few weeks, but forget him? Never!


Morrissey has been on my mind. But when I say Morrissey, what I mean is my interest in him and his concerts. Please realize that I am not under the misapprehension that I have a personal relationship with him.


My personal relationship is my connection to people I have met on Twitter and others who read this blog. Our mutual interest in all things Morrissey is simply what keeps us connected. I like to think that Morrissey has read this blog on the one hand, on the other, I think I might die with embarrassment at how very boring this blog can be. But I won't let myself think about that. I shall just take a deep breath and feign some pride and confidence. Let no one ever know how insecure I actually am.

Oliver and his 3rd Place Medal (swimming)

USS MIdway in San Diego Harbor

You may ask, So what the hell have I been up to? Well, here is my short list: I have been working on writing a book, we went camping at King's Canyon National Park, entertaining our prior exchange student from Denmark, swimming (all the boys and me), going to swim meets, dealing with family issues, and reading a book entitled The Art of the Personal Essay.

Friends Emmanuel and Jack jamming with Roland 

 To be totally honest, I am a little upset that I have not been able to spend as much time with Morrissey-again, I don't mean him personally, I don't want someone reading this thinking I am best buddies with him-well, I wouldn't mind anyone thinking that, but its not really the truth. What I actually mean is listening to his music, catching some videos of his recent concerts in Belgium and Italy, communicating with other fans via Twitter, etc., and daydreaming about attending the concerts in Chicago and in Los Angeles.

 Through all of this I now realize that my biggest undertaking at the moment, besides my family, concerns the book I am going to write. Its simply not going to be easy to keep up this blog on a weekly basis and write this book. I return to work in September and that will decrease my ability to keep up this blog as well.


I won't be giving it up completely. I love writing this too much despite the fact that I don't really have a huge following or anything. Its the act of writing it that I love and then of course, relating to other people-most particularly, other Morrissey fans.

Buck Rock, King's Canyon

 I also realize that I need to invest in a decent camera. My iphone takes okay pictures and its convenient, but this blog might be even remotely more interesting if I had some better pictures here. Until that time, I must paint a vivid picture with words.

Jonathan Richman at The Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa

I leave you now with Morrissey in Rome. It looks like he is wearing a shirt with blue roses on it . . . I can't quite make out. *Goes off singing*, "Action is my middle name, I can't waste time anymore."

Lust for Life

NOT RETIRING

So someone wrote an article from an interview with Morrissey in which he stated that he would retire at age fifty-five. The Guardian and other newspapers praised his willingness to gracefully step aside at this time because they considered it a graceful bow out of the music business and compared him to "less graceful" singers who are still performing past their middle years.

But the conclusions the article came to seemed so rushed and they missed the fact that he did not state that he was quitting TODAY, just that he thought fifty-five might be a good time to go. It seems to me that people need to actually READ and not just jump to conclusions thereby missing the entire point-in my class we call it THE MAIN IDEA, and from what I can tell there are a lot of people out there who need a refresher course of sophomore English! 

So Morrissey released the following statement on True To You:

13 June 2012

Morrissey would like to stress that reports of his 'retirement', as excitably earmarked by several newspapers and websites are "wishful thinking" on behalf of the writers.

To be honest, the above statement was hardly necessary as four days later, tour dates for 2012 were posted-quite an extensive list. Including one at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with Iggy and the Stooges on November 24th.

Of course, I got tickets. I got floor seating which is incredibly lucky. Several of my friends from Twitter also got floor seating so perhaps rushing the stage will be slightly easier this time? 

I won't even get into how crazy the crowd is going to be. Iggy fans and Morrissey fans? Together? Will the Iggy fans even stay for the whole show? Its going to be interesting.

I find the Morrissey fans to be quite eclectic so it will be even more so!

Furthermore, I am currently debating about whether or not to go to the Chicago show. Naturally, I am leaning more on the side of going. But my friend Alicia lives there now (also my friend Anne) and I thought it would be nice to visit with them and see Morrissey. Its just the money. I have it, but not at this very moment and I desperately want laminate flooring in my condo.

I don't want to do anything that will hold me back from this project financially. 

You don't want me to mention the state of our pathetic carpeting. Know that its old, know that we have had pets and kids and all manner of accidents on this carpet. Know that it MUST be unsanitary and you know why I would rather get new flooring than fly to Chicago to see Morrissey. 

Its difficult to type that-it pains me-but its true. Oh, to be able to get new flooring AND see Morrissey in Chicago. But we can't have everything, can we?

Boz

A few weeks ago Roland and I went to Los Angeles to the Grand Star Jazz Ballroom in Chinatown to see Boz Boorer spin some records.

We met up with Johnny and Jasmine as well as The  C/Krystals. We somehow all expected The Polecats to play and were kind of waiting around until it dawned on us that Boz was a guest DJ-not playing guitar.

He was kind enough to take a picture with me. I waved at him and he waved back from behind the computer and he leaned over so I could talk to him-I said, "Can I please take a photo with you?" He jokingly said, "No!" But I get him because I am just like that. So he came around the set and Roland took our picture. I like that his mouth is wide open like, "We are having the time of our lives." It looks more like we are on a roller coaster ride rather than at a club.

Other than seeing Boz and hanging out with my LA Morrissey crew, the next best thing were the $3 vodka and cranberries. Oh! The dance floor was awesome. It had lights in it.

Oh. Another fun thing was dancing with Roland to The Smiths. Its been ages since we danced. We also danced to Madness. I used to dance all the time but I never thought I would miss it. I don't miss going out like when I was in my 30s. I miss dancing.

Decision

I decided to attend the Chicago show after all. I am not very good at passing up opportunities.

I was able to get floor seating at the Chicago Theater. 

There are quite a few other people from the Twit Arms who are going and I am hoping to meet up at least just to say hi at the concert.

We leave tomorrow at 6 AM for camping so I won't be around and if this entry seems rushed just know that it is!!