Chapter 3: July 7, 2007

Never under-estimate the effect you’re having--teacher’s manual

7-7-7: Driving cross country is always fun. I saw tons of classic cars on the roads, in fact I had the good fortune to stop at a rest stop just north of Portland where a bunch of "Willis-like" cars were pulled in together (1936 the date on one). I stopped and peeked in at the upholstery and dash boards, they were really cherry. And there were bikers all over the roads, strutting as they dismounted in their fringed leather. The whole week has been wonderful, with America celebrating our birthday.

Chateau St. Michelle, Woodinville, I have been to four times now (twice for Moodies, twice quilt shop hopping). It took that long to figure out the town and not be frustrated and lost. They are wine snobs there, which is silly as they don’t even grow the grapes, but ship them in from Eastern Washington via train, to the huge warehouses and sheds that make up much of the rural portion of the town. (I also went by the headquarters of Honey Bucket porta potties, and had a sick image of why the wine tastes so good, never mind). I dislike these places, designed to separate tourists from their money. After living in Mendocino, where they don’t charge for a taste, it seems an affront…….. I couldn’t even get up to the tasting counter at St. Michelle. It isn’t all that better a wine, frankly (but it was good). Japanese had taken over the tasting counter, swilling their wine smartly in the glass for no good reason. I bought my C St M bottle at Top Foods out in town (so I could get it into the venue), and saved $5 off the winery cost. A nice Sauvignon Blanc (2 years old, they have to move the white wines when they get older), and it goes very well with the stinky herb cheese I found (also overpriced).

My surmise of the night before was probably correct, I was informed that Justin had arrived with the bus, sitting up front with the driver. Well someone has to navigate! <grins> I can’t imagine the nightmares the bus drivers and teamsters must face getting those huge rigs into these tiny (but picturesque) venues, and I’m sure there are some tight jaws over it. I had to laugh about the semi’s and tour bus blocking downtown Portland, people trying to commute were really pissed (honking horns), but everyone should be used to that at the Schnitz by now. They get big acts there regular. In Jacksonville, I have no idea where they hid their semi’s (truckers go away to secret places and camp for a few hours apparently, like Fred Meyer parking lots, or Target…) but the bus was parked outside at the Britt, and Vic and I toured around it, just to make sure we missed nothing.

St. Michelle was a nice outdoors venue very similar to Britt show, but with better parking for the trucks.

We got an early treat of the band rehearsing/sound checking prior to the show, as we were line sitting outside the gates. Justin has his own personality that indeed shines though the music, the proof is this: at Chateau St. Michelle, they were doing their usual tune-ups, you can tell roadies, because they always play "Stairway to Heaven", or play a recording of Charlie Brown music, or something NON Moody. Then I heard the strum of a minor blues chord on the Gibson. (the guitars all have different voices too, you can tell, the Gibson is a tinny mellow sound). Then it stopped. "Justin" I muttered to myself. Only he would do a minor chord first thing; (I hit a F or C first when I pick up a guitar). "Naw" I muttered next, "you have a screw loose over Justin, Christie". A few minutes later, we heard one of the Moody songs begin, "Tuesday Afternoon" (which was perfect, the trees were wonderful today, we were all picnicking outside the gate). I looked over, could see John’s head sticking up. That was LIVE THEM doing rehearsals! They did TA all the way through, and then futzed around a bit. So, sometimes your instincts really ARE correct. I should trust myself more.

I did just a tiny bit of dancing, but (until Nida showed up) I mostly tried to read my latest Dianne Wynn Jones book (Dark Lord of Derkholm, very funny). And fed the birds! First the wife Peahen came by so I fed her and took her picture. Then her gorgeous husband came by with his beautiful tail like a long ball gown behind him, and he also got some of my stale bread. Fat ducks appeared that looked like they would sink, their crops were so full. Peacocks are the bird of Juno, who was the Goddess of marriage. I wonder if it has to do with that screaming yell they give out.

Mind you I’m not totally obsessed, I’ve limited myself to no more than one roll of low light film per show (400 or 800 Fuji pushed to 800, works wonderful). And I had a lot of anxiety snaking my little cheap mike out of my bag to record. The tapes aren’t sellable quality at all, in fact I think the belt is going on my tape machine (time to go digital). I was also able to get some homework done too, interviewing and taping with Nida and her friend about Special Ed (I’m taking classes in this right now). But cameras there just is no graceful way to hide them and get good pictures. Honestly I don’t poke gunboat cameras in front of my eyes, the Moodies are not OBJECTS, they are people! By being polite at the Britt, and Schnitz both, I more or less did ok with security and photos. Those on line who are whining about this, don't know how to communicate with the guards!

BUT At C. St. M they had this NO CAMERA policy, like NONE. So I asked politely if my security person wouldn't check with the band about it, as the last two shows allowed "small personal cameras" no huge lenses, flashes, lasers, or videos. He said NO at first, and then apparently checked with someone, and said it was ok. So I merrily snapped all through the three shows, with my "small personal cameras". It pays to be nice to security guards. Having said that, I’m afraid I did indeed abuse the privilege. I have a great feature on my "old clunky camera" as Nida put it, it's digital and takes videos in daylight. (I actually discovered it by accident, I am such a nerd about cameras these days). I haven't figured out the low light features (if any) on it yet. Those video bits take up memory, and I STILL have not found bottom to my memory stick. This was my challenge of the night, and I kept taking little video bits of the boys like Graeme doing his funky chicken, and some wonderful fret work by Justin ("December Snow"). AND for the record: I don’t plan to even post these on youtube.com, much less share or sell (they jiggle anyway, I was dancing). I’m just going to be real hoggy about them. Justin had been grinning at me up to then, but when I held the camera up, I got that look like I get from my niece when I get pictures of her with the Baseball Prince (somewhere between hurt and annoyed). The Moodies are nice people, and I don’t think I could take advantage of my fanship by posting them to the webs.

I didn’t mention Nida………… she came up to me at the Schnitz, and I couldn’t put it together, she is a Washington person! WOW I like Nida, she is so nice, and I never find time to chat with her unless we meet at a show every blue moon! (We live close too). She had some friends in tow (one a very nice young man about 20ish who loved the Moodies and played guitar himself). Nida is the master boot-legger, one of those techno-maniacs that have far surpassed me in my electronic skills (even though I chased electrons for 20 years for the US Navy). She has little interest in selling boots, she is happy with her work and job and has no need. I feel like that, it would be wrong to sell my Moody goodies for gain, and I even rarely swap (some people just want to be friends to swap……… that is ugly too, I‘ve dumped those "friends"). One fellow was waving a photo by Maggie Clarke, who sits dead center each time to get those Up the Nostril shots of the band. I guess she has to fund her habit somehow. That photo cost the guy $10 which is reasonable; they are all over Ebay selling these photos. I don’t know what to think about it. I just have other vocational interests. But if the market and the seller are there, who am I to kick?

Graeme was more with it at C.St.M. for his pre-poetry patter, quite funny actually. That was a relief, he got some rest last night, and was doing quite well finally. NOW to the real fun of the night. There were two charming little girls (about age 4, twins) dancing near me, and they gave quite a floor show of their own. I’m a sucker for NICE kids anyway, but these guys really got my attention. A lot of little girls do the "ballerina" thing, but these ladies really had talent. (I can say this, I studied ballet in another life). We struck up a friendship prior to the show, and I showed them a few ballet tricks like spotting and breathing. (and managed not to break a leg, I’m so old!) They assured me they were going to dance during the show, and since I saw no dance police (as Hal Wagonette once put it to his daughter) we asked the guys behind us, and they liked to dance too. The girls showed me their stuffed animals, and one had a cat named "Buffalo". I am giggling my head off by this time, they were great! From the little clues they dropped, they seemed to be part of Paul Bliss’s entourage, and no thus shock they had musical talent.

(One of them told me "that blonde guy on the keyboards" took them to see the fish pond, so I guess there is a nice area back stage.)

Anyway sure enough the concert started, and the kids danced right in time to the music. I couldn’t stand it, I took some of those camera video clips of the little girls to live Moody music, and they came out good. And for sure, I will NOT post those to the nets either. Their parents came by a few times to make sure the kids weren’t bugging me, I really enjoyed it, because the jerks next to them in the Reserve seating were probably seething over the hopping imps. The reserve tickets were $125 apiece (yike!) and these kids and their families had comps, and VIP stickers all over them. Hahahahah!

The proof of what a great bit of living theater it was: the band was looking over there at the kids themselves! Justin couldn’t wipe the grin off his face, it was wonderful! (Justin is quite a sucker for kids too). They got drumsticks at the end, their parents ran down there with them on their shoulders!

Karma indeed dealt me a weird hand this show. On my OTHER side, there where I had wedged myself in on the left, crammed in was Miss Mousy! This time she brought her daughter, who was a very quiet mouse indeed. Miss Mousy is quite obsessed, and never takes her eyes off Justin, and invaded my personal space to do it! (she almost crawled on top of me......... it was all I could do to be polite). Dang, it was weird. Anyway (feeling my counselor ethics kicking in) I struck up a conversation with her at the break, and she and her daughter seemed to relate ok, so hopefully Miss M will work through it, as many of us have. Justin did smile over at her, and all of us in that corner quite a bit, so that was nice of him. Miss M’s daughter was named Julia, after the beautiful song John Lennon wrote.

Rhonda found Nida and her group over on John’s side, and I just could not go sit with them, even though they are my friends. They had a great view of the amplifiers, while (despite Mousie's heavy breathing and calf-eyes) I got to see dancing children and Justin's fingers. I really like my side, and Justin’s fret work really is worth watching. I said that didn’t I? I just never cease to marvel over how that man has put together his music. I listened back to my boot (ok that place was crawling in tape recorders, even Miss Mousey had one hanging out of her purse); songs like "Slidezone" though music for the genitals (rippers), I just find them annoying after a while. But Justin’s songs are detailed, the flute work is COMPOSED not just doodling-noodling. I REALLY like "December Snow" right now, and found myself humming it while driving or bathing. It’s a good melody, and showcases Moody skills very well in live performance.

Biggest complaint was they started too soon, and we saw no lights. BUT it was 7-7-7 and it was going to start at 7 o'clock, so perhaps there was a reason for it.

Funny fans: Ok I’m not making fun, honest. In fact I had whole new revelations this trip about how some of our serious fans truly have special needs, and we need to help those folks along, just so long as it doesn’t take a clinical forensic turn. Anyway, this is the "weird fan" report. While we were watching the band leave the Britt (I saw nothing but tail lights, they were already safely ensconced) a nice housewife next to me turned and babbled something. It made absolutely no sense, she was perhaps drunk, but more likely it’s "that effect" slipping into other realities. Well, that was the side with my bad ear too. But it sure was eerie, I hope she got home ok.

I think the Moody Elf was there too. Some guy in the middle of the Schnitz decided to get up and turn in place during Nights, arms outstretched, and he did it through the whole song. I wanted to laugh, but it IS Justin’s serious song, so I tried to wipe the smirk off my face. Thankfully Moody Elf was quiet this time, just physically annoying.

People really did stagger drunk after the shows, people my age and older who should know better than to be silly like that. At C. St. M. security came past me (out of the reserve seating) with a nice looking, well dressed gal all in black, and she was smiling and babbling "she was depressed" it sounded like she had indeed slipped a few cams. She was handed off to a large male security guard, and I lost track of it at that point, as the Moodies were more interesting. There were some annoying people talking during the outdoor shows, but mostly the Moody music was pretty well cranked up and drowned out the chatter.

Both of the outdoor shows, for the most part people were in halter tops, shorts flip flops etc. Some had no business in halter tops, and even grossed out my relaxed sensibilities about skin and rolls of flesh. There are always snobs at outdoor shows, who HAVE to sit in the chairs, and dress up IN HEELS. Ah heck, why should I care, they can come naked, and I would still rather focus on the show!

Moody Biddies (also known as Silly Billies) were at all the shows, some gals grouped up, again I don’t want to talk bad about them because some truly have needs that we should be compassionate about. I think for many gals, it's the company and friends they share, rather than love for the music that keeps them going (and that is ok). But I found myself wondering as I drove down the road, if they managed to get out of bed in time to get on the road, if they had to go into restaurants and be served brekky (my Dad is like that, hates fast food). I’ve always found it a pain to travel with other Moody gals, because they have to do certain things (which are useless and consume time), or are disorganized, and I’m VERY fast, organized, and experienced at traveling (and I keep my car in good running order). I start early and allow for time between events. I worry about some of the gals, they act like they need keepers. I guess all you can do is smile and go onward. Nida and I talked a good deal about them, and when we were looking over, caught them looking over at US so I guess they wonder about us too. (Nida is REAL organized, you should see her bus she drives!)

I forgot to mention Denise Derscheid. She showed up in Portland, I hadn’t seen her and her husband (Toby?) for many many years. Pretty much the same gal she was in the 90’s, and it was nice to see she was still with us. She stays busy with medical stenography I think.

Maggie Clarke was safe and sound as of July 9, and front row center for all three of the shows I saw first (her broker let her down on the Canada tickets). F. Sue also made the Schnitz and C. St. M, sat right next to Maggie (same ticket broker), but probably can‘t leave the country and was not in Canada that I could see. Rhonda Connely was at the Seattle show, and I had a super good chat with her. She is now a Batman groupie! (write off line if you are a friend for more info). I plied her with my wine, and told her stories about my Niece the Baseball Princess, and her twins (I didn‘t know Rhonda was a Mariners fan! We swapped some gossip there indeed!) Rhonda is very funny, it was good to see her again. Her friends the Leslies showed up too. They have been serious fans since the 1980’s.

So the show was of course, wonderful (even though I got to yakking with my little ballerina friends through a lot of it) and it ended with it getting dark enough for real lights finally. We all sang and danced to "See Saw" and "Question". Some jerk from far back crammed in front of me with a camera, I threatened to scratch his eyes out and it did no good (what a rude slob. I WORKED for that seat!). I slid through the ropes into the reserved section and danced through the encore, away from the jerk who was too fat to get through the ropes himself, leaving Miss Mousy to deal with him. Hell maybe it was Mousie’s hubby, that would have been about right. The reserved seating area of C. St. M looked like a carpet of wine bottles after they picked up the chairs and the crew was striking the set, it was pretty funny.

I wandered around trying to remember where "stage door" was for this venue. AHH that’s right, I remembered. And it was actually on the way to my car! At this venue, there is a guest house where they put up the artists, there are barrancas and tunnels that lead over there from the stage, so they can sneak in and out unseen. The guest house is full of local glass art, very beautiful. I found Nida and her friends lurking outside. "Ok are you watching Gordon dress through the windows like last time?" hahah. Yeah last time we did this 5 years ago, the Moodies were all having dinner, Justin was very quiet, Graeme yakking…….. The glass doors are set up so that the artists seem to STILL be on stage to any passing fans. Ugh must be like living in a fish bowl.

So we peepers stood there……… Graeme was the only one we could see, and tho we waved, he ignored us (I know he could see us). "Well if he came to my work I’d be upset" "I’d be annoyed if he walked in my classroom!" "Yeah or if he came to my construction site, I’d really be ticked!" so we all understand. But we were weak and watched anyway. Then Graeme came downstairs to the dining room, and four of us stood there peeking through the bushes like naughty children. "Don’t wiggle the bushes" "There he is!" it was pretty funny. Nida said later she should have taken a picture, everyone’s butts were sticking out of the bushes, our heads stuck in the leaves.

Graeme was the only one there, apparently ahead of the rest of them. He’s the type who zips off stage and vanishes fast during the black out; it’s a mark of pride to "old hands" who have been in theatre forever. (Knowing the Jays they stopped to chat). For whatever reason, Graeme is in another head space than the Jays, from what I have seen. The vultures and doom-sayers are already out in the fan base, "Graeme is next after Ray, he isn’t long for the band". Hell I’ve been hearing things like this for the past 17 years I’ve been a serious fan. I sure hope Graeme isn’t tired of performing, I love watching him, and his input is very valuable to the band. Thank God they have put the poetry back in, it’s so cool. The vultures can all go hang, no one can predict where the Moodies will take their show next. That’s the way I like it, personally.

Anyway we finally decided we had peeped enough, and headed to the parking lot, which was finally clearing out. We talked a bit, then I got out of there. The sheriff was checking for drunk drivers too, while they directed the traffic out of there (thank God, I can't count how many weaving people I passed on the road during my trip). Nida and crew headed to the ferry, but I decided to drive around; waiting on the next crossing puts me home at 2 am and as it was, I got home by 12:30 or so, and gas is about as cost effective as ferry fares. I almost hit a mule deer as I pulled into my neighborhood, and thankfully I was traveling slow. She really DID stop like a deer in the headlights. So did I (sleepily), and then she scampered off after someone’s rose bed, I leaned out the window and shoo‘ed her. It was nice to see her, one of our local deer was killed last year by a speeding car. I like the slow lane. I was so damn tired, the streets all looked like someplace I had never been before, and my own home looked strange to me. It was a long strange trip. Other than stepping in a road apple outside the Schnitz, it was overall pretty nice for three shows.