CrossRoads Blog

Thirty years ago when a night was going to be about getting all dressed up and hitting a show it meant my favorite pair of jeans and maybe a Pink Floyd Concert shirt and heading to see The Boss at The Spectrum. Man, how times have changed…

We have such a great time every chance we get to spend a night with Sister Kerry and Brother-in-law Mike. A couple of our favorite nights out over the last few year was spent hanging with them. One in particular that included a Six Foot Six Inch Blue Bunny in high heels, but alas that was before the days of Blogs (thankfully) so we will leave that story alone. The rub is always finding the time to get together on a night that works out for everybody and of course we are in town. So sometimes we just have to plan ahead and make it happen. The other night we got to reap the reward of that planning and ‘Go Play Dress-up’ and attend one of the two nights that the Opera La Boheme was in town at the Phoenix Symphony.

Mike and Kerry stopped over before so we could partake in a few good finger foods and some nice Vino before the show. Mike was doing the Distinguished Gentleman thing looking sharp in the Tux, and Kerry was most elegant in her Black Evening Dress - I guess I didn’t get all the family good looks after all. Mrs. M was also her gorgeous self sporting the Black Dress, Black Pearls and Black heels. Me and Mike would surely be getting the envy nods tonight.

We all really enjoyed the show. It wasn’t one of my favorite Opera’s, and in fact I liked Rent (more or less based on the Puccini classic) a little better. Some of the singing was still stunning, but overall La Boheme’s ’story line’ isn’t really that strong compared to many of the others we enjoy more. This all said, still a great night with great company. After much talk about maybe going out afterward, it was Saturday night after all, we ended up coming back to the house and drinking a little more Vino before calling it a night. Like I said, ‘Playing Dress Up’ has changed just a little in 30 years….

We have a lot of good friends here in Phoenix for sure, but for the most part all our old (old both ways…) friends either moved away or always did live under some other push pin on the Google map. So it is very cool when we get the call that some friends are headed our way. This time it was extra cool because it was Clay and Kathy making the trip to see us here in the desert. Kathy and Clay aren’t really friends - they be family - and it had been way too long since they made it out this way. Plus it was over the New Year’s holiday which meant lots of goof time to be had. Being oenophiles and golf fanatics, you knew we would be drinking well and I would need to dust off the wife’s sand wedge too.

Before we knew of the visit, Kimberly and I had been contemplating what to do New Year’s Eve. We really hate to go out, but at the same time hate to be old fuddy-dudies and just sit around. So with Kathy and Clay coming it seemed a no-brainer - we would have a party for them on New Year’s Eve! Then, with what was already sounding like a great few days got even better when the TCU Horned Frogs BCS bid sent them to the Fiesta Bowl. Both Clay and Kathy were grad students at TCU and go to most games back in Ft. Worth. Clay’s mom also works at TCU and with that has some special allocations where she could score some great seats for the game (the Fiesta Bowl is played 15 minutes up the street at University of Phoenix Stadium here in Glendale. BTW: Mrs. Reeves insisted on getting tickets for us and that was very kind and thoughtful of her and Gerald. So the week plan was set, family, vino, golf, vino, golf, vino, party, friends, tailgate, Frogs… life be good. It really did turn out to be a great week and every day ended with the old - it doesn’t get much better than that. The exception being the Frog’s loss in the Bowl, but I think next year is set up to be perhaps Natl. title time.

Seems Clay and Kathy had just landed a day before, played a round of golf and it was party time. As always we spent the day running around making sure we had everything we needed and doing the setup and cooking. Before you knew it, party time. We didn’t have a lot of the Belly Dancer gang this time as many were out of town or had other plans by the time we set the Party up. Plus it’s so hard sometimes with New Years, baby sitters, etc. But we still did get to enjoy a great fire dance from Laura, and Misty and Kimberly did a excellent sword dance too - the gang all loved it. Also cool was we had a ton of folks from our West Valley Runners group show up. We have gotten to know them all just recently really and this was the first opportunity we had to invite them over. It was great to have them. Of course a ton of the other usual suspects were also kind (or silly) enough to spend their NYE with us as well.

I’ll leave the details for another time, but as seems to happen as the night wears on the activity under the Tiki Bar progresses to trouble (ish). Stirring the pot this time, Mr. Clayton Reeves himself. He was pouring Tequila shots quicker than a Nolan Ryan fastball. My poor little sis ended up playing that game a little too long by the way and missed Auld Lang Syne by about 15 minutes. Tequila along with a ton of Bubble Water, including some Dom Perignon (brought by good friends Christian and Debbie) was a flowin’ until the wee hours. I think we ended up hitting the pillow about 3:00 am the first early morning of 2010.

Over the weekend we did the golf thing. I got to play Anthem Country Club which I have wanted to for awhile. Considering the cold, and I had not played in forever, plus the course (man it is a tough one), I did pretty good. Would have enjoyed it anyway, but sure helped having a decent game. I even won a couple of bucks from Clay (let’s not mention he has to give me 2 shots a hole).

One of my favorite days of the whole visit was Fiesta Bowl day. We did it up right. I think we had the whole back of the truck full of grills and coolers, chairs, food, etc when we headed over to do some serious tailgating at the stadium. It was a chamber of commerce weather day, I grilled some burgers, then some shrimp, and we just hung out all day munching and drinking beer and vino and enjoying the great company (incl. Clay’s folks who were here for the game). The best part of the day however wasn’t even at the game - it was because our Grand Daughter was born (Healthy, happy 6lb. 10oz. Ariana Marie)!! It was killing us though that we could barely get cell service to find out all the details.

I sure hope that Kathy and Clay enjoyed the week as much as we did. I wanted everything to go perfect because there is some talk that they may make Phoenix home a couple/few months out of the year. It would be so, so cool to have them close so we could hang all the time.

As always… you know there were some Party Pictures (errr ummm …minus a few) HERE and also the Fiesta Bowl shots HERE

Last week I was able to test and pass for advancement to Blue Belt level at my Tae Kwon Do Studio. I felt like I had a pretty good testing, with the exception (seems like as always) of a couple of the specialized Self Defense techniques that I mixed up. Everyone else seemed to have a good testing as well. One of the better overall efforts I have seen by our team. It turned out to be a long day for both students and the judges with testing beginning before 9:00 and we didn’t leave until near 3:00 in the afternoon. I need to remember to bring a little something to eat next time.

I am proud that I have so far managed to maintain (for the most part) my commitment to Cho’s and my teachers (and friends). It is not easy some weeks with trying to maintain the passion for running and get my butt up to the Dojang on the nights I am dog-tired. The good news is I have so far, the bad news, it won’t get any easier as I increase my run miles in anticipation of Zane Gray 50, and as I advance and have more responsibility to my Dojang. Alas, trying to stay young as you get old is so much fun isn’t it? ….

Seems like if it gets more than a few months or so we get the need for what we call a “RCB Fix” – a need to see the Robert Cray band live. The fix was well due when the Tucson show was to roll around. Between no new albums recently, our travels having been more grandparent oriented than groupie driven, we just hadn’t seen the band in quite some time. This would also be the first time to see the band without Kevin and Karl. We also knew seeing there is an album due we were going to get a few new tracks previewed. So while the (perhaps best said…) disappointment with the personnel changes still lingered, we were pretty excited to see the show and catch up with our buddy, the man myth and legend, Mr. Jim Pugh.

It was a great night and a really good show. We did get to have a nice dinner and hang with Jim before the show. He really is a great guy and we always enjoy his company – I think it’s half the reason we enjoy seeing the guys live. Anyway, seeing I did a semi review for the show on the fan site, I’ll just finish by copying and pasting that here following.

RCB YAHOO CLUB POST I DID

As for the new tracks and the new lineup, I’ll be brief. I, like I am sure a few others here on the site, have still not really grown accustom to the idea of the RCB without Kevin and Karl. Maybe a little corny but it just seemed like the Band was `family’, and now it’s …. well…. changed.

Quick thoughts on the lineup. On the positive, Richard seemed engaged and I enjoyed his playing. His mix seemed right, and some of the old cuts even seemed a little more genuine for lack of a better term. Though he, like it seemed the rest of the guys, kind of “night at the officed” Bad Influence. I think that one needs to step away from the set list for bit. His tempo and groove was especially nice on the new tracks.

The other positive, we are obviously going to get a new Disk any week now is my guess. There were 3 new tracks, maybe 4 but I think 1 is a remix which may or may not be on the album?? And by the way, all were a treat!

Now for the not so positive. The drum mix was awful. I really tried not to be biased, but the freakin’ bass was WAY TOO LOUD (T get your man on that okay?). Every foot stroke on several tracks was like `oh yeah here I am forget about any of the other instruments’… With Robert’s vocals under-mixed, it made for a couple of quite, how to say…., less enjoyable than could be versions. Okay enough of that.

Sadly, as time has passed I have I am sure forgotten several things I would have mentioned. But best I can recall:

1. Our Last Time – A little bit of `day at the office’ but still a great track and a better opening choice than other could have been

2. Poor Johnny – Nice… what can I say, feels near the same as I have heard live now I think all shows since release.

3. (NEW) Chicken in the Kitchen? – Great old vibe as others have suggested. The Strat is there, some real, real nice Organ vibe from Mr. Jim. Overall an old school backyard bbq fun done wrong Blues track.

4. Right Next Door (BOM)

5. 12 Year Old Boy – not near as `energetic’ as several version I recall. Seemed more subtle on purpose.

6. Bad Influence

7. One in the Middle – Nice as most always, though I still long for the time where we got extended solo versions from Robert and Jim.

8. (NEW) Love 2009 (assumed name as I think this is what Robert said) – It’s good, could be real good hard to tell Live from Studio of course, but for sure a track that seemed to say RCB circa SPP. I which I had written down more, I know I had some comments at the time. I guess it will require another show soon.

9. Back Door Slam – my first thought here when I heard the first few beats was somehow this seems wrong. Funny I think Kimberly thought the same as we looked at each other smiling as we shook our heads. Now having said that, wow, a real nice version. Tony got after it on this one doing right by our man Kevin. Though no `mouthing of the words’ which of course is much missed.

10. (NEW) You’re the Reason I Can’t Fail (assume name of track is some such) – freaking sweet! Man it’s so nice to have another new track like this. It’s why RCB has always stood out. Now of course with caveats that I only heard it once, I of course have been beyond jonesing for new material, etc. etc. it is at least a notch above `Lotta Lovin’ quality. Mature lyrics, presented as only RC can, sweet Strat (that actually speaks again on this one), perfect organ and bass accompaniment, etc. This had the feel (again 1 listen) of one of the most
musically articulate “Man Love’s His Woman” material. Can’t wait to hear it again.

11. Smoking Gun – yep (in a Hank from `King of the Hill’ tone)

Encores

1. (NEW-REMIX??) Keep Me Rockin’ (assumed name) – I am sorry, I am sure, at least I think, I have heard this, though without lyrics to do a net search and seeing I forgot them a couple days after we were gone anyway, I just can’t be sure. So it could be a remix, that may or may not be on the album, or it could be a new track. If new, it for sure would be the most `old school-up tempo-bop and rock type tune the guys have ever done. Fun for sure, and I want to hear them do it again as it came as such a surprise, but I am not sure anything groundbreaking here.

2. Time Makes Two – Man-o-man this is still worth whatever it takes to get to an RCB show. It just is something special to be exposed to. Still to my ears the best track over the last several albums. Damn near trance inducing.

A real, real enjoyable night. Nice to hear some new tracks, and can’t wait for more that will soon be on the disk we have and the live shows we see. And lastly, did we mention we love that guy up there on the Hammond…

By Kimberly

On March 18th the Desert Flowers performed at the Desert Gardens Church Fellowship Hall. The church was kind enough to allow the show in their facility and many members attended the show. The performance was recorded in order to put together a promotional DVD for our Macy’s Day Parade Application as well as for other events. There were quite a few practice nights set aside prior to the performance . We had some unique Bollywood style dances as well as Gypsy style dances and some more traditional belly dance. The Desert Flowers brought in Desserts for the evening to treat all attendees. It felt like a successful event and was a lot of fun.

Here’s hoping we are spending thanksgiving in Manhattan! -

PICTURES FROM SHOW HERE
THE VIDEO (will add link when online)

Luckily this year we were not traveling during the now world famous Mr. and Mrs. Lucky’s “ 103rd Annual Chili Festival” (also known as the great party our friends Dan and Debbie Creed throw every year around Saint Patrick’s Day). We missed it last year as we were playing Grandma and Grandpa in Oklahoma so we were really looking forward to diggin’ into that Green (among other) Chili, hanging with good friends, listening to the guys jam, and letting the hair down a little.

As expected, a most excellent night was had. Mr. and Mrs. Lucky know how o throw a party! More food and drink than could be finished in 5 nights, outstanding live Music (oh yeah, Dan and his band Blooster and the Mighty Mighty Hot Wings are one of the best local Blues acts around), and good friends. We got the beads hanging and are already looking forward to the 104th Annual get together! (FYI: my chili tally for the night - downed 3 bowls of Green and 1 Red).

By Kimberly

On January 10th our home hosted the bitter sweet party (roast) bringing The White Claws together one last time. Erik, one of the key members is/has moving to Chicago and the other White Claws members did not feel as if the group would be the same without him. The evening was filled with good friends, tasty food, several heartfelt and yet humorous speeches and of course plenty of drumming and dancing. Although everyone at the event seemed to totally understand that it was time for the group to move on it was sad just knowing that all the fun we had dancing to the WCs had come to an end. Thankfully it seems as if a couple of my Desert Flowers dancing buddies are dating former Claws so at least we will be able to keep up with them and hopefully although they are not involved with world drumming currently they will attend some of the dance events….or at least the after parties!

White Claws….you will be missed.

Some PHOTOS HERE

The other night we finally got around to using the Arizona Broadway Theater Tickets that Kerry and Mike had gotten us for Christmas last year (or was it for Kimberly’s birthday?). I guess that shows how busy we have been in 2008. I think last year we got up to see shows three or four times. This year, we had free tickets sitting so long we had to use them before the November ended and they were no good.

We of course we very happy we did get out. The show was enjoyable, and the food much better than it had been in the past. Plus, it’s always nice to get a little dressed up and got to live theater. Kind of makes you feel special even if it is less than 5 miles or so from the house.

We saw Cabaret, the play that was adapted from the Movie starring Liza Mannelli. Kind of backwards from normal on that one. It was actually a little more risqué than I had expected. It was a little funny seeing the mostly over 65 crowd get their chuckles on with all the gay and lesbian jokes and innuendo. Guess it’s a changing world - thankfully!

Just back from the ‘Third Annual’ Vegas Bellydance trip. This year ended up being pretty relaxed and easily the most mellow of them all, which is probably a good thing. Kimberly was a little under the weather the whole time, and the event was at a smaller hotel so I think this all lead to the more subdued path.

We headed up a couple of days early. We had gotten some screaming deal offers from the Hotels (one good thing about a bad economy I guess) and so we stayed pretty much free at MGM the first couple of nights and then moved over to the hotel where the Bellydance events were located (umm… not quite the MGM by the way). The trip plan was to have a chilled out few days hanging at the pool and relaxing, get a couple of runs in on the Strip, have some good meals, and enjoy the Bellydance events.

When we arrived we found out it was Restaurant Week in Vegas which was way cool. Basically every top-end restaurant sets a price fixed menu for three or four courses and the funds go to charity. The net is you can eat at some of the best places for about half price. We were going to take advantage of this several nights, but ended up doing it only once, at Sea Blue. One of the main reasons is I had also wanted to get in a Rao’s dinner and they were not part of the event. So from a Vegas dining perspective this trip: Sea Blue was disappointing overall though parts of the experience were really enjoyable. Rao’s is as good as we remembered, and we got into one of ‘the rooms’. We had some amazing Sushi at a new place called Sushi Samba, and the best chocolate both of us have ever had is at Payard (across of Rao’s in Caesar’s Palace).

As we have been talking about, everywhere we go now we like to get a ‘run around the city’ in. For sure when in Vegas this means you have to take a run down the Strip. It was pretty cool, Kimberly and I threw on the iPods and ran from the MGM down to The Wynn and looped back. Lot’s of zigging, people watching and cool views - a great run. I liked it so much I did it (and then some) the next two days while she was at her bellydance classes. One day was one of my longest runs to date, darn near two hours straight.

We did get out ‘clubbing’ with Kimberly’s Troupe friends one night to ‘The Bank’ in Bellagio. But with Kimberly not feeling her best, and all a little tired from the long day, we called it a fairly early night. Most of the rest of the trip was hanging out at the pool and walking around (typical Vegas).

During our vacation time in the Grand Rapids area we spent several nights at mom and dad’s place. It was very comfortable for both of us and it was especially nice that Michael had a desk area to call his office away from home, that made it very convenient for him.

One very enjoyable evening with my parents was spent going out to the Beltline Bar for their famous wet burrito. I had not had one in a dozen years or so but the memory of how good it was held up. After we got back from the restaurant we sat up playing The Pirates Dice Game half the night, laughing and having fun. Good times.

PS (by Michael) I was happy to see one of Kimberly’s old memory places still there and still good - too many of the others are long gone sadly.

By Kimberly

Saturday night was a much anticipated event: Pharos, for both me and my fellow belly dance troupe members. We had new costumes designed and made for the events. We had practiced our tail feathers off or at least our beads (yes, literally we lost many glass beads from our new costumes during dress rehearsal). I felt ready for the show. Pharos is a new event in Phoenix and there were several hiccups that come along with putting an event together for the first time but the evening was full of great dancing and drumming and The Desert Flowers accompanied by The White Claws Raked!

It was a great set for us and despite going on almost two hours past our stage time (past midnight) it felt like we really did a nice job. Funny thing is that as I look back at the pictures there are several shots with the majority of the dancers dancing with their eyes closed ,lol. I do not really think it was that we were “feeling the music” as much as we were just plain old TIRED! Still, fantastic night with my favorite fan (Michael of course) by my side and my dancing buddies around me.

By Kimberly

On May 18th, 2008 Tim and Stephanie were married in the beautiful setting of The Arrowhead Country Club. Friends and family braved the 100 plus degree heat to share this special day with the happy couple. Stephanie was a glow with happiness and Tim looked handsome but a bit nervous although later he shared that it was due to too much fun at his bachelor party the night prior, lol. Following the ceremony there was a reception at our home. We had a good turnout….including several unexpected non-RSVP folks… which is another story altogether. The Desert Flowers danced for the reception and one of the Flowers even did a special love hula dance for the couple. It was great for us to be able to share in this special occasion with Tim and Steph.

PICTURES OF THE WEDDING AND RECEPTION HERE

I can’t wait to retire… Travel the world with my amazing and lovely woman, experience cultures, hike the world’s great trails, and see the best artists perform live music in the best venues. Can somebody share a spare $3M or so? I promise my retirement needs are getting less and less everyday.

Speaking of traditions (a previous post), I think going to a live Robert Cray Band is now past a ‘tradition’ phase and moved more into the ‘life’s givens’ realm. More like birthday’s, holiday’s and anniversary’s, always have been and always will be. We must surely qualify as 40 something year old groupies by now, as with the recent show here last evening we are fast approaching having seen the Band some 50 times now. I think we are also into about 10 states, 25 cites and even more venues. Can you say we dig that RCB vibe!

Another great night, another great show — not sure how else to say it. While the set list was very familiar (a little bit of a bummer considering the amazing musical catalouge this band has) the shows are always, always a great way to spend an evening. We even had another chance to hang out with Mr. Jim (Jim Pugh) the amazingly talented piano and keyboard player for the band. Jim is a great guy, and it’s way cool to spend some time with him whenever we get a chance.

The backup band was Guitar Shorty (and he even gets the post picture with the Mrs.). Shorty put on a great set, and I really liked one track he did from an upcoming album which I will be sure to pick up. We wanted to follow the guys down to Tucson for the next night - for that matter it would have been nice to see them in Vegas the night before, or head out to the Doheny Beach Festival they were playing at on Saturday (we have been to all of these venues), but alas more important things to attend to (Yes, can yo believe it - more important than an RCB show??) - Stephanie and Tim’s Wedding (which is a whole other Blog…)

Seems like Kimberly and I have this growing list of ‘mini-traditions’. Attending the Glendale Blues & Jazz Festival is now one of them. I think this is about the 4th or 5th year we have gone, and the event gets better and bigger every year. It’s great because it’s fairly close – just down in old town Glendale, it’s free, and you can hang out all day. I really also like the fact that ‘my city’ puts on an event like this – in particular supporting Blues artists.

This year was much like last. We headed over fairly early in the day and spent some time walking around the booths and tracking down one of those stuffed pretzels (not as good as last year sadly). I also grabbed some Honey Bear BBQ (always good) before we settled in a great sitting spot at the main amphitheater. We setup our chairs, got in chill mode and watched some enjoyable Blues acts throughout the day and into the night.

This year featured Tommy Castro and his band. We really enjoy Tommy live and this was the second time in the last year we have been able to catch him. We saw him over at Rhythm Room late last year and had gotten a nice picture of him and Kimberly. We brought that picture along with us to the show and afterward got him to sign it. Kimberly when getting Tommy to sign it got him to turn a little red cheeked – a funny story we will leave off the Blog . A nice treat was also getting a chance to see and hear another favorite of our Rusty Zinn. Actually Rusty was playing guitar for the Mark Hummel Band. Mark is a great harp player, and most of the show was all his tracks. Not that we didn’t enjoy the set, but man was I hoping they would have done some Rusty tunes (in particular from his ‘The Chill’ album). We did sit for the local band Sistah Blue and it was nice, they are breaking up so seeing one of their last shows together was cool.

The weather was perfect, the company great and the Blues Live… again, does it get any better?

How cool is Santa? On Christmas morning, Cousin Austen and I both found Red Wing Hockey tickets in our stockings. Enough for the Thum family plus me and Zac to go to the Wings game against the Coyotes on December 29th. A great game it turned out to be. Of course the Wings won, the seats were great, and I even caught a t-shirt from one of those air guns. How do beat getting a chance to see the Wings in town over the Holidays?

Now just say it with me “Cup in 08′ Baby”!!

During the Thum family Holiday visit, we buzzed up to Vegas for a couple of days. On Christmas morning we did the Santa thing at home, had some breakfast and then hit the road. On the drive up, sadly there was a bad accident that had closed the road. Not wanting to get stuck for hours, we took a typical Arizona dirt back road around the accident - what fun that was showing the Vermonters the desert and what ‘washboard road’ means.

The good news, we still made it up to Vegas in plenty of time to settle in and hit our show at Excalibur called Tournament of Kings. It was a fun show with ‘Eating by Hand’. I think the cousins had a great night. A couple of the shots are here. As with the rest of the Holiday and Thum family visit, you can find more pictures and Video in the other sections of the site.