Happy Birthday Pat!

You haven't changed a bit!  

MonkeeMania

The day finally came...I got to see the Monkees in concert again!  Last time was my first concert in 1987.  Davy, Mickey and Peter were there and did a high energy and entertaining show at Wolf Trap.  They had an 8 piece band helping them out with instruments and singing, but still played some instruments themselves (Peter rocked the banjo) and Peter even did a couple of Mike's songs.

Of course, I forgot my camera, so most shots are from my horrible cell phone camera.

Waiting impatiently for the concert to start...

None of them had great voices, but the tonal quality was still there. Peter warbled a bit (totally understandable - he just had part of his tongue removed due to cancer- impressed he was doing the tour at all!) and Davy and Mickey tended to more speak-sing than actually sing.  At points Mickey sounded like he was trying to be operatic, which didn't really work for the songs.  Davy warmed up about half-way through and danced in his typical 1960's style through out many of the numbers.  Two older woman even brought him flowers to the stage and he gave them each a kiss, causing one to shake her arms with glee.

Really bad quality - sorry.  Can you recognize the opening song?

I was happily surprised to hear them play my favorite song  "As We Go Along"  from the Head soundtrack.  It didn't come across as ethereal as the recording but still, SO HAPPY.

Pat and I at the concert...(see!  So happy!)

Pat & Janet went with me and noted that the audience was full of older white people (though saw several young'uns with their dads).  They didn't remember many of the songs, but said they both enjoyed it.  I was surprised that so few people were singing along!  There was one song I didn't recognize (sounded like a 70s Davy Jones penned and sung one), and I didn't know ALL the words to two others.  Still, everyone stood up and sang a chorus of "Daydream Believer" together at the end.

Throughout the show there were images projected in the background of stills or movies from their TV show, concerts or candid shots.  So fun to see all the memories!  They must have played at least 20 songs - all their hits plus a few extras. I'll definitely be back for their 50th anniversary tour if they have one (this was their 45th).

Me post-sweaty concert in new overpriced Monkees t-shirt where I they totally photoshopped Mike out (picture is from the Headquarters Album)

Happy Fathers Day 2011

Dad & Me

Dad with Cards

Dad on meeting his kids

Dad on his dad

Mom & Pat's answer to and invitation to speak on video about their dad.  

Steve Folk Dancing Pt. 2

All Folk Dance videos can be found here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/Llanally
Steve is in the following videos:  Russian, Armenian, Appalachian, American Western, Czechoslovakian, Ukraine Hopak.  He also can be seen briefly in the Hokey Pokey with kids and Faith in Every Footstep.

Here are three more videos that feature Steve: (first three were posted last month).  NOTE:  Click on YOUTUBE logo in the video to get a bigger picture on YouTube!

Fishing with Dad

Last Friday, I finally got to go fishing with my dad.  We didn't take any pictures, so this one of the last time I was fishing will have to do.

Yeah it's been awhile.

Since then my dad had promised to take my fishing in the future.  Well, the future finally came and we went out to Lake Frederick on free fishing weekend.  I've always thought of fishing as a crack-of-dawn kind of sport, but apparently the boat rentals didn't start until 9AM.  When we got to the lake we wandered around for a bit and then practiced casting our lines from the shore.  

My fishing pole, by the way, was PINK.  It was a Lady Pink.  Dad's was orange and called a Ugly Stick.  Ha!

Dad promptly caught a rock.  I almost hooked Dad.  

Once we got our metal boat with a cute little electric motor, we set sail and started trolling.  It was a beautiful day - about 80º on the lake.  I didn't realize my line just kept unreeling, but surprisingly hooked something within minutes!  And it wiggled, so we think it was a fish.  By the time I'd reeled it in, it was gone - and it had eaten my lure!  

The next line I cast was baited with a live worm and I promptly caught a blue-gilled sunfish about the size of my hand.  I CAUGHT A FISH!  Because it was so small, we decided to through it back and keep trying for a large mouth bass.  

Throughout the day we alternated between trolling and just sitting with our poles in the water.  We saw bass twice but weren't able to hook any.  I did hook enough pieces of tree that if put together could have made a decent sized Christmas Tree.  Dad hooked another rock.  Our anchor hooked a tree stump under water. And the coup de resistance, I hooked the electric motor.

Dad has the patience of a saint - he unraveled the line each time.

It was a truly peaceful day.  We chatted a lot with dad telling me stories of his fishing at Strawberry Reservoir in his youth and various other sundry topics.  We were there about 6 hours and it felt like less than two.  I definitely want to go again.  It's my goal to catch, clean, cook and consume a fish.  Just one of my preparations for the potential upcoming zombie apocalypse! (MUHAHA)  (That felt like an evil laugh might be needed.)