Earth, Wind, and lots of Fire

Yes, that's exactly what the venerable R & B  group Earth, Wind and Fire provided for their sold out fans at the Hollywood Bowl last night.....fire and lots of it.  The fireworks, lighting and talent spectacular  went off without a hitch and the resulting enthusiasm of the audience matched the show inch per inch.   I understand that Maurice White joined them on Friday and that would have been nice to see, but the Saturday show couldn't have been beat for entertainment value.  They were sizzling...and so were we...and the warm Los Angeles night was only partly responsible.

The weather was perfect as we uncorked our first bottle of a good Napa Sauvinon Blanc and stayed with us through out the night as we settled into our box for another great evening of food, comraderie and Los Angeles based entertainment, Hollywood Bowl style.  However, for a great many of the audience, they didn't stay in their seats for long once the music started.  I tried very hard to rock out in my seat, and moved every single part of my body until the last half hour of the show, when I couldn't stand it any longer and got up and did my thing...move to the lush rhythms of familiar old tunes.   My friend, sitting behind me observed that my curvy figure dancing, reminded her of some of the women of Mad Men.    I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or not, as I am a size 4, but curvy non the less.  However,  I think she was more speaking about the movement of my my hips that absolutely cannot sit still when there is any kind of music with a decent beat....and last night the beat was more than decent. 

There was a moment 3/4 of the way through the show when I almost got a little teary as I watched an older couple get up and dance to a ballad as if they were in the privacy of their living room probably reliving a time when they were younger...but not more beautiful because there was a lovely beauty in their dance that said..."we may be older, but we are young at heart."   I think there were many there last night thinking the same thing as they were taken back in time to their youth,

As for the group, who was at times backed up by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra under the expert hand of conductor Thomas Wilkins,  they were in fine form and the newer members have only added to the mix.  The bass guitar, the saxophone, keyboards and drums as well as the back up vocals were great and  lead singer Philip Bailey (born in 1951), (along with other members, Verdine White, B. David Whitworth, and Ralph Johnson)  is still going strong,  his vocal range magnificent...and to me that tells me this is a generation that is not going into the "good night" dociley.   I think that I would willingly go into the "good night" if I could take my time getting there, and definitely to the beat of Earth, Wind and Fire.  But this show had nothing to do with time running out.   It was all about a celebration of being alive.

Harry Connick, Jr. Rocks the Bowl...

... and I do mean rocks it! I, along with my sister and brother in law, are lucky enough to be into the second season of having a box at the Hollywood Bowl. We've had some fun evenings and watched some fabulous talent, but I have to say that Harry Connick's performance last night ranks right up there with last season's Pink Martini (a Bowl favorite). For those of you familiar with the talents that make up Pink Martini, they always put on one hell of a show!

Along with a few of his usual ballads, Harry decided to give his audience a vicarious trip to his beloved New Orleans and some of us came back craving for more. His New Orleans style jam with several musicians, a bass, saxophone and trombone, with him taking turns at the grand piano, honky tonk piano, and trumpet, as well as shaking his booty with so much rhythm and gusto, he took the audience for a ride on the groove he was so obviously in last night. I've always known the man has talent, but it was his unassuming charm and the obvious love for what he does, that made me love every minute of it. I think that if they would have let him, he would have performed all night. It was lovely.

What is ironic to me is that I once commented to one of his movie co-stars that he didn't have any chemistry with the leading lady. The very charming co-star informed me that he was a very good actor and was "not supposed to have chemistry" with the leading lady in the movie. He was right of course, and looking back, I blush at having even uttered such an idiocy. After watching him last night, what is more important then having chemistry with his leading lady, is the fact that Harry Connick, Jr. has loads of chemistry with his music and his musicians and, when he is on, like he was last night, with his audience.

Thank you Mr. Connick and New Orleans here I come!

Back Again

I'm back again to try and get this blog going in earnest. I've decided to let it ramble like a vine and go where it's going to go. I'm also going to be posting some of my old Gerard Butler inspired writings on another blog for the benefit of newer fans. They will recognize some things that have become part of the Butler fandom lexicon. I have come to feel that, in my own way, I have added a little to the legend of this popular actor that has been perpetuated by the fans that originally read my little stories and perhaps even a little by Butler himself. I say that because reading back over them (they were posted in late 2006 and early 2007) makes me wonder if I had some secret insight at the time, or whether some of my writings served as a script for some later things that have again become part of the Butler story. It would not be strange. He has borrowed something else from me....but that is another story for another life.

Butler's fandom has also, of course, been instrumental in the development of these stories. I have never participated in any fan site (other then seeking photographs) and have relied on those that have and posted on his IMDB board in past years (when it was a more pleasant place and he was still a novelty) for some of the inspiration, thanks to their devotion to the actor. My thanks to them (they know who they are) for the support I received when they were originally posted.

As for this blog, let's see where it leads and what comes to mind. Life is still exciting and I am going to share some of here.

Zoni

Breakfast Egg Salad

Always on the search for new ways to satisfy my palate and keep my creations healthy and colorful (sans the usual potatoes and bacon or ham), this morning I threw some ingredients together and came up with what I promptly coined the Breakfast Egg Salad. It was delicious and satisfying.


3 or 4 well washed and dried outer green Butter (Boston) Lettuce leaves
3 or 4 very thin slices of ripe Heirloom tomato
1/2 to 1 ripe and thinly sliced avocado (depending on the size)
2 reduced fat, organic (free range) vegetarian fed eggs (Eggland's Best is a great brand)


Lay the whole lettuce leaves on the plate and layer with tomato slices and avocado.

Fry eggs over easy or over medium (depending on your preference) in a stainless steel pan coated withVirgin Olive Oil non stick spray and lay on top of the other ingredients.

Salt to taste and serve with your favorite toast.


I served mine with La Brea Bakery Sunflower Seed and Honey Artisan toast and butter with fig spread, fresh O.J. (with pulp) and a pot of Jasmine Green Tea.


Optional Ingredient to add to Salad: Sauteed asparagus.