Skype Live Studio - Old 97's

File this under the best thing about living in Downtown Portland!

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon in March, I walked to the Skype Live Studio to see my favorite band, Old 97's, perform a free set.

This was my first visit to the Skype Live Studio. From what I can tell, tickets can usually be reserved in advance on their website. but I didn't find out about the show, until less than twenty-four hours prior, so I was no-longer able to reserve in advance. Instead, I was informed that some stand-by tickets might be available, if I showed up no-later than thirty minutes before showtime.

The Skype Live Studio is less than two blocks from my apartment. I like to be places extra early, so I walked an hour before the show was set to begin. As a California girl, I usually hide from rain, but living in Portland has taught me that living here, avoiding the rain is impossible. I'm slowly getting used to it and besides, screw the rain, I was getting into that show. I felt confident, with only a handful of people in line ahead of me. As I waited, the queue grew and eventually curled around the block.

Just minutes after two-thirty, a friendly blonde woman ( whom everyone else seemed to know), came out with the guest list and a box of tickets. It turned out that everyone in front of me, was already on the list. Internally, I panicked that I had been waiting in the wrong line. Was there a separate stand-by line? She started to explain that she would put me on the standby list, but wasn't sure that there would be room...but then a miracle happened: The man who had been in line in front of me overheard the conversation and asked if he could give me his plus-one ticket, since his friend wasn't able to make it. Not only did I get in, but I got an amazing seat in the second row. A huge THANK YOU to the mystery man and the super nice employee in charge of tickets.

I was over-the-moon with excitement!

Here's my ticket -

We were allowed into the venue immediately and greeted with free beer and wine. It was the Skype Live Studio Happy Hour! The studio is intimate, holding approximately a hundred audience members. The live stream was hosted by a local radio DJ, whom everyone else seemed to know, but I was clueless. She introduced the band and hosted a short interview.

The Old 97's played four songs from their eleventh and most recent studio album, Graveyard Whistling. They played -

1. All Who Wander

2. Jesus Loves You

3. She Hates Everybody

4. Good with God

Missing from the band was drummer Philip Peeples, who had been in an accident in Los Angeles. Without going into detail, Rhett Miller explained that Peeples was expected to recover and might even be well enough to rejoin the band during the west coast leg of their tour. Sitting in for Peeples, was Mark Stepro, who impressively learned a whole concert worth of songs and joined the tour on a few days notice. No tour dates were canceled as a result.

The set was short, but sweet. It was definitely enough to keep me going, as I had to keep working on a writing deadline, causing me to miss out on the Old 97's concert at the Wonder Ballroom that was happening later on the same day. I was "adulting." It's overrated.

After the set, the Old 97's took a picture with the audience for Keep Oregon Well, one of the sponsors of the event. Check on the picture on their Instagram. My head is poking out on the far left.

The band stuck around for a meet & greet. I have a love/hate relationship with meet & greets. I always want to say "hi" and somehow express how much I love whatever artist I'm meeting, but inevitably, it's an incredibly awkward experience. I've met the Old 97's many times, so I opted out. If by chance they are reading this, I love you guys! Thanks for giving me one of the best afternoons I've had since moving to Portland. The sun was shining when I left the Skype Live Studio.

2015 Wrap-Up

Compared to the events in 2013-2014, 2015 was a calm year. This doesn't mean dull though, plenty happened in 2015.

We kicked off the new year at a pajama party thrown by our friends Brian and Valerie, at their business, the La Dolce Vita Tasting Room in Big Bear. The year started with wine, bongo drums, and intentionally bad beat poetry. A few days later, we turned our house over to our contractor for an extensive remodel. We took the house down to the studs and added rooms. The house was originally slated to be ready for Dan's birthday last July, but due to delays, we have our fingers crossed that it will be finished by this July. Although slow, we are overjoyed with the progress. The house has been a very consuming project, with endless decisions and changes. I can't wait to have it done.

2015 was a year of travel. I spent nine nights in Las Vegas, six in Palm Springs, and three in San Diego. We drove to Utah to visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. International travel took us to England, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Netherlands, and Belgium. Part of that included a two week Mediterranean cruise with my in-laws and step-kids!

I served Jury Duty for three weeks on a civil case in Downtown Los Angeles. Honestly, I was grumpy when I was first picked, but in the end, the process was fascinating. A guy tried to sue a cleaning company at the South Bay Mall, after he ran through the planters in an Ikea parking lot and tripped. He was unsuccessful in his lawsuit.

Dan's father visited in July and we went to see Dame Edna at the Ahmanson Theatre. Hilarious. Dan's parents both visited us in September, and I took them to see The Object Lesson at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. I've never been so surprised and delighted by a live performance. In London, we took the kids to their first big show, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

We went to several concerts; Old 97's, Brad Paisley ( Dan's first time at the Hollywood Bowl), and Sheryl Crow. We saw Eddie Izzard at the Hollywood Bowl and had our second NASCAR Experience.

With the exception of our vacations, I stuck to a workout schedule ( 3 days a week) with my trainer at the gym. The first half of the year, I lost over twenty pounds and was fitter than I've been in years. Vacation eating and my post-vacation- "let's keep the vacation going" mentality caused me to gain back about twelve pounds. I'm still happy though, feeling stronger and healthier than last year. There is a lot of toned muscles happening and I have decent endurance! In August, I began to add pilates into my routine, which is so much fun. I really look forward to the gym on pilates days, especially with the jump board. I feel like I'm in a circus!

I've continued work towards my three year fiction writing certificate through UCLA Extension. This year, I took seven classes, and I will wrap up the program by this coming spring. Although most of my course work focused on the completion and workshopping of my first novel, I also took Intermediate Short Story and Intro to Poetry. The idea of poetry intrigued and scared me, but I rose to the challenge and found a new form of writing to love.

The big news of the year happened around my birthday, when I learned that my novel had been nominated for The James Kirkwood Prize. I had been nominated by novelist Caroline Leavitt, whom with I took Story Structure for the Novel, last winter. I was elated and it was huge boost when I was starting to have doubts about my story. I didn't win, but that's okay, I was just so thrilled to have been picked.

Speaking of books, I read sixty-five this year!

2015 was mostly happy and calm. I'm grateful to have made so many happy memories with friends and family.

Old 97's at Terranea's Music on the Meadows

Located cliffside in the Pacific Palisades, the stunning Terranea Resort was an unusual venue for my favorite band, the Old 97's. It's definitely the fanciest place that I've seen a concert for any type of band.

We bought the VIP tickets for 75.00 each, which gave us access to a rope off section with alcohol and hors d'oeuvres. After drinking mimosas and eating lots of artisan cheese, pizza on skewers and brownie bites, we met the band.

I'm terrible at meet and greets. I freeze and it's awkward. Really awkward. I babble. It's not pretty.

If the band happens to come across this little blog of mine, I apologize, especially to Phil. Yes, I know, that you know, that I know your name, but I didn't need to make it uncomfortable. Sorry Phil.

Awkward aside, it was a wonderful moment to shake the hands of the guys in my fav band and get a picture. We asked fellow fans to take our picture and the best shot wasn't very straight. I'm just going to chalk it up to an awkward picture to match the moment.

After the VIP area, we had general admission for the concert, which took place on the meadows, a giant lawn overlooking the ocean. The June gloom cleared by the early afternoon and it was perfect. The sun was shining and a flock of pelicans kept flying over the stage. Unfortunately, we didn't bring lawn chairs or even blankets for the grass. We grabbed a good spot on the back of the hill and watched the opening bands.

Tyler Hilton was fantastic. His music is very Americana, right up my alley.

We were so impressed with Tyler Hilton, that we went to his merch booth and bought his album. Next, we have to buy a record player. Not kidding.

The other openers were Dustbowl Revival. Wow. Loved them! As their name replies, they do a modern twist on music from or inspired by the 1930's. A great live band. Apparently they have been named "Best LA Live Band" two years running.

We did our part for Terranea's social media and took some concert selfies.

Old 97's finally took the stage just after 4pm.

We abandoned our spot on the hill and went straight up to the stage, standing near Murry.

They played many of my favorites, like Roller Skate Skinny, Barrier Reef and Big Brown Eyes. Also my two favorite girls, Doreen and Victoria were in the set. There is no better "Scream at the Top of My Lungs in LA Traffic" song than Victoria. Love it! Murray did several numbers, including a cover of Mama Tried. A truly great set list, as always. The only missed opportunity is they didn't do The One. Maybe it was a bit too obvious for the venue.

After the concert, went to the hotel bar for a cheese plate and drinks. Killing two birds with one stone, we ate dinner and avoided the valet traffic. Plus, we had an amazing view of the ocean during sunset. Did I mention that this is a stunning hotel?

It was the perfect spring day in Southern California.