R.I.P.

Kevin Dubrow, lead singer of Quiet Riot was found dead in his Las Vegas home on Sunday, November 25, 2007. Cause of death is not yet known.

Drummer Frankie Banali has posted a message on his website regarding the death of his friend.

I met Kevin briefly in 1994 at a radio gig. He was full of personality & was a lot of fun to hang with. This guy had a set of pipes made for rock! He will certainly be missed.

The years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home
And I guess I lost my way
There were oh so many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searching
Searching for shelter again and again

Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter against the wind

Well those drifters days are past me now
I've got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out

Against the wind
I'm still running against the wind
Well I'm older now and I'm still running
Against the wind

Today: Sunny & 56.

40 drawings due by Tuesday, buried in work.

Got old friends on my mind.

Distracted.

Are you feelin' it??

Growth without Criticism?

I think not. How can we learn to do better if no one points out our shortcomings? How do we know that the bar can or should be set higher if no one says "you could do better"??? We can't learn from constant pats on the back. We don't become better people, craftsmen or artists by a steady stream of nice words. We need to hear when we fall short. We MUST know!!

Case in point:
I have been following a certain group of writers here on Blogger. I thought that by connecting with other writers, I might be inspired to do more with my writing. What I found was a bunch of writers, some wanna-bees and some actually published, that constantly praised each other's work. Yes, there are some good writers out there...for sure. There are even more that are just beginning...and it shows.

I have to say that this certain circle of writers really were a disappointment. I have not read any critiques directed to a writer that would make them better for it. It's like a constant lovefest between these people. Everyone loves everyone else's work and it's always roses and sunshine and no writer in this group can do any wrong, even when someone writes total drivel. PUH-LEEEEEZZZZ!!!!!!

I'm telling you...I have sat in on a workshop at the Iowa Writer's Workshop (one of the most prestigious MA writing degrees in the country and by invitation only). These people wouldn't last a day in a crowd of "real" writers. The criticism can be harsh at that level and the competition is often, but not always, cut-throat. Pansies need not apply.

Encouragement is great. Everyone needs it along the way and we should all know how to give it. Praise for a job well done is also good. Again, we all need to hear about the good things we do. HOWEVER.....in learning any craft we are not born as experts. We are not perfect artists, writers and craftsmen when we start out. Everyone needs to learn their craft, practice it often and seek out qualified criticism to make your art better. In learning your craft, you will mess up. You will make mistakes. You will have projects that completely tank, while others shine. You may have a concept that is about 80% complete, but lacks that final push to make it over the top. This is where criticism comes in.

I have been an artist and designer for 14 years. The structure of learning art is such that class critiques are necessary. I have had nice critiques, mixed critiques and I have also been reduced to tears by one instructor who felt the need to make an example of me and what I did wrong. Exposing your art is a personal thing, but when you sign on for design school it's just part of the deal. You are wide open for critiques.

Despite their sometimes harsh nature, critiques do serve a purpose. You get to hear what you did right. You get to learn where you went wrong. You get to hear why people do or do not like your art. In all of this, you learn not to take it personally and you build up a thick skin. You learn to absorb the comments, process them and you get back out there and you do it all over again.

Since no art pleases everyone, it is almost impossible that these writers all truly enjoy EVERYONE'S writing ALL THE TIME. Since no artist is perfect, it would be impossible to think that this certain group of writers are always error free and perfect in their craft. To read the comments they all leave for each other, you would think they were all perfect. "Great job" "Loved It" "You are such a good/sensitive/talented/thoughtful/insert-any-adjective-here writer." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

We MUST deal with criticism to grow. Criticism doesn't always mean a negative....it can embrace the positive aspects. But, in order to reach deeper, to try harder, to perfect our given craft, we must hear the good AND THE BAD. Otherwise, we are stagnent...we wither and our craft dies.

Do someone a favor today: Offer them your honest opinion. Tell it like it is, the good and the bad. You will both be better for it.

"Do not climb higher than you are afraid to fall"--Posted at a climbing gym.

And I was thinking how we all use this lesson for life: Do not climb higher than you are afraid to fall. It's all about risk, good and bad.

Bad risk; When we hold back from achieving anything because we are afraid of failure. We stop just short of the goal because acheiving the goal and losing it later would be entirely too painful. We hold back from love and from our friends because we don't want to risk losing them.

Good Risk; When we take that chance on a career, a sport or love and friendship- When we throw that caution to the wind. We say "Failure? Who me? So What! Bring it on!!" We take that risk and we come out for the better on the other side.

I have a friend that was recently released from a very high profile public job. His entire career was based on taking risks that moved him to the top of his field. The fall was large, so was the risk worth it? Do larger falls hurt more than small setbacks? I'm sure he would say that he took great risks (willingly) and that this "fall" hurts terribly at this moment. However, I also know that this person is an experienced risk taker and that he will saddle up and try it again...and he will succeed. He will succeed because he respects the risk and he doesn't worry about the fall.

There is a David Wilcox song that goes,

" Balance is no harder after all
Out across this bridge so tall
Balance is no harder
Its just that you've got farther
Now you've just got farther to fall"

So, what kind of risk are you; good or bad? Have you been holding back? Maybe the secret is not to worry about the fall..........

This has been moving me through the week:

"You don't have to die and go to heaven

Or hang around to be born again

Just tune in to what this place has got to offer

'Cause we may never be here again."

Do you even HAVE to ASK who said this?

Thought for the Day:

"Sometimes the angel you want is not the angel you get"

Iyanla Vanzant said this. She was talking about being stuck in your life and looking for change and knowing that you need change. Her point was that sometimes the thing you think you are looking for.....the thing or the person that you think should be in your life....sometimes that thing or person is not what you get. Sometimes the thing that moves us along to change does not come in the form we thought it should.

Maybe the universe or God knows what we need better than we know ourselves.

Iyanla also says that you need to keep questioning the universe and the things that are set before you. Is it possible that your "angel" has already come into your life? Have you missed or overlooked an opportunity for change and growth?

Something to think about. Maybe your angel is closer than you think.

Post deleted at the request of........

Another post deleted.

Thought for the day:

"They say that it's never too late,
But you don't get any younger.
I guess I better learn to starve the emptiness
And feed the hunger"

(emily saliers)

I didn't think that I liked this song at first, but it's been on my mind constantly this week. Once I gave it a listen, it reminded me of a friend that has also been on my mind recently. I know this person is going though some rough times recently and my emails have gone unanswered...which makes me worry. But, I imagine that he will surface again...as always...with an incredible story of where he's been for all this time. Wishing him well.............

Good is good and bad is bad
You don't know which one you had
She put your books out on the sidewalk
Now they're blowing 'round
They won't help you when you're down

Love's on your list of things to do
To bring your good luck back to you
And if you think that everything's unfair
Would you care if you're the last one standing there

And everytime you hear the rolling thunder
You turn around before the lightening strikes
And does it ever make you stop and wonder
If all your good times have passed you by

I don't hold no mystery
But I can show you how to turn the key
Cause all I know is where I started
So downhearted
And that's not where you want to be


When the day is done
And the world is sleeping
And the moon is on its way to rise
When your friends are gone
You thought were so worth keeping
You feel you don't belong
And you don't know why

And everytime you hear the rolling thunder
You turn around before the lightening strikes
And does it ever make you stop and wonder
If all your good times have passed you by

When the day is done
And the world is sleeping
And the moon is on its way to rise
When your friends are gone
You thought were so worth keeping
You feel you don't belong
Neither do I

Sheryl Crow

Happy New Year!!

What used to be my favorite drinking holiday finds me at home with family and a bottle of Australian wine, warm brie and a crusty loaf of bread. Things change.......

Spending my holiday break recovering from pneumonia and watching R30 (Thirty Years of Rush). If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you RUSH to do so! (hahaha)

Cheers! Here's hoping that 2006 finds us all healthier, happier, wealthier and wiser!

Rock On......

So, so, so busy this week. Finals at school, meetings and the weather is too cold.

But I couldn't let today go by without posting on the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death.

I guess, for my generation, Lennon's death is our Kennedy's assasination. I will forever remember where I was when I heard Lennon had been shot. My friend Kurt and I used to walk to school together. I was a freshman and he was a senior. I would walk to his house, knock on the door and hopefully, Kurt would be ready to go. Kurt wasn't ready that morning. His mother let me in their kitchen and Dinky, the dashound, had to bark at my ankles. Waiting for five minutes or so, Kurt storms through the kitchen and flings open the door, rushing outside as if he hadn't even seen me standing there. He walked fast and with purpose, waiting for no one.

It was frigid cold outside and Kurt had no coat. I grab his coat, run up the street and start questioning him. My guess was that he has a fight with his girlfriend (again). Questions. Questions. Begging him to put on a coat. Dropping my books, stumbling up the street just to keep up with him. We are walking in the middle of the street and Kurt starts to cry. And then he stands still.

I am stunned at this display because of who Kurt was; goofy and kooky. I had never seen this kind of emotion from him and, it sort of scared me. I didn't get the details, but he said 'Someone shot him. John is dead.' We stood in the middle of the street and held each other. That was the last time Kurt spoke for 3 days.

Kurt was the biggest Beatle-head that I knew, save for my uncle who had introduced me to the fab four when I was just 5. Kurt, myself and our little group of friends were all into music and no matter which direction we were headed in, the Beatles were always at the root. It always came back to them. Learning chords, writing lyrics. Everything we knew about music in our small town started with the Beatles. We felt close to them, even though we didn't actually know them, and now things had changed. In just an instant.

It took me a little longer to feel it. On Sunday, when all the radio stations went silent to honor John, it finally hit me. And it hurt. It was shocking. It just felt black and numb.

................

So, we have all grown up now. I was just 13 when John died. Since then, I have purchased a Lennon piece at a show in Kansas City, where I met Yoko Ono as she debuted John's extensive art collection; I have worked directly under Ringo Starr (for his All Star Band at Farm Aid 4- he autographed my 45 of "she loves you"); and I have been fortunate enough to see Paul 3 times (90,93 &05); I have been to an art showing of Linda's photograhpy; I truly regret never seeing George in concert- I think he was the most sensitive of the four.

My connection to the Beatles remains and when I hear that music I am a kid again. I love to play those songs-love to sing them all. I wonder what John's place in the world would be today. Would he still make music? More art? What would he think of the state of the world today?

I don't think about "imagine" when I think of John. I think of "Instant Karma" and a cold day in December, holding a good friend.

Happy Christmas-War is over (if you want it)

We all shine on.........

Truth--- it can just slap you in the face sometimes:

Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme

(rush- of course)

Meant to post this on Thanksgiving, so think back to last Thursday........


Thought for the day:

"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got" (sheryl crow)

Question: If I feel 19, look 29 and am actually 38......How old am I really?

Hey, thanks to all those that have emailed me already. Looks like there are more of my kind on this planet than I thought!

Yes. That is actually me with Dweezil Zappa. What a hottie he is!

Denial is a life-skill that I'm really good at. I'm a professional, eh?

(geddy lee, 1981)

Some things, however, will not be denied.

(bonnie raitt, 1989)

I've come to the conclusion that it must be in my DNA....something woven into every cell of my body that I have never been able to shake. It is resistant to denial, medication, repression and it can't be ignored, replaced or cured. I live with this everyday like some sort of disease that I need to keep hidden.

It's true: I'm a rockstar mommy.

The secret is out.

I don't fit in with the PTA or the soccer moms...even though I try. I just stand on the sidelines, scanning the crowd for more of my own. And there are none.

Everything in my life relates to music. Everything.

My kids know music. They rock out to anything; Ozzy, The Beatles, Neil Young, Alice Cooper, Motely Crue, Tom Petty...on and on. They listen to rock, country, pop, rap and metal. They've been to the theatre and know musicals and operas. They all play instruments...and not just because we require them to, but because they really want to. They sing and they dance. They think that guitar amps are end tables and bass cabinets are pretty cool furniture. They use words like "gig", "mike stand", "monitor", "axe" and "rack" in normal conversation.

And it's all my fault. They got it from me.

Denial hasn't worked all these years.

Changing jobs and three majors in college later: I still just want to rock.

Does it help my cause or hurt me that my husband is fully supporting the conversion of our basement into a home studio?

Is it wrong for me to want bright pink hair?

(see kelly osbourn's color, 2002)

Question: Fix up my old volvo OR buy a new effx pedal, re-string my 12 string and buy a mackie mixer? (obviously, the volvo needs a lot of work!)

My Christmas/birthday wish list includes brands like: Roland, Mackie, Gretsch, Taylor and Klipsch. (feel free to send me something. anything)