Another Hookah show has come and gone, but the memories will last forever!!! Or maybe I should say, the few memories I have will be helped by looking at these pictures and asking a lot of questions :-) Don't worry......we took a cab!!!!
This is part of our "Indiana Crew," as the band calls us. This is only a few of the IN crew that were there that night. These are all the people that we were staying with. Some of the other Hoosiers stayed a couple hotels away, but we all hooked up at the show and had a blast together.
From left to right, we have: Ryan, Julie, TeShannah, Matt, Kelly Ann, her hubby, Dave, my Ryan, Andrew (lighting a cig) and Shane is the one leaning over the table. This was taken outside the venue where Hookah played. It's called Annie's and it's in Cincinnati. I have been there a few times, and I have loved it every time. And every time, we talk more and more people into going with us. That's probably why I keep having so much fun!!!
Most of us met in Indy at Dave and Kelly Ann's house before we left town. Then we caravanned to Cincinnati, which is a little under two hours from their house. Easy drive!! That's Andrew throwing us the peace sign from the other lane. Ryan and I rode with Dave and Kelly, which was really nice.
We got into Cincinnati in time to check into our room and grab a bite to eat before we headed to the show. We would've had even more time if the staff at the restaurant didn't SUCK so bad!! It really sucked for us that they sucked so bad, because they added gratuity to any tables with four or more people. I can guarantee you, that girl was lucky her tip was in my bill, because she sure wouldn't have gotten a 20% tip from me!!!! 20%!!! That's insane for crappy service. For goood service, I'll tip 25%....but bad service, no that's more like 5%. I think it's important for them to understand earning their tips.......and adding the tip for parties of four or more....that is ridiculous!!! But Whatever................the food was good.
After eating, we went back to the room to call a cab. When we went to the lobby to wait on our ride, Julie, Matt and TeShannah pulled in. They had to leave a little later than we did, but it worked out perfectly!! They caught a cab right after us and got to the show just a few minutes later.
This is Dave Katz on keys. Love that man!! I've actually been talking with him about helping promote their show in Indy this summer. They're going to be at The Vogue in June.....and you all need to be there!! I'll be reminding everyone as it gets closer, but now it is my JOB to get people to come. Dave and the guys are counting on me to spread the word. I just wish they had picked a different date. Jack Johnson is playing at Deer Creek (yes, I still call it that) on the same night as the Hookah show, so that kinda sucks, but I think we'll be able to pull in a pretty decent crowd anyway.
Now's your chance, all you people who can't get out of Indiana....they'll only be an hour away. It'll be worth it, I promise :-)
Sorry....back to Annie's...........
I like this venue, because you can get over on the side stage pretty easily to see things from a different agle than normal. Too bad my camera sucks. But you get the idea of where I was from the pictures at least. This, of course is (SFS) or Steve F-ing Sweney....Uh Oh...I know someone will read this and freak out....oh well. So, anyway, I love getting so close to Sweney at Annie's. it's loads of fun!!!!
This is TeShannah, Matt, me and Ryan.
Oh Cliffy!! I love it when he pulls the harmonica out. Lucky me, I was right up front to get a couple pics!!
My Man, Eric. Oh how I wish I could afford a new camera so I could actually see his face in the pictures I take of him :-) I managed to snag another drum stick from him when the show was over. I think he knows now not to give them away until he sees me. I'm happy with a half of one, as long as I get something. If he gives a whole one away before I get to him, I'll make him take it back and break it in two so I can have my part too!! True story....just ask Julie....I made him break hers at LBC.....he he he :-)
There's me and my baby. I just love to squeeze on him. He's feelin' pretty good in that picture if you can't tell :-)
Ok, now we begin the story of the rock in the bathroom.
Kelly's husband, Dave, has talked about this rock in the guys bathroom for the last couple years. Ever since the first time we went there, he hasn't stopped talking about it. So, on the way there, Kelly and I decided we needed to see this rock. So, when the time seemed right, we headed that way.
Matt and TeShannah decided to join us. I had no idea how cool it was. Dave was right!!! So, As matt played body guard, Kelly ran in to check it out. Matt wouldn't let the guy out of the stahl while Kelly was there. It was hilarious.
But..........when the guy came out, he was a great sport. He even jumped in front of the camera with Kelly.
After that, kelly decided she wanted the pleasure of having that rock all to herself. So, matt guarded the door, directing men into the women's restroom who weren't willing to wait, and Kelly had her moment. It was precious..............
TA DA!!!! Here's Kelly....Proud as can be!!!! Then the rest of the men were happy because Matt let them in and they all got to pee on their rock again.
.........................WEIRD, HUH?.................................
Anyway, we all enjoyed the night dancing and fooling around. I enjoyed a little wine, and then switched back to coke. I didn't want to chance a hangover on the way home. I hate that.
Ryan and I had a blast with Kelly and Dave. We always have so much fun with them!!!!
The stage from a distance.
This was off to the side stage. I was trying to get my timing right with the lights, but it's hard with my camera. It has a long delay on the exposure button.
This is the sign we all watch for when we're headed down Kellogg Ave. in Cincinnati. When we see it, we know the fun is about to begin!!!
Overall, the trip was a blast. The show was wonderful. They played a lot of songs that all of us were hoping to hear, so we were all happy. This was the first time Ryan has been able to make it to this venue with me. I have been there to see Hookah a couple times without him, but It's always better when my baby's taggin' along!!!!
Just wanted to share a few pictures of our latest rescue effort. This is Guinness, or that's what we called him until the Companion Animal Association renamed him. He seemed to like Guinness while we had him, so it stuck for about a day :-)
He was found roaming on the eastern side of Howard county out by Greentown. There had been a few reports of a stray running across state road 22, and nearly getting hit. So, a lady who works at my doctor's office picked him up and called me. Sometimes I hate getting those phone calls. It always seems to be at an inconvenient time, or when we're getting ready to leave town. But, that's just the way it goes. If I want to make a difference, I can't expect it to always be convenient for me, right? So, I met Guinness and his rescue mama at my house at 11:30 after I got off work one night last week.
Luckily, we only had to keep him for one night before the Companion Animal Association found a new foster home for him. He was really sweet, and got along really well with all the other dogs, but Guinness made five, so there's no way we could keep him. Even just for a short time. It's just too much to have five dogs in the house.
He's got a pretty smile, and almost seemed to pose for the camera. I hope he finds a wonderful family who will love him forever and ever!!!
This was my big kiss goodbye. I took this picture right before we left to have him boarded until his new foster mom could come get him. As far as I know, he is still up for adoption through the CAA. He has a great temperament, and gets along well with other animals and people of all ages, so if you know anyone who wants a medium sized male....send them to http://www.petfinder.com/ or http://www.companionanimalassoc.org/ so they can take a peek at him. We believe he is a Shetland Sheepdog Sheltie mix. Here is a direct link to his ad:http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11077591 . Apparently, they renamed him Theodore Grumley and call him Teddy for short. There are more pictures an info on the website.
Last Thursday I went to Columbus, Ohio with Jen, Chad, and their friend Jamie to see Phil Lesh and Friends. It was a little gloomy on the way there, but we got lucky and it cleared up just in time for the show. We were worried for awhile, and heard that the show had actually been cancelled at one point due to the weather, but by the time we got to the venue, the show was back on. We did miss the opening band, The Levon Helm band, but they only played three songs before the venue was evacuated. So, I'm glad we missed the mess with all that. I would have liked to have seen them. Levon Helm was the drummer for "The Band." I was hoping to hear "Up on Cripple Creek" or "The Weight." Those are a couple of my favorite Band songs.
Here's Jamie, Chad and Jen inside the back of the venue. That was where everyone was waiting for the gaits to the lawn to open back up. I saw Steve Sweney from Ekoostik Hookah while we were in there, but didn't talk to him then because I got shy for a second. I wasn't shy when I saw John Mullins or Eric Lanese though. I'm never shy with Eric. There's just something so powerful about Sweney that makes him a little intimidating. But, it was still cool to see him hanging out playing the role of a fan just like me instead of playing the big star.
We all had so much fun after we were able to go out to the lawn. We ran into a mutual friend of ours named Brian, and hung out with him for the night. Jen, Jamie and I danced all night long. I got along really well with Jamie. She was tons of fun!! It's always nice when you get along with the stranger you're gonna have to sleep in the same bed with for a night :-)
I ventured up to the front of the stage for a song or two hoping to get close enough for some decent pictures. The pictures just turned out so-so, but I had a blast up front while I was getting them. It always helps to be a female in a skirt.....the guys will just push you in front of them until....before you know it, you're standing front and center. So, I danced with a few strangers, found a couple familiar faces, said hi, and headed back to the lawn to meet up with the rest of our crew.
I really wish I could have gotten a few more pictures of Phil, but at least you can see his wrist band in this one. That ugly thing is one of his trademarks....and we all love it!!!
This show was the first of three for me last week. I saw Phil on Thursday and Ekoostik Hookah Friday and Saturday. Since I was planning on driving Friday and Saturday, I took full advantage of Chad being our designated driver. I enjoyed several glasses of wine trhoughout the evening....so many that I lost count. So, I had a blast to say the least. The picture above is definitely AFTER all those glasses of wine :-)
Well, I finally managed to find some time to post about Hookahville. Yeah, it took me two weeks to recall the weekend, WHAT?!?!? This first picture is just the view from our campsite. Nothing special, but it gives you an idea of our scenery for the weekend. It was a pretty nice spot, but it was way too far from the parking lot and the stage for my taste, so we will no longer be camping in the area referred to as Mars at Legend Valley anymore. We called it Mars because our new friends we met in the line called it that. There are huge holes everywhere, and what looks like graphite or something like that all over the ground and the walking paths. It made for a few interesting walks back to the tent in the dark, for sure :-)
There's my man, Eric. I believe this was just before they started playing Saturday night. I was happy to get to hang out with Eric a little, and even hassle him a little over the weekend. By giving Eric hell, however, I got myself a chance to get on stage with the band at the end of the second night............keep reading.
This is our buddy, Shane. We always have a lot of fun when he's around. We met him through Dave and Kelly last spring at Hookahville, and we've seen a lot of shows together since then. These crazy glasses he had on had me tripping out all night. They were flashing, and I have no idea how he could even see to walk.
As I was sitting by the fire the first night, I kept noticing this little swirly spot in the fire. It looked like a Schwa, or an upside down, lower case "E." That's Ekoostik Hookah's logo....pretty crazy, huh? I thought maybe I was hallucinating, even though I hadn't taken any of the many options of hallucinogenics floating around, so I took a picture. Sure enough, I was really seeing what I thought I was seeing......a Schwa in our fire.....it made me smile.
Ryan didn't know which way to look :-) I guess we were taking a lot of pictures at this time. That's Julie on the left, and Nick on the right......he looks really enthused, doesn't he?
Here's Dave Cheesing really hard for me. I said "Cheese real hard for me," and this is what I got. Isn't he cute?!!?
We unfortuantely had a huge line we stood in for nearly five hours to get into the venue. They were trying a new system with bracelets you had to get scanned each time you went in and out of the venue to the parking area. Normally, everyone makes a few trips because you can't park where you camp. There have been problems in the past with people cutting their bracelets or sneaking them through the fence to let their friends in for free, so this was supposed to deter that from happening anymore.
This is my sweet baby angel with his kickball shirt on.....notice his nickname..................
Just chillin' with my baby :-)
Here's the painting that Steve-O did on stage. I think it turned out great for a few hours of work that was done on stage, in the middle of a concert, with a few thousand people watching.
Adam's Mill is such a peaceful place. It is in the township of Bolivar, which is just west of Burlington and east of Cutler. I remember going there with my parents when I was a child. We used to fish and wade and walk on the trails. 
This is the old mill. It has been remodeled over the years. It was originally a flour mill. Now it is a small museum. one of these days, maybe I'll actually go through the museum. I haven't done that since it's been open.
