Happy New Year!

Hello to all and Happy New Year!




The Holidays are over for another year and now it's time to get back to the business of getting my book published! I do however want to share a bit of news, I did get a short story published. It will be in the upcoming issue of "Just Write" magazine. It's not a paying gig but it's a start! I want to net a paying gig, sure, but if I get a couple of publications on my resume' it won't matter how I got them. You can check out the magazine on http://www.uandijustwrite.com/




On to other news.




Alan and I spent the early evening hours of New Year's Eve driving to Russellvile, Arkansas. Our first stop, Alpena, eight miles from where we live to fuel up the truck. For $30.00, we got almost three-quarters of a tank. Pitiful, just pitiful, good thing our little Ford Ranger gets decent gas mileage!




It's been over ten years since the last time I visited Russellville. My good friend, Pam and her two daughters lived there while Pam attended Arkansas Tech. From what I remember of it, Russellville is a pretty nice place. Lake Dardenell, Illinois Bayou, and the Arkansas River are close by, and I-40 helps bring in the people.




Anyway, it's a nice evening for the ride, tunes on the radio and no snow, ice or rain! We are going to Russellville because my husband, Alan is checking out a band looking for a drummer.




Alan is a musician by the way, (in case you haven't guessed) he's been pounding the skins over thirty years now. "Quinntalkin" is the band's name and the club is called the "North Forty", situated right off the Interstate and a Motel 6 right across the street, very nice and convenient!




Now we are on hwy. 7, a very scenic route winding through the Boston Mountains, Ozark National Forest, and the Buffalo River one of the most popular rivers to float. The sun blinds us from time to time, and we sort of made it a game to see who could slap down their sun visor before the sun, which is right at the level it shines in the eyes and sun visors can't block it out. From Harrison to Jasper is extremely curvy, and full of long winding, sharp cornered, inclining hills. But it is so beautiful, breathtaking vistas which one can see for miles. As a matter of fact, there is what we call the "Grand Canyon of Arkansas" just south of Jasper. It was so cool how the setting sun covered the tops of the mountains and the cold shadows of the winter's oncoming darkness enveloped the "canyon". If I hadn't packed the camera into the suitcase, I could have snapped a couple of shots. Oh well, maybe tomorrow on the way home-




(half hour later)-




Man, what a curvy assed road! It's all I can do to keep writing! I have this lap version of a desk,just a bit bigger than a legal pad and a pillow base. A very handy gadget and it's much better than a clipboard because the pillow is helping to keep me warm! It became dark enough that even my little book reading light wasn't helpful and decided to watch for deer jumping out onto the highway. I've seen some crazy pictures of deer and vehicle collisions on emails sent to me, and know people who have hit deer. They can sure jack your car up. We were down to a crawl stuck behind an eighteen-wheeler loaded down with poultry products from Tyson. My guess is he's headed to one of the distribution centers in Russellville. He's doing pretty good navigating the highway, I figure he's done this a time or two. Ahh! Going down hill, wheee!




After a stop in Dover to get out and stretch our legs, we headed onto our destination. At the Motel 6 we checked in and then decided to go check out the club. The first snag of the night is when we went inside, there was another band scheduled to play by alternating the sets between them and Quinntalkin. Problem was "Off The Wagon" had to set up around QT, with OTWs drummer without a place to set up. All was resolved when lead singer Jeff Quinn came in and together both bands worked out the issue. In the meantime, we finished our beer and walked a few feet to "CJs" a burger place, fresh made burgers with whatever you desire on it, home fries and a drink.


I will have to finish my story another time, I just found out I have to work in the morning and at the latest I can get up is 5:00am in order to be there on time (6:45). A co-worker's father in law is very sick and is not expected to make it through the night.



(It's 4:30 in the morning on the following day)

So, far, Steve's father-in-law is holding on, but he's not doing too well. Day at work wasn't a nightmare like I expected it to be- on to my story!



First person who stood out was Todd Clark, the bass player, short spiky hair, and squinty eyes, with a perpetual smile. "Dude!" he shouted to Alan. I think he may have been in Bill and Ted's great adventure. Next to stand out was the lead guitar player, Marty (sorry can't remember the last name!) big ol' boy and lots of hair! Then Jeff, also a good sized character and all about the business. I liked the chin beard (what is that called?) goatee thing. After Alan had another beer, we went to the room and got ready for the party.

We came back around ten or so and the crowd was into an electric slide, lights dancing, twirling and blazing above and around us. We missed OTW's first set but we would be able to check them out later in the third set.

Odd, never have been to a gig where the bands alternated sets, each one 40 minutes long, then the DJ for twenty. That meant each band had an hour break between sets, I don't know if that's a good thing or not so good thing. Nice break for the guys, but how many beers (or whatever) during that time?

The coolest thing about North Forty in addition to it's spaciousness and six pool tables was a huge wagon wheel which hangs over the dance floor, note the picture. (The ladies in the picture, sorry, but I kept it because of the silhouettes against the lights on the wheel.) The dance floor is wood and surrounding it is a rail where patrons may lean against it and watch the dancers. There are two bars plus a beer wagon to assist folks in becoming pleasantly numb and beyond. There were folks dressed up for the New Year, a promise of a nice purse for the winner of the costume contest scheduled for later that evening. I tell you what, seeing all of those college kids running around made me feel rather mature. Although, I did not have four or five buddies running with me to the bathroom, laughing and giggling. It made me realize that women in their twenties still acted like school girls. Ah, youth!



AN HOUR FROM MIDNIGHT

Quinntalkin is on the stage, way cool, they have a country thang going, nice and slow to start, good sound. By the way, Todd and Jeff's wives also are active with Quinntalkin running sound and the lights, very nice ladies. What I thought was also cool was Jeff broke a string and they took it off stage and replaced the string, go girls!

Support our troops! We just met a kid back from duty in Iraq, Chris Hayes who came home in October. What a great thing to see him smile when we all clapped for him! Way cool! He did confess he did not get to see much action, I say lucky for him! Wish him all the best!

Off the Wagon now playing, their style a little more contemporary. The drummer toured with Black Oak Arkansas, I think he said for about nine years. Both bands are really good!

I may be a bit biased, but I think Alan could be an asset to either band! Sorry again, but what can I say?

Last weekend (Christmas) he went to Rogers, "Tony C's" a club, (near Springdale/Fayetteville) and got to sit in with QT, and the reason we drove to Russellville was so Mark could check Alan out since he was not at that gig.

Another first for us! We just found out this place is open until 4:00 am! I am with the understanding that it used to stay open until daylight. I am also with the understanding that however, after 1:00 am no one else was allowed inside. (Thought I might mention this, don't need anyone getting into trouble.)

It's nearing midnight and the North Forty is starting to gear up to the big moment, more people dancing, laughing and yelling. It's funny how a few drinks can turn an ordinary, quiet girl into a yahooing, cartwheeling, invincible thing until she throws up on the dance floor. (At this point it hasn't happened yet, but I'd place money that it will)

I think we are less than a half hour from midnight. As I continued to marvel at its size, I think half the town of Green Forest could fit in here and not see the same person twice!

Okay, perhaps I jumped the gun. There's been a gal who keeps circling the outer edge of the dance floor, I've seen her several times (must be looking for somebody) so I guess it's not that big.

NINE MINUTES TIL MIDNIGHT!

Horns blowing and those little noise makers you twirl around are becoming commonplace. Champagne is being pored. Oooh cool! A champagne fountain and food at another bar near the back where we are sitting.



IT'S 2008! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

First gripe in 2008- My feet are killing me! First pair of heeled shoes in a long time and standing is not an option. If I had only worn flat heeled shoes! I look good though! (LOL)

I still suck at dancing! I'm about as stiff as PVC pipe, made my feet feel real good :( !

Finally after five beers and untold amounts of champagne from the cool fountain, I am beginning to feel "cozy", hey, my feet don't hurt anymore and I'm a dancing fool! (It must have took awhile for the burger and fries to get completely saturated with alcohol.)

Both bands are playing at the same time- Oooh a fight! Security to the rescue! Good God, those bouncers don't mess around! (According to my source, he informed me he's seen the front door a time or two and open it with his head, ouch.) I'm not sure what happened, my guess: A misunderstanding escalating into an ass-kicking because someone looked at someones woman.

Anyway-

Both bands played at the same time. You see two lead singers doing it, two lead guitarist doing it, rare for two drummers, and rarer still, two bass players jamming together. I must admit I was impressed at how smooth that went! Not many bands can go that on the spur of the moment! The bass player brought out his stand up and jammed on it (Check out the Pic), sort of looked like Ozzy Osbourn!

LATER IN THE NIGHT/MORNING

I'm not sure at this point what time it was, past two at least. Alan finally gets to get up and play! (Only two songs though, I'll uh, keep my thoughts to myself on that.) He decided he wanted to jam on OTW's drum set. Although it was not miked that well, he jammed pretty good. I tried to tell him he needed to beat on 'em harder, but of course, they weren't his drums, no sense in putting a hole in the guy's drum heads!

Thanks to a nice gal, Trisha for buying beer and a shot of Tequila for Alan. He thought she was a waitress! She was merely being nice and is a big fan of Quinntalkin.

Hell, last call already! Man this night just flew by! Alan and I couldn't believe time flew by so fast! We bade our farewells and hit the sack.

9:30 THAT MORNING- FOUR HOURS LATER

Ugh! What the hell is Alan doing up? Oh my god, my feet! Ouch my head! I go to the bathroom, of course there is always a huge mirror in these motels somewhere in the room, this one happened to be in the bathroom. Oooh turn off the light, what was that staring at me! Alan left to get coffee and took the camera with him so I slept a few minutes more. With a couple of cups of coffee, I managed to climb out of the bed and grab a shower, that helped immensely! Before we left Russellville, we stopped at Dixie Cafe and ate, breakfast had come and gone but we stuffed ourselves on rolls, salad and fried mushrooms and cheese stix. I know there is a Dixie Cafe in Harrison, we may have to check and see if their food taste just as good. A bit pricey, but we could have done without the appetizers, not!

We stopped at the Arkansas Grand Canyon to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. What a spectacular view! We didn't hang around too long though, there was a stiff, cold wind knocking us around and plus the food was beginning to make us drowsy. We actually made good time coming home, and was I glad to get there! I missed my cats and dogs, my bed. Didn't even bother to unpack, just went to bed......ahhh! No place like home!