Canyon Color

 
I took this picture out the window as we drove down the canyon to Bakersfield yesterday. It was just a little
later at the Costco parking lot that our usually well mannered Lexus manifested what turned out to be a major transmission problem. At least we made it to town...

Out the window

 

Kernville Nov 2007

Here's a slideshow of yesterday's snaps. The light is so wonderful
this time of year!

The Kern River in all it's autumnal glory.

 
(click for the giant version)

Then it's time to cross Death Valley

from Las Vegas to Kernville
 
Aileen takes a walk in the Panamint Valley.

World Market Center

 
Twice a year they open the furniture mart to the public.
There were amazing bargains, plenty of interesting stuff.

The buildings themselves, finished and under construction
are plenty interesting too...

World Market

Night of 1001 Stars

Bambi, Josh and I went to the Hilton for a show.
 
We loved the cigarette girl who also sold flashing do-dads and earrings.
 
The production was a Harold Arlen Tribute, but
 
calling it "A Night of 1001 Stars" was perhaps hyperbole. The best by far was a vocal harmony group called "The Crooners"
 
And the sassy girl singer in the bustier was cute.

New Frontier Implosion

Two AM Tuesday morning, and it's time for the New Frontier to bite the dust. We rented a room on the 56th floor of the Wynn Hotel to watch the festivities.
 
Many just set up tailgate parties on the roof of the Wynn parking garage.

 
The photos don't do justice to the sensation of watching fireworks go off at eye level.
 
And them the big explosion that sent a massive cloud of concrete dust.
 

Richard Cheese

Sunday night, at the AJ's Steak House at Hard Rock, we saw the lounge-a-licious Mr. Cheese.

 

Here's he is doing "Gin and Juice", our favorite song.

Masters Dinner

A food and art extravaganza at a ballroom at Treasure Island.
 
Chefs from many major Strip restaurants showed off for the guests,

 
and each other.

 
the event was to raise money for scholarships fore future chefs.
They created a ten course meal for 200 people...the first item was a Tuna Martini. Yum!
 
The table was lovely, and so was the company.
 
We went with our friends John and Teri Daly. John was the MC. He's wearing Josh's fedora here.
 

Aileen and Dave

 

At "Dance Charisma" on my birthday.

Vintage Vegas

(click for giant version!)

This past Sunday, Josh, Bambi, Aileen and I went to see "Vintage Vegas" at the Orleans. It was a big, old-fashioned production "dedicated to the classic showgirls of Las Vegas". There were variety acts, song and dance routines, and even a bit of burlesque by Tempest Storm. But the highlight, of course, were the "girls" ranging in age from 45 to 92. The oldest had been a dancer in Minsky's Review, many of the others has posed in Donn Arden reviews. It was amazing to watch women who hadn't donned the feathers for many many years step right back into the routine.

New Album 11/6/07 3:12 PM

(click for slideshow!)

Halloween:The Aftermath

 
It always ends like this...

 
A trio of pumpkins, and the trash.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Last night we went to a concert at the amphitheatre at the new Springs Preserve. It was a picture perfect evening as the full moon peeked over the stage at this marvelous outdoor venue. And, boy does that big band rock and swing!

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

(click for a few snapshots)


...

Me-n-George

 
Isn't he a handsome feller?

He was one of the hightlights of the CASA Charity dinner where Marty displayed his work

Casa Shindig

(Click for more...)

A Quick Trip

Tuesday of this week, we hopped aboard the new Virgin America Airlines for an overnight jaunt to San Francisco. My usual camera's batteries were dead, so this little slide show was taken with my iPhone. As usual, click on the small photo, then click slideshow.

SF iPhone photos

Tony Bennett

We've been back in Las Vegas for the past couple of weeks, and quickly settled into our usual routines...

But tonight we went to Tony Bennett's show at the Hilton Showroom, our third time seeing him in the last four years, and without a doubt, the best performance yet. His voice was strong, his phrasing more fabulous than ever, and his energy and artistry amazing.

Addendum from Josh: this was one hell of a show. At several points, I was moved to tears. When he put down his mike, and sang "Fly me to the moon" unamplified, the entire audience fell silent; I've not felt anything like that since we saw Joao Gilberto perform in San Francisco. He ended, as he's done before, with "How do you keep the music playing", leaving me a weepy crumpled mess. I'm such a sap, and a happy one tonight.

Signs of Autumn

Raindrops on the river at Bubbles Beach with Yellowjacket in the distance. (Click on the photo for the giant version where the raindrops are clearly visible)



Since today is the first day of hunting season, this sign seems an appropriate symbol.

And nothing says Fall like flaming foliage. In this case it's poison oak, but there are lots of lovely textures in this slideshow from the walk we took this afternoon in the rain.

Autumn walk

Wildlife in our yard.

Recently we learned about the "Wildview" infrared, motion detecting camera. So of course we had to have one!
These photos were shot this morning (note time stamp) on the first day of deer hunting season.


We hope these young lovelies will have the good sense to hang around our yard and not wander off into the forest where all the Elmer Fudds are.



We know they're girls and not fair game, but...

Fall

Arrived yesterday in the wings of these bright clouds. Today, a hit of rain, the first in a long long time.

Trailers Ho!

We headed off to the Eastern Sierra en caravan with Pat and Mike and their tiny teardrop trailer seen in this photo with the Mount Tom in the background. (Click this photo for the large version; it's well worth it.)


Our destination: The Millpond Music Festival in Bishop, a great gathering of bands across a wide musical spectrum. It's certainly one of the most dramatic settings for a concert we've ever encountered.


Here's a slideshow of our weekend and side adventures, including a trip to the newly "rewatered" Owens River.

Millpond

Rabbitbrush!

 
It's my favorite season...when the Rabbitbrush blooms.

We just came back from the Eastern Sierra, where it's also blooming like crazy. And for those of us what thinks of Fall as a time of new beginnings, it's the perfect harbinger.

Last Saturday, we went to a jam session at Mike and Pat's house. Click the image below for a slide show!

Gallaghers

Sliding Man 2007

It's the end of the summer season. It's Gary's 50th Birthday.
It's time for a party. And so the Adult-Slip-N-Slide was born.



For nearly a week the creators toiled, grading and building a course, using pony poop for the berm, laying out a ramp of more than 65 feet of plastic sheeting surrounded by indoor-outdoor carpet. At the bottom, a 14-foot whitewater raft filled with water for a landing pool.
 
Add soap for extra slip, and it's SLIDING MAN 2007.

Sliding Man 2007

Click the small pic and then hit the slideshow button for the full, slipperyfun experience!