Viva...Friday :-)

Friday, my task upon waking was to get to a branch of Bank of the West. The night before our departure, I had left my bank card in the cash machine! Yes, when I am getting ready for a fabulous party, I will become all sorts of absent-minded just thinking of the fun I will have. Luckily, there was a branch just shy of two miles away, so I zipped over to withdraw some cash so I would not be begging people to buy me diet cokes all weekend.

Friday day was uneventful to my recollection, except for the discussion I had with the infamous Felicia. Actually, I take that back. I had the good fortune of meeting Cat from The Vintage Housewife . She was a dear and you can click the link to view photos of our meeting. I saw Holly, aka Tempermental Broad who I have gotten to know better this last Vegas. She is adorable and I want to put her in my pocket and take home with me every time I see her.

I picked up a gold confetti lucite yo-yo I had won on ebay for $12 and had shipped to the hotel. It matched my jewelry perfectly so I went upstairs to change after feeling quite sad in the vendors area because I couldn't buy anything. I want to save all my pennies for my UK trip next month.

I decided that Friday would be my "Gold Lame" night.

I didn't really get any good pics and no pics of my yo-yo!

 The top is a Suzy Perette, the skirt I had made with vintage fabric and I carried my gold confetti lucite purse that has seen better days.

The first band I snapped photos of was a great band from the UK, Jesse and the Orbits. I met the lead singer, Natasha, the night before and just loved her. I met quite a few young Londoners and thought they were all adorable and very sweet.

When the band was finished playing, a nice couple approached me and told me they read my blog and that they had followed my band recommendations and had not been disappointed yet! That made me feel quite good to know someone was benefiting from something I wrote.

I missed a couple bands I wanted to see because I was dealing with the situation following the incident with Felicia. "Situation" and "incident" were words that Dorian, Jess, Kim and I used together quite frequently to discuss shenanigans that we witnessed or partook in that weekend. 

The next band up was the Sureshots. I saw them at the second US Rave and enjoyed them. The Bombshells had been negotiating to book them, but it had fallen through. 

Gary from the Sureshots

 Joe from the Sureshots

I went upstairs to change and spent the rest of the night, into the wee hours of the morning at the record hop in the Big Easy. The Big Easy's dance floor was superb. Nice, slick hard wood. Perfect for jiving. 

When I was going back to my room, I came across a guy passed out in the hall. He had fallen asleep, outside his room, a pile of money next to one hand and his room key in his other. I wish I had taken a photo, but I was more concerned that his money would be stolen. I tried to wake him, but he was not opening his eyes. I shoved his money and key in his breast pocket and went back to my room. Sunday I saw him in the hall and told him it was me that put his money in his pocket. He promised to buy me a drink. 

Continuation of Viva Blogs...Thursday Night!

I think I left off with Frankie's Tiki Room...here's another couple photos from Frankies:

With Teresa an a man I totally LOVE, Patrick

 I ran into my friends, Aaron and Mel

After Frankie's we went back to the hotel where I changed for the beginnings of the festivities! Thursday was my "Hawaiian" day, so I changed into a dress that I had to trade a LOT of vintage for. It is a strapless sarong, rayon, with a bolero, that I LOVE. I was thrilled that my friend Renee, who is a dealer was willing to do a trade. 

With Renee, who has the most fabulous wardrobe!

I didn't get any photos of bands...Lil' Mo and the Dynoflos opened the show to a packed ballroom and put on a FANTASTIC show. I also enjoyed Los Straightjackets, Hi Qs and Modern Don Juans. I did get a few photos of the Hi Qs with Matt on vocals.

Here are some random photos from the night with Jessica, Dorian, and also Alex Vargas and my friend Real

One last photo from the night with Dollie aka The Rockabilly Socialite

  I was up until at least 5:30, closing down the hops that night/morning. While I was sitting out a song at the hop, my dear friend from Germany hugged me from behind and spilled a whole glass of whiskey on my dress! I think it will be fine after a cleaning, I want to bring it to England with me when I go to the Rave. I love her and have known her almost 10 years, so I wasn't mad. She was being cute and drunk and bought me a coke because she felt bad. I hope to see her in the UK without a drink! hehe...

This Saturday! The 13th Booze Broads and Hotrods

This is the club I belong to, the Bombshell's annual party. We love to have it the week after Viva, and it is the perfect cure for the post Viva Blues. For more information about hotels and our show, please visit our website: The Bombshells

Viva....Thursday Afternoon

I had to get up early Thursday morning to pick up my good friend Tanya and her husband, Woody at the airport. While waiting in line for my coffee, I ran into Lisa Fremont Street and had the opportunity to see her beautiful new baby girl. I wish I had my camera with me so I could have snapped a photo. I know I have said this before, and I will say this again, most likely, but I greatly need to remember to capture moments if I am going to blog about them.

The day kind of rushed by, and since I had plans to meet a bunch of people at Frankies, I hung out by the bars a bit. Jess, Dorian and I went up to the Bowling Alley to obtain the bowling pin spill proof cups. I was really surprised and disappointed that there was no "boot" this year.

Since it was the middle of the afternoon, we had to hit up Sweetpea's "Hooch 'N' Smooch" where we ran into the Rockabilly Socialite

We made name tags for ourselves using our "Trucker" names. Dorian is "Ginger Fox," Jess is "White Minx" and I'm "Black Bootie."

Next, I met up with the Swedes, Woody and Tanya and we headed over to Frankies...got a lot of cheeky photos while we were there with the well hung Tiki...

I'm going to do it!

In an earlier blog I expressed my desire (rather OBSESSION) to go to the Rockabilly Rave in 2011. I even got a day job to achieve that goal. One obstacle, sorry to say, was the imaginary husband. He has no interest. He told me if we go to England he wants to go look at castles, not listen to great music and hang around a bunch people jiving, all night. My idea of a good time is listening to music and hanging around a bunch of people jiving all night!

This difference of opinion was going to make going to the Rave nearly impossible. Monday, when I returned from Long Beach, there was a letter from my aunt. It appears my Tu-Tu left me some money. I showed the check to imaginary husband and told him "I'm going to the Rave." He nodded and said, "You've got your own money to do it, you can go."

Today, I sent and paid for a copy of my birth certificate. When that comes I will apply for my passport. When will it be June?

Rockabilly Rave Website

Friends, dogpiles and Lurex...OH MY!

Sorry I've not been blogging! After the Bombshell Bop and my birthday, I had to work at the shop, then at my day job, then prepare to go to Long Beach for the Rhythm Rocker. I am sorry I've neglected this!

I don't need to write about the Bombshell Bop and my birthday because Rachelle did an excellent job writing a review and about the show HERE.

Prior to the Rhythm Rocker, I knew that the line up would not be what was anticipated when the show was first announced. Most of the European bands had dropped off the bill, and the line up dwindled. As that was happening, I also knew that support for the weekender would fall, so I was more determined to go and support since California doesn't have weekenders.

Wednesday night, my buddy Raul drove down from the east bay so we could attend a record hop in Santa Cruz where we warmed up dancing with a few people and getting psyched for the weekend. We woke up early on Thursday, I took my son to school and did my packing. Yes, I waited until the last minute to pack! Shame on me, but since I was driving, I just laid my dresses on the back seat.

The drive down seemed to go quickly while we played the game "Anal Road Trip." You insert the word "anal" in front of the models of cars you see on the road, "Anal Explorer" "Anal Lancer" "Anal Wrangler" "Anal Probe," you get it. I think the guys over at Ford made up the game since Fords are the best for the Anal Road Trip game.

When we got to Long Beach we went over to my friend Lucky's house where Raul and I were staying. We went out to eat at the Pike on 4th Street right by Retro Row. Dinner was great, and Raul and I got dressed up to meet Jessica and Cosmic Keith at the Puka Bar where the pre-party was happening. We ran into tons of people we knew, and saw Nichole "Rockabilly Socialite." Basically a fun night of dancing, hanging out and shooting the shit with socal people I know.

Jess and I at the Puka Bar (photo by Cosmic Keith)

Raul and I woke up about 10 AM and I went out to get coffee and breakfast burritos and ate with Lucky and her boyfriend Manny. A very fat feeling me, then showered and got ready to go to 4th Street since I didn't want to head into Hollywood with Jessica and Keith. At Meow I found the most fabulous blue and silver Lurex cocktail dress. It was a little tight but I didn't care and I bought it anyway. I will skip to the evening...here's pics of me and various people. This is bad, but I realized that few of my friends took pics of the bands! Shame on us! 

Me in Lurex with Veronica

 Me in Lurex with Mel aka incendiary blonde

 Me, Dez from Chicago and Big Sandy

Dorian and I

 Here's a pic of Raul and Big Sandy

Jessica and Kim, my partners in crime 

 

After the show the after-parties started...we ended up in someone's room. There was lots of silliness and ass slapping. Jess and I were outside and decided to tackle Dorian, and it turned into a dogpile...Raul is brilliant and got pics:

Ashley and Eric using my new shoes from Olivera street as telephones

Dorian still loved me after the dogpile

 My buddy Tanoa got a bit intoxicated Friday night and his ass slapping got a little out of hand. Finally a Socal girl took it upon herself to correct his behavior and put him over her knee and spanked him properly!

Prior to going to the Rhythm Rocker, I had purchased a few things from a seller on ebay who told me she was going to vend the show. I had purchased a hawaiian circle skirt from her and she was planning on bringing it to the show. I was dancing on Friday night when a woman came up and asked if I was getting a skirt from someone vending and I said "yes." She told me that it was her and she recognized me from my measurements! 

Pricilla, ebay seller and I

Raul and I finally left the hotel around 4:30 AM. We woke up about noon, did the breakfast burrito thing again and got ready to go to the hotel. I brought my evening clothes with me so I could get ready in Jess' room. The weather was overcast and the tiki pool party was not well attended. I did run into Dorian and Arsen Roulette while I was strolling around. Arsen's new band Jailbreak was playing.

Here's a pic of all me with fellow bombshells and friends from the bay area

Saturday night was a lot of fun, watched the Rip 'Em Ups and I liked them. I saw them at Viva and liked them there, too. Sorry, no band photos, but here is a photo of me grabbing Dez's boobs

Chatting up Sean Law

 Dez and Jen from the League of International Party Girls (I'm in the league but was retarded and didn't bring my shirt)

 Sunday Raul woke me up to tell me we were meeting everyone at Roscoe's. I went along in overalls, no make up and a newsie cap, and it was just Raul, Kavah the photographer who was staying at Lucky's and his girlfriend, Eileen. Turns out there was a marathon and no one could get across town to meet us. I got Keith and Jessica an order of half chicken and gravy on the side with waffles. Keith was loving it when I finally got to the hotel with it. 

Sunday's bands were good. Jessica and I had met some car club guys from England on Saturday night. They came out on Sunday again. Whenever there are English people around, I will root them out and make them entertain me. Here is a pic of me with the guys from the Original's Hot Rod Club

Jess, Sean and I

DJ James, Jess and I

Well, that is my half ass review and recap of the weekend....this working full time is really cutting into my blogging! 

*Most photos are from Raul Castro and Jessica Brooks...I didn't even pull my camera out, bad social blogger that I am!