Saturday, January 26, 2008

Friday Night Party, Hockey, and Dancing

For a week that started off with a fire at work the second day of classes (Wednesday), a system not working correctly on Friday, the week ended great Friday night. It was a hectic week and extremely busy at work. However, Friday night definitely helped to relax and meld away the problems of the week.

Yes, we had a fire which was caused by a fuse blowing in our mechanical room. This happened sometime around 7 am Wednesday morning. This was the second day of classes and not a good start to the day or the semester. Our entire machine room (i.e. the campus) was off of the network for about three hours. Finally around 11 am we had partial systems back and before long our network administrators had most everything back on-line before early afternoon. Meanwhile, we were handling the calls and complaints coming in from the campus. Keep in mind that no one had Internet access on the campus. So, everyone was relying on the use of the phone or personal visits. Fun stuff! For the problems that were caused by the fire, the department handled everything in stride and got things going smoothly again. We received a number of thank yous from the campus the following day. Very nice!

Friday morning was not much better with another system that was not working correctly. The system just so happens to be the one that allows employees to do their time sheets, students to register/drop/etc. classes, and a variety of other functions. This caused a lot of phone calls until about shortly after the noon hour Friday. For the day, we took a total of just shy of 100 calls. Now, that might not sound like a lot, but for a call center that averages around 30 a day, that is a lot for us.

My plan for this past week was to work on a lot of projects including writing up performance evaluations. All of that was put on hold until this next week. I did end up working late Thursday night so I could finish up some projects that were due Friday. Good thing I did work late Thursday night because I would not have been able to worked on those items Friday.

So my Friday night started with me requesting the students to leave the lab so I could close down the lab. Carrie and I were to meet our friends at the Expo Center for a Republican party... we were mainly going to drink free alcohol. I was very stressed out from the week, but who can pass up alcohol. We were only able to enjoy the party for about an hour. We were then ready to head to the Topeka RoadRunners hockey game. We had a blast!

The game was exciting enough with the Roadrunners winning 5 - 2 (or something around there). There of course was a fight with some blood, but that's not what this blog is about. This blog is about me dancing between quarters at 60s disco night.

John Dancing at the hockey gameI volunteered under the understanding that I had heard someone shout that it was couples dancing. I thought Carrie and I were going to dance together and then get voted on... No! It was individual dancing to 60s music. As you can imagine, I was hesitant at going through without, but by that time I had already signed the waiver. In case you were wondering, the waiver is so that if I fall on the ice and break a limb, I do not hold the Expo Center accountable. After signing my life away, I got up to follow the event staff to my dancing endeavor. While walking in front of my friends, I told them I thought it was couples dancing and they just laughed. I continued following the event staff to the location down by the ice. While standing waiting for our time to go on the ice two little girls and a little boy with a 60s outfit came down to be included in the dancing. Another contestant and I looked at each other and said it was all over, we already know who is going to win. Sure enough the little kid with the 60s outfit won the event. No, I did not give up right there and go back to my seat, instead I did my dancing and strutted my best 60s moves on the ice.

My moves included the moon walk, lawn mower, and do not forget the sprinkler. I did in fact get a good applause at my dancing. We only had to dance for thirty seconds and with the spotlight it was difficult to see the audience. My friends got a good video of the dancing which I will hopefully get a copy of from them to post on here. It was a lot of fun, but the kicker of it was that our price for performing was a ice cream from a local store. Gee, thanks! I am not sure what the little kid won for winning the whole evening, but hopefully it was a banana split or something a little bigger than a ice cream.

I had a lot of fun and it did definitely help to improve my mood going into Saturday. Afterwards, we went to a new spot here in Topeka called Henry T's. If the name sounds familiar to those of you from Lawrence, it should. It is owned by the same people that own Henry T's in Lawrence. Great food and a great time there too.

Have a great weekend and try to have as much fun as me!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Hamilton Loomis Saturday Night in Topeka Kansas

Wow! What a show! Hamilton Loomis put on a great show! He went on stage around 8:45 and played three sets. We left the place around 1:30 in the morning after he finished his last set. It was a great time!

Hamilton Loomis PlayingHamilton and his band had great sound as well as a good feel with the audience. At one point walking out into the audience standing on the tables and playing his guitar.

If they can get him to the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in October, I think he would be a great fit. A Friday act would work out great for him and the festival. His interaction with the crowd was like a seasoned veteran of the stage. He wore a wireless mic and would definitely be a "walker" at the festival.

Drummer from Hamilton LoomisHe played three sets and everyone enjoyed the performance. The drummer was really good too! Fun to watch and definitely did a great job on the drums.
The band was recommended by Uncle Tommy from Texas and I know why he likes Hamilton Loomis so much... Uncle Tommy use to be a drummer and this drummer was good!

Going back to the "walker" comment. This is one of my favorite parts about working the festival. I have worked the festival the past two years and typically there are at least a couple of the musicians than like to walk through the crowd. Thus, I get to guide them through the crowd making sure that they get through safely and then return them back to the stage. I can definitely see Hamilton wanting to walk the crowd.

I would highly recommend if you get the chance to check out Hamilton Loomis. Great songs, great performer, and a great time!

Today I find myself relaxing watching movie, playing on the Internet, and trying to get over a hang over from the night before. To check out all pictures from Hamilton Loomis, check out my Flickr page.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Saturday Night Music and Basketball

On this cold winter day, I will be spending time relaxing and enjoying television, the computer, and possibly a nap or two. This is a three day weekend for me with Washburn being closed on Monday. Tonight a group of us are going to see Hamilton Loomis. It should be a good show! I am listening to him now as I write this blog.

John Working the FestivalAs mentioned in a previous posting, Hamilton will probably be at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival in October. I have worked the main stage the past two years. It is a lot of fun! I carry equipment on and off the main stage. I have a chance to meet blues legends! The best part is that while I work I get to drink beer which is provided free from Budweiser. Nice!

Anyway, Hamilton is probably going to be at the Blues Fest this year. Uncle Tommy in Texas who helps to get some of the performers contacted me back in November to let me know that Hamilton was going to be in Topeka on January 19. He said he had seen him a few times and that he puts on a great show. So, we are going to go see him tonight. My father-in-law has been a huge part of the Blues festival in Arkansas during the past 20 plus years. He is going to see Hamilton tonight with us. It would be cool if we could talk to Hamilton for a bit either before or after he plays.

The other even that I will be doing today is to watch the Missouri/Kansas basketball game. The game is at 7 pm CST, so I will definitely be watching that and hopefully it ends before we have to head to see Loomis. Go Jayhawks!

Everyone have a great weekend and be safe!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Hamilton Loomis Playing in Topeka Possible Festival Musician

Hamilton Loomis will be playing at the Ramada Inn in Topeka, KS January 19. Hamilton is being considered to play at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in October 2008. He has a good sound and has been recommended by others. I have been listening to him on Rhapsody (http://www.rhapsody.com/hamiltonloomis).

I like the sound he has and I think he would put on a good show. If you get a chance, listen to his music. Hopefully he will be able to make it to the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival 2008 (http://www.bluesandheritage.com/).

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Arkansas Blues and Hertiage Festival 2008

It is that time again to begin thinking about the dates for the Arkansas Blues and Hertiage Festival 2008. I have already thinking about the dates which appear they will be October 9 - 11, 2008. The dates have already been reserved for my third annual visit to Helena, Arkansas.

If you have never been, make it a point to attend this year. Information about the venue as well as scheduled acts is available at http://www.bluesandheritage.com/. It is definitely worth the visit!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Arkansas Blues and Festival Sampler

This is a sampler of some of the acts that was at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival which took place October 5 - 7, 2006. I worked the main stage and carried equipment on/off for some of these acts. Great times! Pictures to follow....

Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival Sampler:

1. Tuff Enuff - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
2. Wrap It Up - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
3. Powerful Stuff (O.S.T.) - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
4. Harder Knock - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
5. Got To Get Out - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
6. Painted On - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
7. Stagger Lee - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
8. I Can Tell - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
9. My Babe - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
10. She's Tough - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
11. Stand Back - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
12. Feeling My Way Around - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
13. One More Chance - Michael Burks
14. All Your Affection Is Gone - Michael Burks
15. I Smell Smoke - Michael Burks
16. Got A Way With Women - Michael Burks
17. Make It Rain - Michael Burks
18. Beggin' Business - Michael Burks
19. Hit The Ground Running - Michael Burks
20. Let The Door Knob Hit You - Michael Burks
21. Miss Mercy - Michael Burks
22. Thank God For Fools - Michael Burks
23. Mean Old Lady - Michael Burks
24. Willing To Crawl - Michael Burks
25. Take A Little Walk With Me - Robert Lockwood, Jr.
26. Mean Black Spider - Robert Lockwood, Jr.
27. Love In Vain - Robert Jr. Lockwood
28. Little Queen Of Spades - Robert Jr. Lockwood
29. Icicles In My Meatloaf - Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
30. Golden Rule - Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
31. Pet Cream Man - Lil' Ed And The Blue Imperials
32. Travellin' Life - Lil'

If you get a chance check out some of the music above. If you are a Rhapsody subscriber you can listen to all of these people. The full list of acts and the web site is located at http://www.bluesandheritage.com/2k6lineup.htm. I will be back next year!!!!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

T-Bone Shuffle

T-Bone Shuffle:

1. They Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday's Just As Bad) - T-Bone Walker
2. Stormy Monday Blues - T-Bone Walker
3. The Hustle Is On - T-Bone Walker
4. Papa Ain't Salty - T-Bone Walker
5. Call It Stormy Monday - T-Bone Walker
6. Railroad Station Blues - T-Bone Walker
7. Blues Is A Woman - T-Bone Walker
8. Why My Baby - T-bone Walker
9. Lollie Lou - T-Bone Walker
10. Party Girl - T-Bone Walker
11. Description Blues - T-Bone Walker
12. Party Girl - T-bone Walker
13. Long Distance Blues - T-Bone Walker
14. Stormy Monday Blues - T-Bone Walker
15. Everyday I Have The Blues - T-Bone Walker
16. Love Is Just A Gamble - T-Bone Walker
17. Bobby Sox Blues - T-Bone Walker
18. T-Bone Jumps Again - T-Bone Walker
19. Midnight Blues - T-Bone Walker
20. Long Skirt Baby Blues - T-Bone Walker
21. T-Bone Blues - T-Bone Walker
22. Alimony Blues - T-Bone Walker
23. T-Bone Shuffle - T-Bone Walker
24. Bobby Sox Baby - T- Bone Walker
25. I'll Always Be In Love With You - T-Bone Walker

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

New Features of Mobile Facebook

Ok, I knew that I could post and send messages via my phone on Facebook, but I realized tonight that when I have responded to notices on my phone that people posted on my wall that I was sending messages to their inbox to them instead of back to their wall. I now know how to post back to their wall. Go figure!

Time for a New Post

It is hard to believe but the summer has ended. My last post talked about spinning into Summer... that has come and gone. Wow! I have not posted anything in a LONG time! Well, now I find out that Facebook allows for Blogs so it sparks me to once again start up posting blogs on my site. Go figure!

This time we will see if I can post more often than once every couple of months. My goal is to post at least once a month. I think that sounds familar from what I posted back in May. Well, it was a very busy summer!

We moved into our new house as I mentioned in the post from May. We just received new furniture today and things are slowly coming together. We have had fun with rain storms with gutters overflowing and some water in the basement, but we are enjoying Topeka lot. I never thought I would say that, but it is true. It helps that many of our friends live in Topeka which also means that instead of working on our house we are out having fun.

More later as I plan to update this at least once a month. It might not be anything more than a update of songs I am listening to on a certain day from Rhapsody. If you do not have Rhapsody, check it out! I use Rhapsody to-go all the time!

Ok, enough for tonight. Later....

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Spin into Summer

I seem to be spinning as we enter the summer months and have partially moved to Topeka. It is interesting and crazy times as we prepare our Lawrence house for the closing on June 8. We had a lot of fun in the Lawrence house over the last four years... hard to believe. I can still remember many parties and good times in that house. It will definitely be worth it to remember that house and take it in my memories and pictures for the future.

Along with the new house also comes more work to be done around the house. So far the motivation factor has not been there and so boxes are not being unboxed, flower bed has weeds, the usual. I can tell you that it is much better to not have to commute an hour (total) each day. Instead it takes me about five minutes to get to work. Carrie drops me off on her way to work and picks me up on the way home. Granted getting use to not having a car and not being able to go out at lunch to run errands is taking a little getting use to... but not having to drive back and forth to Lawrence is great!

It is almost June and the summer will be half-over before we know it. I was remembering the other day how last year in June we drove to New Mexico and what a great time it was there. If you ever have the chance to go to New Mexico ... jump on it and go! Great and beautiful place!

Work is still challenging and fun. It keeps me thinking each day I am there on my feet and constantly challenges me for the better. I am interested to see where our new director (who is great BTW) takes us with his vision and business sense. I know it will be great places...

Well, I wanted to post something on here before May ended. My goal is to try and post at least once a month... possibly more if something is bothering me... I have not had a chance to listen to much music lately, but I will start posting my music blogs again soon.

Outta here...