Penguins, Dave and a nostalgia update!

How's that for variety!

So, my picture of Sidney Penguin around Nashville created an interest in my little guy. I am now knee deep in penguin parts! (ok, that sounds gross....no penguins were harmed!). I will be selling them fairly soon through The Sidney Crosby Show. Half of the proceeds will go to the Mario Lemieux Foundation....cause I like my yarn art to serve the greater good.

Anyway, I am trying to get ahead of the game by creating a bunch of penguins before offering them up to fly off to other parts of the world. I started by making 20 sets of all the "parts" (beaks, eyes, wings, sticks, etc.). Now I am crocheting up the heads and bodies (all one piece). Yesterday I worked on three special penguins that are part of something Jodie is setting up. My biggest sticking (ha!) point is the numbers. I am putting numbers on their backs and on one wing. This is turning out to be a little more difficult than I thought. I just can't get them to look right. I may end up sucking it up and buying the numbers at Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's (this will cut into my already meager profits.....but I want them to look good!).

And all these penguin odds and ends will be accompanying me to Indiana this weekend!

DAVE!!!!!!!!!

Sara and I will be heading due north to Indianapolis to spend two wonderful nights with my friends, the Dave Matthews Band (I do wish they really were my friends....so far it's all one sided though...). We did this last year for the first time since Nashville closed it's outdoor amphitheater, Starwood. Music City, huh? Whatever. I am hoping for decent weather since I don't do heat very well. Last year we really lucked out....it was actually cold at night! I doubt we get that two years in a row, but anything under 90 degrees will be a welcome relief.

So what are my hopes, dreams and aspirations for this year's tour? Well, for one thing, Butch Taylor, long time piano player (but not actual member) for the band has left. I'm indifferent about his leaving. He was good, but piano solos aren't really my thing. Joining Dave and Co. this summer is Mr. Tim Reynolds (who tours with Dave himself when he does the solo thing). Timmy is insanely talented and a true fan favorite. I am looking forward to hearing him with the full band.

Another very unexpected change is the absence of Leroi Moore (saxophone) due to an ATV accident a few weeks ago. He's been in and out of the hospital due to his injuries. Get well soon, Leroi! Taking his place is Jeff Coffin of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Another fan fave (and an alum of my beloved University of North Texas!). I hear he's tearing things up!

I've been watching the setlists and, as usual, there are some interesting things happening there. Covers of "Money" by Pink Floyd, "Thank You" by Sly and the Family Stone, and "Melissa" by the Allman Brothers have all made appearances. "Corn Bread" and "Eh Hee" are back from last year (love both of these!). And "The Dreaming Tree" has been played one night of each of the two-night sets. I have never gotten this song and it is a personal favorite. My ultimate would be "I'll Back You Up". I could then die happy.

And last, but not least, a review of my Trip Down Memory Lane!

Ok, Season Three of the Muppet Show is definitely better than Season One. Miss Piggy and Janice's voices are normal. Pigs in Space is in the lineup. There's a lot more Dr. Bunson and Beaker. And, all around, more laugh out loud moments. However, it's still not exactly what I was hoping for. I don't know, maybe all of it is a whole lot more entertaining to an 8-year-old (though that's when my maturity stopped, so I don't know what the problem is). I'm just not having as many "oh my god! I remember this!" moments as I thought. I will more than likely get the second and third disks though. And I am looking forward to them releasing the remaining seasons (I believe there were six). But next up? Rocky and Bullwinkle.....