4th of July Weekend Wrap Up...

What a weekend! Here's the highlights:

The 9th Annual Watkins/Phillips Independence Day Party was again a smashing success. Most notable was the live music provided by former Capricorn recording artist Jay Memory. Jay set up a tent, plugged in a little live rig in front of his red VW van that included a small foot actuated bass and snare drum and played countless cover hits, a few of his own tunes, and a couple of improvisational pieces, the best of which was inspired by the Watkins chocolate lab Winnie. Winnies’ parents at one point were desperately searching for their beloved pet and calling her name thinking that she had wandered off when much to our surprise/relief she had only taken it upon herself to beat the heat by jumping into the tranquility of Jay’s van. Reluctantly, she poked her head out from behind large American flag and rejoined the party unplugging Jay’s iPod for the third time as she did. Jay allowed us to record his performance via stereo output of his rig into the control room of Gray Cat Sound. The results sound fantastic. Will edit down to the highlights and perhaps post a few mp3’s.

Fireworks were great (only one misfire) and the pavilion after party was one of the best in memory. Those VIP’s who endured chowed on Ms. Sunshine’s jello shots and deeked down as many glasses of Sweetwater 420 as they could handle. The ladies made smores while we listened to some kickass internet radio broadcasts on the pavilions most excellent wifi computer audio system. This inspired what I believe to be my only drunk dial of the night to Jackson when Alice Cooper’s “You and Me” came on. I’m not sure what message I left for him, but I’m sure it had something to do with how much I like the song, how long it’s been since I heard it last, how he was probably one of three people in America who felt likewise, and with the obligatory sniffing drunken sincerity that only comes with drinking beer past 2:00 AM, "...how I love him like a brother, man!" (All true statements even in the light of the next sober day). Near the hour of 5:00 AM, it was time to call it a night and prepare for the day of hangover hell Sunday.

Sunday was spent sleeping late and watching movies with the family. Hangover neutralized by supper time. All in all, it wasn’t that bad.

After a light day at work on Monday, I took my two lovely women out to our favorite Japanese steakhouse for dinner and after Katie went to bed, Circy and I watched my recently purchased copy of “Hail, Hail Rock and Roll”. What a fabulous flick. Two quick observations; While Keith Richards has made a career of steeling Chuck Berry’s licks, it is painfully obvious that Chuck has made a career of steal his piano player Johnny Johnson’s licks. Keith says during the films epilogue before credits roll, “I set out to give Chuck a great backing band to play with and I think I did a good job of it…”. Anybody who watches the performances cannot possibly disagree.

Tuesday the 4th was spent at Mom and Dad’s with many family members and friends swimming and eating more food than any person should. Basically, the kind of day that one reflects on in their twilight years as amongst the best ever spent.

Can’t wait ‘til next year!