It'll make of you an honest man--Ian Anderson

A few weeks back, Lake County along with Mendocino Co and a few other spots in California, were subject to some pretty serious Slidezone situations. (Remember, that song was written when the studio they were doing Octave in, slid down a California hill in 1978. It happens). Called Konocti, they seemed to be ok. North Shore of Clear Lake was another story.....really had to be careful going over to Hwy 5 that way, the roads are windey under best of conditions.

So, got to Tahoe, that story is told elsewhere. On the way out the door, I thanked the older customer service lady at the ticket counter. Those girls are really nice considering what we Moody fans put them through at times. Leaving Tahoe about 10 am......VR was still in the room as I split, she had a job interview later that day for the accounting dept at Caesar's...hope it went well. She's worked with CW celebrities and might make a good candidate for employment there, and I know ITT is expanding! Pat left in a rental car for Reno, where undoubtedly she found more places to gamble!

I'm nervous about snow/ice when driving after my experience in Colorado a year ago. Sat night it started raining in the Sierras, and gusting....although no snow fell, there was plenty still laying around. I am terrified of HWY 50, there are some drops on that which, if you slid and went over the side, you'd never stop falling....so I went to North Shore via Truckee again, and took 80 to 20. The road was happily fine, Strider got good mileage, but had to go through every dinky town between there and Konocti.....and got behind slow pokes a lot too, on two lane roads. UGH. However, the scenery is lovely, with snow and forests, and the Moodies missed a pretty drive. I think they took their executive jet to Ukiah, and then the limo to Konocti, although I am not sure of that. It's about 5 hours from Tahoe to Konocti by car.

The rain stopped in Lake County by the time I got back there, although it was gloomy and grey, off and on. It was warm anyway. The weather was shaky, but in true Moody style, Nimbus Fracto held off dumping rain on us, so I guess he likes Moody music too. Sometime in the night laying in my seedy room at the "resort" I heard the rain start again, and in the morning, the Lake was ruffled with soft grey waves, very pretty and suited to my Post Moody Depression. And it's rained all day here at home too. Ugh. I was sun bathing last week!

When I was checking into my room, some waitress came running out of the Rock Bar and asked my clerk to call security. Fearing the worst, asked if there was someone flipping out already.....nope, just a domestic restraining order. Thankfully. Moody fans were really nice, and very much locals. I talked to some folks from Willits I didn't know, and they had not seen the Moodies for a while (hippies, nice ones). Little boy about 9 knew the music, had never seen them. I had made up some simple flyers and put them around, but the radio stations apparently covered the concert promo pretty well, there was a very solid crowd, the house held 4,000. The scenery reminded me of the Gorge, only smaller. Clear Lake was actually kinda pretty from a distance, although I know what a scuzzy stock pond it can be.

Standing in line in the lobby, there was Bob Fisher! He brought the family down from Oregon, and they had been there all weekend, a treat he said. He has a little bitty daughter now, the middle girl is getting pretty big, and the boy is very quiet, nice kid. (He likes Weird Al).

Luckily the Moodies did not go on right away, since many people were really running behind with the distance from Tahoe to Konocti. (I almost wrecked the car getting there myself). Luckily they had put in more parking too, and it was all well above flood level. Flags and banners bravely fluttered. The opening band *I think* was associated with the Allman Brothers, local "Bay Area" band Outrider, four gents came out and did accoustic. Names were Monty Tripp, Mark Gillaedi, Mark Villeda, and Jerry Bones Marrow. They were very good, anyone with more scoop on these guys please write me!

I had a chat with Jennifer Beatty about the Konocti show (she was wanting pictures......) she's a nice kid, still in high school, I sub at her school sometimes too! strange times indeed! She said before the show at Konocti, over on the right side you could see John and Justin, and they were winking and smiling at her through the tent wall, or something like that, so sounds like they indeed were in a good mood...hope they come back to Konocti. Another student in class today (HS) recognized me from the concert too, her parents dragged her! She was very smitten with Gordon and his talent, and liked the show a lot.

Before the show I hung out above the loading dock, and listened to the sound check. May have heard some new Moodies music, not sure (someone with a guitar did a flamenco run!). Paul was certainly doing checks with TVFTH material. He also played a smidge of "Desparado" (Eagles) I love that song.

I didn't smell rain, and kept hoping it would be ok. It was. The Moody rain-gods came through again! Some DJ got up and blathered, he was kinda funny, announced Jennifer Beatty's birthday, I used to pen pal with them, they live in Ukiah. Pre-show, saw Bias hopping up and down backstage, waving his arms, he was kinda funny. GE walked past my line of vision looking dour, and I might have seen Justin leaning in a doorway of a trailer, as well as Doremi running around, not sure there. Someone (several actually) blew bubbles all through the show, it was kinda nice; John grinned at one once.

Debbie Lyman and I were dead center third row back from Justin. I have never had such good seats; I was close enough to appreciate the wood grain in the guitars. The front row obviously had more money than brains: I spotted "Mary" from Oregon, a person I've encountered before, she had flown in and blown a good deal of money to be right there. I know a few years back she had bought expensive crystal and sent it to Justin for gifts, then got hysterical when Ivy didn't acknowledge it. If I had that kinda money to waste on valuable gifts for strangers, I think I would rather go buy toys and goodies for kids in hospitals or something, it would probably be more appropriate and more fulfilling. Also, while I've never had a problem with Mary, (she seems a little reserved), Lynn claims the woman was a female canine to her. (Lynn was right behind her). The whole front row was very dead actually. Everyone was real good about not jumping up and down (Dan from Napa was blocking me a bit, but bless his heart, he moved a few times for me); the front row never even clapped their hands! Me and Debbie were back there doing hand movements and singing away....

Actually I almost sat in the front row, was talking to Rhonda and friends and there were four empty seats. However, it was too good to be true, the ticket holders showed up right before curtain, so I moved to my real seat. The lady on my right turned out to be a medical marijuana rights person, and a crusty old lady who did a lot of hand movements along with me and Debbie. She gave me a "Vote for Peron" for governor button, it has marijuana leaves on it. Meeting new people like that is fun.

"Never Comes the Day" was wonderful. I'm glad they put it back in. At Konocti, Debbie Lyman and I were dead center there.....and Justin seemed to be looking at us for that song, so I gouged her after it and told her......"His eyes are so dark, it's hard to tell!" she said. "Does my hair look all right?" I asked......it was tons of fun seeing the show with Debbie, she is cool, although she's cuter than me (darn) and got a smile from Justin. Those who would indulge in the fantasy that Justin is looking at them excessively (I'm one of the worst offenders there) probably should take that to heart.....it *is* hard to tell where he is looking. He had to squint a lot this show, lights were right in his eyes.

Justin made a crack about "seeing the girls legs" at Tahoe, apparently talking about his back up singers, although Himself can be seen leering out at the legs in the audience at times too. Looks are free! I'm sure he didn't see too many leg shots from the audience at Konocti though, we were all in levis this time. Nice to relax.....you always feel so pressed to gussy up at casinos!

For some weird reason, I made a LOT of eyecontact with both the drummers this time, Gordon the first show in Tahoe, and GE the other three. Every time I looked up, GE was grinning at me it seemed like. Once, at end of SIARRB poor GE was totally pooped, and went for the Oxygen; he didn't use it in Konocti. I had headaches at Tahoe myself, and VR was having nose bleeds (had one in the middle of a show....), altitude sickness is very real and shows up in odd ways. I cut my drinking back a lot, and that seemed to help.

The backup singers looked nasty in Konocti, in a good way, and really wiggled more, having a bigger crowd to project to. Tracy licked an earplug once rather erotically. John, Justin, and the girls all wore nice leather jackets, it was appreciated.

People sang along in spots....like in FML......a very good crowd where we were. The wind blew on cue a few times, like for "Slidezone"; outdoor venues are so cool sometimes. The odor of weed wafted over the front rows....."hey pass it around if you're going to smoke it" I said, and Justin definately was sniffing the air himself once.

I messed up a whole roll of film I think, having settings wrong. You'd think I'd learn, but I get excited at the shows too and forget to check. I definately hope the shots of GE come out, he was wearing a beautiful shirt when he came out to do the poem, and the lake was in the background just at sunset, so it was very pretty, hopefully enough light. He gave me a grin back, nice man.

One woman to my right screamed "Richard!", and after a second I lost it laughing. Ever hear the Joni Mitchell's Miles of Aisles album? <big grins> The San Francisco crowd is a good one as I've said!

Dr. Leary again was with us for LOAM: however, I saw Justin sneak a look at his watch when the lights were off him during this, and his mind was sorta on the plane if you ask me.....for elsewhere. Overall such a very very professional production....even though I suspect His Nibs was just kicking a cold, he and everyone else gave such wonderful performances, I can't get upset if they looked a little grumpy a few times here and there. Justin's mind may have been elsewhere, but he enjoyed himself despite that fact. The rest are always happy......it was a wonderful show.

Whole place was on feet for the finale and away they all went. Sad face. Debbie said, "some guy invited me to a party after the show with the band on a boat" "Take us with you" we all chimed. "I know a line when I hear it" she commented. So after the show, we lost Debbie, and June, me and Lynn went to watch the loading dock where the crew bus and the Egotrips semi was stacked. June started talking about the buttlands......considering what a scummy hole the rooms were, after I stopped laughing, I asked her to spell it.....Butlins! Apparently in the UK they are hotels that match the description of Konocti Lodge. Bumner Regis and Minehead were mentioned. And I just thought Konocti was some place people stopped to empty their ashtrays!

No limos came out of the loading dock, so we figured there was another way out. Sure enough, reports were the limo had already departed another way....on way to airport. We felt disappointed, as we really wanted to scream as they left "Doesn't this remind you of the Butlins?" We wandered back to the main lodge, still talking about Butlins I think.....spotted Debbie lurking around what appeared to be the boathouse. "Well I don't want to miss any opportunities!" We checked everything that looked like a boathouse, no bandmembers or parties on boats, much less any rational people as it was getting very cold and late. Some band was playing in the lodge, did a great cover of "Back in the USSR" which several of us danced to. Security was impressive, large beefy sorts. It was too crowded in the bars to get waited on, so we went back to the penitentary rooms and dug things outta cars to eat. Broke out the wine. We stayed up late, drinking wine and yakking, and it was a lot of fun. (there's nothing like gassing over wine for women). June was a rip, I'll do her notes in the Vibes. I had considered heading home after the show, but I had the room, and it was nice to stick around and talk with friends, it was fun to visit. Scuzzy as the rooms were, I hope the band comes back again to visit, and Justin maybe does some solo here. It's nice venue.

Didn't even unpack when I went to bed, slept in my clothes. Didn't shower, I could see foot fungus leaping about in the shower behind that pink curtain. Konocti really has a lot of potential, the area is kinda nice, rooms cheap, but boy does the lodge need some work! Grey Monday with in the night, and mournful ruffles coursed the surface of the lake.....a morning for sad poetry. PMS set in. Fat clouds drizzled rain on my Adak parka. I packed up and headed for home. A grey morning in this land between the mountains and the sea.

I'm sorry for the folks who couldn't make it this time and who were missed. I can think of two Scorpio Moms who are cutting way back, as they are worried more about their families right now. I missed Barb Cummings and Lisa Hill who could not make either venue, and I know Judy Germone was at Konocti and I never found her. Sad face. It was nice without some of the more aggressive regulars, and Red Horned Cows this time. Only bummer note (other than the scuzzy rooms) was that some hoggy woman snatched a drumstick from Bob Fisher's littlest 2-year old.....Lynn and I agreed we wished we were there to beat on the b****. This is no light threat from either of us, I'm still proud of whacking the jerks at the HOB last July, though it was reflexive and disruptive. Some things just call for justice if you get my meaning.

I have pictures, in fact, the Beatty's dropped off their film in the same place in Ukiah (I left them my phone number). The developers did a great job on my Konocti pixs, and hope to have all the pixs up shortly (gotta clean off that website first). Some are going to crop very well, as they are very crisp and clear. I tried to limit it, as not only is this running into money, but Debbie wasn't real pleased about me leaning on top of her for good angles. Neither was the weed advocate on my other side! And I could not very well drill a hole in Dan's head......so when the second roll ran out, I put the camera away and enjoyed the show.

I hope some of the band and crew got in some time to go wine tasting in the area, but with the weather the way it is, I imagine they were not too impressed with the place. It usually looks much nicer in the Spring, I assure any Moodies who are reading.

My only complaint to the band would be (with a tongue in cheek)...hey aren't you all being a little chickensh*t to hide from the fans so much? June used to hang out in the places the original Moodies played..... they were very accessible in those days. Now they never chat or get near the teeming masses. Then again, many say "Just a few spoil it for the rest of us"...and it's true; in both my reviews, I've tried to put down the iccky events as I have witnessed them, and if you recognize yourself, maybe you should think about what you are doing in the fan base! The obnoxious fans are nothing new. And it's sad, as part of the fun of doing these shows is one gets to meet all sorts of new and interesting people, and talk to many who love the same music you do (I met nice people just sitting in parking lots this time!). The band misses out on that part of it, they are surrounded by managers and limo drivers and "the priveleged". (Starting to sound like a Marxist aren't I? grins). If the band were really being real with themselves, they would spend their time as they pleased, not allow themselves to be prisoners, afraid to even leave the room for ice. They should just back the pushy fans away with the simple words "You are being pushy. Go away or I'm calling security". Jeeeze, one dirty look from Justin would wilt me were I to stalk him, I can't imagine the unfeeling persons who have no thought for the man's space! Some of us would like to talk with Justin about guitar chords, lyrics or arrangements (or legs, grins), or GE about his aquariums and aviation. They never come out and socialize so we can't and don't. I guess that is the way of the world.

And a final comment: this came up in conversation again with some friends, it has before. We wondered about the extreme cases of "people with more money than brains" who drop a C note to get against the stage, year after year after year, and you think "what do they want?" I asked some of my friends that. Some of them are very beautiful, lovely nice women, with homes and family and nice, attractive husbands. I keep getting this answer: I want to have an affair with [fill in the blank with your fave Moody] and then go back to my husband. Egad. If I had a nice husband worthy of being with, you sure as h*ll would not find me chasing around after the Moodies: a rooster in the hand is worth seven in the bush!!! I guess it's mostly just fantasy in those cases, but my feelings are certainly that if I were to ever become friends with my fave Moody (I'll concede with lady like grace that the man is married, but........), it would definately be something a little more deep than a quicky affair! (Just slightly!). There is a morals shift going on in our society. I don't know where it is going, but I do know it's all over the news too, so I guess open affairs and running around are a norm now. Is this good or bad? I do know I wasn't raised that way. But I guess it's ok if it's your thang. I'm not the morals police.

I did find it telling that one of my friends said of my fave Moody, and I quote "don't you think he has flaws like every other man?" as if this made it ok to think about the usuery of the previous paragraph. This "star stuff" is very confusing to me. People should just be people......and I can see why Justin and John have stayed with the wives they have. Maybe all those wild bimbos they have "run around with" (allegedly) over the years have just been using them for ego flings, and not friendship. Go figure.

Oh well, that's enough of my rantings. Just enjoy the music if you have shows ahead of you, and give all the guys my love.....