Speech Auction

JP chaired the LSW Forensics (speech & debate) Teams' fundraiser at the WR Lodge. She has been knitting Buddy the Elf sweaters and coffee cup sweaters for the last few months.

This year we had a live auctioneer to hawk the high-dollar items. It was really fun, especially for JP after she had invested so much time.

We scored at pretty landscape painting by a local Bob Ross instructor. GP now has it hanging in his room.

Project Guitar

I found a beat up 2007 Ibanez S320 at the Lincoln MusicGoRound store! Traded in the 5-string bass that we got there (to see if we liked 5 strings better than 4 - we don't). I always want to play guitar outside when the weather is nice, but both of my guitars have nice painted finishes and all the outdoor chairs have metal armrests that scratch/dent. This old guitar is solid mahogany stained black. It shouldn't take too much effort to strip it down to bare wood and apply a plain finish that will be more compatible with the outdoor furniture.

Uncle Alice

CG's daughter bought him a pair of tickets to see Alice Cooper and Motley Crue here in Lincoln. Both acts were awesome!! I saw Alice Cooper in Phoenix when I was in school. JP sat next to him on a flight there (he's from PHX). His band has a new guitarist: Nita Strauss. She's the blond one on the left in this video:

Quite talented and very beautiful, too. She is a member of The Iron Maidens - an all female Iron Maiden tribute band. 

The drummer for Motley Crue is known for his wild stage presence. He had a big roller coaster setup going over the crowd that flipped him and his drum kit upside down while he was playing his drum solo. 

Clubbing it

We wanted to grab a quick dinner downtown, but there were no tables open anywhere. While waiting for one to open up, the hostess told us that the dance club upstairs had seating and we could eat there. The only tables they had were outside and despite the radiant heaters there, it would have been too cold for JP. We opted instead for a white leather sofa and cocktail table on the dance floor. 

It was way too early for anyone to be there dancing - the staff was just setting up. They checked the lights and I realized what I am missing in my music studio. The ceiling had a bright LED light cluster every 6" that could change to any color. Same for the white balls on the wall behind us. They are all linked and function as a sort of giant room-sized computer monitor. I can't imagine how fun it would be with the house lights down, the music turned up, and a hundred people dancing.

New XMas Tree

JP refused to put up our old tree. Something about it smelling like dust and being more than 10 years old. The new tree is 9 feet tall and fits nicely in the entryway. GP had fun helping hang the decorations.