SouleD Out Music

I would like to see a show of hands here...who likes the parking meter guy?? I for one, DON'T!  Now, I suppose I am blaming the wrong guy, giving the wrong guy a bad name and sure, he is just doing his job....blah, blah, BLAH!

You know it is bad when they make a TV reality show out of this issue, so I am not the only one, really.  Today folks...you really should start saving those pennies, nickels and dimes...oh wait! DOLLARS!  Yes Sir, I did say dollars.

The City Department of Transportation has a whole new mission for you, raising funds. 
After several months of bureaucratic hosh-posh, city techs will  be adjusting all of our downtown San Pedro parking meters to abide by the citywide rate increase enacted last summer.  Rates will go up to $1.00 an hour or $4.00 for 10 hours or $100.00 for 5 seconds...ok so I am being a serious brat on that last fee, but really, what is the difference?    

In the parking areas that display "all day/long term/etc...etc", the new hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, including Sunday, Sunday did they say?  Hmmm? That's funny because the meters are not in effect...or are they now?  Yep, they are!  Someone needs to tell old has been Arnie that showbiz WAS his day job and he needs to KEEP it!  All I keep thinking about is that "Meter Fairy", remember him?  I do, and I want to find him again! I like fairies, maybe I should become the next meter fairie!  

I felt that this was the appropriate spot to let our local residents, law abiding neighbors and even the shady know what is going on around our perfect little neighborhood.  There is an advantage to living high on the hill...really I live on a really steep hill! So you see, I can see.  We have a neighbor right by us that is clearly up to no good.  It appears that her living arrangements have changed and her "house guest" a real pro in the identity theft department!

I found it strange that a house that has been under construction now for over 3 years would have anyone ordering expensive items and having them delivered to an abondoned house, I wouldn't.  Anyway, just about daily, there are nice expensive items being left right there on the door step for not just anyone to get...our new neighbor to get. I called the authorities just to be asked if I had actually seen this guy order something, haha, ok so do they suppose I do that? I know! I will order a high powered telescope on that guys credit and spy on the dude, yeah that might work right? People please.  

As if our new "neighbor" isn't trouble enough, we have several "sober living" homes that are within walking distance from our home, that have at least 5 to 8 guys living in them.  Don't get me wrong here, I am all for the poor guys getting sober, cleaning up their lives and staying out of my trash cans...but they don't! I am certain that the reason many of my local neighbors are not aware of these residences is because they are not openly informed of them.  Many of my neighbors are elderly or do not get out much, so having the ability to observe this activity is limited. 

Lets move on now, move on to the problem of crazy dimented dogs attacking joggers, mail carriers and other dogs. There is a woman that lives one block over from our street who owns a couple of very aggressive pitbulls.  See, I own a pitbull too, but the difference is that mine acts like they should all act, friendly and loved. Her pitbulls, that I like to call the, "white demons" are always ready for the attck. Her small little 3 foot picket fence is no match for those 100lb dogs.  When poor old granny decides to take a stroll down Leland Street, she better make sure she takes a big bat with her! I bet that you want to know what the authorities are doing about this right? Simply nothing.  The one jogger who was brutally attacked has now filed a lawsuit, that's good, but what about the rest of us who are afraid to walk our dogs down the sidewalk or our children who have been banned from skating by her house?

All of this just infuriates me because I live here, I see all this and I know all too well that nothing will ever be done.  When I have a party at my house, which I like to do occassionally, all hell breaks loose and the police decide this is the time to come out and crack down.  I truly believe that if all my neighbors knew what was really going on around here, my parties would be a welcomed nuisance for sure! Just as our town isn't perfect, either am I, but I can say that I am doing my part to be a good person, learn from all of my mistakes that I have made in my lifetime and do right by others.  I think it only fair that these neighborhood goons be made to do the same!   

Are you singing the blues about your wedding music, party dj or arguing with the better half over an 80's hair band playing your event? Stop bickering and most importantly, stop stressing! Music is definitely the crowd pleaser along with the provided cocktails, but it does not have to be stressful production at all.

Start by reviewing the guest list. How many guests are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond? Write down the number of people you estimate is in every age category. A pattern will likely emerge - a bulge of people in their 30s, for instance, with a mini-bulge of 50-ish folks and a contingent of elderly relatives and family friends pushing 70. You'll want to include music at the reception that will appeal to each group - some '80s rock and roll for the thirtysomethings, '60s-era tunes for their parents and some jazz and show tunes for the older crowd.

While a good band or DJ service knows to cater to different age groups with appropriate music, be sure you discuss the age breakdown at your party with them ahead of time. Unless you speak up, they likely will average two slow songs for every five fast songs. Usually the more slow songs played, the more people will get up and dance.

The '80s dance stuff is back, so people want to hear 'That's The Way I Like It' by K.C. and the Sunshine Band, 'Play That Funky Music' by Wild Cherry, 'Brick House' by the Commodores - and I always do a twist medley," he adds. First dance favorites of the moment are "From This Moment" and "Still The One" by Shania Twain, "Truly Madly Deeply" by Savage Garden and "Love of My Life" by Sammy Kershaw.

Generally speaking, dj's tend to start around $300.00 and can rise up to $1,000, price does not determine their qualifications though, be sure to remember that.  A $200 dj could actually be better than a $1,200.00 wedding dj, or vice versa.  Bands add that extra "concert feel" so decide what kind of timeline you will have, as many bands perform about 90 minutes on up to 2 hours, where a dj will generally stay the whole event.  

So, we have all heard of godzilla, right?  But where did the term "bridezilla" come from?  The reason I ask is simple... meeting many bride-to-be's, I have come across a few species that I know are not from the human family.

These brides come from all walks of life, every ethnicity, every budget and every location, but they all have one thing in common...BRIDITIS!  There is something about a bride's fabulius day that becomes something out of the norm for the rest of us, something that just cannot be explained.  Perhaps, something dark and evil.

I think I know why they chose the color white for brides, it is because their undernaeth colors are dark and scary!  Brides can be sweet, unassuming and actually quite charming, that is until they start talking to their vendors...yes, EVERY vendor.

Remember when flowers, food, alcohol was not even a concern?  Skip ahead to a few months before their big day, that "no-concern" has become a security breech!  I am learning first hand that there really is an importance to table seating...what?  I know that I only care about being seated at the "fun" table, but the bride may have another plan...it does not include fun.

Lets start on the topic of "ettiquette", who the hell came up with the ettiquette of the brides parents paying for everything?  What kind of ettiquette is that?  I guarantee a groom and his family thought of that!  I happen to be blessed...The groom's family is way too generous (so lets not tell them that) and they are every part of this wedding as we are, but only by choice, not tradition.

I went to a bridal expo...guess what?  The groom got in FREE!  Yep, free.  I think Donald Trump (it was at The Trump Golf Course) is a grooms father!  As far as the expo....PHENOMINAL!  This was the best thing I have attended concerning this wedding, yet.  We got ideas, referrals, free champagne, free food, won prizes AND decided all of our original plans SUCK! Did I mention that I am the brides mom?

Anyway, I guarantee...planning?  THE BEST IDEA YET!  I have every reputable, confident and BEST vendor listed on my site...including the absolute best bartenders in the west...ME!