Seattle - Pizza with Eddie Vedder, con't

Okay, I realize that last post was just me babbling. I was really struggling uploading those pics to my new server and wanted the benefit of the photographs I took the first night in Hollywood so I could relate the story as it unfolded. But because Julie and Eric won't be home until tomorrow and I can't wait, just pretend this is that Seinfeld episode where it's all backwards...I'll start with Day 2 in Seattle and work my way back to Hollywood tomorrow.

Just as in L.A., Picturehouse Films arranged for drivers to meet us at the Seattle airport and take us to our hotel. We stayed at the W, which is just about the most gorgeous hotel ever. It's such a hip place; outrageous artwork, ultra modern decor with free standing sculpture as railings...and nice little touches like a lobby with a roaring fireplace and fresh unsweetened juice with orange, lime, lemon and grapefruit slices (and sprigs of mint) in a glass dispenser sitting on a table with a large bowl of green apples -- all complimentary. Terry cloth robes in the bathroom...and a view of the waterfront. I could live there forever.

When we pull up at the hotel, we're immediately met by staff from the Seattle Film Festival. That's where we get the news that Eddie Vedder would like to have dinner with us before the show.

You can't imagine what it's like -- as a long time fan -- to hear those words said so casually.

"Yes, you're going to meet him at one of his favorite restaurants - they have the best pizza in Seattle".

The kids were more subdued; I acted like a complete idiot practically jumping up and down and screaming "We're having pizza with Eddie Vedder; we're having pizza with Eddie Vedder!"

Anyway...

We had a bit of down time later in the afternoon and Julie and the other girls: Madison Flego, Julia Rainer, and Teddi Tarnoff - the three most talented vocalists and guitarists EVER actually asked me if I wanted to go out and see the city with them. I tried not to act too much like a dork thanking them over and over for including me (oh, it's so pathetic getting older) and I had a blast with them. They are four incredible girls - so smart and beautiful and fun to hang out with. We went into some boutiques, walked down by the water, and totally fell in love with Seattle. It's easy to see why people are so enamoured of the Pacific northwest.

We had just enough time to get back to our rooms and change. Our driver was so awesome - his name is Holden and he used to be a singer in a punk band and now he's connected with the Seattle Film Festival. He takes us to the restaurant where we are whisked upstairs to a private room. There's already two pizzas on the table and we were met by a very pretty woman named Kate Jackson who introduced herself to me as Eddie Vedder's assistant. With her was his equipment man, George, another really cool guy who sat next to Julie and asked her all about her equipment...what kind of basses does she have, what amps does she play through, etc. Kate's phone rang twice - both times it was Eddie who was running late and stuck in traffic. She said "Oh my god, Eddie is really sweating - he's so sorry he's late". In other words, he's no prima donna; this is an honestly down to earth guy, one of the nicest men I've ever met, who was worried we would think he wasn't coming.

About ten minutes later he walks in, wearing jeans, a Ramone's t-shirt, and an open plaid shirt. If you think he is beautiful in photographs, to see him in person is to die. Oh god, it was so hard not to stare at him like a crazed groupie. Anyway, he sits down, takes a piece of pizza, and immediately starts talking with the kids. He's really easy going; he didn't mind we were snapping pictures; he said he wanted to go to soundcheck/rehearsal with us after dinner and just hang out and talk and maybe sit around and play.

It was so fucking incredible.

We get to the venue and there was some trouble with the sound. It's so frustrating when that happens. But they finally straightened it out...and the kids got some rehearsal time. We heard the event totally sold out and it took so long for everyone to fill the room that the show started around 10:00 or 10:30.

The kids were amazing. They started off with Black Magic Woman as is their trademark. Eric on drums, C.J. on guitar, Brian on bass, Larry Allen on keyboards, and Madison Flego singing. It doesn't get any better. The crowd went absolutely nuts.

I can't remember the order of the songs but they did a couple by Radiohead, Pigs, City of Tiny Lights, Rebel Yell...and then Paul made an announcement there was a special guest and out walked Ann Wilson of Heart. She played Barracuda with Eric on drums, Julie on bass, and Louie and Julia Rainer on guitar. Do you think it was amazing? IT WAS!



Ann sang in her bare feet, she was so obviously wowed by the kids that it was a real sobby moment for me, and then she had to rush off because she had another gig.

It was just so, so cool of her to come and perform and she really wailed. Her voice is better than ever, and I managed to snap the following picture of Madison watching her from the wings. Madison sang Barracuda the night before in Hollywood and aced it. What's so surreal is that Heart was one of the first CDs her mom bought for her when she was five years old and she's been singing along with Barracuda for years. Ann Wilson is her hero. So can you imagine what that was like for her?







Here are some more Ann Wilson photos:








Then the kids came out and played a couple more songs and here's a few photos -- they did Heart of the Sunrise which always makes me cry, White Lines, Rock Lobster...just a really great set.









Julie and Teddi Tarnoff:



Then Paul makes the announcement that we have a special guest joining us for the last two songs, Mr. Eddie Vedder. The crowd went crazy as Eddie took the stage (hahahaha - sung to Sally Simpson by The Who) and below are my Eddie pics, which, if my kids wouldn't think I was the world's biggest freak, I would print out, frame, and hang on my bedroom wall.

Just kidding.



Julie and Eric watching as Eddie plays his first song, Corduroy, with Joey on drums:





Then Eric joined Eddie for I Wanna Be Sedated, and I've already posted that pic but I think I'll post it again:



Anyway, as amazing as all of this was, the show ends, people are screaming like it's the freaking Beatles at Shea Stadium; and I decide to go backstage and check on the kids. I'd assumed Eddie had already left the premises.

WRONG!

I walked in just in time to see Eddie, my son, Eric, Joey Randazzo, a/k/a Joey Reno, and Larry Allen doing an a cappella version of The Who's A Quick One While He's Away.

How lucky am I -- my daughter videotaped the whole thing. It went on for 10-15 minutes, with Eddie singing and laughing and Don Argott, director and producer of Rock School doing harmonies. I cannot believe I own this film. We watched it as soon as we got home last night and you have no idea how terrific it is. Joey and Eric, both drummers, beat out the rhythm while everyone sings. My son played his iPod with drumsticks, Joey beat on his knees and stamped his feet, Eddie was so into it...you could tell he was having a blast.

Then Kate brought out a big carton full of Pearl Jam books and EPs because Eddie wanted the kids to have a souvenier and then he stood there and autographed every one of them personally as well as let us all take our pics with him. He's the nicest guy in the entire world.

I'm not kidding; he stayed backstage with us for over an hour, just chatting...it was like he was having the best time hanging with kids who loved rock (apparently an oddity these days, huh) and didn't want it to end, either.

Oh, one other thing about Eddie which is the coolest, most touching thing. He walks around with one of those old fashioned black and white composition books and on the first page he has a picture of his beautiful one year old daughter glued in with her name written under it...he is so in love with her and so obviously thrilled to be a dad...I guess he uses the book to write down ideas and thoughts...I don't know, as a writer, I love the idea that he does that and doesn't walk around with a laptop like most people. It was old fashioned and sweet.

Okay. That's all for now. I'm still really jet lagged and need to try and upload more pics.

And I haven't even written about Hollywood yet!

ROCK SCHOOL PREMIERE: Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars perform with Jon Anderson, Alice Cooper, Stewart Copeland AND WE HAD PIZZA WITH EDDIE VEDDER

Julie and C.J. Tywoniak

Well. What can I say. I'm still speechless over the past three days - on a high from which I can't come down. As I've written, we were on a three day tour to promote the opening of Rock School.

I could talk for hours about the fantastic hotels, how terrific we were treated by the Picturehouse Films (formerly Newmarket) staff...how I fell in love with the city of Seattle...but I have much more exciting things to say. First of all, the movie.

Rock School is amazing! It's nothing like I expected. It's hilarious! Laugh out loud funny. If people are offended by the language or Paul's approach, too fucking bad. The movie portrays him exactly as he is - totally fucking brilliant, totally fucking insane, but more importantly, totally fucking in love with our kids and because of him, these kids (and me as well as some of the other parents) have gone places and experienced things which are surreal.

How's this for an example: We had pizza in Seattle with Eddie Vedder before the show at his favorite pizza restaurant. I mean, we had pizza with Eddie Vedder. WE HAD PIZZA WITH EDDIE VEDDER!

Anyway, Don Argott captured Paul, the kids, Rock School perfectly. It's one of most entertaining movies I've ever seen in my life. I literally had tears in my eyes from laughing; I was again awed by the music; I was thrilled by all of the interviews - the kids come off intelligent, funny, and really, like the great friends they all are. It's such a feel good picture, you can't help but whistle and cheer at its ending. Joe Randazzo actually jumped up on his seat in the theater. Okay, well, that's Joey, but I was extremely tempted to follow and probably will the next time I see it.

It's that amazing.

I mean, Jon Anderson and Eddie Vedder saw the movie and immediately wanted to meet Paul and perform with the kids. How fucking cool is that!

Anyway, I don't want to give away any more -- once it's released in the theater I'll talk more about it.

Oh hell. I want to start talking about the whole experience from the very beginning. There's way too much to tell. I have to wait for Julie and all of the photos from the first show so that I can write about Jon Anderson (a sweetheart!), the kids' performance, the people at Picturehouse Films, Don and Sheena...oh my god, I know I'm gushing but I don't know...when we went to Germany to see the kids perform at Zappanale, I thought that was the best time of my life, but nothing compares to this.

I don't know how I'm ever going to return to the real world next week.


Eric and Eddie Vedder at Neumo's in Seattle




I need to drop down a few lines here because the next photo is very large and the stuff I have in the right hand margin blocks it if I don't make space)








Madison Flego, Brian Purcell, Eric Slick, Eddie Vedder, and Julia Rainer


Eddie Vedder trading licks with Louis Graff...sitting on the floor in awe is our Uberlord and man responsible for the best three days of my life, Paul Green, standing watching is George, Eddie's equipment man and a great guy, and Julie


C.J., Eddie, and Louie


The kids performing Barracuda with Ann Wilson of Heart in Seattle


Julie performing with Stewart Copeland of the Police at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood

(I have a ton of pictures and I want to post them in order; unfortunately, Julie downloaded the ones from the first night on her computer and is at school with it now so I only have the ones from the second night...but I don't think anyone will mind a few pics of Eddie Vedder and Ann Wilson. Rest assured that I have tons of pics of all of the Rock School kids, not just my own, but because I have a new computer (a Mac as opposed to a PC) and haven't mastered uploading yet, I obviously did my own kids first. But thanks to Monique Lampson, C.J.'s mom, who sent me the pic of the kids with Ann Wilson and Julie with Stewart Copeland)



...MORE TO FOLLOW...MUCH MUCH MORE

Hollywood/Seattle here we come!

Rock School doing Zep - and yep, that's my son on drums, wearing a fake mustache and looking scarily like John Bonham. He was totally in Bonham character for the show (but no, he was stone cold sober) and if you closed your eyes, you'd have thought you were hearing the real thing. But better, of course. Ha.

So, the household is in an uproar right now - we're doing last minute packing for our trip to Hollywood today. Our flight leaves at 6:00 p.m. but of course we have to be at the airport by 4:00 p.m.; we're staying at a top of the line, really cool hotel right on Hollywood Boulevard and after the private screening of the movie tomorrow, the kids will perform at the LA Knitting Factory with Jon Anderson and possibly...this just in...Alice Cooper. He was a Yes, he was a No, now I hear he might be a Yes again. But speaking of Yes, yep, Jon Anderson is a definite and he will be performing Heart of the Sunrise with my daughter on bass, my son on drums, my "adopted" son Louie on guitar and Larry Allen on keyboards. In a perfect world, Teddi Tarnoff, who owns that song (via her performances at Rock School) will be doing the harmonies but I guess that all depends on Jon and how things go at soundcheck/rehearsal tomorrow prior to the show.

What's really cool is that we have a big chunk of down time tomorrow in L.A. - and this hotel has all the amenities. So I'll be sitting in a jacuzzi all day and soaking up some sun prior to the festivities and this time I can have a giggle and take the kids to see what Hollywood Boulevard is really like. When we went on tour last summer, the kids had no sight seeing time at all and I was horrified by the tourist stuff to which I was exposed (because I did have down time and was basically dropped off on Hollywood Boulevard while the kids rehearsed) but now that I know what to expect and exactly where to go, I can show the kids a fun time. Oh yeah, I can easily live like this 24/7 and I will have both the digital camera and laptop with me after all and since both hotels have high speed internet in the rooms, I'll hopefully be popping by daily with reports and photos.

On Wednesday morning we have to leave for Seattle at 6:00 a.m. after partying all night Tuesday in LA so who needs sleep - I'll nap on the plane, and then again, we have down time all evening until soundcheck at 6:45 p.m. So to all my friends in Seattle, if you are free during the day, call me on my cell phone or drop me an email. I'm going to email all of you with my number as soon as I finish this post but in case you guys don't get it, we'll be staying at the W Hotel so you can find me there.

Also, there is a chance the Seattle venue for the kids' concert with Eddie Vedder and Ann Wilson of Heart may be changed from Neumos to the Experience Music Project, which is this totally cool museum highlighting musicians from the Seattle area so you know I'm going to go there regardless to see the Jimi Hendrix exhibits, etc. -- if it turns out the show is in fact at Neumos as still advertised, I'll hit the Music Project during the day.

So yep, I'm way excited and sorry about no Zep review or further comments about that in my blog yesterday...I was too busy working on my novel and doing wash and packing for the trip out west. Worse, the kids weren't home and I didn't have anyone around to remind me of the names of the performers I don't know. So all I can say is, the concert was fantastic, there no clunkers, every kid was so terrific it was like viewing an All Star show. I have to be honest, I wondered how Philly Rock School was going to keep up its level of excellence losing people like Allie Hauptman, Max Rothstein, Cameron Sima, Max DiMezza, Eric Slick, Larry Allen, Lauren Pollock, and Jeremy Blessing but I needn't have worried. There's a whole new slew of All-Stars waiting in the wings and I was fortunate enough to see them this weekend.

Rock Music rules and it lives! And yep, we have our Uberlord, Paul Green, to thank. And of course the parents rule, too, because we put up with his bullshit. (Hahaha - just poking some fun at Paul - our battles over the years have been legendary but I'm also probably his biggest fan because I look at my own kids and am flabbergasted at how far they've come - both musicially and confidence wise -- and I know he's played a major, major part. Oh, and did I mention I get to go to Hollywood today courtesy of Rock School? And of course thanks to Rock School directors/producers Don Argott and Sheena Joyce, and Newmarket Films as well. Yay!)

Photos from the Saturday Led Zep show

Part II

I was going to talk up last night's Rock School tribute to Led Zep but I've decided to wait until tomorrow so I can write all about tonight's final show for keyboardist Allie Hauptman and bassist Matt Rothstein. Also, there's a lot of new faces at Rock School and now that Julie and Eric have filled me in on who is who and I've seen the show, I'll be a lot better qualified to talk about each kid individually after I see it a second time tonight. Just know that everyone was awesome!

That being said, if you are anywhere in the Philadelphia area, come out for the Zep concert tonight. It's a brilliant performance and it's going to be a very touching finale for Allie and Matt. And of course it also marks the end of regular season shows for graduating All-Stars Eric Slick, Max DiMezza, Lauren Pollock, and Jeremy Blessing.

I was pretty good about not losing it last night, but I'm teary eyed sitting here now just thinking about this evening. Must not forget to bring the Kleenex.

Later...

Oh my God - Part I

So you know I need to talk about last night's Rock School Led Zep show at Indre Studio because (1) it was mind blowing fantastic and (2) I want everyone who couldn't make it last night to do whatever possible to be there tonight because it's a swan song for some of the greatest, most talented kids you'll ever want to meet and while Paul did a very touching wonderful tribute to them last night, tonight is going to be even more emotional. I want to devote an entire post to it so while I'm busy writing that, I want to post something I just found on line which is apparently in all of the Seattle newspapers this morning. I didn't know what I'm about to post is a sure thing, and since I've discovered so many previous journalistic errors, I will check with Paul later to make sure this is correct...but holy shit....

Rock School Jam Session
featuring the students from the film,
ROCK SCHOOL
with special appearances by:

ANN WILSON (Heart) and special guests

(Okay, that's the Oh my God part. I did NOT know she was a sure thing; I know I was hoping, because Eric is on drums and Julie is on bass with Ann Wilson playing Barracuda on the Rock School soundtrack IN STORES ON MAY 31, 2005. And you know from reading this blog who the other special "guest" is but guest(s) in plural...if there are any more surprises like this, I may have total heart failure altogether!)

STUDENTS ROCK AT ROCK SCHOOL JAM SESSION

Rocks Stars. Guitar Gods. Kids.

At some point in their lives, most everyone dreams of becoming a rock star: feeling the roar of the crowd; basking in the adoration of legions of fans; experiencing the adventures of life on the road. Now imagine fulfilling that fantasy as a child. Welcome to ROCK SCHOOL.

Seattle, WA - The Seattle International Film Festival is pleased to present the “Rock School Jam Session”, Wednesday, May 25, 9:00 PM at Neumos (925 E. Pike St.), featuring the young musicians from the acclaimed documentary ROCK SCHOOL.

Admission is $8.00 and the event is open to audiences 21 and over.

Performing at the “Rock School Jam Session” will be ROCK SCHOOL students: Julia Rainer, Teddi Tarnoff, Madison Flego, Julie Slick, Louis Graff, Bryan Purcell, Joe Randazzo, Larry Allen, Eric Slick and CJ Tywoniak with ROCK SCHOOL teacher Paul Green.

The students have played over 350 concerts to more than 100,000 people at such legendary venues as The Knitting Factory, The Big Easy and BB Kings in Times Square. In Seattle, the play list will feature songs from a wide range of rock classics and will include special musical guests Ann Wilson (Heart) and special guests.

A meditation on talent and teaching, the documentary film ROCK SCHOOL is a celebration of youthful promise and steadfast dreams. It is also a kick-ass music movie that should be played loud!

ROCK SCHOOL is directed by Don Argott and produced by Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott. ROCK SCHOOL will screen at the Seattle International Film Festival on Wednesday, May 25, 7:00 PM at the Egyptian Theatre. For tickets to the film and after-party, please call: (206) 324-9996 or online visit: www.seattlefilm.org.

Today's insanity...

Please forgive the lapse in posting; I've been working on my novel and crash dieting which is sapping my energy (yes, yes, I'm an idiot, I know)and after skipping dinner last night, I remembered I have a doctor appointment after work today where they do blood work to monitor my cholesterol and I'm supposed to fast all day. So I've now gone over 24 hours without anything in my stomach and I'm hallucinating. But I do have some news. You all probably knew Rock School will be playing at the Ritz in Philadelphia and New Jersey but it's also been added to the Bridge, which is very cool since all the college kids (well, the ones still around for the summer) in University City will find it a lot more convenient. I'm just totally thrilled that it's going to be playing throughout the city at the coolest venues!
*******************
So ever since I've been researching Rock School the movie and the soundtrack I am just astounded by the journalistic errors I'm finding. Take a look at this published in a newspaper out of Toronto (and you know I've written to them to correct this debacle)

"Paul Green is a rock star. Green runs the Rock School in Boston, where kids aged 9 to 17 learn to play Sabbath, Zeppelin, and, if they're good enough, Frank Zappa. Judging by the Rock School documentary screening here, Green is a pudgy holy terror. He screams at the kids, berates them, then cracks sloppy rude jokes that put him right at the kids' level. "Don't look at your fingers," he yells at one boy trying to master a guitar lick. "Girls look at their fingers! Do you wanna be a girl? Do you wanna be in The Bangles?" There is absolutely no mention of School Of Rock in Rock School, which makes me suspect either hurt feelings or legal action. Green is funny and out of control, but strangely, not as convincing in the role as Jack Black was."
**************
Okay, gang, let's play Where's Waldo. An award to the first reader who can identify all the mistakes in this article. Man, I already went nuts on another Canadian entertainment website who confused Gene Simmons with Paul and then condescendingly told me in a post on their site that I should watch the T.V. show and get it right. Ahem. I will post that later because we're still in a battle and I just zinged him or her pretty good. Whoever is fighting with me is doing in anonymously; I'm using my real name. Oh, I so hope it's Gene Simmons! Ha! (Don't worry - I'm not being obnoxious, just gently suggesting that the poster get his/her facts straight and that NO THE SOUNDTRACK COMING OUT MAY 31 IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE GENE SIMMONS T.V. SHOW! And err...I might have mentioned how horrified I am at the very thought...)
***************
I dug this review a lot better -- it was posted in a Texas newspaper following the recent screening of the movie at South by Southwest:

"Don Argott's "Rock School" played to capacity crowds who generated a vibe more like a concert than a movie. People laughed, hooted, clapped; many flashed the devil sign with raised hands. They were responding to Paul Green, the demanding dean of the School of Rock Music in Philadelphia, where kids ages 5 to 17 learn the notes, moves and collaborative dynamics of playing in a rock band. Green is mean, shouting expletives and slamming doors when a student fails to make her mark. Yet it's this flamboyant, John Belushian passion, at once crude and caring, that spurs his young charges to play their best, nailing even the most byzantine Frank Zappa compositions at a major festival in Germany. With a trajectory of pain and triumph and a compelling cast of hobbit-height headbangers, the film makes an immersive, exhilarating experience that leaves you giddy."
**************
Now this I loved altogether. You know I'm going to LA next week for a private screening of Rock School. Check this out. $3,000.00 for an all day pass? What does that mean? Hahahahaha - what, to see the movie and see my kids perform? $3,000.00? Can that be right? YAY!
****************
Speaking of that, Rock School apparently is being released internationally this summer as well - here's the info for a movie theater in Australia!.
****************
So that's basically it for now -- I'm dizzy as hell and have to leave for the doctor where I will probably fall face down the minute they stick a needle in my arm to draw blood. Holy cow, this may be the longest I've ever gone without food. My luck, my doctor's office is right down the street from Jim's Steaks. I could probably eat six of those at the moment. And probably will.
****************
P.S.

Oh god...just back from the doctor.

(1) Robin, there is a suspicious looking lesion on your back. I'm giving you the name of a dermatologist and I want you to promise me you will call him immediately for appointment.

Me: IS IT SKIN CANCER???!!!!

Doctor: Well, it isn't uneven around the edges but I have to tell you I don't like the looks of it and it's best to have a dermatologist take a biopsy and then remove it.

Doctor: Your ankles are swollen. Are you eating a lot of salt?

Me: NO! I'VE BEEN WATCHING MY WEIGHT, DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, WALKING FOUR MILES A DAY. IS IT CANCER?

Doctor: Let me draw some more blood and I'll call you Monday - it could just be you're sitting at the computer too much and not walking around enough.

Sorry. I'm terrified by the idea of a "lesion". It's taking all the willpower in the world not to go on Google and see if ankle swelling and skin cancer are related in any way. Why would he draw blood for ankle swelling?

So...I have to leave to Hollywood on Monday with this on my mind? Jesus Fucking Christ.

Happy Birthday Eric - Part II

So as I've been advertising, Eric turned 18 yesterday and one of his gifts is that he gets to spend the night with Levon Helm Memorial Day weekend in Woodstock, New York at a jam which will be webcast in case anyone is interesting in having a listen/look. Also joining them will be a great guitarist, Jimmy Vivino - you may know him from the Letterman show and he's also one of the Fab Faux, the world's greatest tribute Beatle band:

Anyway, because I bought this gift for Eric with my paypal account, I'm now getting Levon Helm emails from his manager every day so this morning I decided to write back and say, Hey, it's cool I'm getting this stuff but you should really be emailing my son. And then of course me being me and never being able to send a one sentence email, I proceeded to tell Levon's manager all about Eric and Rock School - both the movie and the soundtrack, etc.

Hahahaha - it pays to be an obnoxious "stage mother". I got an excited email back five minutes later; Levon and his manager can't wait to meet Eric...Eric should go up and introduce himself immediately when he gets there, etc. etc.

So how cool is that? Even Eric is impressed. I didn't get the usual "Oh mom..." Hahahaha - I bought him a new suit for the trip to Hollywood next week and of course I opened up my big mouth in the mens' store as well and he had salesguys fawning over him. But Eric does have star quality and they probably would have picked up on it anyway, but he had eight guys rushing to wait on him - it was hilarious.

Speaking of Hollywood, Julie and I bought "gowns" on Saturday morning for the premiere party. Oh my god, we had so much fun. We went to Lord and Taylor and tried on all of these fancy dresses which is so out of character for both of us but we had a blast! We were laughing our asses off posing in front of the mirror and then a couple times we couldn't get the dresses over our heads because of complicated linings; one time Julie tried on a gown with beaded straps which cost a fortune and I'm trying to help her take it off and all I could think was Holy Shit, we're both such clumsy goofballs these straps are going to break and beads are going to fly everywhere and I'm gonna be stuck buying this thing. What made it more fun is that the two of us actually looked decent in almost everything we tried on because we've both been dieting so that put us in a great head. Unlike the poor mother in the dressing room next to us with her spoiled brat daughter who was trying to get a gown for the prom. Oh my god, I don't know how that Mom didn't slap her or storm out and leave her there. Not that I would ever hit either of my kids, but this chick -- I might have made an exception. She was whining about some country club and her poor mother was so desperate she was offering to take her to malls all over the State of Pennsylvania and the girl was so verbally abusive back...anyway,I am so lucky to have Julie as my daughter and not some spoiled mentally unbalanced selfish twat.

So in other news, I spent the entire weekend writing which was AWESOME! I'm really happy with the direction my book is taking. I wrote non-stop except for an hour or two last night when we had dinner out for Eric's birthday. If you live in Philadelphia and haven't eaten at Joseph Poon's, you really should. I had an appetizer of salmon satay which was to die for and Julie and I split an entree of heart healthy coconut shrimp. No really, it was heart healthy - it was steamed shrimp quickly stir fried in light coconut milk with a hundred different fresh crunchy vegetables. Eric got duck tacos and of course I was like Pavlov's dog looking at them but if I want to fit into this gown next week, I have to like live on lettuce this week, too. I almost cracked when Joe brought out those complimentary home made almond cookies for dessert (that's twice in three days I've been offered cookies in a restaurant. If this is a new trend, oh man, I'm sunk!) but I let the family eat them and I kept telling myself: A few seconds of pleasure is not worth the week of torture to lose the pound I'll gain if I eat these.

Ahem. I can think of times a few seconds of pleasure is worth anything, but um, not for a cookie. At least not this week.

So I know it's early in the week but I'm going to keep issuing reminders: This weekend, Indre Studios - the final Rock School spring show EVER for graduating students Eric, Allie Hauptman, Jeremy Blessing, Lauren Pollock, Fil Smith, Matt Rothstein, Max DiMezza...arghhh....this is going to be a three box of Kleenex event for me...performing the music of Led Zep. Ooh ooh - I know the show ender - it's Lauren Pollock singing Stairway to Heaven. If that doesn't bring the house down, nothing will. Eric is on drums for that and I'm guessing most of the "graduates" are going to be on stage for that as well. Shows Friday and Saturday night. I'll be there both evenings -- just look for the weeping blonde in front. Man. And then two days later we leave for Hollywood.

Life is good!

Happy Birthday Eric!

So yeah, Eric is 18 today. Right now he's at brunch at Silk City Diner - his pals called him an hour ago and said Get yourself over here, we're taking you out. But this morning I'm the one who came downstairs to the real present. I got the following email from a Paul Green School of Rock parent following the Rock School 80s' concert last night at Indre Studios. This was Eric's first stint as Assistant Music Director for a show.

Robin,
We just returned home after the second night of the 80s show (and parent fun afterwards), and it's time I share our praise of Eric (Julie is also amazing, but we've only had the privilege of hanging out with Eric).

My daughter joined PGSRM approx one year ago and, through her, I've had the good fortune to be exposed to Eric and his art (performances, original CDs, etc.). Now, with the 80s show, we've also seen the additional fruits of his (co-)production talent.

As a musician, human being, and soul, he is incredible yet refreshingly humble! Kudos to all adults who provided the environment, example, and stimuli which have fed his vast vision, talent, appreciation, empathy, respect, intelligence, and humor! His energy will definitely find its way in our universe, not only from the impact of his own talent, but also in that which he teaches to/shares with/encourages from others. It's rare to find an artist who has such a great rapport and respect for his peers! All of his "little buddies" love him and he's no slouch in keeping up in conversation with all of us "old folks."

(I do know enough about music to assure you that our praise of your brood is well deserved.)

Wow! Thanks for sharing Eric and Julie with the world! Keep "fueling" them, sit back, and enjoy the ride!

*********************

Now you know that email killed me -- I read it out loud to Eric and Julie when they woke up and completely lost it. I started crying, they started laughing -- the usual.

...more later

TGIF...

So my paperback is still a best seller -- I lifted the above images right off my publisher's website -- and now you can get yourself a copy with my autograph and a secret little message here. I know, I know, you all want to read about Rock School and not my book but I've got nothing new at the moment, and well, I did originally start this blog because I'm a writer...

Wait, I do have some news and it's pretty exciting. Julie's been offered a job this summer as an intern at Studio Four/Jive Records where they recorded the Rock School soundtrack and she's grabbing it. This is way cool since recording/producing is her major in college though of course her main dream is to play bass in a viable rock band. Speaking of that, her band (which features Eric on drums, Dan Nitz on guitar, and Teddi Tarnoff on vocals) is totally fabulous - they just recorded a demo CD and it blew me away. What's really wild is that her dad is friendly with someone knows Phil Nicolo (owner of Studio Four and president of the local chapter of the Grammys) and he said his pal told him that Phil compared Julie and Eric to Sly and Robbie Dunbar as the world's best rhythm section and may be interested in using them for future studio work, too.

Ah well. That's it for now. I have to really focus on my novel(s) over the next several days and then I'LL BE LEAVING FOR HOLLYWOOD/SEATTLE AND THE SCREENING OF ROCK SCHOOL AND ACTUALLY SEEING THE KIDS PERFORM WITH JON ANDERSON AND EDDIE VEDDER AND HOW FUCKING GREAT IS THAT.

Sorry. Just needed to let that out. Being cooped up all day in a law office is very, very frustrating. I seriously don't know how much longer I'm going to do this 9-5 paralegal gig -- I've done my time and I'm so, so tired and burnt out. I want to spend my (yuk)golden years doing what I love most, which other than being groupie Mom is of course writing, and I am going to find a way to do it or have a stroke trying.

Have a nice weekend -- I have got to seriously concentrate on my book, but of course if I get any news, I'll pop on to post.