Houston Museum of Natural History

Trying to match each other's heights in my wedges. Johnny caught the kids' cold, but he stuck it out and enjoyed the museum anyway. Love you johnny.

Today John finally had a day off so we bought city passes which are good for so many places in Houston. We checked out the Museum of Natural History today. It wasn't as big as the one in Washington D.C., but it was fun for the babies to see the dinosaur bones.
    This blog won't have a lot of words...because we didn't go there to read and learn about anything, just to look and take pictures :) Unfortunately many of the things we wanted to see were temporary exhibits which weren't covered by the city pass...I really wanted to see the Titanic exhibit, we all wanted to see the Tornado 3d movie, and I know the kids would've loved to go in the butterfly exhibit. But there was enough to keep ourselves entertained.

 There goes John talking with his hands again!

 What about the waffle fries?

 Can you find any of these fossils out in VA grandma?

 Awkwardly standing...

 Awkwardly sitting...least we got nice legs.

 Finally this kid smiles!

And we're the same height..with my heels on! It's nice not to have to crouch or slump for pictures for once lol.

 Evolution shmevolution.

 Pendulum gradually knockin pins down due to the earth's rotation.

 A little acting...no one else got into their part!

 Apparently the dinosaurs were also into deep tissue massage.

 Love this pic.

 O.J. phone home.

 Norman's turd from a past life.

 Scaring OJ.

 Then there was a room full of cool crystals and jewels, and stuff made out of cool rare materials:

 Susan's camera is so much clearer--these pics are awesome.

 Don't want to catch their cold...but hard to resist the princess pucker!

 OJ wanting to be in the pic, but not her face I guess.

 This was shmoopy to Lucas.

 Pow wow in the whigwam.

 Running around in the hall of the America's...where it says not to run around. 

 The mayans, incas and aztecs were cool.

 John was being a photographer today...he never likes to take pictures, but today volunteered to :) So I was glad to pose for him.

 It was really hot and humid today...gonna do another indoor activity tomorrow--children's museum and maybe aquarium :)

 Then we had lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse that we had a year ago with friends. It was okay--Lucas really liked his spaghetti :)

 She woke up happy though, to eat john's sausage and pasta :)

Ready to see more of Houston :)

Lazy Day :)

...watching Norman play Zelda :)

My Second Gig

I figured I should post details about my music gigs on here for friends, as I wanna talk about all the stupid (and interesting!) details that I probably shouldn't on my networking FB. You know, like the tips I got, the funny requests, the things I was feeling or thinking, and little problems I ran into etc.

   Last night I was a little more nervous I think because since my bro and sis were about to come visit, I didn't rehearse as much. I was also trying out some new ones and hoping I'd remember lyrics and chords etc. The first gig, there wasn't any customers for almost the first hour, so I really had time to get used to the place and adjust my levels, not to mention practice. This time, a regular couple, who came to my first performance, came right at the start and brought 3 friends---specifically to hear me! I was so honored--and it was them who left me the awesome $100 tip last time :) He told me to make sure I play the "Ugly Girl" song! lol. I said, "Okay, but I hope it's not directed at anyone at your table!" haha.

    I mainly played songs with pretty chords when people were just arriving and putting in their orders--I didn't want to be singing over them. Another couple came in, and later on another group of 5 came in too.

During my break, I left and came back to see Susan and Norman were there at a table too :) John had come home around 7 and stayed w the babies. At first I felt more pressure having family there, but eventually I felt comfortable. But my voice was having a tough time lasting those 3 hours and I wasn't able to hold notes as long. Halfway into the second set, I noticed the light on the PA for the guitar input was off, meaning my guitar battery died at some point! I couldn't tell..but I knew that must mean my voice was booming without enough guitar to back it up. I thankfully had an extra 9 volt and replaced it.

      I think I did almost every song on my list at least once, and even ones I hadn't rehearsed for a while. I was praying to remember lyrics as I sang lol. But I forgot some here and there. But people talked amongst themselves and I got more comfortable. I did get some requests....and some I will take on or at least try...but it was very hard for me not to look at a laughing Susan, when a customer requested Dave Matthews...I smiled and said, "no I don't know any of his but maybe next time. Let me write that down." lol...If you know me, I mean, I guess you could say I'm a music snob, but Dave Matthews is the antithesis of good music to me....and his politics turn me off all the more....Yeah, it's snotty of me, but I would never cover him. His other requests: John Mayer, Jack Johnson...maybe....but that's the closest I will ever get to DMB. (see why I posted here and not FB? lol)

     It was so nice to get applause, but I felt they were all compelled to do it after every song lol. Some of the songs probably didn't deserve them lol. I tried out "Roxanne" by The Police, "Borderline" by Madonna, and "Caramel" by Suzanne Vega. I also did (unrehearsed) "Wayfaring Stranger" Eva Cassidy's version. I liked the latter 2, and maybe Borderline. It was nice to interact with the couple who came to see me and feel like I had fans :) So flattering. I dedicated the last song to them, since he was the Beegees fan lol. "Love You Inside & Out". I forgot lyrics at the beginning, but they came back to me. I had to cut it off around 9:40 because my voice was strained, but people were still drinking wine and talking so I felt bad. I'd had a little red wine and it didn't help my dry throat...

   But as I packed up, I spoke to the Beegee's fan and one of his friends and they were so supportive. They want to try to help promote me and get me jobs in The Woodlands...Kingwood is like, the richer area out here...the Woodlands is the richer richer area north of Kingwood lol. One of the guys is also a photographer on the side and wants to do promotional shoots for my music. Very grateful for any help and support!

     I got my $150 and $70 in tips, and was ready to go. Tony was as happy as I was that people showed up. He gave me the best compliment I've heard in a while. That I am perfect for his restaurant because i'm "delightfully unusual". :) I loved that! I will be coming back on August 13th, (they will have a little 'party' for my 28th bday which is august 14th), and August 27th. And if I continue to bring people in on mondays, it will be regular! So happy! But the pressure is on to always learn more songs.

This was right before leaving for the Cafe...i've been PMSing and breaking out...have you ever covered up a scar from a zit to make it look like a mole? Neither have I....haha 

   I thanked God on the way home to be so blessed to be making something happen with my hobby, making it lucrative, and so fulfilling to share. I came home happy to spend time with my bro, sis, and babies, but John had to sleep early for work. I was gonna let him count my money lol. But we all went to bed late...and played musical beds...Olivia ended up with me and John, but woke up every hour crying and whining in pain...she caught a new cold...so when she finally fell asleep on my side, I was resigned to the foot of the bed, laying on John's calves...waking up hourly to her...gave her tylenol and rubbed her but she didn't sleep straight til John left in the morning and I had some room. Which is why I shouldn't be up now...goin to bed!

So that's it! On to the next job!