Red Hot NAMM 2012

Every year I attend the NAMM show – (The National Association of Music Merchants).  I have absolutely no business or reason to attend the show.  I am not a musician and I don’t work in the music business.  But I do love Rock N Roll and thus the NAMM show where where hundreds of people who attend feel the same way.  Dr. Malibu likens the show to a high school reunion, bumping into old friends and reconnecting.   Getting your hands on a NAMM badge takes some connections but it’s not a tragedy if you can’t actually attend the show.  There’s a lot going on outside the convention center walls.

This year I ran across a booth Ultra Case which had a uniquely crafted quilt backdrop.  The owner’s sister in law, Liza, made the quilt using a collection of his treasured vintage rock t-shirts.  If you don’t know anything about quilting, you should know it’s one of the most undervalued and underappreciated forms of art.  To do it well requires a lot of skill, a good eye and even more patience.  Quilts take a long time to make.   I love that the notes along the border play Bohemian Rhapsody.  Amazing!  You an check out Liza’s work here.

You never know what you’ll see NAMM.  People are dressed in some crazy gear, girls are decked out in mini skirts and fishnets, boys in their metal finest, tattoos from head to toe.  A few merchants post scantily clad girls around their booth to attract attention.  Gator Cases put this gator gal on display to capture interest from the crowds.  I couldn’t resist a quick pet and photo op.

I wore my newest and coolest Pink Polkadot Dress and ran into the designer herself – Sharise Neil – who spotted me wearing her dress!

The highlight of the event for me, was meeting Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers!  Chad tolerated my death grip on his jacket and stepping on his toes during my excitement over meeting him and getting a picture!

When the convention center shuts down for the day, the evening is just gearing up.  Groups gather in the Hilton Anaheim lobby or the Marriott.  Literally, people party like rock stars until morning.  I mixed up a few shakers of lemon drops (of course) for the gathering in our room.  Just the right way to kick off the evening where more rounds of reunion occur and new friendships are forged.  Rock on!

Life

My little blog has been neglected… There have been concerts to attend – Filter, Buck Cherry, The Sunset Strip Music Festival, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Def Leppard.  And that’s the stuff I did when Thing 1 and Thing 2 weren’t with me.  The kids and I went sea fishing with Bogart, attended Unique LA, visited the parental units in Hesperia, made another dress and cooking.  A LOT of cooking.

It’s been a great summer and I never wanted it to end.  No early mornings, no making lunches, no homework and studying and projects (well, projects are ok).  And did I mention it’s been a great summer?  Does all the fun we’ve had really have to end?  Can’t I just have a little bit more?  The kids are growing so fast – please, please can’t we just freeze this period in time?  This perfect time with just fun, no obligations.  Just stop already! We’re happy!  Leave us alone.

Remember the movie Secretariat.  The scene where Penny sees her kids enter the ballroom, and just looks at them.  The look on her face tells it all, is happy, she is full of love, she is so pleased with her family and her life.  I knew that look because it was me.  And a little bit of sadness knowing that life just might not get any better than this.

but of course, summer ended… and brought with it new challenges for Fall….