Shucks saying anything is better than remaining silent all one's life. I confess I'm not motivate to play music. I have other things that have priority. Justin has always placed his music as his priority.

You're right I need to practice the piano a lot more. I wonder where the sheet music to clair de lune is, I was only about halfway through really getting that.... sigh.... do you know anyone who buys vintage sheet music??? I have no idea what to do with it all.

You should have heard my mom play it. She was very talented. I miss her on the piano. In later years she went off on the Hammond organ, which I despised, and thankfully a relative hauled it away.

Mom was funny, she claimed she couldn't read music, but she knew Clair de Lune just fine. There is a middle section that shifts key (goes from 6 flats to 7 sharps, don't quote me on that, I can't find the sheet music) that was too weird for her so she just skipped it. That was Mom.

One day I'll master that section I hope !!

My mom grew up dirt poor.... her Aunt Grace took her under her wing, and gave her piano lessons, so Mom could play at church!!! (If anyone's in Heaven, it's my Aunt Grace, a real character) Mom was more of a "honky tonk" sort of player, she showed me a few fun tricks. Anyway Mom's brother was also gifted on the guitar, made his own, played cowboy gigs in the UK during WWII. That whole branch of the family was Welsh and Irish, and they could all sing. I miss them.

Hang dog not allowed................ we all have our gifts and detriments.

Back neatly on topic: should we expect any shows from the JMJ tour on Sept 17, 18, or 21 I wonder? (I think that's the dates, two before the Roach House, and one after Solana Beach) Possibilities are Vegas, Los Angeles, or Salt Lake. The Troubadour is booked solid on those dates, so it wouldn't be there.

I'm doing too much Midwest, and knowing me I will get sick of it half way through. I may just drive home and then back down to the Bay area for Yoshi's and Napa. Mulling over my own plans.... BTW anyone who cares, the Best Western in Napa is booked solid Sept 23. Go figure. I have an equivalent room 20 min down the road and saved $70. Something tells me Napa has turned into a great tourist trap since I was there 40 years or so ago. Should be interesting.

Freedom is a state of mind. Too soon we are trapped by our own bodies, and to be blunt, I'm semi retired. However, nose shall be applied back to said grindstone when I return. September is a bad month for teaching anyway, the kids aren't settled in yet, and the teachers aren't up and running either. First day of fall, a momentous date, Sept 23.....

BTW leslee I'm going to give Musher your email.... he's trying to peddle some tickets, and you said you had a really reliable and kindly scalper on tap....

Musher Tom, he's on here. He might find someone for the tickets after all. I wish he'd go and just sell the second one, but I'm not him.... I can barely handle my own vices.... you guys sort it out.

A LOT of tickets are coming up begging this time around. More than usual.

I dunno.... we're all in good company when it comes to the "creepy" factor. Music has a funny effect on us. It takes one to another world, of both darkness and light.

Don't worry about it. You're harmless, and I've never seen security double up on you (then again I don't go to all shows with you). Some other folks, yes I've seen special security on them, quite benign too. I too am watched. (good luck with that one) We ALL are, the dedicated fans.

Now that we've all admitted to our paranoia. You remember Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio? Just pretend you have a wee small bug sitting on your shoulder, telling you what is right, and do it. Don't go off on weird tangents. Works every time.

I still say you're over reacting to the guy. He's nice and all, I'd love to visit with him and take his "measure" (he might not be nice once you get to know him, at all. We really DON'T know) but I think you're more in love with the fantasy machine, seriously. Most fans are. If Justin wants to be up there, tormenting all the "security issue" people with his fantasy machine, it's his privilege. In the meantime I shall keep sitting quietly in the corner enjoying the music. Very much so.

I usually have a lot of other stuff planned around my Moody adventures. It's not ALL about the Moodies, I just like to travel.

For reviews of the shows you might try this link (there are others)

http://moodybluesattitude.yuku.....delCpe8SUQ

August 23, there will be a chat with Julie Ragins, everyone can check for more info here:

http://moodybluesattitude.yuku.....delIpe8SUQ

Leslee, readers would love to hear your review, but no rush of course. Which shows did you get to?

You over extend yourself. Pace it............. it's all part of the fan experience. I intentionally skip shows because I know my limits. Write out what you can. We fans should try to take care of each other, but at the same time, find your own sources of strength, don't rely on others. They might be just as strung out as you.

Gonna post this straight from my blog site, from one of the PA shows....Wow. I don't know who shot this video, but cool............ around the hotel I suspect Justin stays at in Seattle (quite secure too I might add and naturally four star, great western view of The Eye and the torn up Embarcadero) is a rough part of town, like the theatre there has XXX most of the time on the marquis. One is always cautious. Seattle is known as "grunge town" among the kids, but most areas are ok to walk in (just to the south is a lovely underground mall), until after dark, then you stay out of certain areas. Next time I'm over there, I'll try to nail down the pawn shop, but for sure there is an old music store right near that hotel, across the street. Seattle has a fine music tradition, that guitar does have the magic. I noticed Justin seems very relaxed playing it, so it must feel good in his hands. Nice tone indeed. (I love Seattle BTW, warts and all.... )