How cool is this....

Okay, so as predicted work has become insane, and it my not go as well as hoped.
The schedules should mesh, but the prep time isnt doing as well. The shows are great, but rehearsal isnt or rather wasn't planned. Overlapping schedules arent working in my favor and I hope it doesnt blow the whole deal..time will tell. I am however planning a great vacation at the end of summer in the lovely state of Maine. I just want to lay back a bit and unwind, cause right now, I'm getting pretty wound. Trying to remember to occassionally zen out and relax, but , it doesnt always work out...the trick ..actually the important thing to remember is, you have to.
So..I will. Or perhaps explode. ;-)

Insanity.....

So, here is where it stands. Insanity. Pure and simple. I am in Pasadena, Texas. I am beating on trashcans with two guys, one is new to the group, one, not having worked with us for years. And, I am planning a trip to New York whil I am here to put the show in up there. I am in the midst of rehearsals for a show I have done before at Disney and awaiting news of what will happen to me in the show at Universal. I am also hosting a show two days a week on Citiwalk, and acquired a new job of columnist at a local paper. Not to mention running a weekly podcast for which I star in, write for and produce, I also gather the music for it. excuse me, my head just exploded. Att least I have some money...arrgghh

And let the rain begin..cause it's already pouring !

Summer insanity begins. Ready ? Five days a week at lovely Disneyland, living in the enchanted forest with six other little men... On Friday and Saturday.. my days "off" ..I will be at Universal Studios talking about movies during the day...then at night, emceeing on citwalk ...My drum shows continue to tour, and a summer show at a NY theme park...How cool is that.. ? But the coolest news... Im officially... OFFICIALLY a journalist ! Tolucan Times has hired me as a photographer, with my own column...and... a man on the street column as well...
I am seriously stoked. Three months of total insanity !! YIPPEEEEE!!!

and now this.. :



I was thinking of sending roses to my mom. Mainly because when I ask she will always say, send roses . So I will, but mom, did ya know you can cook with flowers !
Sue Lawrence from Scotsman.com reminds us that for hundreds of years, petals and whole flowers have been used in the kitchen. The Romans added lavender to honey and used marigolds for their colour and flavour. I've seen recipes contain nasturtiums, borage and lavender. But before you just start cooking away, please, make sure that the flowers are unsprayed, then carefully expel any wildlife by giving them a good shake or a wipe with kitchen paper Probably the most versatile edible flower is the nasturtium. Shred its young leaves into salads or add them to sandwiches with cream cheese. Snip off the whole flowers from the stems and add them to vegetables, fish or pasta. Their pungent, peppery taste is also the perfect match for mild-tasting ingredients such as avocados. Scotherbs (www.scotherbs.co.uk) sells edible flowers as well as fresh pestos and salsas

Here's a great dish ! NASTURTIUM AND AVOCADO TAGLIATELLE . Serves four 350g dried tagliatelle olive oil 2 ripe avocados, peeled and stoned juice of 1 large lime 2 tbsp crème fraîche 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 20 nasturtium flowers Cook the tagliatelle and drain thoroughly. Pour in a good drizzle of olive oil, add some salt and pepper and toss through. While the pasta is cooking, chop the avocados and place in a food processor with the lime juice, crème fraîche and cayenne pepper. Blend well, then season to taste. While the pasta is still piping hot, toss the avocado mixture with the pasta. Add most of the flowers, reserving the best for a garnish, and toss the pasta again, until thoroughly mixed. Serve at once, sprinkling with the remaining nasturtiums. CARROT CAKE WITH THYME FLOWERS This is my adaptation of the famous carrot cake at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel. For the cake 4 large free-range eggs 400g golden caster sugar 175ml sunflower oil 250g self-raising flour, sifted 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon 450g grated carrots (peeled weight) 90g chopped walnuts For the frosting 200g light cream cheese 50g butter, softened 3 tsp orange flower water 100g golden caster sugar handful of thyme flowers Whip the eggs and sugar until pale and creamy, then slowly add the oil (on low speed if using a mixer). Fold in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, a pinch of salt and the cinnamon, then fold in the carrot and nuts. Once combined, tip the mixture into a deep 24cm springform cake tin (buttered) and bake in a preheated oven (180¼C/350¼F/gas 4) for an hour and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil for the last 20 minutes or so. Place the cake on a wire rack and release the sides of the tin. Leave it to cool completely before placing on a serving plate. Beat the cream cheese and butter together and then beat in the flower water and sugar. Once the mixture is smooth, spread it over the cake and decorate with thyme flowers.

Feeling claustrophobic....

So much happening, in a very small amount of time, and yet...still dealing with so little cash.
My drum team Repercussion... at trashcandrummers.com and trashcandrummers.blogspot.com are getting ready for our trip to Texas. So many of my drummers are busy this time of year, it got down to the wire...so I am sure that's gonna cost a pretty penny on air fair. I am meeting with a publisher next Wednesday, so I am putting my photo portfolio together, and that's interesting in and of itself. I have a drum show that is going to New York for the summer and, that plan is very odd, but I've decided to relax until the client makes his move, but we are almost suited up for that. I go into rehearsals for my summer gig in less than a week, and, just picked up another gig on my days off for the summer...so how is it I am broke ? lol... rains it pours... etc etc...

So... all my gear in my van and ready to go. Check this out :

I found a new van and truck accessories website. BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com. They sell Truck Racks . It's incredibly quick and easy. And if you know my life you know I have a lot of stuff I carry in my van. These guys are my new source for all of my needs. They've got SUV, van and truck accessories.Just give them your vehicle year, make and model and they do the rest! . They offer only the best quality products. They also offer great tips and safety suggestions throughout the site. They’ve truly assembled a site full of high-quality, professional-grade truck accessories from proven and reputable manufacturers and even have links to product specifications and installation instructions.

Which also reminds me : Those things that were originally used by the forestry and farming industries to mark trees and cattle are called Paintball Guns . The early ones had poor range and mediocre accuracy and some had to be modified to prevent injury to humans. But they have evolved.Today they have greater speed, accuracy, and air efficiency and are lighter and smaller. Which of course led to tournament paintball, where having a gun that is easily maneuvered is very important. Which is how I found Zephyrpaintball.com . They've got low prices, great customer service and fast shipping and paintball guns from all the top manufacturers. and match competitors prices on all in stock.