HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's officially 2009, and people are getting back to work and kids are headed back to school.
I hope you had joyous holiday celebrations, and were surrounded by friends, family, and laughter. I'm excited to be heading into 2009 I've got art hanging on the walls - check out OZO this month GUILTY PLEASURES indoor cycling is back on the schedule at Mountain's Edge!
and other exciting projects are manifesting.
It is indeed the End of the OLD Times, and the Start of the NEW!
The Tonic Rays - I am so psyched to share this awesome news about my friend's band, The Tonic Rays. I met Joe Cummings and Marie Dance earlier this year while in Thailand. I got to hang with Joe and Marie because of Something Underground. They played a few shows there too, it was great to hang out watching musicians jam, sing, and dance with each other and feel the energy that flowed through my art as a result of those experiences. I feel it like a river raging through me, so hang on for the ride.       
WAHOO! PS - I'm available for travel worldwide! Call me, we can make some music, tell some stories and have ADVENTURES!
PRESS RELEASE:
The Tonic Rays make Billboard rock critic's top 10 picks of 2008 - December 24, 2008.
The Tonic Rays, founded by songwriters Marie Dance and Joe Cummings in the northwestern Thailand town of Pai in 2006, are the first Thailand-based band ever to be included in a US critic's annual top picks. In addition to Dance and Cummings, who handle vocals and guitars, and who hail from the UK and the USA respectively, the band features Thailand native Sun Ray on bass and Japan-born Mark Iwamoto on drums. A sales surge is anticipated over the coming weeks as a result of making Eddy's list, but the band is pressing more CDs to meet the unexpected demand. Recorded and mixed by Rangsan Chaiya in Thailand and mastered by Prairie Sun in California, 'The Tonic Rays' album is available online as a CD or as an mp3 download at Amazon, CdBaby, iTunes and MySpace, and direct via PayPal. Chuck Eddy's Billboard list in full:
Top 10 Albums of 2008, Billboard1. Jamey Johnson, "That Lonesome Song" (Mercury). 2. Ross Johnson, "Make It Stop! The Most Of Ross Johnson" (Goner). 3. Rose Tattoo, "Blood Brothers" (Wacken). 4. Rick Springfield," Venus in Overdrive" (New Door/UMe). 5. The Knux, "Remind Me in 3 Days..." (Interscope). 6. The Tonic Rays, "The Tonic Rays" (TonicSongs).7. Woodbox Gang, "Drunk As Dragons" (Alternative Tentacles). 8. Carter's Chord, "Carter's Chord" (Show Dog Nashville). 9. Phil Vassar, "Prayer of a Common Man" (Universal). 10. New Bloods, "The Secret Life" (Kill Rock Stars). --- Detroit-born music journalist Chuck Eddy started his career with The Village Voice and Creem, where he published one of the first national interviews with the Beastie Boys in the mid-1980s. Eddy has gone on to write for Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Tonight, Entertainment Weekly and other national publications. After serving as music editor at The Village Voice for seven years, Eddy briefly wrote a thrice-weekly heavy metal blog for MTV Urge and a monthly page of capsule CD reviews in Harp magazine called 'The Last Roundup.' He most recently worked as senior editor for Billboard. He has authored two books: Stairway to Hell: The 500 Best Heavy Metal Albums in the Universe, and The Accidental Evolution of Rock and Roll.
The Last Man Standing - A few years ago at the annual Heartzones® conference in Denver I met a man they call Pinkhouse. He got his nickname because his wife, Helen, wanted to paint their house pink. His real name is Paul Camerer, and he is turning 90 years old this week. To celebrate his birthday, Heartzones® with the help of his friends from the Pinkhouse gym, The Sally Edwards Company and Timex have organized a 5K Walk or Run called "The Last Man Standing" It begins tomorrow, Sunday December 21, 2008, at 1pm in Sacramento.  Join us! The entry fee is just $10, Packet pickup is at Nepenthe Clubhouse (corner of Swarthmore and Commons Dr - 111 Commons Drive, Sacramento CA. Pick up your packet at 1pm and then walk over to the Howe Ave Bridge and start the course. After you finish, join us back at the clubhouse for a lovely potluck dinner and celebrate Paul's birthday.
 Pinkhouse has amazing cardiovascular fitness for a man his age. He has been running since the 60's, and has completed marathons, and races all over the country. In the photograph above, Annie and Pinkhouse exchange a friendly handshake before the Pinkhouse challenge while Dr Carl Foster watches in the background.
Pinkhouse started a gym in his garage, a cycling club to be more specific. And for the past 10 years friends and neighbors have gathered each morning with their bike to start the morning with a workout. The Pinkhouse Gym has actively participated in other community events here are some photos, courtesy of Pinkhouse gym members.
To enter the "Last Man Standing" 5K you must sign the waiver and informed consent release, read it carefully. "I am aware of the hazards inherent of chooing to get fit and run to celebrate Paul Camerer's 90th birthday. The side effects of traiing and finishing may include more energy, increased metabolism, sense of well being and happiness, loss of body fat, more friends, and being with my loved ones. I indemnify and release my parents and all others because it isn't their fault. In case of emergency, please contact my family and friends and ask to them to continue to support my commitment to participate in the LAST MAN STANDING 5K. If found off course, please send a run angel immediately to re-direct my efforts."Grab your shoes, and 10 bucks, and meet me there at 1pm tomorrow!
Signs are Everywhere - You've probably seen the movie "Bruce Almighty", there's a great scene at the beginning of the movie where he is ranting about needing to see a sign. He's driving behind a construction truck that has all kinds of road signs in the back, things like CAUTION, SLOW DOWN, etc.
When we're going through life so focused on what we think we want, we often miss the signs that are obviously right there in front of us.
One morning, after photographing a wedding up in Keystone, I saw Andy Warhol! Ok - I saw his likeness in reverse on the top of Buffalo Mountain.
Can you see it?
If you're ever in Pittsburgh, head over to the Andy Warhol museum. The exhibits are always rotating, and you just never know what you're gonna find.
My favorite spot on a recent visit was the silver cloud installation. I think I was in there for about 1/2 hour. It's something you just have to experience for yourself.
Blue skiesSmiling on me With a poem by Rumi 
Speaking of Kermit the Frog - It's easy to be green these days. Did the holidays slip by without a holiday card FROM you!? Just think of how wonderful it would be to receive a nice colorful hand addressed envelope in the mail ( that's not a bill!) in January? Send wishes for the year ahead from you and yours to others as resolution #1: Send a NEW YEAR's CARD filled with blessings and tidings and your family's smiling faces! Kermit says, if you're feeling Green? ? Send an e-card!
The Muppet Show - Things I grew up loving include but are not limited to; The Muppets, Sesame Street and all things Disney. I am the oldest of 3 kids, and was surrounded by the chaos of family, cousins and children. My parents were hard working blue collar folks, and taught us the value of hard work and the importance of family. My animated and furry friends helped me to dream.
I have a most magical and exciting life and I am so excited to share
My friends have the Muppet Show on DVD and I've been watching old shows, classic skits with Vincent Price, Dudley Moore, Alice Cooper, and Beverly Sills
The Muppet Show! [Television Theme Song] It's time to play the music It's time to light the lights It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight. It's time to put on makeup It's time to dress up right It's time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight. Why do we always come here I guess we'll never know It's like a kind of torture To have to watch the show And now let's get things started Why don't you get things started It's time to get things started On the most sensational inspirational celebrational Muppetational This is what we call the Muppet Show
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