The Trans Siberian Orchestra event at the Peoria Civic Center on November 6th was an extravaganza that welcomes the holiday season with good cheer, a message of hope, history, light, fantastic light show, more than awsome music and the chance for me to visit with some dear friends. The entire experience was a joy as it should be. After a few familiar numbers the band performed some new works that all hope to hear more of in the future. Though brief my meeting with Al Pitrelli the band leader-lead guitar and his wife Jane the keyboard artist was very warm and friendly. Al mentioned something about a road trip after the tour, perhaps in the spring or summer for a visit here. Because of the tight tour scheduale there was no time for them to visit Jim’s Steakhouse or the Painting Studio. Do hope to see them in the spring or summer.
My buddy Chef Francis and I arrived at Jim's Steakhouse around an hour and a half before the show to allow time for a libation or two before the event. The Steakhouse was very busy and rather than order a cocktail I caught the owners eye and said, " Tim, what do you need "? See if you can get me a table in the lounge for a party of ten and I was off looking for table cloths, silver, napkins and such. Nodding to guests in recognition while trying to set up tables. Then Tim needed a party of six, a four top, a party of nine and a deuce. Though fast and furious I felt quite at home and did my best to set the tables and seat the guests. It went well and was pleased to play a small part.
Sunday and Monday afternoon I started taking down my little rose garden and getting the small plot ready for winter. It is not a big job but it is important to me and there are feelings involved when doing so. I don’t exactly talk to the roses when I cut them back, but perhaps in a way I do for they have given me so very much visual and poetic pleasure. This afternoon was excepetionally warm and I finished cutting them down to near the root bulb and then turned the soil with the spade to give them a good winter rest before taking my afternoon walk. The sun was warm enough to make me smile.
As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
PAINTING STUDIO Trans Siberian Orchestra In Peoria, Il., The Last Rose And Falling Back by Stephen Craig Rowe
Friday, November 05, 2010
PAINTING STUDIO and The Trans Siberian Orchestra 2010 by Stephen Craig Rowe
It is that time of year again and the Trans Siberian Orchestra will be performing this Saturday November 6th at the Peoria Civic Center. Have two tickets for the 8 p.m. show and am very glad to be attending this event. Can’t wait to see Al Pitrelli the band leader-lead guitar and his wife Jane Mangini the keyboard artist after the show. As most of you know last year prior to my surgery I put out the word for you not to send flowers. Due to the busy tour scheduale Al and Jane were not able to keep up with my blogs and sent a beautiful bouquet to my hospital room. It really made me smile and brightened up my recovery and stay. Before and after the show I will also be at Jim's Steakhouse in downtown Peoria. A review of the performance, visit with friends and photos will be sure to follow in my next post. In the mean time, as ever be well. Stephen Craig Rowe
Saturday, October 23, 2010
On The Eve Of The Full Moon Of October 2010 by Stephen Craig Rowe
The day was grey and gloaming a rain from dawn until mid-afternoon with hardly a hint of light, then some clouds cleared and a bit of sun gladdened the ridge and lawns. There but for a moments grace in pause was a reflection in the wine most pleasing and then as quiet as a falling leaf the vision was gone.
This night there is a chill in the air as though spirits of Indians are dancing in the winds while leaves swirl and clouds curl around the full moon of October.
As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe
Friday, October 15, 2010
Painting Studio thoughts about Social Security freeze of cost of living increase two years in a row by Stephen Craig Rowe
Those who know me here and through other blogs have found me to be a rather quiet man when it comes to current events and I busy myself with painting, photography and writing. Seldom do I voice an opinion on political views or news. Today I am pissed off because of the freeze in Social Security cost of living allowances and just don't get it when rents rise, food costs rise, fuel cost rise, utility costs increase, medical costs increase and on and on. One works hard all of their working life and during that working life pays into the Social Security trust expecting compensation upon retirement. Not a lot of money each month but enough to get by and one would think that the cost of living allowance would increase yearly as costs increase. Yet for the past two years they have not.
Yet $80+billion has been paid to bail out the auto industry and unless one is employed by the big three or in the oil-fuel business. What have these corporations ever done for you?
How about the 4.72 trillion dollars spent on the bank-Wall Street bail out? Then it has been recently reported that the recipients of the 4.72 trillion dollars are paying out record bonuses this year. What have those blood sucking profiteers ever given you? Foreclosures, law suits, headaches, homelessness, starvation and in some cases suicide. The fuckers don't even take you to lunch or ask you if you want grease before shoving it up your.......
Then we can spend $737,964,960,000 on the war in Iraq looking for WMD that did not exist and kill and be killed for what? Nation building? When was the last time money was spent from Iraq to America? No answer.
Also there is a great deal of money being spent in Afghanistan, approx $355,425,000,000 to date and rising. Lining the pockets of officials there, that are laughing their asses off at us as they re finance the Taliban and make deals with contractors as brave soldiers shed their blood because they are following orders from the commander in chief. What does Afghanistan provide the USA and the world, a very high quality opium crop. Does Afghanistan pay any money to the USA? Gimme a break.
Yeah, I know that commander in chief was not typed with caps because to my knowledge the President Of The United States Of America did not serve in any of the Armed Forces. Oh well.
I don't pretend to know and am sure that I don't know but it seems to me that all of these expenditures are spent on ventures that gain no return for the American people or improve the betterment of the world. Every day it seems that the news reports cuts in state and local welfare programs for the needy and disabled. Cities and towns have to cut back on police, first responders and other essential services here at home because of lack of funds. It really makes one wonder what is going on and why.
In conclusion, those who have worked and paid into the Social Security Trust should expect timely cost of living allowances regardless of where other monies are spent or why.
As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe
Yet $80+billion has been paid to bail out the auto industry and unless one is employed by the big three or in the oil-fuel business. What have these corporations ever done for you?
How about the 4.72 trillion dollars spent on the bank-Wall Street bail out? Then it has been recently reported that the recipients of the 4.72 trillion dollars are paying out record bonuses this year. What have those blood sucking profiteers ever given you? Foreclosures, law suits, headaches, homelessness, starvation and in some cases suicide. The fuckers don't even take you to lunch or ask you if you want grease before shoving it up your.......
Then we can spend $737,964,960,000 on the war in Iraq looking for WMD that did not exist and kill and be killed for what? Nation building? When was the last time money was spent from Iraq to America? No answer.
Also there is a great deal of money being spent in Afghanistan, approx $355,425,000,000 to date and rising. Lining the pockets of officials there, that are laughing their asses off at us as they re finance the Taliban and make deals with contractors as brave soldiers shed their blood because they are following orders from the commander in chief. What does Afghanistan provide the USA and the world, a very high quality opium crop. Does Afghanistan pay any money to the USA? Gimme a break.
Yeah, I know that commander in chief was not typed with caps because to my knowledge the President Of The United States Of America did not serve in any of the Armed Forces. Oh well.
I don't pretend to know and am sure that I don't know but it seems to me that all of these expenditures are spent on ventures that gain no return for the American people or improve the betterment of the world. Every day it seems that the news reports cuts in state and local welfare programs for the needy and disabled. Cities and towns have to cut back on police, first responders and other essential services here at home because of lack of funds. It really makes one wonder what is going on and why.
In conclusion, those who have worked and paid into the Social Security Trust should expect timely cost of living allowances regardless of where other monies are spent or why.
As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Painting Studio Update Early Fall by Stephen Craig Rowe
The early fall has been unseasonably warm and bright. Trees are gently turning and beginning to display a show of colors that is a delight to behold. Some of the roses still have buds and blooms. The photo above was taken last winter when I did a shoot of a dozen white roses.
When my old Dell finally went to the garage for storage I threw out all of the disks that had piled up in the bookcase without looking through them and managed to pitch the disk from my printer along with the rest. Do I really need the disk to use the printer or can I just hook it up to the new computer to scan and upload photographs? Have been cautious about experimenting with this for fear of harming the new machine.
A friend from Liverpool, UK came to America in 1980. We worked together at the Barn Of Barrington Restaurant and became fast friends. He is a chef of the highest caliber and at the time I was Maitre d'. Nearly two months ago he moved into the Painting Studio. After living alone for 11 years I was not sure if I could tolerate having someone around but am pleased to announce that things are working out very well. Most of the time I don't even know he is here and that suits me just fine. It is also nice to share the expense of running a household for a change.
Today he is cooking a hearty lamb stew and the place is filled with wonderful aromas. I must be off for my daily walk and to enjoy this beautiful early fall day.
As ever be well, Stephen Craig Rowe
Monday, October 04, 2010
Stephen's Painting Studio and The Rose & Thorn Journal Page Two by Stephen Craig Rowe
Monday, September 13, 2010
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