Standing Into Danger: Blue String Theory

Showing posts with label Blue String Theory. Show all posts

Friday, July 1, 2022

Rain's Thursday Art Date: A Favorite Fremont Street Band and Gorgeous Purples of Every Shade ~ June 30, 2022

I should know by now not to tempt the Universe.

I recently and rashly declared that my days of staying up

long after midnight or pulling all-nighters were over.

Well, crash and burn in Las Vegas!

And then, several days after we arrived home, I tested positive for Covid.

Then a few days after that, so did Terry

Well, really crashed and burned in Aurora!

We're both still miserable with Covid symptoms, but we're hanging in there.

Hopefully this will be behind us in a few days.

My friend Rain's Thursday Art Date theme for June 23, 2022

was Colourful June: Purple, and on Saturday night, June 18th

I unexpectedly stepped out into a world of gorgeous purples of every shade.

I tossed aside the purple post I had started to write and went with this instead.

Then I was too sick with Covid to post it last Friday.

Note to Self: Don't tempt the Universe!

Under the Canopy on Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

June 18, 2022

We had just exited Circa after watching Colorado's Avalanche shut out

Tampa Bay's Lightning in the largest shutout victory in Stanley Cup Final history!

My throat was raw from yelling and screaming,

and Terry was still pretending that he didn't know me.

Circa's Sportsbook, the Largest in the World

Stanley Cup Final ~ Game 2

Fremont Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

June 18, 2022

Terry Watching the Stanley Cup Final ~ Game 2

We rounded the corner by the outdoor stage, and there they were:

One of my two most favorite Fremont Street live bands setting up

to begin its first set: Blue String Theory.

Waiting to Start Their Set ~ Literally on the Second

This is one high energy cover band that obviously has a blast playing together

and rocking out non-stop to the most memorable hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

Blue String Theory

Peter (left) and Brian (right)

Brian Pollack ~ Lead Vocals

Blue String Theory features songs from so many of my favorite groups from that time:

Journey, Cars, Foreigner, Styx, Van Halen, Bon Jovi,

Def Leppard, Billy Idol, ACDC, and more.

50 & Fabulous Celebration

Enjoying Blue String Theory

An Energetic Start

Gary (left), Brian, Sam, and Scott (right)

Lead Guitarist Scott Van Zen and Bass Guitarist Gary Dilger

It was fun to shoot photos of the Fremont Street crowds and action too,

because a broad palette of purple colors was popping up everywhere.

I 💜 You

Golden Gate Bartender

Peter Kizzire ~ Drums and Vocals

Enjoying the Music

Sam McCaslin ~ Keyboards, Guitar, and Vocals

Fremont Street Crowds Enjoying the Band and Sights

Between Sets

Rocking ~ 1

Brian (left), Gary, Scott, and Sam (right)

Riding SlotZilla's Super-Hero Zoomline ~ 1

(Starting 11 Stories High)

Under the Canopy and by the Stage

Brian Having Fun Shooting Photos ~ 1

Brian Having Fun Shooting Photos ~ 2

Brian Singing with a Member of the Crowd

Some of the Crowd in Front of the Stage

Rocking ~ 2

I Wonder What the Bartender is Thinking

as the crowd enjoys the music.

Sensory Overload

The Crowd Loving the Music

Blue String Theory Members Having Fun

Lead Guitarist Scott Van Zen

Riding SlotZilla's Super-Hero Zoomline ~ 2

(Starting 11 Stories High)

Under the Canopy and by the Stage

Gary Belts Out a Song

Closing Time

I tried to load my video of Blue String Theory singing a Journey medley,

but I just couldn't make it work. 😭😭😭

It was great fun to sing-a-long with the band while recording videos.

I spent hours trying to convert it to a format that Blogger would take,

but to no avail.

So here's a YouTube video clip that gives you a feel for what it's like

to be on Fremont Street listening to Blue String Theory playing a Van Halen medley.

Lead Guitarist Scott Van Zen highlights his masterful guitar playing in the opening minutes.

YouTube ~ Mr. Where Are You Going?

If I'm on Fremont Street and Blue String Theory is performing,

I'll be right up front at the stage,

and I will listen to every set unless Terry shows up and drags me away.

He's not into music the way I am,

but both of us are fine with doing our own things some of the time.

I'm grateful that the downtown casinos and resorts sponsor live music.

There's nothing like great music pummeling you,

bringing back wonderful memories, and making you feel young and alive.

Next week's TAD theme is Playing Hooky for July 7, 2022.

I'll be playing hooky on Friday, July 8th, because I'll be participating

in the Insecure Writer's Support Group Day on Wednesday, July 6th.

That's a big commitment, so that one post is all I can manage in a week.

Stay happy and creative!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

My next post will be on

Wednesday July 6, 2022.

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Friday, August 20, 2021

Back from Vegas and TAD's Reflections and Mirrors

Terry and I have just returned from a much-needed break in Las Vegas.

It was so good to get out of town!

No cooking, no cleaning, no worries ~ just sleeping and having fun.

Terry and I

8 East in Circa Resort & Casino

Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 13, 2021

I lugged my computer along on our trip with plans to do some things online and off.

But that didn't happen! I was too tired at the end of each day,

perhaps from the heat or sensory overload.

Sensory Overload

From the Plaza Entrance Looking Toward Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

We stayed Downtown the whole time, except for one brief Strip trip

to the new Resorts World built on the site of the former Stardust Resort and Casino.

Resorts World (Hilton, Crockfords, and Conrad Hotels)

Terry and His Bud Jon

Walking from Self Parking to Resorts World

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

Resorts World was beautiful, but I won't rush back.

It's expensive, the layout is confusing, and there are much better places to gamble.

The highlight was enjoying ridiculously caloric confections at Starbucks.

And I did love the Big Ball.

Terry and Jon at Starbucks

Resorts World

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

The Big Ball

Resorts World

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

Much to my delight, live music is back on Fremont Street.

I spent hours listening to music in front of the various stages on Fremont.

My favorite band ~ which I won't name ~ was back but with a new front man.

I was really really sad, because the former front man was fabulous.

This new front man has awesome pipes,

but he lacks the strutting, flamboyant charisma of the former Jeffrey St. Germain.

Very Much Missed ~ Jeffrey St. Germain

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

June 16, 2019

Luckily I discovered a new band, Blue String Theory,

which I watched for over seven hours during multiple performances.

They were fantastic: gritty, versatile, excellent singers and musicians.

Blue String Theory

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 14, 2021

Brian Pollack (left) and Scott Van Zen of Blue String Theory

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 14, 2021

On our last night in Vegas, Terry took me to Andiamo Steakhouse in the D for dinner.

If I can't get to Italy, at least I can enjoy delicious food

and excellent service with an Italian twist.

And then there are the wines and desserts!

Andiamo Steakhouse

Fremont Street, Las Vegas

Destination360

We had a lovely surprise at the end of our dinner.

A couple who had been sitting at a nearby table treated Terry and me to dessert.

We were shocked and delighted.

We couldn't thank them because they departed before our desserts arrived.

Some Andiamo Steakhouse Desserts

My favorite crème brûlée is in the lower right.

Fremont Street, Las Vegas

Trip Advisor

I snagged a window seat on our flights to and from Vegas.

I love to fly over the southwestern states because the rocks are largely exposed,

and I can see magnificent formations and structures below me.

A favorite sight I watch for every time is Waterpocket Fold in southern Utah.

This structure is a large wrinkle in the Earth's crust,

a south-southeast trending monoclinal fold that extends for nearly 100 miles.

(For more information click here: National Park Service)

The Waterpocket Fold, Looking North

The white jagged rocks on the left (west) are the beautiful Jurassic Navajo Sandstones.

The strike valley on the right (east) is largely Cretaceous Mancos Shale.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA

September 25, 2019

But in both directions on this trip almost everything was smothered in smoke.

I caught occasional glimpses of the landscapes below,

and sometimes I saw huge thunderheads breaking through the pall.

A Line of Thunderheads

Somewhere over the southwestern USA

August 17, 2021

It's great to be home again. I slept most of yesterday.

Burning the candle at both ends isn't working so well for me anymore.

I am continuing to participate in my friend Rain's Thursday Art Date.

The theme this week is Reflections and Mirrors.

Below I am sharing some of my photos for this theme.

Middle Pond

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

March 21, 2020

A Skilled Bartender!

The Vue Bar in the D

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

June 19, 2019

Dining by the Grand Canal

Venice Italy

May 24, 2016

Self Portrait

The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

Middle Pond

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

March 29, 2020

The Plaza Entrance

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

Turtles and a Seagull Sunning

in Water Reflecting Summer Leaves

Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

July 27, 2014

Reflection in a Dirty Window

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 14, 2021

Fishing Boats at the Digby Wharf

Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada

August 1, 2019

My Reflection in the Big Ball in a Mirror Phase

Resorts World

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

August 12, 2021

Reflection of DIA's Iconic "Tents" in the "Whale Tail"

Denver International Airport and Westin Hotel

Denver, Colorado, USA August 17, 2021

I've been trying to capture that DIA photo for years as I've taken off or landed at the airport.

Finally, as we landed in Denver after our Vegas trip, I got it,

strong reflections of the "tents" in the "whale tail."

I never know what's going to happen as I take a photo from a taxiing plane.

But my theory is that if you take enough shots, you'll eventually get what you want.

And how lucky was it to catch that bus with the letters "DEN" on it!

Luck is always good!

Stay happy and safe!

Books Read in 2026

"18 Days in Heaven" by Gale Poirot
"A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story of Hope, Love, and Overcoming" by Kerrie Rawson
"Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life" by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD.
"Is Math Real? How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics Deepest Truths" by Eugenia Cheng
"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir
"Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout
"The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese
"The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity" by David Graeber and David Wengrow
"The Life Impossible" by Matthew Haig
"The Lord go the Rings" by JRR Tolkien
"The Match" by Harlan Corben
"The Night the Path Disappeared" by Terri Bergen
"The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper" by Roland Allen
"Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi
"Think Twice" by Harlan Corben
"Why Christianity Must Change Or Die" by John Shelby Spong

Standing Into Danger

Pages

Friday, July 1, 2022

Rain's Thursday Art Date: A Favorite Fremont Street Band and Gorgeous Purples of Every Shade ~ June 30, 2022

Friday, August 20, 2021

Back from Vegas and TAD's Reflections and Mirrors

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