Showing posts with label Teddy Swims. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teddy Swims. Show all posts

Friday, March 29, 2024

When I'm in Vegas, I Always ...


I was riding up the elevator at the D on Fremont Street Tuesday morning
when an employee asked me, "How are you this morning?"

"I'm waking up," I said, saluting her with my hot cup of coffee.

"What would we do without coffee?" she responded.  "I hope you have a great day."

"When I'm in Vegas, I always have a great day!" I said.  
"Here I have nothing to worry about!"

My friend Janeth and I
We had last seen each other about five weeks ago in Waikiki.
(She's from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Whiskey Licker Up, Fremont Street
Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA    March 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


And it's true.  I've been coming here since August 1973,
and I've never not had a good time in Las Vegas.
The world disappears, and I live in the moment.
I don't have to worry about working, taking care of the house,
or the routine busyness of life.  I can do whatever I want.  
And I sleep like a baby!

Watching My Favorite Fremont Street Band ~ Stays in Vegas
Featuring Lead Singer and Frontman Jeff St. Germain
Whiskey Licker Up, Fremont Street
Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA    March 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



I hope you're not imaging a wild, crazy, and out of control Louise.
I'm quiet and low key.  I like to slip around anonymously.
That way I can observe and take photographs without drawing attention to myself.

When I win at video poker, anything, I rarely make a sound.
I don't want anyone to notice.  If Terry remarks on my win, 
I get mad at him and say, "Don't grump on me!
I don't want to attract the attention of the Universe."

A Previous Big Win ~  A Royal Flush
Laughlin, Nevada, USA    November 24, 2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



So what am I doing in Las Vegas this week?  I'm here for two reasons.
Terry treated me to a very special event on Tuesday evening,
and Janeth and I completed a bucket list item for both of us on Wednesday.

For those of you who may think I experienced more than my share
of tropical sunshine on O'ahu recently, the Universe noticed.
Early Sunday morning the National Weather Service issued
a blizzard warning for Aurora and the Front Range that night.

I couldn't believe it!  
Terry is taking me to Teddy Swims' concert in Vegas,
and there is a blizzard coming the night before we leave!
Terry booked Sunday night at the Hyatt Place by Denver International Airport,
and we caught a Lyft there just as the bad weather moved in.
This is so not Terry, but he knew I was freaked out at the thought of missing Teddy Swims.
Terry's the best!

Driving to the Airport (DIA) Monday Morning
Aurora, Colorado, USA    March 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Deicing the Plane Before We Take Off
Aurora, Colorado, USA    March 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Hello Beautiful Waterpocket Fold and Capitol Reef National Park!
I look for this spectacular monocline every time I fly to Vegas.
Southern Utah, USA    March 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Pulling into the Gate in Las Vegas!
Aurora, Colorado, USA    March 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Teddy Swims appeared with his band Freak Freely on Tuesday evening 
in the Chelsea Theater at the Cosmopolitan on the Strip.
I discovered Teddy and his band on YouTube over a year ago,
and I fell in love with his voice and his ability to make you feel the emotion of a song.

Me (Louise) Waiting for the Concert to Begin
The Chelsea Theatre, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, USA    March 26, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Teddy got his start by uploading covers to YouTube in 2019 and 2020.
When his first upload, a cover of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" went viral,
he asked his friends to commit to helping him with his music for six months.
The rest is history.  
With a lot of hard work, Teddy accumulated millions of views,
and scored a record deal with Warner Records in 1919.

One of my favorites of those early YouTube covers
is Teddy's version of Lewis Capaldi's "Someone You Loved."
It features Teddy and his longtime friends Jesse Hampton and Addy Maxwell.

Freak Freely with Addy Maxwell (left), Teddy Swims (center), and Jesse Hampton (right)
The Chelsea Theatre, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, USA    March 26, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


When we were waiting in line to enter the Chelsea, a door opened right beside me.
Out stepped Addy Maxwell!  I was so startled I blurted out, "Addy!  Hi!"
He smiled at me and said, "Hi!  How's it going?"
I had watched him and listened to his guitar and piano playing so often on YouTube
that I felt like I knew him.  I was so excited he said "Hi" to me ~ lol!

Guitarist Addy Maxwell (front left)
(As photographed from the Nosebleed Upper Left Gallery)
The Chelsea Theatre, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, USA    March 26, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



Teddy and Freak Freely did not disappoint.
They delivered a setlist that included so many of my favorite songs.
And, of course, Teddy sang his international hit 
and Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, "Lose Control" (list dated March 30, 2024).
I loved every song, and the enthusiasm of the concert goers was unmistakable.
And Teddy and Freak Freely are coming to Denver!!!

A Short Clip of "Lose Control" Featuring Addy Playing the Guitar
by ME! ~ YouTube

On Wednesday evening my friend Janeth and I took the plunge literally!
We flew out of the top of the world's largest slot machine SlotZilla!
I've been wanting to fly down Fremont Street under its canopy since I first saw it.
The zip line is an exhilarating 11 stories high when you fly out, and it is 5 blocks long.
No one would do it with me until Janeth said she'd come to Vegas and fly with me.
Now that's a true friend!

Janeth and Me ~ Geared Up and Waiting to Fly
SlotZilla, Downtown Las Vegas, USA    March 27, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


SlotZilla ~ You come out the top.
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, USA    March 27, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





The People Ahead of Me Taking Off
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, USA    March 27, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





I'm Next ~ Gulp!
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, USA    March 27, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved




Flying High!
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, USA    March 27, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





ACCOMPLIHED!
Fremont Street, Las Vegas, USA    March 27, 2024


This is one of the funnest things I've ever done!
I can't wait to fly again.
I have a video I shot as I flew, but I can't make it download onto my computer.
Fortunately, my friend Dave Swanson caught me as I flew by.
I'm waving at a favorite Fremont Street band Alter Ego.
(If I can figure out how to download my video I'll share it later.)

A Short Clip of Me Flying Down Fremont Street
(Thanks to my friend Dave Swanson)



After a fabulous time in Vegas, Terry and I are flying home tomorrow,
so I'll visit around and reply to comments once I arrive home.

Have a great weekend! 




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

  My next post will be soon! ðŸ¤ž



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


 

    

  

Friday, September 22, 2023

Happy Things!

This week I needed an attitude adjustment after hiding under the covers last week.
I really had no choice, so I got after what I unexpectedly had to do.

When I headed out to do some of those things, I had a  lovely surprise.
Lounging under the blue spruce across the street were two beautiful mule deer.
I adore the muleys' ears!  They remind me that big ears can be cute!
I took that as a sign that I was doing what I should: adjusting my attitude.

Beautiful Mule Deer
Aurora, Colorado, USA
September 16, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


Two weeks ago I had a routinely-scheduled mammogram.
That number that kept calling my iPhone afterwards,
the one I didn't pick up for days because I didn't recognize it, 
it was the breast care center.

I had to come back for more tests asap:  One reason for the covers over my head.
No matter how friendly the people are and how cheery the facility is,
it's hard to wait in a robe for a radiologist to examine your latest scans,
especially when cancer is rampant in your family tree. 

HealthONE Breast Care Center at Centennial Hospital
Aurora, Colorado, USA
September 14,  2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


Fortunately, the news was great, and I didn't have to have a scheduled ultrasound
after the additional mammograms.  Terry and I were beyond relieved!

My other aggravation is taking way more time than one anxious afternoon,
but I should have it resolved within the next week.
Meanwhile I'm cramming as many happy thoughts as I can into my brain.

Coming Up Roses
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
September 12, 2017
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


Earlier this year when I was in Maui, 
I came across a touching tribute to a feral cat named Rusty. 
I started donating to the National Wildlife Federation in his honor.
Its magazine National Wildlife is beautiful and hopeful.

Rusty the Cat
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
January 18, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

This week in the magazine I read a heartwarming story about Bobbi Wilson,
a proactive 10-year-old who is making a difference in her New Jersey community. 
If you ever were a young geeky naturalist following your outdoor passions,
you will love this story.  You'll love it regardless! 
"Fourth Grader vs. Spotted Lanternfly" by Shantal Riley, Summer 23, National Wildlife.

Bobbi became concerned about an Asian invasive species,
the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula),
and she joined New Jersey's eradication campaign in 2022.
The pest arrived in Pennsylvania in 1914 and has now spread throughout the Northeast.
It eats everything, causing wilting, defoliation, low-yielding crops, and plant death.

Spotted Lanternflies on a Red Maple

The pest can look like a beautiful butterfly, but it is a planthopper,
one of thousands of insect species that get their name 
from their remarkable resemblance to vegetation in their environment 
and their ability to hop around like a grasshopper. 

Spotted Lanternfly Displaying Underwing

   
Bobbi began eliminating the spotted lanternflies
in her neighborhood with her own bug spray recipe.
Like all good scientists, she recorded her observations
and experimented to improve her spray.

Sadly, last year, the then 9-year-old, was reported to the police 
by a former New Jersey Councilman who lived across the street from her.
He was scared by a tiny, hooded Black woman spraying the sidewalks,
and a police officer quickly arrived to investigate.

Fortunately, the story has an inspiring non-racist ending.
Shortly after the neighbor's 911 call,
Bobbi's 13-year old sister and father spoke at a borough council meeting,
and Bobbi's story was picked up by the local press.

A female Black professor of Public Health at Yale University
invited the family to visit the campus.
During their visit a Yale Peabody Museum manager said
that the museum didn't have any spotted lanternflies in its collection.
He explained how to freeze and ship specimens to the museum, 
and Bobbi was soon collecting and shipping the planthoppers there.
Her donations were accepted, and the museum named its new collection after Bobbi.

Bobbi also visited Princeton University's Plasma Laboratory
and received an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
She was honored during Black History Month 
at the governor's mansion for her contributions to the state.
Bobbi and her sister Hayden received full scholarships to attend
the New Jersey Institute of Technology's 2023 STEM summer camp.
This remarkable young girl wants to be a chemist,
so she can try to make things that people need.

Bobbi's story raised my spirits like nothing else could!
I was that young geeky girl once (still am inside),
although my story, which the press spread across Canada 
over sixty years ago, did not have as inspiring an ending.

Young children are amazing!  
They have the power to change their world!

I wasn't sure what to link to  Nicole's  Friday Face Off, and then fortune smiled on me!

Recently I shared two Teddy Swims music videos in a post.
I've been gorging on his singing, and yesterday YouTube sent me to a new video of his.
"Til I Change Your Mind" features one of Teddy's talented band members, 
Addy Maxwell, creating a surprising work of art.

I was going to send a link to Debra, She Who Seeks, 
because it reminded me of the detailed art techniques she uses.
But then I thought I'd share it with everyone in today's post.
Some people like Addy are unbelievably talented in multiple areas.

Teddy Swims and Addy Maxwell


Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I hope fortune is smiling on you!
Have a great weekend!




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

  My next post will be soon! ðŸ¤ž



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


 

  

Friday, September 1, 2023

It Ain't Gonna Happen!

Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, a post just won't come together.
I've been working for the past few days on a post that just ain't gonna happen.
I've been tearing my hair out, and I finally have to accept that it just isn't working.

So I'm going to link a photo of me and three of my favorite ladies
This is me in Nova Scotia recently with three of my wonderful nieces,
Heather MacBeath, Lisa Mundry, and Sara Heembrock.
Each of these young women is unique and amazing.  I'm so proud of them!
And, needless to say, I love them with all of my heart.

Me with Heather, Lisa, and Sara
Having Lattes at Bertie and Peter's Home
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 2, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


And I'm going to share two videos of a new-to-me singer that I recently discovered.
I've been playing his music over and over and over on YouTube.
He's giving a free concert on Fremont Street in Las Vegas on October 21st,
and I can't be there!
He has a concert in Denver on October 29th, 
and I can't be there!

If anyone had shown me his photo and told me I was going to fall in love with his voice,
I would have said they were crazy.  But they would have been right!
And someday, sooner than later, I will see him in concert.

Jaten Dimsdale:  Stage Name Teddy Swims


This was the first video Teddy Swims that YouTube surprised me with ~
YouTube has introduced me to so much good music I'd never heard before!
Swims' recording is said to be the best male cover ever 
of Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me, 
a song I've loved since I first heard it over thirty years ago.
Enjoy!



And this was the second of Teddy Swims' videos YouTube introduced me to,
his cover of Lewis Capaldi's Somebody You Loved.
I love this recording as well, and I couldn't choose between them
which is why I posted both.
He has many more great videos; some are covers and some are his original songs.

Oh, and today is our 39th wedding anniversary.
Duh!  I could have easily written a post about that!

Terry and I Leaving the Church
Parker, Colorado, USA
September 1, 1984
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


Terry and I with Our Niece Deirdre
Parker, Colorado, USA
September 1, 1984
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved





Still Having Fun Together!
Enjoying Lattes at Bertie and Peter's Home
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 2, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Hopefully, I'll have my post pulled together for next week.
Have a great weekend!




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

  My next post will be soon! ðŸ¤ž



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