SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

Public "Thank You!" to (bruno mars!) from (me!) sandra, tvgp

what a great interview!  I mean,  -conversation!   around the oak table, with my charlie rose

bruno mars!  a super star!    and he has accomplished what he set out to accomplish, because when you hear a bruno mars song

you can't not dance.      -write Motown..      /seems like uptown funk was literally written for him!  

but no one can sit still..   at the first recognizable beat  UP & ON YOUR FEET!

a highly contagious groove..    his songs pack the dance floor

we will in fact be dancing to some of his music tomorrow NIGHT! at barones music under the stars, as performed by the bay areas, and one of our very favorite bands:  "Pride. And. Jooooooooooy!"

        chunky

if you ain't here to party take your ass back home...

      i'm gonna wear me some big ole hoops..   I'm gonna drop it down in daisy dukes..

SHE's the one your tryna recruit..
                       


***    speaking of bruno mars  ***

Monday, July 06, 2015

Embarrassing moment 7962 for (me!) sandra, tvgp

posted by SHE @ 7:11 AM 0 comments

click on this, read that for (me!) ~tops

Monday, July 06, 2015

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:57 AM 0 comments

Embarrassing moment 7962 for (me!) sandra, tvgp

i'm not embarrassed about my dancing; per se. i do try to contain myself inside the store if there are any people shopping..

i will sometimes dance a little bit if a great song comes on Pandora and the store is empty..  but im very tame. very tame.

i really do save it for, as my mom might describe, 'the appropriate time & place'

-and all us locals know.. that = Barones, music under the stars..

and I never feel embarrassed there..  you're supposed to get a little crazy when the band plays your favorite song..

besides, there's like 100's of people doing there own thing on the dance floor so you just kind of blend in..

my embarrassing moment is embarrassing exactly because there was no group of crazy people to blend in with..

it was just me.   -and if it was really, really just me.. that wouldn't be embarrassing either..

but it is exactly because there was 1 other person ...  besides me..   and not inside the store, just kind of passing by..

and my favorite dance song came on in the store.

and the store was empty!  -it was empty.. 

and I was just putting a couple things out front on the sidewalk.. 

dancing in, dancing out..

and have i not already mentioned uptown funk is the hottest dance song of this year!

and.. it brings out some new moves in me sometimes..  like I don't even know what I'm about to do..  all the sudden my hips will just start going one way, and my feet start side-steppin, and my hands will suddenly shoot up in the air.. 

its all to the beat, I promise you..  it makes perfect sense if you hear the song and watch me dancing at the same time..

but the thing is..

"..oh. hi. Um. .you can't hear the song out here. [stepping just outside the front door/freeze] . see.  but I promise.. Inside the store [stepping partially back in/2 dance moves.] uptown funk is playing write now.. [step out/freeze]  you can only hear it from inside..  but its playing..  [Stepping in/2 more dance moves. Step back out; freeze].  See its just that we don't have music piped out front the way they do at raleys grocery store..
.. but come to think of it.. I've never heard dance music over there..

-I did try to explain...

posted by SHE @ 8:19 PM 0 comments

Add to list.. (john brazell!) -for (me!) sandra, tvgp

colloquially speaking, the word cougar is dropped frequently these days to define, seriously and/or playfully, an older woman who seeks out, and/or responds willingly to..  

a much younger man.

and may i say for the record:  i have no such desire.

the only reason i mention it at all, is because..

when i look at my taste in music; there is no denying a specific pattern:

not my taste in dancing music.  my taste in listening music. there is a notable distinction.  the list im about to abbreviate, the music these artists share with the public.  -with rare exception, none of it makes me want to dance, like say: uptown funk, in which..

my entire body must respond.

but this music..   it is wonderful to listen to while im working, or driving, or arts n' crafting.   it has to do with melody, lyrics, voice:

john mayer
jason mraz
james morrison
marc broussard
george ezra
hozier
ed sheeran
vance joy..

the list is longer, but how many names do you need to spot the pattern?

i do not watch music videos, so it has nothing to do with appearance/creative visual interpretations

but everything to do with melody, lyrics, voice...  some magical combination of the three.

and "thank you!" here to the pleasanton downtown association

and their hosting/creation of 'sizzling saturday' nights in downtown..

ricks picks has enjoyed having a live musician in front of our store on saturdays nights from 6-9pm for three weeks in a row now.

-just turns out, that just like steve martin happen to visit ON MY DAY OFF!

-these talented musicians show up just as i am leaving, so i don't necessarily get to enjoy..

but i did get to talk briefly with john brazell, and he did very generously gift me with one of his CD's

and i did stay long enough to hear, beginning to end, his song, city girl.

and adding that experience to now having listened to his entire CD, i can say with happiness and enthusiasm

YES!  add this handsome young man to my favorites list!

he stands out..  ~for blending in so perfectly with whatever that x factor is.. that unites my taste in listening music.

continued success to you john brazell!  and "thank you!"

posted by SHE @ 7:24 AM 0 comments

And it goes like this... for (me!) sandra, tvgp

-my daughters graduation party..  "I only cried once!".  ..so proud of myself..  and deeply grateful to her dad and his girlfriend for hosting  the event at their gorgeous boat house; deeply grateful for the amazing climate.. and, especially because it was a long drive..  and not local for my friends and family..  that everyone went out of their way to come share in this milestone celebration despite the drive..   " thank you!".  -I dont know how my daughter could be anything but happy, grateful.. for this combination "congratulations!" & "good luck/blessings for college!"    -she has an abundance of thank you cards to write...  and it is always a privilege to write and or receive thank you cards... 

-there is a song that plays on KLOVE.. the lyrics I let play on repeat in my heart/mind say.."..You're going to do great things... I already know.. God's got his hand on you.".   I think it; sing it; pray it; write it; know it; believe it...

yes I do.

but that doesn't stop me from saying "Jesus.. who came up with this stupid idea that we are supposed to send our kids away to college..  How did we get sold this crappy bill of goods?  No one ever asked me..  Its just this.. What.. Habit... Someone else designed the whole stupid program..  I think its stupid.. I don't believe it is really necessary..   She can be Independent write here,  she can learn just as much...

and in a text to my daughter:  -would you believe me if I told you it has absolutely nothing to do with your choice of colleges.  -I swear it! Its just that I'm suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to move near your college..  because...  because I love trees. 

***

There is a saying about when " all the planets align".  -a short cut for saying everything that could go write; did go write.. Lots of green lights in a row that allow something to take place..

but what is the opposite?  I'll tell you.. I had been marking my calendar and counting down the days to Barones opening night of music under the stars the way a child marks the calendar and counts down to Christmas.. 

then my sister .. best friend... dance partner... partner in crime.. -she got the flu.   then a couple friends, including Mr Motown, -said they couldn't make it..  and the weather started to turn...

all this time I was so excited

Our favorite band, pride & joy, was performing opening night!  -it doesn't get better..

but no planets were aligning and in fact Barones themselves canceled the event.    I only sulked very momentarily.. Because just as when you should not ignore all the planets aligning; and a series of back to back green lights

nor should you Ignore the misalignment, red light, red light, red light signals..

In the words of Shakespeare:   "T'was not meant to be."

***

so.. Last night then was the official opening night and a spectacular opening night it was!  

climate: perfect.
band: cheeseballs;  -fantastic!   /and looks like the darling blond singer is with child in womb..   dancing no doubt...
attendance: wonderful! my sister well enough to rally and even danced a couple; Mr Motown/Craig saved some seats and dances for us.. couple friends of my sisters.. and a half dozen familiar faces of people we don't know by name, but know from several years of mutual dance nights..   and! the whole gorgeous patio area.. packed again!  happy dancing people in every direction.. they spill off the dance floor to in between chairs and tables..

now,  last year I believe the hottest, like, most popular dance song of the season was blurred lines..

and the very second I heard the uptown funk song on the radio I announced to my kids, niece, nephew..  'This! this the next hottest dance song..  at Barones..  Everyone will hit the dance floor for this one..'

its got that funky Motown danceable beat..   and seems like it was practically custom written for Mr Motown's dance moves; a perfect pairing if there ever was one..    An extra treat to share the dance floor with him for that one..

and he took my sister on the floor for her favorite, favorite...  Its getting hot in here...

and I will never tire of looking around the patio as the band plays and watching who lights up for what song.. but you can always tell when someone's favorite dance song plays.. 

The additional animation...  -when people are their most alive..

So..  The 2015 music under the stars season has officially begun..  and we had quite a lot of fun getting warmed up...

"Cheers!".    and a big thank you Jesus!

Plus..  I am more excited write now than the paparazzi at the Oscars..   tomorrow is my daughters senior ball!  

Mama~razzi heaven!   And grandma~razzi!   -we are a fierce photographing team...   and she is gracious about humoring us...

" thank you!" love....   ~amen.

posted by SHE @ 10:16 AM 0 comments

Public "Thank You!" to Bruno Mars from (me!) sandra mickanen

 pathway:

i was at my grandson's little league game, and after the game, there was a family with some music playing in the stands nearby

  -had that magnetic beat

so i walked closer..   closer.

then i grabbed my phone, clicked on 'search a song'

up popped Bruno Mars, I Just Might           /should have guessed!

added it to my playlist in record time.    /shesayswithasmile..

****

can't get enough of it..

****

Entourage already includes it in their show!

*****

makes me long, long, long for Barone's Music Under The Stars.   If they were still open..

I KNOW,   I Just Might, would be THAT song..   THE hottest dance song of 2026..

****

as Blurred Lines once was...  as Happy once was..   as Uptown Funk once was...

The songs people can't not dance to..

The songs that pack the dance floor...

*****

"Thank You!"  Bruno Mars   -AGAIN!  for bringing so much JOY to the World..

ENCORE!

****

hallelujah & amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:26 AM 0 comments

What music will play under the stars? @ (barones!) wonders (me!) sandra, tvgp

-at the first sign...  when daylight savings passes and when it is once again still light out at 6 and 7pm...

barones regulars get the itch...   start the countdown..  

keep checking the website for specifics:

on what thursday in may will the live music begin?   what's the band line up?  for the season...

-motown sent me a text which essentially said,  'when will it start? my feet are starting to dance without me'

and i notice the same with myself...    i see it in my sister...

i glance it in customers, and passersby...

a growing inability to not move to certain music..

dance moves springing out of nowhere...

and my greatest curiosity is...  what will be the hottest dance song of the 2016 season..?!

the one no one can resist..  the one that packs the dance floor... the one that makes people abandon their place in the long drink line, or rush from the entrance..

the song that is so dance friendly, people don't waste time trying to find an individual to dance with..

they just get out there alone and dance with the whole crowd!

to date those songs have been:  blurred lines; happy; and last year, uptown funk..

i don't think I've heard the hot dance for 2016 yet...

but I do have a new favorite song to move and sing and dance to for sure:

good to be alive by andy grammar.

and since i also can't resist flirting with keith..

i sent him a text that said:  

you are my hallelujah.   

/she says with a smile.

In Jesus is the reason for all seasons name!   Amen!

"...   good, good..  

good to be alive...    write about now, yeah....!"

posted by SHE @ 8:28 AM 0 comments

When are you your very happiest? by (me!) sandra, tvgp

-for my daughter, its when she is at a sporting event with friends..  -having just experienced the warrior series and victory, I can clearly understand and appreciate that answer..

-for my son.. probably when he's playing baseball.. video games.. bike riding.. with friends.

-friends being a key ingredient of course.

-for me.. its anytime I'm in the same room with my kids and family..

and a very, very, very close 2nd place is:

and here [   write here.  ].  if I had my creative druthers..  There would just be a link to a 30 second video

of everyone dancing out doors on a perfect climate night at Barones with pride & joy performing this years hottest dance song: uptown funk.

-the only people who don't dance to this song are either stuck in the bathroom or have no legs..

there is part of me always conscious of the fact, everyone there is dealing with one major life stress or another.. some people juggling multiple stresses in their daily lives..

but for these few hours: 6-10pm.  everyone has cast their cares..

huge crowd of happy dancing slightly drunk people; smiles in every direction...  live music under the stars...

it casts a spell.

while I was dancing with Mr Motown, I had a flash forward vision of myself at what must have been around 90 years old.. 

"I could do this my whole life!". I told him    -and he said " me too!"

posted by SHE @ 8:42 AM 1 comments

"...if you're sexy then flaunt it...". (catherine teeter!)

-she never did tell me what song she'd be dancing to..  but over coffee dates I would hear how classes were going..  asked her to get me better seats this year. "I want to see everything!  All the faces!"

last year.. I was up in the balcony..  extraordinary still for sure..

and it still lingers in me this year, how much I loved POMPEI from last year..  the choreography! music! costumes! lighting/stage!

and I learned from a customer who is a mom of one of the dancers.. Pompei was choreographed by someone named dino.. Alias. /phonetic, not sure how to spell.. 

and it went on to receive top awards in various competitions..

anyway..  another spectacular recital this year.. everything I've come to love and appreciate..  high level of talent/art/craft; wonderful variety; great music; costumes; props..

every age and skill level..   -and the order in which the numbers were performed..   -just write.  perfect blend of young & precious, to beautiful/elegant, to explosive, to classic to modern, etc.

-you were wonderful Natalie!  /daughter to my mom friend Catherine..

it is variety itself that I delight in the most...

and then!  -did I not just get done telling you in a prior post that the number one dance song of this year is uptown funk..

-how the only people at Barones that were not dancing when pride & joy played the first few notes -were either stuck in the bathroom or had no legs...   -how the song itself seems like it was custom-written for Mr Motown's moves..

well, that is the song my mom-friend, Catherine, and her dance team performed to..

and it was wonderful! I was wiggling in my seat..

all the moms up there: you did a great job! Sexy, radiant, alive...

cool number.

and every recital i end up getting teary eyed..  have learned to bring Kleenex and not wear mascara..

this year.. -a thousand years, choreographed by Kristina wiselogel.  -it was the musical version, no lyrics..  and the song itself is so beautiful..  and then the costumes were a perfect match.. and the dance moves.. the choreography... equal to the beauty of the song..

I could go on and on..

time and budget did not allow me to see all 4 shows this year, /although I would if I could...  I only saw the one Saturday morning, and that is thank you to Megan for covering my work shift..

But I heard.. in the evening performance, I would have loved 'blood stream'.  /I think its called..   By the same choreographer of Pompei.  
-maybe I'll have to order the DVD..

"Congratulations! Catherine! Natalie!   -Jazz n Taps!"

-another great experience for your audience!  "Encore!"

posted by SHE @ 7:38 AM 0 comments

celebrity spotting at Barones.. by (motown!)

but I keep lettin' Jesus get a hold of (me!), and..

-because the potential for sadness/depression to set in:  with Barones music under the stars season coming to an..

and, the days becoming so much shorter, and it getting dark so early..      and..    why isnt my sister here..

but I held those thoughts captive! put 'em through the holy filter.    and, instead of missing out on the feast of blessings write in front of me..  I enjoyed them!   every moment..  every conversation...   every friend..  the live band.. 

really. pride &; joy..  the perfect climate! the lit trees..  the outdoor dance floor PACKED with happy dancing people..     and my heart is filled with big "Thank You's" again..    motown! i feel so blessed and lucky..   and arturo (sp?).. michael,  steve, shirley, ken, ..   sheila..   you really helped me navigate through..  all the behind the scenes..   and the magic..      -it is the kind of thing you just want to never stop

and for the first time ever,  -exactly because I didn't want the night to end..  I joined the group that heads over to New York Pizza afterward..  stretched out the evening "Thank You!" alexander, ken, steve..   barones friends I know by face, and not by name...  

  and may I stop to tell you here:  -I sat write next to a trump supporter.  so, co-existence is possible.   and I wont go gettin' too political or religious on you, but

all i'd like to point out is:  if you prelude all these political events with great live music, alcohol and dancing in the great outdoors..  add pizza.   everyone seems to get along.  pay attention to that  -okay.

/she says with a smile.

and there is live music and dancing at other places over winter..  but there is no place like Barones and so..

and maybe last night was the last night of the season, if next Thursday it rains.. or maybe there is still one more     ~an awesome Halloween Costumed music under the stars finale..

but, I'm already counting down to next year..     and, turns out there was no brand new irresistible dance hit song this season..   uptown funk still reigns as THE SONG that packs the floor, widens the smiles, animates the moves..   and power springs everyones arms up toward heaven..

"... don't believe me..  just watch!"

I would love to have birds eye view video of the dance floor during that song..


  I say, "Jesus..   feel free to play with time, and fast forward me to may 2017!"

anyway...  before I close,  -believe I have bragging writes to share with my son, and baseball fan family & friends..

Motown pointed out..    at the table write next to us..   and later, write next to us on the dance floor:

Baseball Hall of Famer:  Rickey Henderson.     -he's got moves on the dance floor too.   and fun to learn Motown has his autograph in his own collection of great memories,  from ...    not sure what year?   but,

I understand that joy.


dear joe & Maricela barone... & Thursday night team,   "thank you!" again..

In Jesus loves a happy gathering Name, amen!

posted by SHE @ 10:00 AM 0 comments

Music Under The Stars at Barones.. Best Season EVER! for (us!)

long list of public "thank yous!!"  -but let me start by saying.. WOW! to the Peelers..   there is still one more Thursday night ahead, but we cannot attend, so last night was our personal finale..

and when it comes to live bands, live music.. Pride & Joy is at the top..  and we love something about every band we've had the pleasure to listen/dance too..    [Link here to list of bands on Barones website]

but the peelers put the grand in our finale, because...  like, what a mix! ..of not just songs; but genres..   DJ's and bands know..

you are at great risk of killing the mood sometimes if you jump from  one type of music to another..    -only the experienced ones accomplish this with purpose:   -intentionally vacate the dance floor and send people back to the bar for drinks.. keep the money and the spirits flowing; lure them back on the floor... 

but the inexperienced can accidentally vacate the dance floor; kill the mood.. send people, not to the bar, but out the door looking for a new place to get their groove on..

so, my first admiration is for the artistic risk the peelers took, -and it was their first appearance at barones..

when i heard the lead singer say, out loud to the somewhat confused audience, "we are known for clearing out an entire dance floor..  and creating a whole new mix".   -i knew, he knew..

and they knew.. exactly what they were doing.  creative destruction applied on the dance floor!   so, a little R&B...  and the R&B people are busting a move, and then..

Wipe out!   -time for a little country...

Country song clears the R&B dancers off the floor, and the country music lovers come out of the closet..

who knew?  the country song reveals how many country music lovers/dancers are in the audience..  and it turns out there were a fair number..   singing along to the lyrics.. having a wonderful time, but..

Wipe Out! again..    just when the country music lovers have their rhythm going; time for some 80's...

repeat; repeat; repeat...  R&B; country; 80's; classic rock; rap; 70's.. and a long list of songs I was hearing for the very first time..

the joy was in the unpredictability of what was coming next..

I'd give anything to see the whole night from the birds eye view, and if I had the creative means to do it, I would create a mini time lapse video using colored dots to show what it looked like..   Different colored coded dots to represent who liked what music..

and one of the most gigantic blessings ever! is that Motown,

well, his dot would be

/k. hold on here.. I have to go look up how to spell..

Psychadellic..

-psychedelic.   but the definition isn't exactly what I mean..  what I mean is..

multicolored; not in a rainbow way..but abstract;   oh my gosh.. Skip please..

"He dances to everything!".  and since he seemed game; I stayed game..    and it became quite a fun thing to dance, and then stop.. listen closely for what beat was hitting us next, and then..

figure out how to dance to it..    

and because the peelers knew what they were doing.. everyone stayed in on it..  and who was dancing with who became mixed up too..   so Motown & craig danced with different people, Keeshie danced with new people, I danced with new people, and I witnessed that kind of cool effect..   mix of music; mix of who was dancing with who...

very fun; very fun

and this has been our great joy for how many years? my sister and I..   Barones music under the stars..   and I swear to you..  each year it becomes even more of a blessing..

the addition of pride & joy; favorite band/favorite venue..   and then Motown & craig " thank you!".  -spoiling us! with dances, drinks, appetisers, authentic friendship..

the childcare providers, which include our parents, my daughter, my daughters friends.. who help make our 'cast your care' nights possible -by not only providing trustworthy childcare, but transportation to & from..   !!...   so we can enjoy a couple beverages worry free..    /and they do enhance the experience; no denying..

and Michael.. "Thank you!"..  always the handsome/gracious escort/organizer/traffic control for the most talked about restrooms in nightclub history...

our waiters/servers, who have come to know us through repeat visits and greet us with smiles and warm hugs!  and take such good care of us at whatever table we land..   /and extra thank you here to Motown & Craig for saving table space for us!    -and to my mom, and aunt Betty, who saved us a table too...  and joined us for one of the music under the stars nights..  

and Steve, and Jamie, and Alexander, and ...   well, my track record with names is not good, but.. There are at least a dozen people we know by face.. and by dance floor.. who just add friendship, add joy, add to the magic that is Barones..

And yes, I realize I have not won an academy award, and I have no restrictions in the blogosphere when it comes to how many people I'm allowed to thank...

So, despite the music que I still hear in the background..   

" I would also of course! like to thank the directors: Joe & maricela..

for making these magical nights possible...   and the entire cast of characters in, around and behind the scenes..  from the cover charge collectors to security to..   everyone!

-write in the middle of some of the most challenging/demanding weeks sometimes..

the thing my sister and I could count on..  each other; everyone mentioned above..  and awesome live music under the stars...

***

we are already counting down to the 2016 season...

***
A toast!

"To uptown funk, In Jesus name..    amen!"

posted by SHE @ 9:26 AM 0 comments