The stars haven't completely lost their glitter. . .

Last night I did a Broad Street Open mic, and I think it went well. Here were my songs (in their original format, not in mine):






They both went well--it is so awesome when you watch your audience respond favorably to you. There was this woman jamming with me at every step. And I even got the group to clap to the beat to Put the Blame on Mame.  It was just glorified karaoke, but it was fun.


Other things that happened:

• Though sitting all alone, I was approached by a few other players who have noted my two other appearances, so it was nice to be known.
• Being known meant the guy next to me sat and talked my ear off because he assumed I was good if they cared enough to come talk to me. He actually made the wait to perform fun, but it was an interesting evening. 
• The cute older guy next to me on the other side (who had a gorgeously-toned tiny guitar) waited around an extra hour and a half to hear me! Which is a pretty sweet compliment considering he may have only seen me twice before.
• The sound guy and half the wait staff came up to tell me I was awesome. 
• A random person asked me if I would give her singing lessons (not sure how that would work).
• I nearly joined a band (of two old men--I would be their fiddle player) who totally play porch music (a banjo player and guitarist). We'll see if that happens. 
• I'd love to join the bad of Tea Cup Gin, as the guitarist is amazing (Love their cover of Lover Man)! He played a base line with a separate melody all the while modulating through a host of Christmas tunes. Gorgeous! 

Random Notes regarding events

Please RSVP by the date we ask you to RSVP.
If you are coming and not staying for lunch, you still have to pay the registration fee.
You cannot call the day before and expect a seat.
No, I cannot take your credit card over the phone.
When sorting excel spreadsheets, you must select all the relevant cells.  

Random comment by my student when we noted there are more staff coming than usual:
"It's a recession, maybe people are hungry?"
Brilliant.

Broad Street Cafe. . . My first time. . .

Okay, this is visiting an old one just for fun.  I know, I know, we were nervous.  I wish I had our mashup--that was golden. Though my Jolene the second time was far, far better. :) And I could actually play my fiddle when we practiced--I swear.

Here is Rue Johnson. . .

Halloween

This year for Halloween, I went a little overboard. . .


At work, I was a  1950s/60s assistant, and I did a little dance:

The words (read while listening to the song):


“Our SAVC” – The Executive Assistants
(To the tune of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B by the Andrews Sisters)

  

She was a little Texas gal from Nacogdoches way.

Matt needed someone who could make us nicely play.

She was the top gal at her craft.

So when UNC called; she was there in a flash!

And now the office jumps, when she says anything!

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC!

She makes us print our paper for a second time;

We even make the soap that only costs a dime;

No one seemed to understand

How the office began to start a-lookin’ so grand.

She's even great at de-co-ra-a-ting!

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC!

A-toot, a-toot, a-toot-diddelyada-toot

She loved her vege-ta-bles, an even vegan!

Now she can't have a meal unless there’s some brisket seved with 'em.

And for Friday Lunch, she’s watchin’ BBC.

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC!

She's our crazy, fearless leader, oh, our SAVC!

And when you look at her cal-en-dar, she is as busy as a "bzzz" bee.

It's Elizabeth Dunn, just jump eight-to-the-bar!

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC!

Toot toot toot-diddelyada, Toot-diddelyada, toot-toot

At least she pays for the bar!

It is not at all crazy just being her assistant!

She really breaks it up, when she gets ornery. . .

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC!

(instrumental)

She wanted to retire when it looked alright;

Matt thought about the office—it gave him a fright!

We clapped our hands and cheered ho-ray!

When ask-Matt came around, and he begged her to stay.

Just call Alison for an “Ask E-D;”

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC!

Dat-da da-da-da da-dup

Dat-da da-da-da da-dup

Dat-da da-da-da da-dup

Dat-da da-da-da da-dup

ha-ha-hand the office jumps when she says anything!

She's our crazy, fearless leader—she’s our SAVC! 

For work:



Then my ward trunk or treat lead me to being oddly competitive in the trunk department. . .

Yes, I am a creepy substitute teacher.  And yes, I am posing with one of my old Primary kids in the picture above.  And yes, I won the trunk contest.  Because at the last minute I got creative.

It is amazing what you can do with a sharpie, 2 balloons, a foam core board and a sharp knife, some non-permanent mounting squares, and a cheap red table cloth.  I even have next years totally planned out--using the same wig.

But I couldn't stop there, so I used all the items for my trunk and on Halloween night, this was my door.

B decided I was out of control.  But it was fun. . .

Gimme Gimme. . . an update?

House of Ru, Dessert Party Style

So, this summer has been a musical one.  In late June, I won the battle of the bands with my little Blue Grass Band, Rue Johnson (someday that video--which isn't great, but is fun) will go up.  We followed it up with a couple open mic nights at Broad Street Cafe and an impromptu porch performance at my friend Elizabeth's house (see the porch in question on my fourth of July post). I even have a couple groupies--thank you JK and EC (and D, Ash-es, CS, LL, S.Roux, CC, CC's friend, Marty's friend, LC, MC, BC, and B)!

Then my friend J studied for the bar (and I made him watch all of Firefly--as you should no matter who you are) as a break from taking it.  And then B and I celebrated his passing it with deliciousness from Guglehupf--and I found out that sweet corn ice cream is AMAZING! And then we lost our wing man because he moved away.

Lindy deployed to Afghanistan, and though she had been in Ohio, it felt like she was even farther now (which she is), though we are planning Hershey in the spring when she gets back.  And she is looking for a cute Brit for me--as she is embedded with the Marines and the Brits. Though, personally, I would take either--a marine or a Brit, though of course, I prefer the Brits. Though, again, not picky. . .  

Then we picked up Boojie (B's nickname, not mine) from Montana.  And B, Sug (my nickname--the Southern pronunciation), and I rode a horse (more pictures coming up from that).  And we met my Daddy's high school friend (I LOVED his ranch), and we met a lot of good people.  And I got to have a small moment in Bear Lake, which will always have my heart.

I had a delightful birthday with so many friends visiting (Pants! J! Scout and the Wades!--which should totally be a band name--and sooo many others).  And a sweet oatmeal pancake breakfast and some Just Dance 2 with one of my favorite families. . .



I swear I dance better than this. . .

And then Halloween--which is a post all its own.  Seriously, it will go up shortly. . .

And finally, I got to be a little theatrical at our Church talent show (Stake-wide).  Realize I performed this after I performed with a large choir, where we went totally Southern-Revival-meeting with guitars and tambourines, and call-outs and everything.  I wish I had video of that.  I hate watching myself; but since most people said I did an awesome job, I think I am going to let you critique it (and I'll just cringe in the corner).



I even got a rose from one of my primary kids.  And all of my little girls that I teach came up to tell me that I did a good job--and my favorite story came from the Mom of a present primary kid and a former primary kid--in her words:

'[T]hey both agreed that when they grow up they want to be a mixture of Selena Gomez (their fav Disney actress/singer) and Sis. [Ru].  I told them that was so sweet and asked why those two people...they said, "Well, Selena is famous and Sis. [Ru] has the most beautiful voice and she's the best teacher!".'

Too funny! Also, awesome for my ego.  Me and Selena Gomez. . . Who I kind of liked in Monte Carlo. . . Oh, and I totally went to that movie with Miss Sunni this summer (it was cute--don't judge!), while at a mid-singles conference in DC (now, you can judge).  And I spent a couple weekends with AL (I miss you, AL!) who now lives in DC. Oh, yeah, and KW-H came to visit, and I am so very, very excited that she is moving back!  And the new TV season started without my TV friend, so sometimes it is sad. . . (Watch Chuck!).  And I got a new IPhone which may be running or ruining my life--I haven't decided yet (too much Words with Friends).

And now you are up to now (well, that was Saturday).  So, yeah, that has been my life.  Halloween will go up soon, and I really will find the cord for my camera and give a play by play of Montana (and our dearly awkward RM), and Five Rus in a Silverado stories, though B talks about it a little.

We'll be in NC for Thanksgiving--come join us if you are in town.  And then in IL for Christmas (a short stopover--stupid having to earn a living!).  Hopefully, from now on, I will better and keeping this up.  If I am going to someday write my novel, I need to actually spend some time writing, right???  Loves!

Technical difficulties

Due to two broken computers in the House of Ru, I've been lax.  Well, I've been lax before that, but it is nice to have an excuse.  I promise to catch up soon.  And maybe put up some videos.  Incredibly embarrassing videos. . . Thank goodness no one reads this.

Loves!

Rainy Days and Mondays. . .

Are some of my favorite days--well Rainy Days. . . I hate Mondays.



Doesn't it just make you want to go jump in a puddle. . . Or sing?

I tried my hand at Broad Street's Open Mic Night again.  I was getting nervous, and we headed on up to perform.  I'm tuning my fiddle, taking a deep breath, waiting for the first chord, and as I start in on Jolene, I look up to see B sitting there--she had barely made it, but it made all the difference.  I was calmer after I knew she was there, and I think I killed it.  I've almost got my rendition of Jolene set.

We also did our Fast Car/Bad Romance Mash-up, and that is always crazy--it makes me feel more vulnerable than I like. But isn't that what music is supposed to do--get you out of your comfort zone? I did get a snide remark from the guy after us about using covers, but pooh, pooh, Mr. Whiny, tweeny, rocker voice.

The beat box flute was off the hook!  My guitarist is leaving, so I am a little sad about it, but, hey, maybe I'll mix it up and throw in a little jazz soon.  Or maybe I can get Cface to come visit and play for me. Or I can actually learn how to play all these songs myself. . . Who knows. . .