Nevada City, Brick and Mortar Music Hall, and a Karmic Re-Set

Nevada City Skyline.

Parlor Tricks had a gig booked for Sunday August 19th, 2012, so I stayed north for the weekend.  Since the gig was on Sunday, I took the opportunity to head north and explore Nevada City and Grass Valley on Saturday.

Fun places.  Pretty much like being on an old west movie set, except these are real.  I wore the Faux-Jo watch and it paid off handsomely, opening conversation at three different shops I went into.  The shop owners seemed impressed with it... well worth the investment to get some small talk going.

While the northern exploration was basically fun, the day was filled with annoying restaurant experiences.  I woke up and wanted bacon and eggs, so I headed over to Eggies, but the parking lot was full and as I headed out to find parking on the street, I found myself in a right turn only lane that took me away from the restaurant with no easy return.  So I said, "Screw it," and headed out to Whole Foods for the breakfast bar where I could get bacon and eggs for less money anyway.  But when I got to Whole Foods, I found they were out of bacon, so I headed back to Eggies.  This time there was parking, but as I was looking at the menu, I noticed they had a special Huevos Rancheros with Pork Chile Verde.  That piqued my taste buds, so I decided to change horses and give it a try.  I ordered the Huevos Rancheros, but was surprised when they arrived meatless and  "rojos."  I then checked the menu and found that they actually had two varieties. The waitress had given me what I ordered, just not what I wanted. Argg... She could have asked for some clarity, don't you think???

The bad restaurant experience continued in Nevada City.  Around lunch time I was in the mood for some meat and saw one restaurant with a reasonably priced steak sandwich, but I didn't want to eat too early; I wanted this meal to last the rest of the day.  I fooled around and by the time I went back, the place had closed for the interval between lunch and dinner.  Not wanting to wait for the dinner menu, when I am sure the steak sandwich would have been more expensive, I ended up and a bar and grill joint and the host's snooty attitude made me feel creepy when he seated me. The place was bland and so was the burger I ended up with.  Yes a day of annoying eating.

The day did end pleasantly though.  A street musician set up right next to where I had parked my car on Main Street.  She had a beautiful fragile and pure soprano voice which she blended with simple steel drum patterns.  It was original and had a really touching quality, although I am not sure she actually knew what she was doing.  It was effective nonetheless, especially since I could just hang out at my car and listen until I was ready to go.

Sunday August 19 Parlor Tricks had a gig at an SF club, The Brick and Mortar Music Hall.  It is a legit music venue with an excellent sound system and engineer, a young lady who had graduated from E'xpressions and she really knew her stuff.  Too bad nobody showed up for the gig.  What do you expect for a Sunday?

On the way down to the gig, I tried to make a Karmic Investment.  I stopped by the West Sac Goodwill and bought the clock with no hands.  I mean... who else was going to buy the darned thing?  It was my duty, having removed the hands myself.

Forgive me.... Hopefully I have effected a karmic re-set.

Engine Co. No.2, Nevada City.