Last night I realized my life as a father here in Los Angeles is probably a little different than most dads. I'm already different than most dads in the fact that I stay home and work all day with my child, but this little difference makes me feel some-what like a "cool" dad.
Last night, around 8 o'clock after Stacey, Zoe and I got done eating we began the evening bedtime ritual. It was a bath night, so we did the whole shabang. Bath, lotion, playing, reading and then the crib. It was just another night at the Blackwells, but very special in it's own right. As I was sitting there with my girls, pleasant music playing, lights dimmed soft, everything was very quiet and calm. I knew this was about to change.
Once the ladies were almost asleep I packed up my camera gear and headed down to good ole' Hollywood to photograph a band at the infmaous Whiskey A Go Go. (You know, the place where the Doors were made famous, or whatever?) Driving down the Sunset Strip, looking for a parking spot that didn't cost $15, and finally getting into the Go Go for free all started the crazy loud part of my evening.
There was a really cool band (Preach Unique & the Cloud 9 Empire) on before the band I came to photograph (Soma). I snapped a few really cool pics of them, and got to meet and chat w/ the lead signer afterward. Then Soma was on and they rocked the house. This band blows my mind every time I see them. It's not typical music I would enjoy, but live they put on such a killer show that I've started to get into their music. Head banging, rock jam band is how I would describe them.
After the show we were standing around Sunset Blvd. and I was waiting to get paid when the band realized they had some how lost someone in their transportation and needed a lift. I offered our SUV and we crammed drums, amps and guitars all around the stroller and car seat. :) I drove to one of the band member's home and dropped off the stuff, had a beer, hung out with the guys and headed home.
It was a great evening. One I really appreciate. My wife is super cool letting me go out on weeknights, even if I am working. I hope for many more like these.
