Alexandria my daughter moved the last of her things to University of Mary Washington In Fredericksburg, Virginia today. We wished her well! It has been rough being a single mother, but today it was worth it.
Originally published September 7, 2020 by Writer Andrea Menzies
Donate to the Elysium Go Fund Me page here: https://gf.me/u/yw5dvi
I recently traveled by airplane mid-pandemic to see old friends in Austin, Texas. I managed to run into several artist friends, and interviewed them about their latest projects. Steve Hall was one of the friends I talked to when visiting. Steve also let me take a new selfie with him, and I was happy about this as I had dropped ten pounds since I took the last one with him. I was lucky to run into so many people as the dramatic conditions of the pandemic have increased difficulty in communicating all over the world.
Steve is known by many names. He goes by Steve Hall -O- Ween, DJ Prophet, and just good old Steve. Steve’s job has him working from home these days, but he is still being very productive. His creativity’s productivity has not suffered as well. He has been hosting many online streaming events for friends near and far away. Haven online was his latest project for the Elysium restaurant and music venue in Austin. This regular online DJ event is one of the more popular ones on Twitch TV. Twitch seems to have become a favorite DJ method in the pandemic perhaps due to it’s many connections to the popular Patreon.com funding platform. Tune in to https://www.twitch.tv/elysiumhaven to check out the stream. Unfortunately ironically I was flying back to Richmond, Virginia that night, and missed the Void guest DJ set, but I will be sure to catch the future streams. I miss Austin, Texas badly, but planes, trains, and RV van trips are sure to keep me visiting the live music capitol of the world often.
“Tonight! Join us again for more mayhem!” Said Steve Hall promoting the DJ stream.
For links to future events check out: https://www.facebook.com/steve.prophet.hall/about
Originally published September 7th of 2020 by writer Andrea Menzies.
I interviewed screenwriter and guitarist Eddie Santiago about his latest movie project while in Austin, Texas this week. I flew to Texas to see old friends, and I was lucky to run into so many mid-pandemic.
Eddie showed off his latest two guitar purchases before the interview. He considers writing his greatest creative outlet, but has always liked using guitars in addition.
“Practicing on the Rocksmith Remastered video game to learn guitar relaxes me.” Eddie said practicing with his latest guitar buy. This game is available on PC as well as PS4 Eddie plays on. https://rocksmith.ubisoft.com/rocksmith/en-us/home/ Eddie and I both met as we were both working at World of Warcraft’s Blizzard customer support. We both have Nintendo switch lite game players, and play many video games. Him playing another video game that day as I interviewed him did not surprise me.
“What is your full name?” I asked him as I noticed Eddie may have been a nickname.
“Edward Santiago.” He said with a smile.
“What is your favorite art to make and perform?” I then asked.
“I like guitar, but I have won the most awards in writing.” Eddie said.
“What first got you interested in music and books when you were a kid?” Due to this interview being for a book review podcast called “FH7 Book Reviews” on Podbean I tend to like to turn the conversation to book interests.
“My father used to own a video rental store, and I would love to watch a lot of movies when I was a kid. That started my love of fiction in stories.” Eddie said.
“How have books of fiction and science fiction had an impact on your art?” I asked next.
“Fiction is one of my favorite formats to write in. One of my most loved fiction stories is of teddy bears fighting monsters in a child’s room.” Eddie said.
“Do you like Science Fiction or Medieval Style fantasy better?” I then asked.
“That is a good question. In my writing I like to take a more Medieval Style fiction approach.” Eddie then said.
“What is the most important message you would like to leave with fans of your work with on the Internet?” I asked.
“Be open to new cultures and new ideas in your life.” Eddie said.
At the end of my interviews I usually like to ask people if they have any sales URLs they want me to post Eddie does not have any sales URLs on the in a traditional sense. He just asks that people go to see the movies he has written on Facebook. Movie promoters do the sales work for him in post-production. His latest movie in production has been delayed due to the pandemic crisis. Production will continue next year after the quarantine eases production restrictions.
For more information on Eddie’s latest project checkout Facebook.com/Edward.Santiago.writer for more information.
Originally published September 9th of 2020 by Andrea Menzies.
Donate to the Elysium Club Austin Go Fund Me here: https://gf.me/u/yw5dvi
When I lived in Austin, Texas I went to the iconic restaurants, taverns, and dance clubs in the 6th Street Red River downtown district. Due to the pandemic many of the restaurants like the famous Elysium are in big financial trouble. Recently John Wickham of Elysium started a Gofundme, and released interview statements on the Gofundme donation requests.
“It is the oldest longest-running venue in the Red River District.” Said John Wickham.
I am a live music fan like so many people from Austin, and plan to donate soon to the program.
Home again… Home again jiggity jig. It felt good to leave Richmond, Virginia for some much needed travel. Plus I got laid every day that I was gone traveling. This has put me in a MUCH better mood. However it has felt good to come back home to my normal neighborhood and life. Then I rewatched Bladerunner, and that is where I got the home again home again quotation from for the blog entry.
I am chilling out with Jo’s Good Food in the Heart of Texas at the Austin Airport waiting for a flight in Austin, Texas. The weather is good for flying, and I checked into my flight on time. It is going to be nap o’clock on the flight today with my sleepless eyes.
I do NOT want to go back to the ultra pathetic music scene and dating world in Richmond, Virginia. Unfortunately pandemic has limited my travel time on this trip to Austin, Texas. Meanwhile pandemic stickers are by my feet at Walmart in Austin. You have to buy travel supplies somewhere. Sorry guys but I did live for years on my own in Austin, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana and I have to say night life does suck in comparison in Virginia.
Bill and Ted are back! Moving movies are back too at long last. Seeing movies in Austin, TX again has been great fun.
First Published Sept. 2, 2020 by writer Andrea Menzies
I managed to make it to the new Secret October store today. Cassandra Davis and Wendy (Mary) Morris main owners and workers were both working, and I got to say hello. I questioned them about the new store, and they said that they are happy about the move with better space. Cassandra in particular was relieved to be done with the move.
“I feel like I had to become a real estate agent while searching for the new place. We had to look at so many places, and measurements. I am glad this place is working out.” Said Cassandra Davis.
In addition the new place has better bathrooms, more changing space, and a better music store area. I got a new shirt, and it was great to see the new location. Afterward I stopped by a nearby music store for more checking in on local music. Austin calls itself the live music capital of the world, and a quick day of bargain hunting really shows why.
First published July 22nd 2020
I was in an Public Shooting at District 5 dance club last night where I was Uber driving people home! I was right next to the shooting! It was 10 feet away from my face! I saw the light of the gun muzzle fire as he shot many times into a large crowd! I did not get hit and my van is okay as well! I did not know my little van could peel-out that fast!
“Screw whoever needs a ride!” I said as I drove away at break-neck speed!
From my Facebook Post about this issue this is what locals has to say about this event:
Later on in July 2020 the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper did run a story on the public shooting I witnessed. Only one person fully was hit with bullets. Due to many people hitting the ground to avoid bullet fire, and blood spatter my original estimate of number of people hit in the shooting was higher. I have never been shot at in my hometown of Austin so I am unused to blog etiquette on shooting. Below in yellow is the Foursquare swarm app screen shot of when I checked in at District 5 just after the shooting.
Frozen History 7 Publishing Book Review Podcast 