Donuts, Duck and dogs

I know what you are thinking...."that is a very strange title for this blog".....well, those three things sup up most of the meals I've had in this city.  So, it makes a bit more sense. 

Interesting that everyone always talks about Seattle being a place where the sun never shines, and it rains all the time.  It rained perhaps once when we were in Seattle, save the morning we left when it was pouring.  It has rained every day we've been in Portland.  I think the sun has been out for approximately 6 hours the entire week.....

That said, we didn't let the rain spoil our fun.  We hopped on the bus Monday morning, and headed from Seattle to Portland.  I was a bit reluctant to leave, but I was looking forward to Portland, and one thing in particular.....VOODOO DONUTS. 

For those that don't know about Voodoo, it's a donut shop here in Portland that has some very weird and wonderful donut concoctions.  AMAZING.  I first learned about them on Man Vs. Food, and decided that if I ever got the chance to go to Portland, that would have to be a must do. 

So, me and some of the boys and Rosie treked close to a mile after we got into to town to sample these amazing donuts.  Boy howdy were they good.  It was my dinner on Monday night, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. 

Like I said, it was pretty rainy here, so I honestly didn't get to see much, or take very many pictures.  However, we did get to sample a lot of what Portland had to offer as far as micro brews, and some great food.  A great bar with and even better name, Veritable Quandry, served us some fantastic beer, and duck confit spring rolls.....Now, I have to say, duck is not something I eat frequently.  Perhaps it's because I grew up with ducks swimming in our lake.....I don't know.  What I do know is, when I do have it, man, that's a tasty bird. 

Because we are on the water front, I also took the time to walk around a little park that was down there, and take some pictures.  In the 5 mintues it didn't rain. 

There is a city fair going on right now, so a bunch of us went down and did some sight seeing yesterday, as well as getting some pretty rad corn dogs.  Mmmm....corn dogs.....

I also got the opportunity to do a promo with the cast as Sam Phillips on Friday at a really nice open park.  That prepared me to go on as Sam that night, and on Saturday's matinee.  The cast took me out on Friday to thank me for such a great show, which was much appreciated and unexpected. 

Sorry there's not much news from here.....like I said, we didn't get out all that much.  Although, a few of us did go get breakfast at a place called Mother's, that was probably the best breakfast any of us had ever had. 

Tomorrow we head to (for all of you Book Of Mormon fans out there...) Salt-a-lake-a-see-tee.  I have no idea what to expect really, but I'm sure I'll have a lot to report.  I hope everyone is having a good week, and I'll write more soon!

Krusty: "If you really want to be a clown, you need to practice saying these funny town names. Wala Wala...Cuckamonga....Seattle...." Homer: "SEATTLE!!! Stop it!!! You're killin' me!!!!"

Hello, all! Sorry for the long title, but I always think of that episode of The Simpsons when I think of Seattle. 

It was a great week in another new city and state I've never been to!  And, I got the chance to fly my brother out to see me, which made the week even better.  After a very long flight from Maine, he got in late on Monday night, and then next day we started our sightseeing. 

First we went to the Hard Rock Cafe near Pike Public Market to watch the boys and m'am do a promo, and for my brother to meet everyone.  They had some great memorabilia on display (see the autographed jacket above).  After the promo, we found an amazing hot dog place near the market, and I got a coffee at the original Starbucks.  We walked around the market for a while, checking out all of the different shops, and I even found a can of Duff energy drink....and I got one for me and David (see the picture above.  We both love the Simpsons....thus my quote as the title of this blog). 

After walking around for a few hours, we headed back to the hotel to rest a bit before opening night.  It was great to actually sit and watch the show with Rick, and see his reactions to everything.  I think he was pretty surprised at what the show was really like after only hearing the cast recording, and that this is really what my job is.  It was just great to get to spend some time with him. 

That night we went out for a little bit, and he got to meet Rob Lyons, who plays Carl Perkins in New York, and has been a part of every encarnation of Million Dollar Quartet. 

The next day we ventured out to see the Space Needle, and we ended up spending a few hours at the Experience Music Project; a giant Gugenheim looking building, housing music memorabilia, artifacts, and tons of interactive exhibits.  I think we were both pretty surprised as to how much there was to do there, and how long we actually spent.  There was an exhibit all about classic horror movies, the movie Avatar, Nirvana, AC/DC, and music lab where you could play an array of different instruments, and even mix your own music.  We got a couple of great pictures of each other, especially the one in the AC/DC display (see mine above).  After the EMP, we walked around and took a ton of pictures of the Space Needle, then headed home. 

On Thursday, we walked around a few parts of the city we hadn't yet seen, and ventured down to where Safeco Field and Century Link Field (where the Mariners and Seahawks play, respectively), and took many more pictures.  On the advice of a friend of mine, we also stopped by a store that specializes in vintage baseball jerseys and hats.  The price tags were a little steep, but what an awesome store! 

After that, we were both pretty exhausted, so we headed home.  Rick flew out early on Friday, so I was left on my own for the rest of the weekend.  It was great to have my parents and my brother visit in back to back weeks, but it was definitely a bit of a let down when it was all said and done.  That said, I met some great people in Seattle, and that brightened my weekend.  It really is a great town, but I could certainly do without being accosted by every bum around.  The difference between the homeless in Seattle and the other cities we've been to (it really is unfortunate.  If there are really still people in this country that don't understand how many people are living on the street and are out of work....just travel this country and see for yourself.  It is a sad state of affairs) is that the ones I encountered were all so drunk or high, I was often a little afraid at what they might do if I didn't give them change. 

I took a tour of Seattle's underground on Friday.  If you don't know anything about it, I highly suggest you do some research.  It's pretty fascinating.  A combination of poor city planning, the great fire and the seedy underbelly of the town.  Pretty amazing. 

After a great week, we took off to Portland, where we heard the homeless population was even worse......more about that soon.......

Yes, I know the way to San Jose, and I did go to San Francisco....sans flowers in my hair.....

Howdy, folks!  I hope the last week has treated you well!

Last week we made our way from Costa Mesa to San Jose.  We got into town, and shortly thereafter, my parents arrived.  It had been 42 years, almost to the exact day since my parents had been to California.  I was so glad to be able to give them the opportunity and a reason to come back. 

On Tuesday, we ventured to the San Pedro Public Market to take in a promo by the boys and m'am (see the picture above and videos below).  Then, off to opening night. 

On Wednesday, my parents and I headed to San Francisco!  My father had been there about 43 years ago, but it was the first time my mother and I had the chance to go.  We decided the best way to get an overview of the entire city was to take an open-top trolley bus tour.  Now, normally, this would not be my type of thing.  But, I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised with the experience.  In a 2 hour tour we were able to see Coit Tower, crooked Lombard Street, Chinatown, Little Italy, The Painted Ladies, the Full House house, Golden Gate Park, The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, George Lucas' ILM, and many many more sights.  I had no idea how much that city had to offer, nor how crowded and compact all of the buildings were. 

We headed back to San Jose, and I got the suprise news that I would be going on as Cash that night.  So, with some frantic preparation and help from our company managers, I was able to switch the tickets I had already bought for my parents, and get them in to see me perform.  They loved it, as always. 

The next day I took my parents to the Winchester Mystery House.  I had done a little research on the house after some people in the company mentioned it.  Man.  That is a crazy lookin' house.  I wasn't able to take pictures inside, but it's not something I will forget anytime soon.  We had a great time seeing all of the staircases leading to nowhere, the windows that opened onto brick walls, and the secret passages.  Do yourself a favor, and even if you never find yourself in San Jose, visit their website at www.winchestermysteryhouse.com and see for yourself.  An amazing story. 

My parents and I ventured back to San Francisco on Friday with the hopes of visitng Alcatraz.  No dice.  It was sold out through the weekend, so we made the most of it, and saw a bunch of other stuff instead.  We had lunch on Pier 39 again, and headed up to Coit Tower.  What an amazing view of the city.  We took a ton of pictures, and then headed to take a drive down the crooked Lombard Street; 7 twists and turns in 1 city block (see the picture above, and video below).  We then treated ourselves to some Ghirardelli chocolate and ice cream! 

On Saturday, my parents were able to take a trip to Monterey, where they had lived when my father was in the Navy.  It had changed quite a bit, but they were so excited to go back and see it.  I'm so glad they got the chance. 

Some of the boys and I also got to see a couple of live shows at a downtown bar called the Blank Club.  On Saturday, a band that Billy had opened for, Three Bad Jacks played; wow.  That was some fierce Psychobilly.  They did a version of Motorhead's Ace of Spades that floored me. 

All in all, I had an amazing time in San Jose.  Not only did I get to spend some quality time with my parents, but I had a great time seeing San Francisco and meeting some amazing people along the way.  It may be the first city we've been to that I was not ready to leave yet. 

We're in Seattle now, and my brother is here visiting.  So, more news from the West Coast next week! 

Oh! And, if you haven't already, please visit my completely redesigned www.scottmoreau.com and tell me what you think!  You can find a link to my Facebook, Twitter and this blog in the upper right hand corner, AND a link to the Million Dollar Quartet website!  Enjoy, and tell me what you think!

A whole lot of nothing

I'll just be honest; it has been a rough, boring two weeks here in Costa Mesa.  No offense to the town itself....there's just not much around our hotel/theatre, so I've been watching a lot of Netflix, and sitting in my room.

That said, The week started off well.  We had a very nice opening night party with more food, drinks, decorations and hoopla than we have had yet (Moonpie and mobile/chandelier pictures above).  On Thursday evening after the show the cast was invited to play at the opening night festivities for the Newport Beach Film Festival.  It was definitely an experience.....lots of well dressed people.....and it was VERY busy.  Great food though, and the boys put on a hell of a show (see videos below). 

Last Monday, a few of us were able to go the Angels/Twins game (see above).  Now, I don't really root for either team, but it was a pretty great game.  And you really can't beat those seats.  However, we missed Weaver's no hitter by two days, and Albert Pujols finally hit his first homerun this year for the Angels....today.  So, we kinda missed out, but it was fun anyway. 

I got to go on as Sam Phillips this past Wednesday, and for all the talk of iffy audiences, I thought they were pretty awesome.  It's never good to go on because of illness, but I have to say, I've been lucky enough to go on in the last 3 cities (Minneapolis, Sacremento and Costa Mesa), so that has been a blessing. 

Also, the Thunderstudy boys, Rosie and I have embarked on a life-changing mission; to get in shape with Insanity.  I got the idea to purchase the workout when I was in Maine because it's been very hard to maintain/lose weight on tour when we very often don't have gyms, or their equipment isn't the greatest.  So, we've all been watching what we are eating and working out together.  Let me tell you....it ain't easy.  There's a lot of sweat, drinking a lot of water, and even more swearing and grunting. 

So, we are off to San Jose tomorrow, and I couldn't be more ready.  First of all, my parents will be there, so I am very much looking forward to seeing them.  Second, I can't bear to sit in this room and be down anymore.  So, we'll be able to take a couple of road trips to San Francisco, and just hopefully see a lot.  I'm sure that'll bring me out of my funk.  Anyway, enjoy the pics, video and the blog itself, and I'll be back with more after we rock San Jose.