Third Annual Spina Bifida Awareness Raid Train Fundraiser

 

The third annual Spina Bifida Awareness Raid Train Fundraiser is complete and now in the books. And it was exciting as ever before as many memories were made. 

This year however, I made the decision to lower the donation goal from $1,000 last year to $500 this year. 

Things started well with the first live streamer as she switched things up and played a trivia game with the chat. And that got really lively but really fun. From that point on in the raid train, music was being played. And you know me by now if you have been reading this blog, music is important in my life.

Here are some of the highlights of the event: 

After the trivia, the music streams got started. At one point, another streamer brought their community into the raid train with over 100 viewers. It set up a great opportunity to bring even more awareness for people. 

From there came the great "Wonderwall" debacle. The participating streamer had set up on their stream that if a viewer has 50,000 channel points to use and redeem that streamer would perform the song by Oasis. 

A viewer did in fact redeem those points. What had to be done, had to be done. Until we realized that the upcoming streamer also had "Wonderwall" on their song list. 

Already the viewers were groaning about it. But they all survived, and we soldiered on! 

The next streamer remembered and had put "Wonderwall" in the queue. Promising to have that song played a second time by a second music streamer. 

I personally was in agreement with the viewers and thought once was enough, or even too much. Therefore, I came up with the idea that if someone had donated $25 towards the fundraiser, then I as that streamer's moderator would eliminate the song from the queue.

Nearly right away, someone did donate that $25. It happened so fast. It tells you about the audience watching at the time that they just preferred not to go through with it again. 

And as it was a fundraiser, I announced that there was a bidding war. If someone donated $30 to the fundraiser, that I would put the song back into the queue. But the streamer had other ways of dealing with the situation. Alas, the song was played a second time. A lot of the viewers in chat making comments about how they were muting their speakers and waiting it out so that they could unmute and enjoy the rest of the music. 

I began to think of a way to incorporate "Wonderwall" with a future fundraising event and finding ways to get people to donate so that they either did not have to listen to the song or that they did have to listen. I will have to think about it more. I don't want to chase people away! 

From there we went to our final music streamer of the event before I came on to my own live stream to end things and talk about personal experiences. 

The streamer had actually found some informative videos discussing Spina Bifida. I am not sure where, but they were actually kind of nice to have. 

Then the donations started climbing, and climbing, and climbing. Having a goal of $500 and I had not even been live on stream yet, not knowing how long I would be able to stream, the goal was nearly met before I even turned on the camera.

The fundraiser had reached $460 when it was my turn to stream. By the time I turned off the stream, we all had raised $650!

I am looking forward to doing this again for the FOURTH year in a row next year. 

Thanks to those who helped me make things possible to get the word out this year. Thanks to all the streamers on Twitch that participated this year. Thanks to all of those who donated and those who showed so much support during the entire event. Special thanks to those who came and showed support to me personally. I love you all!! 

By all means go and check out these wonderful people who helped made this year a wonderful year. 

vaidahK
JerfoTheMusicAddict
cdubguitar
SarahCameronMusic
skittlefarts91

A few people asked about whether or not I would keep the fundraiser around a little while longer as they express interest in donating once their pay day rolled around. And I agreed to keep it open until at least December. 

If you missed the raid train on Twitch and wish to contribute, and have the means to, you may do so. 

DONATE TO SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS HERE. 

10 August 2024: Britny Lobas At Antone's - Austin, TX

 

Good ole Antone's. 

It has been a very long time since I had been to this classic venue in Austin, Texas. The fact that Britny Lobas was opening for Vallejo was quite the winning situation in my opinion.

After the ridiculous drama at the bus stop, I decided not to allow it to keep me from going out and doing the thing that I most enjoy doing. 

This was actually the first time being there since the pandemic, but it actually just seemed like old times. I am not sure why I was so worried about it to begin with. 

Almost immediately I was greeted by Britny as we hugged and said hello, followed by being greeted by singer and musician, Crrissa. I wondered for just a moment who the rock stars were: Them or me??

It was funny to me because the day before, I had gone out to get a haircut. I mean after all it is August in Texas and the summer weather is going to linger around for a while longer. I received several compliments.

Once I was able to say hello to everyone before they went scurrying away into the Green Room, I took my place before the stage. My knees pressed against the edge, and I put the brakes on the wheelchair. I was not going to move for anything or anyone.

When the show got started, everything that had been so frustrating and scary had melted away from my mind. 

Music is the distraction that I need to get away from the bullshit in life. Music is there for me every time! 

 

I allowed myself to just let go. I allowed myself the total satisfaction of enjoyment, and did not care what people thought or said. And that is pretty much what I am looking for when I leave home and go to live music. That IDGAF filter gets put on. And as long as I come away happy, then that is all that matters. 

I was so glad to able to see Britny perform once more. It turns out that Britny had never played at Antone's before, it was a first for her as a performer. 

I was given a bit of a spoiler when I learned that on the set list, they were going to perform "Lady Marmalade", and that was a great performance between Britny and Crrissa. 

Crrissa got those extremely high notes in there, and the crowd went wild not once but TWICE! The screaming from the audience had to have been a gratifying feeling. I mean, I felt soooo happy for Crrissa to get that kind of a response from the crowd!! 

I am really proud of Britny Lobas, and the rest of the band. I feel so comfortable in knowing that with this band, I am assured to have a wonderful time, every time. 

After the performance, I literally was filled with adrenaline so much that I felt that I could take on the world. 

But with the health issues that have been increasing more than I would like for it to, I knew that my time being out was coming to an end. I would have to miss Vallejo and return home. 

I grabbed the nearest set list from the stage as I would normally do from any show that I attend, and I started making my way towards the merch table where Britny was socializing with fans and friends. 

As per custom, I had Britny sign it. 

If any musician that I have seen more than twice, they would know that I will want the set list signed, and we are taking selfies together. But this time, was extra extra special. 

I didn't notice the message right away until I was home. 

Anyway, after the selfies and a few more hugs and kisses I made my way outside into the city to find the bus stop to go home. 

Along the way, I had totally forgotten that the buses were re-routed due to the fact that Austin, Texas was holding a Pride Parade down Congress Avenue. 

The street was totally blocked off with barricades. There was no real way to even squeeze through them to cross the street. It was a solid fence that went up and down the street on both sides. 

I finally found someone nearby who was wearing a security uniform and inquired where I could cross so I could get to the bus stop. The response was less than enthusiastic. 

I had to roll down five blocks, cross the street, and then come back up four blocks, just to get to the street where I was needing to be. 

But I as traversed those first five blocks, the city streetlights became less and less. But the amount of people was growing more and more, and they were not able to see me coming their way. It got a little sketchy for a while until I reached the fifth block which was the end of the parade route on Cesar Chavez. The problem was that there was absolutely NO safe way for me to cross so that I could continue the journey back up the other direction for those last four blocks. 

I had to ask for help from a guy who was just chilling on the sidewalk on his bicycle. 

Eventually I was able to get to the bus stop and find the ride back home. When I got off the bus in my neighborhood, my senses were on high alert. All in all, there were no further problems. 

From the time that I left Antone's to the time that I came through the front door, after the re-route to get to the bus, and the bus re-route down its path, it had taken me two hours and fifteen minutes. It usually does not take that long. 

I locked the front door behind and immediately started to unpack the trauma that I experienced just trying to get out. 

But of course, I put away the signed set list to where I would see it every time I was in the room. 

I finally took a look at the message that Britny wrote. 

"My forever friend" it said. Ohhhh!! My heart was full. 

I sent a message to both Britny and Crrissa to let them both know that I made it home safely and without further incident.

I asked Britny, "Did we just become best friends?" which reminded me of that scene from the film "Step Brothers". I now have a new BFF. Amazing!!

I hope to be able to see Britny perform again at the benefit show that is coming up in late September. It is going to be a wild adventure into uncharted territory for me.  

Assault On The Disabled

 

Please note, that this post is unsettling and contains disturbing information about a physical attack upon another person. This may not be suitable for all readers. 

I have thought about this over and over about whether or not I should even write about it at all. But after convening with some medical professionals and colleagues, all have been encouraging that I do so, for the sake of it being therapeutic and a release of emotions and tensions.

On the 10th of August 2024 I was excited to be able to go out once more to enjoy some live music entertainment. I could feel that it was going to be something worth writing about for this blog, but never would I have imagined that I would have to separate the beginning story of the journey from the rest of the evening's experience, especially after what I had experienced.

I began the journey just like always, heading west to the end of the street so that I can cross and arrive at the city bus stop and from there make my way into the downtown area. But at this particular moment I heard someone shouting in an angry manner. I looked to where the sound was coming from and on the opposite side of the street, a man heading east was swearing and cursing to himself out loud.

Seeing that he was not coming towards me, I continued across the street and arrived at the bus stop. I checked the bus schedule on my cell phone and found that I was there just a little too early, so I had to wait anywhere from 12-15 minutes for the bus to arrive as scheduled. 

I proceeded to send messages to friends in order to pass the time. I was making lighthearted conversation about how excited I was to be getting out of the four walls from which I reside and doing something that I enjoy. 

From my right, I heard a voice that startled me. The voice said, "Excuse me? I know you are going to say 'no', but can I PLEASE borrow your phone so that I can call my mom?" 

It was the same person that I had seen just minutes before going in the opposite direction, and now he was only three feet away from me. 

He was shirtless and sweaty. And that made sense to me in the moment as it is August in Texas. It's hot. We are all going to be sweaty if we are going to be outside. 

I noticed though that his arms, legs, chest, and neck were covered in tattoos. Some of those tattoos I was able to recognize as prison gang tattoos. 

I told the man, "No. I am sorry..." 

I was not able to finish my sentence, and the man exploded into a violent rage. He started cussing at me, begging to use the phone. Again, I told him no, and his rage continued to grow. 

There was darkness in his eyes that I had never seen before in a person. 

Had I been able to finish what I was saying, I would have been able to inform him that I only had a few minutes left of waiting for the city bus and therefore would not be able to stick around while he made his phone call. 

I also might add that I had a fear of him taking the phone and stealing it as he could have easily just started running away and I would not have been able to catch if I had given him my cell phone.

None of this would matter in the end. 

He began to get louder and angrier. Pleading his case once more to let him use my cell phone before doing a complete turn around and calling me a "pussy ass white bitch" and I imagine that was his way of feeling to be the better person in this situation. 

He then started to do this thing where it looked like he was going to walk away but then turned around and came charging back at me. Each time getting closer to and closer to me. 

He asked once more and before I could even tell him no again, he called me a "stinking white cocksucker motherfucker" and stuck his hand down the front of his shorts with his index finger and middle finger together, simulating that he had a weapon hidden in his shorts. 

I knew that he didn't because I would have seen a bulge in his shorts if he did. And furthermore, if he DID have a weapon hiding in his shorts, he would have pulled it out on me. 

The threats started with "You fucking wanna get shot, motherfucker??" and that's when everything changed. I had an awful feeling that he simply wasn't going to walk away any time soon and I just was not sure of how I was going to get out of this situation alive. 

Then he stepped closer to me and hit me in the face which caused the mask that I was wearing to come off. It ended up in his grasp and he then threatened to break my phone, asking if I wanted him to break his phone, followed by more profane name calling.

He walked off once more and threw my mask on the ground to get rid of it. Then he turned back yet again and charged full throttle. 

From that point I received several punches. A lot of them were poorly thrown but nonetheless came into contact with my body somewhere. The arm, the face, the top of my head. Whatever. 

He did this all in broad daylight. And in front of traffic as I was at the southwest corner of an intersection that had a traffic light. 

The light was red at the point of the attack, and I heard from the street someone calling "You need help??" 

The attacker then repeated dared me to call the police over and over again. He even as far as to tell me what his supposed name was, and the Latin gang's name of which he goes by. 

I briefly looked over into the traffic and nodded at the people inquiring if I needed help and motioned with my hand for them to come over. But I never saw them do so. 

The attacker took a swipe at my cell phone which was in my right hand. I assume that he was trying to break it or damage it. He then leaned his face towards me and was encouraging me to hit him in the face or jaw. I told him, "I'm not hitting you." 

After that I noticed out of the corner of my eye that traffic was moving again, and I figured that the light had turned green. But he did this in front of all of those drivers. 

The attacker then said to me, "I'm going to go get a fucking gun and in two minutes I am going to come back to shoot you in the fucking face, you bitch!!!"

He walked away. This time for good. I watched until he completely disappeared from my sight, because after several times of him walking away then coming back, I just didn't know when it was going to be the last time. 

As I came to the conclusion that the ordeal was over, the first thing that I thought of was to go home and hide. I looked at my cell phone and when he hit it, he damaged the case a little, but it still works. I looked to see the time and the bus was scheduled to arrive in two minutes time. 

I could either wait the two minutes and get on the bus and get out of there or I could retreat home. I decided to wait it out and get on the bus and leave the area. 

I noticed that my right hand was shaking very violently, and I wondered why that was. A home health nurse would say that it was probably the result of adrenaline that made it shake so much.

Those two minutes seemed like hours. And right when I saw the bus was approaching from down the street, a couple came from the rear of the bus stop. The man asking if I was okay and the woman walking behind him talking on her cell phone. It had appeared that they had called 911 and was talking to the police dispatcher to report what they had witnessed from being in the traffic. I could tell because her phone was turned on to speakerphone. 

Then I had another choice to make. I could either stay there and wait for the police to arrive or I could get on the bus that was approaching and get away from the area and go do what I originally planned to do to begin with. 

I chose to get on the bus. 

I looked at the man saying that I was not hurt, and I was not bleeding or seemingly physically injured but very shaken up about it. Then I heard the woman say, "I called the police."

I replied to them that I was leaving, then I don't know why but I told them exactly where I was going. And then got on the bus, feeling a lot safer now that I was on the bus and the door was closed and in motion moving away from the scene.

My best theory is that the attacker either was on something or his mental state was not 100% intact, or a combination of both. I don't really know. What I do know is that when I came home several hours later that night, my head was on a swivel, looking for any person out there to make sure that nobody was coming in my direction. And I do have this fear of leaving the apartment complex because what if I encounter this guy again?? 

The psychological damage is there, soon to turn into a scar. 

It is a third-degree felony to do what he did to me. A maximum jail sentence of five years and up to a $10,000 fine. But the toll it has put on me will last a lifetime.

Eventually I will have to leave the apartment for whatever reason. But the fear inside my head is camping out indefinitely.

2 February 2024: Mandy Prater at Three-Legged Goat - Pflugerville, TX

 

I just finished off celebrating birthday week this past weekend. And what better way to celebrate than with live music, of course. It is what I do.

The past few birthdays, I have picked out a certain show to attend and celebrate the birthday at that show, whether it is early or late. Always within reason. 

This year I was given an opportunity to celebrate outside of the city limits of Austin, Texas and "reunite" so to speak with the one and only, the incomparable Mandy Prater.

Mandy has a residency every first Friday of the month at a venue in Pflugerville, Texas called "Three-Legged Goat" that is affectionately called "Pfirst Pfridays" which is clever. 

The fact that this is out of town, and I do not have transportation, I usually miss out on her shows there. However, one of the members of her online community reached out and offered to pick me up and bring me to the show. And that was the way I was able to attend. 

Showing up shortly after the show began, I realized the last time I had been there, the venue was more of an outside experience with the bar on the inside. However, this was taking place inside which was helpful as it was raining off and, on all evening. 

The best thing about it, was that Mandy did not know that I was coming. In fact, very few people knew that I was planning on coming. 
 

I was about to arrive.

It was caught on live stream as well. Mandy was multi-streaming her gig on both YouTube and on her Twitch channel.

I feel that it was extra special as it was caught on camera.

I sat with the small group of local Twitch community members there along with the other patrons of the venue on a rainy Friday evening. My mind began to flood back of all the times that I have seen Mandy play live, and I thought about the fact that this coming March, it will be seven years since I first met her when she was playing with her old band during SXSW 2017. 

All of these years since, I still contend and believe that Mandy has one of the most unique singing voices out there in this great big world. The true definition of the word "incomparable" to this day. She is a sure bet for quality musicianship and entertainment. 

I came to the realization that was the perfect ending to the birthday week. The rest was a euphoric blur. It was also very long overdue to be able to see her play live in person, which being there in person was very, very key to the experience. It was important to me that it happened. There are several people that I need to thank to make it happen for me. I was also glad I could surprise her in the fashion that I did. I am hoping that my next live music experience with Mandy will not be as long as it had. 

You can find Mandy streaming live music on Twitch three times a week!