Rush MIDI song Bravado (live) courtesy of Allen Graves and MIDI-TOWN DREAMS-THE RUSH MIDI PROJECT

For best results, use a Yamaha MIDI plug in with a good sound card.

Last updated December 19, 2011
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Hey folks...well, here's another of my WAY TOO infrequent updates. Life has been nutty, and not in a good way. My time is very limited these days. Ever since the new Obsolyte server was installed, I haven't had the time or the energy to get around to updating the art section. I've done quite a few pieces since that last Lucy art, pictured below. You'll have to stop off at my MySpace site and check them out-they are listed on my blogs.

Aside from that-well, same old nonsense. I'm still trying to find buyers for 5 new stories I've got sitting around on my hard drives. I'm looking after my elderly mom and after I finish this latest portrait project I'm working on, I'm going to begin writing again. Also-2012 will mark 30 years that I've been listening to Rush, and their new CD "Clockwork Angels" will be coming out this spring. Below is an ad for a DVD they did for the Time Machine Tour this past year-where the band covered their most important album, "Moving Pictures." Two of the new tracks from the upcoming album were also played. You can hear one of them,"Caravan", on my MySpace page. Anyway-that's it for now. I'll try to keep folks posted if anything new comes up.













IT'S BEEN FOURTEEN YEARS!



It has been fourteen years since these photos were taken. So much has changed since that time, so long ago. Life for me has changed radically. Things have been very difficult as of late-but you've got to put one foot in front of the other and make the best of it.

I don't really travel long distance-finances won't allow it. I also have a disabled elderly mom to look after. I rarely attend science fiction conventions these days. So, I've never been to the Xena conventions on the west coast-nor am I likely to appear at them or any other Xena convention. The last one I attended was in Secaucus, in 2007. Five years prior to that one, I attended a Xena convention in Brooklyn, New York. Attendance at that convention was so poor that Creation apparently decided it wasn't in their best interests to have any more Xena conventions in the New York City area. Who could blame them? I'm amazed there was one in this area again. Frankly-I think it was due to both Lucy Lawless and Renee O' Connor attending that Secaucus convention. Otherwise, I don't think Xena fans would have cared.

Fourteen years ago, when Lucy Lawless came to New York City to appear as Rizzo in GREASE, I had been going through a difficult period. My father barely escaped death-he had quadruple-bypass surgery a couple of months prior, and was still recovering. He was a diabetic as well-and he required a lot of care. I had started watching Xena: Warrior Princess back in 1995, and had become a Lucy Lawless fan. There were other things going on that made 1997 a very troubling time for me. So, for Lucy to appear here in New York City was a much-needed distraction.

As you know, I'm an illustrator-though not as much these days; I'm focusing on writing. Fourteen years ago, I knew I had a golden opportunity to take photos of Lucy and use them as a basis for some portraits. Also-I figured I could sell some pics, so why not?

I won't rehash the whole tale; my account from fourteen years ago is available at the link below. Suffice to say, I had a tremendous amount of fun. But I will also say-it wasn't easy. Waiting around could be very tiresome. If you wanted to get a good spot to take pictures, you had to get there early. And there were also the crowds-which could get boisterous at times. I'd have my walkman with me, usually listening to Rush to pass the time while I waited for Lucy to come out. Also, I was extremely lucky that Lucy walked up to the limo to sign pictures-which is how I got so many close-up shots of her. Lucy was very friendly, but at the same time, she was signing autographs like a fiend. She would be there for 5-8 minutes at a time, signing autographs, then it was into the limo and away. Lucy was also incredibly patient. At a few points, I was machine-gunning my Canon EOS 630 at her face, and the poor woman was being barraged by my flash! I'm surprised she didn't go Xena on me and give me the pinch!!

Wow... fourteen years. I look back at those photos, and it's amazing to me that this much time has passed. By the way-it also means that this site will be fourteen years old! Pretty amazing.



VISIT ME AT MYSPACE

Click on the banner below to stop by my MySpace site, if you want to drop me a line. There are some interesting MySpace "friends" at this site you might want to check out as well.



A NEW DOCUMENTARY-RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE



This is the first documentary covering the band. It is an entertaining, fascinating look at the rise of one of the most popular and influencial rock bands of all time. The film is now out on DVD. Head on over to my MySpace page to check out clips from this film.

GALACTICA GAG CARTOON



Don't get used to seeing these. In fact, this is most likely my last one, ever. My free time is too rare these days to do stuff like this any more. Like the one at top, this cartoon was a purely spontaneous idea. This one came up in a conversation with a friend about the new "Battlestar Galactica". In my mind, it seemed too funny an idea to pass up. Have fun with it.


MUSICIAN TO WATCH: DAVID VECTOR


I came upon Dave's site a number of years ago, and I was simply blown away by this incredibly talented musician. Dave's music is a combination of rock and techno. He is a solo artist, creating all of the sounds himself!! I strongly suggest you go over to his website and check out his music. The link is at the bottom of this page. Dave's music is very dynamic, full of lush textures, incredible guitar, keyboard and bass work. The lyrics to his music are very thought-provoking. Talent like this should not be left unknown to the world. Check it out and spread the word. The first CD I bought of his was "Reality Show", and it is incredible. There are 11 songs on this album. A particularly powerful track on this CD is "Ryan's Last Drive", which deals with gay teen suicide.



Dave's album, "Go" is out now. It is simply phenomenal. Dave also has a video from the opening track, which is also called "Go." Click on the picture below to take you to his Myspace page, where you can see the "Go" video and listen to the whole album. You can also purchase the album here as well. Dave is in the process of recording another album.





In Memory of Kevin Smith...you will be sorely missed.




Kevin Smith
1963-2002

The following message appeared on The Official Xena Fan Club page from Lucy Lawless:


"I've been wanting to thank all those nice people who care about Kevin and gave money at the convention. I wanted to say that I'm sorry that a place for their money to go wasn't arranged sooner. It was simply that the people who were arranging it were so close to Kevin and needed time to support his wife and family. I want the fans to know they weren't being ignored. I don't want them to feel disrespected. Tell them I'm sorry I haven't sent word. Every day I say I've got to write a letter and I'm just out of words. I know that his wife and children will take a great deal of heart of how much Kevin meant to people out there that they don't even know. It's going to help them through this tough time. Please thank everyone so much for me."

-- Lucy Lawless

In support of Kevin's widow and children, please send donations here:

The Kevin Smith Trust Fund
c/o Auckland Theatre Company
P.O. Box 6513
Wellesley Street
Auckland, New Zealand

Hey there, fellow Lucy fan!! I'm selling copies of my collection of Lucy Lawless photos, taken at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre between September and October of 1997. Here's your chance to get your hands on rare photos of this beautiful, multi-talented actress!!

In order to find out how you can order your own prints, please click on the picture directly below. All the photos I took are at this link as well, and are arranged by the dates in which they were shot.



COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All of the photos in this collection are copyrighted 1998 Saul Trabal. All rights reserved.

These photos are meant only for private viewing pleasure.USE OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSES (including magazines, web sites, and other forms of self-promotion) IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM ME. UNAUTHORIZED DUPLICATION OR SALES OF THESE PHOTOS IS ALSO STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

All photos in this collection will each carry a copyright sticker on the back.

That being said, I hope you enjoy the photos!!

Saul Trabal

Photographer

email:ghost_kingdom@yahoo.com


But don't leave yet, oh wayworn Net Surfer!! There's more!!!


If you're a computer geek, stop by the site of my friend, Brian Cirulnick-
the person who hosts my Lucy photos:




Stop by and listen to the incredible music of David Vector:



Be sure to visit my site. I'm a writer. Check out my work at:



Take a look at my Lucy Lawless artwork:




Check out my non-Lucy portraits:



Learn about the idiot who created all this crap, aaaaand if you're curious about Rush because of this MIDI file.



Check out Xena fan fiction I wrote to help promote TRABAL CREATIONS:



Learn about how this Lucy photo-shoot came together:



Read about my experiences during one of the darkest times in American history:



Go to THE place on the Internet for news on Lucy, Renee, and all things Xena:



Join the Lucy Lawless Webring!
Visit HOME for all the details!