I Found a Wistle

This past holiday weekend we had quite a few guests in town. First my parents and my uncle were in town and around the time they left my in-laws showed up for a day. One of the highlights of the weekend was that MGMT performed in Avila Beach on Friday night.

Thanks to Spin magazine John had downloaded some of MGMT’s songs last year and we included those on a mixed CD we made for my dad for Christmas. When I found out that they were going to be playing 15 minutes from where we lived I HAD to get us tickets! The only time we ever get big named artists playing in our County is during the Paso Robles fair in July. This concert was very unusual!

After I bought the tickets I then realized that I didn’t have either one of their albums! Oops! John download them for me ASAP and I started listening to them everyday at work. At first I was like ‘what kind of music is this?’ but by the end of the few weeks I was a total fan.

The concert was on a golf course, so I made reservations for us to have dinner at the restaurant on the course. It couldn’t have worked out more perfect as we got to park super close to the venue!

My dad sent Eric to get some beers…he came back with this! As you an see he is very proud.
The crowd was mostly college kids, but there were even some families with their little kids. I always have fun people watching and seeing everyone’s stylish concert attire. I assume white pants the latest fashion trend?

The first two songs MGMT played sounded SO good. However by the third their sound got all whacky and the base was REALLY loud…then they keyboards got REALLY loud, and then there was massive feedback from the guitar. It did improve, thank goodness, but we weren’t sure what was going on.

They had a really long encore (5 to 6 songs), but ended it with their song Kids, which was awesome. What was odd, is that they sang the song over prerecorded music. I’m not sure if they planned it that way or what, but it was odd.

I still haven’t figured out how they wound up picking Avila as a venue. My only thought was that the Santa Barbara bowl was booked, or that they knew someone in the area. I’m hoping it is a sign that more big named bands will play in this area but I doubt it.

Fair Time!

Two weekends ago I headed up north for the Mid State Fair in Paso. The first venture was to see Kelly Clarkson in concert. When I bought the tickets in March I signed up for her fan club which allowed me access to the pre-sale. After I purchased the tickets they did not give me the location of the seats, but said they would be fairly close to the stage, which was fine with me!

As the concert grew closer I was getting more and more anxious to find out where my seats were. FINALLY the day arrived and I got my tickets. Guess where they were?? FRONT ROW! NO joke. I thought we might be within the first 20 rows or something, but the first row?? Was I even a big enough fan to deserve front row? I didn't think so. I’m sure there were some bigger fans out there than me that deserved them more. Oh well. Tonight was my lucky night.

When we made it to our seats I was still in shock at how close we were.

Right when my friend Sam and I sat down we looked behind us to see one of our old co-workers in the row behind us! Then a few people down to our right was another old co-worker! I couldn’t believe that we were all sitting in the same area. I'm normally shocked to see one person I know, much less two sitting right near me!

Sam and I patiently waiting. (extreme close up I know).
So the show starts and Kelly is RIGHT THERE. I mean RIGHT THERE and not the size of an ant. I probably had perma grin for the first half hour because I could not believe we were in the front row and she was RIGHT in front of us. The whole show felt like it was a private concert. At one point she even looked down at Sam and I and smiled. We both looked at each other like ‘did she just do that?’ It was also really weird to know that the band members could actually see us...like our faces. You definitely didn’t want to get caught zoning out or texting while they are standing there in front of you.

Kelly and her band put on a great show. She sang all of her hits and a lot of my favorite songs from her new album. She even sang songs written by Rod Stewart, Patsy Cline, and Janet Jackson which was a total plus. I think more musicians should do that. Why not? Pay homage to the ones that have helped them.

At one point the super cool guitarist went all rock star on us and threw his pick in the audience…only to have it hit me in the head! However he threw it at the end of the song and when the song ended the arena went completely black and I couldn’t see anything. I told the dude next to me what happened and so we both were looking at the ground when the lights came on and he spotted the pick first and grabbed it! He said I could have it, but in the end I let him have it. Now of course I wish I would have kept it. Oh well. I really did deserve it having to listen to his wife think she was singing duets with Kelly all night. I should have told her that I didn’t pay $75 to hear her sing butcher Kelly's hits..

The next afternoon I headed back up to the fair with John for our annual visit. After we had our first round of fair junk food we decided to let it settle a bit before round two so we checked out the exhibits.
I once again entered a photo this year, but was very hesitant after losing last year, and I was feeling lazy. I probably wouldn’t have entered but I was also entering a photo from Sydney so I thought I might as well print one of my own if I was going to have to drive up to Paso anyway.

During the annual Steinbuck visit this past May Sydney had her new birthday camera in tow. A few weeks later when I went up to Ukiah we picked up her film from the trip. In the midst of photos of our garbage cans and many self-portraits, there was this one great shot of her flip flops on our deck. Right when Rebekkah and I saw it we both had the same thought…it was a total fair photo! I was more than happy to enter it in for Sydney and what do you know…she got first place!!
We actually ventured into a new hall this year that had a ton of baked goods including a cake decorating category! How crazy is that? It really felt like you could enter just about anything that was homemade.
We even saw some Christmas decorations, but I am tempted to enter in my award winning fudge next year. Who wouldn’t like the title ‘multi award wining fudge’?

After our exhibit perusing we were finally hungry enough for some more fair food. First stop….cinnamon rolls!
We normally don’t eat the whole thing, but for some reason we finished it all this year. Not good. I also wanted to get a license plate frame for the mini while we were there but we couldn’t think of a good saying. I should have planned ahead for that one.
After our traditional photo booth photo I then got to get my traditional shaved ice. I even checked and they did make it from a block of ice. It was pretty good, but the ones in Hawaii were still better.
They even had the slush puppy booth again so John scored another sweet slushy mixture. I even think it was the same dude who was working the booth last year.

Overall I think it was one of our best fair visits yet. I'm actually kind of sad we only get to go once a year. I guess it makes it that much special.

Donations?

Hey all. I've dropped off the face of the earth, and now I'm back! What an incredible journey it was! Who am I kidding? I have no idea why I haven't been blogging. I thought I would have gotten back into the swing of things after my Maui entry, but apparently not. Of course these next two weeks are going to be TOTALLY busy which makes me think I really will have no time to blog. I so badly want to be the blogger I used to be. To at least blog once a week. That is really not much to ask...I know this.

On Tuesday John and I are heading up to Humboldt to visit the families and to go to Maddy's first communion. I can't wait! We will get 4 whole days to spend with everyone, (2 with each family). Normally we never get to take long trips up north other than Christmas so this is a real treat.

The following week will also be crazy because on Wednesday John and I will be heading over to Bakersfield to see No Doubt. Let me just say that I CANNOT WAIT! After seeing them 10 times this 5 year break as not been enjoyable. I believed them when they said they were just 'taking a break,' but I never knew if I was actually going to get to see them in concert again.
I am also a member of their fan club, which allowed me to purchase tickets first so we have great seats. How sweet is that? I have to show ID once I get there to pick up the tickets from will call, which allows people just wanting to resell the tickets to not be able to purchase them. I haven't had good seats to one of their concerts ever since the online ticket selling became so huge, so I am really excited.

They are even having a special chance to 'meet No Doubt' before the concert for the fan club members. However it could cost $2,000 minimum, (which they would donate to charity.)

Am I considering this?
OF COURSE!
Do I know it is CRAZY?
OF COURSE.
Do I care?
NO WAY!
Does my husband care?
OF COURSE!
Is he trying to let practically take over this situation?
OF COURSE!
Dang.

I'm really trying to figure out how I can swing the $2,000 for the meet-n- greet, but so far I've got nuttin. The auction ends on Tuesday so that gives me 48 hours. I'd like to try to use my cancer card first, but that would only work if I had some sort of terminal cancer. I know, I know...that is a horrible thing to think of, but I'm really starting to feel desperate!

Anyway, after the concert it will then be time the Grundbuck Reunion '09. Rebekkah and her family will be paying us a 5 day visit over Memorial Day weekend, and I can't wait! They are actually moving to Georgia in July for two years while Adam gets his masters degree. (More on that later).

All you need to worry about is helping me come up with a plan to A) Convince John to let me bid on the auction, and B) where to come up with the cashola. Should I start collecting donations? Selling my furniture? Sell my car? HELP!

There's No Place Like the Theatre

Every Wednesday I get an email from travelzoo.com with their latest deals…some are airline, rent-a-car, hotel, and even theatre ticket deals. I have yet to take advantage of any of the airline deals, but I hope one day I will. I can’t help it if I’m picky about the dates I travel and don’t want to vacation in Iraq.

Yesterday when I got my email I couldn’t believe it I saw a deal that I could actually take advantage of! Travelzoo was offering $30 off tickets to the musical Wicked! What a deal for a cheapie like me! My mind instantly started working on creating a plan to be able to save some money. (Like how I look at it as saving money vs. spending? I know I’m genius!)

Step one: The Date
John and I are heading down to LA for the Angels game next month…what if we could see the show on the same weekend? BRILLIANT! We’d be killing two flying monkeys – I mean birds with one baseball! There is really no availability in our summer schedule to fit in another trip down south, so I knew this would be the only way.

Step two: The Convincing of the Husband
Now I know that John would go see the show with me even if he didn’t want to, but what fun would it be to say ‘You are going with me,’ end of story. I knew I needed to do some sweet talking to build up my argument of how I just know he will enjoy himself. (The dude is extremely skeptical about everything). I’ve taken him to quiet a few musicals, but his favorite of all time was Spamalot. I’m not really sure if that qualifies as your typical musical since it was based on Monty Python movie, but regardless he loved it. I’m hoping it’s been long enough to where that memory has started to fade, and he won’t remember it enough to compare it to Wicked.

Step Three: The Case
I then contacted all of my friends in LA to see what kind of feedback they could give me about the show. Sarah V., Maggie, and Molly all LOVED it and only had good things to say about it! Molly even told me that she was sure John would like it, and if anything else they have flying monkeys that look like Clyde. If that wasn’t the best argument EVER then I don’t know what was.

Step Four: The Presentation of my Flawless Case
We went out to dinner to Big Sky last night and before I got out my briefcase to present, I decided to ask my mom if she and my dad had seen it. I thought they had when they went to NYC a few years ago. Great plan right? What could be better then a personal review right at our table? I knew she would help me convince John that it was a must see. Flawless right? WRONG-O BONG-O! My mom STRONGLY DISKLIKED the show! Can you believe it? I just sat there stunned. After all of the great feedback I had heard about it all day I was in total shock! She said it was all just average, or ‘eh’ to use an exact quote.

The show? Eh.
The music? Eh.
The original book? Eh…all forgettable.

You get the picture. Once my shock wore off I had to shut her up IMMEDIATELY! She was totally going to ruin my case! You know I worked so hard on it. Texting is hard work people!

Once I got her to zip her lip I was able to present my case, but it definitely lacked the excitement level after Mrs. Eh’s review.

John did agree to see it as long as we went with his sister. That was no prob because earlier in the day she told me that she liked it so much she wanted to see it again. She even said she’d get the tickets. Later that night I received an email from her saying that she got two tickets for the 20^th. I found that odd as we wanted to go on the 18^th. Come to find out she thought that the baseball game was this weekend not next month! It totally stinks because she is wrapping up her movie and knew she’d get off work early this Friday…the Friday next month? Who knows? So it looks like John will be stuck with just his old lady for the show. However I’m sure if I wear something low cut he won’t notice anyone else in the room. I love my boobs.

Time to Rock!

I just found out today that the Stone Temple Pilots are coming to the Paso fair!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!! Awhile back I had heard rumors about STP getting back together and possibly playing a few shows. I was praying that they would come and play somewhere in CA so we could try to see them. I guess it's their first tour in 8 years! I think John and I saw them in '96 or '97. Over 10 years ago?? Oh my god! I am so old! Anyway, the concert was SO great! I'm actually surprised I remember it. Geesh! I had paid some extra money through a private ticket company and got John and I 3rd row seats. It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. In the middle of their set they had a mini acoustic stage drop down from the ceiling where they played a handful of songs. Ah memories….like the corner of my mind…

As I was saying…last week I started hearing the stories about how Velvet Revolver was breaking up. Granted this made me really sad, but if it was a swap for new STP material, then I say go your separate ways you crazy rockers! (For those of you who don't know, the lead singer of VR is Scott Weiland who is originally the lead singer to STP...hence the trade off).

I had been secretly hoping that the Mid State Fair would at least recruit one performer that I'd be interested in seeing this year. It's such a crap shoot I swear, but I've been pretty lucky. Last year we got to see The Bangles for free no less, which was great, and the year before we got to see Velvet Revolver. (We also saw Sheryl Crow and Destiny's Child in previous years). However this year when I heard it was mostly country singers and then John Mayer, I was like...I'll pass thanks. You couldn't pay me to see some of those jokers.

The tickets go on sale in two weeks and I can't wait! I'm really hoping that all their old fans are too drunk/stoned to realize what is going on, so I'll get some great seats. What is even luckier is that we will actually be in town on the weekend they will be playing, AND they will be playing on a weekend! Woo hoo!

You know I started to think…if STP is playing the fair circuit, and they are newly reunited…do you think the New Kids might play the fair as well? One can only hope.

Childhood is Nice

I received two new photos of Addison the other day, wearing the o’so stylish onesies I gave her. Check them out below:

I also learned this week that GAP now has 'Baby GAP Home' line. Check out this SUPER cute bedding! Like the colors?

I’m not sure when we will be done with our bathroom. Hopefully soon, but John’s parents will be here this weekend, so I doubt much more will get done.

We picked up some tile samples this past weekend, but after looking at them and trying to match them to our existing counter top, I realized that we really should get a new counter. The one we have now is not in good shape. The previous owners were so rough on the house that it’s stained and has some chips in it and just looks worn. Kind of clashes with everything else looking so new. I'm hoping we find something reasonably priced...I mean even if we get plain white it will be an improvement!

Once we’ve decided what to do with the counter then we will be able to go back and pick out the flooring. We don’t have to be too money conscience since the room is so small, so good-bye sale rack and hello custom rack! Ok, so I won’t go that crazy...but it is nice to shop without restrictions.

In a subject totally not related to babies or bathrooms, did you see this photo in the news today??

Yes you are seeing it right…the new kids…er…I mean MEN are back! Can you believe it? Even after all the rumors I still thought there was no chance of a reunion happening.

They look almost as good as the Spice Girls did in their reunion photo! I mean it’s a pretty big improvement wouldn’t ya say? I don't know why Jordon looks so constipated...or why Jonathan looks like he' rather be anywhere than there...I really hated Donnie's 'tough guy' phase.

Now all you ladies need to go out and find your black-rimmed hats and bring that style back! I’m sure Joe would appreciate it.