The Number Five

Yep, it’s another blog about the cruise… well, not so much the cruise, as the music. The music was AMAZing.  There was music EVERYWHERE we turned…which is kind of how I picture heaven.  I had heard a majority of the artists before we got on board, but I learned to love nearly all of them by the end of the 5 days.

The biggest suprise, was Sara Watkins.  I had dug her voice with Nickel Creek, but I had no idea how fantastic she would be on her own.  One of the non-Brandi Carlile highlights of the week was hearing her and her brother Sean do their “family hour” as a suprise set in the movie theatre.  Here is a short clip… (oh how I wish I would have taped the whole thing).

I also loved every minute of shows by Brandi Carlile (my #2, only  to The Beatles), Shawn Mullins (another big surprise), Gregory Alan Isakov (even better when Brandi joined him), Ben Taylor, Lyle Lovett (especially when Shawn Colvin joined him), Emmylou Harris, Edwin McCain, Luke and Melissa, Samantha Crain, Works Progress Administration (including Sara Watkins and Glen Phillips), Larkin Poe (formerly of the Lovell Sisters…and currently on repeat in my car), Rachel Yamagata, Buddy Miller, Lissie, Hoots & Hellmouth and Katie Herzig.

Katie Herzig came into my musical life in October of last year when I saw her open for Brandi at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle.  Since then I have devoured her two studio albums and her live session.  Her music tells a story, and speaks to emotions so clearly. Some of her songs make me dance (for evidence click here), and others nearly bring me to tears.

Arguably my favorite song of hers is “Wish You Well.”  The song has been kind of an anthem for me these last few months.  I was lucky enough to hear it on the boat a few times… but probably  my favorite, was when she was joined on stage by Brandi in the Atrium.  It was kind of musical perfection.

Last week I took my first vacation in 5 years.  Yeah, yeah I’ve taken some weekend trips, visited some family, but a tried and true bonafide vacation?  5 years. I needed that vacation as bad as Avril Lavinge needs a hit song.

Linds and Steph called me minutes after they got off the Cayamo cruise in 2009, and told me there was no way I could miss the next one…. I signed up about 2 weeks later.  They were right.  The cruise is possibly the best idea ever.   Basically , it’s a floating music festival with bottomless soda, and 24 hour soft serve.  What could go wrong with that?

I spent every day listening to the music I love, and tapping my toe so hard core that I got shin splints (true story).  I also got the chance to meet new people, make friends, meet artists, and get some much needed sunshine.  It was perfect.

And these ladies, made it all the more worthwhile:

1.  What the crap are they wearing?

2. What are the commentators talking about?  (And I quote, “Their strengths are strong.”)

I do not get it, though I judge it.

Dear my head,

Me, you, and this migraine really need to go our separate ways. OK?

All my undying,
Em

So, I’m an aunt.  21 times.  And I love it more than anything else in the world.  Bar none.  As part of my auntly duties, I get to go to a lot of ball games, concerts, and recitals.  One of my biggest regrets is that I haven’t been able to go to all of them, for every one of the kids (especially HS football games, and winter-gaurd shows).   But luckily, right now, I’m actually living in the same town as some family while one of the kids is in high school.

My niece Tone-dog (as I call her), is a freshman at one of the basketball power-houses here in the SLC.  She’s thrown her heart in the game the last few years, and after a lot of sweat, and hard work, she made the varsity team.  You can only imagine how proud this makes me.  Actually, no you can’t… it’s way more than you can imagine.

Needless to say, I have spent nearly every Tuesday and Thursday evening of the last few months in high school gyms all over this state.  I’ve made friends with the moms, the grandmas, and done more than my fair share of yelling at awful refs.  No…like, real yelling.  I’ve lost my voice at least 3 times, and feared for my life at least twice that.  My sister and I?  We hate us some bad refs… and if you call crap fouls on our baby girl, you best watch yo’ self. Fo real.  Mad-dog sisters have what you may call, tempers.  Just sayin.

All this is to say, I think I am already mourning the off season.  I have loved her games even more than I thought I would.  It’s so cool to watch not just her, but a whole team of girls doing something that they love.  And to top it off, they have a coach that runs a program based on team work, discipline, and pride.  It’s very cool to watch.  Every kid should get that chance.  I know I’m grateful I did.

I swear 20% of music videos include a scene of people dancing in a grocery store.  It seems to be such a “thing” you know?   I honestly had no idea.  I like it best when the whole store joins, and streamers fly from the ceiling.

For what it’s worth, I’ve been known to bust a move or two in the bread aisle.  Once I even choreographed a whole routine for the canned food.

Hmmm, I guess it is a thing.

While in Jackson Hole last weekend, my friends and I ended up spending a solid hour in Alberstons for no real reason  (ok… actually, the real reason was to get a treat, but we got side tracked.  See exhbit A below.Yes, that’s in the grocery store.)

During the romp around the store I discovered a locally bottled root beer.  A sucker for glass bottled soda I decided to pick up a 4 pack.  I cracked the first one tonight, and holy molars Batman, it’s awesome!  Now I’m kind of bummed I didn’t pick up a few more. Luckily there’s always the future.

Yep, you read that right.  It’s called Buckin’ Root beer.

The thing that blows my mind is that every time I even smell root beer, I’m immediately 6 years old, and having dinner with my family at Shakee’s pizza.  My dad would always splurge and get a couple pitchers for the table.  Then I would beg for quarters to play the pinball machine. Then I would lose the game in 30 seconds.  Then I would beg for more quarters.  Then he would say no.  Then I would cry. And then we would go home…. Shrug.

A couple weeks ago my friend Erica asked me if I had ever tried the Chinese buffet here in town.  I answered no.  Then she told me they have a clown on Monday nights… and the I asked when we were going.

The “Chinese Gourmet” is one of those places you see so often, but never think try. There’s just something about 40 feet of neon love screaming at you, that makes it easy to skip*.   With the clown revelation, we decided it was time to go.

What I didn’t expect to see was the incredable variety of foods.  I mean, spring rolls, fried rice, scones,  and Mac ‘n Cheese at the same station? Genius.

After our first “real” round of food, we decided (kind of by accident), to have a ridicouls plate round. Erica came up big with the spring roll, mashed potatoes & gravy, cobbler and Jell-O plate.

I went for all yellow.

I dare say it was a success….well, except the clown was a no show.  At least there’s always the future.

*Last year the marquee proclaimed that David Archuletta could eat there for free, for life.

I vaguely remember hearing my fire alarm making the dead battery beep last night.  I woke up  this morning to find  a chair in the hall, the alarm ripped down, and the 9-volt battery thrown across the room.

Thank you Ambien.

I’m not feeling ship-shape today, and it’s been noticed by more than a few people.  I took NyQuila last night, to avoid a night of hacking.  The result was a day of randomness and delayed reactions.  I was so off at one point that my bossed asked me if I knew who Brandi Carlile was.  Rest assured, I’m not that jacked…

Unrelated, a new guy I work with reminded of an old Sesame Street segment today.  I’m not sure if it’s the hangover or not, but I love this.  I had TOTALLY forgotten it.  Seriously, how could I have forgotten something so awesome?

p.s. The other numbers are good too… remember the bald guy? I loved the bald guy. I’m just partial to 5.