The Number Five

This post is only to celebrate the date.  And give a small shout-out to one of (make that two of)the greatest television series of all time.

West Beverly has a piece of my heart.

Yesterday somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 PM I got a very simple text, from one of the world’s best humans.

Kate: I just saw Britney Spears!

Me: Yeah!

Kate: She looked awful.

About five seconds later my phone rang.

This folks, is one of the 1000+ reasons Kate and I will be friends for ever.  And probably after that too.

So, here’s the thing, I’ve been really excited to finally see Garrison Starr perform live. I first heard her music about three days after the last time she played The Great SLC nearly four years ago. I was stoked when i got an email from her fan list saying she was finally coming back on the 27th at dear ol’ Kilby Court.

Yesterday, i went to Smith’s and bought the tickets and said “I’m looking for the tickets for tomorrow night’s show at Kilby… Garrison Star & Jay Nash.” The teller asked, “What day….who?” To which I replied, “Garrison Starr” (consider this clue one). 30 seconds later I swiped my card and walked away.

After a lovely dinner this evening (the 27th), sweet Andrea and I headed to the show. As we were walking in I noticed Angel Taylor (you know, the VH1 You oughta know artist that opened for Sister Brandi Carlile last year), standing near the stage entrance. I though it was odd she would be there since she was not on the listing I had seen for the show (this would be a good time to clue into how this story is going to end).

On Angel’s 2nd or 3rd song Andrea turned to me and said “I noticed the sign out front didn’t say Garrison” (clue three for you folks). At this point I decided I should check the ticket….and then I laughed. And then I showed Andrea the ticket. And then she laughed.

And now I will be enjoying the sweet songs of Miss Star later this week…on the 29th.

(As a bonus, I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s music as well. Here’s a picture for those of you who need proof).

I arrived home the earliest I have in days last night: 10:45 PM. I decided this meant one free hour of TV, before I marched off to bed. And what might this home-owning, educated-grown-up choose to watch? The News? A documentary? Masterpiece Theatre? Um, no….. 90210. And it was awesome, because it’s TV genious. And I love it unabashedly.

Judge me.

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.

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.

You ever hear an old song in a new way, and have it rock your world?  Yeah, me too.

When I first heard this song back in October, it brought me to tears.  It’s done that a few times since that first listen, too.  Now I hear the hope.  The refrain. And I am obsessed.

“I know you have a little life in you yet, I know you have a lot of strength left.”

(The album version is even better, but there is not a “real” video for the song).

Sometime in late ‘05 I stumbled across Brandi Carlile.  Her music spoke to me instantly, but I had no idea that should become my number 1 so quickly.  Well, she did…

I was lucky enough to see her live not long after hearing her album for the first time, and been able to see her a handful of times since.  This past Thursday was one of those times.  I woke up and knew that  ”Brandi-day” would be awesome.  It had to, you know? Luckily, the Univese agreed and everything was.  I wished everyone I came in contact with a “happy Brandi day.”  None of them know what I was talking about.

Here’s a couple things that made the day so great:

1. I woke up rested!

2. My work teammate brought bagels, someone else muffins (and bacon…not that I ate it, but just sayin, Who brings bacon to work?).

3. I successfully got through a presentation.

4. I crossed 9 things off my work to-do list.

5. I wore a color other than black or gray.

6. I got the perfect spot at the concert.

Brandi never disappoints live.  Ever.  EVER.  A major highlight of the show was having my sister there, who has never seen Brandi live.  I had a cool crew of folks there too (Sarah, D) but missed my usual CDS, Linds and Steph.  If you ever get the chance to see her, do.  It will, literally, change your life.

Here’s a little clip of Brandi being amazing.  This was not at the show, obviously, but it was at a SL radio station that day.

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* No really, she is.  My friend made that comment after going to a show with me in ‘07.  It’s the truth.  I swear I can barely sleep the night before I see her live.  And I’m a grown-up.

These lists were painful to put together due to the astounding amount of music and media I consumed this year.  With out question, 2008 was the most “event-full” of my life.  

These lists are in no particular order.

Concerts:

1. Mile High Music Festival

2. Erykah Badu

3. Bonnia Raitt

4. Ani DiFranco

5. James Taylor

(I have about a dozen honorable mentions, that if I don’t at least call out a few I’d be kidding myself: Sia, Greg Laswell, Feist, Jason Mraz, and Mr. Ray LaMontagne. I’d also like to thank my nearly constant event companion, Cdspath for her willingness to simply “do things.”)

Movies:

1. Doubt

2. American Teen

3. Changeling

4. Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2

5. Savages

Songs:

1. I’d be Lying – Greg Laswell

2. Can’t Go Back Now – The Weepies

3. Where I Stood – Missy Higgins

4. Hometown Glory – Adele

5. Already Home – Brandi Carlile and Ha’ash

Albums: 

1. Greg Laswell – 3 Flights from Alto Nido

2. Sia – Some People Have Real Problems

3. Missy Higgins – On a Clear Night

4. Tristan Prettyman – Hello x

5. The Weepies – Hideway

Artists:

1. Brandi Carlile

2. Sia

3. Greg Laswell

4. The Weepies

5. Missy Higgins

TV Shows:

1. LA Ink

2. Gray’s Anatomy

3. Beverly Hills, 90210 2.0

4. One Tree Hill

5. The Office

Unique Experiences:

Spent a week in Tennessee filming 2 big budget commercials.  Ah-mazing.

Meet Jason Mraz and had a very normal conversation with him.

Meet and worked with Boozer.  Great guy, great family.

Did not go to California (a first for an entire year of my life).

Faced many fears.

Other Stats:

Consumed nearly 115 gallons of Diet Coke.

Averaged 2800 cell phone minutes a month.

Became an aunt for the 21st time.

Bought a new car (2009 VW Jetta Wagon).

Purchased 3 new pairs of Birks.

Had hair long enough to touch my collar (a first since ‘93)

Attended 28 concerts.

Ate too much pizza.

Laughed more than any year before.