A Great Weekend...

It was so nice not working on a Saturday.  When you're in the restaurant business there are a lot of things that you need to get used to and not having a life on the weekends is one of them.  So this was my exception to the rule.  

The hubby and I headed down to Jersey to see Miranda Lambert in concert.  Jerrod Niemann and Chris Young really weren't that impressive as opening acts; maybe it was the sound of the iZod center being split in half, or maybe it was because the crowd really wasn't feeling them, but I've definitely seen both guys do much better shows.  I kinda think it was the crowd just not knowing the guys well enough. Maybe they're just better in intimate settings; my vote is still out on that one.

My hubby isn't exactly a huge Miranda Lambert fan but he bought the tickets because he knows that I am.  But by the end of the concert, I think he said at least six times how impressed he was with her singing ability and her performance.  She definitely rocked it.

I really wish that I recorded the Aretha Franklin number she sang—the girl sanngggg, if you know what I mean!  

I get so emotional watching concerts.  I think I've mentioned that before.  I want my songs to be heard someday.  I want that overwhelming feeling that an artist must feel when a crowd sings their song back to them.  

I'm pretty sure she's living the life that I'm suppose to be living.  I'm pretty sure I hate that.  How rude! I mean, could I at least write your songs Miranda?  You could sing them, I'll just write them.  Can anyone make that deal happen?

Oh well, I'll just keep writing and stop waiting for it to happen.  I need to make it happen.

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle...

If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right...

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary...

Stay hungry.  Stay Foolish." — Steve Jobs

My Summer Concert Series Continues...

So last night I had the night off from work. It's been awhile since I missed a Wednesday Karaoke night, but I have to say, I kind of loved it. Not only just being away from work, but the reason I took the night off: to see John Mayer and Train in concert at Bethel Woods. And I have to say, it did not disappoint.

This was my first time up to Bethel and I have to say, it was absolutely beautiful. The rolling hills and beautiful greenery was the perfect backdrop for a concert.

My mom went with me and we had a great time and great seats (thanks to the hubby who woke up extra early to surprise me with them) even with the crazy druggy people that ended up floating next to us. I've never seen someone sweat so much and be so crazy eyed. I guess people like to experience concerts in different ways. I've always been so into the music that drinking or drugging never really interested me. But then again, I've never been interested in any of that.

Some people don't like the way that John Mayer jams out on his guitar, but I absolutely love it. He's one of those artists that you want to hear jam out, even if you didn't go into the concert knowing it. It's amazing. He knows it too. But who the hell cares, let him, as long as I get a great show. It's an experience, not just a recount of the CD. I listen to the CD before a concert, I don't want to hear it again at the concert.

The only thing that disappointed me was that they said no cameras, no videos- so I didn't bring mine. So no pics. Yeah, the whole place had cameras. Next time, I'll be the rebel and bring mine too.

I'm a Little Bit Country...

Since I met my hubby I've been so lucky to have had great concert experiences. I loved concerts when I was younger, but it was mostly Backstreet Boys' concerts. But I still remember my first concert at Orange County Fairgrounds: LeAnn Rimes. I'd love to say that I had a great time, but I can't say that. The concert was great, but I went with my Dad, his new wife and her family. To say the least, I didn't feel comfortable, but I ended up being amazed by LeAnn on stage at only a few years older than I was. It made me wish that I could be that girl. But alas, I didn't have parents like LeAnn's who pushed for her to be a star. My parents just wanted me to be a kid. And I don't think that I had that star potential when I was a kid. The world was such a different place, there weren't Taylor Swifts popping up every where you turned.

Since I was a kid, concerts have made me so emotional. I get involved in the songs, I get caught up in the stories. I wish I was lucky enough to be up there and then I question why I never tried. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe everyone feels the music deep down in their soul and that's why we all love going to concerts. To feel the bass, to feel the fans, it's just all a great experience. I always wonder how it would feel to be up there and have thousands of people singing your words back to you. I think I'd cry through every song.

We've seen John Mayer, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Chesney, Travis Tritt (this one was with my mom since hubby and I just started dating and he couldn't take off of work, or so he says), James Otto (ugh, worst opening act ever!), Brooks and Dunn, Taylor Swift (as an opener), Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and our latest concert was Alan Jackson with Chris Young and Josh Turner as the opening acts.

I have to say, this was the best concert ever! The opening acts were amazing; they were a show in their own rite. Amazing. Great voices. Big songs. And very classy. The opening acts knew their role. They knew that their careers were nothing compared to that of the legendary Alan Jackson. And he did not disappoint. He was amazing. He performed pieces of all the older songs and gave the story behind them or why/how they were written. I couldn't help but get teary eyed when he sang Drive, Remember When, and Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning). Just amazing. I can't wait to go back. I could see him every year and not be disappointed. Hands down, the best concert we've seen together.

People should appreciate country music so much more than they do. It's about people and the stories of their lives. Mini stories set to music. I love country music. I can't wait for Brooks and Dunn in June— they are amazing and I'm so sad to see them part ways. It'll be a family affair: my hubby, my mom, stepdad, dad, and his fiance. I love concert season!