Enough with the tailgating!

Be advised...I'm about to go on a rant. I've had just about enough of the tailgating.

No. Not THAT kind of tailgating.THIS kind...

Every day I get this. Without fail. Note the two empty lanes to the left of the tailgater - in case you are unsure, the tailgater is the silver car behind the blue van. He could move to the left, but is apparently magnetically drawn to the blue van. There's just no reason for this!!

Driving home tonight, I was tailgated by the ugliest car ever made. The Pontiac Aztek. And it was aggressive. If you don't believe me, please see the exhibit to the right...U-G-L-Y...and it ain't got no alibi.

When I was able to move over safely I did. And I expected this guy to just fly by me since he'd been 4.5 inches from my bumper for 10 minutes. But no. He just lolly-gagged his way on by. That is even more annoying than the tailgating!! 

My feeling is, if you're so much more important than me, and in such a huge hurry that you have to ride my bumper for miles, then when I move, you better just leave me in the dust. I can tell you that 9 times of 10, that doesn't happen. It's wrong. SO wrong.

My absolute favorite tailgating moment happens many mornings when I drive to work. A friend and I sometimes carpool, and therefore, as crazy as it sounds, often ride in the carpool lane. I can't even articulate how many times we're tailgated by a NON-carpooler in that lane. I refuse to move for those people. They are illegal in my lane and should not get to just go. Many times they'll jerk around me and whip right back in front, all illegal and annoying. And CHiPs is NEVER around when that happens. You KNOW that if I drove solo in the carpool lane that a ticket would be issued in about 37 seconds.

Side note...that just reminded me of Jason Derulo's Ridin' Solo...okay, back to my rant...

I just really don't get the whole tailgating thing. Do the tailgaters really think they're winning by getting that close to me? Do they think they're intimidating me? Are they really that much more important? Is their car that much cooler? I can tell you that if it's the Pontiac Aztek, the answer to that last one is a resounding NO.

I hope none of you out there are tailgaters. If you are, please enlighten me on why this is such a fun activity...if you dare...

Of patty melts, Patty and some Barenaked Ladies

Finding a good patty melt is not the easiest of tasks. In fact, it's been a long time since I had a good one. Or, it had been until Monday night when I discovered Main Street Burgers in Los Gatos. A friend and I came upon this place purely by accident (and Google Maps' list of restaurants), and it did not disappoint. Not only was the patty melt delish, with its not-too-overwhelming grilled onions and toasty rye bread, but the sweet potato fries were awesome! Oh, and they had Coke. So yeah. Main Street Burgers? You rock! 

While dining at said establishment, we had a nice brush with fame with San Jose Shark Patrick Marleau and his family, and I have to say, SO NICE!! All of them. We actually had a fun interaction with Mrs. Marleau and one of their kids - who actually tossed, no, hurled is a better word, yes, he hurled a spoon in the vicinity of my friend which prompted Mr. Marleau to turn quickly and apologize. There was no damage done - the spoon WAS plastic and didn't actually hit anyone. It's always nice to see famous folks in regular situations, being regular and doing the same things regular people do. Because you know what? They ARE regular people. The fact that Patrick Marleau has an Olympic gold medal, is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, a former Shark captain and a fan favorite at the Shark Tank is just gravy. Thanks Patrick and family for being so nice and normal!!

From dinner we ventured to the Mountain Winery for the Barenaked Ladies concert. For those BNL affecianados, you know that there was a major change in the last two years when Steven Page left the band, changing the sound of the Ladies forever. Before Monday I'd seen the band three times, and was, on all occasions, greatly entertained by the humor and excellent music. I was concerned that some of that left with Steven, and I was right. Although, they were still good...just different. And some of the songs just weren't the same. They were still funny...especially the drummer, Tyler, and so we were definitely entertained. And they are all amazing musicians, so the music was great, but Steven's voice was definitely missed. I'm not a huge fan of the new album...it's just not as fun, but I get it. You can't keep doing the same thing over and over again, and we're all getting older, and when that happens you think about things differently. Still, where the Ladies shined was on their older, sillier, upbeat songs. I can't hear "If I Had a Million Dollars" too many times. It's just a great song. And yes, I have always wanted a monkey. I'd probably go see them again, but I'd still wish for Steven's return.

Up next? Adam Lambert's Glam Nation tour in San Francisco on Friday night. I'm sure there will be a LOT to talk about after that outing!

Until then...

Today, it's all about the music

...Planning concerts

...Downloading albums and single songs

...Obsessing over certain artists

This is what I've been up to lately. Music. It's all about the music. Here's what my late summer/early fall looks like:

July 19 - Barenaked Ladies

August 15 - Rob Thomas

August 22 - Beauty and The Beast (it's a musical, so it counts)

August 31 - Todd Carey (that's him in the photo)

September 4 - Green Day

October 1 - Train

October 14 - Third Day

And I'm still debating about a July 23 Adam Lambert concert as well as an August 26 date with Switchfoot and the Goo Goo Dolls.

This is why I have a job.

In the last couple of weeks I've downloaded a wide variety of tunes from several genres:

Revive - Blink (whole cd downloaded)

B.o.B - Airplanes (featuring Hayley Williams) and Nothin' on You (featuring Bruno Mars)

Green Day's American Idiot (The Original Broadway Recording) - actual CDs purchased!

Todd Carey - 41 (cover of Dave Matthew's Band) - this one was free! Thanks Todd!

Allison Iraheta - Don't Waste the Pretty (featuring Orianthi)

Aaron Fresh - Spending All My Time

Drake - Find Your Love

Muse - Neutron Star Collison (Love is Forever)

Todd Carey - Gotta be Next to You (featuring Amber Rubarth)

Daughtry - Leave This Town B Sides

Nate Fowler - Hurricane - this one was free too! Thanks Nate!

So let's see...according to iTunes I've covered Christian and Gospel, Rap and Hip-Hop, Soundtrack, Blues, Pop, R and B and Folk. I am ALL over the place!!

Mostly, over the last week or so, I've been obsessing over Todd Carey and can't wait to go see him next month. I've been a fan for a couple of years but haven't seen him live, so that is definitely going to be a highlight for this year's concert tour.

It's funny because at home, I tend to listen to more mellow tunes via iTunes while I drift off to sleep or while I'm doing anything on my laptop. My soundtrack for the last week or so has been Todd Carey, Matt Nathanson, John Mayer and Rob Thomas for the most part. On my iPod, however, which I listen to in the car and in my office, it's all of them plus so many more. I'd list them here but you'd be bored. So here's a snapshot of the middle of my Current Faves iPod playlist.

So, what have YOU been listening to? 

 

Blogging New York...Day Six...

Home sweet home...that's where I am now, after a long afternoon and evening and night of travel after another half day in The Big Apple. I had an amazing week and can't wait to go back!

I met an old friend for breakfast this morning at the famous Carnegie Deli. It definitely lived up to the hype, from the old school waitresses to the fact that they only took cash - good thing we had some! But the highlight for me, no doubt, was the "side" of bacon. Seriously. SIDE. 

My friend and I wandered around a bit and had a good time catching up, but then I took my last subway ride back to the hotel and got on the Not-So-Super Shuttle to the airport. 

I knew the traffic would be bad since it was Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend, but I didn't realize I'd barely make it to my flight. When I flew in, it took about an hour to get from JFK to my hotel. Going back it took more than 2 1/2 hours. I was less than pleased and was very thankful the Jet Blue terminal was not busy or I would have been hosed. The driver pulled up to Terminal 5 at approximately 5:01pm - less than an hour before my flight was supposed to take off. For those of you that have traveled with me or know me at all, you know my head was about to explode. I got to the gate about 5 minutes before they started boarding - barely had time to visit the little girl's room and get a snack. The best I could do was a pack of Lunchables.

The flight left right on time and, hallelujah, the seat next to me was empty. That was most yay, as it appeared to be the only empty seat on the plane. I was on the last row, so I got to hear a lot of the flight attendant chatter, which was a real treat. Jeremy is apparently based in New York, but he only moved there because of his boyfriend who he just broke up with so now he's stuck, and he's staying with a friend, but you know, it's not the same, and blah blah blah...female flight attendant whose name I didn't ever see seemed sympathetic but she definitely had a 'tude when she walked the aisles. She definitely thought she was cooler than the rest of the world, and I did not approve. I kinda wanted to trip her, but I refrained. 

My Lunchables were actually quite tasty, and I felt pretty satisfied with them...until I went to put the plastic container back in its box and spilled all the turkey water/juice/fluid on my pants. Yeah. That was awesome. And wet. I was forced to get up and visit the bathroom to see if I could at least dry it a little with some paper towels. It was a special highlight.

Some other notes from the flight:

1. bags of snacks may explode during flight and spread cheese-flavored snacks all over the floor; just ask the woman in the row in front of me
2. someone could sell cheap headphones in the gate area for $1 and make some money since they sell for $2 on the plane and they don't take cash
3. the announcement about getting off the cell phones is clearly useless; multiple people were still talking on them when we were backing away from the gate; they are much firmer about this on Southwest

I was psyched when the plane landed 35 minutes early, thinking I'd get home earlier than originally planned. But the problem with landing early? They have no gate for you. And you know what happens then? You wait. On the plane. And when they finally get you a gate? Yeah. It's about the time you were supposed to arrive in the first place. And also, that gate is the farthest one from the baggage claim. But, I'm now, and clearly more awake than I thought I was. Of course, the Coke and popcorn I just inhaled might be part of the problem.

Anyway, here ends the New York blogging...a great week was had and now I'm looking forward to a long weekend before heading back to the work world...Happy 4th of July everyone! Celebrate safely.

Blogging New York...Day Five...

Today was my last full day in New York, and it was a good one. For the Yankee haters out there, you may want to stop reading now...because really, that's all today was about. I get why you don't like them. I'm okay with it. But I've loved them pretty much my whole life, and it was awesome to finally get to see them play in New York. 

I took my subway-mastery with me and actually transferred from one train to another - both ways!! YES!! I rule. I loved hearing the announcement that we'd arrived at Yankee Stadium. I stepped out into the station, saw the sign and pretty much couldn't stop smiling until I got home.

I really don't have any crazy stories to share from today...it was just all too good and too fun. The Yankees, wearing their trademark pinstripes, won and Mariano Rivera - my all-time favorite Yankee - saved the game. Hearing Enter Sandman by Metallica when they opened the bullpen doors for him to enter the game in the bottom of the 9th was awesome, and I must admit, I was a little bit giddy.

It was a gorgeous day out, and the fans were great. A couple of people were kind enough to take my picture so I could have photos of myself in the stadium. Really, everyone was so nice. I will say that the grilled hot dog didn't even come close to the grilled home run dog at AT&T Park in San Francisco, but it was still tasty. The other bummer was their choice in soda: PEPSI. Yuck. I had water. Other than that, everything was good. 

Entering and wandering around Yankee Stadium is sort of like being at Disneyland. There are people everywhere - literally like every 3 feet - holding signs asking how they can help you. There are also people sweeping up the hallways to keep the Disney, er, Yankee magic in tact. There's a lot that I didn't see just because there simply wasn't time, but it's pretty cool. I still like AT&T better overall because it's the old style ball park, and let's face it, the view is unbeatable, but it was awesome to finally see The Bronx Bombers play in their home land.

By the way, that's Derek Jeter on the left and Nick Swisher on the right. Nick is absolutely one of the funniest men in baseball and Derek is, well, he's Derek Jeter. And that's enough.

It was also very cool to hear New York, New York played at the end of the game, and I sat and listened to several choruses. I left the stadium after a while and found that everyone was taking the subway out of The Bronx, so I stepped into the nearby McDonald's to wait. And to get a Coke, because by that time, I needed one! And really, I think we all know McDonald's has the best Coke.

I managed to waste enough time and had a very empty train to take back to the hotel. My feet were never so happy to get back and stop moving. I've really given them a beating this week and may give them a nice soak later this evening. 

Tomorrow's my last day in the city that never sleeps, and I'm meeting another old friend for breakfast at the very famous Carnegie Deli. Many folks told me I needed to check this place out, but it didn't really interest me because I'm not a big sandwich fan...but breakfast? Well, that's a whole new game. I mean, as long as there's bacon, how could it be bad?

Oh good...just got a case of the hiccups...

Anyway...it's been an amazing week, and I'll wrap it all up when I get home tomorrow night. I will definitely be back New York. You've totally won me over.