3 Trips in 14 Days + 10 Days and 2 Concerts

That's right. 3 trips. 14 days. And if you make it 24 days, it also included 2 concerts. So yeah, let's go with that. 24 days. 3 trips. 2 concerts.

Trip One - Denver

I think I was out of town for a total of 36 hours for this trip - yeah, it was fast. I flew in to surprise my stepfather for his 75th birthday, and also got to see my mom, a good friend, 2 stepsisters and their significant others and Chick-fil-A. Yes. Chick-fil-A was definitely part of the agenda. It was fast and furious, but all good. 

Trip Two - Chicago

This trip was just slightly longer than my trip to Denver. I actually stayed two whole nights to celebrate the marriage of two very dear friends. The weekend started with an hour and a half trip from O'Hare to the W Hotel where, after I finally arrived, I got a lovely 75 minute massage at Bliss. I met my friend there and we were able to catch up a bit before all the festivities really got started. Celebrating their marriage was fantastic in itself, but I also got to meet several friends I'd only had via Facebook before that weekend. That was incredibly fun, and my circle of people and places has expanded greatly. I seriously love Chicago and enjoyed roaming about the city in cabs, and even a little on foot. Although, I did curse Bon Jovi when I was attempting to check into my hotel because their 8 million fans were also checking in at the same time. I love Bon Jovi, but I did not enjoy them having a concert at Soldier Field the night I arrived. They hindered my progress at every turn. But I'm over it now and managed to refrain from singing Have a Nice Day to all of them as I walked past all the cabs they were hogging. The wedding celebration was fantastic and included a healthy dose of Rick Bayless' guacamole. The weekend was topped off by a celebration of meat served at the newlywed's apartment. Two words: bacon explosion. Two more words: 14-pound briskit. Yum and yummier. All in all a fantastic and beautiful weekend, celebrating two of my favorite people!

Trip Three - Boise

Yes. Boise. That's in Idaho. Where they grow the taters. It's like my mother ship. I'd never actually been to Idaho despite living in a neighboring state for a good portion of my life. This was another two night trip to celebrate the wedding of some crazy kids about to embark on their senior year at Boise State. And oh yeah, it was HOT!!! It's like the desert there, but I enjoyed seeing the Boise State campus and catching up with a former CSU colleague. I toured around town in a ginormous Jeep Commander, apparently that's what they consider a compact car in Boise. Anyway...the wedding was beautiful and a lot of fun and I had a great Idahoan adventure, a final highlight of which was seeing one of my oldest and dearest friends who just happened to be in town at the same time. So Idaho? Thanks for rounding out my three trips with joy.

Concert One - Adam Lambert

Oh yes. The Glam Nation Tour. This was hands down the hardest I've ever had to work to get concert tickets. When they first went on sale, my friend and I went online right on time and got nothing. NOTHING. I've never had that happen before, and needless to say, we were less than pleased. But my friend would not be defeated. She started searching on Craigslist and StubHub and OMG! The prices people were asking for $30-35 seats was inSANE!! Seriously. Like $150. We laughed and scoffed and got further irritated. But we would not be defeated and finally, about 10 days before the concert, the prices started to dive. But, the only option was two seats not together - and $17 in FedEx fees. Her ticket came from Seattle and mine from New Mexico. Really? Anyway...the concert was totally worth it, and in the end we were able to sit by each other. If you have the chance, see this kid in concert, because he totally delivers!!

Concert Two - Rob Thomas

The Mountain Winery in Saratoga has to be one of the most beautiful concert venues I've ever been to. Seeing Rob there on Sunday night was my second time visiting this summer, and I now feel that all musicians I love should play there...at least once each summer. Are you listening Matt Nathanson? Before Rob took the stage we were exposed to a, um, comedienne?, from Mix 106.5. Wow. We were embarrassed for her and were so very thankful when she finished. But it was all forgotten once Rob took the stage. He's such a phenomenal musician that all he'd really need to do is play and sing, but he's also freaking hilarious! And even though he throws a few F-bombs down, he's just entertaining. I can't wait to see him again - although, I hope the next time he's standing in front of the MB20 guys. It's time!!

So there it is. 24 days. 3 trips. 2 concerts. 1 tired Carrie! What's next?

1 musical

4 concerts

1 conference

1 visit by the mother

And that's all before November! Guess I'd better get some rest...

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? 

 

The first step is admitting your addiction...

My name is Carrie, and I'm addicted to music...all kinds of music, but especially live music. As many of you know, I'm a concert junkie...an addict, if you will. When each new year begins, I wonder which of my favorite bands will tour and how many will come to the Bay Area so I can see them in person. So many bypass us that I typically start the year as a skeptic thinking that this will be the year I don't get to see anyone in concert. But then...I'm surprised...and excited...and full of concert tickets!! Oh yes. I feed my addiction. And it is JOY!

Here we are in July, and so far, I've seen only 2 concerts. But oh. They were joyous. They were both the same tour...Third Day, with Revive & Brandon Heath. One in Modesto and one in Fresno. But now, the real fun begins...

• July - Matt Nathanson (that's tomorrow!)
• August - Switchfoot, Green Day, Daughtry
• September - Pink
• October - Rob Thomas, U2
• November - Billy Joel/Elton John, Kelly Clarkson

Crazy, right? Yes. I'm completely addicted to concerts!! That's nine concerts in five months. NINE!! But I don't care. There is nothing like live music. Nothing.

I wonder who might be on tour in December...

So, what concerts are YOU attending this year?

The Songs of Life

So, I totally cheated and stole this idea from Facebook...and it's an old one too...I don't care. My blog. My decisions. Anyway...the game is this...using only song names from ONE ARTIST, respond to the questions...so, because again, my blog/my decisions, I've done it twice. The first is my original set of answers from the Facebook note...the second, my updated version with a different artist...because you know, I can. Let's see how it goes!

Artist 1 - Matt Nathanson

1. Are you male or female? Princess
2. Describe yourself: Clean
3. How do you feel about yourself? Amazing Again
4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: Gone
5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: Suspended
6. Describe your current location: Curve of the Earth
7. Describe where you want to be: Parade
8. Your best friend is: King of the Mountain
9. Your favorite color is: Bare
10. You know that: Then I'll Be Smiling
11. What’s the weather like? New Coats and New Hats
12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? To the Beat of Our Noisy Hearts
13. What is life to you? Little Victories
14. What is the best advice you have to give? Don't Worship Me
15. If you could change your name what would you change it to? Angel

Artist 2 - Rob Thomas

1. Are you male or female? Problem Girl
2. Describe yourself: I Am an Illusion
3. How do you feel about yourself? Natural
4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: Still Ain't Over You
5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: Something To Be
6. Describe your current location: Real World '09
7. Describe where you want to be: Merry New York Christmas
8. Your best friend is: Lonely No More
9. Your favorite color is: Her Diamonds
10. You know that: Believe
11. What’s the weather like? Fire on the Mountain
12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? Ever the Same
13. What is life to you? Streetcorner Symphony
14. What is the best advice you have to give? Sleep Til the War is Over
15. If you could change your name what would you change it to? Dear Joan