Random Snapshots

Mosaic Monday

In honor of Memorial Day here's a Patriotic Mosaic for Monday.  I'm partial to Marines.  :)  But, really nothing says America to me like a Marine in dress blues.

1. The Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, 2. The Marine Corps War Memorial - Battle of Iwo Jima, 3. united states marine corps seal, 4. United States Marine Corps. , 5. U.S. Marine Corps Veterans Memorial, 6. U.S. Marine Corps, Parris Island, South Carolina, Nov 1973., 7. US Marine Corps KC-130, 8. Happy Birthday Marines on our 231st Anniversary!!!, 9. Marine Corps, 10. Marine Corps bus, DC, 11. Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony 10 Nov 2006 030, 12. Marine Corps War Memorial, 13. Marine Corps Color Guard, 14. United States Marine Corps, 15. United States Marine Corps, Parris Island, South Carolina, November 1973., 16. 070926-N-8907D-016

Special Memorial Day thanks to the veterans in my life - my husband, uncle, grandfather, grandfather-in-law and more friends than I can count.  You are truly what makes this country an amazing place to live.  Thank you.

Still on a concert high

My review of last Friday night's concert is simple.

IT.WAS.AMAZING. :)

I brought my point & shoot and got a lot of blurry photos!  More grainy than blurry actually, but I'm glad I made Adam sneak it in.

(click to enlarge)

The Dalai Lama interview was a little difficult to hear, but other than that it was great.  I didn't realize that he was being interviewed by Ann Curry AND Dave Matthews.  It was pretty cool.  Dave Matthews was VERY nervous about the interview.  You could see him sweating on the big screen and he couldn't stop rocking back and forth in his chair.  It was pretty funny actually!  I like a lot of the stuff that the Dalai Lama was saying and probably will read up more on him.  I don't always feel like his principles are "liveable," but I don't discount them at all. 

There was a surprise opener too - Death Cab for Cutie.  They are from Seattle and played a 6 or 7 song acoustic set.  They were really good and I'm glad I was able to see them live.  I love surprises like that!

I can't describe how good the Dave/Tim acoustic set was.  Seeing Tim Reynolds live is an experience.  He's amazing - a true master of the guitar.  And Dave Matthews - well, I don't need to tell you how I feel about him.  The acoustic set was a treat.  He talks throughout and I really enjoyed that part.  He lives in Seattle and I believe that made this whole Seeds of Compassion show more special. 

Here's the set list from Dave and Tim:

• Bartender
• Old Dirt Hill
• So Damn Lucky
• Stay or Leave
• Save Me
• Cry Freedom
• Gravedigger
• You Are My Sanity
• The Maker
• Sister
• Cornbread
• Some Devil
• Everyday
• Where Are You Going
• Eh Hee
• Dancing Nancies
• Encore: Lie in Our Graves

And now I only have to wait until Labor Day to see Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge.  :)

Tomorrow night...

we're going to see the Dalai Lama speak before the Concert for Compassion.

1. Dalai Lama, 2. Dalai Lama, 3. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Derry, 4. His Holiness The Dalai lama, 5. Dalai Lama in Portugal, 6. S.S. o Dalai Lama, 7. The Dalai Lama, 8. Dalai Lama, 9. Dalai Lama. Tribute.

After the inspirational talk these two will be putting on an amazing acoustic show:

1. Dave and Tim, 2. Dave Matthews, 3. Dave and Tim, 4. Dave and Tim Boston 043, 5. Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, 6. Dave Matthews, 7. Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds in Bridgehampton, 8. Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, 9. DMBcruise06-398e

With 15 + (I lost count!) Dave Matthews Band shows under my belt I've yet to see Dave and Tim together live.  I'm just a *tiny* bit excited.  ;) 

And another one...

I picked up some tickets to see the Foo Fighters during the internet presale this morning. 

Dave Grohl...here I come!  I hope I can contain myself.  :)

I can't wait to tell Adam!  He's at jury duty right now and doesn't even know yet.  He's going to be really excited too because he's wanted to see them live FOREVER.  This is going to be a great show.  I hope July 9th comes quickly.  :)

C is for Concerts

This morning I picked up tickets for Adam and I to attend this concert:

I can't wait!  I've seen Dave Matthews Band live around 15 times or so, but have never had the opportunity to see Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds play acoustic live.  I've heard from many people that it's amazing and should not be missed.   

The cool part is that your concert tickets also get you in early to see the Dalai Lama speak on stage with Dave Matthews.  Awesome, to say the least.  It's not every day that you get the opportunity to hear the Dalai Lama speak. 

About a week and a half later a friend and I are going to this concert:

Again, I can't wait!  It's been too many years since I've seen Ani live.  This will be my 4th time (yes, I'm a concert junkie!).  She puts on an amazing show and I'm happy to have found someone to go with me because Adam could not be talked into it.  :)

My C photos for the ABC-along will be posted sometime tomorrow.  Have a great Saturday!   

One long weekend/Two concerts (kind of)

I couldn't think of a better way to end the long weekend.

I'm watching the JT concert on HBO right now. 

I feel like I'm at my second concert of the weekend. 

47 inches of JT in HD. 

Love me some JT.   

It wouldn't be labor day...

without Dave.

For the second year in a row we headed to The Gorge to see Dave Matthews Band.  DMB is the house band for Labor Day and they play 3 nights in a row.  One of these years I'm going to stay for all 3 shows - that would be the ultimate DMB experience for an ultimate DMB fan such as myself.  :)

Last night's show was not my favorite, but it did not disappoint.  When you've seen them as many times as I have it gets hard to pick your favorite show.  DMB never disappoints in my opinion.  You certainly get what you pay for.  They play the fullest and I've never heard otherwise. 

It was a pretty mellow song selectiong on a nice, cool night in one of the most gorgeous settings around.  The Gorge is truly awesome - something to be experienced for sure.  We've been there 3 times now and it just doesn't get an less awesome.  It was so packed last night - not a patch of grass to be found.  I think the venue holds 25,000 people or something close.  Crazy.

I believe there were some new, not-yet-released songs played last night because I didn't recognize them.  It very much reminded me of a show I saw at Rich Stadium back in the day with Jess and Shawna.  They played Grey Street before it was released and I fell in love with it.  Those were the days - girls time at a DMB concert.  We used to have the best time.  I have a lot of memories of DMB shows actually.  I've seen them with my best friends, my Mom, my brother and my husband.  All good shows, all good experiences that I hope to have over and over again.  I think my first show was almost 10 years ago and I hope I'm seeing them live for the next 10 years.

*Photos are from the show last year.  I don't have any from this year.   

A couple...

from the John Mayer concert.  Compliments of Elysabeth.

Check out the new shades:

Breathtaking:

I don't have much to blog about lately which is why I've been a little scarce.

School is keeping me busy and leaving me time for little else.  I haven't knitted much lately because I needed a little break.  Maybe I'll pick it up again soon.  There are 2 projects that I'd like to finish. 

I have the urge to sew something lately so in my usual fashion I bought a book about sewing.  It's times like these when I wish I'd really learned to sew, but am thankful for the basic lessons from my Mom back in the day.  Still, I wish I really knew how to sew.  I grew up surrounded by seamstresses - literally.  Go figure.  :)

Have a great week!

He said...

"Who's sleeping in my tent tonight?" the minute he stepped onto stage.

And the crowd went crazy.

Last night we saw John Mayer perform at the Gorge.  It was amazing.  Concerts at the Gorge can't be beat.  The setting is absolutely perfect for visuals and sound.

I can't remember if this was my third or fourth time seeing him live, but this was definitely the best show yet.  He really plays his ass off and I doubt very much if anyone left that show disappointed.  We went with our friends, Allison and Rob and Elysabeth.  I know the girls said that they couldn't believe how great of a show it was and would see him again in the future. 

It's no secret that I adore obsess over him.  I love every song he's written and can sing every word.  The concert went by so fast for me.  Seeing John Mayer is one of the best ways that I can think of to spend a weekend.  I am still on my usual concert high and cannot wait until the next show.

I don't have any photos because I don't have a small point and shoot anymore.  I have the memories though, which is good enough for me!

Ben Folds opened up and this was my second time seeing him in concert.  The first time was back in the late 90s when he was still Ben Folds' Five.  I really have always loved Ben Folds since they came out.  Last night he put on an awesome show with his piano and incredible voice.  It was mainly songs from his solo career and I was a little disappointed that he didn't play the greats from when the Five was together.  I am not sure if there is some sort of deal preventing him from performing those old band songs though. 

We camped at the Gorge last night and it was hot.  We spent the whole day outside at the campsite trying to find some shade.  I am burnt to a crisp because there was no shade for a good 3 hours.  Finally the sun came down enough to give a little patch of shade against the wood fence and we all huddled in.  It was a little hot to even do anything, but I got in some reading, knitting, and a little Nintendo DS Lite match with Allison & Rob.  We headed out of there early this morning because all of us had busy Sundays ahead. 

Altogether it was a great day and night spent with great friends.  It was also my first time sleeping in a tent.  It's not bad, but I definitely prefer my bed and hot shower.  :)

Next up is the Tragically Hip in mid-July.  Another outdoor concert and our second time seeing the Hip this year.  We can't wait!

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And here are some photos from Universal Studios that I promised.

We were very excited to find the original set of the Bates Motel from Psycho.  The hotel scene is there along with the mother's huge, scary house on the hill.  Julianne had never seen this before either so it was a real treat to find for sure!  I have always loved the movie Psycho (both versions) so I'm glad to have these photos.

A wide shot of the hotel:

The house on the hill:

Julianne and I snuck up there to get a better look:

A body in the trunk:

Adam and I under the famous sign:

And just a couple of me up next to the hotel:

That is all for now.  I need to go finish proofreading a paper and head to bed. 

Hope you all have a great week!

Summer concert lineup

It's almost summer and Adam and I have the greatest summer concert lineup to look forward to.  I've said it before a million times...I love concerts.  Especially outdoor concerts.

In June we're going to see John Mayer at the Gorge.  The Gorge is hands down the best outdoor concert venue you will find anywhere.  We saw Dave Matthews Band there last year and I was totally awestruck.

In July we're going to see The Tragically Hip.  AGAIN.  You might remember that we saw them last month at The Moore Theater.  You can't beat seeing The Hip twice in one year.  They're definitely our mutual favorite band.

And to finish it off we're seeing Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge again for Labor Day.  We had a little ordering mishap with the camping and weren't able to get camping tickets.  After calling 5 local hotels I finally found one and booked a room.  It's close to 3 hours away so not the sort of drive you want to make twice in a day.  It's pretty much out in the middle of no where too so by local hotel I mean 25 mile away hotel.  Either way - for DMB - it's worth it.

In knitting news - I'm working on 3 projects at the moment.  The monkey socks from Knitty, Rusted Root and the cable tank from KnitSimple.  I have one sock finished and plan to cast on for the other this week.  I'm just at the sleeves for Rusted Root which means I have a bunch of boring stockinette with a little lace to knit for about 7 more inches.  Good commute knitting.  The tank is really boring stockinette on the back so I hope to get the urge to work on that again.  :)

That's all I've got to share tonight.  Hope everyone has a great week.  :)