So, I’m sitting here, listening to some Miser songs in iTunes (after listening to some knitting podcasts. me? nerd? ha.), and I’m listening to the new version of Promises (previously recorded by Supercell, which is basically this band with a different singer). I have to say that the one thing I love the most about Coach’s singing is the fact that you can clearly understand him. I just LOVE his voice too… it’s unique.

To say that I’m not excited about the show on the 23rd would be a complete lie. I’m as excited for this show as I was to go see my boy, Damian.  Well, maybe not AS much, since seeing Damian has the whole “he’s my friend” aspect of it, but very close, since Dollybraid was the band that started it all for my little group.   It’s really awesome that even after life decided to step in for these last 3-4 years that I can sort of pick up where I left off and start doing something that I enjoy again. Yeah, some things have changed: the bands are different; I have a new show-going partner in my sister who is now old enough to appreciate it and go; my other partner in crime has the ability to leave her daughter with someone if she wants to and can come out to play, too, but the same basic principle is there. The same things that I loved about it a few years ago are still in place, and that makes me truly happy.

It’s fun, and I can’t WAIT. September will not go fast enough. *lol* I’m glad I get to give the cameras a work out, too. These ones haven’t been exposed to shows very often, so I need to “learn” how they work in that environment, so I can start having some spiffy pics again. Pics of things OTHER than yarn. *grin*

The show? Kicked ass. Now that I’m finally not completely exhausted (I went to bed at 10:30 last night, and I slept straight through til my alarm went off + a couple snoozes… about 9 hrs.), I’m going to post about my weekend.

FRIDAY
I ended up stuck at work til 5:30!! FIVE THIRTY! ON A FRIDAY! It was one thing after another, and in true “I need to be off” fashion, it was crazy-busy. I rushed to go pick Megan up from work because she was hanging out and waiting for me there… poor thing. I didn’t get there til about 6:15 or so because I hit every red light on the way there (could’ve been faster on the hwy, but knowing my luck, 635 would’ve been completely stand-still.), including a little outlet from a business park… one of those lights that never changes, but is there for people leaving? THAT LIGHT turned red on me too!!

I finally made it to her work, and we ran to my mom’s house so I could drop off a couple of things I picked up for her and so Megan could get her laundry out of the dryer so ppl at home could do laundry this weekend if they needed to. After mom’s, we went to Lane Bryant @ Collin Creek where we ran into Alex, Gabby and Teresa. I ended up buying a really cute top that I’m not finding online, but basically… it was a black lace baby doll shirt w/ a nude “under-cami” thing.. very pretty. I wore it to work today. I also bought a pair of jeans and 2 bras (was only going to get one, but they were buy one-get one half, and you can never have too many… so I got one that would look better under the shirt than the one I was actually buying). Megan got some jeans and shirts, and we went to Olive Garden for dinner. I didn’t want to because it’s sorta expensive, but by the time we got about half a mile, I was like… dammit, now I want some Olive Garden. So we u-turned and went back. We ate, then we went to my apt. On the way to the apt, I remembered I wanted some B&W film for my 35mm camera, so we stopped there. I almost bought camera batteries, but all of my cameras take different size batteries and I couldn’t remember what this one took, so I didn’t buy any. We went to my apt where I got all my crap together and printed directions and got stuff that needed charging on their chargers and went to bed about 12:30 or so.

SATURDAY

I was really excited and ended up waking up pretty early (about 15min before my alarm)… I got dressed real fast, and started getting my crap packed up. Megan woke up and got dressed and took care of her stuff, and then we left. I REALLY wanted to leave by 7:30, but we were out the door by 7:45. We ran to Walmart so I could get camera batteries (was checking the life on it, and it was at half-life per the indicator, so I figured I’d rather be safe than sorry). After Walmart, we filled up my gas tank and stopped for breakfast at Chik-Fil-A (mmm.), then headed out.

The drive wasn’t bad. I was very happy I printed 2 sets of directions because the ones we were following ended up not working out. LOL. Thank you, Mapquest for saving our trip and me from freaking out. Once I realized we weren’t following our intended directions, I stopped at a gas station to get gas & buy a map…. JUST in case.

We then continued on our way, and with the exception of construction on part of the section of 610 we were on (for about 10 min), nothing too terrible happened. It rained a little bit when we got closer to Beaumont, but not bad.. just enough to wash the bird crap on my windshield.

We arrived in Beaumont about 4 or 4:30, checked in, went to the room and rested for a bit… then went out to find out where we had to go. I wasn’t sure how busy it was going to be and I wanted to make sure we could not only get there, but get back, since it would be dark, and I’m driving in a new place. After we made it back, we went looking for a drugstore of some kind, and after going forever down this one street, stopped at a craptastic Family Dollar so Megan could get some “real” bodywash and shampoo since neither one of us packed any… (hey, the hotel had stuff. it was only one shower. she’s picky. lol). We got that stuff taken care of, went back to the hotel and showered, then went to find dinner. There was a Carrabba’s right next to our hotel, but by the time we ended up ready for dinner, they were having like a half-hour wait, and we didn’t want to wait that long. We ended up going down the street to Outback and had an ok dinner (wasn’t impressed.. but I was also more worried about getting to the show. lol). After dinner we made our way to Antone’s, parked, and waited in line for the doors to finally open.

We went in and hung out and looked around for a familiar face. Didn’t see one from where we were originally sitting, and we moved up closer to the stage. I still didn’t see anyone, really, except at one point, Taylor and Nolan walked past. I saw them out of the corner of my eye, but didn’t stop ‘em. What? I’m Shy. *lol* Megan’s like “DUDE! THEY WERE RIGHT THERE!” Apparently they walked past a few more times, but I don’t feel bad cuz they didn’t see or stop and say hi to me either.

Damian snuck up on me at one point and said hi. I sure missed him, and I didn’t realize how much until I saw him there in the flesh!! I love that guy!! He’s all like, “Looks like you have a prime spot, as usual..” and I’m like “yeah, we’ll move up once it’s your turn.” and he’s like “of course!!” eheheh LOVE THAT GUY!! We talked for a minute or two and then someone came up to him.. he talked to them and kind of disappeared. No biggie. We watched the other bands (The Blinding and Demagogue), but I have to admit I didn’t really give them a fair shot. I sort of just really wanted to see Damian.

Finally.. FINALLY it was his turn, and as soon as the floor cleared out and they started setting up, Megan and I made our way up there… front and center, of course. Damian stuck his tongue out at me at one point, and no one else really noticed us. ahah I waved at Taylor from across the room, and he was kinda like “who the hell is that?” but waved to be polite.. or that’s the vibe I got from the whole thing anyway.

Damian started playing. He started w/ No Longer, which was probably a safe bet. It’s a song, even with the changes, that they played a bazillion times as Plasma Jack. Definitely a good ice breaker, and something to sort of get them warmed up and in the groove. He played songs from the cd…at one point taking a break to throw some freebies into the crowd. I fully planned on slapping down all the cash I had on me to buy his merch (I’m just that kinda friend/fan!!), so I didn’t make a grab for the t-shirts, but he pretty much looked right at me when he went for the cd he wanted to toss out into the crowd. I didn’t get all excited about it, but he held onto it too long like he was waiting for me to do something, so I did, and I got the cd. I ended up buying another one + 2 shirts after the set. ahahah. LIke I said, I love that guy! *G*

He continued with the set, and played all the songs off the cd, but there were two neither Megan nor I recognized when we listened to our cd. *lol* So either we didn’t know them enough to recognize them or we’re stupid. Whatever. Anyway, after the set, the crowd started cheering for him to come back… lol. He didn’t, but that’s okay. One of the guys was all like “PLASMA JACK!!!!!!!!” and I about died. I sortakinda almost thought about wearing my PJ shirt… *lol* I didn’t. But how funny would that have been?

Anyway, so we made our way to the merch table to get our stuff, and D’s fiancee was there, and she’s like “Are you Manda???” and I’m like “Yeah..” and she’s like “I HAVE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT YOU!! THank you for everything you’ve done!!” and I was like… aww. She was hilarious… and the two of them are so cute together. I’m very happy for both of ‘em!

I ended up putting on one of my t-shirts and opening the cd to see I’m mentioned in the Thank Yous!!!! HOW COOL IS THAT!?!?!? And–Damian had to point this out, since I didn’t open the liner notes all the way–photo credits because he used 3 of my pics from the PJ days!!! He signed my cd for me and we talked some more… then we kind of watched Flickerstick from the sidelines. They started out with some slow-ass song, and that’s during when i was talking to Nolan. he ended up coming up to me, and I was like “DUDE!!” and he’s like “hey you!!” and I gave him a hug and we talked for like 10 min or so… it ROCKED. he’s so awesome.

But it was pretty cool… we talked to Damian some more at various times, then we left to go crash at the hotel. I wanted to say bye to Nolan and say hi/bye to Taylor, at least, but we didn’t see htem on our way out. We walked out and there they were surrounded by like 7-8 girls. ahah I hated to interrupt them, but I had to at least say bye. So I gave Nolan a hug, and said hi/bye to Taylor. Haha.. he was totally not all there. but it was nice to see him again.

We ended up going back to the hotel, crashing, and waking up the next morning only to return home. It was a pretty awesome weekend. We listened to the cd all the way home, and knew most of the words. I think after the last couple days, I know all the words, and I will be prepared for the next show.

WHEEEEEEE!!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!

SHOW KICKED ASS!!!!!!!!

I’m completely wiped out though (up long enough to get the cd on my ipod so we can listen to it all the way home), so I’m going to bed.

It was great seeing my boys again. I sure have missed them.

PIcs and details later. I’m gonna go pass out now.

I have to say that I’m really excited that Geek in the Pink is Mraz’s new single. It’s my favorite song on the cd.

GEEK IN THE PINK
by Jason Mraz
Yo, Brotha A to z,
Yo, wussup B,
Yo, What time is it?

Ha-ha, It’s laundry day!

(do do do…)

Well let the geek in the pink take a stab at it
If you like the way I’m thinkin’ baby wink at it
I may be skinny at times but I’m fat fulla rhymes
Pass me the mic and I’m a grab at it
Isn’t it delicious crazy way that I’m kissin’
This baby listen to this don’t wanna miss it while it’s hittin’
Sometimes you gotta fit in to get in
But don’t ever quit cause soon I’m gonna let you in but see

I don’t care what you might think about me
You’ll get by without me if you want
Well,I could be the one to take you home
Baby we could rock the night alone
If we never get down it wouldn’t be a let down
But sugar don’t forget what you already know
I could be the one to turn you on
We could be the talk across the town
Don’t judge it by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away

Like the geek in the pink (do do do…)
Like the geek in the pink, yeah (do do do…)
The geek in the pink

Well my relationship fodder don’t mean to bother nobody
But Cupid’s automatic musta fired multiple shots at her
Because she fall in love too often that’s what the matter
At least I’m talkin’ about it keep a pattern of flattery and
She was starin’ through the doorframe,and
Eyeing me down like already a bad boyfriend
Well she can get her toys outta the drawer then
Cause I ain’t comin’ home I don’t need that attention, see

I don’t care what she might think about me
She’ll get by without me if she wants
Well, I could be the one to take her home
Baby we could rock the night alone
If we never get down it wouldn’t be a let down
But sugar don’t forgetin’ what you already know
That I could be the one to turn you out
We could be the talk across the town
Don’t judge it by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away

Hey baby look at me go
From zero to hero
You better take it from a geek like me
Well I can save you from unoriginal dum-dums
Who wouldn’t care if you com…plete him or not

So what I’ve got a short attention span
A coke in my hand
Because I’d rather have the afternoon, relaxin’ understand
My hip hop and flip-flops well it don’t stop with the light rock
My shot to mock you kinda puts me in the tight spot
The hype is nothing more than hoo-ha so I’m
Developing a language and I’m callin’ it my own
So take a peek into the speaker and you’ll see what I mean
That on the other side the grass is greener

I don’t care what you might think about me
You’ll get by without me if you want
I could be the one to take you home
Baby we could rock the night alone
If we never get down it wouldn’t be a let down
But sugar don’t forgetin’ what you already know
I could be the one to turn you out
We could be the talk across the town
Don’t judge it by the color, confuse it for another
You might regret what you let slip away
like the geek in the pink (do do do…)
I’m the geek in the pink ya’ll
geek is the color for fall
I’m the geek in the pink
so i’m the geek ya’ll
in the pink ya’ll
geek is the color for fall
i’m the geek in the pink

I have to say, the best thing about Curious George, other than all the kiddos laughing and giggling in all the right parts, and the cuteness of George himself, is the soundtrack, by Jack Johnson.

I was chair-dancing throughout the whole movie. I had “Upside Down” in my head and decided to download the soundtrack (I can’t get music and stuff off my old hard drive right now, so I’m musicless except what I put on there from my own cds). It’s awfully catchy!! *lol*

Upside Down – Jack Johnson

Who’s to say
What’s impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There’s no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I’ll find the things they say just can’t be found
I’ll share this love I find with everyone
We’ll sing and dance to Mother Nature’s songs
I don’t want this feeling to go away

Who’s to say
I can’t do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren’t always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside
All finer things they say just can’t be found
I’ll share this love I find with everyone
We’ll sing and dance to Mother Nature’s songs
This world keeps spinning and there’s no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who’s to say what’s impossible and can’t be found
I don’t want this feeling to go away

Please don’t go away
Please don’t go away
Please don’t go away
Is this how it’s supposed to be
Is this how it’s supposed to be