Sunday, April 20, 2008

Worldwide Moment

Worldwide moment is an event where everyone takes a photo from whereever they are simultaneously. You can find info. on it here:

"But for now, the time has come to:

A) Figure out when to do the next World Wide Moment. Please go to this link and vote on when it should be. I'm sorry, but I could not figure out how to include the actual poll within this post, if that's even possible. I'm an idea guy, but not an Internet expert...

http://www.blogpoll.com/poll/view_Poll.php?type=java&poll_id=146928

B) Promote World Wide Moment's Facebook and MySpace groups. A student from Clemson named Brittany was awesome enough to start a World Wide Moment Facebook page two days ago, and it already has over 300 friends. If you'd like to join and keep up with updates head here:

World Wide Moment's Facebook Group

And, it already has a Myspace page. Here it is:

www.myspace.com/worldwidemoment "

Friday, April 18, 2008

Weekend concert adventure

Reposted from my myspace with added photos:

I meant to blog sooner about my concert whirlwind weekend with Daphne Loves Derby on Friday plus Dear & the Headlights, Paramore & Jimmy Eat World's concert on Saturday.

I managed to get off work around 7:30 and head out to Weber State to see Daphne Loves Derby at the Shephard Student Union Building. I got to Weber State before 8 p.m. At 8:45 I finally found the building. LOL Good thing I left way before 10:30. I paid for my wristband to the show, and headed upstairs. I found DLD's merch table and looked around. I ran into Sam who was promoting the Paramore show in Orem. (Wishing I could go to that one, too. LOL) Then I asked a few people about DLD. Finally I ran into someone who figured I just wanted merch and went to get someone. Then I bought a tee and gave the merch guy (I think Scott, but I have a bad memory for names lately) something for David and told him I would be back shortly as I was going to get my camera. I worried about finding my car, though. As it turned out, I had taken the scenic route to find the building and my car was pretty much a straight route and not at all difficult to find. I made it back to the building and ran into Stu or was that before I left to get my camera? Anyway, suffice it to say I did finally meet up with everyone, and then they went to set up. I took my place in front of the stage to the left. The audience was smallish, but enthusiastic. :) I nabbed the set list which says, "Bedroom, Hammers, Middle, Cue the Sun, Rebels War, Waking Up, Write the Ending, Simple, Closing Down." A number of the songs were new. The sound was really good, and I could hear the vocal harmonies, which I love. Afterwards, we chatted, hugged, took pics, and laughed. Everyone was waiting for David outside and Kenny decided he wanted to throw a football. I threw it once... kinda. I'm not a good football thrower. It's kinda hard to do that with a Canon 20D around your neck. LOL







Anyway, DLD piled in the van to head for WA and I headed for my car and prepared to make the 2 hour drive to Pocatello. I think I drove off around midnight. Yahoo maps said that the drive was about 2 hours, and it pretty much was about a 2 hour drive. I didn't see much scenery, and I was pretty excited to finally reach the motel, The Rodeway Inn. I really thought of staying at the Hampton, but I was liking the price at The Rodeway, and the directions showed it was pretty close to the venue, so I went with it. The guy at the desk was really nice and gave me discounts because it was so late. I like discounts. LOL

There was a computer in the office, and I asked if it was too late to use it and he said, "no", so I checked in and Bri had left me her number so I jotted it down and a few other things and headed for my room for about another 4 hrs. of sleep. I planned to get up at 8:15 and try to shower and be to the venue around 9 ish. I asked for a wake up call, and set my cell phone alarm and settled in to sleep. At 8 a.m. Bri called. She thought people might be starting to arrive and the buses were there (turned out to be a crew bus, and I think Jimmy Eat World's bus, although they were likely at the hotel.) So, I hopped in the shower, dressed, grabbed four mini muffins from the hotel, and headed for the venue, realized I still needed directions, went back and got directions and left for another big adventure. LOL I arrived about 8:45 ish, so I made pretty good time. I found Bri and her mom and we connected, figured out where to go and got in "line". Within 15 minutes, there were 4 or 5 others in line with us. After that people started lining up slowly. It was freezing cold in front of the entrances, but nice and sunny and warm behind the building. The people behind us were all bundled in blankets in chairs and not anxious to move, so they watched our belongings a lot while we headed to the back to catch some sun and so Bri could "bus watch". The view behind the arena was beautiful, and actually the name of the building was on that side, so I took pics of both. We chatted with the two guys watching the buses a few times. We directed Jim of Jimmy Eat World to the door (real exciting... we think it's over there.) LOL
view looking out at the back of the venue

Waiting in line on the cold side.
Probably Paramore's bus since they kicked us out when it pulled up.

At one point someone came up to us and asked who were big Jimmy Eat World fans and could answer trivia. I said, I like their music, but I didn't know them well enough yet. He gave away two meet/greets. I had intended to listen to their new cd on the way up, but didn't end up having time to look for it. I'd been listening on my Zune, so I never paid attention to the tracks, and the cd always comes up showing Futures in big letters instead of the cd title. (BTW, love that song.) LOL If I had remembered the title or known how many tracks on the cd, I'd have been there. If I had listened to the cd on the way up, I would have known how many tracks. But it was cool that the one guy got to go because he was obviously a fan.

Anyway, after a very long wait, visits from Bri's mom with Subway reinforcements, etc., getting kicked out of the sunny spot around 3:30-4 p.m. because Paramore's bus was arriving, seeing Haley zip by into the catering area with her cute hat, listening to sound check, and after several trips to and from the car to rid myself of belongings not allowed in the arena (like purses and camera cases), we finally were let in the door about 6:15 or so. At 6 a few people seemed ready to storm the door, but fortunately that didn't happen. I was handed my purple paper bracelet and told to put it on by the time I got to the stairs. I couldn't, but kept moving, so I pretended to wrap it around and headed for the front of the barricade, nearly center. It worked. It was a pretty good spot for the most part. There was a lot of security, which was good and bad (only bad because sometimes they were hard to see around, especially during Paramore's set.) They were all pretty nice for the most part. Bri's mom tried the floor and made it for the first few songs of Dear & the Headlights set and decided it was enough. She was a real trooper! :)

I enjoyed Dear & the Headlights, and hoped took a lot of photos. I had to adjust the camera settings a lot because of all the hotspots, so some of the pics are a tad overexposed on faces. :( But I still got some decent photos. I looked for a set list, but it didn't look like they played with one. I hoped they would hang around the whole show so I could catch them later at their merch table.






Then it was time for Paramore, and the crowd got very tight, so I anchored myself in for the long haul. I took pics of the stage tech and waited. Finally Paramore took the stage. I tried to snap some pics, but the security guard was between Haley & I. We played peek a boo all night like that. LOL He was really a good guy, though. He was going to try and get me a set list, but unfortunately some of the crowd surfers were still coming late and he had to work. By the time I got his attention, one set list had been wadded up, and the others were gone. Paramore's set was amazing. Haley was all over the place and very energetic. The softer set came at a perfect time and calmed things down a bit just at the right time. They did most of the songs I really love except "We Are Broken" which I don't think I've seen them do live yet, so I wasn't surprised. The applause after their set was deafening, and chants ensued. They came back for an encore, of course. :) When Paramore left the stage, I was still singing. :)

After a bit of a wait for set up. Bri decided to see Jimmy Eat World from another vantage point. She was mainly there for Paramore. I like both bands. Jimmy Eat World played a good set. Just as it is on the cd, the music is really tight, the vocals and vocal harmonies were really good. They played Big Casino, Sweetness, Crush, Work, Always Be, Dizzy, Blister, Here it Goes, Let It Happen, Praise Chorus, Polaris, Get It Faster, New Aesthetic, Just Tonight, Bleed American, Pain, and then exited the stage to raucous applause. I was still waiting to hear Futures. I like that song quite a lot. Anyway, they did come back on stage and the set list says they played, "Hear You From Me, Futures and Middle." I laughed because there is a Middle on DLD's set list and on this one. I loved Futures! I was able to nab the set list this time. The security guard that missed the list for me for Paramore was nice enough to try to get this one for me. He had to direct another security guy to get it, and he almost kept it. So I was trying to get tell him where another one was and he finally gave it to me. I thought he was teasing at first, but then I really thought he was going to keep it. I don't think he was teasing. LOL

I headed over to Dear & the Headlights merch table, chatted with them, bought their cd, had it autographed, had a pic taken with D&TH and the drummer's banana, and headed for my car. It took a while to rearrange my belongings, but I finally headed for some place to eat, to get some gas at home. I know the freeway entrance wasn't far, but it was poorly labeled so I drove in circles a bit (like 1/2 hour) before finally heading down the road. The drive home seemed the longest, but I made it home a little before 2:30 a.m. The last 20 minutes or so I wasn't sure I'd make it, but I did. Yea!!!

Anyway, I uploaded a few pics, let the dogs in, put them in their crate pretty quickly because Daisy couldn't settle down, and headed for sleep.

It was a good time, but I was really tired, I had a headache, and I was pretty sunburned. I never thought about sunscreen or the sun we were using to keep warm. LOL

Another great concert adventure bites the dust.

Kudos to you if you read this whole thing! LOL

Peace out,
Melanie

Monday, April 14, 2008

Help Wanted

I have a big favor to ask. I want to enter the Warped Tour photo contest, so I was wanting some feedback before I enter the pics. I posted 9 or 10 pics from Warped Tour 2007 in my Flickr account. On Flickr, I am wmn4lif

I would really appreciate feedback, especially rating the pics 1, 2 & 3 for your favorite, 2nd favorite, etc.

Thanks!

--Melanie

NOTE: These are the photos I ended up entering:



Friday, April 11, 2008

finding the center

This is a work in progress. It's started.. not sure how I will finish it. Maybe I won't. I'm better at starting things than ending them sometimes. LOL

I mentioned to my pastor that I always remembered his birthday because it was so close to mine. It just goes to show you how self-centered I can be. Sigh.... it's funny how small our universe seems sometimes no matter how huge, and how huge it can seem when it is so small. I'm not sure that will make sense to anyone but me. LOL
The same with the concept I'm working on, but here goes:

Swirling stars find freedom with perfect design
no need to find the center
every particle in place in sublime beauty
An ant in the cosmos trying to be a giant
shrinking from the bigger picture, too self focused
Who is at the center when God should be
Oh to lose oneself in the stars, and in their creator
to be free from oneself and find in the true center
the liberty that perfect order brings

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Mae wished me a Happy Birthday

I haven't had a chance to blog much the last couple of days. I ended up sick, for one thing, and working on photo editing, for another. Then there's always dishes, mopping floors and laundry. I wish I could make a dent in it all, but before I finish, it needs to be done again. C'est la vie.

Anyway, Tuesday I had a plethora of birthday greetings from several radio stations, my sister -- and as you probably guessed, Mae. Mute Math sent me birthday wishes as well. There are two of my favorite bands, wishing me a happy birthday!

I know... they were just automated messages, but they made me smile just the same. Sometimes, I'm easily entertained. LOL

So, if you read this and pray, pray that I will be well on Friday. It might help if I got some sleep. ;)

Peace, love & a comfy bed (sheesh, been reading Schneck's blogs for too long),
Melanie

Saturday, April 05, 2008

The beauty of concerts is there are people involved...





I thought I would use a little wordplay off the last blog to recount Mae Day here in Salt Lake City. Sometimes the best thing about a concert is not only the music (which quite obviously matters) but also the interactions that take place along the way. It was those human interactions that made Mae day extremely special to me.

There were also obstacles to overcome. The show was on a Friday, and my place of employment doesn't like to grant Fridays off. They denied my leave. When I turned in my quarterly leave calendar, I told my supervisor that it was the most important date on my calendar to me and the circumstances. She remembered and said she'd work with me. Since I had put in to work 4 hours day shift and wasn't requesting a full day off, she said I would be counted for staffing purposes. I had one hour of credit leave and worked 2 hours on Wednesday over as a "credit" and another hour on Thursday, which means I got off work at 2 a.m. The plan was to get up, get ready quickly and head out the door to work by 10 a.m. I managed to get there at 10:20 and worked until 2:20 p.m. By the time I left it was already 2:30. The traffic was not good, so I was concerned. As it turned out, there was a bit of a fender bender and traffic picked up rather quickly. I made it to the venue a little before 3:30. Shortly after I arrived, I saw Lauralee and her sister, so we chatted until other people arrived. The first person was a gal from Idaho and those who came with her went back to get the tickets they left where they were staying.

I decided that while I was waiting it would be a good idea to set up the phone to call Stephanie (not my sister, a friend) so that I wouldn't have to try and find her number in the dark. I was going to call her for the acoustic set. She called me a while back and let me listen to Dave's solo set so I thought it only fair to return the favor (I'd have done it anyway.) :) I had put her number on a sticky note on my checkbook, but it was no where to be found. So I called my darling husband and asked him to find it for me. He was trying to look it up in an online directory, which was kinda funny. I told him just to look in my e-mail. While we were talking I saw Jacob and he smiled and said, "hello" and we struck up a conversation. Ed said to call him when we were finished talking. LOL It was cool to see Jacob and talk to him. I find Jacob a very easy person to talk to and he always seems genuinely happy to see me, which is kinda nice. :) Jacob went back inside, and I called Ed back and got Stephanie's number. I thanked him profusely. I walked back up to the front of the venue and sent Stephanie a message. That put her number in my phone.

People slowly began to arrive. One of the Switchfoot message boardies showed up and introduced herself to me. She came with 3 other people. She said she came to the show because of my post on the Switchfoot boards and it made my day!! :)

For those who read this blog and/or speak to me on any regular basis at all, know that I've really been promoting this show. I put posters up all over, posted on a few loved message boards and my myspace and handed out stickers at shows with the date written on the back. I had hoped to find out if any of that hard work paid off, but wasn't sure how I'd know. So I know I was responsible for at least 4 people showing up. LOL It really did make my day!

After lots of fun conversations and a lot of waiting, it was finally time for the concert. I tried to hurry to the front of the stage, and almost forgot my photo pass. LOL I found what would have been a good spot, but there was a case left by the first band right in front of me, so I asked Lauralee if I could stand next to her. It was almost too close to center, since I was directly under the lead singer's mikestand. I didn't get a lot of good lead singer pics. The lighting was difficult as it often is, so I'm not so sure I have anything great. I did get a few good pics of one of the guys in Far Less, and a few good ones of Dave Elkins. For The Honorary Title the lighting was pretty much red most of the time so I'm not sure what really turned out until I go to edit them. I'm not overly optimistic on that one.

The concert itself was really good, and it made all the work and waiting so worthwhile. Far Less played first, and I really enjoyed their set quite a bit. I made a note to check out their merch table and pick up a cd. Between the Trees played second, and I absoultely loved them! I have one of their cd's, but I don't think it does them justice. They played a song from a video they have up on myspace and I had heard it before online. Between the Trees should be at Warped Tour here, so I hope I can make it to see them at Warped. The Honorary Title was the main opening band and they received a very warm welcome from the crowd. I had heard their Park City performance on tv acoustic and wasn't super impressed, but thought it would sound better as a more rock performance. It turns out I was right. I thought they sounded really good and enjoyed listening. :) The crowd was pretty pumped up and ready for Mae. People behind me were already trying to use any space to push up next to me. I wasn't budging. There are no barricades at The Avalon, the stage is just really high up. There is a bit opening near the center (I guess I could have sat under the stage, so my ribs are pretty sore where I was being pushed into the edge of the stage. I thought, and mentioned it to the gals behind me, that I'd have to push back a little because being folded in half wasn't working so well. LOL I watched Mae set up and was a little glad that they moved a few things back on the stage and some of the monitors around. I said "hi" to Benji when I saw him on stage and tried to get a pic. I think one turned out o.k. He asked me if I got my photo pass o.k., and I let him know that I did. Just as he walked off, this guy wanted to see the set list, so he pulled it off the stage to read it, but then he decided not to put it back. (I love set lists, but I thought that was tacky -- sorry.) He was upset because The Ocean wasn't on it, so I tried to tell him that they always perform The Ocean on their acoustic sets. I actually love The Ocean acoustically, so I was o.k. with it. It didn't look like Zach had any major problems as a result, though.

I had hoped to get some pics of Jacob, but Dave was kinda standing in front of him most of the time. LOL I did get some good views of him, but the camera didn't really have time to focus well in the lighting. I loved watching Jacob play just the same. He makes it look pretty easy and that always impresses me. Everytime I see someone I love playing, I notice little things about the performance and I was enjoying that. I love watching faces, too, which is one reason I like being in the front. I really wanted to see the backdrop that Benji created a little better, so hoped to go to the back towards the end so I could see the whole picture, but it was just too packed to try. I do remember seeing trees during "Just Let Go" and thinking it was a cool thing to go with the song. Sometimes I could make things out. One doesn't really get the full effect from the front, though. All I can say about the show is that this was probably the best Mae concert I have seen and heard, and I've been to a few. Dave's vocals were probably the best they've ever been. Part of me wishes he'd talk a little more from the stage because it just seems to go by too quickly. :) I want it to last. Thoughts went through my head that this would be over way too soon. Dave made his announcement about the acoustic set and Habitat for Humanity, they played their last song (I don't recall the exact order), and Mae left the stage. The entire place erupted with applause, hoops and hollers and chants of "one more song". Mae retook the stage and played several more songs and it was time to leave. Lauralee's sister took the remaining set list. (I have a photo of it.)

I tried to make my way to the merch tables and ended up talking to a guy working with Invisible Children. They made an announcement from the stage about the fund raiser on Friday with Brighten (and I so wish I could go!) I tried to make my way to get some merch from Between the Trees and Far Less, but wasn't getting anywhere. I decided I'd better get my hand stamped for Mae's acoustic benefit set if I wanted
to stay and was planning to come back, but it didn't work out. While I was talking to Robert and getting a tee and my hand stamped the set was already starting. I called Stephanie, but it kept cutting off. Of course the second song played was The Ocean, and everyone sang along. I always love that. I think it's one thing that makes it such a great song to hear performed acoustically - to hear everyone singing along. It makes it fun, too. The Ocean is such a beautiful song. Dave took requests. My phone died. I had charged it all night, but it died anyway. I felt really bad. Mae played "Waiting" (another one I love acoustically) and afterwards I asked someone next to me if she had unlimited minutes and she said "yes" so I asked her if I could call Stephanie. She said "yes". Later she told me it was because I was wearing a Copeland hoodie and they were her favorite band. Dave told me about Copeland in 2005, so it comes full circle. LOL The acoustic set was over too soon (but hey, we all need sleep, right) and Zach, Dave & Jacob greeted everyone, signed lots of autographs, posed for lots of photos and gave out hugs while Robert & Josiah loaded merch. I really wanted to talk to Zach, but had no idea what to say. I finally decided that I didn't want to say anything. I just wanted to give him a big hug. So I did. :) I talked to Zach a little, then Dave and stood next to Jacob and talked to him a while. I had my photo taken somewhere in there. I really didn't want them to leave, but I knew they had a long drive ahead, and security really wanted to go home. LOL I said good-byes and went to find Benji. I found him and thanked him for everything and he gave me a hug. :) I love hugs. As I was walking out, I saw Robert and talked really briefly and the guy from the venue, who I'm sure really wanted to go home, took our pic. I said to Robert that he probably had no idea who I was, and he said he'd seen me on the forums. :) I'm not sure the pic turned out, as Robert's face is really in a shadow, but I'll see what I can do. Then, I thanked the guy from the venue for being so patient with me left.

It always seems so quiet when I leave after a concert. I guess I love being around people a lot, especially nice people. LOL I got into the car and realized how hungry and thirsty I was. I plugged in my cd player (A Fine Frenzy) and headed down the road, making a pit stop at Arby's. I love the chicken salad sandwich, and it hit the spot. So did the large Sierra Mist. I had to pull forward so I couldn't just park and have my dinner, so I had to drive almost back to the venue, make a u-turn, pull back into the Arby's parking lot and eat my sandwich. LOL Then I made the journey home.

Today, I slept most of my day away. I hope the guys in Mae were able to catch at least a little rest before the show tonight. It will probably be starting soon.

As for me, I had a wonderful day yesterday. I hope you did, too, whereever you are.

--Melanie

P.S. As soon as I can clear enough space on my hard drive, I will add photos.

The problem with relationships is that they involve people?

While I ponder how best to recap this evening's concert with Mae, I thought I'd post something I wrote for my myspace blog:

Every now and again I get the urge to "discuss" relationships on my blog. Lucky for you, today is one of those days. ;)

My spouse and I have been married almost 32 years, and when I mention this fact to others it nearly always seems to elicit expressions of amazement. Sometimes it does seem like we’ve survived each other this long against all odds. I like being around people, and if I’m not then I’m on the computer communicating in some way, shape or form and/or listening to music or reading. I’m a very people-oriented person. My husband hates crowds and avoids them whenever possible. He would rather sit in front of the tv with his remote. If he wants, he can fall asleep to the noise and no one cares. He would be happy living in a remote corner of the world with no one to bother him. I like touching, hugs and physical expression. He is more aloof. He is very mechanically-oriented. I clearly don’t share that gift. I am bad about forgetting and misplacing things. He rarely does (although that’s changing in recent years - breaks my heart. LOL) In many ways, we are total opposites, yet we manage to work things out. For one thing, I don’t think anyone else would put up with him (and vice versa, if the truth be told.) There is every reason that our relationship should not have worked. Studies show that couples that live together fare more poorly than those that don’t and we lived together 11 months before getting married. Stats also show that couples that know each other 3-5 years have the most successful marriages - more than 5 years and the stats look a little bleaker as more than 5 years is generally an indication of committment issues. Obviously there are exceptions and we are proof of that. My husband and I knew each other barely over a year before we tied the knot. So, why are we still here?

It seems to me that those who have difficulty with relationships often fall into one of several camps. Some people want a relationship so bad that they will fall hard for anyone that seems to fit the bill, and when it isn’t healthy they will try to make it work just the same. They will even try to remake the person if that’s what it takes. So, they go from one bad relationship to another. They fall for what seems romantic or good to them at the time and never stop to think about what they really have to give to a relationship nor do they pay attention to warning flags.

The other extreme is a fear to commit at all. Sometimes people just have unrealistic expectations. They are waiting for their "perfect" partner. What if I "settle" for this person and "that" person is out there? The problem is that there is no such thing as perfect when people are involved. You cannot base a relationship totally on anyone else’s model completely as no two people (and consequently no two couples) are exactly alike.

Most of us have seen people with a seemingly perfect relationship and it’s hard not to want what they have. But if you know someone with a good relationship, and you really stop to take a look, you will see that they have that good relationship because they actually work at it. Yes, relationships are work!! They cannot be neglected and survive well. I would also maintain that no matter how close you think you are to another couple, I can guarantee that you don’t know everything about them or their relationshp. It might actually be kinda creepy if you did. ;)

What it boils down to is that some people just have unrealistic expectations. If you spend your time looking for the relationship someone else has, you will never find it. If you look for someone who is exactly "perfect" you will be looking a long time. Any two people can make a relationship or marriage work IF they both want to. What it really takes is committment. My pastor once said that a person was ready for that committment when they could think about someone besides themselves. And I believe he was exactly right.

Is it love without risk? Absolutely not! But few things worth having come too easy. There is an old saw that goes, "It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Whoever first coined that phrase was wise indeed. The person who avoids love to avoid pain never gets to experience the best part of living.

So, I’m looking at 32 years of marriage, with all of it’s ups and downs, and I can honestly say I’m glad I haven’t spent it alone. My husband and I are both so far from perfect it’s laughable. But we are committed (perhaps in more ways than one?) and love follows. It’s hard to truly imagine being with anyone else who knows me like he does and I hope he feels the same. If not, well, I love him anyway. ;) LOL

I’d say here’s to 32 more years, but still trying to decide if I want to be THAT old. LOL

Love, peace and God’s blessings,

Melanie

Thursday, April 03, 2008

A Fine Frenzy

I had put in to take leave for April 1 to see A Fine Frenzy. I still didn't have my ticket yet even the day before as my leave calendar hadn't been returned to me. As it turned out, the day was approved. I had intended to work 1/2 day during the day shift and only ask for 4 hours off, but my supervisor said it wasn't a denied day and I could take the whole 8 hours off if I wanted to. Since I had a migraine and thought sleep might do me some good, I figured I'd go for broke and take off the entire day. I had spoken with the promoter on Saturday and she didn't think I'd have a problem getting tickets and going by past experience at The Avalon, I left about an hour later than normal, which worked out well. I was still the first one there and just watched people come and go for quite a while even making a trek across the street for some hot chammomile tea.

There was someone outside putting a small window in an office part of the venue that was obviously being remodeled. Then someone came out and painted a part of the outside of the building. I listened to my Zune a little bit until I noticed the battery was low. I wanted to save it in case anyone wanted to hear Mae, or Eisley as I was telling people about those two shows.

After the usual long wait, it was finally time to enter the venue. I was able to get a pretty decent spot just in front of the piano and I figured I'd be able to see Alison (of A Fine Frenzy) reasonably well.

Before Alison came out to sing there were two opening acts. The first was John (and I can't seem to recall the last name at this point) and I think he had a rather nice voice. The gal next to me didn't like that he only "sang two words at a time" but I didn't notice. I was able to get a few good snaps of him.



Then Buddy came out to sing next (no last name given, must "Buddy") and he sang and at the end played a small bit of harmonica.



Then there was a long break where no one was on stage, or setting up - at least that could be seen. Finally the stage was set and Alison and company made their appearance. By that time the venue was beginning to look a bit full. Alison was very cute, smiled a lot, chatted a little between songs and sang sweet melodies. At one point she did a cover of "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" and it was absolutely breathtaking. It gave me chills. After her set ended Alison left the stage, but she didn't make us work too hard for an encore and she was back on the stage with a big smile. She then proceded to do a fairly long encore, including a cover of the Beatles song, "Across the Universe" and everyone was encouraged to sing along.
It was rather nice to be in a concert that was a bit mellower since the usual can-of-sardines, everyone push to the front mentality just wasn't happening there.





After the end of the show, Alison said she would meet everyone at the back. And she was true to her word. She didn't rush anyone, signed autographs and took pictures. She also autographed the cd I purchased and asked if she should address it to Melanie, but I told her signing it would be just fine.
The road manager took a pic of us and as I was walking over to where Alison was, I missed a step and almost fell. Alison kept asking if I was alright and seemed very concerned. I assured her I was fine, just clumsy and she said, "Me, too." We are probably not in the same league on that one, but she was so sweet. :)
Then I headed out the door and prepared myself for the ride home.

Except for the migraine, it was a good day - overall quite relaxing with beautiful music. What more can one ask for?




On the way back I stopped and Sarah Kelly's new cd was in my box. Another great music day. :)