Thursday, July 31, 2008
So, hm. John Mayer
Good news! Internet working! Landoverlord installed or plugged in or whatever the wireless router thing. My computer is a little slower than it was, but I am so not complaining.
Anyway.
I've been wanting to write about this for a little while now, so here it is.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to see John Mayer.
I went for two reasons (and ONLY two reasons). 1) it was a favor to Tonya. She had tickets, and no one else wanted to go, so I went. Sometimes, I'm a sucker. 2) Colbie Calait was opening. Now, I generally don't like female singers at all, but I have her cd, and I like every song on it, so I wanted to see if she can bring it live.
She totally can. I was even more impressed with her live than I was with the cd. She's got a groovy husky voice going on, and she's all of like 19 years old or something. Girl needs to eat a sandwich or twenty, but we'll forgive her.
Now. John Mayer.
First, the bad. He has a stroke face when he sings. Like, big time. Like, all the time. However, I think he knows it. He said something about not being a concert singer, I think that's what he meant. So, I admit, I giggled more than a few times at his weird facial contortions. Also, when he played those awful over-played radio song I groaned, whined, and sank down in my chair, practically to the floor. Dude, the world is not going to change just because you said so. Take a happy pill. Stop whining. Shit.
Now for the surprising good.
Boy can play a guitar. For real. There were times during the show when he would practically just sit down on the stage and start playing the blues. In those magical moments it was like no one else was there but him and his guitar. He would concentrate, like he was thinking 'what can I make this thing do' and he would just play and play. If he had kept he strokey mouth shut more and played more guitar, I'd have liked it even more.
He DIDN'T play "your body is a wonderland". Big bonus points for that. He took an audience vote, and actually listened to the crowd. Didn't play it. Big plus.
He played four covers. This impressed me because he has an extensive lyrical library of his own, yet maybe even he gets sick of his own songs. He opened with "Sweet home Chicago" - not original, but well played. About 1/4 of the way through he played "Free Falling" it was a unique twist on a song I already loved, so cool. A while after that "Crossroads" - blues, perfect, he owned it, telling you the man should switch to all blues (ok, with a few ballads thrown in, I am a girl after all.) The first song of the encore was "Panama" during which JM played his Van Halen red and white authentic, and one of his band members was singing - this was Fantastic. Until. Until the dumb bitch hussies in front of us looked around confused and one of them said "Who's Pamela?" I shit you not. I wanted to hit her just for that.
Another big big plus (that, or I'm going soft) is when he appreciated the crowd, which he did a lot, I really felt like he meant it. Not a gee-whiz look at me, now I'm going to go backstage and say how fackin stupid people are, but a real and actual appreciation that he gets to do what he loves and that other people dig it. I really think he was sincere, and he spoke earnestly.
Plus - he had no shirt on for the encore. Kudos, Jen, the man is ripped.
He closed the show with "Say what you need to say" which is a big theme song in my life right now. I am a huge music lover, and also a devourer of lyrics. This song matters to me. It made me actually contact M&B, instead of just thinking about it. It makes me tell my parents I love them a lot more than I did before. It's making me think about telling a lot of people a lot of things. Plus, I sound g o o d singing along with this one.
Maybe next week
Last night I purchased a wireless router. I walked into the local chain store that rhymes with Test Guy. I went to the computer section, and showed nerdy nerd the text from super awesome step-bro that said Linksys somethin-or-other. I said "Please?". Nerdy nerd puffed up his scrawny chest and walked my damsel in distress ass over to the right thing-a-ma-jig. It was on sale. SO. I know own a wireless router. It's in it's box. In a bag. On my kitchen table. This thing will someday give me back my internet. This thing will someday give me back my blog. We wait.
This weekend AG and MenD will be in town. I'm pretty darn excited. Charlie, however, is not so sure about sharing his space. They'll both be sleeping in "his" room.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Bad news Monday
So, the evil landpeople said "Absolutely no way" will I have internet this week. Which means maybe never.
I refuse to write this blog on their computer, or anyone else's. That's not how I roll.
I do have to take MenD to Starbucks so he can go online this weekend. Perhaps then.
Until then.....
Big fackin' sigh.
Still.....or again....who knows
SO, still or again, no facking internet at home.
Quick recap of my second weekend in the NOrth Woods. It's all about the wildlife. We saw:
A bald eagle (AWESOME!!)
A skunk
A porcupine (we saved it's life. It was the cutest non-cartoon animal EVER)
A pair of loons (the real kind, not freaky people)
A kingfisher (I'm usually not a bird fan, but this thing was TheAwesome!)
Ok, I'm off to harrass and whine at my landtyrants for the millionth facking time. Sigh.
AG and MenD are coming to Chicago to tear up the town with me, Shannon, and TheMarty this weekend. Chicago can't handle the truth.
*Revision: I did NOT see a kingfisher. I saw a Blue Heron (or Herring) it was huge and still TheAwesome!
**Still no internet at home.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Back to the Woods
My internet at home is not working. A G A I N.
I intended to write a post about the John Mayer concert I went to. I intend to still do that. Hopefully next week.
I am going back up to Wisconsin in a few hours. Another 6 hour drive. Should be a good trip, just not looking forward to getting back in a car for that long. Tonya did say I get 5 vetos for songs. That should help.
Instead of posting the list of songs on the Best of Cheese CD, I've decided that will be the next Name that Tune game. There will be prizes. Just ask BP, Brando and Zelmo about my prize giving abilities.
Have a great weekend.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
So I slept under a strange man for three nights
Our trip to TheMarty's beautiful North Woods cabin was incredibly perfect and fantastic.
The theme sone for the weekend for me was "Sailing" by Christopher Cross.
There were many games played: Charades - my favorite one that I got was Man Boobs, and my favorite of all was Daisy Chain - Yahtzee, Hoopla, Catch Phrase (during which I was named "flinchy". This game got heated. Team Wang is a bunch of fierce competitors), and a fun game called Munchkin Fu (which kept us up on the last night until 2:30 am and we got about four hours of sleep before heading home).
I go-go danced on the boat to a song that Hil picked out just for that purpose. We were in the middle of a lovely lake when I did it.
TheMarty peed off the back of the boat. All of the sudden we hear him say "No! Don't look back!" He was talking to the poor sweet old lady that he was in the process of showing his junk too. She should have never looked back, I blame her.
I did indeed sleep under a strange man. Or a normal(ish) man who was a stranger. In A Bunk Bed. (Dirty. Your minds are all drrrrty.) Eric is his name and he is awesome. I also heart my other roomates Lauren and Greg. A lot. Not one of them ever mentioned my snoring.
Hil and Dave are extremely fun people. I would have totally hid in their luggage and let them spirit me away to live with them in Boston.
I already miss my new friends from Boston. Slow single tear.
A moment of silence for the lovely bottle of Petron that was sacrificed for our complete and total merriment. MMmmmmm.
Leinenkugel's, Coronas, Freedom drinks, Heineken's, 3 Buck Chuck, Stoli cranberry and Bacardi kept us hydrated from noonish until bedtime every day. I think my liver is tired.
Any trip in which "A dingo ate your baby" is a catch phrase is an awesome trip.
I've learned to never 'take it outside' with someone I don't know. Who knew Dave had wrestled in school? Oh, that's right - everyone did but me. I got one hell of a spanking.
"HellNight" is a fantastically bad horror movie. Linda Blair is in it.
I haven't laughed so much and so long probably ever.
So, since we didn't get those cheesy plastic covered autograph books for everyone to sign, I'm taking a moment to send shouts out to my fellow Wisconsin travelers:
THeMarty: He invited me along on this special trip, and was a wonderful host. He loves it there, and really wanted to share it all with everyone, which was awesome.
Shannon: A fantastic cook, marathon driver, and keeper of my best stories and secrets. Like the palm-reader said about 8 1/2 years ago, we were meant to know each other, and be important in each other's lives.
Dave: Funny as hell. Kicked my ass. Also the only other person I know who has seen and appreciated "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" (best murderous go-go dancer movie EVEH)
Hilary: A kindred spirit. Whip smart and lightning quick with the comebacks. Most contagious awesome laugh.
Lauren: Owner of the cutest t-shirts I've seen in a long time. Wicked awesome hair (I'd kill for hair like that). Funny and smart - knows more about books and authors than anyone I know.
Greg: I wouldn't want to start a fire with anyone else. Has great taste in music and is awesomely chill.
Eric (my bunkmate): Quick with fantastic one-liners, very entertaining. Wears a broken straw hat with mad style.
There was much mirth, mayhem and shenanigans. I speak in generalities as whatever happens in Three Lakes should probably stay in Three Lakes.
I am totally inviting myself on Shannon and TheMarty's trip to see them all in October.
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