Just got home from the Luke Bryan concert with Mal. What an awesome night!!! We met at a shopping mall about halfway between her house and my house, and a direct shot to Pechanga Casino.
We were running a little later than planned, but still hit up the buffet. Thursday they have a special where it is only $7. We were worried everyone would be taking advantage, but they weren't. We got right in and seated. There was all types of cuisine. There was ziti, prime rib, mac and cheese, enchiladas, empanadas, and tons and tons of desserts.
After eating we made our way to the theater for the show. The theater was really nice- much nicer than the venue at Casino Morongo. We had fun sitting in our seat and chatting about family, work, and taking facebook photos. We had perfect seats in row p.
Jewel performed first. She had a cute, almost ditzy, yet still intelligent side to her. Her voice was amaaazing. She opened with somewhere Over the Rainbow. I tend to think Jewel and that whiney folk singer. She was much better. Some of her stuff I wasn't in to, but she was pretty good, and not as whiney as on her CDs.
Next came Mr. Luke Bryan. We were both standing and singing (only because 5 really tall girls stood in front of us). We were singing along to "All My Friends Say," "Do I," "Doin' My Thing," "Fishin in the Dark," "Play Something Country," and "We Rode in Trucks." We were bumping, grinding, and all sorts of stuff on each other. Fun times! She isn't as big of a Luke fan as I am, but she was along for the Jewel portion of the show, and stayed around for that... haha.
Such a good show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and then after, usually everyone is in such a hurry to leave the show. Lots of people started crowding the stage and Luke seemed in no hurry to leave. He started from the far left and worked his way over to the far right signing autographs. Yep, yours truly got his autograph on his ticket. Too bad my ticket was a big crumpled 8x11'' paper, but that's ok. Oh, and I got close up pics.
We both agreed $5 was our gambling limit- that was all I had in my wallet. I put $5 in a penny slot. I won $.60 on a penny machine, then played 2 more tries and was down to $4.80. Then I spun again and got some genie or something who 18x'd what you won, or some really odd high number like that. Next thing I know I have $35.40. I played 1 more spin and cashed out since I lost. $35.40 was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!! Mal got $9.90, so we were both winners.
And the winnings more than paid for my night: Concert ticket: $20.00 Buffet ticket: $7.00 Tip: $2.00 =$29.00
Got caught up on Tivo with my bf the other night and I couldn't help but notice how Ellen is like a giant promotion for groupon and Tide. That is all she seems to talk about- like "As the Tide Turns?" Giant ad for Tide cleverly disguised.
But the good thing about this one was I saw Luke Bryan's chest, and well, it was hot!
I'm so lucky I've got to go to so many concerts this year... Dolly, Cher/Cyndi, Reba...
Coming up next month we are going to go see Jennifer Nettles. She's country with a little rock mixed in.
I WILL NOT miss Chris Cagle when he comes into my area in November. I have missed him 3-4 times. It looks like I'll be going to this concert alone as he's too twangy for my partner.
And I want to go see Luke Bryan badly at the Hollywood Bowl. Those tickets sold out FAST - I didn't even have a moment to get my hands on them. My partner and I want to go with our favorite bartender from our favorite restaurant. She's in love with him, as am I. We just don't want to pay $125+ for seats in the last few rows. Luke Bryan and an outdoor picnic with wine under the LA sky would be so amazing.
I was thinking about the top concerts I had been to the other night after discussing the recent Reba and Dolly concert with Mike.
Here's a recap of some of my favorite concerts, and my list of the best concerts I attended:
1. Adele - so intimate, and great seats
2. Dolly Parton - such a fun personality
3. Montgomery Gentry - what ruckus, and belting out every song
4. Faith Hill at Hollywood Bowl - the philharmonic behind her was great
5. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw - I got to say I saw Soul2Soul
6. Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum opener - LadyA did great and Tim is just sexy
7. Luke Bryan and Jewel - So intimate and personal, plus I got Luke Bryan's autograph... he's sexy
8. Sugarland - Seen them multiple times in concert
9. Lady Gaga - With a good blogger friend, first major concert for a big act. So glad I got to see her
10. Frankie Valli - He's always good
11. Reba - She had lots of songs and stories
12. Pat Benatar/REO Speedwagon - Outdoor at the Hollywood Bowl :)
13. Beach Boys - Cali Boys... 'nuff said
14. The Turtles/Creedence Clearwater - They don't have the voices they used to
15. Easton Corbin KKGO - Easton was great
15 hour days suck. Up by 7:30, head to gym, run errands, do things around the house. Work and then to visit my mom who is in the hospital. She's been in hospital for past week with her 2nd hip replacement. She isn't making a great recovery - this was much more invasive the 2nd time around. She's in a rehab center right now. Arrive home about 10:30 each night.
I did get to see Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan, and Lee Brice in concert. Lee Brice pleasantly surprised me. I loved those pants Luke Bryan had that showed everything. I could see his red waistband to his underwear at many points, which was totally hot. Went with our favorite bartender.
Sold my iPad. Decided I never use it. Didn't get much.
Had my formal observation nat work today. Think it went well.
Spent the weekend out in Palm Desert which was nice.
Was about to buy some personal training sessions at the gym, but they require you to sign up for a year at $45 a session. I negotiated it down to $30, but then they wanted to add a $200 initiation fee, and well, screw them. I wanted some motivation to lose a few pounds and tone my chest. Maybe get back into my 29s. I had been making pretty good progress.
You know what bothers me about jeans? I am wearing Levis 559s right now. I liked the 514s, but they started making them differently or something, or maybe my package got bigger. I hate jeans that squeeze my package, and I felt that's what they were doing.
Hopng for tons of rain. Soon. Hopefully.
No plans for Halloween. Will dress up at the house.
With Dennis... should be an interesting trip. He has already vetoed listening to my 25 most played songs on my iPod. We have this trip planned to every last detail including music. So here's what we won't be hearing because it is too much country, too much awful pop music, and just bad stuff...
Right as Rain- Adele
Little Red Rodeo- Collin Raye (I like the Phil Vassar version, and that's what I have on my iPod)
He's So Fine- The Chiffons
The Greatest Man I Never Knew- Reba McEntire A Voice Still Rings True- Keith Whitley Grace Kelly- Mika S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)- Jordin Sparks She Wolf- Shakira Haven't Met You Yet- Michael Bublé One Voice- Billy Gilman My Boyfriend's Back- The Angels For You- Manfred Mann's Earth Band Human Nature- Michael Jackson Pas de Chaval- Panic at the Disco Everyone Once in a While- Blackhawk If U Seek Amy- Britney Spears Crush- David Archuleta Let Me Let Go- Faith Hill Doin' My Thing- Luke Bryan Little Red Rodeo- Phil Vassar Si Yo Fuera Un Chico- Beyoncé I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No- Blackhawk He's So Fine- The Chiffons Different Drum- Linda Ronstadt Be True to Your School- Beach Boys Paparazzi- Lady Gaga Right As Rain- Adele Notion- Kings of Leon
The Angels- My Boyfriend's Back
Pas de Cheval- Panic! At the Disco
We will be listening to KOLA 99.9 for classics and KKLZ 96.3 in Vegas. Dennis is also a radio fan like me.
Dennis is driving. I was planning on it, but he offered, and well, I let him. I am not sure how I feel about that. I don't get to control the radio for a change. The rule in my car is if I drive I get the radio- we'll be in his big SUV, though. Also, being the control freak I am I am paranoid sitting in the passenger seat, not having my hand on the radio or steering wheel. I am bringing books and my computer and stuff to occupy my time. I was thinking this morning I have never been on a trip with friends where I have not driven. The same also holds true for most family outings- I drive- I have since I got my license.
Ian over at Mind of Mine tagged me to do this meme, so here it is. If you're a fellow blogger, feel free to do this too.
5. iPhone What can't you do with this thing? Guitar Hero; Beejive instant messenger that allows you to use all instant message platforms; Grindr to search for guys; the ability to view Word/Excel/Powerpoint documents, and apps to let you edit them. What more do you need? I use my phone for everything- play games, call, text, a calendar, maps, translate text, email, browse the web. It effectively combines so many parts of my life.
Oh, and having an iPhone is bragging rights/a status symbol.
4. Music Pop, country, rock, oldies, old school, it is all good. Beach Boys, Beatles, Sugarland, LeAnn Wommack, Lady Gaga, Maná, The Police, Sting, The Ronettes, Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, The Ramones, No Doubt, The Dixie Chicks, Duran Duran, Faith Hill, Elvis, Billy Joel, Prince, Garth, George Strait, The Killers, Toto, U2, and so many more. So many different genres.
So many songs about just about anything you can imagine. Do you ever have those moments where you say, "gee, I can't believe someone wrote a song about that?"
So many sounds, instruments, great voices, guitar, and harmonies. Sting and his use of the sitar? The Beatles also used the sitar in songs like "Norwegian Wood." Both are examples of Ravi Shankar, and his influence on western recordings. Oh, and if you didn't notice I'm a musical trivia buff.
Speaking of music I am going to go see Jewel and Luke Bryan with a teacher from school next month. Trying to convince this teacher to go see Pat Benatar with me next week, but she says the tickets are too expensive.
2 songs that have been stuck in my head all day...
Gonzo says I'm definitely Mexican when I like the old school like the song below.
3. Internet A tool so effective at onnecting me with friends, family, great shopping, how-to guides, and something that can answer just about any question I seem to have, what more is there to say? I learn so much just surfing the web.
2. Traveling I love going places, traveling, seeing new things, and trying new foods. I want so badly to visit Egypt and México. I love exploring even in the United States. I'm hoping to visit Florida this summer to get to experience Disney World. Always keeping my eye on travel specials at southwest.com.
There is so much to explore even in the area around me that I haven't. I don't get to the mountains nearly enough. There's museums, plays, outdoor hiking and biking trails, and places to go. I still need to cross the Griffith Observatory off my list. There is tons to do in LA, San Diego, and more that I've yet to see. I have been to Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and East LA, but have yet to explore Little Armenia. I really want to try this one Saturday or Sunday. Gonzo and Darla want to go with me- we are just trying to pick a day.
1. Food I enjoy cooking and trying new foods. I love making quick, delicious food. I like to cook with chicken because it is so versatile. There are so many spices that can add to cooking. My philosophy is the more onions, cheese and garlic the better. There are so many different cuisines to try. Eating out or dining in is fun.
Mexican food is among my favorite cuisine, pero no la cocino bien (it's among my favorites, but I don't cook it well.) My explanation for that is I haven't really tried. I tend to go the easy route when it comes to Mexican- cook up some carnitas from Trader Joes, etc. It is one of my goals in the near future to tackle Mexican food, explore even the basics like tacos. My mom has her trusty recipe, and I like it a lot, but part of the pleasure I get from food is experimenting and trying my own creations.
This weekend has been one of those nonstop weekends that I love.
Friday at work during lunch I was playing around on facebook on my phone and I posted a status message on facebook about wanting to go to a concert at Casino Morongo out in Cabazon. It was the free KKGO, GoCountry 105, Stagecoach preconcert. I got a message from Mal, the teacher I'm going to see Luke Bryan and Jewel with next month. She said if she could get a sitter she would go with me. I didn't get out of work until nearly 3. I get a call at 3:30 as I'm about 4 minutes from home and she said she'd meet me there at 5. I play around on the computer about 30 minutes, then head out to the desert. We met at the Serrano Buffet where we ate and chatted about all sorts of stuff- mainly work and school. Such a fun time!!! We decided we had to try our luck at slots. Mal was very conservative and spent $2. She lost it all. My limit was $10. I didn't know Morongo got rid of most of the penny machines. I lost $6 on 2 or 3 different penny machines I did find. I was sad, so went and found a 2 cent machine where my money could go twice as fast. In the first few spins I was up $16. I broke even. I gave up once I recouped my losses.
We got in line for the concert about 7:15 and the doors opened at 7:30. It was in the Vibe room. We made our way in and stood because it was mostly a standing room concert. We stood around and joked about needing a drink in our hand to be like everyone else. We never did get a drink. The concert started at 8. It was really 8:15 or so.
Mal was all over the first act, Emily West, she was all into her depressing songs and was "relatable," and totally cute. Seriously, I disagreed, and told Mal. I said Emily needed to comb her hair, use a tanning bed, and put on some clothes because that spaghetti strap showed a little too much. The second act was Steel Magnolias. The duo was cute and since it was a small venue were able to interact with the audience and tell us about themselves. Their song, "Keep on Loving You" is all over country radio, and was not my favorite, but they had a few others that weren't bad like "Ooh La La."
Now Easton Corbin was last, and they saved the best for last. He has a George Strait sounding voice, which totally melted me. He was young, cute, and totally do-able. I think with his voice and sound he'll be around for a while. My favorites of his were: "A Lot to Learn About Livin,'" "Don't Ask Me About a Woman," and "Roll With It." I went wild when he sang "A Little More Country Than That." He was sooooooo fine and his voice. He seemed a little overwhelmed by the whole thing, almost nervous, soooo cute.
Mal and I danced together, shook our hips, and other stuff all night long.
I kept telling Mal that one of the security people looked like my old barber when I was little. She laughed. I told her I was serious. He was a latino guy with a very distinctive haircut, and was very tall. I had seen this guy earlier and saw his name was Rudy, like my old barber. I was curious, went up and asked him, and sure enough it was. He remembered me. Was a little shocked I had grown so much (it had been 10 years or so), and remembered my dad. What are the chances- I was 35 miles or so from home- just goes to show I see people I know everywhere.
I guess this outing kind of sort of made up for not getting to go to Stagecoach to see Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, and all the others I was wanting to see.
We hugged and took off about 11:30. I got home at 12:10 or so and got to bed about 1.
I was up at 8 to do homework Saturday morning to finish it before going to Disneyland.
I met my cousins at Disneyland about 11:45. They had been there since 9. I hadn't been to Disneyland in nearly 2 years- probably June 2008 or longer ago. It was my 26 year old cousin, 12 year old cousin, 23 year old lesbian cousin and her girlfriend, her girlfriend's mom, her girlfriend's brother who was 13, and his friend. My 26yo cousin's boyfriend stayed home.
It is now $97 for a 1 day ticket to Disneyland. A basic annual pass was $169. I decided at that ridiculous price I'd go ahead and just get a basic pass that would allow me to go 170 preselected days to Disneyland. I added parking, so it was $230 or so, which was ridiculous. So um if anyone wants to go to Disneyland now, hit me up since I have an annual pass... haha
Lots of renovations under way at Disney- street cars being added to Cali Adventure, the water has been drained from River of the Americas, and a few buildings in New Orleans square being redone. Oh, and Captain EO was back. I remember Captain EO now after seeing it. I remember the captain scaring me as a child and screaming as she reached out with her claws. Scary stuff, but it brought back memories. Fun times.
Here's the Captain EO video- it is soooooooooooo much cooler in 3D, though. It's sooooo 80s... I love it!
Disney was very crowded as most lines were at least an hour. We got on Space Mountain first, and my date and riding buddy as she termed it for the day was the girlfriend's mom. We hugged and then got on Space Mountain. This lady was all about taking cute photos together. It was pretty amusing. She was like 50, very white trash, and no attraction. This lady was showing us her tattoos while we were in line for Matterhorn and telling us how her son didn't like them since his mom is supposed to be Christian. We got on 6 or 7 rides in a total of 12 hours. We ate at the Plaza Inn, and it'll be a long time before I eat there again. I despise Disney food. Anyways, the mom was an interesting character belching loud during dinner, eating green beans with her hands. Lots of stopping to take photos practically EVERYWHERE. My cousins are the photo type people who take pictures of anything and everything. We did, believe me. My cousins in total took about 500 photos they calculated. The 2 boys were constantly poking me and we played the poking game in most of the lines. I sensed they were looking at me kind of like they liked me. It was weird. They were cool, though.
It was crazy how many gay guys were at Disneyland on Grindr. For chat I assume (haha... yeah... right), cause unless you have a hotel, what are you going to do at Disneyland? I had chats going on with several guys during the day- one guy who worked there and was 26. He wanted to meet up since I drove alone after I left, and he messaged me on Grindr about 12:30a.m. as I was leaving, and said if he had a place we'd get together. I had 2-3 guys staying in a hotel room and invited me up. I had other random guys message me and ask me what ride I was on. Driving home I just kept Grindr open for the hell of it as I was cruising down the 91 and I had about 12 messages by the time I got home. One guy sent me 4-5 pics of him and his nice uncut dick, his location, and asked what I wanted to do.
We stayed until 12. I didn't get to my car until 12:30. It was 1:05 or so before I got home, and 1:30 before bed. I got up about 9.
Things are going ok here. I have just been busy with school. I have some stuff to report, so will do that.
- Hung out with my cousin and her friends Friday night to celebrate her birthday. Went to a Mexican food place for dinner, margaritas, then the amusement park nearby for laser tag. Fun times!!!
- Saturday afternoon was a big birthday party for everyone in my family who had a birthday between January and April. Olive Garden + vanilla cake with raspberry filling + time with family = FUN
- I did meet up with Matthew the other day- he is a teacher at a school in the area. We met up and ended up making out and jacking off a few years ago (probably 2 years ago). We reconnected on grindr recently and asked me if I wanted to come over on Sunday. We chatted, made out, jacked off, and sucked each other off. It was much more enjoyable this time around. Hopeful he may be a regular thing/something more will develop.
- I haven't had any dates or met any other guys. I feel at times like there are none, except the same 10 who are all on craigslist/grindr/connexion, and I'm not interested.
- Trying to get together for lunch or dinner with The Guy this week.
- Applied for a summer teaching job and will be notified if I made the cut this week
- Initially I was worried about school being a bit much to handle this quarter, but the classes have actually complemented each other and there is a lot of overlapping.
- Have to create a lesson plan roughly every week regarding a topic in English. Boring, tedious, but it is helping me by giving me sample lessons I could show when interviewing etc. for a teaching job.
- Still having awful allergy headaches. I had an acupuncture appointment today, but the doctor called in sick, so I got a call at 10:30 to reschedule. Have an appointment 3 weeks from now. My sinuses feel full. I am constantly itching, sneezing, taking my allergy meds, applying lotion.
- I have a serious dislike for Taylor Swift. WTF, does she have 4 or 5 singles out right now? KIIS 102.7, 1043 MYFM, KOST 103.5, GO COUNTRY 105, and KFROG 95.1 all insist on playing them. I can't be in the car and not hear a Taylor Swift song. She is not all that. Everytime I hear a song of hers I want to scream.
But I do like this song by Pearl Jam called "Just Breathe"
- I am going to go see Luke Bryan and Jewel with another teacher from school in May.
- I want to go see Pat Benatar Thursday night. $45 or so for a ticket.
Luke Bryan does a cover of One Republic's "Apologize." What do you think?
I heard this on the radio coming home from the gym the other night and didn't realize what it was. I had heard the song before. It was on the tip of my tongue as I was trying to figure out what it was. I was singing along as the song began... "you tell me that you want me, and then you go and cut me down, you tell me that you're sorry didn't think I'd cut you down," and then it hit me as he sang, and then hot damn, that sexy "apologize" came out of his mouth. He didn't have to apologize for anything. He's so yummy and the song was like vocal sex.
This year I plan/want to see the following: - Justin Moore (He's alright, but $12 ticket) - Luke Bryan- he was on KKGO 105.1 the other day saying he is trying to come back to Cali in the summer (want to go with my cousin and she said yes when he comes back to the area) - Pat Benatar in April (looking for someone to go with) - Stagecoach- Sugarland, Brooks & Dunn, Phil Vassar, Billy Currington, Toby Keith (looking for someone to go and cousin said no)
Well, few seemed to be a fan of Luke Bryan's cover of "ApologiZe," although I loved it. I do have to say I like to hear other artists cover other artists songs. Do you guys have any favorite? Maybe off of youtube?
Here's Pink doing "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Pink covering "Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin
Sugarland "Life in a Northern Town"
Leona Lewis covering Snow Patrol's "RuN"
Original Snow Patrol "Run"
Faith Hill covering Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - I saw her do this, this is her Hollywood Bowl concert I went to
Watching Project Runway. Sandhya is my fav this season.
Looking forward to a weekend getaway. Going to the fair and seeing Jennifer Nettles. Excited.
Hopefully meeting up with our friends J&B.
Currently dreaming of living in NYC one day. I need to make enough to eat out all the time, hang out at the bar, you get the idea.
I made the best Manhattan the other night. Pure deliciousness. And it was strong. Make a good Manhattan, and make me swoon. Oh, btw, daninokc, I know the best place to get a Manhattan in NYC. It's a must. I really want to get in to making custom cocktails. I made my own concoction with pineapple vodka, coconut water, and pear juice. Tasted like a margarita with probably a lot less calories. I am convinced I was a drunk in my past life.
I bought tickets to see my man Luke Bryan the other day. Invited my fav bartender along with Mike and I.
Tempted to sell my car. A coworker at my old school wants to buy my car, will pay top dollar. Mini Cooper as a replacement? Maybe. I doubt I will part with it. I really want an SUV, one that doesn't require gas. Tesla, hurry up, please.
Going to be getting a new boss at work. Not thrilled. I really like my current.
My sister may be getting married. That's the word from my mom. That threw me for a 180. WTF? That mess? Really?
Oh, and someone wake me up at 3am please. I need to buy my iPhone.
I want to go to more concerts this year because I never go. I do want and need to save my money however. I am trying to go and will go to one... at least... hopefully...
LeAnn Rimes will be performing Tuesday night at a theater near my house. It is $50 a ticket, though.
Montgomery Gentry will be playing in my area at a really small venue in March.
Keith Anderson and Luke Bryan (he's hot!) are going to be at House of Blues at Downtown Disney
There is of course Coachella. Really want to go to that...Trying to get Melha to go with me... $99 for a 1 day ticket, or $269 for the weekend Friday: Paul McCartney, Franz Ferdinand Saturday: The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Band of Horses, Drive-By Truckers, Sunday: The Cure, Peter Bjorn and Jon
In May we have Stagecoach, the country music festival, which is much more reasonably priced at $99 for the weekend Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Chris Cagle (I want to see him so badly in concert one day and have missed 3 opportunities), Darius Rucker (from Hootie and the Blowfish), Lady Antebellum, and the Zac Brown Band
I'm glad Coachella was thrown in the mix- I'm not as hick as I sound with all of those country artists. I listen to everything, though.
