Practice makes perfect

He's filling the house with music.

Granted, it's Yankee Doodle and Rockin Robin.

He's such a rock star

 

Elijah has left the building....

Church in Africa

We went to tent services at night as well as Sunday morning service at the church where we stayed. During the worship hour(s) The young people would get into groups and take turns up front in a sort of African line dancing.

It was beyond cool.







On Sunday service every nearby village had a choir and we were treated to a performance by each. Wow. Of course I expected the music to be awesome but I was literally brought to tears by the sound of their voices. There is a quality to the voice of Africa that is wise, haunting, beautiful, and not like anything else I've ever heard. Unfortunately I never did figure out how to get my camera into video mode which I'm still kicking myself for because I never want to forget that sound. God may have created a dry and harsh land in Africa but He gave the people the gift of music and when you're standing in the middle of a hot and dusty tent listening to that sound I'm pretty sure it's a sample of what heaven will be like.

U2

My big brother bought "Rattle and Hum" for me when I was probably 10 or 11. My folks were still monitoring what I listened to pretty closely so a lot of easy listening and Christian music at that point except for the New Edition and Madonna cassette tapes I'd been given from neighborhood girls. Anyway, it was love at first listen. I will always be grateful to him for introducing me to something other than pop music and giving me the chance to appreciate the talent of a guitarist like The Edge. Bono's voice sang the soundtrack of my life for many years to come. Seeing U2 live has been on my bucket list for a while but with tickets selling out in seconds and then being hawked for outrageous prices on ebay I had given up that dream. Someone at work had two extra tickets to the show in Oakland that was postponed two years ago...I jumped at the chance.

They did not disappoint.

We had general admission tickets so...no seats. I was a tad leery about standing for who knows how many hours (I'm not in my 20's anymore) but for U2 I would deal with the pain. There were plenty of songs I didn't know because I haven't purchased any of their newer albums but I'm now inspired to do so. That voice. Several times during the show I just closed my eyes and let his voice surround me and it felt like home. That voice sang to me for countless hours through my Walkman on long family trips. The set list was a nice mix of old and new so as soon as I started to notice my back hurting and my neck getting stiff from straining a favorite song would start up and I was dancing and singing and forgetting every ache.

I didn't take my nice camera, I wanted hands and arms free to dance and clap. My point n shoot seriously needs to be replaced but the night was captured enough to keep the memory of a wonderful night fresh.

34th Bday

Yesterday was my 34th birthday. After a seriously yummy Italian dinner with family I met up with some great friends at Harlow's to see Ra Ra Riot perform. So fun. I'm wiped out. I sure can't snap back from a late night out like that like I could in my 20's, but it was worth it. :)
































Thanks everyone that made it out to celebrate. I had a blast! XOXO!

Smashing Pumpkins

So I FINALLY got to see some live music! I will admit I miss the freedom to attend a bunch of summer tours. This summer I waited and waited for the right band that wasn't touring with some huge two day festival, close to town, on a date friends were free to join me and I could get a sitter. All the stars lined up and I was able to go see Smashing Pumpkins last night at the Crest.

First of all the Crest: You really couldn't ask for a better venue. Historic building from the 1940's that's been restored to absolute perfection. It's a small venue so the intimate setting is great for any concert.

SP put on an amazing show. Of course I was a little disappointed when I heard that Billy Corgan was the only OG member of the band that would be on stage, but it didn't matter one bit. He may have his quirks but none of them interfere with his ability to make music and surround himself with crazy talent. His voice is haunting and unique, he is a crazy good front man...the show was beyond my expectations and finally scratched my itch for a GOOD LIVE SHOW!