Day 2 of the Big Week: Hallucination Begins

Tuesday: I walk into a coffee shop and swear I spot Ryan Adams sitting at a table, reading a book. Alas, it is not him.

But seriously, this guy had the same haircut, same build, but was most likely lacking the lyrical talent.

Here's a photo from the Vancouver show a few nights ago. Oh, how I love him.

Day 1 of the Big Week: Free Tickets to Patty

Today, we began what I have been anticipating to be an epic week (see below for details). After working all day and taking a short nap, about 8 girls and I hiked up to Chautauqua Park, which is at the base of the Flatirons -- just a few blocks from my house. We got there early, claimed our spot on the grass (it's free if you sit outside the amphitheater), and waited for Patty Griffin to charm us with her class and sweet, sweet songs. Just minutes before she took the stage, I spotted my dear friends Gregory (one of my most favorite musicians and people, in general), Orien, and Sarah. Greg, being the kind soul that he is, offered two extra tickets to me -- both of which were for seats in the 8th row, center. Since it's Shauna's birthday week, the two of us took the tickets and ran in.

The show was fantastic -- even better than the first time I saw her at the Boulder Theater. She played most of my favorite songs -- Long Ride Home, Trapeze, Be Careful, and Wishing Well, and many others as well.

Strangely, in the seat next to me was an adorable three-year-old little boy named Tig, who thoroughly enjoyed the show but informed me that he wished it was louder and faster. Also, he periodically rubbed my arm (guess he thought my shirt felt soft) and entertained me with his mad air drum and guitar skills. Not sure that I've ever seen a child this young at a concert--especially one like Patty's--but I thought it was fantastic that his mother wanted to expose him to great music at such a young age.

So thanks to Greg for the free tickets! If we keep going at this rate, Ryan and I will definitely be making silly faces for the camera on Thursday!

big week ahead

This is the week I've been waiting for. Finally, after years of patiently awaiting his arrival in my general vicinity, Ryan Adams will play not one, but two shows within an hour of me. Actually, one show is just three blocks away from my house. The other is at Red Rocks. How incredibly cool is that?

You need to understand that I've become downright obsessed with the man. I absolutely cannot stop listening to his music, and a few nights ago, my obsession reached an entirely new level when he showed up in a dream.

Here's what happened:

I was at his show at The Fox (the theater near my house). Suddenly, he makes some comment to me, and addresses me by my full name. Shocked but flattered by his recognition of me, I start talking to him. After a few moments of conversation, he addresses the crowd, notifying them that he will be taking a five-minute break so he can talk to me. He gives me a hug, and then I ask if we can get a photo together. He kindly obliges, and then I ask him, "Can we make silly faces?"

I woke up really happy and amused -- but a little embarrassed. (I'm guessing that this dream was prompted by this incident.)

As for the rest of the week . . . here's the schedule:
Monday: Watch Patty Griffin perform live at Chautauqua Park -- also just a few blocks fro me.
Tuesday: Recover from an amazing show at Chautauqua.
Wednesday: Practice making silly faces in front of the mirror for my photo with Ryan.
Thursday: Ryan Adams at The Fox.
Friday: Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams at Red Rocks.
Saturday: Shauna's birthday party!

Should be a great one!

we got stars though

On nights like this, I think of a couple of lines from one of my favorite movies, Elizabethtown:

Drew Baylor: Beautiful night. Does it ever cool off?
Jesse Baylor: No, this time of year it's hotter than the hinges of hell . . .we got stars though.

Okay, so lately, it has been cooling off at night -- but not in my apartment. I swear it's over 100 degrees up there. You know it's too hot when you find yourself taking cold showers before bed and periodically dumping glasses of water over yourself while lying in bed in the middle of the night. Basically, until I absolutely have to melt into bed, I sit on my front porch and try to dwell on the joy of staring at the beautiful starry sky and the glow of the moon -- and that I don't have to wear a jacket to do so. I'm seriously considering sleeping in our hammock or purchasing a tent and making it my evening home.

Tonight I'm enjoying the gorgeous harmonies of husband and wife duo, Buddy and Julie Miller. Really amazing stuff. Over the past couple of years, while living in Colorado, music has been such a prevalent source of inspiration, comfort, and really, life, for me. I've tried to put my finger on what it is about music that I actually love so much, and I haven't been able to do so. Maybe I never will. But I often think about David playing for Saul and how it calmed his soul, and I find solace in knowing that I'm not the only one in the history of the world to be mystified by this phenomenon.

Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing one of the most epic shows in the history of rock and roll (or at least I like to think it must have been): My Morning Jacket and Bob Dylan at Red Rocks. Pretty sure The Jacket caused those gigantic boulders to move at least a few inches out of pure shock and amazement, and Dylan . . . What can I say? It's Bob Dylan! The man is 66 years old and still exudes coolness. Though Aubrea and I could make out only 5% of his words because of his notorious mumbling, we were still in awe of the mere presence of the man.

The venue was full, the rain poured on us--for just a little while (pretty sure Bob called it off), and there was quite an amazing lightning show off in the distance in between the two sets. Dylan hadn't played at the historic venue in over 20 years. Apparently, the last time, Tom Petty opened for him. What a show that would have been! Really, I'm not sure what else to say about it, except that it was an incredible experience to see one of the few living rock and roll legends rock out in such a beautiful setting with one of my best friends. MMJ mostly played songs from their album Z, and Dylan played the following songs (in case you were wondering):

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. When I Paint My Masterpiece
3. Watching the River Flow
4. Workingman's Blues #2
5. Rollin' and Tumblin'
6. Every Grain of Sand
7. Cry A While
8. Spirit on the Water
9. Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead cover)
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Shooting Star
12. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
13. Nettie Moore
14. Summer Days
15. Masters of Wars

(encore)
16. Thunder on the Mountain
17. Blowin' in the Wind

You can read another review by clicking here.

once

See this movie:



And listen to its soundtrack: click.

photo booth fun

What happens when Shauna and I find a photo booth . . .

lomography

A few months ago, I bought a Lomographic fisheye camera, and then for my birthday last month, Shauna bought me the Lomo action sampler.

Here are some photos that I've taken with the two::
(click to enlarge)

rucksack revolution

Well, it's about time for anohter good ol' Jack Kerouac quote. I found this one the other day, and I liked it. Oh, and if you're wondering what a "rucksack" is, it's the British term for a backpack . . .

"I see a vision of a great rucksack revolution thousands or even millions of young Americans wandering around with rucksacks, going up to mountains to pray, making children laugh and old men glad, making young girls happy and old girls happier, all of 'em Zen Lunatics who go about writing poems that happen to appear in their heads for no reason and also by being kind and also by strange unexpected acts keep giving visions of eternal freedom to everybody and to all living creatures..."

citizenship test

One of my co-workers sent this link to me this morning: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19552808/

Find out if you could pass the citizenship test . . .

As for me, well, let's just say that I'd still be trying to make my way in, if I were to take it today. Apparently I need to brush up on my American history.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you'll be joining me on the oustskirts of America.

photos

Click here to see more photos from andy and tara's wedding.