Sunday, August 26, 2012

How I'll never be anything I hate


This was such a good show!  You know you love a band when after being a fan for many years, you go to a show, and you have a moment where you think "Oh my gosh, I really like ALL their songs.  Like ALL their songs."  That's when you know they must be very high on your list of favorite bands.  And they are still cool enough to play "Take Me Out" at their shows.  Because that's the jam, you know.  And my jam, This Fire, where I like to dance most crazy.  I had an amazing time.  They're really great to watch live.  Stage presence, energy, charisma, overall hotness, fun dance party.
  










Tuesday, August 21, 2012

It's the thing in life I regret the most, leaving you standing there


It's hard to find a new band that you really like.  It's even harder to find a new band's album that you really like.  Enter Tribes.  Their album, Baby, is so spot on amazing and beautiful.  I first heard "We Were Children".  Then, I fell in love with "In the Corner of an English Field".  Later, my sister told me about a song called "Sappho".  So, basically, we bought the album.  The actual CD.  Yeah, we're old school.  And I love the album.  "Whenever" is another favorite.  I could listen to Tribes any time, any day.  I was sad when I missed their LA show earlier this year.  But, they played a free show at the Bootleg Theater last week.  Cheers to hearing their gorgeous songs live.  Highly recommend.

And Army Navy opened, which was a plus.  I've been listening to them since Little Radio days.



















Thursday, August 16, 2012

Welcome to paradise


We got super lucky and got tickets to see Green Day at the Echoplex.  Finally!  This is my first time seeing them.  Weird, I know!  I'm pretty old, so I was listening to Dookie when I was a young teenager.  Everyone, literally everyone, knew all the words to Basketcase when I was in junior high.  I've been a long time fan.  Even their American Idiot album was really good.  I tried several times to see them, but tickets were always sold out before I could get to them.  It was just not meant to be.  And you know I hate big venues, once I tried to purchase tickets to a huge stadium, that was sold out as well.  Few years ago, I was leaving a show at Club Nokia and Green Day was performing outside at L.A. Live.  But that doesn't count.  I even saw the musical at the Ahmanson Theater.  Well, the stars finally aligned and here I was at one of my favorite venues.  The line was long.  This was during the crazy heat wave. We were sweaty and disgusting inside.  I danced my way into the pit.  I loved the energy and it was fun, but it was way too hot.  I was way too tired.  I literally thought I was going to pass out from dehydration and the heat.  But it was a great show.  Great set list, old, new, in between.  Everything.  It was so surreal.  I'm not sure it even happened.  Oh, yes, it did.  Mike Dirnt looked like Paul Simonon.  That's a really good thing.  The guys looked great.  I'm happy they are back.  "Kill the DJ" was a cool dance rock song.  Fun times.












Please sway with me. I take comfort in what used to be


We decided to do something fun before this summer is over so we decided to spend our day at Disney's California Adventure.  I had never been here before.  Of course, I grew up in LA so there were countless visits to Disneyland when I was a kid.  Then about two years ago, I went back to Disneyland for the first time in over ten years.  Honestly, I didn't understand the appeal of California Adventure since I am from California.  I didn't get it.  But now that I'm older, I'm less of a snob, maybe.  We decided to give it a try at least once.  So a beautiful day in August.  This was before the crazy heat wave, thankfully.  I had an awesome time and have great memories now.  It was such a perfect day.  Except for the part where I wanted to be a good sport and ride the swinging gondola on the ferris wheel.  (I'm scared of heights, so I hate ferris wheels, but I'm good at toughing it up from time to time.) However, I didn't know how bad the swinging motion would be.  When I stood in line, I saw someone throwing up.  When I was riding the wheel, I got so motion sick.  I was pretty upset.  We headed over to get some lunch and a coke would help me feel better.  We got a fast pass for the roller coaster.  So after we ate, we breezed on through the line and got lucky front seats.  This roller coaster is so fast, it's ridiculous!  I screamed until I couldn't scream anymore and then it ended.  The lady at the photograph store said I looked like I passed out.  Cars Land is super cute, especially the Cone Motel food stands.  We went to the Starbucks in the park.  Being in such a crowded place, I saw many girls wearing clothes that I designed.  It was a great feeling.  Hollywood Tower Hotel was crazy.  How many times does that thing drop?  And the set up and darkness made it even creepier.  We watched the World of Color water show.  It was a beautiful perfect summer day.  I loved it.  I actually can't wait to go back!  Overall, the place is so cute and well designed.