Luke Bryan, Thompson Square & Florida Georgia Line - Bloomington, IL 2-18-13

I'm a good week behind on my blogging this concert. I would have posted sooner if I hadn't taken over 600 pictures to sort through. There is a method to my madness. I use the sport setting on my camera, so for every photo I take, there may be up to 20 I have to sort through. I like to make sure I have non-ugly-singing-face photos.

It was a Monday, and Kristin and I headed to Bloomington shortly after work. We grabbed a good burger from a place called Meatheads, and then headed to the coliseum. There was ridiculous amounts of rain and strong winds during our entire journey from door-to-door.

We arrive 30 minutes after the venue opened and still had to wait outside in the pouring, freezing rain for a at least 10 minutes while the line continued to grow with agitated people coming from the bars. I think we were moments away from chaos breaking out. Why the insanely long line and wait? Well, someone had the bright idea that every single person needed to be wanded prior to crossing the entrance threshold. This was not a fun experience!

Kristin and I found or seats just in time to watch the first act, Florida Georgia Line. They put on a good show with high energy.

Up next was Thompson Square. I do believe this was the first couple I've ever seen perform. For their performance, we relocated from our seats to the top of the venue on the suite level. Less crowded and shorter lines (bathroom and concession), plus, we didn't have to worry about having beer spilled on us.

It was around around 9:00 when Luke Bryan finally took the stage. An hour and half in to the show and on a Monday night I was ready to go home. So, to still have the main event to go, well, that was beyond awesome!

Here's are some of my favorite photos from the show. Luke Bryan sings a song called, "Country Girls Shake It For Me". He was kind enough to return the favor several times.

I don't think I've ever heard than many women scream at once. It was quite a different experience than my typical Sugarland concert.

Part way through the show, Thompson Square and FGL made another appearance to sing a couple pop songs with Luke Bryan. I'm blanking on the songs, but remember enjoying their version of a Bruno Mars song "your love takes me to paradise".

I love when bands break it down. In Luke Bryan's case, it involved a little moonshine.

Love this pic I got off the big screen.

Too old for snow? I think not!

Below is a screenshot of the weather I woke up to this morning. We've had nonstop rain, sleet, and snow all day. If I were an Eskimo, I'm sure I could add seven or eight more descriptive words for precipitation.

Knowing there was a good inch of slushy ice under the heavy, wet snow, I parked in the street so I could shovel the driveway before packing down the ice. There was about 8 inches drifted in front of the garage door, and by the time I got done with the driveway there was already a fair amount of accumulation.

I would have loved for Sparky to be outside with me in the front yard, but he hasn't learned the concept of staying out of the street. Thank goodness I have a fenced in backyard. 

I'm happy to say we did not temporarily lose the tennis ball. Although it is fun to watch Sparky search all his footprint holes for the tennis ball.

Sparky got tired, but I wasn't done yet. Yes, I know this tree didn't do anything to me, but I had to throw some snowballs. Yet another day where I wonder what the people at Trefzger's bakery may have been thinking about me.

I got my snow angels in! I found a spot in the parking lot at work that didn't get plowed. Then I had to make one in my own front yard.

 

Birthday, Basketball and Bunnies... Oh My.

Last weekend was a busy and fun one. I kicked it off by joining the Angell's in celebrating Jim's 50th Birthday! It was my kind of party, held at Jillian's, a grownups version of Chucky Cheese or Peoria's version of Dave and Buster's

Happy Birthday Jim!

Prior to that evening, Tom told me I better bring my racing gloves. Little did he know that I would bust some out before we raced Jim and Craig on the Nascar experience game. The gloves didn't help me win, but in typical Jane fashion, I wrecked my car and chose to become a missile flying around the track backwards with a target on my opponents _________ (insert cackle here).

Saturday brought a Bradley basketball game with Tom and Laura. A big shout out and Thank You goes to Matt. He and Brian were in town because Matt was being inducted into the Bradley Hall of Fame. Matt hooked us up with some awesome tickets. We were in great company with his family and the Braves even won the game.

When my friends are in town, I can't wait to spend time with them, and I'd do just about anything they ask in order to spend just one more precious minute hanging out. And in this case, yes, even if it's being invited to attend a Rabbit Show. I'm glad Matt and Brian suggested it, it was a new, interesting and fun experience.

Here's a picture of Brian petting a box. No, actually there's are bunny in that chute. The rabbits get placed in the chutes while waiting to be judged.

Here are a couple of Brian's new friends. I've seen dog shows on TV and I've even been to a cat show at the same venue. I never in my wildest dreams imagined there would be a group of people with that same kind of enthusiasm, but for rabbits.

I was very glad to get a glimpse into their world. Ask enough questions and you even get to pet and hold one of those fuzzy little guys. Here's my favorite baby bunny. He reminded me of an Ewok.

Damp, Dreary, Drippy Day

This weekend didn't have ideal weather, so Sparky and I had to make the best of it. Yesterday I made sure we got outside before the wet weather strolled in. We got a nice walk/jog in at Springdale.

Later in the evening, Sparky and I headed over to the Angell's to play baseball with Jim and Wrigley.

This time, I came prepared with a goody bag for Sparky that contained a tennis ball, pull toy, and bone. Surprise, surprise, these toys were old news and he had to find something new to play with at the Angell's household. What did he come up with after rooting through their house?

Yes, he takes the phrase, "Make yourself at home", to heart. On his own, he found two pairs of earmuffs and wore them proudly around his neck (he managed to do this on his own). I took them off, but he wanted them back, so I let him wear them most of the evening.

Here's more evidence of the "make yourself at home". He hopped in the basket and burrowed around until he was nice and cozy in the blanket.

Today was a rainy, cloudy and downright dreary day. I thought I'd let Sparky ride shotgun and bring some joy to people one drive-thru at a time.

It's almost as if he knew the Walgreens pharmacy would give him a treat.

Then he got a little love from the folks at Starbucks.

I couldn't think of any Asian restaurants with drive-thrus (Panda Express does not count. Our local restaurants blow it out of the water). I ordered ahead to limit Sparky's fear of being left in the parking lot forever. He does a great job protecting the car.

 He only put nose prints on 3 of the 8 windows in my car.

StageIt.com with Toby Lightman!!!

My first concert of the year, Toby Lightman. I don't know how it slipped my mind for my 2013 concert blog post... possibly because I didn't have to leave my house, let alone my living room or even my couch! I have never heard the speakers on my laptop sound nearly that good before.

A quick refresher on Toby. It was 2004-05ish when I heard her version of Real Love while listening to YahooRadio at work. I'd heard the song before, but her voice drew me in. Next thing I knew, I bought her album and was listening to it daily while walking my neighborhood. 

At some point in 2007 I emailed her through her website to thank her for making music and sharing her voice, and said that I can't wait to see her in person some day. She was so kind to have responded. Finally in 2010, I road-tripped up to Chicago with my aunt to see Toby live! 

I think she hit the Chicago area again last year, but I couldn't make it... darn work nights. Anyway, this show was right up my alley. Same great voice, but from the comfort of my living room.

Here's the view I had towards the end of the show, Jinkies decided to join me for the encore.

If Toby had a view into my living room, this is what she would have seen.

Toby put on such a great concert. So glad she made it through her appendicitis last year and rescheduled the show. And guess what, she's so kind to donate a portion of her tips to the Hurricane Sandy victims. I love live music and fantastic voices, singer/songwriters rock! If she doesn't hit the Midwest this year, I hope she schedules another StageIt show. Hell, maybe she'll give me a date to visit my friends in Boston.

Derpy Dogs

I'm not really sure what a Derpy Dog is, but I submitted Sparky's photo anyway. He made it in the slideshow!

Find out more about Derpy Dogs!

2013 Concert Season

My first concert of 2013 is just around the corner. It may surprise you, but I don't have any Sugarland shows on the docket. Yet another good thing I will have to wait for, crossing my fingers for a new album late this year of 2014. I am happy to say that I'll be seeing some new-to-me artists this year.

Funny, I thought I just had 3 concerts on the books, but I actually have 4! First up is Luke Bryan in Bloomington. His first show sold out within 5 minutes, so he added a second show. Thank goodness, otherwise February would be fairly boring. Touring with him is Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Line.


March brings me a back-to-back concert extravaganza!
I get to see one of my favorites, Little Big Town in my backyard at the Civic Center. Thank goodness I get to see them because I don't think I could go a year with out LBT or Sugarland. Best I can tell, I'll get to see David Nail too.

Then I hit the road to Louisville to see P!NK. With every album of hers, I enjoy her music more and more. I can't wait! The Hives are touring with her, I should really check out their music sooner than later. Concerts just quite as much fun if you can't sing along.


I have a bit of a lull in April and then I pick back up in May with Carrie Underwood in Bloomington. Yes, I've seen her before, but she's bringing along Hunter Hayes. I know a couple of his songs, but gotta check out the rest. Should be a great show.


I am definitely on the lookout for some more concerts later this year... I have $50 in ticketmaster gift cards burning a hole in my pocket. Sure, $50 won't get me too far, but it can't hurt to dream.