Things to do in 2011
1. Plant a tree.
2. Touch/pet/hold a tarantula.
3. Sing in the rain.
4. Bake a loaf of Challah bread.
5. Watch the sun rise and set within 24 hours.
6. Make a list of 100 things I want to learn about.
7. Go without fast food for 6 weeks. (Last year, it was 4 weeks)
8. Ride in a form of transportation I have never ridden in before.
9. Barter.
10. Spend the night in a castle/chateau/mansion.- Done! I had put this on my list before I knew I would be staying in a castle. Funny world.
11. See a "World's Biggest" something.
12. Graduate with a Master's degree.
13. Read a book in one month.
14. Attempt to break a Guiness World Record.
15. Visit a recording studio.
16. Learn how to perform a magic trick.
17. Kiss a llama or goat.
18. Solve the Rubik's cube (without cheating).
19. Shake hands with a politician.
20. Invent something.
21. Go to a motor racing event.
22. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
23. Enter a competition.
24. See a live platypus in person.
25. Try caviar.
26. Be silent for a day.
27. Make tiramisu.
28. Canada.
29. Climb a tree.
30. Go sans television/radio/movies/computer for one day each month.
31. Watch every John Hughes film.
32. Relax!
33. Be a vegetarian for a month (health-allowing).
33. Visit Tybee Island.
34. Try modelling.
35. Publish something.
36. Have an international dinner night. (Pick a random country and fix dishes from that country.)
37. Master a triple pirouette again.
38. Eat stuffed grape leaves.
39. Take a self-defense class.
40. Learn conversational Danish.
41. Attend a religious service that is different from mine.
42. Give a homeless person a meal.
43. Wear a flower/flowers in my hair.
44. Learn to play a new instrument.
45. Sing a solo in front of at least 100 people.
46. Mail a secret to PostSecret.
47. Learn how to pick a lock.
48. Take one picture every day for 365 days.
49. See Josh Groban in concert.
50. Watch (11?) movies from midnight to midnight without napping.
51. Meet another celebrity and try not to offend him/her this time.
52. Do something dangerous.
1 down. 51 to go.
Showing posts with label tasks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tasks. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Of castles, backgammon, and lessons learned
Happy 2011! I hope you all had an enjoyable New Year's. I know I did. I spent it in a castle. I met up with some dear friends I've known for years in a nearby metropolis to ring in the new year. And let me just say, when we pulled around a corner and saw the hotel/castle for the first time, our reaction was priceless.
"Oh. My. Word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding? No way! Nuh uh! What? This is INSANE!Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! EEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!"
Needless to say, we had a blast.
So, I've been working on finalizing my 2011 list. Thanks to some great suggestions from friends and various "Bucket List" websites, I have begun to assemble a working list. *Side note: I do not like to refer to my to-do lists as "bucket lists". They seem so negatively connotated, focusing on impending doom. But, I'm just sayin'...* And before I forget, I also completed one more task on my 2010 list on December 30. Thanks to a tutorial on my computer, I now know how to (poorly) play backgammon (Task 47). But alas, 2010 has come and gone. So, now it's time for the list for 2011, which will be revealed in my next post.
My goal with the 2011 list is similar to last year's goal in that I want to try new things and put myself in new and possibly uncomfortable situations. But what I really learned from attmepting to complete last year's list was that it takes effort to put ideas into action. Sure, it's easy to say, "I want to do such-and-such," but I found out it is a whole different ballgame to actually pursue it. For example, wanting to try a rutabaga is one thing. Buying it is another. After that, you can choose to let it sit on the counter and mold (which happened the first time) or you can grab a meat cleaver and hack it to pieces, fry it up, and actually eat it. This concept obviously also applies to things much larger than silly little to-do list tasks. Maybe that is what scares me the most about growing up. I'm on my own and it is now my own responsibility to make things happen. That excites and terrifies me at the same time. Sometimes, I wish I were back in preschool, waiting for my next juice box and naptime.
"Oh. My. Word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding? No way! Nuh uh! What? This is INSANE!Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! EEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!"
Needless to say, we had a blast.
So, I've been working on finalizing my 2011 list. Thanks to some great suggestions from friends and various "Bucket List" websites, I have begun to assemble a working list. *Side note: I do not like to refer to my to-do lists as "bucket lists". They seem so negatively connotated, focusing on impending doom. But, I'm just sayin'...* And before I forget, I also completed one more task on my 2010 list on December 30. Thanks to a tutorial on my computer, I now know how to (poorly) play backgammon (Task 47). But alas, 2010 has come and gone. So, now it's time for the list for 2011, which will be revealed in my next post.
My goal with the 2011 list is similar to last year's goal in that I want to try new things and put myself in new and possibly uncomfortable situations. But what I really learned from attmepting to complete last year's list was that it takes effort to put ideas into action. Sure, it's easy to say, "I want to do such-and-such," but I found out it is a whole different ballgame to actually pursue it. For example, wanting to try a rutabaga is one thing. Buying it is another. After that, you can choose to let it sit on the counter and mold (which happened the first time) or you can grab a meat cleaver and hack it to pieces, fry it up, and actually eat it. This concept obviously also applies to things much larger than silly little to-do list tasks. Maybe that is what scares me the most about growing up. I'm on my own and it is now my own responsibility to make things happen. That excites and terrifies me at the same time. Sometimes, I wish I were back in preschool, waiting for my next juice box and naptime.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.
The year is almost over. Where did it go? I've come to realize that the older I get, the faster time flies. Many friends have expressed the same realization. This year has been full of new experiences, both due to my to do list and completely separate from it. I feel like this was the year I grew up. To be completely honest, growing up scares me, but I have come to think of it almost like a task on my to do list. It's not a task of necessity as much as it is a task of new experience.
Speaking of my to do list, I successfully completed 33 of the 52 tasks. I partially completed about 8 tasks, which brings the total to 41. Not too shabby, if I may say so myself. The goal of this list was originally to try to accomplish all 52 tasks, but I began to realize that the attempt was more important to me than the actual completion. I can at least say I tried to yodel and I tried to touch all the bordering salt-based bodies of water along the continental US (I touched 2 out of 3-The Pacific was a little far away...).
Some tasks were simple, like eating a rutabaga or going on a road trip. And yet some tasks brought about great anxiety. Singing at a karaoke bar literally caused a stress response equivalent to undergoing major surgery. I learned a lot of new things, such as what it was like for someone to grow up in Ghana (#9), how to offend a celebrity (#6), and that smiling at a stranger is not as scary as it seems (#13).
It is officially 3 1/2 days until 2011, so I am trying to figure out my goal/to-do list for next year. Should I keep the same format, just with different tasks? Or should I try something different, such as blogging about something unexpected that happens to me each week? Thoughts? Comments? Angry words?
Speaking of my to do list, I successfully completed 33 of the 52 tasks. I partially completed about 8 tasks, which brings the total to 41. Not too shabby, if I may say so myself. The goal of this list was originally to try to accomplish all 52 tasks, but I began to realize that the attempt was more important to me than the actual completion. I can at least say I tried to yodel and I tried to touch all the bordering salt-based bodies of water along the continental US (I touched 2 out of 3-The Pacific was a little far away...).
Some tasks were simple, like eating a rutabaga or going on a road trip. And yet some tasks brought about great anxiety. Singing at a karaoke bar literally caused a stress response equivalent to undergoing major surgery. I learned a lot of new things, such as what it was like for someone to grow up in Ghana (#9), how to offend a celebrity (#6), and that smiling at a stranger is not as scary as it seems (#13).
It is officially 3 1/2 days until 2011, so I am trying to figure out my goal/to-do list for next year. Should I keep the same format, just with different tasks? Or should I try something different, such as blogging about something unexpected that happens to me each week? Thoughts? Comments? Angry words?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Ode to Perfect-haired Guitarists
Two nights ago I went to a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert (Task 42). This was my fourth TSO concert, but I left feeling just as awed and shocked as the first time I saw them in 2007. This was the closest I've ever been to the stage though. My mom and I sat on the fifth row and could see their sweat, eyeliner, eyecolor, and inside jokes. I even remember seeing the conductor/guitarist say something to one of the singers, which made her lose her composure to the point she couldn't finish the song without laughing. But there were other singers covering for her. It was pretty funny.
Some might argue that Beethoven would roll over in his grave if he heard TSO's rendition of Moonlight Sonata or Requiem. I disagree. He was a rebel, an envelope-pusher. TSO is the same- they take timeless genius, such as Beethoven's music, and push the boundaries a bit more, all the while remaining true to the music. The viruosity of each musician's technique is jaw-dropping. I am still shocked by the perfection shown by the organ/piano player from the Ukraine (Vladamir?). He took perfect technique up a notch by adding personality. I had never heard the 2nd portion of Moonlight Sonata played that way before, and I will never hear it the same again. As a piano player, musician, and music-affecianado (or however on Earth you spell that), I am forever changed.
On a more superficial, fangirly note: the long-haired guitarists, bassists, and vocalists in their rock-tuxedos and chains made me giggle. One of the vocalists, Jeff Scott Soto, (a long-time favorite of mine) has super-long curly hair. During one of his epic solos, my mom leaned over and said, "You two could do a duet with your hair." Yeah...
And then he sang a song which almost made me cry called "Dreams We Conceive." Which brings me to my next point:
TSO is for all people. Granted, I would not recommend bringing your 6-month old to a concert. (Believe me. It happens.) And, some people might need to be briefed that this is not your stereotypical orchestra (TSO is listed under "Metal" on iTunes). I think the people behind me had no idea what they had gotten themselves into... But the music, the lyrics, the storyline behind each album and within each concert resonates with all different walks of life. As an artist soul, I often find myself getting lost within each album, crying over a lyric, and mesmerized by a new take on a familiar melody.
So, all of this to say, if you get a chance, go see them. You won't regret it.
Some might argue that Beethoven would roll over in his grave if he heard TSO's rendition of Moonlight Sonata or Requiem. I disagree. He was a rebel, an envelope-pusher. TSO is the same- they take timeless genius, such as Beethoven's music, and push the boundaries a bit more, all the while remaining true to the music. The viruosity of each musician's technique is jaw-dropping. I am still shocked by the perfection shown by the organ/piano player from the Ukraine (Vladamir?). He took perfect technique up a notch by adding personality. I had never heard the 2nd portion of Moonlight Sonata played that way before, and I will never hear it the same again. As a piano player, musician, and music-affecianado (or however on Earth you spell that), I am forever changed.
On a more superficial, fangirly note: the long-haired guitarists, bassists, and vocalists in their rock-tuxedos and chains made me giggle. One of the vocalists, Jeff Scott Soto, (a long-time favorite of mine) has super-long curly hair. During one of his epic solos, my mom leaned over and said, "You two could do a duet with your hair." Yeah...
And then he sang a song which almost made me cry called "Dreams We Conceive." Which brings me to my next point:
TSO is for all people. Granted, I would not recommend bringing your 6-month old to a concert. (Believe me. It happens.) And, some people might need to be briefed that this is not your stereotypical orchestra (TSO is listed under "Metal" on iTunes). I think the people behind me had no idea what they had gotten themselves into... But the music, the lyrics, the storyline behind each album and within each concert resonates with all different walks of life. As an artist soul, I often find myself getting lost within each album, crying over a lyric, and mesmerized by a new take on a familiar melody.
So, all of this to say, if you get a chance, go see them. You won't regret it.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Snails.
To begin this post, I must confess that I get grossed out fairly easily. In college, my guy friends would have competitions to see who could gross me out the most at lunch. In the second grade, while the rest of the gifted kids were bonding with their parents whilst dissecting cow's eyes, I was trying not to lose my breakfast all over my mother. In grad school, I almost passed out when a sheep's brain, covered in dura mater, was placed in front of me (look it up if you dare). So, task 48 was not going to be an easy one.
This past weekend, I went to dinner and a Christmas play with a friend. We ended up going to a nicer restaurant I had never been to before, and I was thrilled to see that escargot was on the menu. I ordered some crab bisque along with it, just in case I couldn't keep the slimy things down.
When the server brought it out, I was shocked. First of all, it looked like a pot pie.
Second of all, there were no shells, for which I was very grateful. They had tucked the little bodies inside mushroom caps. I was pleasantly surprised to find they weren't as rubbery as so many people had warned me. Maybe they were overcooked, but I'm just glad I did not have to spend 5 minutes manducating the equivalent of a slug. The flavor was actually pretty good, but it took a lot of concentration to avoid thinking "I am eating a snail."
34 down. 18 to go.
To end this post, I would like to quote Dave Barry: "Escargot is French for 'fat, crawling bag of phlegm.'" And now, a video. I have no idea what the lyrics mean, as they're in French. All I know is I got a little sick to my stomach, when I realized I might have eaten the siblings of this poor little snail... (The trail of slime didn't help, either.)
This past weekend, I went to dinner and a Christmas play with a friend. We ended up going to a nicer restaurant I had never been to before, and I was thrilled to see that escargot was on the menu. I ordered some crab bisque along with it, just in case I couldn't keep the slimy things down.
When the server brought it out, I was shocked. First of all, it looked like a pot pie.
Second of all, there were no shells, for which I was very grateful. They had tucked the little bodies inside mushroom caps. I was pleasantly surprised to find they weren't as rubbery as so many people had warned me. Maybe they were overcooked, but I'm just glad I did not have to spend 5 minutes manducating the equivalent of a slug. The flavor was actually pretty good, but it took a lot of concentration to avoid thinking "I am eating a snail."
34 down. 18 to go.
To end this post, I would like to quote Dave Barry: "Escargot is French for 'fat, crawling bag of phlegm.'" And now, a video. I have no idea what the lyrics mean, as they're in French. All I know is I got a little sick to my stomach, when I realized I might have eaten the siblings of this poor little snail... (The trail of slime didn't help, either.)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
1,2,3,4 I declare a thumb war.
The dreaded Task #3 is done. About 3 weeks ago, I sang at a karaoke bar. I remained seated, it was a duet, and people could barely here me over the drunken 200-lbs-of-pure-muscle in the adjoining room. BUT I sang karaoke. Yes I did. One of my sweet friends from this summer's musical agreed to sing "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat with me. He has such a great voice and is an expert karaoke-er. He is like the Yoda of karaoke. After karaoke-ing it up, we made a late night/early moring trip to Wally World, to a) grab some paint for one of my actress friends costumes and b) so I could ride in a grocery cart (Task #46). My actress friend (who also helped coordinate this little task-completing get-together) pushed me in the almost-vacant parking lot, until we got in trouble by a cart attendant. Party pooper. I then proceeded to lose (Task #33) a game of Thumb War and tie (Task #34) at a game of Tic-Tac-Toe, thanks to my same dear friend who sang karaoke with me. So, although it's against my inital to-do list rules, I completed 4 tasks in one night/early morning. (It's getting near the end of the year, so I'm desparately trying to complete as many as I can.
As of next weekend, Task #42 (Go to a rock concert) will be merrily completed, as I will be seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra from the FIFTH ROW!!!!!!!!!!! Why yes, I am excited. This will be my fourth TSO concert, and I cannot wait. I'm considering making a sign that says, "Dear Angus Clark, I like your hair." Anyway, I hope your Christmas season going well. What is your Christmas wish?
And for a little TSO education... (4:35 is epic, but you need to watch a bit before that to get the full effect.) You just can't go wrong with "O Fortuna" and Beethoven's 5th (Requiem). (Creaves, you ready for this?!?!)
As of next weekend, Task #42 (Go to a rock concert) will be merrily completed, as I will be seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra from the FIFTH ROW!!!!!!!!!!! Why yes, I am excited. This will be my fourth TSO concert, and I cannot wait. I'm considering making a sign that says, "Dear Angus Clark, I like your hair." Anyway, I hope your Christmas season going well. What is your Christmas wish?
And for a little TSO education... (4:35 is epic, but you need to watch a bit before that to get the full effect.) You just can't go wrong with "O Fortuna" and Beethoven's 5th (Requiem). (Creaves, you ready for this?!?!)
Monday, November 8, 2010
How about a little recapitulation?
So, it's November 8. That means I have 43 days to complete as many tasks as I can. I will be up front and tell you that I have decided to concede on some of the items, mainly the memorization-focused ones. But for now, I figured I'd recap the list and the tasks I have and have not completed.
Items I have completed are in bold.
1. Go on a picnic.
2. Eat a rutabaga.- I fried it. It was yummy.
3. Sing at a karaoke bar.- I'm dreading this task the most.
4. Take a morning yoga class that meets before 10 AM for a month.- I haven't found one of these classes yet. I could take a 7:15 am stretching class...
5. Read an entire book without skipping any pages in one week. (Must be over 150 pages).- I've tried and failed twice.
6. Meet a celebrity.- Twice! (Sonny Shroyer and Gavin DeGraw)
7. Go horseback riding (when cleared by doctor).- Probably not a good idea just yet.
8. Memorize 99 Luftballoons (in German).
9. Introduce myself to a random stranger.
10. Go 1 month without eating any fast food.
11. Audition for something.
12. Create a work of art.
13. Smile at a stranger.
14. Memorize how to say "hello" in ten languages (not including English, Spanish, French, or Pig-Latin).
15. Watch The Wizard of Oz to the Pink Floyd's" Dark Side of the Moon" album.
16. Teach someone how to do something.
17. Learn how to play a new game.
18. Go on a road trip.
19. Do something completely spontaneous that no one would ever expect me to do.
20. Secretly make someone's day brighter.
21. Go on a good date.
22. Eat an entire grape tomato.
23. Memorize the entire Animaniacs Country Song.
24. Write a letter to a person in the military.
25. Go two weeks without buying anything other than necessities.
26. Have a jam session.
27. Learn how to play chords on the piano.- I haven't written about this, because it's in progress. I can now play a C minor chord, as well as most of the basic chords.
28. Visit someone in a nursing home.
29. Show someone appreciation by more than just saying "thank you."
30. Make a loaf of Challah bread.
31. Volunteer.
32. Win.
33. Lose.
34. Tie.
35. Tell someone the truth even though it is very difficult.
36. Babysit.
37. Master the Moonlight Sonata. All of it. Up to speed.- I've tried and tried. I have about 2/3 of it down...
38. Perform (not including karaoke).
39. Make myself look stupid on purpose.
40. Go somewhere secluded and yell at the top of my lungs.
41. Learn how to belly dance
42. Go to a rock concert.- This December. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. FIFTH ROW!
43. Learn how to whistle.
44. Go to a lecture on something other than psychology, dance, or the arts and stay awake for the whole thing.
45. Go to bed before 10pm four nights in a row.
46. Ride in a grocery cart.
47. Learn how to play backgammon.
48. Eat escargot.
49. Eat a piece of sushi previously thought of as revolting.
50. Learn how to yodel.- In progress
51. Beat a video game.
52. Touch all the bordering (ocean-based) bodies of water in America within 6 months of each other.- In progress
Items I have completed are in bold.
1. Go on a picnic.
2. Eat a rutabaga.- I fried it. It was yummy.
3. Sing at a karaoke bar.- I'm dreading this task the most.
4. Take a morning yoga class that meets before 10 AM for a month.- I haven't found one of these classes yet. I could take a 7:15 am stretching class...
5. Read an entire book without skipping any pages in one week. (Must be over 150 pages).- I've tried and failed twice.
6. Meet a celebrity.- Twice! (Sonny Shroyer and Gavin DeGraw)
7. Go horseback riding (when cleared by doctor).- Probably not a good idea just yet.
8. Memorize 99 Luftballoons (in German).
9. Introduce myself to a random stranger.
10. Go 1 month without eating any fast food.
11. Audition for something.
12. Create a work of art.
13. Smile at a stranger.
14. Memorize how to say "hello" in ten languages (not including English, Spanish, French, or Pig-Latin).
15. Watch The Wizard of Oz to the Pink Floyd's" Dark Side of the Moon" album.
16. Teach someone how to do something.
17. Learn how to play a new game.
18. Go on a road trip.
19. Do something completely spontaneous that no one would ever expect me to do.
20. Secretly make someone's day brighter.
21. Go on a good date.
22. Eat an entire grape tomato.
23. Memorize the entire Animaniacs Country Song.
24. Write a letter to a person in the military.
25. Go two weeks without buying anything other than necessities.
26. Have a jam session.
27. Learn how to play chords on the piano.- I haven't written about this, because it's in progress. I can now play a C minor chord, as well as most of the basic chords.
28. Visit someone in a nursing home.
29. Show someone appreciation by more than just saying "thank you."
30. Make a loaf of Challah bread.
31. Volunteer.
32. Win.
33. Lose.
34. Tie.
35. Tell someone the truth even though it is very difficult.
36. Babysit.
37. Master the Moonlight Sonata. All of it. Up to speed.- I've tried and tried. I have about 2/3 of it down...
38. Perform (not including karaoke).
39. Make myself look stupid on purpose.
40. Go somewhere secluded and yell at the top of my lungs.
41. Learn how to belly dance
42. Go to a rock concert.- This December. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. FIFTH ROW!
43. Learn how to whistle.
44. Go to a lecture on something other than psychology, dance, or the arts and stay awake for the whole thing.
45. Go to bed before 10pm four nights in a row.
46. Ride in a grocery cart.
47. Learn how to play backgammon.
48. Eat escargot.
49. Eat a piece of sushi previously thought of as revolting.
50. Learn how to yodel.- In progress
51. Beat a video game.
52. Touch all the bordering (ocean-based) bodies of water in America within 6 months of each other.- In progress
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Whistle While You Work- Task #43
I played the flute for a long time, but could never whistle. Ironic, isn't it? I did a tiny bit of research to see what the general consensus of the Google community was in regards to whistling being of the genetic skill set. Apparently, it is not genetic. So, I have no excuse but to try to learn. I have actually been practicing off and on for a few weeks. But today, I searched "how to whistle" and the following sites were two that were actually somewhat helpful:
1) http://www.natwilson.com/stuff/whistle.html
I love that in the instructions, the writer tells you to wash your hands first. Classy.
But I tried the first kind and gagged repeadtedly, so I tried the second kind of whistle and had a bit more sound and a lot less gagging.
2) http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1986654
This is through the BBC. So, it automatically gets 1,000 extra cool points.
And just for entertainment value, this video is a) British and b) uses the techniques described on the first website listed above.
I still cannot whistle like a pro or even an amateur, but I can now finally get what ever-so-slightly resembles a tone. I'll keep practicing.
So, there! Task #43 is done!
1) http://www.natwilson.com/stuff/whistle.html
I love that in the instructions, the writer tells you to wash your hands first. Classy.
But I tried the first kind and gagged repeadtedly, so I tried the second kind of whistle and had a bit more sound and a lot less gagging.
2) http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1986654
This is through the BBC. So, it automatically gets 1,000 extra cool points.
And just for entertainment value, this video is a) British and b) uses the techniques described on the first website listed above.
I still cannot whistle like a pro or even an amateur, but I can now finally get what ever-so-slightly resembles a tone. I'll keep practicing.
So, there! Task #43 is done!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
"And every once in a while, I wanna sit back and enjoy the view"
Well boys and girls, it's been a while. Blame it on grad school, as usual. I'm currently reeling from a Gavin DeGraw concert I attended tonight (2nd row!). That man has some serious swagger. And his band was fantastic. The focus on and passion for the music was evident, which is so uncommon nowadays. Two twitterpated thumbs up, for sure.
I know I already technically completed Task #6 (Meet a celebrity) about a month ago while I was in the musical, BUT
a) the goal of this list is for me to force myself to get out of my proverbial box and live and
b) making myself walk across the front lawn of my grad school to meet Gavin DeGraw seemed worth it. (It was.)
After work today, I saw that the band was doing a soundcheck, so I grabbed some books and nestled down for some good music/reading/Vitamin D time. I didn't time it right weather-wise, because I was brilliantly dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt and jeans, with no way to put my massive hair up, so I fried. But an opportunity like that, so laid back and just plain cool, was too amazing to pass up. After a while, I heard, "Hey! I'm Gavin!" and there he was, for his soundcheck. After he about beat up the poor piano (he can PLAY) and the band played a reggae version of "I'm in Love with a Girl," he came offstage to meet the handful of people out there. I decided at the last minute to go meet him. He was really cool and laid back. He asked me my name and asked if I'd like a picture. My brilliant reply? "No thanks." Really?? Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm an idiot. However I did mention this list and that I had now completed a task. I think he thought I was odd.
Fast forward about 4 hours later...
Went to the concert, stood in the 2nd row, loved it. The atmosphere was INSANE, with a bazillion screaming girls, the loudest of whom seemed to work their ways up to stand directly to my left. Afterward, my friend S. and I decided to wait it out in the line for autographs. I'm not into autographs, but I decided to beg for a picture, since I was too shy the first time I met him.
Y'all, he remembered me. It must've been the big hair. But that was cool. And he let me take a picture with him (if you count leaning over the signing table as a picture WITH him, but I'll take what I can get). The policewoman working crowd control was yelling at me, but Gavin (Mr. DeGraw?) was so nice about it. So, once S. posts the pic, I will post it on here as proof that I met him. But for now, this picture will have to suffice.
In other news, I also completed Task 40 (Go somewhere secluded and yell at the top of my lungs) a few weeks ago. The day after I turned 24, actually. I decided the beginning of a new year would be the perfect time for a cathartic experience. But I'll write more about it later. It's late. This entry is getting waay out of hand. And frankly, I'm too old for this.
So, goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite.
(Title lyrics by Gavin DeGraw, "Free")
I know I already technically completed Task #6 (Meet a celebrity) about a month ago while I was in the musical, BUT
a) the goal of this list is for me to force myself to get out of my proverbial box and live and
b) making myself walk across the front lawn of my grad school to meet Gavin DeGraw seemed worth it. (It was.)
After work today, I saw that the band was doing a soundcheck, so I grabbed some books and nestled down for some good music/reading/Vitamin D time. I didn't time it right weather-wise, because I was brilliantly dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt and jeans, with no way to put my massive hair up, so I fried. But an opportunity like that, so laid back and just plain cool, was too amazing to pass up. After a while, I heard, "Hey! I'm Gavin!" and there he was, for his soundcheck. After he about beat up the poor piano (he can PLAY) and the band played a reggae version of "I'm in Love with a Girl," he came offstage to meet the handful of people out there. I decided at the last minute to go meet him. He was really cool and laid back. He asked me my name and asked if I'd like a picture. My brilliant reply? "No thanks." Really?? Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm an idiot. However I did mention this list and that I had now completed a task. I think he thought I was odd.
Fast forward about 4 hours later...
Went to the concert, stood in the 2nd row, loved it. The atmosphere was INSANE, with a bazillion screaming girls, the loudest of whom seemed to work their ways up to stand directly to my left. Afterward, my friend S. and I decided to wait it out in the line for autographs. I'm not into autographs, but I decided to beg for a picture, since I was too shy the first time I met him.
Y'all, he remembered me. It must've been the big hair. But that was cool. And he let me take a picture with him (if you count leaning over the signing table as a picture WITH him, but I'll take what I can get). The policewoman working crowd control was yelling at me, but Gavin (Mr. DeGraw?) was so nice about it. So, once S. posts the pic, I will post it on here as proof that I met him. But for now, this picture will have to suffice.
In other news, I also completed Task 40 (Go somewhere secluded and yell at the top of my lungs) a few weeks ago. The day after I turned 24, actually. I decided the beginning of a new year would be the perfect time for a cathartic experience. But I'll write more about it later. It's late. This entry is getting waay out of hand. And frankly, I'm too old for this.
So, goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite.
(Title lyrics by Gavin DeGraw, "Free")
Sunday, February 28, 2010
How Frankie Valli and the Navy Made Me Blush
I have tried to avoid embarrassment in my 23 years of life. I confess, this has been highly unsuccessful. Today was definitely one moment to go high up on my list of the more embarrassing ones.
I went to the Navy Sea Chanters concert today with my aunt and uncle (which was AMAZING- they are so talented). I was in an aisle seat on the 2nd row, stage left. BAD idea. Five of the male singers were singing songs from the musical "Jersey Boys" which are all songs orignially sung by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They started out with "Sherri Baby" and moved on to "Big Girls Don't Cry." I saw one of them look at me, which was originally nothing to make me too terribly nervous. But... then "Ragdoll" began, he grabbed a mic, and started walking toward the stairs, disappears, then appears on the floor, leaning against the wall, looking directly at me with this theatrical face. I just kept thinking, "Don't make eye contact. Don't make eye contact. Oh, no. Why is he walking toward me? What do I do? Could he catch me if I ran? What if I just slide down to the floor and hide under my chair? I wonder if anyone would notice." But, alas, he showed up right in front of me, followed by a video camera, so all options of escape were thrown out the window. He kept singing to me and even got down on one knee. Then, he stood up, offered his arm, motioned for me to stand up, practically pulled me to my feet, twirled me and kept on singing. So... I tried to kind of play along, and was okay until I realized he had started walking up the aisle, while I was still attached to his arm, so he continued singing as he pulled me along. Keep in mine, this was in the presence of probably 300-400 people and a video camera, which was might close to our faces. Oh, and I was as red as a fire engine. And shaking. Finally, he led me back to my seat for me to sit down, but not before he grabbed boh my hands, looked directly in my eyes and then backed away slowly. All very theatrical. All very embarrassing. All in front of my aunt and uncle and 300+ people. According to my aunt and uncle I have a new nickname. I'll give you one hint. I begins with an R and ends with an -agdoll.
So.... can this count for Task 39 (Make myself look stupid on purpose)? I mean, it originally was not on purpose, but I technically could have chosen not to stand up. Right? Or I could count it as Task 13 (Smile at a stranger.) What do the judges have to say?
And... for fun, here's the video version of the whole medley .You can see how truly talented they are. These are the same singers from today's performance. "Ragdoll" begins around 2:20, but I definitely recommend watching it all. They are pretty funny and very talented. I should have done what the woman in this video did.
I went to the Navy Sea Chanters concert today with my aunt and uncle (which was AMAZING- they are so talented). I was in an aisle seat on the 2nd row, stage left. BAD idea. Five of the male singers were singing songs from the musical "Jersey Boys" which are all songs orignially sung by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They started out with "Sherri Baby" and moved on to "Big Girls Don't Cry." I saw one of them look at me, which was originally nothing to make me too terribly nervous. But... then "Ragdoll" began, he grabbed a mic, and started walking toward the stairs, disappears, then appears on the floor, leaning against the wall, looking directly at me with this theatrical face. I just kept thinking, "Don't make eye contact. Don't make eye contact. Oh, no. Why is he walking toward me? What do I do? Could he catch me if I ran? What if I just slide down to the floor and hide under my chair? I wonder if anyone would notice." But, alas, he showed up right in front of me, followed by a video camera, so all options of escape were thrown out the window. He kept singing to me and even got down on one knee. Then, he stood up, offered his arm, motioned for me to stand up, practically pulled me to my feet, twirled me and kept on singing. So... I tried to kind of play along, and was okay until I realized he had started walking up the aisle, while I was still attached to his arm, so he continued singing as he pulled me along. Keep in mine, this was in the presence of probably 300-400 people and a video camera, which was might close to our faces. Oh, and I was as red as a fire engine. And shaking. Finally, he led me back to my seat for me to sit down, but not before he grabbed boh my hands, looked directly in my eyes and then backed away slowly. All very theatrical. All very embarrassing. All in front of my aunt and uncle and 300+ people. According to my aunt and uncle I have a new nickname. I'll give you one hint. I begins with an R and ends with an -agdoll.
So.... can this count for Task 39 (Make myself look stupid on purpose)? I mean, it originally was not on purpose, but I technically could have chosen not to stand up. Right? Or I could count it as Task 13 (Smile at a stranger.) What do the judges have to say?
And... for fun, here's the video version of the whole medley .You can see how truly talented they are. These are the same singers from today's performance. "Ragdoll" begins around 2:20, but I definitely recommend watching it all. They are pretty funny and very talented. I should have done what the woman in this video did.
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