Showing posts with label Concert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concert. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Bon Jovi, Bon-Bon and an American Picker

I really hate doing these posts where I squeeze 5 events into one post. But such is life--here goes.

First up--Bon Jovi! I wish I could do the many hairdos of my love for Bon Jovi. It would start with some permed hair, move on to some big hair, then some wannabe alternative hair, and finally, some blond hair in desperate need of highlights. Like I said--I've been busy.

Yep--that's my NKOTB friend, Carolyn--the one I met on Craigslist. Who says that you can't find quality people on CL?


Slippery When Wet was one of the first tapes I bought, and I wore it out. Jon Bon was in fine form, and looking good. That man doesn't age. He is also one singer that sounds better live than recorded--this is the bookmark for talented singers in my book.

We found out my friend Sharla and her friend were also going, so we met up ahead of time for dinner @ Amici's. I love that I can grab a gluten-free pie, and then go and see a show.

As per my usual luck, I was behind a group of loud, drunk skanks. Brooke and I have that in common. What's the deal? They kept yelling that they were collectively 200 years old. Then one fell over on the floor.

This is us Livin' on a Prayer. It was taken by the drunkies, which explains the great quality.

They played a lot of newer stuff, but made sure they did they hits that made them so popular they still sell out arenas. They did a fake departure, and the crowd begged for more. I just sat down and let the crowd scream on my behalf, because I only scream for 5 boys from Boston, not 4 boys from Jersey.

Their acoustic set was incredible. I could have done without Richie Sambora--he looked like he's had some hard livin.

Next up--Dave and Bon-Bon came down to visit. It was fun and relaxing. We took them to Stacks, where we got eggs benedict...

...and Lancer got the bacon and egg tacos. Then my camera died, and I didn't get any more pictures. But we got to ride through the streets of SF on a trolley and dine on gourmet cupcakes.

They also mowed our lawn, made us food, did our laundry, lined our shelves, and convinced Lance to replace the gigantic and heavy sliding door into my room. His dad took it off the hinges, hoping to fix it, and realized we should just throw in the towel. I'm excited for the new door! Clearly, I'm old.

And, lastly, I have a favorite new show: American Pickers.


It's on the History Channel, and I realized that this guy is my male counterpart. He picks through barns, shops, and people's attics looking for cool decorating pieces. I love doing this, and always make sure I bring back treasures from Iowa and Wisconsin. His shop is based in Iowa, and I sent him a Tweet telling him I loved the show, and that it was fun to see my gorgeous homestate. He wrote back"@TheMostess thank you Iowa is beautiful I'm glad we can show it off to the world." I knew all Iowans were nice people!

Just this morning, he asked if people knew where he could buy vintage European posters--hello! I have 2. And here they are:

I'm happy to report that their value has gone up in the last few years. When I bought the Favor print, it was in Hawaii on vacation with my friend Boat Girl. It was $800, and I was a broke-arse student. The guys let me buy it on layaway--I dutifully sent in my check every month for a year until the poster arrived in my mail one day. At last! Then I was too poor to have it framed properly, and Lance had it mounted and framed for my birthday one year. It hangs in our living room, and I love it just as much as I did 10 years ago. But now it's valued at $2100! Woo-hoo! A wise investment, and a great piece of art.

I'm definitely planning on visiting Mike Wolfe's shop next time I'm in Iowa. Here's to finding cool and weird junk in the most unexpected places. And to looking better than Richie Sambora.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

A Little Lovin' and Some Piano Men

Ashley just yelled at me. I am responding. Here's what we've been up to.

The Atwoods Annual Valentine's Day Bash!



This party is always hilarious. People come and eat tasty treats, mingle, and then we play a game. In the past, we've done love poems for our men (I did not win), love poems for the women (Lance did not win), and the Battle of the Sexes.

This year, we played Battle of the Sexes again. I brought home one solid point for team HOT CHICKS by knowing where the HQ for ESPN (Bristol, Connecticut!) and Lance brought a point home for team HOT STUDS by knowing what H & M stands for. We're serious team contributors.

After the game, we do a white elephant gift exchange. Everyone wraps up their crap all fancy-like to pass it off as something worthwhile--it never is. Ever. And the larger the present, the bigger the crap. Go small and compact.

I won this "fabulous" space shuttle phone. Sadly, after this convincing photo was taken, some unknown bearded man stole it from me for his kid. Lame. But then my other friends stole it from him--I felt better about that.

That's Amore!

On Tuesday, Sharla and I went to see Billy Joel and Elton John face off on their respective pianos. This was a seriously funny crowd--all types. I had originally tried to entice Sharla into going with me but she wasn't having it. But then I wistfully said something about hoping we see them before one of them died...and she relented. We were both glad.


Our seats weren't that bad for cheap, last minute crap seats. We were technically behind them, but they sit sideways, so our view was great. No creepy backsides performing for us.

Elton is a tiny man. A tiny, wonderfully talented man. They are both amazing performers. I was blown away. It's hard to find artists who are as good live as they are recorded, and I got two of them in one night. I feel so 'adult contemporary.' Is this what it feels like to be old?


When they played and sang together--MAGIC!! I love how EJ would sing a few lines from BJ's songs and vice-versa. They play very well together.

I got a little aggro and yelled at the people in front of me to sit back because they were blocking my view. I will only put up with so much, even if I'm in the cheap seats. Security!!

These horrible dancers were not only blocking my view, they were assaulting my eyes with craptastic dance "moves" and heinous air guitar and air drum performances. Totally unacceptable.

Then they were joined by 2 more horrible dancers.

I was about to go all aggro on these chumps, but Security swept in and took care of the problem for me. Thanks Arena Security!

Thanks for another great concert, and fun night. I love Billy and Elton. I had many phases of loving Billy. My sister Eriika and I used to act out "uptown Girl" in our living room. BossyPants always made me be Billy Joel, and she always got to play Christie Brinkley. I also have a party trick in that I know all of the words to "We Didn't Start the Fire." In fact, I once used this song to help me on a history question--"Ayatollah's in Iran." Thanks, Billy!


Being the party animal that I am, I am heading back to this same arena next Tuesday for Bon Jovi. That guy has seen a million faces (and rocked them all) but I haven't been one of them yet. That will all change after Tuesday. Until then, Tiny Dancers!

PS--If you are interested in my Valentine's Day Party Mix, here you go:

Kiss-Prince
How Sweet it is to be Loved by You: Marvin Gaye
Can't Get Enough of Your Love--Barry White
Let's Get It On--Marvin Gaye
What I Like About You--Romantics
Can't Help Falling in Love With You: Elvis
When a Man Loves a Woman--Percy Sledge
My Girl--The Temptations
Have I Told You Lately--Van Morrison
Pour Some Sugar on Me--Def Leppard
I Got You Babe--Sunny and Cher
You Sexy Thing--Hot Chocolate
Wild Thing--Troggs
U Can't Touch This--Hammer
Together Forever--Rick Astley
I Just Called to Say I Love You: Stevie Wonder
You Shook Me All Night Long--AC/DC
Love Shack--B-52's
Don't Stop Believen-- Journey or Glee!
Baby Got Back--Sir Mix a Lot
Brick House--Commodores
My Girl--Temptations
Come on Eileen--Dexy's Midnight Runners
Crazy in Love--Beyonce
Bad Romance--Gaga
Get Down Tonight--KC & the Sunshine Band
Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, PYT, Billie Jean--Michael Jackson
I Want You to Want Me--Cheap Trick
Crazy Little Thing Called Love--Queen
Sweet Child o Mine--Guns and Roses
Bust a Move--Young MC
Let's Stay Together--Al Green
September--Earth, Wind & Fire
Forever--Chris Brown
I Can't help Myself--Four Tops
Rock Your Body--Justin Timberlake
All You Need is Love--Beatles
I've Had The Time of my Life--Dirty Dancing--my own personal fave!!
White Wedding--Billy Idol
Walk This Way--Aerosmith
Take on Me--Aha
Gimme More--Britney Spears
Getting Jiggy--Will Smith
I Saw Him Standing There--Tiffany or Beatles
Are you Gonna Be My Girl--Jet
You Dropped a Bomb on Me--Gap Band
Pretty Woman--Roy Orbison
Lovesong--Cure
Close to Me--Cure
Groove is in the Heart--Dee-Lite
Take a Chance on Me--Abba
Everybody Have Fun Tonight--Wang Chung
All Shook Up--Elvis
Melt with You--Modern English
Whip It--Devo
Careless Whisper--George Michael
True--Spandau Ballet
Always on my Mind--Pet Shop Boys
There's a Light That Never Goes Out--The Smiths
Keep on Lovin You--REO Speedwagon
Hold Me Now--Thompson Twins
Tainted Love--Soft Cell
Don't You Want Me--Human League
Need You Tonight--INXS
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me--Culture Club/Boy George
Love My Way--Psychedelic Furs
Tenderness--General Public
Always Something There to Remind Me--Angel Eyes
You Spin Me--Dead or Alive
One Thing Leads to Another--Fixx
Just What I needed--Cars
The Right Stuff, Dirty Dancing, Full Service--NKOTB