Kiev (not Ukraine) and Keane

I love a good  concert.  Sometimes I lack the words to describe them.  

 Cami and I anxiously awaiting the arrival of Keane

The band Kiev kept us entertained while we waited.  They were pretty good.  Their sound (at least live) is slightly reminiscent of Mute Math. (Another fabulous concert I attended this year)

The album they were promoting.  I like it.  Full of hope, despite sounding somewhat like a break up album. Favorite song: Disconnected.  If you like scary movies you should check out their video for this, but if scary movies haunt you (haha), don't watch it.  The song, though, is not scary.  Just the video.

Tom Chaplin, lead singer.  Beautiful voice.  Gracious and kind entertainer.  (Thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiam of the Salt Lake crowd- which was pretty lively)  

Kiev and me.  We met up with them at the end of the concert.  Nice guys.  Sorry we ran away like star-struck 12 year old girls.  Hey.  Keane started up with their encore.  Can you blame us? 

Love Keane and had been looking forward to this concert since I heard they were coming.  Keane did not disappoint.  They had lots of good energy, the singing was amazing, and listening to the lead singer talk...sigh...(hey, he's British.)  ;)  

In case you haven't heard them, and are interested, here ya go:

Midnight in Austenland

Or, rather, an afternoon at the Kings English Bookshop.  A very lovely afternoon spent with my good friend, Heidi:

Listening to a hilarious (albeit freezing) Shannon Hale

tell about her new book, Midnight in Austenland, share stories about the making of Austenland the movie, answering questions, introducing the players in her murder mystery game and generally having a good time.

Thankfully, we were there early and got good tickets for the signing line.

And after signing we had delicious raspberry lime infused water.  Too bad the cookies were already gone.  Sigh.  On to solving the murder mystery and chatting it up in a back corner.

What? What was that?  I won?  I won!!

Meet Ricky Whittle, aka Captain George East of Austenland fame.  Mine for all of 2012 and beyond. ;)

It was so much fun and totally worth the time.  Thanks Heidi for a fantastic memory!!

September in a Flash

4 miles in
2 nights
4 miles out.
6 miles in between.
7 lakes (at least)
Too much trail food
Little Weight
No compass needed.
4 friends
1 awesome backpacking trip

Lots of junk
Giggly girls
Silly moms
Always a craft
Uplifting thoughts
Time away from boys
And presents! (Hey! That was mine!!)
Forever a good time
Marchant Girls Weekend in Park City

Butterflies
Fairies
Makeup
Music
Dancing
Food
Impromptu Fairy party/Costume Picnic

First.
Ever.
Principal Pride Award.
Happiness.

Muse: The Resistance Tour

**Updated with new pictures Cami took.  You'll get a good idea how close we ended up.

Sigh.........Smile..........Greatest night ever.

A few rules I learned while seeing the most awesome band perform live (and a mere 10 feet from where I stood):

1.  There is no such thing as personal space. At all. 

2.  It is possible to be so excited that you very nearly pee your pants (allegedly).

(Cami took this of the whole band.  It was just awesome.  Am I repeating myself?)

3.  And then hyperventillate.  (We'll blame that one on the over heated-ness due to rule 1.)

4.  The mosh pit is a must.  Whether you want to or not. 

5.  Where ever you are sitting before the show starts, you will inevitably move 5 feet closer to the stage once the show starts.

(Another one of Cami's photos-That guy on stage is Chris W.  the bass guitarist/backup vocals.  We were so close!)

6.  There is no other place to be than on the floor. 

Seriously.  This was the best night ever.  Thanks Cami for sharing it with me!!!!

Oh-and I was very happy to see this guitar made familiar to me by their H.A.R.R.P. dvd.  Something about the red guitar with glittary stripes....:)

So, now I have a couple of questions for you. What's the best concert you've been to?  Have you seen your dream band/singer live?

Happy Bday to Me......4 Months early

My next birthday I will be turning the big 3-0. It's still a good 4 months away and already people are starting to ask if I have any big plans.

Well, I do. Now that is. The other day I opened my email to a Christmas miracle-an updated tour schedule with new US tour dates for Muse. One of those recently announced dates/locations included Salt Lake! My fellow Muse-nut got online this morning when tickets went on presale and scored a pair for us!! We screamed and jumped up and down like a couple of preteens meeting Rob Pattinson. This is going to be SO awesome!

For those of you unfamiliar with Muse, let me educate you...


And This:

Happy New Moon!

If you are not a Twilight fan-step away right now. Save your eye-rolling for someone else. :)

So-I couldn't sleep last night. The only thing I could think of is I was excited and anxious for today. Lots to get done before the movie and at the same time midnight can't come soon enough. Last night I watched Twilight with the commentary on. Hilarious. I remember why I loved the film the first time, despite it's faults and it was great to get some insight on why some things were changed from the book.

Now for New Moon....SQUEAL!!!!!

Bite Me

....no really. It might help me keep my eyes open. I am SO tired, but it was SOOO worth it. Here's what happens when mom's, unaccustomed to leaving the house at 10 pm or so (let along even being awake at these late hours), do with some free time and no kids:

We started out fairly normal (although it was strange to be showering and getting ready at 9 p.m.).

Tiffany, Angie, Cami, and Rachel (who I just met and love!)

Me and Tiff and then Me and Cami all anxiously awaiting the midnight hour while enjoying bags of candy, chips, bottled water and free pizza

Did I mention the treat bags came with fangs?
And what would anything Twilight be without Edward?
(That was a dare of sorts by the way)

There are more pictures, but not on my camera. :) The movie started and it was like one big giant sleepover. Everyone cheered when each new character was introduced. We all laughed at things that were probably not that funny but it was midnight. There were lots of pleasant surprises. It was what I thought it would be, but then again different. I absolutely LOVED the cinematography, though. Will I see it again? Yes. In fact, I want to see it with a group of normal people at a normal time. I liked it.

We had cheese fries (well, I did) at denny's afterwards and recapped the movie and procrastinated going home as long as possible. (The poor host/server guy was a little overwhelmed by Twihards that kept popping in. Hey-at least he's making some extra $$, right? ) I love a good girls night and this had to be one of the best.

**If any of this sounds incoherent, well, let's face it. It probably is. I am very tired. :)