The next few days are going to be insanely busy and hectic. My parents, younger brother, and I are preparing to go on a week long visit out of state. I've been so busy applying for jobs, hanging out with friends, and preparing visa forms that I haven't prepped for this trip at all. That's a first! Last February, my Dad found his birth family through Facebook. In doing so we found out that his sister and her children live in Arizona, where my niece and her mother also happen to live. We're combining the trip to meet our newly discovered family and also pick up my niece on the way back through. Every summer my niece comes to visit our family which usually consists of me flying to Arizona and flying back with her twice since she's only 7 so this will definitely save me a trip.
I've been hassling my mother to make up an itinerary. If you know me, you know I like to make a list for everything. I like to be prepared. On my trips to the Netherlands I usually plan months in advance which is almost ridiculous, but hey, saves me the trouble of last minute chaos and weighing heavy on my mind. From what my mother has told me, we'll be staying in Albuquerque, visiting Four Corners, visiting Monument Valley, staying in Tuba City, then off to Laughlin to stay for three nights. The Grand Canyon will also be squeezed in there somewhere, but I'm not sure when. I have a feeling I'm going to be drained by the time we make it to Laughlin. I can assure you. I can only imagine the 17 hour trip back with my niece. She takes after her mom in the sense that she talks way too much. Ha! But I am excited to see her.
Too be honest, I think I'm more prepared for the trip to Boulder, Colorado in August than this one. Speaking of which, I did find a nice hotel in Boulder within walking distance of the Boulder Theater and Pearl Street, and did I mention the hotel has complimentary bikes? Uh yes, please! I'll be riding that shit all over town, and hopefully I won't have to latch my arm around my Dutch boyfriend while he bikes for the both of us. Yeah, embarrassing as it is, that actually happened once. Obviously he rides bikes more often than I do. Another huge plus at the hotel, I can get a good deal with my Choice Privileges card AND get a discount for attending a show at the theater. Pretty fucking badass if you ask me. Who likes to save money? This girl. ;] I don't know how many places I've pinned on TripAdvisor to visit, but I'm definitely going to have to narrow it down. In other words, I've pinned, like, everything. I think we'll be staying for 2 nights, but I'm going to try to squeeze in a third if at all possible. There's just so much I want to do, and not enough time in the day.
I feel like I'm supposed to be doing something. Oh yeah, planning and making a list, but you know what I'm really going to do? I'm going to get off of here and go see Star Trek into Darkness with my little brother, and put off preparing my trip for another day. I never should have agreed to go. *sigh* Even homebodies need to get out once in awhile.
After a month of waiting, Wednesday finally rolled around and with it came Gregory Alan Isakov. I mentioned before in a previous post how I came across him and how I pretty much fell in love with his music. Since then, I have been counting down the days and exhausting my patience. I've seen a number of shows in my past, but there is nothing that compares to how badly I wanted to see Gregory Alan Isakov in person. There isn't one song of his that I am not absolutely in love with. This never happens for me, ever. Usually I'll have a favorite artist where I love a few of their songs, but could care less for the rest. But oh no, not Gregory's music. LOVE ALL THE SONGS! BUY ALL THE ALBUMS!
My friends and I were also looking forward to it because it would be the first time we would have a 'girl's night' in years. We rarely all get together so this was going to make the evening even that more amazing. Chrissy and Brittnie met up with me at my place and we were on the road before we knew it. We stopped by Lindsey's house where we spent most of our time getting ready and catching up before taking the hour drive to Fayetteville.
Once we arrived in Fayetteville, we parked at George's Majestic Lounge and there was absolutely no one there so we got the best spot in the lot! Thankfully with his show being on a Wednesday, it wasn't that busy downtown. Across from George's we grabbed a bite to eat at Jimmy John's and sat in a booth right by the window. Shortly thereafter we were all done eating except for Chrissy, who was too busy taking a bazillion pictures and hadn't even started eating yet. Typical Chrissy, ha! We still had ten minutes before the doors opened and we had a perfect view of the venue. I was sitting facing the window and I totally had a fangirl moment when I saw Gregory and his band hanging outside for a bit. Seeing them with my own eyes just made me ecstatic. I quickly ushered Chrissy to finish her food so we could head back over to George's.
After Chrissy made a few trips back and forth to the car, we headed inside. The guy at the door took our tickets and checked our ID's and we were finally in! We still had 45 minutes before the show started so there were only a few people inside. The last time I went to George's a few years ago it was packed. It was weird seeing it so quiet and empty. While Chrissy and Brittnie had a smoke break on the patio, Lindsey and I went to check out the Garden Theater where the performance would be held. Again, it was practically empty in there as well. I didn't really know what the layout would be like. I was hoping we wouldn't have to stand all night since Lindsey is pregnant. I was happy to see that there were tables where we could sit. Some of them were reserved, but luckily there was a table right at the front of the stage that wasn't reserved. We claimed it and soon after Chrissy and Brittnie joined us.
We ordered a few beers and got cozy at our table while we waited for Lizzy Lehman to open. When she took the stage she was a little bit nervous, but she put on a great show. She had a few members of 3 Penny Acre playing with her and they were awesome support. Chrissy got a picture with Lizzy while she went on a beer run.
After a few beers we loosened up (minus Lindsey since she's preggo) and were having a great time. I remember turning around and seeing a sea of people in the room. The place was packed! Before long the crew started setting up the stage and Gregory's gear. I was beyond excited at this point. Here we were.. best seat in the house about to listen to my favorite musician ever. Yeah, I was like a kid in a candy store. It wasn't long before Gregory came on stage and filled the room with his beautiful sound and lyrics. I died.
Now on the way up to Fayetteville, I had told my friends that I really wanted to try to get his setlist after the show. Here I was going to see him live for the first time and I really wanted to have some memorabilia to take home with me. I kind of made it my mission, along with getting my albums signed and getting a picture with him. I knew those two things wouldn't be a problem, but the setlist I wasn't sure I'd be able to obtain. I really felt like someone else would beat me to it.
Here is where Chrissy comes into play and works her magic. Chrissy is super social and outspoken, she does stuff on a whim and doesn't really have a comfort zone unlike me being the complete opposite. Chrissy was a little tipsy and a few times during the show she told me she would get that setlist. I kind of laughed it off and went back to watching the show. But oh boy was she EVER serious. Right after the band was leaving the stage, Chrissy jumps out of her seat and catches Gregory before he goes backstage. I couldn't make out what they were saying to each other. My friends and I just watched in amusement. He was smiling and saying something to her, and a few other people were talking with the band also. Next thing I know Chrissy's walking back with a paper in her hand and she handed it to me. It was the most beautiful thing I had seen all night, it was his setlist. I had the biggest grin on my face and I was so shocked. I never would have rushed the stage like she did so I was glad she was there to get it for me. Out of the corner of my eye I could see people staring at us wondering what all the commotion was about, but I didn't give a shit. xD
But it didn't end there. Before I could even comprehend what had just happened, Chrissy starts pulling on my arm saying we had to go backstage. I kept telling Chrissy we couldn't go back there, and she kept telling me two people just went back there to get a picture. I really thought she was making it up, but Chrissy kept INSISTING we go back there and she would not let go of my arm for the life of me! My friends were shaking their heads and looking at Chrissy like she was crazy and she was almost making a scene in front of everyone so I gave in. I was a little tipsy so I didn't fight it.
We ran up the stairs to the stage and went behind the curtain. We passed a few crew members and they didn't seem to mind that we were back there so we carried on. We walked down this long ramp and I was getting really nervous about meeting them. We took a left and walked to a small room with the door wide open. I almost freaked out when I saw them in that room, just casually putting away their instruments. I didn't have time to react to anything that was happening because Chrissy who was still pulling me by my arm, just walks right into the room like she owns the place. With her loud voice she just says, "Excuse me guys, excuse me. This is my best friend.." She then went on to tell them that I introduced her to their music and how much I loved it. I felt like I was her trophy and she was displaying me for everyone. I couldn't even get a word in. xD As if barging into their room wasn't embarrassing enough. They were super nice about it and didn't seem to mind. Jeb was all smiles while Gregory packed his guitar away. I was so dazed that I can't remember too many details. Gregory was standing right next to me and I faintly remember him asking my name in that soft voice of his as he reached out to shake my hand. He was so sweet. It was kind of surreal, partly due to the beers I had downed. xD I was a little starstruck, not that Gregory's famous or anything, he isn't that well-known yet. But I was, like, meeting my hero.
Chrissy snapped a picture of Gregory and I. Then, I asked for everyone to get in the picture because, c'mon, they're fucking amazing.
We made our way back to where Lindsey and Brittnie had waited. I was still on cloud nine pretty much. We hung out for a bit and made our way over to where Jeb and Philip were selling merchandise. Gregory eventually made his way out too. I bought a shirt and one of his albums I had yet to buy. Gregory, along with Jeb and Philip, signed both of my albums. And might I add they are now being respectfully displayed in a frame.
I ended up accomplishing the three things I wanted out of the night, with many thanks to Chrissy and her 'go get it' personality. I could have stuck around a bit longer, but they were being swarmed by everyone so I thought it best to leave them be. We headed out and hung out in the parking lot for a bit while Chrissy took her smoke break. She got some stranger to snap photos of us because like I said before, Chrissy loves to take pictures. Ha!
As happy and excited as I was after the show, I was kind of sad that the wait was over. And then I realized I would get to live it all over again in August. A few weeks ago, I bought tickets to Gregory's CD Release show at the Boulder Theater in Colorado. This was kind of a plus for me because I've wanted to visit Colorado for the longest time. It was very spontaneous of me to buy the tickets, but for once I wanted to do something totally unplanned, and this gave me the opportunity to do it. This time Alex will be coming with me since he'll be here. I plan on making a mini-vacation out of it so we can get away for a few days. I'm dying for those mountain views. It'll definitely be filled with excitement and adventure so I'm really looking forward to it.
Gregory's new album, The Weatherman, will be out in July so you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be buying it the day it goes on sale. A few of my favorite songs which I've come across on youtube are on that album and I am excited to hear his new material. Let the countdown commence!
Back in October, Alex and I filed for his visa to come to the states. The process takes months and months and it's hard to have patience for so long. This will be the longest we have been apart so it's been pretty tough.
For the past month I have been checking our case status daily, and here recently even multiple times a day (when I get a little obsessive or bored). I had signed up to receive text and e-mail notifications relating to our case. And I swear every time that I got an e-mail, I would immediately assume it was for our petition. I kept getting my hopes up, but I had formed a habit of it. xD
Then, yesterday morning while I was sitting at my computer, I heard the all too familiar 'ding' of my iphone saying I had an e-mail and of course.. my mind automatically thought of our visa approval. As soon as I opened my inbox I saw the e-mail with the USCIS address! My heart pretty much leapt out of my chest. I quickly opened the e-mail and saw these beautiful words!
The worst part of waiting and not knowing is over. From here on, the process moves more quickly and updates are given regularly about our case. Once he is assigned his interview date, I will have a better idea of when he will be able to come here. It won't be much longer now. :)
Kopper Kettle, a local candy store here, has the best chocolate covered strawberries I have ever tasted. These strawberries are a big hit around here and they usually sell out pretty quickly as they are only sold on Thursday's and Friday's during the months of April and May. Luckily my Mom and I were able to order some earlier this week and we picked them up today. I was almost drooling on the way home. Seriously. I was surprised I managed to make it the entire way home without eating one. We ordered half a dozen, but later we would wish we had ordered more because once we got home, they were gone within the hour.
We patiently wait all year for these. I may just have to order some more for my mom's birthday next week. ;)
Every once in awhile I get this growing need to find new music. In the past, I had come aross new bands I loved through MySpace (when it was popular) and I would seriously spend days just looking for music on there by scouring through similar artists, hoping something would hit me the right way. I found some bands that came close, but a lot of the artists I loved would only be temporary. Some of them disbanded or stopped making new music and even then only a few of their songs I'd really love. Yes, like everyone else I listen to a shit ton of music but only rarely do I find songs that take me somewhere else. Insert Tori getting all deep, you get the picture.
Fast forward to last summer, I discovered the ever-growing Spotify and I gave it a try. The thing I immediately loved about Spotify (besides the dark interface) was the ability to search through similar artists. I'll admit I was wary. I had used websites before trying to find similar artists, and more times than not it would spit out popular bands, nothing special, nothing new, nothing unfamilar. It was kind of disappointing so you could understand me being cautious and not getting my hopes up about Spotify's 'related artists' feature. Now I'm very picky when it comes to music. I'm not talking about jamming out to Psy or singing along to Katy Perry in the car. Who doesn't do that from time to time? I'm talking about music that you could listen to for hours, days on end, and still love it just as much as you did when you first heard it. I rarely find music like that, but Spotify quickly turned that around for me.
I remember starting with one of my favorite bands at the time, The Middle East. I branched out and started finding some musicians and from there I'd find more musicians related to them. Then, finally, it brought me to Gregory Alan Isakov. It may sound cheesy, but I remember exactly which song I heard first. The Stable Song. Almost immediately I fell in love with the song and his voice hadn't even begun to sing yet. I'm not kidding. As soon as he started singing, I just became entranced. Everything about that song was perfect, the old-fashioned feel, the lyrics, his voice, the strumming of the guitar and banjo. Everything. I instantly put this song on repeat. I listened and listened over and over again. After awhile I managed to break free of that song long enough to give his other songs a fighting chance. I was in awe at every song I listened to, his music and lyrics would just take me to another place and time. I had bascially just found my music soulmate. If such a thing existed.
I can honestly say there has not been a day where I haven't listened to his music since I came across it. I have no idea how I ever survivied this long without hearing his breath-taking music. It must sound like I'm on some kind of drug the way I talk about it, but seriously guys, seriously.
Now moving on.. after falling in love with his music, I just knew I HAD to see him perform live. Like, if I didn't see him perform live, I would not die happy. At the time Gregory did not have any tour dates listed, but I knew it wouldn't be long until he did. One day in early NovemberI logged on facebook and was just scrolling through my newsfeed and something caught my eye. Gregory Alan Isakov would be touring in the Netherlands! I just so happened to be traveling there to visit my boyfriend that very week. IT HAD TO BE FATE. I clicked on the link and started checking out the dates and that's when the shit hit the fan. He would be playing in Leiden, 15 mins away from my boyfriend's house on November 6th, but oh, I arrived November 7th. I would miss him by HOURS. I had a bitch fit with myself and pretty much wanted to cry. He would be playing other places in the Netherlands, but they were much further away. I wanted to jump off a bridge, I tell ya! I actually contemplated bumping up my flight, but my ticket had already been purchased which would mean I'd have to spend more money to change it. I managed to suck it up and told myself that I would get the chance to see him one day.
After his Netherlands tour was over, I made a point to check his website regulary to see if he'd be making any appearances nearby. I wouldn't let another chance like that slip by. A few months went by and still no other tour dates had been added, but still I checked every other day. When all of a sudden last month, I saw he would be performing at the Bunbury Festival in Ohio. And not only that, he would be performing with my second favorite musician Joe Purdy. They'd be on the same stage, performing back to back. I thought, well here's my chance! Even though I didn't want to drive 12 hours and spend all that money just to see those two, I was really leaning towards the idea of making the trip, but it was many months away so I had time to think about it.
A few weeks after that I decided to check his website yet again, juuust maybe he would have some new dates added. And what I saw almost gave me a heart attack. He had added multiple tour dates, and immediately one caught my eye. Fayetteville, Arkansas. He would be performing 45 mins away. I lost it and was overcome with excitement, you can ask my mom. I was jumping up and down and flipping the fuck out.
Which brings us to today, the tickets FINALLY went on sale, and I'm pretty sure I was the first to buy them. Initially, I had talked Brittnie into going with me and we were both really excited. I then decided to go out on a limb and invite Lindsey who also happens to be a fan of folk music, and this would be right up her alley. She wanted to go and ended up buying a ticket. But I couldn't forget about Chrissy. It had been awhile since we hung out and not knowing if she would enjoy folk music, I decided what the hell and invited her too. And her reaction was something like, "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME I LOVE FOLK MUSIC!" And she excitedly accepted.
So come next month I get to share this amazing experience with all of my best friends. You have no idea how happy this makes me. I hope they fall in love with his music just as much as I have. I wish the mister would be here to share in this with me, he unfortunately won't be as we are still waiting for the visa approval. But Mr. Isakov apparently frequents this area as he was also here last year. So I'm certain we'll have that chance again.
