Beamish's 2015 Sountrack

My son has really blossomed this year.  While, he is still innocent in many ways, he is also beginning to understand that the world is a complex place that is not black and white. He's in a beautiful place right now: happy, empathetic, generous.

As he has broaden his horizon, he has discovered music of his own that he likes.  Because he is who he is, finding a song he likes means that he will sing it endlessly.  I'm okay with that because I like Imagine Dragons.




No end-of-year soundtrack for Beamish would be complete without something about Minecraft.  There are a number of Minecraft parody songs, so I'll just choose one.  Einie, mennie, minie, moe...

Finally, 2015 was the year in which my son discovered racism.  At school, he experienced a micro-aggression that other kids handled.  He had no idea what had just happened to him. Then, on a computer game he likes to play, Agr.io, he encountered the n-bomb.   We have had many discussions since both of these events.  We have talked about racist and bigoted terms about other groups of people, though not all of them - yet.  For this seminal event, this Depeche Mode song seems appropriate.

Visit tomorrow to see my musical take on the virtual world.

The Soundtrack for 2015 - Friends

On my road to recovery over the last two years, my friends have been an invaluable lifeline. I admit that during 2014, I was more likely to push people away, while during 2015, I craved companionship.

While my social calendar didn't overflowth, I did enjoy many wonderful times with great people.  First, I have to acknowledge my Squeeze family.  Despite their distance from me, I have come love them as if they were just next door.  For them, our favorite band.

Next, I've been shy about sharing my troubles.  It helps me feel less isolated and I hope it helps others who suffer from depression to feel less lonely and ashamed. Because I have been so open about my struggles, I have written a few FB posts that are alarming.  I'm pretty sure that at least one or two were accurate reflections of my suicidal state of mind, especially after I lost my job and was feeling ill due to a still-undetected bleeding ulcer.  Many people, including people I had only met a few times really comforted me.  People texted me.  One person wanted me to send her a message every couple of hours, just to make sure I was still on this mortal coil.  Who knows why near strangers reached out to me, but they did.  I can't thank them enough.

Finally, it took me halfway through 2015 to let go of the anger and disappointment I felt toward the former teaching colleagues who bailed on my in my sickness.  I'm glad to say that there are those who are still in my life and that is what is most important.  To those who left, I say

 Come back tomorrow when I will put the world of my Beamish boy into song
 

2015's Soundtrack - Work

Another year is about to end.  Another year of challenges that I would have rather not faced.  Another year of lessons learned.  I could bemoan the troubles or have a little fun with them.  It's healthier to choose fun, which is why I am going to supply a soundtrack for 2015.

I had a job (until June) that helped me help workers stand up for their rights.   For that portion of the year, I have chosen a little Pete Seegar. 

Then, for no reason, I lost my job.  I wasn't perfect at my new job, but I was happy with the type of work. I would have gotten better with more time at the job.  I had no discipline issues, no write-ups.  Nothing that would merit letting me go.  For that, here's a little CeeLo Green.

Finally, I am still out of work.  I have had some sort of job, continuously since I started baby-sitting at the age of 12.  I've delivered papers, cleaned houses, sold electronics, but I have never been out of work.  I'm at crossroads I never anticipated. I started off angry.  Now I'm sad and worried about my financial future and how long-term unemployment will impact my struggle with depression. I've already been through the "I'm a burden and everyone would be better if I disappeared" stage.  I will have to fight to not feel that way again. For this part of 2015, I'd like to share The Smiths.

Tomorrow, my soundtrack selections will be for the category of Friends.

Time to Finish Writing This List

I'm never going to finish sharing my list of 50 things I want to do before I turn 50 if I don't do it now, so here are remaining 25 items.

1. Allow a snail to crawl on my arm.  I promised Beamish that I would do this ages ago.  Time to just do it.

2.  Go zip lining because it looks like crazy fun. Though, I will be concerned that I could wet my panties.

3.  Have brunch at a nice restaurant on Mother's Day.  I don't care if it's a cliche, I would still like to do it before I have to use a walker and can't carry as much food.

4.  Attend a football game at the Big House.  I don't like football, but there is something about being in a crowd of 106,000 people that is intriguing.

5.  Attend at DCFC game.  I enjoyed the World Cup and, frankly, soccer players usually have great looking legs.  Yes, I am objectifying the players.  But, I have probably almost reached the age at which I am unfuckable, so why not watch a bunch of young, sweaty, athletic guys run around in shorts?

6. I want to go fowling while it is still hip.  Who wants to take me?

7. Time to pump up my tires and bike far more often than I do.  It's better for my health and the environment, a win-win.

8.  I live in Canada and have for a while now.  Yet, I have never been curling.  How have I not tried a sport during which I get to yell "harder" and not be called a trollop for doing so?

9. I have been saying this for five years.  But, as I said earlier, I have lost confidence in my book.  I still want to self-publish it.  I'll have to learn to love it again.

10. Another Canadian thing to try: attend a maple syrup festival and tapping for syrup.

11. If my 16 year old cat dies, I'm pretty sure that I want to rescue an older dog.

12.  Watch a movie a month, starting in May.  I watch one with Beamish every Saturday, but I thought I might add a non-kid movie to the routine, just for me.

13.  I need to walk the walk and use public transit once a month.

14.  I really want to see Madame Butterfly.  Hopefully it flutters into the Detroit Opera House before I turn 50.

15.  Again, walking the walk - I want to find a food bank and work there regularly. 

16.  Attend a performance of the DSO.

17.  Attend a performance of the WSO.

18. Audition for community theatre.  This idea has rumbled about in my head for many years now, so why not try it?

19.  Complete a NYT Sunday Crossword Puzzle.  It might take me a while and I'm not too proud to seek assistance on it.

20.  Meditate twice a day, everyday!  I'm off to a good start - 22 days straight so far.

21. I am about to write something incredibly vain and superficial.  I want to hide the visible veins that currently  decorate both of my knees. If that requires some sort of laser therapy, that's fine

22.  I'd like to learn at least rudimentary Spanish or Ukrainian.

23.  I'm always saying this, but music=happiness=life.  Time to really make sure I see live music at least once a month.

24.  Make a fall colors trip.

25.  Sleep outside, in the backyard.

That's it.  I think most of it is doable.  Any and all of it will be fun.  Who wants to join me as I skip toward the half-century mark?

Musical Magic

I did not attend as many concerts as I would have liked.  Oh well, that's the cost of austerity.  I did get to travel to see my friends Glenn Tilbrook and Simon Hanson for two concerts this fall.  That opportunity will always make my highlight reel.

Why?  Music has always been where I go to escape the world. We all need to escape from time to time.  Music moves our feet and our souls. 

My travels this fall took me to the Beachland Ballroom (where I first met Glenn) in Cleveland and to the Space in Evanston (Illionois).  I attended both shows with my friend Kriss and became friends with a couple of her friends.  That's another wonderful thing about music, it brings people together.

Hopefully, 2014 offers me a few more musical moments.

More from my setlist

Rock n' roll! It's time to turn this blog back up to 11 and add to the set list that my imaginary band would play, if I had any musical ability at all.

For a quick review, here are the first five songs my band would play:  Heartbreaker, Dreaming, Alive, This Must be the Place, and It's Too Late.

For the next five songs, my band (with me as the sexy, lead singing, guitar goddess momma) shall play:

"William, It Was Really Nothing (by The Smiths): I know, I know, Mozz is annoying, even to this vegetarian. But the guitar work (Mr. Johnny Marr) is brilliant and I quite like the lyrics.  They aren't too ponderous or over the top.  It might be the most perfect song ever by The Smiths.

"Is That Love" (by Squeeze) -Of course, I would have to do a song from my favorite band. Great lines like "My assets froze and yours have dropped" and "Legs up with a book and a drink/Now is that love makin' you think" are just too amazing to not want to sing.  Plus, there is a smashing guitar solo for me to play.

"I'm Not Down" (by The Clash) - It might seem like a weird segue way, but that's okay.  As an emotionally overwrought teenager, this was my favorite song off of London Calling, if not my favorite song period. I figure that should count for something and I get to sing this one.


"32 Flavors" (by Ani DiFranco) - I really prefer Alana Davis' cover, but no matter.  I love this song and would do it an acoustic cover of it.

"Wonderwall" (by Oasis) - I cannot get enough of this song, period.  I might even keep the acoustic guitar out to play this song that way.  This truly is a piece of genius.  Considering what a mess they are, I can't, for the life of me, fathom how the Gallagher brothers wrote a song this good.  It doesn't matter, it's on my set list.

If only...

I have long fantasized about being in a rock band. I always envision myself the lead singer, seducing throngs of mesmerized fans. This little daydream plays itself every time I take one of my long walks or go to the gym, neither of which happens without my iPod. Sometimes at the gym, particularly when I am using the treadmill, I have to stop myself from launching into full-on rock star mode. You know the one: leaning forward on one, slightly bent leg, microphone in hand, mouth wide open. Okay, I'm not standing still on the treadmill, but the leaning forward, silently singing into my invisible mic might happen.

So, what is on my set list?  I'm so glad you asked. I kind of imagine myself as a sexy guitar playing babe, so my songs are heavy on guitar solos, along with some songs that offer opportunities for me to step away from the guitar to shake and shimmy on the stage.  I also imagine that my band has a male who sings when I'm too busy being Hendrix with boobs. Here are the first five on the list of songs my band would cover.

Song #1 - "Heartbreaker" (by Pat Benatar) - Pat Benatar is not my cup of tea.  I mean, have you ever seen the video for "Love is a Battlefield"?  This song, "Heartbreaker," however, is smoking hot.  It has big vocals and a cool guitar solo (played by moi) at the end. If I had any musical talent, my band would so cover this song.

Song #2 - Dreaming (by Blondie) - I would spread the love around in my band and this song has two great drum solos.  Plus, I would be prancing about stage singing, being sexy and all.

Song #3 - "Alive" (by Pearl Jam) - It's time for me to pick up my guitar again and let my band mate do a little singing.  I always imagine myself crowd surfing during this song, even during the amazing solo at the end.  I close my eyes and someone in the crowd has me standing on his shoulders while I play away.  Of course, at the end of the song, the crowd gently returns me to the stage.

Song #4 - "This Must Be The Place" (The Talking Heads)- By this point in the show, the crowd is in a wild frenzy, so it's time to slow it down. No guitar solo, we might even do this song acoustically.   I just want to sing the lines "Out of all those kind of people/You got a face with a view." God, I love that line.

Song #5 - "It's Too Late" (Bob Mould) - I want to keep the pace still a little slow, with a hint that we're about to speed up again quite soon. I might sing, or cede the mic to my partner, but, either way, the guitar parts are all mine.

I need to think about the pace I want to set for the next five songs.  In the meantime, what are a few songs your band would cover.

Music

I read an article from the Guardian this morning about how powerful music is in our lives. The author talks about the tears that flow every time she hears a song that reminds her of her grandmother's death.

I get this. There are a number of songs that trigger strong emotional reactions in me.  Sometimes, a song can transport me to a time long ago.  Sometimes, there are words or lines in a song that reminds me of someone or an event.

For example, I get very emotional every time I hear Stevie Wonder's "As" It stirs my deep love for my son, especially the line "I'll be loving you always."  It makes my eyes watery because I frankly never believed that I could feel unconditional love for anyone.

On a happier note, "Labelled With Love"  will forever remind me a magical night at the Pelton Arms during the summer of 2011, a trip that started my love affair with London.

More recently, I've been a obsessed with Adele's "Turning Tables" because it reminds me of someone who hurt me in a way that resulted in the end of a relationship that I didn't want to end.

What song or songs trigger that emotional response in you?  Feel free to leave a link to a video.

First Concert

Yesterday would have been Joe Strummer's 60th birthday. As sad as it is that he has been gone 10 years, I can't help but smile because the first concert I ever saw was The Clash. 

I was 15 and my parents had to drive.  They dropped me and my friend off at the Fox Theatre, which was yet unrefurbished (possibly not a word, I don't care).  Though I have no pictures of the event, I would bet good money that I wore some over-sized top, a pair of jeans (with naturally formed holes), and my favorite grey boots with the black straps.  I am also willing to bet that my hair was over my face.

I was there with other kids I kind of knew, all of whom were a year older than me. There isn't much to tell, really. I didn't keep track of the set list.  I've moved a gazillion times, so I know I don't have the ticket stub.  I do remember that we were seated to the left of the stage, only three rows from the most enormous amps possible.  My ears rang for a week after the show (no exaggeration). I remember that we stood on the chairs for the whole show because there was no way I was getting down front near the real punks.  I was just an angsty teenage girl from wonder bread land. And, I loved the show and kept the t-shirt until it fell apart.

The funniest part of the night had to be the guys behind us - four guys in varsity jackets!  Jocks! Oh the horror! Well, before the show started, they were completely stoned. They sat with their heads in their hands, looking miserable.  We all had a good laugh at them.  I just couldn't imagine paying all that money and not remembering a thing. 

What's the story behind your first concert?

What Squeeze means to me

I think that many of my non-Squeeze friends find my activities a bit...odd. I mean, I am a mom in her mid 40s who travels around to see an underrated 80s band perform old songs. They haven't put out new material and I travel by myself. I've been thinking about this for a long time now and I've come up with something. For me, Squeeze=love and community.

A long time ago, I was a very shy girl, who did not believe in herself. My parents were a touch over-protective and for the most part, my social life was very limited. I carried that girl inside of me for a long time, well into adulthood. I molded myself to whatever situation I encountered, just so I would fit in. Except for music. I kept my musical taste true to my actual self. As insecure as I was, I didn't share my music with others. I don't know why.

Since ninth grade, Squeeze has been my favorite band. I loved Chris Difford's storytelling and clever lyrics. Of course, there was Glenn Tilbrook and his voice and...well, everyone knows about my crush. They weren't hardcore enough for my more punk friends and were under the radar for other friends - underdogs. Perfect for me.

I followed them through records and attending shows when I could. I lost track of them when I became a teacher. Hell, I lost track of everything when I became a teacher. But, I found them again when they toured in 2008 and even more so when I saw Glenn perform in Cleveland in 2009. As a matter of fact, that show was a real turning point in my life. I mean, he and his band the Fluffers were so nice and I met other fanatics. I can't fully explain what it was about that night, I just knew I needed to travel and see shows.

That's what I've been doing. All along the way, I meet more people who love what I do. I have visited places that I probably wouldn't have visited. Honestly, if I hadn't gone to San Diego during this past Easter break, you know what I would have been doing? Grading papers and sitting around. Why do that? Instead, I got a tan, made new friends and talked with my favorite musicians. I learned that my lifelong crush really knows who I am as unprompted he asked my how my school year was going. I met the woman who edited my novel at a gig on Long Island. I'm going to London during the Olympics because of Squeeze.

I wouldn't have my life any other way.

California Adventures - Part II

It's taking me a few days to write these, sorry. I'm still feeling pretty tired from the trip and I've got Andrew with me this weekend, so I've had more important matters.

I woke up Tuesday to a gray, drizzly morning. Plus, It was a little chillier than expected. I met Gill up on the rooftop terrace where breakfast was served. The view was quite nice and at one angle, we would see down to the water. It was, however, too windy and chilly to linger too long. Gill suggested that we take the ferry out to a spot called Coronado Island and check out the beach. Sounded like a plan to me seeing as I had no clue as to what we would do until it was time for the gig.

First, a trip to the House of Blues to see if we could get the tickets to the show, we were a little early for that. Than a trip to the beautiful train station to print our tickets for Wednesday. The building was gorgeous - built in 1915 (I think that is what the plaque said). Glittering domes stood high guard along the main entrance. The inside was wide open, with a ceiling like the bottom of a boat. I know there is a proper name for this, I just don't know it. Spread out on the walls were brightly glazed yellow tiles that announced that the rail line was the Santa Fe.

From there, we walked to the water to catch a ferry. Our timing wasn't quite right, so that gave us time to walk down toward the Midway Museum. We didn't go on the boat, but wandered along the neighboring park. There were cool trees to climb (we both climbed them) and an enormous statue of the iconic Life magazine picture from VE Day.



That jaunt had killed enough time to catch the ferry. By this time, any remnants of chilliness had dissipated and the sun was hot atop that boat. I hadn't packed any sunblock and by the end of the day, my face was blazing red (now, peeling). Coronado Island is inhabited by a number of large expensive homes (though, not all were) and restaurants. We split a spinach salad and sweet potato fries and then tried to make our way to the other side of the island where there is a beach. The island is only a mile long, but we never quite made it to the beach, time ran out and we had to get back to get ready for the concert.

Weeks ago, I ordered a purple bra top from Victoria's Secret, with the notion that I would wear it to this show. So I put it on and my girls were on full glorious display. I got my courage together and went out, just like that. We walked two blocks to the venue, got our tickets and went in to eat, because a stamped receipt would let us jump the queue and it was our intention to stand front and center. It worked too.

We were joined by someone who knew Gill through some other people and he (Gary) was quite helpful as we entered the venue - leading us downstairs to the main floor. Front and center indeed. This gives me one of the funniest moments in the the trip. John Bentley was on the front of the stage, chatting with someone in the audience who knew him. Someone from behind my left should started shouting "Glenn! Glenn!" I turned around and said, "That's not Glenn Tilbrook!" The couple who had been shouting asked me who it was and, as uncondescendingly as possible, I set them straight.

Time for the opening act - new buddy - Steve Poltz. It was funny, the first thing he did was say, "some people came all the way from the UK for this show," meaning Gill. That was as nice as the shout out to Detroit the night before. Then he launched into a wonderful set of songs. I don't really know the names of them, but they were sung with with great passion and wonderful humor, he immediately won me over. One thing I can said, is the crowd by the bar in the back were very rude to this hometown bar, as they talked all the way through his set.

Once Steve left, the main floor began to fill-in and even get a little odd. Before Squeeze came on, a small surge pushed on us in the front. I turned around to the person whose shoulder landed into me and said, "Really? Aren't we all a little old for this pushing crap." She said someone pushed her. I girded myself and waited for the boys.

Finally, Squeeze!!!!! The band bounded out on stage and I swear that I detected a quick smile from Mr. Tilbrook as he caught sight of two friendly faces front and center. They launched into "Take Me I'm Yours." The sound was not great and it was obvious that Glenn was not quite pleased as he looked to the sound board often, giving directions. His vocals were a bit washed out and we could not hear Stephen at all. Aside from that, the band was remarkably energetic considering how jet lagged they were. The rest of the set follows:

Take Me I'm Yours
If I Didn't Love You
Tough Love
In Quintessence
Revue
Model
The Knack
Who's That
Is That Love
Points of View
Melody Motel
Heaven
Some Fantastic Place
Cool for Cats
Up the Junction
Annie Get Your Gun
Hourglass
Goodbye Girl
Another Nail in My Heart
Pulling Mussels

Encore
Slap and Tickle
Tempted
Black Coffee

As a hardcore fan, I loved the mix of deeper cuts and hits - love, love, love "In Quintessence." The crowd was a bit more muted through that section of the show, but polite. The big surprise for everyone was when Glenn didn't pick up his guitar for Tempted and led the crowd on a backing vocals sing-a-long with nothing but the mic in his hand. Stephen said later that the move was a surprise to everyone.

After the show, Steve Poltz's sound man Chris kindly led us to the after show. We thought we were on the list, but the venue couldn't find the list,so we initially figured we were out of luck. There we chatted with all the guys, except Chris, and got to meet Rissa who will also be in the Baltimore show (with me!!!!) at the end of April. I had my obligatory picture taken with Glenn. I must say, the beard is better in real life than in pictures. I suggested that it might be nice braided; he just guffawed and gave me a bit of a look.

My favorite part of the after show was that Glenn remembered me. I introduced myself and he looked incredulously at me and said "I remember you." He promptly asked me how my school year was going. More chit chat and time to leave.

Tomorrow - The Coach House.

California Adventures - Part I

My love for Squeeze takes me several places this year - first San Diego and San Juan Capistrano.

I arrived in San Diego on Monday, April 9th without any delays. My layover in Denver was painless. I caught a cab to Downtown San Diego where I would find the Gaslamp Plaza Suites and my travel companion Gill. Back a few months ago, I posted that I was thinking seriously about going to San Diego to see Squeeze because the show was taking place on my week off, so why not? The only sticking point was that I had no one to travel with me. One day, Gill, whom I met at the Rochester Castle concert last summer, sent me a message on FB and said she was going to come from London, so I immediately made my plans and we coordinated to make a great trip.

Anyway, once I arrived at the hotel, I put my things in Gill's room because mine wasn't quite ready and we went for lunch. We ate at a place called the Merk where I devoured a wild mushroom pizza. The we wandered down to the harbor to kill a little time. Very touristy but the water is beautiful and the sun was gorgeous.

We cabbed back to the hotel and by that time, my room was ready, so I went and cleaned up and rested a little. We had big plans for the evening - the first of three gigs to attend.

Last fall, Glenn Tilbrook toured the UK and brought along an American singer/songwriter named Steve Poltz. He was set to open for Squeeze the following night. The UK branch of the Squeeze family grew quite fond of him, including Gill. She contacted his sound guy, Chris Modl, about attending a Stageit concert. I guess that he has been doing these Internet shows for a while. Gill contacted the sound guy (Chris), he gave her the address and we went . Our cab arrived in an industrial park in an iffy park of town. Chris shouted Gill's name and we were ushered into the studio, which was not very big. Steve was getting something from his van and greeted us warmly. We sat on the couch as the two set up the lights, the guitars, the computer, and the camera for the show. On top of that, Steve was preparing to leave on Thursday for a five week tour of Australia, so there were calls about t-shirts, CDs, and other merchandise.

After a technical delay, the performance started. For the next 45 minutes, Steve played songs and told stories behind the songs. Gill and I quietly applauded after each song. I was a Poltz virgin up until that point, but he won me over, especially after the shout out to all the Detroiters in the house.

After the performance, Steve chatted on line with viewers for about 15 minutes. Some of those were people both Gill and I know. It quickly became quite silly and time to leave descended on all. I went to call for a cab when Steve offered to give us a lift. We asked if there were any good restaurants around as we had skipped dinner and so the three of us hopped into his very cluttered van for dinner in North Beach. There were large fuzzy animal heads (a rabbit and a teddy bear - don't ask) in the back and I kept playing with those. We arrived at a Mexican restaurant (I have since forgotten the name) that was out of this world. I ordered the tofu enchiladas with ranchero sauce, rice, and refried beans. Steve is super nice and down-to-earth. His creativity is constantly churning.

After he dropped us at our hotel, we wandered over to a bar named Croce's where I flirted with a waiter half my age. We drank, swapped stories, and laughed. All in all, a perfect first day.

Squeeeeeeze!!!!!!!!!!

Squeeze has just announced that they will be playing Coachelle on April 14t and 21st. Technically, I could attend either show and, if I sold body parts, perhaps both. But, I have a problem.

This would be yet another trip I take by myself, just like London. My normal travel buddy can't go. I suppose it's okay, but after a while I start to feel like a loser just hanging out on my own and it sure would be nice to have a little company.

My second concern revolves around the possibility of other dates. I've been hanging on to my personal days (three of them) thinking that Glenn Tilbrook might swing through for a few dates in the spring. Of course, his website shows nothing about US dates. To be honest, every time I've ever left a question for management to answer, I heard nothing. Will Squeeze have more dates?

So, now I have to decide what I'm going to do. Should I book another solo flight for myself? How long should I wait for other dates to be posted? Maybe they'll perform closer to home.

Inspired silliness

I have just started reading J.D Salinger's Catcher in the Rye to my mainstream/special education class. So far so good, they seem to like it. I, on the other hand, am LOVING it. I had forgotten how good it is. One thing I ask the students to do is to write down an interesting or confusing quote every few pages. Thus far, they have picked some terrific quotes.

Thinking about this has, of course, distracted me. I love picking out phrases and lines from songs and movies and keeping them around. I probably have reserved precious brain space for dozens of these snippets. Some are serious while most are goofy. Here are just a few that I am certain that I know by heart:

"I'd beg for some forgiveness, but beggin's not my business."
"If you have five seconds to spare, then I'll tell you the story of my life. Sixteen, clumsy, and shy...."
"This one goes to 11."
"You're a monster."
"I'm quite illiterate, I read a lot."

What are those one line phrases that bring an immediate smile to your face whenever you encounter them?

Best Concerts

FM has requested a topic from me. I am a very kind person, so I am going to kindly oblige my friend. Here are the Top 5 concerts I have ever attended.

1. The Clash (1983-ish): This was my first concert and it took place at the beautiful Fox Theatre. We were in row three and I remember very distinctly that I was wearing my leather motorcycle jacket. I also remember the boys sitting behind us. They were wearing varsity jackets and were completely stoned out of their minds. They couldn't even sit up properly to watch the show. Joe Strummer was amazing, tearing through each punk classic with passion. My ears rang for a weak after the show.

2. Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers (3/27/2009): There were so many personal magical moments in this evening, I am not sure where to start. The meet and greet gave me a chance to get my geek on. Then Glenn call ME on stage. After the show, I had the opportunity to hang out with Glenn. Plus, his stage persona here was so different than the one he projects on stage with Squeeze. He was buoyant and chatty, a side I had never seen and I have seen Squeeze in concert six times.

3. Rent: La Boeheme set to rock music, this musical shook me to my core the first time I saw it. I cried the first time the cast sang "Seasons of Love" and then I couldn't stop weeping when Angel died. I just love this musical.

4. The Violent Femmes (1986-ish): This show occurred well past their heyday. But, if all a band has is that magical debut record that everyone of my generation has, that's enough for a show. Everyone in the audience could sing every single song, which made for a joyous atmosphere.

5. They Might Be Giants (2005): We went to this concert just before we went to China. The show took place in the Majestic, which is not air conditioned. Enormous fans were place around the perimeter to the seatless audience section. The crowd was a family crowd because the band had just release a kids CD (Robot Parade - it's great). We all looked miserable due to the heat, until the band came out. By the end of the evening, the audience had formed a conga line and the band had screamed "thank you to the lady in glasses" and pointed at me.

* Bonus - All Squeeze shows except the 2008 show. Chris Difford looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Other than show, they have been awesome everytime I have seen them.

Time Travel

This is a game that I play frequently. It usually happens when friends and I are cooking an elaborate meal and consuming too much wine (as if there is such a quantity). I'm usually the one who starts it. It starts with the question: If you could travel to any time to see any musical act, who would it be? I'll give you my top five.

1. David Bowie on the Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars tour. Debauchery on stage - I'm there.
2. The Beatles at Shea Stadium. I want to be a part of history.
3. The Smiths, any time. On the day of my high school graduation party, the Smiths were performing in town (I can't remember the venue). I begged my mother to let me go, but nooooooo. Those relatives had come to see me. Sigh, it appears that I might have to bring this up with my therapist.
4. Lollapalooza #1. What was I thinking? Pearl Jam? Siouxie and the Banshees? The Red Hot Chili Peppers? I can't believe I didn't go.
5. Woodstock. I promise that I would not have taken the brown acid.

Which performers would you travel back in time to see?