HoJo Concert

Yeah, I know ... I'm stuck in the 80s. Went to a concert tonight featuring Howard Jones (aka "HoJo") with my friend, Dave. HoJo performed songs from his "Human's Lib" and "Dream Into Action" albums. Still a great voice and performer. It was as sold out concert and the fullest I've seen the amphitheater. The local chapter of the HoJo fan club was definitely there. I had to smile hearing the people around me sing along. I thought I knew most of his songs from listening to his greatest hits album, but I think I may have listen to the songs on the two albums performed. We felt a couple of raindrops, but never amounted to anything. Great evening, good concert.

Pink Martini Concert

In the Photo from Left to Right: Anna D, Darcy D, Tracie E, Julie B, Inge S, Darci A, Chunhee H.

Don't get me wrong. I ♥ Pink Martini and Red Butte Garden Amphitheater ended up being a great venue for a summer concert, BUT getting there was the biggest pain in the BUTTE!

I ordered 9 tickets online about a month ago. When it didn't come in the mail, I called ... they don't mail tickets, you have to pick them up. So why did I pay a service charge fee? Since it was my first time at the venue, I asked for tips to make the experience more enjoyable. "Park where you can find legal parking" the lady at the "box office" tells me. "Also, I'd show up no later than 5:00 - 5:30 to stand in line." The gates won't even open until 6:30 for a show that is to start at 7:30. I asked the people about 10 yards from the gate and front of the line how early they got there to have such a sweet spot in the line? 10:30 that morning! Really? Don't these people have a lives? Work? I was told that some lady camped out for 5 days in line to see Willie Nelson. OMG! Luckily, Darcy (a school teacher who is out for the summer) was able to be there by 5:00. I ran late (thanks to last-minute fires at work and Aunt Flo who decided to make an appearance) ... and by the time I left the office with Julie, picked up Chunhee, parked the car and got in line (up the paved road and halfway up the gravel road from the gate), I was hot, sweaty, ornery and feeling gross.

All that aside, once I got in, spread my blanket, fed, watered and drugged (thanks to Darcy who handed me a bottle of Advil) myself, I felt better. I'm guessing from the photo above that this was after the Advils kicked in.

It was a great concert with great weather and at a good venue. Pink Martini never disappoint. Their normal lead vocalist (China Forbes) is out for possibly a year due some health issues, their scheduled back up (Storm Large) lost her voice, BUT the last minute back up to the backup who flew in that day from L.A., Lucy Woodward, did a fine job! Totally crushing on the trumpet, trombone players and lead male vocal of the night ... but especially the trumpet and trombone players (Gavin and Robert). I just couldn't bring myself to stay and get autographs by the end of the night.

DDD: Burgers, Bensons and Banana Dance

It has become tradition for a group of us to go out on July 4th to a diner/drive-in/dive somewhere in Utah to try the best it has to offer. Last week the Salt Lake Tribune had a couple of articles about the best burgers in the state. One of the best rated burgers is at Dairy Delight in Tooele. So, off we go, the DDD Divas to check it out.

I opted for the Bacon Cheese Burger with gems (aka tater tots) and a Coke. As per the article in the SL Tribune, the burgers and taters were NOT greasy. Was it a good burger? Yes! Will I drive out to Tooele again to have another? Probably not. Also on the menu were fried pickles (which made Tracie happy) and the people behind us in line recommended the fish (halibut) and chips (one order to go please, hopefully it heats up well for tomorrow's lunch or dinner).

After a very filling meal, we decided to explore the area a bit and saw signs for the Benson Gritsmill Historical Site founded by E.T. Benson. So we did some roaming around.

After the tour, we decided to go to a Coldstone Creamery for some ice cream. The two boys who worked the counter would sing and/or dance whenever a customer tips. In fact, one of them told us that he had to audition first before he could apply for the job. Of course we each tipped and the best was when they climbed on top of the counter and did a banana dance. I wasn't on the ball enough to take a pic or video, but it was a lot of fun and each time the customers in the place clapped. Did you know that they do that? They don't do it at the Coldstone in Bountiful ... I guess that's why the tip jar is not as full.

Don't Mooch!

Today at work, we had a baby shower for a co-worker. Because of scheduling issues, we had to hold it in the Founder’s Room in our building instead of in our own Boardroom. As we were eating, I noticed that a man I did not recognize was helping himself to our food. I checked with a couple of people, including the expectant co-worker, to see if they know the man … No one knew him. WHAT A MOOCH!

Richard Marx Concert

A couple friends and I went to the Richard Marx concert over the weekend for a little blast from the past. We have enjoyed his music over the years, but Saturday's concert made us a fan of the artist. He was adorable! Still looking good (didn't look like he had partied so hard that he looked weathered ... and I have a thing for men in white collared shirt -- YUM), the voice is still awesome, and he was FUNNY! Great songs, wonderful tributes to his father and family (wife and sons) ... just very endearing. When he first came on stage, he picked up his guitar and started singing "Endless Summer Nights" and realized by the end of the song that he had his fly open. He couldn't get over that in his 20-something years of performing, this was the first time he ever came on stage with his pants unzipped. He turned around to face the 20-piece orchestra behind him and zipped up. Too funny.

A funny thing happened on the way out after the concert ... amidst the mass exodus (picture salmons swimming against the current), my umbrella chord got caught on a man's back pocket button of his jeans. I felt the tugging (as did the man) and in my attempt to loosen the chord, I accidentally groped the man's behind. He and his wife just laughed and said that it has been a long while since a stranger had done that. I was mortified! Oh well, a bit of thrill on a Saturday night ... and probably the most thrill I'll have with a man for a while.

Happy birthday, Lu!

I decided to try a different edge. I like it. Simpler. Cleaner.

The finished product.

The warm and sleepy birthday recipient.

My first crocheted gift

Finished the baby blanket for a co-worker over the weekend.
Made a card that said, "Girl or boy? A little something for your bundle of joy. CONGRATULATIONS!"


The happy momma loved it and her reaction brought tears to my eyes.
Feels good to have your hard work appreciated.

So true ...

Often teased by his fellow attorneys about being such a righteous dude, my boss referenced to or quoted a line from an R-rated movie one day ...

Me: [GASP] You watch R-rated movies?

Boss: Whatever ... life is R-rated! Get over it ...

I love people who are real and down to earth ...

What's so funny?

Last week, a friend and I attended a performance of a comedian we like. I have attended at least three other performances by this comedian in the past and have really enjoyed his materials and wit. This time, however, I felt let down by the litter of a few more F-bombs and very descriptive sexual jokes than in his previous performances. I’d like to think that I’m fairly open-minded and not easily offended, but I would be uncomfortable if my mom was in attendance with us. When I went into the office the next day, I mentioned that I had attended the concert to a co-worker (who is not LDS or Republican or conservative or …) and he told me that after attending the comedian’s last performance, he and his wife felt that the material had gotten too crude for their tastes and decided not to attend this performance for that reason.

Is it because this is Utah that caused this comedian to read more materials that is sexually explicit and drop additional F-bombs than necessary? As the comedian is openly gay, is this his way to retaliate against the LDS Church who publically supported California’s Proposition 8 which provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." in 2008? If he’s doing it for those reasons, those efforts are wasted as the audience is made up mostly of Utah’s more liberal-minded residents. All I know is I felt that the crudeness dulled his wit and he entrained the audience with cheap shots and laughter at the expense those who believe differently. My favorite joke of the night was probably the cleanest one he shared and would probably be found in a joke book for elementary school children.