A (groupie) year in Review…

What’s that you say?!?!?! Groupie, me? Uhmm, yeah, lol;) Mind you, I have absolutely NOT had sex w/any rockstars…swear…pretty sure…hey, just kidding… What I have done is go to about 24 or so musical events/concerts/gigs, this year…note, my prior count, lifetime was about 4 major concerts and less than a handful of small bar type gigs…

And let’s not forget, of that total double dozen count, sweet 16 of them have been INXS shows… Yes, you heard me…INXS . Before this year, they were but a musical reminiscence for me of years past…this year they became my heart. (see INXS concert recaps)

I did do a few other things this year…I did go to South Korea…and wow, what an awesome experience that was. I almost went to Austrailia and Europe, but those did not pan out…I will have to plan those in upcoming years.

In the end though, this year was all about the music. Music and all the friends I have made through the sharing of the love for it. I can thank (or blame) Rockband.com and the lovely people that post on the forums there for helping make this year so awesome. I can also sincerely thank a band, that 18 or so months ago, I barely thought about…INXS, for pushing me to this journey. Or maybe I should thank Mark Burnett…whose reality TV series Rockstar, has seemingly changed my musical life forever.

What started out as whimsical summer viewing on Tuesday/Wednesday nights in the summer of 2005…somehow, what followed has enveloped and shaped the entirety of my year this 2006. Watching this one dude win, what seemed to be his dream, to front, a band I fondly remembered from my youth…warmed my heart. I had no idea that is would shape my very existence.

So the year…how did it start? Well, I believe it began, more or less, with me deciding I needed to post more on Rockband.com since I was going to be meeting a bunch of ‘em in Vegas at the end of January. Yeah, the madness that had been fed by obsessively reading the forum there, was just about ready to spread…

So, by mid January, I was ready to attend my ‘first’ INXS show. I had tickets to this show, here in Seattle, and to the Las Vegas show…which was a convention or massive gathering of sorts for folks post Rockstar, to come together from the various fan communities. It was supposed to just be those 2 shows…

So, on January 18th, I was there…here at the Paramount…front row just behind the 2row Pit (I had sprung for some upgraded seats)…I ended up w/noone in front of me…just about 5 feet in front of Tim Farriss all night. The band, that I had fallen in love with, in a whole new way than I ever admired their music back in the day, I was getting to see live, with that guy that I had wanted to win, on that TV show I had watched…

I was beside myself. First I had never seen a concert from that close before…practically at the stage… Next, I had simply never been to such a show. This band was so good on stage. Each member, amazing…connecting with the audience. I was in awe. (my Seattle show recap here)

Not barely a week and a few days later, I was in Vegas, at another show…After a preparty gathering of the folks from Rockband.com, there was the big show. I had brought one of my friends along…who was not a big fan…she was blown away at the show—we were not up front, rather in the stands with the common folk. Apparently, the lead singer, JD, was sick, but honestly…it was still an amazing show…the energy in the 10K or so people that were in that room. It was a thrilling experience. Following this, there was an afterparty sponsored by the forum I had been reading/posting at (Rockband.com). It was just some of us fans, and one of the contestants from the previous summers Rockstar, Deanna Johnston was performing. No the band(INXS) was not there, so don’t go thinking it was that type of party, lol…It was just a chance for all of us that had been waiting for this for so long, and for folks that had gotten to know each other online, to finally meet in person, and share this great experience. It was interesting…I feel like I kind of met some people, but it was odd…so many…and so many of us…uhmmm, a bit shy… but it was still great fun. I was so glad I went…that was supposed to be the end of this little INXS adventure come obsession. What a great ride… (Vegas show recap)

Well, that was not then end, rather just the jumping off point. I kept posting at Rockband.com . I got to know the posters online better as time went on…In fact, not even a full week later, one of the leading members, posted about some front row tickets becoming available on ebay for some rescheduled show in St Charles (suburb of St Louis)…for some crazy, undefinable reason, 6 of us, bought them, and decided to all go, to the middle of the country to see INXS …again!… what was up. Was Vegas not enough? The lure of the front row, was strong, and airfares cheap. There was no turning back on this journey now.

So we all ended up in St Charles. It was an amazing show, to say the least. I met up with some (some I had met briefly in Vegas) of the most amazing people here…many of which I call good friends today. The bonds we formed here, in the middle of who knew where USA…I will always treasure. The concert, the addiction that was INXS, exploded. (St Charles recap)

It was some time later a few wks I guess, when I found out I would be attending a work conference in Nashville the same time INXS had a show there in April. Needless to say I bought a ticket. And not just any ticket. One that eventually landed me in the front 2 rows of pit. It also, was an amazing coming together of many other Rockband.com members…we dubbed it Nashvegas. I had a great time meeting so many more folks I had come to know through this amazing online community. Also, a side benefit of my ticket was a meet and greet with the Band…don’t get too excited…it was just a kitchy little photo op w/the band, and them basically coming down a line of us, chatting briefly and signing stuff. But still, it was fun, to see them face to face, and tell them how amazing they were, and thank them for some great shows. This was really a special show for me, meeting the band for the first time, and really meeting and getting to spend time with so many Rockbanders. (Nashvegas recap)

So, was the madness over yet? One would think. But no, the band had a couple more dates scheduled close to me again, here in Seattle and Vancouver (BC). I bought tickets.

However, in a surprising turn, my sister called me not 2 days after I sprang for a front row Vancouver ticket, with an amazing opportunity. She offered me a chance to go along with her to South Korea for a week. Unfortunately, this was the same week, that INXS was going to be in Seattle and Vancouver. But, what am I thinking…I only had to buy airfare, the rest of the vacation was paid for…I had already seen INXS 4 times. I had to go with my sister. Family and grand international adventure was calling. I made the only logical decision, and I am so glad. Korea was amazing. The people were beautiful and kind. The country was so rich with cool things to see, do, eat! The pictures were amazing that we took on this adventure. I am so happy I took this little detour in what is otherwise a tale in excessive concert going… Traveling, is one of my first loves. It was great sharing it with my sister, and experiencing this land first hand was truly an honor.

So, was my year in groupiedom, cut short by real life trans Pacific adventure to another land? One would think. But no, not a week later, rather just 4 days after my return from overseas, I left on a trip I fondly call California Dreamin’. I took a groupie vacation if you will, and went to every INXS show from Reno to San Diego…meeting up with friends, staying at houses, and hotels with my friends I had met along the way. Seeing a band play, almost every night to fans that simply love them. I cannot tell you what it was like. Needless to say, band run ins, poker, flowing cosmos, tour bus tours, lol…it was amazing. The friends I had made during my concert going and posting online, helped make something unimaginable a year before, be so amazing. Being a fan of a band I had only one cassette tape of, prior to the previous summers TV show…had brought me so much joy and so many friends, I can never thank them enough. The music, the sound track to this journey…INXS baby…they are simply like no other.

So with that ended my bit of groupiedom…for a while… I had contemplated going overseas to see them in Oz and / or in Europe, but those trips never materialized for me. That was ok, I had definitely had my fill. Over the summer, I let the latest incarnation of the Rockstar series take me away. I had become a moderator on Rockband.com and watched the show, discussed it and snarked on it with an expanded community of folks. It was really cool. I had not experienced the show quite like this the previous summer. It was different though…there was not a band that had those youthful memories for me, trying to find a singer, rather a new one, that honestly, I never got too invested in. The folks they presented to us on TV, did not initially impress me…but as I started to listen the off show efforts of some of them, and the show progressed, I became a fan of many.

I even planned on going to a taping. I ended up going to the taping of the main performance show the second to the last week. I got to meet up again with so many friends on this trip. We even got to go to a ‘red carpet’ commercial taping the day before. It was cool. I was amazed at what it took to put a show like this together…and surprised again at how different it all is when you see it sans editing…you get to see all that really happens, not just what ends up on that hour of TV. The singers even sound different! And the energy…live music…it is simply impossible to trasmit that over the television screen. I am so glad went. I plan on going flying down for a few next summer if at all possible. It is like a free concert (not counting the airfare)…and just an amazing experience.

Thus begun the second half of the year…the year that I discovered live music in general…to an extent that I had never before let come into my life. I guess all that INXS concert going madness was now spreading!

One of the contestants from this summers show, that was dismissed early…I had become a big fan of his bands music, Lennex. I simply thought their CD’s were amazing. As luck would have it, I decided to hop a quick flight out to DC /MD area to see one of their shows, and meet up with some of my east coast Rockband friends. I am so happy I did. I was blown away by this band live. I even got to meet (and hug! Squee!) the lead singer…and take a lot of pictures! It was fun. I could not believe that another season of Rockstar, had brought me to be a fan of another band! And it wasn’t even the winner this time…lol, I think I am a goner;) (Lennex, Live! read all about it here!)

About a month later, I saw another band (this time local!) called Blue October. What is funny, is that I was exposed to their music because one of the contestants from this years Rockstar, sang one of their covers on the show, Razorblade. I was intrigued by the sound of the song that I was previously unfamiliar with. Added to that, I had heard some other positive buzz about the band following this…so when I learned they would be in Seattle, I bought the tickets! And all I can say is WOW! They are simply phenomenal. I now own 2 of their most recent CD’s, and seriously plan on buying the rest of their back catalogue…their music is great! Live, they are stunning. Not the prettiest bunch, lol, but intense, excellent and passionate musicians.

The following week, I had tickets to the sold out Killers show here in Seattle. They were pretty good, but honestly, they did not compare, musically, in my opinion with Blue October. I am extremely happy I went though, it was a fun show. My favorite songs were live were off of their previous album, Hot Fuss: Somebody Told Me, and Mr. Brightside. (Read my little review of Blue v the Killers here)


The next day, I was headed down to spend some time with my mom, as she was to be recuperating from knee surgery. I had a lay over in San Diego that I engineered to meet up with some friends again, and go see Ryan Star…yet another contestant from this most recent series of Rockstar. He is, simply, gorgeous. LOL. And, an amazingly intense musician, and really good songwriter. It was fun to get to see him in a small setting, doing his thing. I listened to his live CD(that he put out with at the end of this season backed by the amazing Rockstar House Band) on the drive up from San Diego to my moms. Really good CD.

Are you thinking I am done? Tsk, tsk, not so much;)
I found out in October sometime, that Paul Stanley (of KISS fame) was touring with the Rockstar House Band as his supporting band! I love them! They, honestly, are half the reason one watches the Rockstar show. I got to meet(briefly) a couple of them when I went down for a taping, they were so sweet! And live, at the taping they were amazing. I knew, another opportunity to see them peform, was too good to pass up, even if I couldn’t care less about this Paul Stanley fellow! Ha ha…I was right...

In early November, the Paul Stanley tour touched down in Seattle…me, armed with my ticket, met up with, yes, yet again, some fellow rockbanders and set myself up front and center! I was excited once the show started that it looked like we would be able to take pictures…this is something I had come to really enjoy at some shows earlier this year, the opportunity to take photos of the band…as a fan, it was fun to capture the moments on stage, to look back on. And oh my, the House Band, was blazing…they rock out on stage, play their instruments so brilliantly…it is almost blinding to the eyes and ears. Stunning they are on stage…I almost have no words. Sasha…surprisingly, wowed me even more than I anticipated. He is their HOT bassist…uhmmm, yum! His bass lines are amazing. Rafael, lead guitarist…O…just sayin. Nate, back there on drums! Yes…Paul Mirkovich on keyboards, and Jimmy McGorman on Guitar…just awesome. They made me think I was a Paul Stanley fan by the end of the evening! LOL…I cannot say enough about these guys. They are the best. Period.

.

What could follow this? Well, I got to see Storm and the Balls the following weekend. Storm Large was another contestant introduced to me via this years season of Rockstar. She is really an amazing woman. I got to sit in and record an interview one of my friends (yes, from Rockband—who flew in from OKC!) who conducted with her, before the show. I cannot tell you how much I like and admire this woman….she is not only gorgeous in pictures, amazing on stage, but truly a beautiful spirit. Her show that night was incredible.

Aww, the holidays, a break from the musical madness that has overtaken my life…Thanksgiving…I spent this year with friends rather than family…a conscious choice as I really did not want to travel during this holiday weekend. I am so glad I did this. It was relaxing, and friends are truly an amazing thing to have in your life…and in a way, are a type of family. It was a good holiday.

But never fear, a few more musical shows were in the offing. It turns out, that INXS had scheduled their last 2 shows of the year, in California…yeah! It was time to reconvene the California crew! Well, not everyone could make it, but the few I got to meet up with, and good friend I got to stay with made it an awesome trip! And seeing INXS again…probably a perfect circle to this fine year. They were a couple of interesting shows. So Cal shows and the fans…very devoted to say the least. The first show at the Disneyland House of Blues…out of control crush…and the boys, on stage, were as remembered, amazing, though, uhmmmm, feeling no pain (yeah I caught a wiff of their happy sauce pre show—just sayin;) Made me kind of munchie. And Indio, the very last scheduled concert of the year…it was really really good. They were on, like only INXS can be on.


They had a special guest guitarist come on during encore, and their love for eachother and for performing was at it’s height here. This trip ended, not with this INXS show, in the desert of of Southern California…but at my friends house, shooting video of her pug dog Coco…adorable pooch, hilarious video. Coco is a ‘star’ ;)

One more bit of musical madness to cap off the year…a quick trip I paid for via miles earned ;) I had the chance to pop over to Baltimore again…and the chance to see Juke Kartel (fronted, by wait for it…another of the contestants from this years Rockstar)… And of course, meet up with some fellow Rockband friends again. Always a good time. Though Juke Kartel did not blow me away with their sound or songs, I found them all excellent musicians on stage, all very pretty and hot!, and Toby, their lead…has a really good voice. I will be interested to see where they go from here. I wish them the best. Another of the bands from this night, did spark my musical interest though, Whitestarr, I am going to have to look up their music! See, alls well that ends well.

So that is it …the Christmas and New Years holidays await. I will be spending them with family. I have yet, no concert plans for 2007, though I am sure I will attend a few. However, I expect nothing will ever compare to the outrageous ride that 2006 has been. I know, I will never see a band 16 times in a single year, ever again! I am pretty sure real life happenings other than concerts will take precedence once again in my little reality. Though I am also sure, I will continue to partake in live music, and make sure it is a significant part of my life from now on. While this year has been outrageous, I am looking forward to the fun, this years experiences will lead me to in years to come. And to the great friends I have made…there are no words. I can only say, I love you all, and I cannot wait until we meet again!

NEW! Photoland...

Ok, so I have decided to create a blog dedicated soley to the pictures I have taken over the course of years...

Right now, I have begun to really enjoy taking photos during concerts, but have always enjoyed taking pictures of my friends and family, not to mention pictures while on vacations.

Now, I am very much just an amatuer, but I like to click the button that makes pictures! Anyway, check out my Photo page...I will be loading much more here as time permits...

So far I have just loaded a couple of the slideshows from recent rock concerts...but the sky is the limit!


Ems

San Diego: BIGfoot or bust!

So, yeah…you are looking at the title and thinking…wha?!?!?!?

Let me explain…(WARNING, mcwordy words start here…)

So one of my friends is very much…uhmmm, specific in that a certain contestant from this year’s Rockstar Supernova, has uhmmm, BIG feet. And you all know what that fact leads many to conclude………………………………

Consequently, post show, a small few of us have been referring to this Artist come rocker as BIGfoot. It is our fun little nickname as it were…both highly amusing and provocative. We are easily amused, clearly.

Anyway, this muscian, is none other than Mr. Ryan Star. I had been following his progress since he left the show. I was a bit perturbed that I was able to make a taping literally the only week he was absent, as he had been eliminated the week prior, and came back for encore the week following…the Sunday I was there, was seriously the only Ryan-less taping ALL freakin’ summer… Not fair, lol ;) Sheesh, what do I have to do to see this guy on stage? Well, it just gets funnier (though I might have lacked amusement along the way!). It is announced that he will be hitting some west coast cities before returning for his big ‘welcome home’ in NYC. I was excited because this meant I would not have to miss him, nor contemplate traversing the continent for yet another rocker… Sounds good, yes?

Yes, well… Once the dates were announced…I was like, ooh, a Seattle date! Yay, home….errr…oh no! it is during the time while I am in CALIFORNIA…grrrrrr!!!! What the hell. Seriously?!?!?! BIGfoot is trying to escape me. So my mind starts churning…what to do…do I see if somehow I can switch weeks with my sister (we are helping my mom out)? No, that is not cool, I had already committed to being in Fresno for a very specific time. What else could I do. I looked at all the dates available, and note that there is a stop in San Diego the Friday that I was due to arrive in CA. Well, I immediately contact my So Cal buddies and am like…hey do you all want to get together in SD and see Ryan aka BIGfoot? Answer: yes! BIGfoot was on the itinerary. The planning commenced.

So I bought tickets, literally the day BEFORE they went on a 2fer. So typical! Then I finally schedule my open jaw flight…literally the day AFTER the prices go up like a $100…Gee, I am just full of luck, eh? Whatever…nothing is getting in my way…BIGfoot will NOT escape again! Logistically we even had some rearrangements to tackle last minute…including waiting until the day before to book hotel, where ONLY one room is left. We were getting to San Diego, but is was NOT easy, people! Good news towards our arrival in this lovely Southern California city…one of our other concert buddies was in So Cal, and would also be joining us! Yay! We were SOOOOOO going to be having a good time. These peeps are my FAVORITE people to hang out with and see a show. Pure fun we have. Pure fun we would have. Heck, BIGfoot could bomb(he would not), and we would still have a raging good time. That is our way. Good times or bust!

So we arrive in San Diego…nice room! Yay. Things are going well. We all get ready and head to the House of Blues. We plan to have dinner there, so we get first in privileges. All is as planned. We arrive, and as we are waiting to be seated, first sighting, as the BIGfoot-mobile rolls up behind us, waiting at the light to go around the block to the entrance to the showroom. Yeah, BIGfoot is too cool for school, slipping his shades on…I am sure the fabulousness of all that was 5th Avenue was overwhelming, lol;) My friend, who is the one that is very much responsible for all of these feet references, SQUEE’s---‘that’s Ryan!’ LMAO. Yes, we are sooooooo going to have a good time. We just have to sit down, order some food, and have a drink! Ooh, I had a mojito…yum! So we eat, we amuse ourselves...


Eventually, the rests of our crew shows up. We then head out to find our early entrance line. Well, this gets a little comical. We literally were led 2-3times back and forth through the restaurant and back, being directed different places where we were supposed to be….errr! What the…. Anyway, we finally found the ‘line’ we were supposed to be in, first we were…shocking. Here's a picture of us (or our feet, lol) as we wait...


So finally, we get to go in, and most of us head right up front, as that is what we had all done this for. We are front row wenches, we were not to be distracted! But wouldn’t you know it…a few were…the merchandise table held a few rapt for a bit…but they soon realized their distraction and glided over to the stage along side us and some other cool fans. Many of the folks there were for reasons OTHER than BIGfoot. That is cool. We made friends with them, told them they could scoot right up front after Ryan…Always make friends with those around you! Rule one of successful Front Row experiences (we should write a book gals! Eh?)

So we are there, about an hour before BIGfoot is scheduled to grace us with his dark presence. What to do? Well, we should probably get drinks. So we send a couple of our peeps up stairs to the bar. They, so nicely volunteer to get us drinks. Well funny, they are ceremoniously told, after they order like 5 or 7 drinks between the two of them, that they were not allowed to bring them back…and they had already been made so…what to do…well, they courageously knocked them ALL back. What seemed like an eternity later, they come back to us, making their way through the fan friends we had made…and told us this sad tale. Needless to say, they were feeling GRAND! Shocking, I know.

Pre-show we got to see the very Zen one that is referred to as Elephant Eye…Stoney, some will call him. He recognized some of the others from previous shows, and I make sure and point out to the others that the Zen one is in the house. He seems very cool. I am glad Ryan looks to have some very cool people in his circle. Also, once our imbibed gals rejoin us, I decide to go ‘powder my nose’ and check out the merch table. I decide I should support them, and I guess I will get a tshirt, since I already have both CD’s. So I proceed to have the gal working the table (who I would later figure out is the one oft referred to as CakeorDeath) to pull out at least 4 differernt sizes of shirt. Needless to say, I decide on the last shirt extacted. So I head back over to the stage…Soon, the show would commence.
So, finally…the shadow of the TALL dark one enters the stage…Squee! Behind the keys he first sits. My friend that KNOWS feet, nudges me, ‘he is good looking, yes?’ Yes, lol. He is. Shocking, not!

My impression of Mr. Star, on stage is that he is VERY much INTO his music. Completely drowning in it. He is a one man show here, this night, and yet, he does fill the stage, and his concentration and sheer intensity is palpable and very cool. I believe he could have been up there, with none of us there, and the same energy, and intensity would have happened. I see a true artist on stage. Once he steps out from behind the keys and the Zen one hands him a guitar…he comes up front of stage, and we really get to view and feel, the intensity a bit closer.

That said, the aforementioned friend, nudges me again…’see feet?!?!’ Uhmmm, yes, of course, and yes, they are, in fact, BIG. Confirmed.

BIGfoot lives!

So, throughout this night, amidst the intense and emotional performance, there is much squeeing along side me…much, errmm, mentions of foot size, and some conversation of his eternal hotness. We are rather obvious in our observations, no? Yeah, uhmmm. Friend next to me calls other friend that is home far far away, as she is ALSO a BIGfoot admirer, to let her listen in to the show. In addition to basically allowing said remote friend to enjoy the show audio-ly, she also gets to hear our squees, etc, and references to foot size. I am sure, even remotely, we are highly amusing, or not, lol;) Hey, we amuse ourselves! At one point during the night, early on I think….BIGfoot is close to front of stage, right in front of us, playing his guitar, he is starting, what I think is a somewhat serious number…and I think some of the squeeing from my friends along side me, penetrated his concentration, lol…I believe we got ‘shushed’! bwah! I think it was half in jest, or not, errr…my friends that were most excitable though, failed to even take this in…they were having too good a time…Sorry Ryan, we are in our own little world. Oh well, clearly we were all enjoying ourselves. Soon enough, BIGfoot, errr, Ryan, drowns once again back into his performance…all squee’s aside, the night’s performance is quite good, interesting, and intense.

At the end of the show, Ryan, grabs his backpack(yes I said BACKPACK) and hops off stage…this is too funny…shifted from that guy on stage, intense and dark, to a normal guy, off to his next destination (just a few feet away, but still! lol)

Following the BIGfoot show, we retreat, handing our front row spots to the Cheyenne fans behind us..they were very excited. Fans working together, very cool.

We make our way over to the merch table, to where the de-packed Ryan has set up shop. Folks there to see him , are lined up to buy more merch, have stuff signed, get pictures w/him, etc. Our group is a jumbled one, chatting and wandering off at intervals as we await our turn. Honestly, I already had my cd’s, and had already bought my shirt, so I really had nothing to do. So just hung out w/the girls…chatting and waiting. My friends all picked up one of the CD’s. Most got them signed. I believe my one friend introduced herself to CakeorDeath and identified herself as the one that most often referred to the Dark one as the one with BIG feet…CorD amusingly retorted, that they were very thankful, bwah! I am dying. Some more amusing interactions followed, and then we were done for a bit…the Dark one aka BIGfoot, continued for a long while to do his job, signing and posing…His fans might have not been vast here, but they were very dedicated. He is much loved. After the show, we saw some of the Cheyenne(the headliner) fans exit w/some of Ryan’s CD’s, etc…yay! New fans. Always a good thing.

So after we dispersed, we briefly went back to our hotel...I opened a an event thread on Rockband.com including the set list...thoughts of decoding the extended scribblings?!?!?! I will leave that to your imagination...


…I left the Zen one a comment about how cool he was on his myspace…then we went back to the HOB to have a few cocktails as the main show, and set breakdown finished up…

Once it was all over, we all hung out at another club for a bit…as per our typical beverage of choice while in San Diego especially, Cosmos were flowing. Yum. This club, no idea what it was, I was just a sheep this night, and followed my friends, opened my wallet for what I thought was a steep cover, $20…but hey, it did look pretty trendy…so out came my hard earned cash…we all got stamped w/the invisible stamp…how classy (sarcasm). We go in, ‘My Humps’ is playing, our eyes roll, lol;) Overall though, good mix of music, for all ages, lol…good mix of people…including BIGfoot, the Zen one, etc who we eventually ran into. I think they thought we were quite odd, as we liked to take pictures of our feet and what not…LMAO. Seriously, do we have a problem????? Don’t answer this. We all live with our own illusions;)

...I believe this is SOH's, the Zen one, and my feet...the Zen one is apparently giving either our feet or us the bird! lmao...


And then Stoney show's us his famous pose...


After we had our fill of cosmos, took pictures (of our feet, etc) we eventually leave to go for yet, another meal, just my small group of friends…some of us decided we deserved another meal, and one had missed dinner earlier, so…of courses, 1-2oclock is a normal time to have another meal, right? So what do you call a meal between Dinner and Breakfast? LMAO, well I had breakfast, and I think the others had either items off of the lunch or breakfast menu…then we all toddle back to our hotel, to crash for about 4hours, before we must break back to our real lives.

As we all awake about 7ish the next morning, we are chatting, and it comes up that NONE of us had told BIGfoot that he had a great show, or thanked him for the performance, etc…What the heck kind of fans are we?!?!? Oh, well, I hope our endless squee, and our obvious admiration were just that, obvious. It was our little ‘Oscar moment’ where we forgot the most obvious thing…to thank the artist. 20 lashes!

So the great adventure to see BIGfoot had wrapped up…myself and one other stay behind to have breakfast on the roof of the hotel, and we witness a serious downpour in usually sunny San Diego…nice, lol…

Soon, we leave, I pick up a car at the airport to drive up to Fresno…pop the Dark Horse CD in…6hrs later, I arrive here…Ryan’s voice was a perfect accompaniment for my journey. Never once changed the CD out. Nice.

Right now, I know BIGfoot is in Seattle, my hometown, and his most faithful there, are excitedly anticipating him taking the stage. They will not be disappointed.

I wish all of them the best, and Ryan a great show. My belated thanks to him and his…. I can’t wait to hear where the future next takes him in his career, his success, and his fans. BIGfoot, forever;)

www.rstar.net
Rockband.com forum on Ryan Star
www.myspace.com/rstar

Blue October v The Killers - Face Off

written the morning of Friday October 13th, 2006

So…I have seen 2 concerts in the last week here in Seattle. Last Friday, October 6th, I had the privilege of seeing Blue October at the Showbox. This Thursday the 12th, I got to attend The Killers show at the Paramount that was sold out. Both were relatively impressive. It was a different experience for me to date this year, concert wise though…as I was only a casual fan of each band, familiar with only a few songs lyrically, though a fan of their music generally.

Coming out of the shows I am definitely a more avid fan of one, but a continued fan of the other.

Here is how it all went down.

So last week, I went to the Showbox. Blue October came out after 2 openers (who were both impressive themselves – Test Your Reflex & Oslo). The venue, which was pretty laid back up to that point…well the crush in anticipation of the main act was evident in the pit/floor area after the final opener left and the stage was being prepped for the Blue. Then they came out, and wow, Blue fans are awesome, the crush towards the center of the pit was serious. And in no time the pit was bouncing…I could the floor vibrating from it under my feet. And how bout those boys on stage. Wow. This Justin character, the lead…he may not be the prettiest guy, but he is intense and effective. I was scared! I was most impressed with their musicality though. Blue rocks hard, but it isn’t just loud, it is eclectic, it is raw, it is cool, it is scary, it is really awesome to take in. They definitely have some synthesized sound combined with usage at point of an electric violin/fiddle(?)…tres cool. Their sound is just so full and rich and rocking hard.

I was familiar with 3 of their songs lyrically, most obviously Razorblade, as that was the song that got me hooked on them originally this summer when it was covered on the TV show Rockstar Supernova by Zayra Alvarez. Have to say, that is still my favorite of theirs, But, the other 2 songs I was somewhat familiar with: Hate Me, and Into the Ocean were also crowd favorites, and I think they are for me too! Overall though, even the songs I was ot familiar with, I totally dug. I already own their current CD, and might have to look into digging back into their catalogue…they really impressed me.

Blue, was an intense and true experience…Their music and lyrics have a visceral quality. They, I suspect, will be huge. Their fans, though not massive in this venue, were avid, and I now totally GET it. I am now a full on Blue October fan. Sign me up,

Now to The Killers. Ok, so folks are probably more familiar with this group. We all remember their first album, Hot Fuss…does anyone not know: Mr Brightside or Sombody Told Me? Yeah, me too! Love those songs. Well, The Killers just dropped their newest cd: Sam’s Town last week. I have to confess, I have not yet bought this one, so I am less familiar with the bulk of their set that is focused on their newest work. That is ok, I like what I hear. It is definitely more rock than their first effort in my opinion. Also notable, the group amuses me…visually…the band looks very 70’s, hair/attire, then there is Brandon Flowers…he is so preppy looking (kind of cute too) at lead. He is a good lead though. Like his vibe.

I would have to say though, their biggest songs in the room, crowd wise, were the ones we all know off their last album, the aforementioned Somebody Told Me(I think it was 3rd on their set list) and Mr Brightside (closed the main set)—the latter, the crowd went crazy. It also, in my opinion, underscored what worked so well off their last album…I call it the chasing beats. They had managed to resurrect that dance rock vibe with these songs…and the crowds respond. They are musically the most well rounded pieces of the night in my opinion. I would say the masses agreed, though the last 2 closing songs of the encore definitely came off well (don’t ask me to name them though, I am with out strong knowledge of their song titles save the title track to their new CD(that opened the show) and the to already mentioned.

Another note. Yeah, this show was sold out. It was a 2-3thousand persosn venue, not sure that many actually showed up. But it was definitely full-ish for the main act. It was SRO on the main floor, pit area. The crowd/venue though more massive than the venue at the Showbox for Blue, was not quite as avid in the front area, by my estimation. Funny, while the Killers seem more popular, I would say, they are just that, more pop…but the fans of Blue…LOVE THEM. It was palpable.

My opinion of the music. Well, they both clearly rock. And The Killers have obviously attained a much earned level of success. Brandon and company are a really good act. I would go to their show again. That said, not sure I need to pick up the new CD, the music just did not speak to me. I prefer Hot Fuss. In contrast though, the folks I came with, the one, prefers the newer CD, so different strokes I guess!

Overall, loved Blue October…must have more! Really liked The Killers, good show.

And, as I sit now, wrapping this up, I am actually in the air, winging my way to San Diego to meet up with some friends. We are going to go to a show at the House of Blues to see a certain Mr. Ryan Star. This is the one guy that I really liked from this last season of Rockstar, that I have not seen live yet. I am very excited. Listening to his live CD, Dark Horse. Very good.

Lennex!!!!!!!! just sayin;)

Off the top: Lennex, at the Recher Theatre, on September 9th, in Towson, MD, was off the hook, best band I have seen in a while (save my little BINXS obsession).

Photos are >>HERE<<, still being loaded...about 350 to shuffle through to see what is viable still...expect likely about 50 good ones...currently 65(99% complete, updated 9/14) uploaded.

My favorite songs in show: Bleeding my Heart out, Swandive, Moment, Misunderstood and the covers of White Rabbit and Smoking Umbrellas.

I say this though, every song was really good, top to bottom. Great set. Highly recommend if you read this, that you do whatever you can to see these guys, even if you don’t think you would be a fan…they will win you over.

The Why’s and Whatnot’s…
So, what is there to say…but the BSC(Batshit Crazy) bug that bit last year has spread, and now it seems… no bands are safe! Lol…

Anyway, you might have surmised, that yes, I did in fact, fly ACROSS the freaking country to join up w/ KTD and Mii to go to this show at the Recher, in Towson, MD. Why? I live in Seattle. Lennex is just an indie band, right? Well if you are a Rockbander, or a Rockstar viewer, then you understand that Lennex is fronted by one Mr. Phil Ritchie, a recent contestant on this seasons Rockstar: Supernova. I became a fan by week 2(although he peaked my interest in wk1’s reality epi w/his hollering!); right about the same time another Rockbander dubbed Phil with the dirtyPhil moniker. Phil was the first rocker this year to gain a common nick name.

Well, Phil did not win, in fact he was dismissed around week 4, admist a swirl of interesting factoids I won’t rehash. Needless to say, Supernova did not find him right for their band.

While I would have loved to see Phil on the show for longer, and singing some more rocking tunes; I am now SO glad he is back with his band Lennex. Over the course of the summer I have acquired both of their previously released CD’s, and downloaded the most recent release. Honestly, once I figured out on week 2, that I was digging Phil’s vibe, I looked up Lennex’s music, and really fell in love with their sound. That is what made me a real Phil/Lennex fan, moreso than any of his performances on RS:SN.

I figured though, that I would likely wait until they traveled either farther west or I was visiting my sister on the east coast next year, before I ever saw them. I mean, it is totally normal to be a fan of the music without experiencing someone live, right? Yes, well…I got a bit of a wild hair when I figured out this September 9th show was on a weekend. Though, when I first casually looked up flights(totally not serious, yet) they were out of consideration. I was not going to pay $600 to fly to DC….mmm, no! So anyway, I keep them in the back of my mind, and the first welcome home show reports come in from Ocean City, and I get even more itchy. Why do I have to wait to see them, possibly a whole year?!?!? No fair. Yes, well, apparently patience is not a virtue I am particularly fond of. About 2wks before the Towson show, I finally find a flight that is not out of control crazy, and I am like..should I? No that is crazy. Well, then I realized both KTD and Mii are going and I am like…it would be fun to get together…Yeah, and they were TOTAL enablers… Long Story not so short, I did it, bought a ticket, to the show and the airplane, lol, and made a quick little trip to DC/MD to see this band, I had just this summer, become totally addicted to on my Ipod.

Did I mention, my flight was going to be a redeye…yay! I get to go to another concert on no sleep (for those of you that don’t know, this is not the first time this has occurred…BSC I tell you!).

On to The Show!
So, uhmmmm, yeah….the show…FUCKING AMAZING. I mean, clearly I have been totally digging their music, but you never know how someone will be live. And to be quite honest, the only 2 really stand out performances from the TV show for me were White Rabbit and Smoking umbrellas. I liked the other ones, and I thought Phil was tres hot, but I was not positive I would totally dig him live. And I knew practically nothing about the rest of the band, other than the CD’s I now own.

Well, now I do, and WOW. That these guys are not yet signed, kind of boggles my mind. They are so TIGHT playing together, that, IMO, their sound is better live than recorded. That is a feat, in my estimation. It’s not like they were playing in an acoustic castle, just a little theatre that was SRO.Honestly, after viewing the openers, I was not expecting over much.

But then, out comes Lennex, and you could feel the swell and crush in the room, these guys were who most had shown up to see. And they did not disappoint. Phil looked REALLY good. Nice jacket…just sayin;)

But what, again, stunned me, was the band. The sound. I knew most if not all the songs, they were from their newest CD. Can I just say that the Phil we saw on TV, was not the guy fronting this band. This guy, is a fucking rock star. He has great stage presence, and sorry Jason(Newsted), he DOES know how to ‘crush it’. Mmmm, hmmm, yeah baby. And he’s funny…he joked and made fun of the bobble…and even dedicated one song to Jason…

Anyway, the tight musicianship of the band, and Phil’s great execution really made me step back and wonder…I mean, now I was REALLY happy I had pulled this silly little stunt of traversing the continent, but I was like…how do we make sure these guys get ALL that they deserve coming to them? In my gut now, I am like, these guys have to make it…they are too good not to. I wish them all the best, and hope they never ever give up. I am thinking further success is right around the corner. I want to see more of them, I want my friends to see them…I want everyone to finally ‘get’ it…Oh, have I mentioned, all my friends and family will be receiving the new CD as a Christmas present this year…just warning y’alls!

As far as the particulars, the songs were great, again, most if not all the songs off the new CD. They threw in, the 2 covers I most enjoyed from Phil’s tenure on Rockstar…and again, WOW, they crushed these. I love the HouseBand, but uhmmmm, Lennex fucking rocked these songs out! White Rabbit and Smoking Umbrellas, Lennex style…yes please! May I have some more????



Ok, now to my own little world…
I was taking pictures the entire show…I am sure I will use this as an excuse sometime in the future for why I have to see them again…to truly soak it all in…but I love taking photo’s. Some bigger bands are obnoxious about this, but a good photo(s), IMO shared amongst the fans, are great promotion for the band. So anyway, I had my way w/my good camera. Snap, Snap, Snap! I did take some breathers…but had the shutter going almost the whole show. As I was front and center, Phil was easily most prominent in my frames, so most of them are of him, though I tried to get a few good shots off of each of the band members…they deserve more, they are all so good. I am just a point and shoot girl, no real skills, but I do try to capture the emotion…those are the pictures I find most interesting…and I shoot w/funky angles…gives them some character…lol…whatever, I just want to capture my own Crack, let’s be honest!

Anyway, during some of my off camera time, I was singing along, I think to the song Moment…and uhmmm, well….I think Phil was singing right to me for a bit…err, I am not all about getting attention…sure I like to be up front, it’s the best view and energy is always great…I admit, I am a front row addict…anyway, so I just let myself drown in Phil’s gaze for a bit, lol—I am sure he was also schlepping for the cameras a bit too, as they were right in front of me, but I will just hold on to my own little fantasies! And Mii saw it and says it did happen, so there! LOL.

Another funny moment in the show, was during on of the song breaks…Phil asks the audience so, who got a plane to come here….uhmmm, lol, so in the excitement, I’m all squeeing…and Mii is all pointing at me...so yeah, not so secret…and hmmm, were there many of us…why did Phil ask this…odd. LOL, I really hope I am not the ONLY crazy person, but whatever!

Later, after the show, we all go back to the merch table and Phil is set up as the cashier and signer…okey dokey, so the 3 of us step up, and he looks at us, clearly recognizing us from up front, and looks at me and says…which one from Rockband are YOU? Uhmmmm, ok, I told him, and he seemed to really know my screen name, errrr! WTF have I posted…sigh, I always own whatever I say, I am not shy about it, but most people in my life do not give a fig about my odd little habits so I don’t over worry myself about it. And uhmmm, it came up again, that yes, I HAD traveled from Seattle to see this show…errr…anyway, it did garner me a hug! Hee;)

Yeah, ok…so anyway, then we all pull out our cash for a CD…holding it out at the same time…and it gets kind of comical…Phil is figuratively scratching his head trying to deduce how to transact our business, I guess we stumped him with what Mii refers to as our math SkilZ(mind out of the gutter old time Rbers!)….I was the only one who needed change, but whatever, it was cute…and he did do it right eventually! Then we had to unwrap the CD’s so he could sign…and not for the LIFE of me, could I get that fucking wrapper off the damn CD!!! LOL, thankfully, Mii took pity on me and did it…so now I own my very own hard copy of the CD, signed by Phil himself…why I get this stuff, I have no idea, I don’t really do anything w/anything I ever get signed, I just throw it on a stack of stuff at home, but I love doing it in the moment, especially when I NEVER have anything witty to say in any encounters w/cool people…yeah, I am usually like, ‘thank you, you were great’…DORK! Lol;)

So, hmmm, anything else…

Oh yes, did I mention…Phil *whipped it out*, repeatedly!!!


His Trumpet people… Sheesh!…what’d you think I meant…lol;)

We actually saw quite a bit of **IT** during the entire show. Love that they have a something special added to their sound. Gives them a unique vibe, and it is really hot….I mean it is hot when Phil plays it…yeah…mmm, ok;)

Ok, so moral of this tale is…BUY the new CD.

And, if at all possible, make it to one of their shows…

www.myspace.com/lennex
www.lennex.com

Pass it on;)

Kim and Mia(KTD & Mii) much thanks to you both, you made this show extra fun, it was great hanging out...Mia, thanks so much for being such a great host...

Vote for Ryan!!!

http://www.myspace.com/rstar

www.rockstar.msn.com vote starting 10pm Tuesdays...
PS, it does not matter what time it is, just that YOUR COMPUTER CLOCK says that it is after 10pm! Just sayin;)

Yeah, per my Rockstar Obsession, I ask YOU all...to VOTE for Ryan! You will not be sorry!

Selfishly, I really, really! want to see him make it at least one more week, to when I can see him live! As I am going down this weekend! Squee;)

ems...

Lennex!!!

Edit: read my blog about the LIVE show I saw the Lennex boys kick rock ass at! >>here<<

So I have just discovered this band, Lennex! They have just released their 3rd indie CD album. It is currently available on Itunes, and I just downloaded it. I also just purchased their latest release from 2003: For the Sake of Simpicity (FTSOS)... Anyway I discovered them because their lead singer, Phil Ritchie,was one of the 15 featured finalists on this years TV show, Rock Star: Supernova. He was just booted this last week, the 'fourth to go', admist some controversy by those Bad Boys of SN, aka Suave Porn(seriously, they need to rename themselves this, lol)... Anyway, by end of wk 2, I started digging Phil, and looked up his off show stuff, and discovered his band Lennex. I really dig their sound and live performance vid's I've seen on youtube. I will post a link to thoses below, and a FULL review of their latest ALBUM in a subsequent blog entry.

Seriously, if you have a chance check them out. Search: Lennex on Itunes.

Check out their web sites:
Lennex.com
Lennex Myspace

I really am liking Three and Moment off their current self titled EP (2006 release), and a Lesser None & Unattracted off of FTSOS(2003 release), and Auto Zimatic & Real off of their first self titled (2000 release). Hard copy CD's for FTSOS are available via CDBaby.com .

Full review of their 2006 release on a by track basis COMING SOON!! Check 'em out;)

Youtube - Misunderstood:


Youtube - Bleeding My Heart Out


Youtube - A Lesser None

Rock Star - Super-whatevah ;)

Hey Babes...well if you cannot believe that I was soooooo obsessed last summer with the TV crack that was Rock Star: INXS, cover your eyes, and run a-screaming, because...they have done it again... There is a second batch of CRACK that has been dispatched... and I am loaded up and ready to rumble about it...SQUEE!

This year we have the whatever named: Rock Star: Supernova... and that is the LAST time I will post that word...ickkk!!!!! Super - WTF! is more like it...who do I have to send the gang out to harass over that name?!?!?! eek!

So anyway, if you are wanting to tune into some rocking NON America Idol musical TV this summer...you know, JUST DO IT! you will not be sorry. TUNE IN! It is THAT good.

I will be blogging about it >>>>HERE<<<< ...also, see side bar>>>>>>>>> It will be mucho fun... I totally plan to have NO LIFE THIS SUMMER as I become once again, yet moreso, RS:Obsessed... I mean, this is CRACK TV....just sayin ;)

For time and listings, and reality show(online only) go >>>>HERE<<<<

If you find yourself at loose ends after watching it...join in on some rollickingly hilarious convo...>>>>HERE<<<< at Rockband.com ...good times are a coming!

Excessive INXS . . .

Tales of INXS in excess? Well here ya' go: California Dreamin'

I cannot believe I just did that! CRAZY!

Time for real life again! But oh what fun I had... I wouldn't trade the last 2 weeks for anything... Because you only live once Babes...only ONE TIME... Love Baby, Love!

And I know I really need to update/finish out my Seoul Travel log...I will get to that this week! I still have bunches pics to go through from both adventures...

Summer is here now... time to kick start the hometown fun!

ems :)

Seoul Travel Log...from one end of the Earth...

next up, day 8...another palace (the one previously closed) and a bit of shopping in Insadong...Day 9 is return to the other side:)

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next up Day 7...the DMZ!

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Day 6 Gyongju...
We get up an out early...this ends being a VERY good thing!

First up, Bulguksa temple. Beautiful. We took the city bus up. Almost got off at wrong stop...it would have been a walk to the next, so REALLY glad we got back on!

So we get there...wander around. There was only one tour group there and a couple of individuals (like us) so it wasn't too busy yet...this is good...much more peaceful and better pics! And it wasn't too warm yet...all good things. Took lots of great pics...

Of the temple:


A buddah inside one of the buildings:


Next up, took bus/shuttle up to Seokguram grotto. This was very lovely, a high vista point that you can look out from the valley. It is a bit of a walk out to the grotto area, but nice. When you get there , you have to climb up a bit of stairs but not too bad. A great place. We ran into some school children/group and the kids are great...they see us as a opportunity to practice a bit of english...they are all like 'hi', etc...very cute, and friendly...We spoke w/their instructor/leader, and he told us how he studied a bit abroad a ways back...Berkeley...

Pics from of the grotto area:


By the time we get through here, we head back to Bulguksa, and have lunch in the little village town. Straight up little korean restaurant. We were the only customers. I think it is really quiet there during the week.

Then we head back to town, stop off at our hotel to pick up our backpacks, and then into town...drop off packs in lockers, and head off to visit one of the main parks w/the tombs...

pic of one of the tombs...inside there is a cross section...but no pics inside were allowed...

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Day 5...The Wedding and a REALLY long bus ride...
This was a very easy, non active day...We basically got ready for a noonish wedding...went... It was a very Western style wedding. An interesting detail is that the wedding procession/ceremony was combined w/the reception-very efficient! It was in a very upscale building (GS Tower) much like a really nice hotel wedding. Afterward they had a very traditional Korean small gathering. Now the main christian ceremony and reception had 2 rooms w/about 800 guests...the smaller traditional ceremony was less than I would say 30ish people...

Picture of main ceremony/reception hall before wedding:


That afternoon, we decided we would go on a overnight day trip to another popular destination in South Korea: Gyongju. The most efficient way to get there is by bus, so we did this...4 hour bus ride...but it wasn't too bad; nice bus and we stayed at a really nice hotel resort between the city and the temple area where we were headed the next day.

May expand more on this day later...


Day 4...market shopping!
So, if Day 3 was Palace day, Day 4 was market day. We chose the major one downtown called Dongdaedum. It is basically a market district in part of downtown. There are textile markets, and jewelery markets, shoe markets, etc. There is even an upscale department store(s) to go along with everything. When we got off the subway (after doing our typical pastry/coffee stop before getting on) we ended up at one end of the shoe market, which is really a long hall of stalls, with a mileu of shoes on display. There are just massive amounts of everything you can think of. The whold think is a block or 2 long, of nothing but shoes. Some cool, some justk, yawn. We saw a couple of cute options, but nothing that made us pull the trigger.

So we got done w/that after 2 pass throughs, and headed across the avenue to what we thought was the main market place. I think we actually ended up at the fabric/textile market. There was floor after floor of fabric and trim. The kind for bedding (they had alot of name brand fabric like Pierre Cardin, etc), for traditional dress, laces, wedding, leather, idustrial, pretty much EVERYTHING you could think of. I could have spent all day just there...and we spent an hour or two...I bought a couple of yard of some various trim; sis bought a few yards of some colored traditional silk for my mom. We wound our way out of the fabric market and ended up in the jewelery/bead market. We spent ALOT of time there. We got a couple of items for ourselves, but mostly got gifts here...either already assembled or supplies for us to put pieces together. It was so much fun. Basically a gigantic wharehouse floor (3 or 4th level of market place) of nothing but fashion/costume jewlery supplies and whatnot. Sis pickedup a piece of Jade for my aunt by request, I got a pair of earrings for myself-she got parts to make herself stuff, but a necklace already made...and we both picked up, as mentioned already, lots of gifts. Did I mention this place was endless????

Ok, at this point our feet were killing us (well mine were!) so we decided to get some food/lunch. We headed out of the marketplace, and found the department store, which has lots of restaurants/food courts/coffee shops, etc. We ended up at the food court and got I think a Korean/Japanese or something option. It had some bogogi(sp?) and fried rice and noodles w/sweet and sour. Anyway, very tasty.

After eating/resting for a bit, we headed down to the bank to get cash, that was in the basement of the store...spent some time there right before close(good timing). Then proceeded to shop. My sis was having some purse issues, so we shopped in purses. She got 2! lol...I got one...in fact the one that I got is identical to one of hers, lol...we are twins...not! We will not be walking around w/the same bag here, no worries...but that would be funny!

We admired all the clothes in this store. Very very fashion forward. Trendy, w/o being all outrageous prices. To bad everything is so SMALL, or that we are so BIG, lol...the clothes were adorable and so NOT what you find stateside... Korean have access to so much good and cheap fashion, I am jealous!

So at this point we are completely spent...ALL DAY SHOPPING, lol...no pictures, but lots of time looking at stuff! We are looking for the subway, but end up in another, literally underground market...sigh...Oh, but sis actually buys some shoes! Anyway, finally have to find actual subway, and head back...it is rather late by now...and we thought we would be able to hit more than one market area??? not! After resting a bit, we do to dinner in our hotel...it is almost closing time, and we are the only ones left! oh well. We get to go into the Japanese restaurant, and they let us order off of either of the 2 restaurant menus, so we order on Japanese dish and 1 Korean one. We eat, we head back up to room...sis starts to put together some of her jewelery, and I crash! snooze...

next day...we go to friends wedding...

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Day 3 - Palace day...
Must find names of Palaces we visited in and around Seoul today...the first one, Gyeongbokjung, was very imperial...beautiful. We went on a guided tour, and were able to see the changing of the guard when we left. I got alot of really cool pics.

Me in front of a building(????) at rear of palace...


inside one of the buildings...(Kings quarters?)


one of the guards:


In between, we went to lunch...Insadong, part of downtown...REAL Korean food this time...I had this cold noodle thing w/buckwheat noodles...my sis had this rice bowl thing w/a fried egg in it(she will tell me the name of it for accuracy later!). And I topped it off as we continued shopping, w/a green tea ice cream cone! hey, simple pleasures!

The second palace, Jongmyo. Anyway, it had a much more park feeling. It actually took us a bit to get to, b/c the entrance was not where we thought it would be...well, first we stopped at one on the way, Changdeokgung, and it was closed(oops!) then when we proceeded to the next 2, Changgyeonggung & Jongmyo(that were just down the street we thought)...anyway, we couldn't find the entrance to either one, so we caught a taxi, and he took us to the front of one of them, the aforementioned, Jongmyo. It was a very park like setting, and much less imperial. But very tranquil and pretty...


Then back home (on the subway of course)...after resting a bit, we thought we'd go to the Hard Rock...so we went to a rather upscale/Western part of town, and I think it is under rennovations and/or closed, b/c we could not find it...it was not open where the taxi let us off...so b/c I was being a total beyotch, instead of trying some fusion places that were right there or something, we ended up after discussion going to another American style restaurant...I won't name names, but it was NOT good...best stick w/some authentic food choices while we are here...or starbucks, lol...anyway...off to bed...next up, day 4!!

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Day 2:
Headed downtown to visitor center...on way stop Paris Baget(big pastry chain here) then at the Coffee Bean for coffee(Starbucks was across the street...they are EVERYWHERE!...then got on the subway...and off we were to Downtown Seoul (we are staying in outer Seoul). The subway system here is quite extensive, and taxis are cheap as well. Took in downtown...very modern and western.

Samsung Building:


Downtown Canal(name) and walkway/bridges:


Then proceeded to folk festival (at Namsongol Hanok Village - Seoul Dano Folk Festival) on edge of downtown...very cool, lots of traditional stuff going on...


Lunch we had Chinese...for really cheap in between the folk fest stuff...

For dinner we ate w/sis' friend and fiance...real Korean food...it was cool, they brought you veggies and thin meat, and noodles, and you cook/boil it right there yourself individually. Good stuff!

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Day 1-ish: Traveled v.v. far!
I think it was a 12 hour flight... We left SFO at 1-2ish pm on Friday and landed in Seoul like at 4-6pmish...yikes!

Picked up rented cell phone, and found the KAL bus to the city...Seoul is like 90mins from airport...yikes again! First meal after finally arriving...Japanese noodles(Oodon)...but not to worry, served w/Korean sides (kimchee, etc) so we are definitely in Korea!

Here's the hotel where we are staying...and views from...
The Samjung:


Downtown view from our room:


Tower view from our room:




Crashed...snooze!

Ends of Earth, Here I come!

LOL...since that is where I last left off...

So leaving this Thursday to go down and visit sis in the Bay Area...we are flying out via SFO to Seoul...we fly direct...it's a LONG flight!

So I got an extended IPOD battery thingy...you just keep filling it w/batteries, and it can go on forever;)

So off I am in a few days. I know I will have fun, even if I can barely remember how to say hello and thank you...

Will post some pics and a trip diary, maybe mid way if I make it to an internet cafe, otherwise on my return!

I am really looking forward to seeing some of the palaces,etc, maybe visiting the DMZ, and of course, shopping the markets!

Catch ya' on the flip side :)

Next up after Korea, will be my very own 'California Dreamin' tour...hee... betcha' can't guess what that entails!

Traveling to the Ends of the Earth...

So not the Ends of the Earth really... more like just a REALLY long plane ride(s)!

Current big 'expeditions'(and I use that term loosely as I am not a grand adventurer) on the agenda are: Seoul, S. Korea - this month, and Europe - Paris/Ghent/London - this fall ...

I was considering Australia (Oz), you know the Land Down Under...land of the Great Barrier Reef, etc...but alas, I think not... at least not this year. The fact that my primary motivation for that trip was to see INXS in concert in their home country for the first time in over a decade... well, that was ALMOST enough! I actually own tickets for those concerts this September...alas, I will have to sell them.

What you ask? You are going to travel to destinations that are BINXS free?? LOL...well...

Ok, so my South Korea trip is fully and completely BINXS free, save for my IPOD... My sister invited me to accompany her on said adventure, and I promptly cancelled 2 local INXS concert attendances to be able to fly off to a country where I speak not one word of the language. Aren't you proud of me?

Yes, well hold that praise! Don't think this Oz re-route to Europe is pure coincidence... Because... quell shock... The BINXS are going to be in Europe at the same time... and yes I already am the proud owner of a very french Parisian ticket to said event.

I am so transparent, lol.

And why did I redirect my BINXS chasing, world wide vacation exploring to another continent? Well, Paris is a shoppers mecca...and somehow, this excites me more than diving the Reef. I am sick! BINXS + shopping + Europe...pure bliss!

I am very excited about both my upcoming international ventures! First 2 items on my readiness list: extended IPOD battery, and the perfect shade of RED lipstick!

au revoir mes amis!

BINXS in Concert....

Okay, since it is all very obvious I have become a bit of a INXS concert junkie this year, I have created a special page just for the concert recaps. I post all of them on Rockband.com originally, but this is my own storage for all my concert journalling, and concert photos. It's my little BSC adventure diary if you will...

Concert Recaps here


Enjoy!


PS...and I will be adding many blog topics shortly....I have a bunch of stuff in the hopper, just no time to post...promises, promises, lol!

I have a "Car Crush"...

What is a 'Car Crush'? you ask...well, let me explain...

First, I don't currently own or drive a car regulary. I lived in Downtown Seattle, since September 2001, and when my then car lease came due in the summer of 2002, I decided to go car-free. Its been a refreshing few years. I have had a car previous to this since I was 17, so it has taken some getting used to.

Now, I've always had an affinity for sports/sporty cars. They look sexy, they go fast, etc, etc. The last car I had was a Chrysler Sebring Coupe, fully loaded. Nice roomy car (I need lots of leg room) and a nice V6, in black...lovely car. I would call it sporty, not a sports car. I've only covetted them, never owned an official 'sports car'.

So given these details, you would think...ok, she has a car crush...it gotta' be on a hot car, right? Nope! In the last year, as I've contemplated possibly acquiring a vehicle again...I have, for some reason developed this infactuation with the cutesy, Mini Cooper! I have no idea why, I am usually not into 'cute cars'...But I have researched them up and down, and am stuck on them as a next car choice; they come in all sorts of colors, and even have engine options for extra vroom, power!...of course, at this point, I still can't make a case, that I actually need a car...so I still have no plans to actually go out and buy one... but if I did...

...and funny, I have not even test driven one...maybe that is what I need to do, to get over this affinity with this car... you know, give it a go!

but oh, they are cute!

Gotta Blog Idea? Check out the Ideas Page!

Hey peeps, this is probably the first post you are reading!

So welcome again.

Anyway, I have just created a separate page for you to comment on items/subjects you would like to see me blog about. . .yes, you CAN make suggestions. You can make them anywhere, but this will be the place to make sure I see them! Check out the Ideas Page!

Why am I doing this? Well, I have plenty of nonsense to write about on my own, LOL...I figure I can fill at least 5 topics a week, but if anyone besides myself, decides they want to read it, I would love to write about something of interest to YOU! That's the ol' customer service training I have ;)

So if you like, you can just read, but if you have something you would like to see in a Blog here, or would like to start a discussion on, let me know HERE. Also, there will always be a link over on the sidebar to get to the ideas page...feel free to add something there anytime.

Also feel free to comment/discuss anything here on topic, or just read...all is good.

Your Blogger Friend, Ems

My Space ????? Part One...

So, I'm sure you all have heard of this new cyberspace deal called 'My Space', right ? Apparently, everyone has one, nowadays...

Yes, even I have one...

The thing is...How the heck do you make these things work ??

Well, you may think...uhmmm, 'you gotta blog, you oughta be able to figure out My Space...'

And, yes, I am generally pretty technically savvy. But, I've seen some awesome My Space profiles...apparently you either know some HTML, and whatnot, or you can hit up the internet and google scripts, build out tricked out profiles, etc...so, that is my next project... I mean, I don't want to be one of those dorks (like I am now, LOL) with a plain background My Space , and no friends...

That's the other thing...this add friends thing...how does that work? Well, I know folks that have told me to add them; I suppose I will... I should at least add the folks that I have listed here on the sidebar (they all have rocking sites btw!)...

But I don't want to add when I don't even have my own profile tricked out yet...

THAT would be embarassing!

2006, my year so far, a year in XS...

Well, so far this year, can only be described one way: INXS (pronounced: in excess). . .

INXS you ask? Well if you are reading this, and you are not me, LOL...you likely know this is the name of a band I have become a bit enraptured with!

And no, Mom! it is NOT N'sync!

Seriously...N'sync...INXS...not the same thing! One is a currently defunct boy band...the other, INXS, is a recently rejuvenated hot ROCK BAND! Remember them?!?!? Back in the late 80's, early 90's they had a long string of hot dance rock hits...Never Tear Us Apart, Need You Tonight, Devil Inside, Suicide Blonde...just to name a few...

Anyway they are back, thanks in large part to a freakin' rockin' TV show last summer that helped them fill the spot of lead singer, open since 1997's untimely demise of the late Michael Hutchence (RIP). Apparently (unbeknownst to me) they had been trying a couple of other singers in the interim, but none had worked out until now...Anyway, the tv show? Rock Star: INXS . . .Oh my god! That show was TV crack, LOL ;) Addictive to say the least...and aeons better than the best of American Idol...anyway, I digress (shocker!)...the show gave them one JD Fortune, end of last September, and they started on a world tour this past January. . .

And that, everyone, was just the beginning of this story...

Needless, to say, the TV show, combined with my obsessive need to accumulate information (I am an information junkie!) means I am now a proud owner of many brain cells currently filled with endless information about said Band, Our Band, Our Boy, INXS...or as many fondly refer to them, the BINXS (pronounced binks...funny, because I once thought, way back in the 80's, that they were call 'inks' !).

So what do me and my little brain do, other then accumulate somewhat random trivia? Well, for one: I obsessively hang out on my favorite message boards, in the INXS Lounge. . . and chat incessantly with other equally disturbed individuals, LOL (I kid!)...

But, is that it, you ask? Uhmmm, no! I must also decide to attend as many of their shows as possible... Crazy! I have never attended more than one concert in a year, I have never attended more than one concert for a specific artist, ever! And, I have only attended like, 4 other concerts before 2006, ever! Now you say...what, she's talking about 2 or 3 shows, right? Ha! if only...I have attended 3 shows so far, have tickets for 3 more, and will likely buy tickets for 1-2 more...in Excess, in XS, INXS...indeed!

If you don't believe me, read my concert reviews so far...check out MySpace blogs for Seattle (hey, it's home!), Las Vegas and St Charles . (You'll have to scroll past my mini dissertation on the INXS song Taste IT, or read it, if you want to see how really far gone I am!)

Concerts currently on the Itinerary: Nashville, Vancouver, Los Angeles(the Greek)

These could happen...I will attend any additional show if scheduled in Seattle, and maybe one or two more in California. I won't even go into how I am still entertaining the idea of Austrailia...

So, do I need to be committed yet? Wait, don't answer...

Tough Guys ??????

Interesting...you know those random surveys, tests, quizzes, whatever... That tell you if you are: "in a good relationship", "are you co-dependent", "are you Hot?"...

Well, recently while lurking on my favorite messageboard (RockBand.com INXS Lounge Forum) I stumble across this one: What Kind of Guy Do You Go For ? . I'm like ok...I'm bored...let's see what it says...

Apparently, I like "Tough Guys" ?

Hmmmm... I didn't know that! Here I am 33 yo, and NOW is when I find this out? Well, here's the definition...I guess they know from what they speak, LOL...Here are the specfic results...

Tough guy: You scored 60% masculine, 52% athletic, 45% exotic, and 43% refined! You love men, you love testosterone and you know it. You like a bad-ass man who knows what he wants. He isn't what you might bring home to mom but I don't think it really matters - he's hot! Someone like.....Vin Diesel. But let's face it, the whole point of this was to look at a bunch of hot guys. If you liked what you saw, please rate my test!

I think it's a bit off for me though...Vin Diesel? Uhmm, no! Anyway, take the test...worst case scenario, you spend a couple of minutes drooling over hot half naked men...not a bad way to pass time...

Hello Everyone!

My very first Blog!!! How exciting! (well it is for me!)

So did I use enough exclamation points in that first line?

Ok, so I wonder what I will ever fill a blog with????? Well, I guess words, LOL...

Feel free to comment on anything and everything...

I like words, so if anyone but myself ever reads this... I hope you do too ;)

From your favorite Newbie Blogger, Ems

Check out my current favorite website:
http://www.rockband.com/inxs/

My current favorite Blog:
http://claireduffy.blogspot.com/