Beach Boys Concert!

I have said many times I was born in the wrong decade. Sometimes I think I'm a 60 year old trapped in a 29** year old body. I would rather watch reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show or Leave It To Beaver on Netflix than Modern Family or New Girl (no disrespect to either show. I've never seen them so I couldn't tell you if they are good or not). In most cases, on a movie night I would rather watch something that starred Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, or Audrey Hepburn. Or just about anything else that airs on the Turner Classic Movies channel. I would rather listen to a "Best of the 50s and 60s" Pandora station than "Today's Top Hits". I know, I'm just weird. Actually, I don't think I'm weird, I think I'm unique (which is just a fancy word for weird, but I'm going with it). I've been told MANY times I have an "old soul". I agree. 

**Okay, I'm not 29, let's move on!**

If you have been following my blog for a while, you already know this. I went to see Davy Jones (may he rest in peace) and David Cassidy back in 2010. If you missed that, you can check that post out here. Then in 2013 I went to see the (remaining) Monkees in concert (you can check out that post here). Both times I went with my college roommate Mel (who also love oldies music and is always willing to check out a concert of an "oldies" group). Last night we were able to go to The Beach Boys concert (oddly enough, at the same venue where we saw the other concerts).

We got to the Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie just as the front doors had opened, so we debated if we wanted to buy anything from the merchandise table (we passed- that time) and then found a bench to sit on (the main doors weren't open yet because the band was doing a sound check). While waiting for the doors to open, we found out that the Verizon Theater has a Mazda VIP suite for Mazda drivers (and their guests). I am a Mazda driver, so we took advantage of that. It was a nice suite complete with a "refreshment" area and even had seating in the arena portion if you wanted to stay there during the concert. Our seats were a tad bit closer to the stage, so we opted not to stay.

I love going to these concerts because the age range of the fans usually varies. We saw a lot of older men walking around in Hawaiian shirts, which was cool. There were a few people who looked younger than us, or maybe some about our age, but a good amount of the crowd had obviously been Beach Boys fans since the beginning. The concert was great. There were only two members of the original Beach Boys there (Mike Love and Bruce Johnston). There is a long, messy story about a "disagreement" that has torn the surviving members apart, but I'm too lazy to type about it (and honestly, most of you probably don't care, so why waste my time). :) Mike and Bruce were two of my favorites, so I was okay that they were the only ones there (for you Full House fans, you may remember their appearance here). The rest of the "new" Beach Boys band did a fantastic job as well. For a lot of the concert, there was a beach ball being thrown around the crowd. It was just a fun atmosphere. 

Before and during the concert

During intermission, I broke down and bought a tour shirt. After the concert Mel decided she wanted to buy a souvenir program so we went back to the merchandise table. I wasn't going to get one originally since I had already spent a good amount of money on a shirt, but I decided at the last second to buy one as well.

When Mel and I go to concerts at the Verizon Theater, we usually hang around the stage door to see if anyone is signing autographs. After the Monkees concert, there was a huge crowd by the stage door (sadly none of the group signed that night). We were kinda shocked that no one else was there after this concert. We stayed there a good 30-40 minutes, making small talk with the nice security guard. We eventually saw Bruce walk out and get on the bus. A few minutes later, the bus started backing up, so we figured we were out of luck. The bus had to drive by where we were standing and it stopped right in front of us. The security guard spoke to the bus driver and he said Bruce was willing to sign for us. **Thank you to the nice bus driver who had noticed us waiting and told Bruce, and he said he would stop.** Originally we were going to hand him our programs, but he was like, "it's cold out there and you aren't wearing jackets, come on in here." (Mom: Ignore that part about me not wearing a jacket. It was 80 degrees when we went inside the theater, I didn't realize it was going to cool off so much). Mike had left earlier, but we were able to meet Bruce. He was super nice and signed our programs and took pictures with us. He wanted to make sure he knew our names, and used them when he said bye. He thanked us for coming to the concert and we thanked him for stopping. Super cool moment.

I'm so glad that I decided last minute to get a program! :)

Yes, it was another adventure in my so-called exciting life. Thank you for letting me share!

XOXO!

The ABC's Of Me- Blog Challenge Day 2

Day 2: What is something that describes you from each letter of the alphabet?

A: A.D.D. Seriously, I have the attention span of a two year- ooh, what's that, something shiny!

B: Baseball. If you have read any other posts on my blog, I'm sure you are quite aware I love baseball.

C: Chick Fil-A. I could literally eat there every day.

My love of baseball and Chick Fil-A in the same picture! :)

D: Dr Pepper. Seriously, it's like sweet nectar from heaven.

E: Elvis. I'm a big Elvis fan (and I mean that as in Elvis Presley AND Elvis Andrus). :)

Seriously, how could you not like either Elvis? :)

F: Friend. I try to be the kind of friend I would want. 

G: Guns. Nothing like going to the shooting range to let off a little steam.

Say hello to my little friend...

H: History. I love learning about history. I've been known to plan vacations around what kind of museums I can see while I'm there. :)

I: Ice cream. I love me some Blue Bell!

Me and my sister touring the Blue Bell factory

J: Jesus follower. I think this speaks for itself!

K: Kindhearted. Well, I try to be. Unless you cut me off in traffic, then I unleash my wrath. :) But seriously, I hate hurting someone's feelings, so I try my best to be nice in (most) circumstances. 

L: Laugh. I love to laugh and to make other people laugh. I make myself laugh all the time, I feel I'm quite funny, I could have my own comedy TV show. :)

See, my nephew E thinks I'm funny! :)

M: Musicals. I enjoy a good Broadway show, or a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein production.

N: Nerd. It's true, and not like book smart nerd, I'm just overall nerdy. ;)

O: Old movies. I love watching the classics. Especially anything with Audrey Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, or Cary Grant. I love them all. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is my favorite cable station!

P: Pictures. I take lots AND lots of pictures (in case you haven't noticed).

Q: Queso. I love queso, oh so much. I'm pretty sure it should be in a food group all by itself!

R: Reader. I love to read. I have so many books my friends borrow from me instead of a library! 

S: Silly. I tend to be very silly sometimes. Again, have you read my blog at all? :)

I also have silly friends! :)

T: Talkative. If you ever meet my family, you'll know where I get it from. Good luck trying to get a word in at any family function! :)

U: Unique. I know, it's cheating to use this word because EVERYONE is unique. But, I'm using it anyways! How many other gals do you know who love Steve Avery, Chick Fil-A, Dick Van Dyke, and will spend money to go see the surviving members of The Monkees in concert? Yeah, didn't think so. Side note: Yes, I'm going to a Monkees concert tonight. Be very jealous. :)

V: Vivacious. Someone I work with used this word to describe me recently, I had to use it, it made me laugh.

W: Writer. Obviously, I mean, I have a blog, I must love to write. I also used to be a sports writer for a newspaper (I know, shocker!) :) And I've been trying to write a novel for some time, it's a slow process. :)

X: X-ray. Thanks to a few car accidents and also my own clumsiness, I've had more than my share of X-rays done. And seriously, how many words start with "X"? I never played the xylophone so I couldn't use that one. 

Y: Young at heart. I sometimes forget I'm not as young as I used to be, but hey, you are only as old as you act feel, right? ;)

Z: Zoo. I love going to the zoo. I'm hoping my sweet great-nephews and my new great-niece will come see me soon so we can go visit the Dallas Zoo again! :)

I just realized this picture is three years old. My little monkeys need to come back for another zoo trip! :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!! Thanks for all the positive feedback on my challenge! Again, leave me a link to your blog if you participate. I look forward to your posts!

XOXO!

Thursday Thirteen

I'm back in the land of the living after being sidelined yesterday with a sore throat. Feeling MUCH better today! Thank you for everyone who sent me well wishes! : )

For my Thursday Thirteen post, I thought I would list 13 of my favorite sports movies (now, I have way more than 13, so it was hard choosing which ones to list). So, in no particular order, I give you my Thursday Thirteen...

1. The Rookie: Of course a baseball movie would be the first one I list. This is one of those "feel-good-based-on-a-true-life-story" Disney movie. The only thing keeping it from being cheesy is that it really happened. I do just have one minor complaint (okay, two). During the scene filmed at The Ballpark in Arlington, they have the visiting team in the Rangers bullpen. Also, the scene was taking place in the 90s (when the Rangers were wearing their red uniforms). And in the movie, they were wearing blue. VERY minor, only a sports freak nut enthusiast such as myself would notice.

My favorite quote: "I'm a Texas woman, which means I don't need the help of a man to keep things running."

2. Remember the Titans: Even if you don't like football, how can you NOT like a movie with Denzel Washington in it? This is another movie based on a true story (yes, it was done by Disney).

My favorite quote: "A water break? Water is for cowards. Water makes you weak. Water is for washing blood off that uniform and you don't get no blood on my uniform, boy you must be outside your mind! We are going to do up-downs, until Blue is no longer tired, and thirsty."

3. Miracle: I swear, I'm not obsessed with Disney, they just seem to make a lot of sports movies! This movie tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. I'm sure everyone knows that story and the outcome. But if not, I won't ruin it for you (in case you want to watch it). But, I will share a clip of the real hockey game (the "do you believe in miracles" moment).

My favorite quote: "Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw 'em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it."

4. The Blind Side: I love, love, love Sandra Bullock in this movie. She so deserved the Oscar for her performance. This movie is based on the true life story of NFL player Michael Oher.

My favorite quote: "If you so much as set foot downtown, you will be sorry. I'm in a prayer group with the D.A., I'm a member of the NRA and I'm always packing."

5. Field of Dreams: This one never gets old. And I know more than one guy who admits getting a little teary eyed at the end of this one. How can you not?

My favorite quote: "At least he is not a book burner, you Nazi cow." I bet you thought I was going to put, "If you build it, he will come.", didn't you? ;)

6. Facing the Giants: I love this movie because of the determination of a man of God to get this story out there. No one in Hollywood would produce this movie, so a church group filmed/produced/acted in this movie. There are no "big names" or "professionals" found anywhere in it. Ticket sales and DVD sales exceeded everyone's expectations. The same group also produced the Kirk Cameron movie Fireproof.

My favorite quote: "Grant, we gotta do something about the car. The only thing it does faithfully for us is break down."

7. Rudy: A movie for someone who needs to believe that dreams come true. I also love Sean Astin in this movie! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

My favorite quote: "Son, in 35 years of religious study, I have only come up with two hard incontrovertible facts: there is a God, and I'm not Him."

8. Eight Men Out: This movie is based on the 1919 "Black Sox Scandal". And it stars three big names from the 80s: John Cusack, Charlie Sheen and Christopher Lloyd.

My favorite quote: 1st Cincinnati Reds Player: These guys don't look so tough.

2nd Cincinnati Reds Player: Yeah, that's what Custer said when the Indians took the field.

9. Hoosiers: I had to get a basketball movie in here somewhere! This movie stars two great actors, Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. And I want to say it was inspired by a true life story.

My favorite quote: "I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. These six individuals have made a choice to work, a choice to sacrifice, to put themselves on the line 23 nights for the next 4 months, to represent you, this high school. That kind of commitment and effort deserves and demands your respect. This is your team."

 

10. Chariots of Fire: Even if you have never seen this movie, you probably have heard the theme from it. This movie is based on a true story of two British track athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics. (Quick side note to all my Lord of the Ring friends. A young Ian Holm, aka Bilbo Baggins, is in this movie!)

 

 

My favorite quote: "You can praise God by peeling a spud if you peel it to perfection. Don't compromise. Compromise is a language of the devil. Run in God's name and let the world stand back and in wonder."

 

11. We Are Marshall: I'll admit, this one made me cry (**tissue alert**). Based on the true story of the tragedy that hit Marshall University in November 1970 when a plane crash took the lives of virtually their entire football team and coaching staff. If you are a Matthew McConaughey or Matthew Fox fan, even if you don't like football, this is one you don't want to miss!

 

My favorite quote: "One day, not today, not tomorrow, not this season, probably not next season either but one day, you and I are gonna wake up and suddenly we're gonna be like every other team in every other sport where winning is everything and nothing else matters. And when that day comes, well thats, thats when we'll honor them."

 

12. Friday Night Lights: If you are not from Texas, or have never been in Texas during high school football season, you might not realize how true to life this movie is. This movie is based on a book with the same name. Of course, the first thing I noticed is how it reunited Billy Bob Thorton with his Slingblade co-star, Lucas Black (I know, I notice the weirdest things!)

 

My favorite quote: "Perfection is being able to look your friends in the eye and know you did everything you could not to let them down."

 

13. The Stratton Story: Of course I had to get a Jimmy Stewart movie in this list! This movie is based on the story of major league pitcher Monty Stratton. After a hunting accident, his career ended when he had to have his right leg amputated. I remember watching this movie with my mom when I was little. My mom actually had a baseball signed by Monty Stratton, but one day my brothers decided to play catch with it outside, and lost it. A few years ago a friend of mine was able to track down a Monty Stratton autograph, so I got it for my mom for Christmas. She won't let my brother's touch it! :)

 

My favorite quote:[after accidentally shooting himself in the leg] "I shot the wrong rabbit!"