Friends, Memorial Day, Golf, Music, Future, and Real Deal Kind of Weekend

I think summertime likes to give me more time than I know what to do with by providing longer, sunny filled days and endless opportunities of excitement. However, it does rob me of known indoor activities like writing and blogging. So being the wise adult that I am, I know now to place an alert in my phone that says (no joke):   "Hey Anne,  I know you're having a blasty blast but it's been 2 weeks, have you blogged?"  

The first official holiday weekend to kick off summer fun started with a little trip to Omaha to have Happy Hour with my frista and other lady friends. We dined on sushi, had a few Grey Goose and waters and had endless laughs. Those girlies just make my day and it is always fun to go back and catch up with them. 

One of our favorite spots is Kona Grill because they have killer happy hour sushi and cocktail specials on their amazing patio. The only thing I wonder about Friday's in Omaha is does anyone work past noon?  Geez.....

After a delightful night with the girls, I headed back to my roots to enjoy seeing my beautiful mother, family and the peace and quiet.

There was a time in my life I felt leaving Panama and not looking back was the best thing in the world. Thing is, all roads lead back to the foundation of my life. There is a sense of peace and calm in this small but mighty Iowa town 

(cue John Cougar Mellencamp and the sweet sounds of Small Town). 

When I am back in the hood, I love to head out and hit the pavement with an exploring run. So many fun memories come rushing back and I feel like I could run for endless miles (which let's be honest, 4 miles is more like it and realistically my limit).  The train tracks line the east side of town and run through Whispering Pines Park, which was frequently traveled on by a slew of girls on bikes.

There is this calming sense of comfort as I drive up Main Street and see the homestead on the right. The home I spent the majority of the youth in, sprayed endless amounts of hairspray in, sang karaoke to Cyndi Lauper with my girl gang, ate homemade pizza under the kitchen table, slammed a few doors in, shed a few tears in and shared a life with my amazing parents and sister. I may have also kissed a few boys on the front porch as well.

We picked beautiful peonies in our backyard to take to my sweet Papa and sister on Memorial Day.  Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and they are everywhere in Panama. My mom has these stunning pink ones in the back yard.

 I had a little help from my friend Gypsy. She is also my fur baby, Lil g's momma. She loves to tag along in the backyard and supervise all the happenings.

I also couldn't resist one of my most guilty pleasures from my Mom's garden:  ONIONS!  Oh my goodness, I seriously can pick this straight from the ground, wash it off and eat it like candy. I don't mind dipping it in a little salt if it's handy. The best part about this is I know she planted them for me because she runs as fast as possible away from onions. So thank you Mom for this produce pleasure!

After a relaxing time back home, another work we started. Except this week was not only short, but it was our annual managers golf outing. 

There were over 300 managers who spent the day out on the links. Even though our team didn't win anything,  I would say our team won in the entertaining and a blast to be with division.  Thanks Matt, Jason and Stacey for making it such a fun day!

Each year, my summer officially starts with the first concert I go to.  Last year, I pledged to attend 3 concerts (minimum) a summer because there is nothing better than witnessing music in its most vulnerable and creative space: live. I also pledged to be open to new and different types of music to expand my horizons and the first one up did a lot of expanding.  It was an enjoyable night of creative outlaw country at Wooly's. 

The end of week was full of new adventures. I met up with this lovely, who I haven't seen for a long time when she was my intern!  I am proud of Jena and all of her dietitian accomplishments thus far. It is great reconnecting with dietitians I have worked with in the past and hear about all the amazing things they have done and are doing. 

The Principal Charity Classic was back in town this past weekend and it was a pretty kick ass day out on the course. I enjoyed a few beers, soaked up some sun (with SPF 30 slathered all over of course!) and hung out with some of my favorite people. 

Whew! Holy Sh*% that was a crazy, busy, beautiful week!  I love this time of year. I love making memories and being with people who make my heart beat. 

AE

For the Love of Music

I love music. Music speaks to me in so many different ways. From each intricate note and instrument to the lyrically poetry that tops it off like a cherry on an ice cream sundae. I especially enjoy live music. There is no other feeling than when I put my hand on my chest during a live performance and feel the music in the core of my body.

In the past couple weeks, I have had an amazing live music journey of 3 stages in my life. The 3 bands I have had the joy to see live have made a lasting impression in my melomaniac life. 

If you appreciate music like I do, go see the artists you love. Even if you only see them once or 25 times, there is a reason why they are on your playlist. There is nothing more real than seeing music live. I swear there are songs that I didn't like when I listened to a bands CD but once I hear it in person, I find myself appreciating it and wanting to hear it again. 

Summer of 2015 is full of my favorite music memories yet!  These 3 bands represent significant times in my life, college, my late 20s and life as it is right now.

3.  Dave Matthews Band 

http://davematthewsband.com/
Back in April of 1995, Blues Traveler came to Omaha, NE and my new favorite up and coming band, Dave Matthews was the opener. I had Under the Table and Dreaming and it was a top played CD on 5th Floor Swanson Dorm at Creighton University. I was so excited for this amazing concert!   When we got there, it was announced that Dave Matthews Band had cancelled. Devastated!!! Forward to 20 years later, and constant fan of DMB, I FINALLY got to see them live. I have had many favorite DMB songs over the years and even though only one of them was played, it was still an amazing show. They sound exactly like they do on all their CDs. I went with my dear friend Amanda and we enjoyed the soothing sounds of DMB.  DMB is my first love of a band. It is hard to list which albums are my favorite, but Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash, Live at Luther College and Stand Up tend to be the most listened too. This is my band where I have purchased all their CDs and can listen to everyone start to finish.  I guess good things come to those who wait! 

2.  Andrew McMahon
(aka Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin) 

http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/
In July of 2006, I went to another one of my favorite bands, O.A.R, again, in Omaha, NE with my best friend Carlena. I always like to see the opening band to see if I can discover new music and Jack's Mannequin was the opener. I was hooked. The lead singer was on stage with a baby grand and sang/danced and was amazing during the show. I immediately went out and bought their album Something In Transit and connected with their beachy piano tunes. This turned into the 2nd band of which I bought every album (under numerous names) and still love the transgression of the lead singer, Andrew McMahon's, music. I have seen Jack's Mannequin/Andrew McMahon 5 times and they/he delivers at each and every concert. This time Andrew McMahon performed in Wooly's  (http://www.woolysdm.com/), a cozy venue in Des Moines, IA and my friend Stacey (newbie to the Andrew McMahon scene) and I were shocked by the number of people in attendance and the youth of the crowd. Finally, after more than a decade, Andrew McMahon is being played on the radio and a new fan base has emerged.  My favorite song will always be I'm Ready, even though I did not hear it this time. But I can honestly say, I have being singing along to all his songs, almost since the start and I will see him anytime he is in my general direction.

 

1.  Heartless Bastards
 http://www.theheartlessbastards.com/
Last year, I was introduced to rock and roll again, by listening to a new band to me, Heartless Bastards. Who you say?  Exactly. They really are not a band you stumble upon, so I am a lucky girl to know someone who has a sense for my music taste. The HB's have been around since 2003, with the recent release of their 5th album. Who knew?  Since I was new to the band,  I only had a couple of their albums, The Mountain and Arrow. When I listened to The Mountain the first time, I remember hearing one of their songs, Sway, on one of the TV series soundtracks I liked to watch. (Soundtracks are a whole other love of mine, but we will save that for another post). Arrow, by far is my most favorite album of theirs, but their new release Restless Ones is really growing on me (it is in rotation on my workout playlist which is sacred, sacred ground) especially now that I have seen them live!  Since I have seen them, I am venturing out to purchase their earlier albums as well. They played their first song, Gray, off their first album Stairs and Elevators and this one I really felt in my chest and not going to lie, gave me a few goosebumps.  I know it's a great song when that happens. Out of all the concerts I have seen so far this summer, Heartless Bastards has been by far my favorite and is my favorite concert of 2015.  Maybe because they represent new music in a new stage of my life, maybe because they are just a really great band and sound fantastic live.  They just might be the greatest band you never heard of....
 

Spend the money, even if it's the cheap seats.  Put your hand on your chest and let the music just fill you up will all of its goodness. It's worth every penny. It's worth the goosebumps.