I Saw the Light

I can check one thing off my life list of To-do. I saw Todd Rundgren in concert at the Nebraska State Fair. There's no way to capture the experience, no way to even remember most of it, but I shall do my best to try.

Jeff and I went to the fair about 3. Weekday afternoons are perfect for quiet wandering, not much crowd. We saw quilts, and dresses, tomatoes and beer. All produced by the good people of Nebraska. Jeff would like to be a judge in the pastry competition next year. We'll have to work on that. The photography exhibition was inspiring. We watched children play with baby goats, and the baby goats play bumper cars with each other. We laughed at a goofy clown on a diving board. He wasn't diving into water at all, he had a trampoline! We walked the midway, just for the fun of it. Saw a great exhibition of all the food products developed in Nebraska, and an industrious colony of bees doing their best to contribute.

Then the event really began. I joined the line of early groupies at 5, Jeff went to take in more sites. Only a few of us took up positions to make sure we had the perfect place in the open air hall. Not that there's a bad spot, it only seats 6000. The sound check nearly brought tears to my eyes. There he was, singing "Let's Go" and I was hearing him live. Others yelled for his attention from beyond our chain link prison, I just stood in awe.

After the sound check some people wandered away. Others of us were left to visit with each other and talk with the young man at the gate. He has obviously had some experience with chemicals in his life, they were not kind to him. But he was pleasant enough, as were the others in our gang of instant friends. "Are you a Todd fan or a Cars fan?" Most of us were able to choose one or the other, but no one was disappointed these elements would be sharing the stage.

Our friends Kim and Anita joined us after 5. Kim had scored a VIP pass. That entitled him to dinner and a meet-and-greet with the band. Jeff and Anita went in search of food and beverage. I stayed in line. Something about being there in anticipation of the concert to come kept me riveted to my spot.

At 6 the plastic strip barrier with the diamond shaped flags came down with an admonition from the gate staff to please walk. Okay, whatever. Like any of us were the type to sprint. We had just been swapping grandkid pictures, we weren't running anywhere. I walked down the aisle from the back of the house, my hand like a divining rod held out over the wooden bleachers sensing for just the right spot. Jeff and Anita joined me and the one hour wait to concert time began. We chatted with the folks around us, shared our reviews of the t-shirt selection available, and swapped concert stories.

Meanwhile Kim was off meeting the band. It was a line of folks paraded past the band like they were royals. A quick hand shake, one group photo -- no private cameras allowed -- and they were out the door. Kim was able to yell, "Hey Todd, when's the next album coming out?" Todd yelled back, "This spring, and I like your t-shirt!" It was The Who concert shirt from a few years back. Good choice Kim.

This is where words will fail me. Live music is better than recorded, like books are almost always better than movies. Even with the difficult acoustics in the barn of a building, and the mix that took some time to get just right, there was not a disappointing moment in the hour-and-a-half concert. "Drive" the Cars classic that asks the question, "Who's gonna drive you home tonight?" was the musical non-Todd moment of the night for me.

"It was late last night,
I was feeling something wasn't right,
There was not another soul in sight, Only you, only you.
So we walked along, though I knew that there was something wrong,
And a feeling hit me oh so strong about you,
Then you gazed up at me and the answer was plain to see,
Cause I saw the light in your eyes."

Song by Todd Rundgren, written in 1972 for the album "Something/Anything?" and performed wonderfully last night in Lincoln, Nebraska. Isn't that the way we know the truth about anyone in our life? Don't you have to get close enough to look into their eyes? I was pretty close to Todd last night, close enough to have taken the amazing picture here, though that credit goes to Kim. Still not close enough to see the light in Todd's eyes, but he has touched me musically for many years and last night's encounter was an amazing treat. Todd is an incredible musician, talent that rivals many in the rock world. He's in his mid 50's and yet his passion is raw and vibrant in concert. The music pours from him like sweat on a hot August night in Nebraska.

Note to my beloved niece Erin: I did not throw panties, nor did I have the opportunity to talk to Todd. Had I been given that privilege I would have asked him how his trip was and if he was enjoying his visit to Nebraska. Would that have been okay?

Food on a Stick

I wasn't even hungry when we got to the State Fair. We had eaten a great lunch with friends so fair food wasn't even interesting. Jeff tempted me with funnel cakes, pointed out lemonade at every turn, but I just didn't care.

I think frozen things on a stick make sense. Corn dogs are fine. Isn't steak on a stick called a kabob? I don't understand pizza on a stick. Can't you just pick it up and eat it? But I did my duty as a fair attendee. I ate a smoked turkey drumstick. It's fair food, it has a stick. It just came pre-sticked.

Does that sound stupid to you?

Article about parents who oppose diapers, toilet training their children from birth. Perfect application: Does that sound stupid to you?

Tonight's the Night!!!

My very first blog was about a concert by a very special musician. I've waited and waited for this day and it's finally arrived. Tonight we see Todd Rundgren in concert. Yes, he's an aging rocker, but I'm an aging rock fan so it works. Pictures tomorrow. EEEEEEEEEE (that's me squealing with excitement).

If I should happen to run into him I even have a plan for what I'm going to say. We'll see if it happens and what actually comes out of my mouth if it does.

What you see is what you get

I told my sister Kathleen she couldn't wear the black Eddie Bauer sweater to her class reunion, it didn't hit her right. I was looking for just such a top to wear for family portraits for my inlaws 50th. Being the wonderful person she is she gave me the sweater. It was just the sleeve length and collar I was hoping to find.

Turns out it didn't hit me right either. That's the second thing I notice in looking at the proofs, the first thing I see are my goofy looking bangs. Why am I ever allowed to go out in public after doing my own hair, let alone have family pictures taken? What is the world coming to?

No one else seems to notice my hair or the length of the sweater in the proofs. Maybe I should quit worrying about it. Nahhhhh

My phone is back

It happened like this. I got on the phone with my cell service provider to discuss when they might allow me to purchase a new phone and not violate my contract and be subject to millions of dollars in penalties. I was advised that September 3 was their generous offer to me, since I wasn't actually eligible until December 3.

Guess my phone overheard the conversation because the very next morning, after charging for days on end, my phone came back to life. Miracle might be too strong of a word, but I was excited. So excited in fact that I sent my sister Kathleen a text before 7 in the morning. I don't recommend this but she understood my overwhelming joy.

My phone acts a little funky sometimes, and tires easily. But it keeps me in touch with all my favorite people, what more could I ask?

There you have it. Now that I've begun dreaming of new phones, my old one is back to life. What to do, what to do...

How could this happen?

I used to laugh at people whose cell phones ended up in water. How could that happen? Much to my chagrine, now I know the answer. I compulsively carry my phone. It's on my desk at work, in my pocket most other times, and it's on my night stand at night. It was the pocket thing that got to me. Yep, you guessed it, the toilet. I reached in and grabbed it, rinsed it off, and quickly took it apart. I dried and dried with a towel, and then the trouble began. Instead of going directly to the Internet for help from my fellow cell phone damagers, I compulsively tried to reinsert the battery and make it work, hoping against hope that it would come to life in my hand. There were flutters of life in those big blue eyes, little flashes of joy, and then nothing. For a few moments the phone rang and rang, sending out its own death knell.

After reading all sorts of advice, deionized water to alcohol, drying in the dryer, cool air over night, I finally took my phone apart and placed it on an AC vent. This morning, my hands trembling with anticipation, I put it back together and got nothing. I'm having a little trouble coping, but I'll get by.

Big issue -- and a haiku

Racism exists
as evidence of evil
in the world today

Every one of us evidences prejudice. There is no denying that. The word simply means that we have prejudged a situation. What's evil is when we prejudge a situation based on the skin color of the person involved.

I'm tired of the excuses: "I've never been around a black," "I don't really know how to talk to an Asian," "I'm just not comfortable." Well guess what, there are people in the world that are uncomfortable around you!

Even more insidious is when we make excuses for other people: "That's just their generation," "There weren't any minorities in their town when they were growing up," "Their friends wouldn't understand." What's to understand?

By not confronting racism are we part of the problem? This issue has become all too real in my life. Wrestling with my response.

My favorite things

Travelling for work can be tedious, but it also has some nice benefits, like staying in great hotels. Beautiful, old hotel in Charleston had a credenza at the foot of the bed, out of which popped a television. That was cool. Then there was the place in Whistler, British Columbia with the amazing view of a mountain out the window of my room. Santa Fe has a hotel with really old woodwork that felt comforting and homey. But the way to really capture my heart is to have an amazing bathtub.

I'm a shower girl for the most part. We've been in our house 9 years and I've taken exactly 2 baths. There are times when a tub just calls to you. One of those was in Lake Tahoe at Caesar's Palace. The hottub was nearly as big as the bed, which was in the same room. I filled that bad boy to the brim, which took quite a while, added bubbles, and then turned on the jets, ever so slightly. It was amazing. Definitely too big for one, but that's the drawback of travelling alone. The other drawback was the sound of bubbles popping, and popping, and popping while I was trying to go to sleep.

My brother-in-law's house has a great tub. It's your standard inhouse bubble tub, but there's a fire place involved. That room was so toasty warm it soaked right into my bones. Yum.

My all time favorite is the hotel at the Vancouver Airport. It's been my privilege to stay there twice, and I'd love to go again. Something about marble walls surrounding a nicely proportioned tub from which you can see the television, control the lights in the room, and have the world's most amazing towels and robe available, well it's a winner with me.

If I ever build a house I might try to recreate that one. Except I'd have to clean it. Might lose some of it's appeal...

Drive-thru Nerding

My boss needed 5 minutes out of the office so I agreed to ride along while she picked up lunch. She headed straight to my favorite Chinese restaurant so I had to get a little something. I decided on wings, you know the ones that come as a dinner with rice and that yummy sauce.

We place our order and wait at the drive-up window. One bag and a beverage arrive and we wait for the next one, which never comes. He finally noticed us and went to get another guy, who speaks English to ask us what we were waiting for. I explained that we only got one bag, only one styrofoam box. He said that was all we ordered. Shrimp with Lobster Sauce and wings.

I opened the bag to find the Shrimp, just as expected, and this pathetic little bag of fried chicken wings. He insisted that's we had ordered. Okay, whatever.

Karen and I totally got the giggles at this point. Lesson learned: it's called Braised Chicken Wings, not fried. That sounds better anyway.

Who?

I called my sister-in-law yesterday to talk about plans for the upcoming week. My 5 year old nephew answered. He doesn't talk on the phone much so I introduced myself as 'Aunt Kris from Lincoln.' He seemed satisfied and went on to share what he'd had for breakfast, plans for the afternoon, and that they were going to watch a professional soccer match that night. After he ran out of things to share I asked if I could speak to his mom. He laid down the phone and yelled, "Hey Mom, it's Abraham Lincoln on the phone."

Maybe we should get togther with them more often.

All settled in

The move went fine. Princess called Saturday afternoon to inquire where one might get hot water from, the gas company or the electric company. That all depends, I informed her. Seems they weren't informed to call the gas company so didn't have service, therefore, no hot water. Guess that will keep 3 girls moving quickly through the one bathroom! All else seems good in Kearney. Football started today so she's already busy in the training room.

Good idea? not so much

Our youngest is packing up the SUV and heading back to college tomorrow. Yes, it's early. She is an athletic trainer so has to be there when fall sports start.

She's also a planner, to the nth degree. She's been carrying a day-timer since 8th grade. When she began making the lists and checking them twice for this move, she made arrangements with her boyfriend to share a trailer. They would split the cost of the U-Haul trailer and move on the same day. Her stuff would go in first, his second so that his could be unloaded first. It's a well thought plan except for one thing. They're just irritating the stuffing out of each other.

About two weeks ago I suggested that she let him make his own arrangements and she could share transportation with her roomie. After all they're moving to the same location. That notion was soundly rejected. She informed me that she'd already made a commitment. Well okay then. When things go badly don't be surprised. I know I won't.

The Name Game

At a baby shower when the discussion came up about what the grandparents would be called. There are so many options in the world. I like the notion of letting the child work out a moniker on their own, but that can be perilous. A friend shared that she was 'guh' for a long time after having worked so hard to encourage 'grandma'. My girls decided I should be 'grammy' to Easton. I quickly informed them I would prefer to be 'G-ma' which they found only slightly amusing.

Jeff and I are just not 'Nana' and 'Popo' kind of people. Easton is fortunate to have not only 3 sets of grandparents, but multiple sets of great-grandparents. How the poor little thing will sort all this out is anyone's guess.

I'm just going on record as saying that 'grammy' is not it!

The Test

Most everything in life should be measured by this simple query: "Does that sound stupid to you?"

When someone's life has gone awry and they give you their rationale you should be allowed to look at them and ask: "Does that sound stupid to you?" Nothing else really needs to be said. Think about it, this could work.

Unfortunately polite society doesn't allow that much reality. Pity.