Long time...

So, I realize it's been quite a while since I've blogged...hope to be getting back to that soon.  In the mean time, I'll summarize the rest of my summer:

• Visited our friends Jules & Geof and Tracy & Steph in Philly
• Tried my first Philly cheesesteak
• Took a side trip the the "Jersey Shore" and got a little crazy
• Enjoyed some much needed time with some great friends!
• Took a 10 day whirlwind of a trip to Las Vegas, Los Angeles & San Francisco
• First time to Las Vegas & it was so overwhelming!
• Stayed right on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and had some fantastic nights out at all of the famous bars (including catching a show at The Viper Room)
• Stayed in a beautiful condo in San Diego and woke up to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean every morning
• Visited our friends Jules & Geof AGAIN in Chicago!
• Last minute trip to the windy city to see our great friends again
• Visited Millenium Park & The Bean for the first time
• Stayed in a high rise downtown
• Had the best brat ever at Hot Doug's

I realize that this doesn't cover nearly as much detail as my usual travel posts, but hopefully it gives you a good idea of how I've been spending my time and why I haven't been blogging!

Concerts & More Concerts!

We've been pretty lucky lately in that we've had the opportunity to see two great rock concerts practically in our backyard.  It's not very often that good bands come to us because we don't live in or near a big city.  We usually get one good show at our county fair and this year we had the opportunity to see another great show at a nearby county fair.

The first show we saw was Seether, Hinder, and My Darkest Days.  I had seen all of the bands before except My Darkest Days, but I would say this was by far one of the best all around rock shows I've been to.  My Darkest Days kicked off the concert with a great short set full of rockin' tunes and Hinder followed with all of their greatest hits. My friend Kate & I entertained ourselves by singing along to a few of them word for word.  We've seen Hinder so many times unintentionally now (I think 6) that it's become amusing for my husband and I every time we hear that they're, once again, the opening band.  It's a good thing they really know how to rock because we might be sick of them by now if it weren't for their entertaining sets.  Lastly, Seether came on stage and they always put on a great live show as well.  There's something about Shaun Morgan's voice that just feeds my love for music even more each time I hear it.  I was extremely happy to hear them play "The Gift" because it's my favorite Seether song and the vocals are amazing live.  I'm already looking forward to seeing them again (hopefully soon)!

My Darkest Days

Gettin' our rock on

Hinder

Seether (sorry for the bad picture)

The second great rock show we had the opportunity to see was Buckcherry and Default.  I was really excited about finally getting to see Default live because I've been a fan of their music for a very long time.  Since they were the opening band, I expected them to put on a half hour to 45 minute show, but was pleasantly surprised when the put on an over hour long show.  They played every one of their hits and I knew them all (which always makes a show more fun).  I was a little disappointed in the crowd because it seemed like everyone was there to see Buckcherry and didn't care much about Default.  It was hard to stay sitting in my seat while they were putting on such a great show (who sits at a concert?), but no one else was feeling it so I was forced.

After Default finished their set we had the opportunity to meet them and get autographs!  I bought a t-shirt, we got our tickets signed, and we squeezed in for a quick picture.  I was satisfied for the night and ready to enjoy Buckcherry.

Buckcherry was crazy (as usual) and having seen them before, we were mainly just there because of Default.  We did enjoy them, though, and Josh Todd always makes me laugh as he dances around in his skinny tattooed shirtless body.  He's pretty much the definition of a rock star (drug addictions and all).  We had a great time singing along to their music and an especially good time making fun of all the people around us who you know came there only to hear "Crazy Bitch" (because it's the only rock song they know amongst all of the country music).  All in all it was a pretty entertaining night.

Skinny tattooed shirtless body

As for more concerts in the area, we probably won't see any until next year but that gives us a great excuse to travel so I'm more than ok with that! :) 

Song of the Week

This week's song is an old one, but I recently got to finally see this artist live so I thought it would be a good pick.  This song is by one of my favorite bands, Default.  I have loved their music for about 10 years now and just recently fell back in love with it.  Default is one of those bands where I can say I pretty much love every song they've ever made.  It was hard to choose just one as my song of the week, but I find this one to be just a great rock song...one of those that you can just turn up really loud as you're driving down the road.  Maybe you've heard it before  Hope you enjoy!

Deny-Default

Today I woke up and you were gone
The whole day wondering what I did wrong
It's like I'm falling from a mountaintop
My heart keeps pounding and it won't stop

Can you see this hell I'm living
I'm not giving up

Will you crawl to me
Will you fall with me
I'll never crawl to you
I've done it all for you

Well don't deny
The hand that feeds you needs you
Oh god I'd die to try to
Finally please you

There goes a piece of me
Will I cease to be
I've never lied to you
Fought bled and died for you

Well don't deny
The hand that takes you breaks you
Oh god I'd die to try to
Finally please you

There she goes and I'm on the ground, I'm on the ground, I'm on the

Well don't deny
The hand that feeds you needs you
Oh god I'd die to try to
Finally please you

Will you crawl to me
Will you fall with me
I've never crawled to you
I've done it all for you

Weekend Recap: Good Times on the Mississippi River

So, I've been a little behind on my weekend blogs, so this one is actually about 2 weekends ago (not last weekend).  Our weekends have been steadily busy throughout the summer, which is not any different from every other summer...and I like it that way! 

Friday night we went out for drinks after work at a bar downtown with some friends and co-workers of Chad's.  Then, we headed out to All That Jazz, one of the many festivals in our town during the summer.  This is one thing I really love about living here is that there is almost always an event going on in the summertime so it's hard to get bored.  All That Jazz is a once-a-month festival downtown with food and beverage vendors, live music, and lots & lots of people.  It's always a good time down there because you are bound to run into at least 5 people you know. 

Saturday morning we woke up bright & early to head to the river with our friends Austin & Kellie.  This weekend the White Rose Regatta was going on.  If you're not familiar with a regatta, it's basically just a big ole party on the river where everyone anchors out and ties up their boats to one another.  Then, if the water is shallow enough, everyone can get out and walk around or if not, everyone just walks boat to boat.  This regatta in particular was a benefit so they did an auction and had live music out in the middle of the river (doesn't get much better than that)!  We had a GREAT time with our friends, my cousins, and all of the random people we met for the almost 12 hours that we were out there. 

Needless to say, we were beat and starving after that long day in the sun and heat.  We got home around 10:00, took a quick shower, and then rushed to our favorite Mexican restaurant to see if we could get in before they stopped serving food.  We were in luck!  We got in just 15 minutes before closing time and those chips & salsa never tasted so good.

Sunday we attended a welcome back party for Chad's uncle because he returned from Afghanistan after being there for almost a year.  It was nice to see him back in the states and good to know he should be back for good now.

Overall it was a hot, but enjoyable weekend with friends and family.  I was happy to have been able to get out on the river for a full day since we don't get out there as often as I'd like lately.

How have you been spending your weekends? 

Song of the Week

This week I'm choosing another great summer anthem as my song of the week.  I've been hearing this song for quite a while now but I'm choosing it because it's just now getting a lot of love on VH1.  Give it a listen and watch the video and let me know what you think!

Pumped up Kicks-Foster The People

Robert's got a quick hand.
He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan.
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid.
Yeah he found a six shooter gun.
In his dads closet hidden in a box of fun things, and I don't even know what.
But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you.

[Chorus x2:]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Daddy works a long day.
He be coming home late, yeah he's coming home late.
And he's bringing me a surprise.
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice.
I've waited for a long time.
Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger,
I reason with my cigarette,
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah.

[Chorus x2:]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

[Whistling]

[Chorus x3:]
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

Summerfest: Weekend 2

I know you've all been (anxiously) waiting for me to post my second Summerfest recap, so here it is (in pictures)!

Parachute...literally ran for almost a mile to get to them in time. Sixth time seeing them & still awesome!

Backstage photo with Will which ended with me losing my husband for 1/2 hour (but I got this picture!)

The beginning of our brewery tour...on a boat!

Bingo at one of the brewery stops! I won a $10 gift card AND a shot! (only in Wisconsin)

Enjoying the beautiful views on a beautiful day...

Hour 4 of the boat brewery tour...things started to get crazy!

After the tour, we stopped to see The Fonz! And took this nice picture...

And then we got some crazy idea to have some fun with The Fonz...

He's so easygoing...

Grabbed some much needed food at the infamous AJ Bombers (featured on the Food channel)

Then we got the brilliant idea to take some pictures in this fountain...and my camera was drowned...

...but I still had my phone! Back to Summerfest for Dashboard Confessional & a ride on the SkyGlider.



Although there were some mishaps along the way, Summerfest: Weekend 2 was a success! We had a great time hanging with our friend Amanda (who we met last year on VH1's Best Cruise Ever) and taking in all of the festivities (beer) and attractions (statues)!

P.S. I'm very happy to say that I truly feel like I've been making the most of my summer this year.  I've spent a ton of time outside enjoying the weather, the water, and great friends. Hoping the rest of the year is just as great!

Song of the Week

My song of the week comes from one of my favorite bands whom I recently saw live (I think for the 6th time), Parachute.  I love how upbeat and just plain fun this song is.  "What I Know", is from Parachute's sophomore album, The Way it Was.  I was first introduced to Parachute when I saw them on tour with SafetySuit.  They put on a great live show and are just a fun, down-to-earth group of guys.  They always make sure to meet each and every one of their fans after a show, no matter how long it might take.  Also, they're very active in the Twitter world so make sure you check out @Parachute if you're on there.  I hope you enjoy my song of the week!

What I Know-Parachute

I take the car and drive the night

The white stripes blur and ease my mind

When all that's left is a single line

Instead of this confusion

And I'm not certain of the way it was

And I'm not sure what I could of done

Oh but I wonder if it had been enough

To stop her from leaving

And I realize the only thing I know is

She said , I'm in love with some one else she said

I fell in love with some one else and I

I'm in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure

I stop the car and close my eyes

I can see her face, but It takes a while

And it feeds it like the morning light

Slow and unfocused, So I go home and

She's sitting on the kitchen chair

Oh a suitcase waiting by the stairs

Oh they're both worn out from all the years

They're ready to let go

And I realize the only thing that's sure is

She said , I'm in love with some one else she said

I fell in love with some one else and I

I'm in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure

She's in love with some one else she said

She fell in love with some one else and that

She's in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure

And I'm on my knees

And I'm on my knees

And I'm on my knees

And I'm on my knees

Yes and I realize the only thing I know is

She said , I'm in love with some one else she said

I fell in love with some one else and I

I'm in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure

She's in love with some one else she said

She fell in love with some one else and that

She's in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure

I fell in love with some one else and I

I'm in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure

She's in love with some one else she said

She fell in love with some one else and that

She's in love with some one and that's all that I know for sure