We Are Family

...I got all my sisters with me!

Ok, so I don't actually have any sisters, but the idea is the same. I've got all my family with me...which means its FAMILY REUNION TIME!

That's right...the first Saturday is August every year is dedicated to my family reunion (on my father's side)...so that meant just a few weeks I ago I hopped in my car and headed up to the middle of Maine to gather with other family members from the area and across the country.

It had been two years since my mom and I made the trek to our reunion...and I think every two years is a good length. Granted...before that it had been probably ten years, and that was great too. ;-) Last year, my mom and I ended up at the beach in NJ with my grandmother (mom's side) and that prevented us from getting to the reunion.

The big reason for actually heading up this year was due to all of my cousins making the journey as well. I was going to be able to see them, my uncles, aunts, new babies, etc...all in all a great reason to travel.

By the time I arrived on Friday, I was already exhausted, ready to head back home. The weather was hot, but the pond we were going to be gathering on was beautiful, just like last time. We headed over to another house for dinner and I got rather chilly. After a tasty meal and my dad being hit in the nose by a glow stick (long story)...we headed back to the house to sleep.

After a calm early morning by the pond...

...the rest of the morning involved my mom and I building a hammock and a volleyball net among other things and then people started arriving. A day of bean bag toss (or Corn Hole as its known in the south), swimming (not for me), eating (yes, I did that), catching up and more food (come on...my family revolves around food). I was ready to call it a night.

I never made it to the bonfire and fireworks (honestly, I'm not sure anyone did). Though I did have a bed mate for the weekend.

By morning, I was packing up my things and starting the trip back.

The weather ended up being wonderful, with the sun shining on Saturday and starting to rain early Sunday morning. The drive was long and wet for sure...but I do admit, it was worth it to see my family again.

But it will still probably be another two years before I'm back...as my mom and I are thinking back to the beach next year! :-)

Home Sweet Home

Who says you can't come home again?

Not me. I was able to go home for the first time in two years. TWO YEARS! It was a short trip, but a relaxing one all at the same time.

Flying into Albuquerque and seeing the mountains and mesas and deserts...was just soothing. There is something about it that makes me take a deep breath and relax that much more. Besides...New Mexico is wild kingdom....see?

While I was home I watched movies, read books, had a whole day at the spa, got a pedicure with my mom, went out to dinner with my dad...and...

...hung out with my kitty!

She obviously was very excited to have me home...can't you tell?

Here's to hoping that it's not another two years before I'm home again.

City Who?

The drive-in represents a time long gone...or maybe not.

I was able to go to the local drive-in movie theatre that only reopened a few years ago and again, it was a wonderful experience. We picked up my former intern and nabbed a great space to see...wait for it....

CITY SLICKERS

What? Never heard of it? You think it's old? Why did I see it?

For those who have never heard of the movie, its a Billy Crystal movie about three friends who have an adventure of herding cattle from New Mexico to Colorado, while dealing with their own mid-life crises.

I had never seen it before, so that was one reason we chose this movie. And two, I was kind of on a time crunch. Scheduling between all of us was tight on when we were all available, so that limited our selection.

Honestly, I was very happy. Had a great day of bowling and dinner, prior to the main event of the movie and got to catch up with my girl Amanda! Not a bad day at all!

Confession

Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. It has been almost 2 months since my last blog entry.

But have no fear...four more will follow this post, so stay tuned! ;-)

Feeling Good = Crazy Love

I had the privilege of recently attending a Michael Buble concert and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. This was only my second concert in my life (Maroon 5 at my college was my first) and it definitely didn't disappoint!

For those who have never heard of Michael Buble...you probably have and you just don't know it. He is a great showman and has an awesome voice (think Frank Sinatra, but hipper and more pop).

This Canadian performer was in town during the Stanley Cup Finals (particularly Games 6 & 7). I mention this because he being a Canucks fan enjoyed taunting the local Bruins fans plenty during the concert, which I found entertaining. While there were a few boos during those moments, the arena was constantly full of cheering. (PS...the joke was on him as the Canucks did lose...for those who don't follow hockey). He was also sporting a beard, which isn't such a normal thing for him (again, another hockey playoff thing).

Please enjoy the following videos and photos I have of the evening and come along for a musical journey! :-)

(Disclaimer...all these videos were not professionally produced...as you will clearly tell...and were for personal enjoyment for remembering an awesome night! Because of this, I apologize for the crappy quality, though the sound is good, and for some of the abrupt endings of the clips. I blame the iPhone. Enjoy!)

I had come into this concert knowing all of Buble's music. In his latest album, the first track "Cry Me A River" just cries out to be an opening number...and I was pleased to see that it was...

Throughout the evening, Michael would tell stories and experiences about becoming and being a performer. He mentioned that when he was younger he actually wanted to be an actor. Then he talked about how when he began singing, he wanted to be Michael Jackson so badly...which led to this performance...

As Michael introduced the members of his band, his comedic skills showed. But through it all you could tell that he really did consider these guys part of his family. He had a great moment while introducing his pianist (who also writes songs with Buble) in talking about how the pianist would come into his dressing room and help him warm up. The songs of choice (which he did demonstrate): "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey and "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin. I kid you not. Both hilarious!!

With all of the new songs from his latest CD, I was thrilled that he also performed some of his older hits, like "Home" seen below... (ps...please notice how he takes a girls camera/phone and gives it to someone else. Earlier in the song he picked it up and sang into it and taped the crowd before giving it back. This time, he just took it.....and yes, at the end, he did give it back.)

Naturally 7, his opening act, came out and performed a few songs with him, which was wonderful, even collaborating on one of Buble's latest hits, "Hollywood"...

My favorite album is Michael's "It's Time" and I have a connection to many of the songs on it. One of my absolute favorite songs is the first track called "Feeling Good" and man, he did not disappoint. What I loved was that this was the beginning of his encore...and it was incredible.

The finale of "Feeling Good"

One of the last things that Michael did was one of the most breathtaking moments for me, especially as a singer myself. I wish I had gotten on video but it wouldn't have had the same impact...plus I was so mesmerized by it. He closed his concert in front of his closed curtain, singing the last eight bars of "Song for You" a cappella and without his mic. Hushing the crowd with his finger to his mouth, his pure voice carried through the arena almost effortlessly. He commanded the room from the moment he stepped on stage and he held that intensity through the very last note.

Simply amazing.

Antici......pation

Stay tuned....'nuff said!

Vocal Play vs A Cappella

What is the difference between Vocal Play and a cappella?

A cappella is defined as singing without instruments. Vocal Play is singing AS instruments, and BECOMING an instrument with the voice. -Naturally 7 website

When I was in college, I was a part of an all girl a cappella group, who, by definition, performed Vocal Play. I remembered 'being' everything from violins, keyboards, bass lines, trumpets to my favorite...percussion. We all were the instruments.

I have also been to my fair share of a cappella group performances and competitions, but I tell you that I haven't heard anything this amazing in a looooong time. Naturally 7 is a all male R&B Vocal Play group that opened for Michael Buble when I went to see the concert last week.


They were phenomenal. If you ever get the chance to listen to them live or even take a second to search for them on iTunes, do! They blend magnificently and you can see and hear that they love what they do. Take a listen...




They joined Michael later on stage and they worked so seamlessly with him, creating his big band sound in vocal form. Just awesome!