In which I talk about my Weekend of Awesomeness
Posted by Isabel on June 17th, 2008. Filed under: Addictions, My Sweet Babboo, Old 97's, Random, Rhett Miller, The King, Vacations.Call me a nerd (NERD!), but I love going to Canada and being all “we’re in another country right now”. I mean, we are in another country, but dude, we’re only a few hours away. And Canadians still speak the same language.
(Although they do use different money, so that’s kinda cool.)
Hey look at me, I’m in another country!
And look, we’re in Canada without our kid to mess up our lovely hotel room! (The lovely hotel room that we got for cheap on priceline! This room typically goes for well over $200.)
In case you aren’t sure what we were doing up in Canada for One Night Only, let me show you:
We were rocking out.
Holy crap, after over three long years, my all time favorite band, the Old 97’s are finally back on tour. Being as The King and I are such huge fans, we had long ago promised that we would see every show we could.
And so last Friday afternoon, we left work early, dropped Babboo off at The King’s sisters house and headed for the border with our concert tickets and passports in hand.
The show was scheduled to start super early. As in 7:00 early. Apparently Vancouver has some sort of curfew where the bands have to be done and off the stage by 10:00 PM! Dude, that is early.
With that in mind, The King and I arrived at Richard’s on Richards in time to catch most the opening act, Hayes Carll, who hails from Texas.
Get this, Hayes Carll was totally was awesome. While I admit that, on paper, his type of music wouldn’t appeal to me-I throughly enjoyed his set. As did The King.
But then, da-da-dum, Rhett and the rest of the band took the stage.
And then I died.
Rhett Miller always begins his sets with a clean, crisp shirt. (He also always looks super dreamy. Dreamy is the best word to describe him.)
The Old 97’s started with a song from their new album, “Blame It On Gravity”, and then just kept up the magic with “Barrier Reef” which is one of my all time favorite songs in the history of music. (I even took a little video of them. You can watch it HERE.) The King and I were both excited when Murry Hammond, the bass player, sang the fourth song. Listening to Murry is always a treat.
As per usual, as the night progressed, so did the sweat on Rhett’s shirt.
I’m not sure what to make of the Vancouver show. It was super small. Like maybe only 300 people. And I’m not 100% sure that most of the crowd were that big of fans of the band either. I sort of got the feeling that a lot of them were there because they heard a band from Texas was playing.
I saw loads of actual cowboy boots. And some line dancing.
And, surprisingly, a lot of gay men.
(Which makes sense since Rhett is so dreamy. But still, it surprised me. I’m just saying.)
Since the show was so small the Old 97’s used the night to try out some new things. They played “Here’s to the Halcyon” (from the new album) and admitted they had never played it together before. Of course they rocked it. (I like the new album more and more each time I listen to it.)
The concert flew by. Maybe it was because it was so early in the night. Maybe it was just because The King and I were having a good time. (Is there where I tell you that the guy standing next to The King kept farting during the entire concert? Yeah, it was bad and almost ruined his night. Almost.)
I can’t speak for Rhett, but I think he and I made eye contact a few times. (Rhett, if you’re reading this, did we make eye contact?) Although he mostly had his eyes on the cute college girls up on the balcony.
As promised, the Old 97’s exited the stage by 10:00. Thankfully they came out for one last encore and said they had been informed backstage that they didn’t have to leave after all.
And so they played a few more songs. Naturally “Timebomb” was the last song. And it was heavenly.
We headed out of the show a little too fast for my liking. I brought my CD and a sharpie to the show in hopes of getting the band to sign it. The King told me stuff like that embarrasses him. So instead we just headed to our car. Hoping it was still here. (We’ve noticed that Vancouver parking lots have this weird thing where homeless people ask you to pay them extra to “watch” your car while it’s parked in the pay lot. Which we take to mean “if you don’t pay me, I might do something to your car.” So we pay.)
(Our car was fine.)
We woke up early on Saturday and realized how much we were missing our little guy. We got up and headed out early enough, hoping to miss most of the wait at the border crossing.
Um yeah, we didn’t miss the traffic. We had almost a two hour wait at the border. Which meant we had plenty of time to waste by taking pictures of us together in the car.
You know, just hanging out together. And what not.
I tried to get a picture of the Peace Arch through our sunroof. But instead I got a picture of both the Peace Arch and our roof rack.
Awesome.
(I am available for hire for all your photography needs, just let me know. I’m cheap. And also, not very good.)
I was able to spend the majority of the time in the car preparing my Father’s Day sermon for church the next day. (It rocked, in case you were wondering.) It was good to have that said and done with. And with time to spare. Phew.
We arrived back in Seattle in time to pick up our kid before who he forgot exactly who Mommy and Daddy were. Thankfully Babboo had a good time at his first ever sleep over with his cousins and didn’t want to leave their much bigger and toy-filled house.
But whatever, we had to get home and change to go to my cousin’s wedding.
The run down of my little cousin’s wedding is this:
- Girls look pretty in wedding dresses
- Boys look nice in suits
- My kid likes to run in circles
- And he likes to eat tacos and drink soda
- Mexican food should be served at all parties
- I shouldn’t have a cousin old enough to be married
- I am old
We then raced home in time to pick up our first-ever-teenage-babysitter, change into our party clothes, put Babboo to bed and head out for the Second Night of Awesomeness in our Weekend of Awesomeness.
That’s right people, we saw the Old 97’s again.
Oh yes, more of this:
And this:
There was even a little more of this:
Which is something we haven’t really had much of in the past two years of child-rearing and house-building (respectively).
Hayes Carll opened the show again in Seattle. And he was great, again. But the little treat about the Seattle show was the other opening act, I Love Math. I Love Math is a fun little band that plays fun little songs. They also share the same drummer, Philip Peeples, with the Old 97’s. Although I admit most of the members of I Love Math looked like they couldn’t be a day over 17. Dude, do their moms know they’re on tour?
The Seattle show was totally different from the Vancouver show. While they were much tamer in Canada, they totally rocked the (completely packed) house in Seattle. The Showbox was full of fans. And while that makes for an exciting show, it also makes for a show full of d*uche bags and idiots. Seriously, I paid money to hear the Old 97’s sing, not to hear the d*uche bag behind me sing.
(I’m all for singing along to a band you like. But dude, you don’t have to scream along. Just mouth the words. And that’s only if you have to.)
And while wearing 3 inch heels two nights in a row played havoc on my poor feet, it was worth it to see the Old 97’s two freakin’ nights in a row.
(Check out my video that proves how hard this band rocks.)
The Old 97’s played rocked for quite a long time. They had three (!!) encores and I could have danced through three more. But I’m not sure our babysitter would have liked that. She was already out way past her bed time.
And, let’s be honest, it was way past my bedtime too.
So tell me, have I finally convinced any of you to give the Old 97’s a listen yet? I’ve only been begging y’all to give them a try for three years. Download one of their songs. Stat.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
This was an absolutely adorable post. And BTW, although you might be able to make some legitimate claims for nerdieness, I really don’t think your weekend reflects that at all.
(And considering that the highlight of my weekend was meeting an old friend for dinner at the airport, I know what I’m talking about here.
)
June 17th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Isabel! You frisky thing! You’re totally brushing nut sack in that picture with the King.
(this may be one of those times where I was too blunt, and I should have just kept my mouth shut).
Anyway, I feel bad for Rhett for getting so sweaty. I bet that’s uncomfortable being on stage with all those hot lights. Yow!
June 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
What a great weekend!
It was so thoughtful of your cousin to hold her wedding early enough that you could attend the concert afterwards. ‘Round here it’s almost unheard of to end the reception before midnight.
(and Baboo’s shirt with the take on AC/DC is adorable.)
June 17th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I love that you had such an amazing weekend and that you and the King got some quality couple time (even if some of it was in the line at the border!).
Babboo’s shirt totally cracks me up.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I love it that your husband supports your habit! and what a fine habit to have!
June 17th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
You have inspired me to give them a whirl. Hello, Amazon.
I also possess your mad photo skillz. Most of my good shots are purely accidental.
I love Babboo’ s shirt. Must.Get.One.Too.
And you are not a nerd. I used to make my dad stop at the state line as we went from Oklahoma to Texas so I could jump back and forth and say “I’m in Oklahoma, I’m in Texas,” because I’m a dork like that. And when I flew to Detroit I saw Canada from my airplane window. It was cool.
Glad you had a rockin’ good time!
June 17th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
You totally need to bring Baboo with you to get signatures. A few months ago The Plain White Ts were in town and we took the kids. After they played they came out to sign CDs and were immediately surrouned by cute young girls. I sent my 12 year old son in to get signatures. These cute young girls looked at my cute young son, thought he was adorable, and let him through the crowd, something they would not do for his 37 year old mom.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
A child-free international getaway immediately followed by a second child-free night, both packed with rocking out and getting frisky? Ooh I am SO jealous!
June 17th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thanks to you! I am loving the Old 97’s! I like this band comes on at 7 thing – Ashleigh and I wanted to go see The Dimes on Friday and they didn’t come on until 10. Which is one hour exactly past my bedtime.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Yay for Canada!
Yay for weddings!
Yay for Mexican food!
And…YAY for the Old 97’s!
I’ve been listening to my CD on repeat!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I wish I had gone. WAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Ok pouting over. I am SO glad you had an epic good time. It sounds like a whole lot of awesomeness.
Also, I went to a Bon Jovi show many years ago and someone in front of us was farting horrible Taco Bell flavored farts. It was horrible. Gag-inducing. I feel the pain.
I’ve seen fliers for I Love Math and was wondering what they were like. The name alone makes me wary. (I don’t love math.)
June 17th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
The pic of Babbo with Ac/dc t on his awesome. He’s the coolest toddler EVER!
And your pic of your hand and hubby’s crotch? Made me laugh out loud. You go get you some, girl!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’m glad Britt pointed out your friskiness…I didn’t want to be the only one! (you frisky thing you!)
Also, I am too a dork when it comes to Canada. I love how we are so close to a whole ‘nother country!
Sounds like your weekend of awesomeness was in fact totally awsome. Yay!
June 17th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
wanna know what sucks? i had tickets to see the old 97s last tuesday here in denver…it was my mother’s day present, remember? i missed the show because i had the darn stomach flu! i was tethered to the toilet for 8 straight hours starting at about 5pm tuesday afternoon. and being the awesome wife that i am, i sent my husband to the show without me. he got to see rhett and i got to see the inside of my toilet. waaahhhh.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Hahaha! I love it! Old 97’s twice in a row – fantastic! (And, I have to agree with Britt on the hand-on-thigh pic…klassic!)
xox
June 18th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Yay! What an incredible weekend!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:54 am
I’ve been checking in for the past 2 days to get the scoop on your awesome adventure(s)! Woo-Hoo! Pictures just don’t do Rhett justice… AT ALL! So glad to be one in the know, now.
And oddly, the Old 97s played “Here’s to the Halcyon” in SLC and said they’d never played it before. Hmmm, something fishy is going on.
BTW, my husband bought the new CD for I Love Math, and it’s actually really good. Recorded, they sound somewhere between Fountains of Wayne, Old 97s, and maybe a little Guster. good stuff!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:26 am
This is almost completely unrelated, but I am IN LOVE with that AB/CD shirt Babboo is wearing.
June 18th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Hahahaha! I love the picture of you getting frisky with The King in the car. Isabel, that is freakin’ awesome.
When you have kids (or step kids) you can forget how awesome it feels to get out with your significant other. The kids are great, but man… It’s nice to have grown up time too.
And I’m glad you got to spend your two~nights~out at The Old 97’s concerts! That would be like me spending my adult nights out with with the Twilight cast… or in the movie… Or just with Rob. I’d be happy to just be with Rob. Oh yes.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:55 am
You and your Rhett obsession. LOL! You amuse me.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I love that you and The King got it on in the car in Canada. (I also love it that Britt said “brushing nutsack.” No wonder my work thinks your blog is porn.)
Your concert-filled weekend sounds awesome. I am already looking forward to when my children (good GOD) are old enough to leave with someone for the weekend and know they won’t scream their ever-loving heads off.
Also, Rhett, what’s up with all that sweat? That’s kind of gross.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I’m still stuck on the fact that you would travel for a concert, come back for a wedding, then go to yet another concert. You make me feel so OLD!!!!!!! That’s just too much in one weekend. LOL.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hooray for Canada! We’re kind of awesome, eh?
Sounds like a perfectly NON-nerdy weekend
June 18th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I actually went to the Old 97’s website last week and listened to some of their music. I’m now contemplating getting one of their cds for my bday next week. I get to see Toadies in concert next week!! I haven’t been to a concert in too long.
June 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Dude, I’m totally in another country right now, too!!! (Hello from Poland!) Sounds like a great weekend!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
The crotch grab…a total classic. Love it! It looks like you had a blast!
June 20th, 2008 at 3:22 am
I know I’m like 5 days late here to the Awesomeness party, but it truly does sound Awesome! I’m glad you had so much fun and got a serious dose of Rhett hotness in your life
June 20th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I finally got with the program and put the Old 97’s on my Zune last night- thanks for the final push that got me there.
I thanked you over at Carly’s place too.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
AGAIN you were in my awesome city having a weekend of awesomeness and DIDN’T CALL! I am going to itunes stat to get me some Old 97’s.
ps – how much did your teen babysitter charge? our frickin’ canuck teen was $8.50/HOUR!!!!
June 21st, 2008 at 1:58 pm
You guys have so much fun together. Good to hear that you finally got a break from working so much on your totally awesome house!
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Oh my!! AWESOME weekend indeed. You guys have so much fun together, it’s great.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:50 pm
[...] also seems to be a way for me to self medicate. I was fortunate enough to attend my third Old 97’s concert of the summer the night before we left for our vacation to Europe. Not only [...]
April 27th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
[...] We love Canada and try to go there as often as possible! [...]