I called it

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Got your green on?

So Friday night was a lot of fun. If you don't recall or didn't read, we had tickets to go see REO Speedwagon. They were at a small local venue. We had orchestra level seats in row X so not real close but at the same time not real far away either. We were in the middle though so that was good, I was worried we'd be off to the sides. And the two seats directly in front of us remained empty so for a short shit like me it was really good.

A little before it started a small group of people came in and sat directly behind us with a very loud and obnoxious woman. Her voice was extremely grating. It actually made me cringe quite often. And right when the lights went down one of the guys dropped his phone and it slid right in front of HDiTty's feet and she leaned over me screaming about it in my ear with her phone lighting his phone up. I reached down, snatched it and tried to hand it back to her right away so she'd sit back down but she just kept standing there screaming about it. Then HD hollered back at her but at least his voice is deeper so it didn't hurt as much. Plus it was funny. She finally took the phone and sat down.

Then a few minutes into the first song two couples came into the seats two rows in front of us. One of the chicks was deemed "The Drama Queen" right away. Now granted, this was a concert but most everyone there was of the "older" crowd and we started out sitting down. I know, I know but that's how it was. These four come in and the one couple was considerate and sat down but the other couple stayed standing which of course made everyone behind them have to stand. And the girl kept yanking on the other couple to get them to stand too. Which they did on and off. Luckily they were the ones in front of us so when they sat I'd be able to also.

But this chick, oh my god! She kept messing with her hair over and over again. This lady I was standing next too she and I were saying how we both just wanted to reach forward and yank her hair right off her head. She was hanging all over her boyfriend/husband/date/whatever. I cannot describe the annoyance well enough that was The Drama Queen. At one point the two guys left and were gone for a couple of songs and the moment they came back The DQ sat down in her seat (and at this time no one was sitting it was during the encore) and proceeded to cry. She had been perfectly fine, dancing and singing before hand with her friend just before he showed up. And then those two even left before they were done playing. DRAMA QUEEN!

Anyway. The concert itself was great. Those guys can still play and Kevin Cronin can still sing. I admit I'm a radio fan. Until last year I never owned an album and the one I got then was The Essential REO Speedwagon. But even still every song I've ever heard I've liked. Also, I saw them years ago when I lived in Louisiana at the State Fair in Baton Rouge. I think it was '90 or maybe '91. Anyway it was one of the best concerts ever. The crowd was totally into it and singing every song and the band fed off the crowd so the energy level was off the charts. I was hoping this one would be similar. I figured it wouldn't be quite the same since it was going to be indoors and there'd be seats so we'd be sitting (and we did) and we're all almost 20 years older, but still, a girl could hope.

For some reason HD thought we were going to see Cheap Trick and when I reminded him it was REO he asked what songs they played. And I drew a complete blank. I could not remember a single damn song, how bad is that. Well, none except for Ridin' the Storm Out. And when we were there he asked me what song he should say if anyone asked him what his favorite song is, I told him to say that one. It's a safe one to use, but no one asked. They did a good mix of rockin' and ballads. They also did a good mix of radio and non radio songs. They also played a few off their new album from last year that I didn't even know they had. I liked all of them so I guess I should go and get it. Different songs had people standing but for most of them we were sitting. Until they played Time for Me to Fly. That put everyone on their feet and for the rest of the concert that's were everyone stayed.

The encore was Ridin' the Storm Out and 157 Riverside Avenue Two great rockin' songs. At one point Kevin was talking to the crowd saying how he's glad they finally quit passing up this venue. He didn't know why they did before, probably because it was so close to Chicago they'd just pass it over. But now that they discovered it and have seen for themselves how lovely the venue is hopefully they'll be back. I'd definitely go back and see them again.
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Saturday was a bust as I predicted it would be. Well, as far as people coming over anyway. Every single person but two canceled and one of them we called to tell her not to bother before she had a chance to cancel herself. The other was the only one we had a yes from the very beginning. So Jim came over and we three went out to dinner. On the way home we were debating on what to do and started talking about movies. The Chronicles of Riddick wes mentioned so since it'd been quite awhile since any of us had seen them we decided to watch Pitch Black and Chronicles. It was 1:00am by the time they were all done and since I had a huge mason jar full of long island ice tea with dinner I was pretty tired. But HD didn't want me to go to bed so to keep me awake we decided to play a game.

We played Scene It - Movie then Scene It - TV which Jim won both games. Then because of something I said HD put in Firefly and we watched the first show of that. By then it was 4:30 and I just couldn't stay awake anymore so I went to bed. I have no idea when Jim left or HD came to bed. He said to wake him up when I got up but I knew that wouldn't happen.

I got up around 11:00ish. Watched a little tv and close to 1:00 I could barely keep my eyes open again so I laid down on the couch and from 1:15 until 4:15 I dozed on and off. Then I went and got HD up. We watched a few shows then a few more Fireflys then I went to bed.

Even though no one came over Saturday we still had a good time. I was disappointed and a little saddened but since I called it I wasn't surprised. And since we still had a good time that's all that matters.

Media quote of the day: - Of course I was going to use this one, and it fits with all the damn snow we've been having this winter too

Ridin' the Storm Out - REO Speedwagon

Ridin' the storm out, waitin' for the thaw out
On a full moon night in the Rocky Mountain winter.
My wine bottle's low, watching for the snow
I've been thinking lately of what I'm missing in the city.

And I'm not missing a thing
Watchin' the full moon crossing the range
Ridin' the storm out
Ridin' the storm out.


My lady's beside me, she's there to guide me.
She says that alone we've finally found home.
The wind outside is frightening,
but it's kinder than the lightning life in the city.
It's a hard life to live but it gives back what you give.