Sleep is good

I've been getting over a sinus cold for about the last two weeks now, so not much to report. Along with the typical OTC meds, I've been trying to take my vitamins, eats lots of veggies, drink lots of water, and of course, get in LOTS of sleep. Which made me think of a small, but important change to my sleeping habits these last few months. I was on a random trip to IKEA where I probably came out with nothing I planned to buy, yet found other things that I needed while I was there. One of those items was a contoured foam pillow. I'm a side and back sleeper, and for some time was waking up with my arms behind my head (for neck support in my sleep, I suppose), or with back pains after sleeping more than 7 hours. I saw this pillow, and decided to give it a try. Well, after about a week of getting used to sleeping on it, I've had much better sleep since using it, and highly recommend it for you side/back sleepers out there. Now to get DH one for sleeping on his belly...

In other news, I've managed to make it to two major concerts in the last two months, which is probably a record for me. We went to see Silversun Pickups and Muse on 2/27, and They Might Be Giants this past Friday, 3/5. Both excellent shows!

You look good for 100!

Well, I had a crazy but fun weekend (I think), helping the GT Band celebrate 100 years. Honestly, Val and I spent so much time planning it, the actual events seemed to fly by. But I think we both enjoyed ourselves, even though we were sleep-deprived and a little loopy by the time Friday night came around. I got to see the middle part of the Surround Sound Concert. We missed the premiere of the Kappa Kappa Psi-commissioned piece, appropriately titled HardDrive, at the beginning, but the concert band will be performing again in a week, so I'll have to try and catch it then. The Friday BBQ went relatively well - we did run out of BBQ at about the last 15 people and ended up having to order some pizzas, but blame it on me for not bumping up the numbers, the caterer for not throwing a little extra in, the students for taking 3 sandwiches apiece...oh well. Saturday's rehearsal, lunch, marchover with the Band, pre-game, and post-game Tau Beta Sigma reception were all great. Losing the Homecoming game was not. Other than that, I think a great time was had by all. Time to start planning my trip to New York to see the Macy's Parade...

Live Music Matters!

It's a phrase I saw once on an Eddie's Attic t-shirt - kind of regretting that I didn't get it now, because it is something that I really believe in. DH and I went to see The Breeders live on Friday night as an early birthday event for him. I have to be honest and say that I was not one of the many die-hard Breeders fans in line, waiting to get a front row standing spot (it was general admission, standing room only), who had followed Kim Deal through The Pixies and attended at least two previous Breeders concerts on this tour and knew all of the lyrics (ATL was the final stop on the tour). Nor am I as into alternative rock as DH, but I certainly appreciate it, and like some artists more than others. Prior to this concert, I could probably only tell you some of the words of Cannonball, and even then, some of it was my own made-up lyrics (I REALLY thought "in the shade" sounded more like "hippie shake"). But in the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert, even though my legs and feet were killer by the end of the night, and I have to say that this was once of the best ever live concerts that I have ever been to. Kim and Kelley Deal were a delight to watch in real person, ladies that truly looked like they were enjoying playing the music for themselves more than playing for the audience - sisters goofing off and rocking out in their living room, and there just also happens to be a couple hundred people watching, too. That's a rarity these days, especially at the last concert of a tour! Seeing and hearing Cannonball live made the entire thing totally worth it. We listened to the Last Splash CD in the car all weekend on the way up to Knoxville. It was not until the way back Sunday afternoon that we decided it was time to take it out before we really got sick of it. Those girls really made that concert a special event, and I was so glad to be able to be a part of it, front and center, only 4-people-deep back!

Great Music

Once again, I had a fabulous time at Eddie's Attic last night. The shows there never cease to amaze me. The singer-songwriters I have heard there have ALWAYS been absolutely incredible. In addition to Emily Saliers and Caroline Aiken, there were seven other musicians performing in the round: Janet McLaughlin, Tomi and Trina from Three5Human, and Ty, Doris and Nate from Girlyman. Everyone but Emily was new to me. I loved all of them. It was so interesting to hear the difference between their voices and the way they played their guitars (instrument of choice for the most part). Caroline played an amazing song with a 12-string. Tomi and Trina were rockin' and soulful. Janet had some great new songs, and I just loved her low voice. The harmonies of Girlyman were outstanding and I have never heard their like before. As different as they were, you could also tell the influence of the Indigo Girls in their songs and styles. I invite you to check out everyone's music above - you can Google them all. Again, amazing show, and I just love going to Eddie's Attic!