Slipped my mind that I could use my brain....

I am a BIG fan of music. I know, most people are, so it's probably not that special, but really. I dig music, a lot. When I was a freshman in high school, I went to a school that was an hour (plus) bus ride from my house. We had a LOT of time on our hands. My friends and I all had this tape (like, yes, a tape), on one side was Violent Femmes, American Music. The other side, was Lemonheads, It's a Shame About Ray. It pretty much rocked my entire high school life, and these two bands remain two of my favorites to this day. Actually, I think I have more Lemonheads songs on my playlist than any other band.

I'd had the opportunity to see Violent Femmes several times, and they were consistently awesome. But Lemonheads eluded me.

Until I accidentally happened to see an ad on Facebook. Normally I ignore these, all of them. I'm not sure how this one caught my eye, but it did. So I was SUPER psyched when I saw that Lemonheads were playing a small local venue, in just a few days.

The Coach House is in interesting place. Kind of a dining hall. Kind of a bar. With a stage. I got there plenty early, and scored a seat (at a banquet table...) right next to the stage. There was a dinner option, but I passed, and hung out at the table with my coke.

Evan Dando sat at the next table over for a bit and watched the first act. We bonded, I'm pretty sure. Just setting the stage for our BFF'ness.

The first band was mediocre. I swear the (older) front man was wearing jeggings. It was disconcerting.

The second band, The Gromble, was pretty great. Sort of a mix between Violent Femmes, Vampire Weekend, and something else that I can't quite peg. But they were good, and put on a good show. If you're in the area, find them.

Plus, I'm a sucker for a horn section.

Then.

Then there was this.

Evan Dando played an acoustic set for about 30 minutes.

The rest of the band came out afterwards, and played the It's a Shame About Ray album, start to finish.


Yeah, that's upside down. Oops.

There was a projector onstage, that I was intrigued by before they started, and the entire time they played, it showed random footage of driving around, snow, open fields... a bird...

They played a couple other songs from their other albums...

And then Evan spent some more time solo, playing requests from the (small) audience.



It was amazing.

I've been lucky enough to see a lot of my favorites live, and I really enjoy when people sound as good live as they do recorded. Evan Dando has a beautiful voice, and somehow, it's even better live. These videos really don't even do him justice.

After they finished playing, he hung out and signed autographs, chatted with everyone, and took pictures.

I tried to take a picture, as well, but I have a new phone, and couldn't figure it out.

Thankfully, Evan Dando is techno smarter than me.

Me: Shoot, I don't know how to do this....
BFF Evan: Oh, you have a new iPhone. Here, look, you can push this... and flip it around.

I don't know that guy on the left. (No, really, I don't know him, or where he came from).

But obviously, I have a new BFF.

Chapman 5K - Race Recap

This race was a late addition to my calendar - I think I registered three weeks ago, when the girls at Team Sparkle tweeted about putting together a team. I adore Team Sparkle, so of course I was in.

I picked up our bibs and bags Friday on my way home from work (Chapman is literally down the street from my office), and it was SO FAST and easy. And man. The swag did not suck, either...

Tech tee, reusable drawstring bag, panther paw (Chapman's mascot!), tea, more tea, iPhone arm band!, chapstick, chips... Super rad for a $25 race.

The race was held about 15 minutes from my house, and started at 7:30, which meant a pretty reasonable wake-up time here. This time, everyone was coming along - all three girls were running (plus me), and The H was (FINALLY!) spectating.

We got there around 7, picked up #2's new lime green sparkle skirt, and were ready to race. There were pace groups, but they were pretty weird... 7-10:59 group, 11-14:59, and 15+. Random. #1 made her way up to the front. I knew she'd be running on her own, but I wasn't sure how much of a race she could eek out. She runs every day in PE, but hasn't run any type of distance in awhile.

#2 and #3 were with me. #2 is NOT a fan of running. Not one bit. Gabby tires easily, so we borrowed a jogging stroller for the event. But, she got out a couple times and ran for a bit - she probably ended up running about .75-1 mile, all told. Super exciting for her :).

#2 decided (after starting SUPER fast) that she was over this racing business around mile 1.5. I got her to run alternating blocks, at least, and despite her complaining, she was smiling the entire time. I think her default setting is just constantly "mildly displeased".

The course was really cute - ran through downtown Orange, through some cute neighborhoods full of old Craftsman style houses. A bunch of residents were out cheering, and, randomly, playing the trombone. Of course.

Then, around mile 2.5, the course loops back into the Chapman campus, which was full of spectators, cheerleaders, bands, etc.

At this point, #2 decided to TAKE OFF, and I didn't see her again until the finish line.

Final time, 38:41. I am SO proud of her - her final kick was hilarious, and she totally had a great time.

I convinced Gab to get out for a little bit, hoping she'd run through the finish line, but she made it about .25 away and was tired again. Oh well. I strolled in slightly after #2 at 39:36.

#1, though... Let's discuss #1.

Remember back in June, when she ran that 5K, and finished in 25:xx, and took 2nd in her AG?

I was expecting, since that course was hilly, and this was flat, for her to pull out a 23:30-24 minute 5K.

22:08. That's a 3:30 PR.

Good for 2nd in her AG. Again.

Crazy, right?

It was a great race - I think their FB page said something like 2000 participants, so not too giant, but not teeny, either. There were TONS of volunteers, tons of spectators cheering, and two (two!) water stations. The course was super spectator friendly, running basically in a giant, counter-clockwise loop. Oh! Plus, a full oatmeal bar after. That was pretty great, too.

Team Sparkle was out in full force (there are tons of pictures up on their Facebook, as well - link HERE), and I FINALLY met Madison, one of my Ragnar teammates! Sarah was there, and PR'ed - go congratulate her!

Annnd, Margot, the Faster Bunny came out to spectate as well.

I'll totally do this race again, in a heartbeat.

Plus, afterward, we found some random diner, and ate delicious food.

I totally earned that, off of my 3.1 miles. Don't judge me.

Thanks, Team Sparkle, for peer pressuring me into this one!

Disneyland Half Recap - Expo, 5K, Bloggy Madness

Friday evening after work, I met Becka (link HERE) and our kids at the Expo.

Now, Becka and I were at Princess together, and I had no issues with that Expo.

THIS expo, for whatEVER reason, seemed like a cluster. Maybe it was the kids. Maybe it was the construction at the hotel. Maybe it was the volunteer with poor wording.... Whatever it was, I was unimpressed with the whole shebang. I ended up walking out with only a headband for race day, and nothing else.

Maybe that's the key to expo'ing - bring a billion kids and be quick to get out without dropping serious cash.

After the expo, we ran to Downtown Disney for a quick dinner, then I dropped Becka, L, A and H off at their hotel... then home for an early bedtime... #1 was running the 5K bright and early!

Friday morning, 4:45 came really early. REALLY early.

Luckily, #1 was up and ready to go, AND super stoked. #2 said she wanted to come as well, so we packed our sweaters (what? It was 62*!) and headed out.

We parked at Becka's hotel, then walked over to the starting area together. We found Fruit Fly and.... Biker Boy. No Rose :(. Unfortunately, Rose ate some funky calamari, and couldn't make it to the race, so BB kindly took her place (seriously, best BF ever).

#2 and I headed down to the only spectator area on the course - the courtyard between Magic Kingdom and California Adventure.

(Can I just say, how super bummed I was in this course!? Really, RunDisney? Only one spot for spectators? We can't even be at the finish line? Dumb.)

#1 is a super fast runner. Remember how she earned 2nd place in her age group a few months ago? So I was expecting to see her pretty early on, at mile 2.25-ish.

But 20 minutes came and went, no #1. We're having a grand time, cheering on the runners though, so it's cool.

Then 30 minutes. Still no #1. I'm a little concerned.

Then I see Becka and A....

Becka says she thinks #1 was in front of her somewhere. Huh.

I'm frantically looking everywhere - HOW could I miss her!?

Then I hear... "MOM!" I look over, and #1 was sprinting past me. No picture! Argh.

But I did see FF and BB, looking pretty pleased....

Turns out, #1 was taking her time with photo ops :D

So knowing that #1 was safely still on the course, I headed over to our pre-arranged meeting spot, the fountain in front of La Brea Bakery, and waited for everyone to head out. Apparently, the finish line was in some random spot, and they had to walk .25 miles-ish to get out to Downtown Disney. Lame, RunDisney. Lame.

We headed into La Brea Bakery, and proceeded to order a billion plates of kids French Toast, and meet the lovely RadRunner! Rad totally lived up to her name and gifted all of us with tons of GU.... and man, oh man, do I love GU.

#2 was totally impressed with Rad, as well - she sat next to her, and kept whispering things to me about her hair :D

After breakfast, Becka and L, their kids, and I hit up the expo one more time to stock up on some Team Sparkle skirts - I always race in these, and have gotten #1 addicted to them as well :D. After, B, L and their kids, and FF/BB headed to the parks. I took my kidlets home (still no Disneyland for Gabs - bummer :( ).

I ran some errands (thrill a minute, I know), took a quick nap, and then we headed out to the bloggy dinner at Cheesecake Factory.

Gab, me, Rose, Elisabeth, FF
#2, Becka
A, BB
Good food, fun conversation. Good times.

Next up? Disneyland Half, Team Jam, Crotch Shots, and Goatse. Don't google that.

Weekly roundup, plans, and pictures

Last week, I didn't really have a plan. I kind of intended to do what my body felt like it could do.

Apparently, that was not much. My ankle is being shaaaaady. I tried the stupid bike in the gym, and that was... okay. It was boring. I got sweaty. It'll do, I guess.

So, my original schedule for this week was going to be:
Monday: Suck Less
Tuesday: 3 miles, easy
Wednesday: Suck Less
Thursday: 3 miles, easy
Friday: Suck Less
Saturday: 4 miles, easy

It's looking more like:
Monday: Suck Less?
Tuesday: Birthday Cake for #2
Wednesday: Suck Less? Yoga?!
Thursday: Bike of Boredom?
Friday: Suck Less??
Saturday: Run/Bike of Boredom, whichever I can take

I'm all registered for Corona del Mar 5K on June 4th, where I intend to smoke my competition (aka, my friend's husband). Well, that *was* the intention, but The Ankle? Shaaaady.

Anyway, lest I be all pouting and whining, my weekend was pretty fun!

Gabby started Delayed Intensification (DI) on Friday with a BANG. 4 types of chemo, a lumbar puncture under sedation... and was all smiles when I got home and she showed off her Hello Kitty sunglasses :D


I would have been melted into a puddle of woe-is-me.

I went shopping ALL BY MYSELF on Saturday, to the farmers market, the magical Ross by my house, and Sprouts - my three favorite places to be. I almost picked up this fuschia prom dress....

But I refrained. I'm still not sure why, it's stunning and I need it. I'll wear it everywhere.

I wound up with this much more practical (aka, BOOOOORING) slate blue number..

Mother's Day got me this card from #2... I *am* a good typer.

We spent the day shopping and wandering Orange County, and came home with... a car that drives on walls and the ceiling...

Had a super late lunch, so we had dessert for dinner, because I'm REALLY working for that Mother of the Year award.

And I made a ginormous, ugly, REALLY good chocolate cake for Tuesday.

Phew. Happy Monday!

Wordless Wednesday

Our weekend....