your girl is lovely...

I just couldn't go without writing about this today. My weekend was full of musical-good company-yummy-love-goodness. I already explained the SLO and Santa Barbara visits complete with lovely music, friends, and fun, but great things can happen locally too! As proven last night. After an instinctual feeling and 1 hot tip, I determined that Jason Mraz would be the "very special guest" with Tristan Prettyman opening for Gregory Page's cd release party at Lestat's coffeehouse. Or as he called it, his "premature release" party (since not all the cds were done printing). I was able to recruit Clark and Lana as my dates for the lovely occasion. We arrived at Lestat's at around 6:30 and got in line behind a group of about 8. As the evening progressed that 8 turned into 10, then 12, then 14 and so on as their friends and family (literally, an entire family ~ mom, dad, cousins, bros, sisters, etc...) continued to get in line. As the line behind us grew quickly, it became very apparent that I was not the only one hearing/feeling that Mraz would be the guest star this evening. As people continued their attempts to squeeze in front of us in line, a plan was forming with the three of us and soon "the V" was developed. Clark took charge of the right side (complete with getting into a mild confrontation or two or three...ahhh, my hero.), Lana held down the middle and I swooped to the left. Thus creating a blockade of sorts. When the doors finally opened around 8:30pm "the V" was in full effect and we met up perfectly at the entrance. The plan continued as Lana and I searched for the best seats we could find and Clark was on a mission to buy GPs new cd before they all sold out. While most people ran for the chairs, I went for the front floor directly in front of the stage. (ah-ha I guess SOME people don't know that small venues will end up clearing out all the chairs if too many people are coming in!) Somehow we managed to get right in the front without anyone in front of us. It was awesome.

As I made my way to the bathroom before the show started, Tristan Prettyman stopped to ask me what my shirt said. (black with pink writing 'Make Love, not conversation'). I forgot about the whole my-back-and-butt-hurts-from-sitting-on-the-floor thing shortly after the show started. Tristan, just off tour with G-Love, came on first playing her set very well...and the poor thing was sick. She explained to us all that her boyfriend got her sick. (hmmm...) As she was about to leave she said, "oh I forgot, there's a hot guy here that I'm going to bring up to sing with me", of course, Mr. Mraz appeared from the backroom. Looking fly in his long sleeve button down shirt and tie, dark red sweater vest, jeans, and his latest trademark hat. Before the song started she made some comment about Jason getting her sick. Too cute those two. Tristan and Jason played "Shy that way". Always a good jam. They really are adorable. I'd love to pretend I hate TP for being Jason's darling, but I just can't. They are la-la-la-lovely together. Jason then stayed on to play a few songs. Mr Curiosity, Plain Jane/simple girl/stay free (not sure of the actual title) and another song that I can't remember. I took some great pics and had a great time sitting right in front of him in awe. I adored Gregory Page's set as well. He was simply divine with his presence, his shorter-short-stories, and new tunes. Overall, it was a truly great night for me to see 3 of my favorite musicians playing to a packed house of admiring fans and friends. After the show, I asked Clark to take a picture of me and GP. Just had to have one. I really enjoy being able to support local musicians and I feel so lucky to live in a city with such an alive and thriving local music scene. So while some would rather watch Switchfoot, Pinback, and Blink 182 rock it out, I think I'll stick with these guys when it comes to local music. (Although, that won't stop me from going to the Trendiest show this side of Cochella this Saturday night and I still dig Unwritten Law and Sugarcult...) As I've often explained, jeans and flip flops aren't just my style of dress, it's my lifestyle ~ and these guys are jeans and flip flops musicians. Could I have had a better weekend? With the next 4 weeks bringing more concerts, a Vegas trip AND a Seattle trip...we shall see...

XO Smile for the love of the music XO

SLO-in it down

It was a good idea huh? yay me! Britt and I left work at about 1pm on Friday in hopes of making it to San Luis Obispo by 8pm. jturtle and colin would start their show about that time. It took longer than I originally thought it would. Wouldn't it have been funny if we decided to go to magic mountain instead? And to our surprise and delight, we made it to our hotel around 7:40pm. Check in. wash my face. curl the lashes. put on a clean t-shirt. back out the door and into the star-rolla. Finally at Linnaea's cafe, Jason and Colin were on stage practicing one of only two cover songs of the night, 'Closing Time'. Not only was I happy to be back in SLO, and getting more and more nostalgic by the moment, but I was happy to be supporting Jason, Colin, and local SD music even while out of town. I enjoyed the reactions of the locals who had never heard Jason perform before too. I had almost forgotten how hard I laughed the first times I heard Putty and My Blue Shoe. My favs were the two middle aged couples sitting in the back laughing at the lyrics (but only when appropriate, thankyouverymuch recording ipod dude), and enjoying every song. Although spending then next 4 hours in a house with people "my age", I felt so old. Had a great time though-playing games, taking camera phone pics and attempting to become a smoker again. Didn't quite work. Bummer, I think this is the year my membership card from the smokers association of america may be revoked. The next day brought even more nostalgia and lots of shoes (yay shoes!! Ahhh, Clark would be so proud). The clam chowder, central coast beach, memories, and great company made for a wonderful Saturday. TraderJoes snack stop, Santa Barbara, girl talk, JacksonJams, ahhh...good times.

XO Smile like the annoying tin can sound finally stopped XO

Song o'the day - "My Blue Shoe" .... jturtle

Announcement

Well, I have an announcement to make. Or I guess I should say, "we" have an announcement to make. After almost a year of dating...and many, many days and nights of weighing the pros and cons of this decision...IT finally happened. I knew, that with my age and mind set it would take the one and only the one to get me to say "yes" to this question. And Sunday night, after a lovely weekend with my wonderful boyfriend, I said "yes" without hesitation (okay maybe a little hesitation) when Clark pulled out a small box, opened it and asked..."will you watch Empire Strikes Back with me?" So there you go folks, I wanted you all to hear from me before you heard from anyone else. I have finally seen the Empire Strikes Back. My first Star Wars movie in my life. I do indeed know what a Jedi mind trick is, what Cloud City looks like, and how Luke finally heard who his father was. It was a moment. A life changing moment that I will remember for the rest of my life and will someday tell my children and grandchildren about the first time I saw Empire Strikes Back.

Thank you all for your support and well wishes during this wonderful time in my life.

Love, Shannon

dot.dot.dot.

I'm on a roll today... gettin' things workin'... makin' things happen... iPod in hand... and on shuffle. (iPod seems to really like weezer and hall&oates..interesting choices..."it's you. and me. for-evaaaaa")

song o' tha day...
Sunchild... The Vines...

cling and clatter brings chatter

I guess those red flags lasted a bit longer than I had expected...and quite honestly, I don't think they are gone just yet. But I'm working on that. It's a good thing it's Friday because this week certainly needs to be over for me. I'm not quite ready to tackle next week yet but that's just fine.... a cozy weekend at home sounds delightful to me. Although, I realize that's just silly because I know I won't sit still for long. Too much to do. Many places to go, people to see and what not.

The good news is, I've got a few happy times and trips coming up soon. All domestic and so far nothing international has been confirmed but don't get me started on that topic. Three concerts, no...FOUR concerts in the next 4 weeks. That always equals a smile on Shamma's face. February will bring Valentines Day at which time I will surely blog about the silliness and consumerism which drives this holiday and then I'll probably try to justify why it is that I enjoy it so much and how I plan to someday make either New Years or Valentine's Day the big Holiday in my life. (Or better yet, maybe I'll just decide that Sweetest Day will be the big holiday for me. Then again, no. Sweetest Day is in October. Already too many things going on in October.) A road trip up the coast at the end of the month will bring good music, good company and a little trip down memory lane. SLO really is behind the times, but it's great for that reason.

And with that, the random chatter ends...happy Friday...

Recommended song o' the day.... ~ The Past and Pending ~ The Shins ~

ps...happy 2-0 to tha 0-5 ...let's make it a great year, shall we?