God and The Beatles

WARNING:  THIS POST WILL INCLUDE CURSE WORDS USED AS ADJECTIVES.

I am certain God is a fan of the Fab 4.  Why?  Because the way the planets aligned in perfect harmony last night and allowed for me to attend FOR FREE a concert by one Sir Paul McCartney, was marvelous.

I haven't written anything here in about 3 weeks.
I should be writing about our recent trip to the beach and how cute my kids were and how much they enjoyed the sun and sand. 
I should be writing about how Agent P is walking now and into everything and precious.
I should be writing about summer coming to a close, pool playdates, museum trips and more.

Well.  Instead I shall write about my beloved Beatles and the Sir.
A soundtrack of my childhood would include later Beatles, Wings/Band on the Run, Fleetwood Mac and EC.  Some of my strongest memories are of lying completely prone in the backseat of my dad's ENORMOUS black Caprice Classic and looking out the small oval windows in the backseat and watching sky/clouds float by as this music played in the background and my mom sang outloud.  Good stuff, my friends.

For those who have known me a while, they are witness to the Beatles world I lived in while in highschool.  My highschool bf and I thought we were John and Yoko and that the Ballad had been written just for us.  I would pride myself on knowing the ins and out of the albums (yes, albums),every nuance of every song and unimportant trivia about the band.
I once considered dating this guy I met through a mix up of notes at a Dairy Queen (very long and sad story) and another guy I knew had to quiz him on his Beatles knowledge prior to my going out with him.  Hmm.

So I am a F.A.N. to sum it up.
Long story short,  I was supposed to buy 2 tix for the concert last night for $500.  I couldn't justify it and had to decline.
I was sad.  I was a tad bitter.  But we went to the bookstore and I bought the kids a non-fiction book about the Beatles and was feeling a bit better.  Had a Blue Moon while cooking dinner and singing and felt my spirits rise a bit more. 
The phone rings and an angel informs me I have 2 free tix waiting for me if I want them.  Um, HELL YES.
Kicked the insurance guy out of the house, begged a sitter to come over, pushed Big Daddy into the car and flew downtown like savages to claim our tix.  Walked right in as the first notes were being played of the first song into our FLOOR SEATS.  I was about to hyperventilate.

In fact, I am not afraid to say I got a touch weepy a few times during the night. 
First of all, to see one of the 2 remaining Beatles ALIVE AND IN PERSON is overwhelming to say the least.  It would be like seeing the Pope, for me.  Just to be in his presence would be amazing.   Not that I'm comparing the Beatles to anything religious, we've already had that conversation a long time ago.
Second of all, to hear those songs live and the way he wove personal stories of "the guys" (yes he did say that), Jimi and EC and funny personal stuff into it all was just mind blowing.

Personal faves:
1.  Acoustic "Blackbird".  Fucking awesome.
2.  Playing George's ukelele to start "Something".
3.  "A Day in the Life" that ran into "Give Peace a Chance".  How much can a girl handle?
4.  Obladi-Oblada-first time doing it on tour and it was so cool.
5.  "I've Got a Feeling".  This was a song for fans of the albums, not just the radio songs.  Rocked the hell out of it.
6.  Double encore.  To close..."Sgt. Peppers Reprise" into "The End".  Can you say singing at the top of her lungs with tears streaming?  Yes, you can.

I can unabashedly say it was one of the best nights in my life.  Doesn't trump the birth of children or wedding or such momentous things. But please.  Sir Paul, live?  Hands down.

Next up, catching Van the Man live in Ireland.  I am sure God is a fan of his as well.

Road Trippin'

So we just got back from the 'burgh...as in Pittsburgh. 
First, a few things about that fair city.
1.  It TOTALLY reminds of me of the 'Lou...as in St. Louis.  It's old, on the water, a brewery is there, great people and food.
2.  The downtown rocks and PNC park is way cool.
3.  It's a great city for kids...enjoyed a box at the Pirates game, we did a riverboat cruise, did the incline on Mt. Washington (uber coolness) and much more.
4.  I love the distinct nbhoods...very walkable with awesome shops and the food!  Oh my.
5.  The Strip District...sounds like a show on FX.  But instead it is an amazing 6-8 city block area with one authentic food shop after another...Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, Sunseri Brothers, Wholeys.  Awesome.  And so different for my kids than going to the Harris Teeter to buy "fresh".  Please.

The trip up was pretty good...minimal whining and fighting and a bit of sleeping.  Although we had to constantly feed Baby Nono to keep her happy.  It was kind of like filling a Pez dispenser.

We asked alot of the kids...much walking, very late nights and erratic feeding schedules.  We paid for it. 
Their behavior, especially that of Gogo, was ridiculous at times.  She turned into a UWO.  Unidentifiable Whining Obnoxious little person.
Her only word was "No" and the only other sound she made was a long, drawn out wwhhhiiinnneee...like a car taking its last breath.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph heard from me a lot this weekend.
But then she slept 2/3 of the way home and is now restored to her former sweet self. 

D didn't want to leave..."why would I ever want to leave Pittsburgh?"  Hmm.  Maybe because you live in NC, son.

We got to visit with family and my kids had an absolute blast and even with all the fighting, whining and crying (and there was an inordinate amount of all three) it totally rocked and I can't wait to go back.

Just next time I may bring some happy pills...for somebody or everybody.