I must be getting old because I am exhausted today after coming home around 1am after the two Vienna Teng shows at the Triple Door last night. It also doesn't help that it's miserable gray cloudy outside.
The concert was good - my seats for both shows were pretty amazing. For the second show they were 3 rows from the front. For the first show, I "only" got there at 5:30 (doors opened at 5) so I was seated in the middle of the theater. I brought a book to read since Dre wasn't going to show up until just before Vienna came on, and felt really weird being there by myself amidst all the couples. But as always, the food, wine and service were fantastic at the Triple Door so it felt like quite a treat to be there and just have time to chill.
Here's the setlist (I actually remembered to bring a notebook this time!).
7pm show - seemed very short:
Enough to Go By
Whatever You Want
Gravity (newer version)
Unwritten Letter #1
Nothing Without You
Pontchartrain (wow)
Recessional
Blue Caravan
Hope on Fire
1Br/1Ba + Workin 9 to 5
Harbor
Soon Love Soon
Arizona - Ellery cover
10pm show:
Whatever You Want
Gravity (Utah Rock Formation version)
Unwritten Letter #1
Nothing Without You
That's Where I'll Be - Brian Webb cover
Homecoming (Walter's Song)
Recessional
Hope on Fire
1Br/1Ba w/ interlude of whatever song Kanye West samples on "Golddigger"
Transcontinental 1:30am
I Don't Feel So Well
Harbor
City Hall
Soon Love Soon
The show was great, and the drummer, Alex Wong, was incredible. He played about 6 different percussion instruments, including the wooden box he was sitting on (!). The sound was a bit wonky, even to my amateur ears - some microphone feedback at times, and that weird fuzzy sound you get sometimes with really loud bass.
I really like seeing Vienna play with the whole band (violin, cello, percussion) - it makes for a much more rockin' show. When TJ and I saw her at Chop Suey last year opening for Duncan Sheik, it was just her and her keyboard, and I think that's why TJ came away with the impression that her songs all sound the same and are too mellow for his liking. I think he would have liked this show a lot better.
Special props to the opener Jenny Owen Youngs, who made some hilarious in-between-song comments, and had a kickass folk rendition of "Hot in Herre" by Nelly. I guess you had to be there :). I bought it on iTunes today. Her voice sounds a lot like Beth Orton (less ethereal) and maybe a bit like Shawn Colvin and KT Tunstall? It's got that sort of bluesy, "thick" quality I can't quite put my finger on. Not exactly to my taste, but still enjoyable.
Have I already professed my love for the Triple Door? Jenna pointed out that she felt like she was getting old because she liked that sort of concert venue the best, vs. the smoky bar where you stand up and get beer spilled on you. Me too. And if that's what it means to get old, I'm ok with that :)
Reflecting on the concert today, I didn't like it as much as past VT shows at the Triple Door - she didn't talk as much between songs, and that's honestly one of my favorite things about seeing artists live - the little tidbits you find out from them about their songs. Then again, she's been touring with these songs for a while and it must be difficult to play the same stuff night after night and keep the audience conversation fresh.
Well, Happy Mother's Day to Amma, Paati, Mom, Granny and Grandma Creath. Wow, getting married has certainly increased the number of people to celebrate on Mother's Day! Hope you all have a fantastic day.
Everyone else: call your mom!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
I cannot forget the way I feel right now
So it got to that point on my iPod Shuffle, where I was really sick of the songs on there. It was time to wipe it out and start over so that I would be pushed during my upcoming workouts. That was only one of the small things I had planned to do yesterday. But it inexplicably took all day to get this done.
Our Vista Media Center PC in the living room was totally acting up. Maybe it felt ignored since we hadn't watched any movies on it, or maybe it was cranky because it was missing some critical updates. But this is the machine that holds all of our MP3s from our ripped CDs so it needs to be running properly and working on the network.
Unfortunately, iTunes doesn't yet work with Vista, so in order to get my iPod set up, I need to do it on our office computer, which is all the way upstairs. Anyone who's been to my house knows that there are about 5 mini-flights of stairs between these two computers. So troubleshooting home network issues is not quick, though it does burn calories.
I finally figured out that the stupid Norton firewall, plus some settings in Vista were preventing our XP computer from connecting to the Vista one. At 11pm. Mind you, I started this whole process around noon. Just to be clear, I didn't work on this all day. Which was good, otherwise we'd probably have a very sad Media Center PC with a hammer in it and all of its plastic parts scattered in the living room.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I downloaded about 10 new songs from iTunes in the past couple of weeks. I've been writing down what songs I'd like to download when I hear them so that I remember what I want when I'm on iTunes at home. Here are some of my new favorites:
So when I got to the gym today, I fired up the ol' iPod, and had one of the best workouts I've had in ages. I went back to week 3 of the Couch to 5K program, since I haven't run consistently since March. And it was a breeze. I was actually having fun, which is something I rarely experience during exercise. So I'm hoping that by next weekend, I'll be able to start Week 4 again and pick up where I left off.
That was a great way to start the weekend. And tonight, I'm going to see Vienna Teng at the Triple Door. Twice. Woo hoo!
Ooh, and thanks Leslie for pointing out the Grey's Anatomy character quiz! It tells me I am most like Addison: "strong and independent but occasionally need a shoulder to cry on." Interesting. Hopefully that doesn't mean I would also want to be part of a crappy spinoff show. Wow, that show was bad. So if you watch GA, take the quiz and let me know who you are!
Our Vista Media Center PC in the living room was totally acting up. Maybe it felt ignored since we hadn't watched any movies on it, or maybe it was cranky because it was missing some critical updates. But this is the machine that holds all of our MP3s from our ripped CDs so it needs to be running properly and working on the network.
Unfortunately, iTunes doesn't yet work with Vista, so in order to get my iPod set up, I need to do it on our office computer, which is all the way upstairs. Anyone who's been to my house knows that there are about 5 mini-flights of stairs between these two computers. So troubleshooting home network issues is not quick, though it does burn calories.
I finally figured out that the stupid Norton firewall, plus some settings in Vista were preventing our XP computer from connecting to the Vista one. At 11pm. Mind you, I started this whole process around noon. Just to be clear, I didn't work on this all day. Which was good, otherwise we'd probably have a very sad Media Center PC with a hammer in it and all of its plastic parts scattered in the living room.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I downloaded about 10 new songs from iTunes in the past couple of weeks. I've been writing down what songs I'd like to download when I hear them so that I remember what I want when I'm on iTunes at home. Here are some of my new favorites:
- "Little Wonders" - Rob Thomas
- "Too Little, Too Late" - JoJo
- "In da Club" - OutKast
- "Not Ready to Make Nice" - Dixie Chicks
- "Would You Go With Me" - random country guy
So when I got to the gym today, I fired up the ol' iPod, and had one of the best workouts I've had in ages. I went back to week 3 of the Couch to 5K program, since I haven't run consistently since March. And it was a breeze. I was actually having fun, which is something I rarely experience during exercise. So I'm hoping that by next weekend, I'll be able to start Week 4 again and pick up where I left off.
That was a great way to start the weekend. And tonight, I'm going to see Vienna Teng at the Triple Door. Twice. Woo hoo!
Ooh, and thanks Leslie for pointing out the Grey's Anatomy character quiz! It tells me I am most like Addison: "strong and independent but occasionally need a shoulder to cry on." Interesting. Hopefully that doesn't mean I would also want to be part of a crappy spinoff show. Wow, that show was bad. So if you watch GA, take the quiz and let me know who you are!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Soon we will all find our lives swept away
I finally posted to my work blog after 3 months - yikes. I really should post there more often, at least weekly.
TJ pulled an all-nighter for some unexplained reason last night. He couldn't sleep so he went into work at 2am with Peanut. Apparently Peanut didn't like being at work that late (early?) so he slept nearly all day today. Poor puppy. I think he likes his routine to be predictable.
We took the pups to the dog park today - it was gorgeous out. I look forward to going often this summer, though i really wish Peanut's allergies would clear up. His fur looks awful - all dandruffy and chewed up in parts. Makes me feel like a bad dog parent.
I had lunch with Jenn and she motivated me to get off my butt and sign up for those project management course hours that I need to get the PMP certification. It's something I've vaguely considered for a while, but this week I felt like getting stuff done. My manager agreed that our team's budget could pay for my classes, so I signed up for them this evening. Thanks be to the Internet, so you can get things done without waiting for someone to be in the office.
And now that I can barely keep my eyes open, I'm going to bed. But not before giving Suz a shout out congratulating her on getting her PhD *and* having a kickass job lined up. YAY SUZ!
Oh, and I just finished watching tonight's "Grey's Anatomy". I am *so* not liking this George-Izzy storyline. Callie is totally getting the shaft here, and I completely love her character. Boo. Hopefully she's not leaving the show. Season 3 Finale is next week - what will I watch this summer? Oh wait, nothing. And then maybe I'll get to the gym more often, right?
TJ pulled an all-nighter for some unexplained reason last night. He couldn't sleep so he went into work at 2am with Peanut. Apparently Peanut didn't like being at work that late (early?) so he slept nearly all day today. Poor puppy. I think he likes his routine to be predictable.
We took the pups to the dog park today - it was gorgeous out. I look forward to going often this summer, though i really wish Peanut's allergies would clear up. His fur looks awful - all dandruffy and chewed up in parts. Makes me feel like a bad dog parent.
I had lunch with Jenn and she motivated me to get off my butt and sign up for those project management course hours that I need to get the PMP certification. It's something I've vaguely considered for a while, but this week I felt like getting stuff done. My manager agreed that our team's budget could pay for my classes, so I signed up for them this evening. Thanks be to the Internet, so you can get things done without waiting for someone to be in the office.
And now that I can barely keep my eyes open, I'm going to bed. But not before giving Suz a shout out congratulating her on getting her PhD *and* having a kickass job lined up. YAY SUZ!
Oh, and I just finished watching tonight's "Grey's Anatomy". I am *so* not liking this George-Izzy storyline. Callie is totally getting the shaft here, and I completely love her character. Boo. Hopefully she's not leaving the show. Season 3 Finale is next week - what will I watch this summer? Oh wait, nothing. And then maybe I'll get to the gym more often, right?
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Fast forward to a few years later
This was a pretty good, relaxing weekend. Here's the (unexciting) list of what I got done:
1. Balanced my accounts and paid off my credit card
2. Did 2+ weeks worth of laundry and put it all away
3. Ate at home all weekend (yay!)
4. Loaded/unloaded/loaded dishwasher (eating at home uses lots of dishes)
5. Gave Spike a bath (clean beagle!)
6. Did 120 minutes (2 whole hours!) of cardio
7. Grocery shopping (yay Trader Joe's)
Not bad. I can make an equally long list of things I wanted to do and didn't.
I went to a talk about productivity at one of the Women's Conferences at Microsoft a few years ago, and the first thing they said was that people have to get used to the idea that they're never going to finish everything on their to-do list. I have a hard time with that. But I try to remember it as often as I can.
How was your weekend?
1. Balanced my accounts and paid off my credit card
2. Did 2+ weeks worth of laundry and put it all away
3. Ate at home all weekend (yay!)
4. Loaded/unloaded/loaded dishwasher (eating at home uses lots of dishes)
5. Gave Spike a bath (clean beagle!)
6. Did 120 minutes (2 whole hours!) of cardio
7. Grocery shopping (yay Trader Joe's)
Not bad. I can make an equally long list of things I wanted to do and didn't.
I went to a talk about productivity at one of the Women's Conferences at Microsoft a few years ago, and the first thing they said was that people have to get used to the idea that they're never going to finish everything on their to-do list. I have a hard time with that. But I try to remember it as often as I can.
How was your weekend?
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Well I guess you scared me too
Yay! The credit card thing has finally been sorted out. I have paid off my balance. But now I owe "us" some money, which I'll pay back each month. For a long time. Kinda makes me want to think about working full time again.
This is the first weekend I've been home, with no other plans. I am catching up on laundry. I think I just put in the 6th load for the week. Crazy. We watched an awesome movie tonight, called "Love Actually", a British romantic comedy from a few years ago. It was cute and funny and different. Not the usual crap Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks stuff.
On Thursday night we went back to Canlis to celebrate our 2nd anniversary, which is coming up on Monday. We reserved the "Cache", which is a tiny room upstairs for 2-3 people. It's the same little room we hung out in before and immediately after the wedding. We had a gorgeous view, and of course, the food was great as usual. (drooling thinking about the truffle fries!).
At first it was weird to be in our own room at a restaurant, but as the night wore on, and around the 3rd glass of wine, I realized it was pretty fun - we could be loud and silly and wouldn't be disturbing anyone else or getting disapproving looks.
We always ask the sommelier (Nelson, if he's around) to help us pick a wine (i.e. pick a wine for us), but on Thursday, we let him go crazy and pick a wine for each course. In total we had 6 different wines, from all over the world. It was so cool. The best was the dessert wine, a Cabernet Franc icewine from Canada that smelled and tasted like strawberry jelly. As you might imagine, this was right up TJ's alley, so we're going to try to find some more of it. YUM!
Last night (a busy week for the Creaths, huh?) we went to see Johnette Napolitano (former lead singer of Concrete Blonde) at the Triple Door Cafe, my absolute favorite concert venue in Seattle. We had dinner there while we watched the show. She's an interesting woman. *Great* voice.
I can't wait to go back to the Triple Door next week for Vienna Teng's shows on Saturday!
Peanut is really itchy again, and has been for the past month. I hope this isn't going to last all summer. I'm having my doubts about the dog dermatologist. I can't believe my puppies are 5 (Peanut) and 7 (Spike). And I can't imagine how we lived before we had them! Now that it's getting close to summer, with those glorious long days, we look forward to more trips to Marymoor.
Oh, and this morning I dragged TJ to the gym, which was the first time in a while for both of us. I (literally) worked my butt off on the treadmill and the elliptical today. I couldn't find a magazine to read so I decided to just concentrate on my heart rate monitor and listen to music. Wow, that's a much harder workout than flipping through a magazine while on the cardio machines! I guess I should do that more often. It felt really good, especially when it was over.
This is the first weekend I've been home, with no other plans. I am catching up on laundry. I think I just put in the 6th load for the week. Crazy. We watched an awesome movie tonight, called "Love Actually", a British romantic comedy from a few years ago. It was cute and funny and different. Not the usual crap Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks stuff.
On Thursday night we went back to Canlis to celebrate our 2nd anniversary, which is coming up on Monday. We reserved the "Cache", which is a tiny room upstairs for 2-3 people. It's the same little room we hung out in before and immediately after the wedding. We had a gorgeous view, and of course, the food was great as usual. (drooling thinking about the truffle fries!).
At first it was weird to be in our own room at a restaurant, but as the night wore on, and around the 3rd glass of wine, I realized it was pretty fun - we could be loud and silly and wouldn't be disturbing anyone else or getting disapproving looks.
We always ask the sommelier (Nelson, if he's around) to help us pick a wine (i.e. pick a wine for us), but on Thursday, we let him go crazy and pick a wine for each course. In total we had 6 different wines, from all over the world. It was so cool. The best was the dessert wine, a Cabernet Franc icewine from Canada that smelled and tasted like strawberry jelly. As you might imagine, this was right up TJ's alley, so we're going to try to find some more of it. YUM!
Last night (a busy week for the Creaths, huh?) we went to see Johnette Napolitano (former lead singer of Concrete Blonde) at the Triple Door Cafe, my absolute favorite concert venue in Seattle. We had dinner there while we watched the show. She's an interesting woman. *Great* voice.
I can't wait to go back to the Triple Door next week for Vienna Teng's shows on Saturday!
Peanut is really itchy again, and has been for the past month. I hope this isn't going to last all summer. I'm having my doubts about the dog dermatologist. I can't believe my puppies are 5 (Peanut) and 7 (Spike). And I can't imagine how we lived before we had them! Now that it's getting close to summer, with those glorious long days, we look forward to more trips to Marymoor.
Oh, and this morning I dragged TJ to the gym, which was the first time in a while for both of us. I (literally) worked my butt off on the treadmill and the elliptical today. I couldn't find a magazine to read so I decided to just concentrate on my heart rate monitor and listen to music. Wow, that's a much harder workout than flipping through a magazine while on the cardio machines! I guess I should do that more often. It felt really good, especially when it was over.
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