Geez, what happened to the Van Halen review?

I can't tell you how many times I've sat down to write a review of the Van Halen concert. Nothing I've written can express my feelings, so I've given up. Let's just say - it was a dream-come-true, perfect concert. I feel fortunate to have been able to go, too, since now it seems Eddie is ailing and the 2nd Dallas show has been postponed, and a lot of the remaining dates are in question. I wish him the best.

Since then, lots of "stuff" has been happening in my life that has needed to be attended to, so my blog has been neglected. I'm hoping to remedy that situation soon, as things seem to be smoothing out now. Hooray!

It's never too late to change

Most people make new year's resolutions. I usually resolve not to make any resolutions. LOL! This year, though, something odd happened. I didn't actually make a resolution but I'm making a change, anyway.

Some people say "lifestyle change" and that means something along the lines of switching orientations or something like that...my change is not nearly that radical.

I've struggled with my weight and self-image most of my life. Even had gastric bypass surgery, and even though I lost 140 pounds, I still didn't lose as much as I needed to. The past couple of years, my weight loss stagnated, and I even gained a bit. Frustrated with the tightening of my smaller clothes, and determined NEVER to get myself in the (literally) life-and-limb-threatening position I was in at my heaviest weight, and with some inspirations from some friends who don't know (yet) that they've inspired me, I'm now on a losing trend again. I've taken a new approach to food over the past three weeks, and *surprise!* I'm enjoying the change! I was even able to order a pizza and only eat one slice over the weekend...and I was completely satisfied. Not sure that had ever happened before. I'm amazed at the way this change has "stuck." Normally when dieting, I get angrier and angrier that I can't eat what I want when I want. This time, my view is more, I am eating exactly what I want when I want, it's just different than I thought it was...lol.

I have no idea how much (if any) weight I've actually lost, but it doesn't matter too much because the clothes are looser, and I'm feeling great. I'll probably go ahead and invest in a scale soon, because I'll be starting personal training next week to kick my fitness plan into high gear.

And, to tie all these things up with a pretty bow, further marking the milestone - I got a tattoo last weekend! It's so pretty - a pink rose and a yellow rose with a white dove. Love it!

And...did I mention...I'm going to see Van Halen!!! And it's THIS weekend!!

Van Halen - Van Halen - Van Halen!

Wowee!! Tickets went on sale today and I got them! Woo to the hoo times 2!

I got them like 2 minutes after they went on sale, and I ended up in the first balcony, to the right of the stage. They will be excellent seats! I would have preferred the floor, but only if I could have gotten first 10 rows or so, and since those are normally impossible to get, I'm VERY happy!!

Now to figure out what to wear...lol! :D

Van Halen!!

Yes, I was disappointed that Van Halen hadn't scheduled any Dallas dates, which you would know if you've read my previous posts. But now...**fanfare** They finally announced that they will play the American Airlines Center on Saturday, January 26! And, guess who will be there? Well, duh - me, of course! ;) That is, if my compadre, Guitar Guy, doesn't back out on me. But, if he bails, then something's REALLY wrong with him, because what dude that goes by "Guitar Guy" could possibly miss a chance to see THE EDDIE VAN HALEN??

Rock on, everyone!!

Back from the Frozen Tundra

OK, so where I was it wasn't exactly frozen, but it was tundra. I guess - I honestly don't know what tundra is. OK, fine, yes, I was in Alaska for a week.


I was up on business, on a trip that had been delayed for six weeks due to my stupid stress-fractured foot (which is now out of the cast...thankfully).

Dutch Harbor is enjoying recent fame as the home-base for the ridiculously tough crab fishermen on the show, "Deadliest Catch." I thought it would be neat if I could meet some of the tough guys from the show, but some of the folks in my office that have been to Dutch Harbor before started spooking me out about the flight. I was literally shaking in my shoes, not wanting to have to fly. I heard all kinds of horror stories about how sometimes the planes can't get in, so they turn around and go back to Anchorage, how the flights are seriously bumpy and they needed the barf bag the whole trip, to sometimes you get stuck in Dutch Harbor because no flights get out, etc., etc. The six-week delay helped me get over it, and I'm glad! On the small Saab plane that got me to Dutch from Anchorage, I actually even slept - a rarity for me. Bumpy, yes, but not the harrowing experience I was expecting by any means.



Once on the ground, I found out that it's king crab season, so the "Deadliest Catch" ships are out in the Bering Sea, so it would be unlikely for me to run into any of the "cowboy" fisherman. In spite of that small disappointment, I have to say I was able to enjoy fresh-out-of-the-Bering-Sea king crab legs on a brunch buffet at the Grand Aleutian Hotel. The Grand Aleutian is a nice hotel, but being so remote, it's not as luxurious as the name might indicate. But if you're going to be in Dutch Harbor, there's really not another alternative. The Chart Room restuarant is really quite good, with very interesting seafood selections and a nice wine list.

One of the things that impressed me most was the presence of Bald Eagles. Yes, our National symbol. These majestic birds hang out in Dutch Harbor like blue jays or grackels hang out in Dallas, TX. One of my hosts was driving me around on a tour of the island, and we saw this one hillside that had 14-16 Bald Eagles just sitting there. Hanging out. No big deal. For someone who has only seen Bald Eagles in the zoo - this was just amazing. We also saw some sea otters and sea lions - again, animals that land-locked southerners like me only get to see in zoos.

I enjoyed my visit in Dutch Harbor, but unlike many places I've visited, I don't think I could live there, at least not for very long. It is very remote, and there aren't a lot of options. The Wild Thing said, "well, can't you just go outside and meditate?" Well, of course, but someone as City-fied as this Rockin' Chick needs to have options. I absolutely love the option of just going and meditating, but I need to be able to go to a loud concert or Denny's at 2:00am, too. :)

But, I definitely recommend that everyone that has the chance to visit Dutch Harbor if you have the chance - especially if you're a city person. It's completely different, with breathtaking scenery, and it's a chance to do something that not just everyone gets to do.

Oh, and I did get a glimpse of the Maverick from "Deadliest Catch" out the window of our port office, through binoculars, as she was on her way to transload a shipful of king crab to an air freighter for some lucky diners to enjoy!

Coming soon - the rest of my visit to Alaska - the glittering city of Anchorage.

More Musings on Live Music

There was a local musician, Carter Albrecht, who was shot and killed amid tragic circumstances. I had read that he was with New Bohemians, and while I was saddened by the news that anyone would die under such circumstances, I didn't think much more about it. Until I got a voice mail message from The Wild Thing and a follow-up phone call telling me that Carter Albrecht was actually a member of the band Sorta, which we had seen together opening for Ian Moore, which I wrote about several days ago. When I went back and looked up the articles online about him, I came to realize that he was one of the guys that switched off between keyboards and guitar, and that in all honesty I was most impressed with his musicianship. Reading about him online, I found out why - he was quite accomplished in many genres of music. I appreciate that so much, having a classical music background myself.

Sadly, The Wild Thing and I hadn't had the chance to find a Sorta performance since we saw them then. I would have liked to have seen them on their own, to get in a full set. I'm hoping they'll continue on, because being a musician myself, I know that Carter would want them to continue making music. Even though I never knew him, I will miss him.

If you'd like to read about Carter and Sorta, please go to their website.

Moving on from the sad news, I went to my favorite rock venue last Friday night to see another local favorite of mine, Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat. I always love to catch their shows. They put together a bluesy/rocky combo that I can't resist. To find out more about them, you can visit their website.

Concert disappointment, but at least I still have my cool phone!

I had truly been looking forward to the Def Leppard concert since they announced it a few months ago. I even had a pedicure so my feet would look pretty for the outdoor event. I made a mix on my iPod of tunes to get me in the mood for a concert - and I haven't been to a real, big concert in so long. But then...Guitar-Guy said he didn't think he'd be able to make it. The Wild Thing left a message on my voice mail that she didn't feel good, so would not be going, which was extra-sad because we had gone out Friday night and had such a nice time. Then Crazy Cat Lady got to my place to leave for the show, and she's visibly quite ill, so I sent her home. I thought maybe my husband would take pity on me and go along, but no such luck. *Sigh* I'm so sad...I really wanted to go...I really did. It's probably stupid, and I don't know why it's affecting me this way, but my heart aches. Silly, huh?

I'm still digging on my phone, though. Maybe I'll download some music to it today.