Meeting Justin Furstenfeld from Blue October

We are back from our spring break vacation and what a trip it was! As you know from the post below, we kicked off our trip with a Blue October concert Sunday, April 1 at Rams Head Live in Baltimore.

Lead singer Justin Furstenfeld opened the show with a solo set that was just fabulous!



I found this video of my favorite song from the set, "Freight Train of Pearl," but it's from a show in Myrtle Beach (skip to about 1:00 if you don't want to see Justin setting up the song...that's one of my favorite things about him though - his ability to make such awesome beats):



After Justin's set, we picked up a copy of his book "Crazy Making" which I've been wanting for forever! It's filled with lyrics from Blue October songs as well as notes about the meaning and thought process behind them.



After another opening act from Girl in a Coma, Blue October took the stage and did not disappoint! I was in Blue October heaven!

But, the highlight of the night for my husband and me came when we got to meet the band again after the show and have them sign our book.



We'd met them last October in Silver Spring...all except for Justin. This time, however, Justin came out and we? We died.

As per usual, every photo I ever take with a celebrity comes out horrible and you know you only get one shot! You can't very well be like, "Ummm...my face looks weird in this one. Can we do that again?" :)

My husband said he looked like a deer caught in the headlights, lol, and he never takes a bad picture! Oh well.

Here we are, in all of our bad-picture glory with the fabulous Justin Furstenfeld:



As I stated in my previous post, Matt can unfortunately relate to a lot of the music Justin wrote for "Any Man in America" and his songs have been very therapeutic for us during the most trying of times.

So being able to talk to Justin personally about what we've been through was even more healing. He had great words of wisdom and I am paraphrasing here, but he said something like:

"If you hate your ex, that's fine, but don't bring the kids into it. Stop the bitterness and the fighting. Take all the money you'd put into paying lawyers and battling things out in court and put it into a fund for your kids for college. Then, when they graduate, BAM! They're set!"

We couldn't agree more, but it's too late in our case and obviously in Justin's as well. We've wasted thousands and current/ongoing issues (which I am unable to discuss here) are going to potentially cost us thousands more.

But it's not too late for other families facing divorce and custody issues. That's why Justin created the Any Man in America (AMIA) website. Click here to visit and share it with those you may know who might be going through similar circumstances. If it helps even one child/parent, it's worth it!

I am grateful that my ex and I put our kids first and settled our divorce ourselves, without the need for lawyers. We work together on shared parenting, making sure each of us is involved in decision-making regarding the kids and always doing what is in their best interest. We would never even THINK of dragging our kids into our personal issues or degrading each other to them out of anger. And our kids are so much better for it.

It's my wish that ALL kids have the benefit of parents who care more about them than hurting their ex (which ultimately hurts the kids more than anyone). So I believe strongly in what Justin is doing for parents and kids all across America with his website.

And it makes meeting him in person that much more special to me!

Blue October at Rams Head Live, April 1, 2012

Before heading to Orlando on Monday morning, we'll be traveling to Baltimore to see our favorite band, Blue October, at Rams Head Live (April 1, 8 p.m.). Lead singer Justin Furstenfeld will open with a solo performance, which we are extra psyched to see!

You may know Blue October from hits like "Into the Ocean."



But Matt and I love ALL of their songs and we play their albums whenever we can, especially on long car rides. Here's one of our favorites, currently on the set list for their "Any Man In America" 2012 tour:



The tour name comes from Blue October's latest album and if you haven't heard it yet, I urge you to go buy it! The cover is a photo that Furstenfeld's little girl drew for him:



And the album is all about his bitter divorce and his fight for his rights as a father, something that Matt can unfortunately relate to. The songs on that album always bring tears to our eyes, no matter how many times we listen.

We had the privilege of seeing Blue October's AMIA tour live last fall, so this will be our second time watching (we'd go to all of the shows if we could). Never have I cried at a concert before. I did at that one. And I have no doubt I will do so again this Sunday.

Here's a video I found on YouTube from the show we saw last October at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD:



That song is called "For the Love," and it's all about why Justin performs. Listen to the lyrics. If that's not pure, raw emotion, I don't know what is. If you are not moved to your core at a Blue October show, you are not human!!

I'll be sure to live tweet and twitpic from the show so be sure to tune in to my Twitter feed April 1 at 8 p.m. EST!

Changes

Sheeeee's baaaaack!!! Yes, I have resurrected my old blog and am hoping I can get in to writing about my personal life a little more now.

As most of you know, back in 2010, I made some major life changes. I got separated, divorced and am now remarried to a man who makes my heart and soul complete. There is so much I could say about that whole ordeal but in the interest of peace and moving forward, that's exactly what I'm going to do...move forward and don't look back (for the most part).



So, bear in mind that old posts on this site that refer to my "husband" are referring to my ex-husband Rob, not my current husband Matt. I am also now a bonus mom to three more awesome kids, for a total of SIX kids between Matt and me. Yes, we are the modern day Brady Bunch. :)

If you haven't followed along with our wedding blog, check it out here. I plan on putting up pictures and details of our wedding week at some point (hopefully before our first anniversary!)



I've also been focusing on our new social media venture Media Fl@ir. Seeing that Matt and I met on Twitter, and we have a passion for social media, we figured it was the perfect business for us to start together and we are having a blast with it!

In fact, there's currently a contest on our Facebook page to win a Disney Souvenir from our upcoming spring break trip to Florida (oh, how I wish I had been doing this blog the past year or so...we have had so many adventures, trips and experiences that I really wish I had documented here. Oh well...).



Anyway, just click here and give our page a like, then comment on the post about our Disney souvenir giveaway, and you're automatically entered to win! Plus, if you love as as much as we love you, you'd naturally want to have liked our page anyway, RIGHT? ;)

So there you have it. I am back. Now let's see how long I can live up to the pressure to keep on blogging. Right now it's fun again to me and I'm looking forward to it. The moment it becomes taxing, burdensome or just plain boring, I'll probably step away again. But I'm going to do my best to ensure that doesn't happen.

Oh and that blogger meet up I had been planning just before my world turned upside down? It happened! The wonderful Cissa Fireheart and Mr. Shiny took over the planning while I'll handled the chaos in my life, and the very first NoVACon was born!



And now it's almost time for the next! NoVACon2012 will be Saturday, April 14. You can find all of the details on Cissa's site here. Hope you can join us!

Now I need to get some sleep after fixing this site up ALL NIGHT LONG. I have laundry to do, bags to back and some fun to have starting Sunday night (I'll be sure to blog all about it of course!). Hope you're as excited to have me back as I am to be back! :)

A Spectacular Christmas

I have a confession to make. I have never seen the Rockettes or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show before. After seeing both for the first time on Friday at Verizon Center in Washington DC, I learned what I'd missed out on and am now determined to make it a yearly tradition.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Arena Tour is fairly new, having debuted in 2008, but the show itself dates back to 1933. Two of the scenes from the original show are performed today: the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Living Nativity."





I, for one, was moved to tears by the latter and was happy to see a celebration of the true meaning of Christmas come to life before my eyes. I asked my 9-year-old daughter Natalie, who attended with me, what her favorite part of the show was and she said, "The way (The Rockettes) were able to do everything at the same time."





She was referring to their well-known precision, and she's right. From every little kick, to every little turn, their timing was perfect. But she was just as dazzled by the entire 90-minute performance as I was, waving at the dancing bears and laughing at the "boom" flag shot out of the cannon. At one point, Santa ran down the aisle in front of us and she practically jumped out of her seat.



The only thing better than the performance itself for me, was seeing her reaction as well as the children around me. Eyes were wide, jaws were open and there were tons of "oohs" and "ahhs" from the little ones in the crowd.

One fairly new number, "New York at Christmas," made me long for another visit to New York City. The scene features a tour bus with an LED screen backdrop that makes it appear as if the bus is driving through the city. It was so realistic that I just sat back and soaked it in as if I was there.



The special effects were even more dazzling than the backdrop, costumes and scenery. A few times during the show, huge explosions of "snow" are shot out over the crowd, and glitter falls from the ceiling to create a magical snowfall. Colored streamers were shot out at another point to the delight of the audience.





The show was helpful in answering one of the age-old questions children have about Santa: How can he be in more than one place at one time? So asks a boy by the name of Patrick, who doubts the existence of Santa, despite the faith of his younger brother Ben.

It is then that "Santa" tells Patrick that as things have gotten busier for him, he's had to find a way to be everywhere and does so through the use of magic. That brought us to a fabulous number with dancing Santa clones.



My little girl still believes so I know this number went a long way in putting any doubts she may have to rest. In fact, the entire show made our Christmas much more magical. Indeed...spectacular.



Many thanks to Verizon Center for making this review possible. For information on Verizon Center, including events and ticket information, click here.

For more information on Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, including tour dates and ticket information, click here.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Verizon Center

Tune in to my Twitter feed today at 4 p.m. EST, where I'll be bringing you live coverage of the Rockettes' Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Verizon Center in Washington DC.

I'll be posting a full review of the show here soon. Enjoy! :)

Weezer's December Raditude Shows Cancelled

I'm late posting this news, but in case you haven't heard, Weezer's lead singer Rivers Cuomo was hospitalized after a tour bus accident in New York Sunday morning.

According to Weezer's website, Rivers suffered a punctured lung and injuries to his spleen but is on the mend. His assistant, Sarah Kim, was also injured but has since been released from the hospital.

The December shows for their Raditude tour have been cancelled, including DC101's Festivus tomorrow that I had planned to cover. I'm not sure if that particular show will be rescheduled or not, but I will post details if it is.

Many prayers going out to Rivers and Sarah!

YOUR Voice Needed to Save Animals

IMPORTANT UPDATE/CORRECTION! I just received word from Kendra that Casey was actually rescued 5 minutes before he was to be put down!!!!!! (she had not been aware of this until just now) I cannot express enough to you how much joy this brings me!! But please remember the other dogs out there that aren't as fortunate as Casey when you read this post and please speak up for them. Thank you!
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A few weeks ago, I found out about a sweet dog by the name of Casey who was in need of being rescued:



Lukas and Kendra Jade Rossi had been working hard to get the word out about Casey (Kendra made the video above for him), and many others joined in, including myself. Pleas were made via Twitter, Facebook and other networks, and the Rossis even offered to cover Casey's adoption costs.

Unfortunately, no one came forward and Casey was put down (see update/correction above...Casey was actually rescued 5 minutes before being put down). I was so devastated that I vowed to do whatever I could to help keep this from happening to other dogs like him. No animal that happy, young and loving should have to be put down. It shouldn't have to happen to any animal...period.

Kendra and Lukas run a wonderful group called Rock Star Rescue and have gone above and beyond in trying to save these precious animals.



If that photo above cuts to your heart as much as it does mine, there is something you can do. Right now, there is a critical protest being planned for Saturday, November 21 in Los Angeles to demand a progressive, no-kill general manager for the city. The picket is being organized by Animal Defense League-Los Angeles, but you do NOT need to be a member to join in.

Here is what Kendra wanted to share with all of you about this important mission:

"The general manager of LA Services has big shoes to fill after Ed Boks, who created new relationships with the rescue organizations of Los Angeles. The new manager of LA Animal Services needs to maintain and improve those relationships in order to truly create a no-kill LA.

The city can't do it alone and should utilize those of us that are willing and able to help.

Thousands of happy, beautiful, healthy dogs and cats and even moms and babies die unneccesarily every week in the Los Angeles shelters every month because of lack of cooperation and education.

I believe that every living animal should have the right to live. And if we do not take care of them, and fight for them, who will?

We have a voice, we need to make it heard."

I couldn't agree more. If you'd like to make YOUR voice heard, visit KendraJadeOnline.com (second post down), and/or email rockstarrescue@aol.com for more information. Be sure to visit Rock Star Rescue as well for other ways you can help if you're not in the Los Angeles area.