We use data to analyze and improve many areas of our professional lives, why not our personal lives? This rating system encourages comparison and communication, all in the spirit of noticing, and living for, the tens!
As if you haven’t had enough ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ recently, Glee decided to do their own version this week. I’m pretty sure their writers read my blog. Just saying.
And while I was told to immediately watch the show, I decided to just go with the YouTube version.
GLEE’S VERSION OF TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART: 9
I’m not sure exactly who ‘needed who tonight’, as there were dramatic love glances everywhere, I can confidently say it’s the best vocal version of the song I’ve ever heard.
-1: There’s something to be said for the raspiness of Bonnie Tyler’s voice, and that’s missing here… but otherwise it’s INCREDIBLE!
Last night Laura, Scott and I headed to Tyler’s Taproom downtown after climbing, enjoying some beautifully warm weather and delicious foods. That is, until a thunderstorm began approaching, and striking everything in sight. For someone who is scared to death of thunderstorms, this doesn’t exactly make for a relaxing end to a meal. However, plus 2 since we didn’t get hit
DINNERTIME THUNDERSTORMS: 2
While this isn’t actually a photo I took, it might as well have been. Seriously, lightning striking EVERYWHERE.
Laura and I then headed down to Broad Street Cafe to see Ted Dreis and Alex Wilkins (of Tripp). Ted was up first, and really enjoyed the intro to yet another fabulous local musician in the triangle. Seriously, this place is amazing. Interesting lyrics, but fun sound, especially when he was playing guitar and harmonica at the same time
Then Alex was up, and unfortunately it was already getting late and we only stayed for a couple songs. HOWEVER, pleasantly surprised with this…
ALEX FINALLY SINGING MY MASON JENNINGS REQUEST: 10
While it took about 8 months, I finally got my Mason Jennings request. And you gotta give him some credit, considering as of my first request he had no idea who Mason was.
And Alex, don’t think this 10 is just because you asked for it…
MURPHY’S ATTEMPTS TO SHOW ME HE’S BORED: 4
It started with a ziploc bag torn to pieces, then turned to a cardboard box, and finally when it got to this I knew it was time to put my work aside and take him for a run. While annoying, and surprisingly difficult to clean up, it does force me to enjoy the nice weather Plus, I suppose dog’s need to communicate somehow, and Murph has definitely figured out what’s effective in getting what he wants… Plus, I can’t help but laugh.
I-40 WEST AT NIGHT: 3. I had no idea how much construction was going on at night on 40 West. I suppose before I started going to school at NC State I had very little reason to ever be driving home that direction. Now that I do go to school there, and am beginning to enjoy different parts of the area after class, I am frequently finding myself stuck in the traffic. Obviously this is below a 5, but I must say it usually takes less time than I think, and now that I’m used to that I don’t get so frustrated by it. Plus, last night I had some brilliant new music to keep me entertained. Check it out (not the Brandi Carlile version I was listening to, but this one’s pretty great too…):
I rate this song a 10. Seriously incredible.
MAD HATTER’S HOT TEA: 6.
Now that I no longer have an office, but have a lot of work to get done on a daily basis, I find myself returning to the local coffee shops. I have my main office at the Panera in the Southpoint Mall, but occasionally visit my satellite offices at Weaver Street, Panera on 15-501, and Mad Hatters in Durham. At each I feel pretty guilty if I don’t order something, so I usually end up with a hot tea (serves a dual purpose, as it’s often freezing in most of these places). Weaver Street is by far the cheapest at $1.02, Panera’s next at $1.70, and Mad Hatters is by far the most expensive at $2.60something. BUT, they do have silk tea bags and a ton of choices. Plus, the giant cups like on Friends (which I always find oddly comforting). So that being said, despite the cost, the actual tea is growing on me…
FAT TIRE’S TAKEOVER OF THE TRIANGLE: 9.
I was first introduced to Fat Tire last year by Paul, and since I have had the pleasure of enjoying it many different places. Fat Tire is a beer brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company, located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It’s an Amber Ale that apparently is well-loved here in North Carolina, since it’s arrival in the spring. I can confidently make this statement based off of two things. 1) Popularity among my friends, and 2) the ever-increasing abundance of purple Fat Tire trucks everywhere I go. Seriously. I’ve been collecting these photos for some time, and can honestly say I’ve missed 3-5 shots in addition to these. The trucks are EVERYWHERE. Start playing the game and you’ll notice it too.
-1 because the trucks are huge and often in the way.
Headed to a corn maze scavenger hunt tonight (seriously, how could that NOT be incredible?), so until next time, just living for the tens
This weekend was full of musical brilliance! While I’ve always known how much I loved any kind of live music, this weekend helped me narrow down what I love in concerts See ratings below…
Better Than Ezra: 6
Friday night a group of us headed down to Raleigh for the last in their free (!) outdoor concert series, Downtown Live. Better than Ezra was playing, which meant little to me, but clearly a lot to Lauren. I recognized the name, but I suppose this is another band that fell victim to my time spent in Japan, as I couldn’t name a single song. I was assured that I would recognize far more songs than I thought, but alas, I recognized none. The good news is, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all
The lead singer clearly enjoyed being on stage, which made me enjoy watching. I love someone with great stage presence, especially when they can joke around and have fun, and these guys sure did. He sounded a bit off the first couple of songs, but got it together later. Either way his personality far made up for it.
-1 for the rain (I would take off more, but to be honest I had a rain jacket and a giant umbrella, so I never ended up that wet)
-1 because I didn’t know any of the words (or songs really)
-1 for the back pain. When I used to return to the classroom after long breaks, the first week back I always had the worst back pain (I swear it’s not a sign of getting old), and that’s exactly what it felt like for the last half.
-1 for the scary crowd surfing. I had no idea I was such a baby, but as soon as people started crowd surfing I got really scared. Because of all the rain the crowd wasn’t very dense, and it scared the crap out of me that someone would smack me in the face, or worse that they’d head my way and I’d totally drop them. Narrowly missed several times but made it out alive.
Overall I enjoyed being introduced to a great new band, and I loved the company so it was definitely a great use of a Saturday night Check them out…
Of A Revolution (OAR): 8.5
The next night some fabulous friends of mine hooked me up with tickets to see OAR. Another band I’ve definitely heard OF, but hadn’t ever really heard any of their music. Until last night
We started the evening with a fabulous tailgate (thanks to Claud), which was the best idea ever. I’ve only tailgated once in my life before (I know, can you believe it?!), and it was for a UNC football game two years ago. The idea of tailgating for a concert seemed brilliant. Even better news is that it was a vegetarian tailgate. Put together Greg’s homemade wheat bread, Rachel’s fabulous taste in cheeses, Bill’s INCREDIBLE guacamole (coming from someone who makes pretty good guac herself!), fruit salad and some brownies to finish it off, this was a pretty satisfying dinner. Plus, we had Bill’s pick-up, so it truly was a tailgate.
If this is a preview of NC State tailgates to come, I CAN’T WAIT!
On the way in we passed by this porta-bar. I’m loving it. What a brilliant idea! They turned an old pop-up camper into a portable bar that they can easily park in parking lots during tailgates. It even appeared they were making frozen drinks! I want to rate it a 10, but I’m not sure what the prices were, so it’s hard to say. There was also a table set up right there with flip cup goign on. If they brought that with them, they’re brilliant. Imagine selling beer at a tailgate with flip cup games going on right there. They must make a fortune!
We then headed into the concert, which was held at Koka Booth Ampitheatre. I LOVE THIS PLACE. I saw the Fray here two years ago, and enjoyed a wine festival on my birthday that year as well with Kim. It’s outside, surrounded by trees, with space to stand in front, a huge grass lawn to set up blankets and chairs, and a lot of places selling food and quality beer in the back. Moral of the story= I didn’t have to stand at all. I couldn’t have been more pleased
On top of that, the weather was BEAUTIFUL. We set up our stuff on the lawn, Rachel, Caroline, Claud and Greg headed up front, and BIll and I relaxed in the back. You could hear the music, see most everything, and even chat, which is unusual for a concert. Seriously folks, if you’ve never seen a concert here you need to. Immediately. Even if you live far away.
The only things I would take points off for would -1 for not being able to sing along to any of the songs (but honestly, loving the fact that I was introduced to an awesome new band), and .5 for having to miss a framily dinner. Overall though, AWESOME concert.
ENCORES: 1
Seriously my least favorite part of concerts. In fact, I find them to be RIDICULOUS. Let’s pretend like we’re done, leave the stage, and then wait backstage for the predetermined amount of time and decide to head back out, regardless of how much clapping or chanting exists, and play some more.
So they’re in one of two situations. 1) Fishing for compliments, by leaving just so they can hear how much they’re wanted, or 2) Looking pathetic when they leave and the audience starts to leave (not their plan), but they clearly still have to come back on, and must feel pretty stupid.
Give up on the ridiculous encore and just play an extra half hour. Everyone will love you more if you’re just real about how long you’re going to play.
