cross country slumber party

i cheated.

the band was added to an east coast tour for a few weeks this month. when i heard about the dates i jokingly suggested to my mom that we go to new york for her birthday festivities. surprisingly, she agreed. so we flew across the states last week. (and how i cheated: i spent 4 bonus nights in close radius of my love.)

i hadn't travelled very far in a while, just a few road trips and hour flights home. so prior to, this trip seemed huge, and new york had almost become fictional. but now i know! it's there. i saw it with my own 2 eyes. mom and i ventured the streets, morning and night; it was a long 3 day visit in the big apple.

the guys played amazingly well too. i'm so proud of them.

the second half of our trip was spent in washington dc. 6 hour drive in the band van. another great show sans soundcheck. then a slumber party on my cousin's studio floor. i passed out quick. the night before that was a long one, dancing in brooklyn.

the last day of our trip we got to see all of the sites. i'd been to DC for a week in 8th grade, but it was very exciting to return knowing i was now on Obama territory. i suppose the whole country is Obama territory, but seeing the big black suburbans leaving the White House surrounded by cop cars -- it could have been him! -- that's DC. it's such a beautiful city, especially at night. and luckily, all of the satisfaction of seeing history and beauty together was topped off by one last snuggle sesh. ahh.. mushy mushy mush mush. i can't help it. night night.

when the dust settles.

last year when a group of friends was packing up to go to coachella, i remember sitting on E's bed watching and listening and wondering how i might like a 3 day festival in the desert heat. i've always loved going to live shows, so in that respect, it sounded amazing. on the flip side, the 105 degree weather and stories of exhaustion were really, very intimidating.

self proclaimed coachella experts had all forewarned me about the weekend. the necessity of having a good, strong group of friends, and a place with a shower and a comfy bed. they were right, and i guess this time around i'm thankful that i started planning so far in advance. i locked down a 2 bedroom condo just a short drive from the festival in october, and it was definitely helpful in the recuperation each night. at the end of every day i could feel the layer of dirt on my face, and i can't imagine trying to fall asleep that way. (people actually camp out there. crazy.) i like my bed and shower. that, and sunscreen. i drove back to los angeles on monday without a sunburn... or having lost anything (or anyone), and i'm pretty pleased about that.

so how was it?

it's one of those words can't describe things... day one i was very overwhelmed with the masses of people and huge stages and tents. the heat wasn't terrible. actually, we were too cold friday night to make it all the way through paul mccartney's set. (amazing, of course. yet, i didn't feel it until the beatles came on the radio early this week. my heart fluttered then at that moment -- holy crap. i've seen him. -- sometimes it just takes time.)

i think for a lot of people, coachella is an event of a weekend, or a party weekend, just something to do with music around. that's the vibe i got from a lot of people anyway. but for me, it was about the music. i didn't want to drink - partly because it was too hot - and partly because i thought i might get lost in a sea of people if i was drunk - but mostly because i just wanted to remember it all. i think party weekends are probably best saved for vegas. (also, i guess the only good drinks are in the VIP section, so until then.. i'll be sober. those fake margaritas were not good.)

so the highlights... for me, fleet foxes sang their way straight into my heart. i couldn't get enough of that set... i filled up my memory card with video... and even though i was watching it alone (we all got separated just prior to), i was so very happy and content. i'm listening to their album now actually. i'm kind of hooked.

jenny lewis was amazing. i've been a rilo kiley fan for about 5 years, so when she started singing silver lining, i almost had to hold back the tears. she's so good, and her music has been there through it all it seems.

other notes... i really enjoyed blitzen trapper. and beruit. i need to buy both of their stuff next. (there's really so much i need to get now). okkervil river made me smile. the yeah yeah yeahs were great as always. (i was annoyed, however, by the loud people next to me screaming at a my little pony toy. ugh.) lykke li... i was very excited to see her... and she put on a show.. in the hottest weather of the weekend. devendra was probably my biggest disappointment. sad face. i was expecting something more acoustic and hippie'd out. what i got was a bit of a loud rock show, with people waving their arms. i was confused too.

girl talk was one of the most fun moments of the weekend. we all got really hyper and started dancing around like we just didn't care. amazing.

i wasn't really into the main stage much. the cure sounded flawless, but they're really just too emo to watch. and the killers are just too big. too perfect. i was bored.

i'm sure i'm forgetting some others, but it was a really fun weekend overall. now it's back to the grind which always just leaves me daydreaming and listening to tunes in my ipod. and writing things here. and not getting anything else done. bad girl. more later.

these boots were made for dancing.

the boys have a show tonight! i'm so excited. also, it's been over a month since i've seen a fellow band play, and i'm looking forward to dancing up front with the rest. it should be a good one. two bands i've never seen before will be playing as well, and i've heard a lot of good things.

i'm wishing i had more time off of work so i could just lounge and listen to tunes. next week is coachella - my first time. i've got a condo reserved and a good group to experience it all with. now i just have to get rid of this cough that won't stop attacking me in the middle of the night. go away, cough. go away.

and so it is.

a car ride home.



talks of meetings. and decisions. and excitement.
good show. and fans. and admirers. a glance my way. a plunge.



talks.



satisfaction.



celebration.

one two three four

tonight is the last show at the silverlake lounge residency. the month went by extremely fast, but i suppose it was really only 4 weeks of fun. i'm excited to embrace what's left of it as soon as i get off work! i'm thinking, spandex pants, heels, and something fun and flowy on top. lots of drinks. lots of people. and lots of spinning in circles at the end of the night. penny lane style. dancing on confetti.

the weekend was a happy one. we went to a party on friday night -- a surprise birthday party which at first we thought might be awkward since no one knew anyone at the party -- but it was surprisingly (for us too! ha) super fun and laid back. good music. the apartment was decorated really well... cute and girly.. and the people were all very nice. plus, there was a full coffee table of snacks. that always wins me over.

saturday night was spent with friends and more friends crowded in and around a booth at cha cha lounge in silverlake. new friends. old friends. complete contentment.

please don't stop the music

i've got shows to potentially attend every night of this week. i love things to do in my calendar but sometimes its fun to have no plan at all... and that's my new theme of this month. just going with the flow and doing what makes me happy. it's working out fine, except that my energy and excitement for this new way of life is not giving me much sleep. oh well. i'd rather be living a crazy life in the city than snoozing all the time away. the tick tock tick tock is only haunting when there's nothing to do. now, i've found a rhythm.