Random Thoughts for the End of October
The end of the month of October brings with it several things … Halloween, the start of the Holiday season, too much junk food, and cooler weather. Have you ever wondered what the point of Halloween is?
Ok, so Halloween started as a ritual to ward off evil spirits and prevent your soul from being stolen. Now it is an excuse to party and dress up in silly costumes. Personally, I think we need more excuses to dress up and escape ourselves for a while… but then that’s why I go to sci-fi and fantasy conventions. Well, that and an excuse to go on vacation and hang out with friends.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween – almost as much as I love Christmas. I don’t know if it’s the costumes, the fall weather, the decorations, or just that I’m a big kid at heart but I love this time of year.
What I DON’T like about Halloween is the scary movies. I’ve never been into horror movies much unless they are comedies or just suspenseful rather than gory. It’s all good fun to watch The Addams Family, Young Frankenstein, or The Mummy, but I can’t stand even the thought of watching Halloween, Child’s Play or movies of that nature.
As for ghost hunting: I personally prefer not to provoke any spirits that might be around. I’ve got enough issues with life as it is without inviting any evil into my home, though I wouldn’t be too upset at a benign haunting.
Whatever your preferences for this fall season, I hope you have a Happy Halloween.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Foo Fighters concert SLC 2011
This week I need to talk about attending the Foo Fighters concert last Tuesday night at the Maverick Center in Salt Lake City, UT last Tuesday (Ok, technically it was West Valley City, but that's a suburb of SLC so ... close enough).
My experience with this concert was a little different than most as I won an awesome prize package from a 101.9 The End (in my opinion the best station on the SLC airwaves).
Winning Tickets:
I was listening to The End last Saturday and heard the DJ announce that tickets were up for grabs, so I thought I'd call in and try for them. Well, I won the pair of tickets which I think were for regular seats and immediately contacted my brother (nicknamed "Schwaboy") to see if he wanted to come. Imagine my surprise the following Monday when the morning DJs (Chunga and Tysen) announce my name as the winner of the big prize package. When I let my brother know that we also had a limo, dinner, and access to the suite at the concert he was just as floored as I was.
The Extras:
Arrangements were made for the limo to arrive at my home at 5:30 and take my brother & I downtown to P. F. Chang's and to the concert afterwards. Schwaboy arrives at my place just before the limo is scheduled to take us, and we climb into the car. Now I've never traveled "in style" like this before, but my brother travels a lot and to him it's old hat. I kick back in the rear seat and what does he do? Lays down for a 15 minute snooze. We eventually arrive at the downtown restaurant. What's funny here is that my brother lives downtown and the restaurant is within walking distance of his house.
We do the dinner thing which I pay for with a gift card that was part of the package, and then hop back in the limo for our ride to the concert. The limousine comes into the driveway and the driver says he's dropping off VIPs. How cool is that... I'm a VIP! It’ll probably never happen again.
Anyway, we pull up in front of the stadium right across from the radio station's tent and climb out. I wave over to the tent, and one of the guys (sorry, I forget his name) brings over two Foo Fighters t-shirts which were also part of the prize package. This is extremely cool as concert shirts are usually about $25 - $50 a pop. I’d have bought one anyway, but I’m glad I didn’t have to.
Next we climb up the steps to the mezzanine level and find our concert suite. The radio station hosted a party there, so we were hanging with the afternoon DJ at The End (Cuzzin Brad) as well as other winners of suite tickets. There is food in the suite also which is great for those who won the suite tickets, but of course Schwaboy & I are rather full after P. F. Chang’s
The Actual Concert:
The concert was advertised as a Foo Fighters concert with Cage the Elephant as the opening act. What I didn't expect when I arrived was a third band by the name of Mariachi Del Bronx. Mariachi Del Bronx? Come on!
At first I just sort of laughed at the name, but then I actually started to listen to the music. It was ... mariachi music. Not my favorite style of tune, but I have to admit that they were good. And let's face it; they'd have to be good to open for Cage the Elephant and for Foo Fighters.
After Mariachi finished there was a short break before Cage the Elephant was prepared to come on stage. As soon as they did, the lead singer (forgive me if I don't know his name) announced that their drummer had an appendicitis the previous night. They had a roadie come and play a couple of songs and then a guest drummer. Most of the audience was cheering when they saw who it was, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't recognize the name or the face of the guest drummer. I could tell he was famous by the reaction of the crowd. Yeah... it was Dave Grohl - lead singer of the Foo Fighters (and former drummer for Nirvana).
Here's the thing with me ... I know the songs and bands I like, but I don't always know the names of the band members.
Anyway, Dave played drums for a few Cage the Elephant songs. Cage was good, but I've decided that they sound better on the radio than live. Don't get me wrong - the band has lots of energy and some very awesome songs. I just think they need a little more touring experience.
Another break before Foo Fighters comes on. (I'm guessing Dave needed a break as well as the band stage handlers needing to get the equipment on stage.) Can I just say that the Foos were AWESOME! They played several of their popular songs before going off stage. Then Dave Grohl came out to do a set of acoustic songs for the encore before being joined by the rest of the band.
By the end of the night I was tired and my ears were ringing (as they must do after attending a rock concert), but I had a blast. Then the limo ride home and finally it was time to pass out before having to work the next morning.
Maybe I should have tried to take the next day off of work…
My experience with this concert was a little different than most as I won an awesome prize package from a 101.9 The End (in my opinion the best station on the SLC airwaves).
Winning Tickets:
I was listening to The End last Saturday and heard the DJ announce that tickets were up for grabs, so I thought I'd call in and try for them. Well, I won the pair of tickets which I think were for regular seats and immediately contacted my brother (nicknamed "Schwaboy") to see if he wanted to come. Imagine my surprise the following Monday when the morning DJs (Chunga and Tysen) announce my name as the winner of the big prize package. When I let my brother know that we also had a limo, dinner, and access to the suite at the concert he was just as floored as I was.
The Extras:
Arrangements were made for the limo to arrive at my home at 5:30 and take my brother & I downtown to P. F. Chang's and to the concert afterwards. Schwaboy arrives at my place just before the limo is scheduled to take us, and we climb into the car. Now I've never traveled "in style" like this before, but my brother travels a lot and to him it's old hat. I kick back in the rear seat and what does he do? Lays down for a 15 minute snooze. We eventually arrive at the downtown restaurant. What's funny here is that my brother lives downtown and the restaurant is within walking distance of his house.
We do the dinner thing which I pay for with a gift card that was part of the package, and then hop back in the limo for our ride to the concert. The limousine comes into the driveway and the driver says he's dropping off VIPs. How cool is that... I'm a VIP! It’ll probably never happen again.
Anyway, we pull up in front of the stadium right across from the radio station's tent and climb out. I wave over to the tent, and one of the guys (sorry, I forget his name) brings over two Foo Fighters t-shirts which were also part of the prize package. This is extremely cool as concert shirts are usually about $25 - $50 a pop. I’d have bought one anyway, but I’m glad I didn’t have to.
Next we climb up the steps to the mezzanine level and find our concert suite. The radio station hosted a party there, so we were hanging with the afternoon DJ at The End (Cuzzin Brad) as well as other winners of suite tickets. There is food in the suite also which is great for those who won the suite tickets, but of course Schwaboy & I are rather full after P. F. Chang’s
The Actual Concert:
The concert was advertised as a Foo Fighters concert with Cage the Elephant as the opening act. What I didn't expect when I arrived was a third band by the name of Mariachi Del Bronx. Mariachi Del Bronx? Come on!
At first I just sort of laughed at the name, but then I actually started to listen to the music. It was ... mariachi music. Not my favorite style of tune, but I have to admit that they were good. And let's face it; they'd have to be good to open for Cage the Elephant and for Foo Fighters.
After Mariachi finished there was a short break before Cage the Elephant was prepared to come on stage. As soon as they did, the lead singer (forgive me if I don't know his name) announced that their drummer had an appendicitis the previous night. They had a roadie come and play a couple of songs and then a guest drummer. Most of the audience was cheering when they saw who it was, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't recognize the name or the face of the guest drummer. I could tell he was famous by the reaction of the crowd. Yeah... it was Dave Grohl - lead singer of the Foo Fighters (and former drummer for Nirvana).
Here's the thing with me ... I know the songs and bands I like, but I don't always know the names of the band members.
Anyway, Dave played drums for a few Cage the Elephant songs. Cage was good, but I've decided that they sound better on the radio than live. Don't get me wrong - the band has lots of energy and some very awesome songs. I just think they need a little more touring experience.
Another break before Foo Fighters comes on. (I'm guessing Dave needed a break as well as the band stage handlers needing to get the equipment on stage.) Can I just say that the Foos were AWESOME! They played several of their popular songs before going off stage. Then Dave Grohl came out to do a set of acoustic songs for the encore before being joined by the rest of the band.
By the end of the night I was tired and my ears were ringing (as they must do after attending a rock concert), but I had a blast. Then the limo ride home and finally it was time to pass out before having to work the next morning.
Maybe I should have tried to take the next day off of work…
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Here I go again
I haven't actually blogged anything in several years, and I thought I should start again. The goal is to blog about once per week. Let's see how I do.
So ... this post is to announce that I'm blogging again and the next one will be my first "real" post.
So ... this post is to announce that I'm blogging again and the next one will be my first "real" post.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Graduation!
It seems like it's taken forever, but I have finally completed everything I need for my Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration (with an E-Business focus).
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Kaplan University Online, and hope that all of my professors and classmates have the best of luck in the future.
Thank you to everyone who has made this possible, including my wonderful husband George and all my friends.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Kaplan University Online, and hope that all of my professors and classmates have the best of luck in the future.
Thank you to everyone who has made this possible, including my wonderful husband George and all my friends.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Reddiculously fun Mountain-Con 4 (i.e. "Saturday's report")
Here's something cool from Mountain-Con 4's second day (Saturday Sept. 20, 2008)...
Several clubs tend to throw what is known as a "room party" at conventions. The idea is to have a fun, relaxed atmosphere in which to meet the club. Our Artist Guest of Honor, Mr. David Reddick (of The Trek Life, Legend of Bill and others) came to a room party I attended. Also attending was Mr. Carl Stark of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga ... a long time Star Trek fan. For those that follow The Trek Life you will understand when I say that our convention's Carl purchased a caricature of himself meeting David's "Carl". (See below.)
The little girl looking up at Mr. Reddick is Carl's daughter Aurora. Although the pose with David and Carl was planned, Aurora's participation was not ... and that is what makes this a GREAT photo. (Cute, isn't she?)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Report on Mountain-Con 4
It's Sunday evening after the convention, and all the staff are either cleaning up those last pesky stains...um, leftovers of convention life, traveling home, or passed out from exhaustion.
I wanted to share something cool that happened on our first day ...
Friday (Sept. 19, 2008) at the Davis Conference Center saw not only Mountain-Con 4, but Hill Air Force Base's annual ball ... a very formal affair. Several soldiers and officers were staying at the connected Hilton Garden Inn/Layton and had to travel through Mountain-Con to get to their own event...and several were interested in attending Mountain-Con.
Here's what's REALLY cool about Friday ...
Pictured here are several personnel stationed at Hill AFB. They are (in no particular order): SrA Eric Alexander, SrA Shawnya Alexander, SSgt LaDonna Gardner, Tsgt Erick Gardner, MSgt Tina M. Samaniego, AlC Matthew Tsarj, Amn Aaron Sabin, SSgt Glenn Jajliardo, and Tsgt Marcul Demil.
(My apologies if I have misspelled any of these names.)
Perhaps you should see the wider view of this picture:
Air Force personnel under a Stargate. How cool is that?
More reports about Mountain-Con 4 later.
It has been a lot of fun (and a lot of work), and we are looking forward to Mountain-Con 5.
I wanted to share something cool that happened on our first day ...
Friday (Sept. 19, 2008) at the Davis Conference Center saw not only Mountain-Con 4, but Hill Air Force Base's annual ball ... a very formal affair. Several soldiers and officers were staying at the connected Hilton Garden Inn/Layton and had to travel through Mountain-Con to get to their own event...and several were interested in attending Mountain-Con.
Here's what's REALLY cool about Friday ...
Pictured here are several personnel stationed at Hill AFB. They are (in no particular order): SrA Eric Alexander, SrA Shawnya Alexander, SSgt LaDonna Gardner, Tsgt Erick Gardner, MSgt Tina M. Samaniego, AlC Matthew Tsarj, Amn Aaron Sabin, SSgt Glenn Jajliardo, and Tsgt Marcul Demil.
(My apologies if I have misspelled any of these names.)
Perhaps you should see the wider view of this picture:
Air Force personnel under a Stargate. How cool is that?More reports about Mountain-Con 4 later.
It has been a lot of fun (and a lot of work), and we are looking forward to Mountain-Con 5.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Reason #26 to attend Mountain-Con: It's STILL that cool! (Because of you)
Reason #26 to attend Mountain-Con: It's STILL that cool! (Because of You)
As we said at the beginning of these "Reasons", Mountain-Con is just that COOL ... and it still is. The reason behind Mountain-Con's cool-ness? YOU!
Conventions such as Mountain-Con are just more fun when more people attend. In our four years of doing conventions we have seen our membership grow from just about 150 attendees (for our first, one-day only convention) to over 500 (last year).
Mountain-Con was started by a group of fans that wanted to share their fandom with like-minded people. The greatest thing about this whole adventure is that the more people that attend the convention, the greater the diversity and the greater the possibility that you (or I) will find a new fandom to fall in love with.
So spread the word, get your friends to share the gas & hotel room, and join us tomorrow (we already know you're coming). Who knows... you might just find yourself on the following podcasts:
- Brandon Sanderson (Mountain-Con guest)
- Kerry Jackson (X-96 DJ & Mountain-Con Emcee)
- I-Sci-Fi (Mountain-Con supporter since before it existed)
... and to quote one of our regular attendees from Wyoming, "Because you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don't come! Mwha ha ha!"
Note: Mountain-Con wishes to thank Mr. Kevin Sorbo and Mr. Mark Goddard for sending autographed photos for us to sell at Mountain-Con this year, even though they were unable to attend.
Final recap:
Reason #1 to attend Mountain-Con: "Because it's just that COOL!"
Reason #2 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Sanderson
Reason #3 to attend Mountain-Con: KidCon
Reason #4 to attend Mountain-Con: "Location, location, location!"
Reason #5 to attend Mountain-Con: Kevin Sorbo*
Reason #6 to attend Mountain-Con: Cool props
Reason #7 to attend Mountain-Con: Club Fahrenheit 451
Reason #8 to attend Mountain-Con: Sarah Douglas
Reason #9 to attend Mountain-Con: Star Trek: Of Gods and Men
Reason #10 to attend Mountain-Con: "We are YOUR people!"
Reason #11 to attend Mountain-Con: Herb Jefferson Jr.
Reason #12 to attend Mountain-Con: Banquet with the Stars
Reason #13 to attend Mountain-Con: Fan Film Festival
Reason #14 to attend Mountain-Con: "Starfleet Academy" classes at the Wasatch Campus
Reason #15 to attend Mountain-Con: Costume Contest & Masquerade
Reason #16 to attend Mountain-Con: Brandon Mull
Reason #17 to attend Mountain-Con: Mark Goddard*
Reason #18 to attend Mountain-Con: Richard Herd
Reason #19 to attend Mountain-Con: Scott Schwartz
Reason #20 to attend Mountain-Con: Victor Brandt
Reason #21 to attend Mountain-Con: SHINY! (New Stuff)
Reason #22 to attend Mountain-Con: David Reddick
Reason #23 to attend Mountain-Con: Penny Johnson Jerald
Reason #24 to attend Mountain-Con: Klingons and Hobbits and Pirates, Oh My!
Reason #25 to attend Mountain-Con: Local guests and Friendships (old & new)
Reason #26 to attend Mountain-Con: It's STILL that cool! (Because of You)
* Due to professional commitments, Mr. Kevin Sorbo is no longer able to attend Mountain-Con. Also, Mr. Mark Goddard has a personal conflict with our convention dates.
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