tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15587049982993943282024-02-19T03:33:15.810-08:00Zaftig ZendikNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-85525592518061398052023-03-09T18:28:00.000-08:002023-03-09T18:28:13.502-08:00Muse melts faces, and maybe some snow at Target Center<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT6DHg9NxkFSPqHw9Y1QOO737n8nKEr8rpG-ork7g8wgIVdrG0b-Yg55qRdBthjVaob9fiXYK0U2nRul3wK0gvIaRS4wXOutLHPVles6pL_37e_LxhC_E2I2YSa1mTcFm3LiY0B6VoSQ401RJrSealyyp1OVcG36yIhA4xYoD3GyUsTeQ7X8ygRhplQ/s1802/334003464_2432474916921797_2516194836916616437_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1802" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsT6DHg9NxkFSPqHw9Y1QOO737n8nKEr8rpG-ork7g8wgIVdrG0b-Yg55qRdBthjVaob9fiXYK0U2nRul3wK0gvIaRS4wXOutLHPVles6pL_37e_LxhC_E2I2YSa1mTcFm3LiY0B6VoSQ401RJrSealyyp1OVcG36yIhA4xYoD3GyUsTeQ7X8ygRhplQ/w640-h348/334003464_2432474916921797_2516194836916616437_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Muse finally returned for a show in Minneapolis after nearly 10 years! For once I missed the Chicago show on this tour as it was the night before, and I did not trust February weather in the Midwest. As it was, Mother Nature got a blizzard out of the way a few days before the show, just barely allowing my braver friends to make the road trip there and back overnight. <br /><br />Target Center has generally been awesome for indoor queueing, but after a 10 year gap, I thought it would be good to check in with the staff. It turned out to be all new people, but they were great and took good care of us. I could only have wished for bathroom access in the building, but the way it's set up would make that a security problem. So when Kelsy arrived in town the day before, I chose Kieran's for lunch partly to scope out the bathroom situation. It was no sacrifice as the fish & chips were divine. <br /><br />Most of us agreed to start the queue at 8 am, and within an hour the Chicago crew arrived. They said it was really nice driving, no semis! I was number 12, right behind Melodie who drove up from Iowa the night before. At 10 am when Kieran's opened, this old lady made a mad dash over, then had an omelet while chatting with the bartender. He and the other staff did seem surprised that there were dozens of people queuing for Muse already. For a while the queue was not that big, but more people arrived mid-afternoon.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWg8Z7TxljAaXwNI-vzS9NxjMvd7oUbSyqg6VPncb3jL8L8g_d-Qjc7719s3kyUEdBQ8eTEMFEIcuHRvL95-JbwRZojkSgrK_Ds_4a-vrUfa1Vj_9p-_Cr9ctFnjg6Hj1zYmYGnj3cFi7bxzccIqy-yjgU_WP5zZuy7sVFY0u9E5iiUUEhNb8UM5N-g/s3324/IMG_20230226_171224253_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3324" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWg8Z7TxljAaXwNI-vzS9NxjMvd7oUbSyqg6VPncb3jL8L8g_d-Qjc7719s3kyUEdBQ8eTEMFEIcuHRvL95-JbwRZojkSgrK_Ds_4a-vrUfa1Vj_9p-_Cr9ctFnjg6Hj1zYmYGnj3cFi7bxzccIqy-yjgU_WP5zZuy7sVFY0u9E5iiUUEhNb8UM5N-g/w361-h400/IMG_20230226_171224253_HDR.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queuing<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It seemed every time my staff contacts came to check on us, I was making a bathroom run! I probably did more than most given my age, wasn't sure I should even be attempting barrier, but being able to see Matt up close is powerful motivation, plus I had a pair of socks for him again. đ There was a sound check delay after doors, so some people started making quick runs for merch. I finally went for it as well, and of course they let us in at that moment. I hustled to the barrier, knowing Mel would hold a spot, went to the wrong side first, but caught up with her on Matt's side. Then I did the wide stance so she could do a merch run. It really was quite orderly and pleasant though, My crew all got good spots. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPpAolDKHkRAATowSLTtP2gKnW_x_XBS_jXHsQIJZ85NthLiPOsTIaCFO96fRaLuPz8KdL7fGvQhiFux5xemjlHZHXO92WCqX-PLYDzQ8Yi3VM47RKOZX2KcH8XoTMvVCUgdA1OTQxH33SYIAw1y43N_9o494hmWPJeXqB7gTSBlF1XgFoxwJWa8azQ/s3685/IMG_20230226_181043782_HDR.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3685" data-original-width="2753" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPpAolDKHkRAATowSLTtP2gKnW_x_XBS_jXHsQIJZ85NthLiPOsTIaCFO96fRaLuPz8KdL7fGvQhiFux5xemjlHZHXO92WCqX-PLYDzQ8Yi3VM47RKOZX2KcH8XoTMvVCUgdA1OTQxH33SYIAw1y43N_9o494hmWPJeXqB7gTSBlF1XgFoxwJWa8azQ/s320/IMG_20230226_181043782_HDR.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt side barrier babes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kZCi2pkBOWfDOia84ru9inpzuvFlltkcL65ZG8vZo7zCwtEFrtpjVF2B6NUPs_lKuogRrX00mOgvVdfkpRiR2UAZgfJaAKbvmPs3VImACgc45JDhJn6egsIkP-v3ePqKv7T3eCCL0ZJozmXfWMhN7GGRyTwM0G91eOpY0n5W1fKqn4woUF2AkqMdyA/s2048/Lisa%201.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kZCi2pkBOWfDOia84ru9inpzuvFlltkcL65ZG8vZo7zCwtEFrtpjVF2B6NUPs_lKuogRrX00mOgvVdfkpRiR2UAZgfJaAKbvmPs3VImACgc45JDhJn6egsIkP-v3ePqKv7T3eCCL0ZJozmXfWMhN7GGRyTwM0G91eOpY0n5W1fKqn4woUF2AkqMdyA/w400-h300/Lisa%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris' side, photo by Lisa Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72Mgg5-0iU8dbUTaVqkZkp8BK2TVXOFDVuBQXdX9wRd2qUBW-wuUCEluI8jWtyRfhCxEzYudUHb74-fVPT2IR8qTuU1HnbDBnFC-63L1cuUrdwfY-dhtQFUvccZSKJQPmTU1zLSrJFLiYUojXY_7mpGTaOog0vzB_8YqQcRL5mlO4IyR6tloeQIKeNQ/s2048/Lisa%201.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-8yMQDzTcOpQ8Opba5xIJEmNfSS1c-oTaIiPmsC0-sOzYSzjKJ14L2ZyInA1BizigecpUeRyoATLZSLLFwJBQoX_Cm3oljiaamf_76944_shSPspjnDOR0TYhatmOYLm7T_CviXRhxuhV4gQFVxxjD63qKvSkb6SMJlfHZpSaUS8JV-rOAp4wceog/s2909/IMG_20230227_011428299_HDR.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2909" data-original-width="2850" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-8yMQDzTcOpQ8Opba5xIJEmNfSS1c-oTaIiPmsC0-sOzYSzjKJ14L2ZyInA1BizigecpUeRyoATLZSLLFwJBQoX_Cm3oljiaamf_76944_shSPspjnDOR0TYhatmOYLm7T_CviXRhxuhV4gQFVxxjD63qKvSkb6SMJlfHZpSaUS8JV-rOAp4wceog/w196-h200/IMG_20230227_011428299_HDR.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Circle of Death for Madness this time<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>One OK Rock from Japan was the first opener, and a nice surprise. Apparently they are huge in Japan, and I can see why, very talented, real rock musicians that had a good blend of classic rock and modern influences. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7wBjKyOtLcWr6p2EtJVSREv-H8UGKHBi9AklJz-GbJ5hV84GmagL91JTr6FuGztJnP-fZdIolDQC5tCY7fYVwRJaHCIeFQKC-n4KQK9wB_-Gk6vYndgTGLhZbAUNVkYfwfU-BlykOmn7m7HJke6rL-hGCie230f92fbqRHt5wxP1P7Z6ZeLEvqvw4w/s2913/IMG_20230226_183456463.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2913" data-original-width="2728" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7wBjKyOtLcWr6p2EtJVSREv-H8UGKHBi9AklJz-GbJ5hV84GmagL91JTr6FuGztJnP-fZdIolDQC5tCY7fYVwRJaHCIeFQKC-n4KQK9wB_-Gk6vYndgTGLhZbAUNVkYfwfU-BlykOmn7m7HJke6rL-hGCie230f92fbqRHt5wxP1P7Z6ZeLEvqvw4w/s320/IMG_20230226_183456463.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One OK Rock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Evanescence was up next. I was familiar with their earlier work but had not really followed them. Amy Lee s voice was as beautiful and powerful as ever, but sadly drowned out in the mix by over-heavy drums. It was bad enough to be physically uncomfortable from where I was, so I just tried to endure until it was time for Muse. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZAFWlnMiAGuwZNaoMwqJhz-f7cby4qQWPOoRhS7r_xV4BoWxYyYAWE90Tet-wOS8wavbG2i9TYZimd9PEsOwoxkJcYnFiGGuDXA_EEO6fqOAACxb-HmYsISIWzy0JVbKR3c-Z2goTlf0xzIYkPFT2rzpN0t8aPL5gXlvS3KffXM2FGcM8ZKJUnOeqA/s3580/IMG_20230226_193435933.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="2685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZAFWlnMiAGuwZNaoMwqJhz-f7cby4qQWPOoRhS7r_xV4BoWxYyYAWE90Tet-wOS8wavbG2i9TYZimd9PEsOwoxkJcYnFiGGuDXA_EEO6fqOAACxb-HmYsISIWzy0JVbKR3c-Z2goTlf0xzIYkPFT2rzpN0t8aPL5gXlvS3KffXM2FGcM8ZKJUnOeqA/w240-h320/IMG_20230226_193435933.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy Lee<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfZrtZPtRRZZ8s4AiMsFzwpmq5h5rSyXneTsuKGsLS5tg-IRNohNzKVZP4dBfsKqrvxx92eTetnoYqZfpXfJ72FRnI2a5Yt1SeAbHphIntgegYYXan_Z-uHz1kEiHmYIeLGX03kKqxx1wgILtJ0H-5eIa_CEYkk4MwIWg0N_j8d1TAF4XHT9uQ-q27g/s4000/IMG_20230226_194553350_HDR.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfZrtZPtRRZZ8s4AiMsFzwpmq5h5rSyXneTsuKGsLS5tg-IRNohNzKVZP4dBfsKqrvxx92eTetnoYqZfpXfJ72FRnI2a5Yt1SeAbHphIntgegYYXan_Z-uHz1kEiHmYIeLGX03kKqxx1wgILtJ0H-5eIa_CEYkk4MwIWg0N_j8d1TAF4XHT9uQ-q27g/s320/IMG_20230226_194553350_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evanescence <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Those of us who had queued all day tried to stretch our backs during the break, thankfully it wasn't too long, and once Muse was on the stage I got my usual energy boost, and didn't entirely remember I had a cranky knee. There was pyro for the opening song. Will of the People, and it seemed like every 3 songs or so after that! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXM782BnA1pusEDnier0HgaqoTKUNt0YU5qu1TO2RMQTodw0J8SxT8kwRLYOUhcfrIuxRDwnEi7tvd9JEAnOA5ZjJ2DwDiiWgTWbw5zf1JAluhZQZRfrofyfAfNLDm1Rpw4FzGmHcExrzimsKe4jkIPunIbHMYVx1esdHMmndV71lPq94vQGd0LIEuQ/s1716/IMG_20230226_210954064_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="1716" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXM782BnA1pusEDnier0HgaqoTKUNt0YU5qu1TO2RMQTodw0J8SxT8kwRLYOUhcfrIuxRDwnEi7tvd9JEAnOA5ZjJ2DwDiiWgTWbw5zf1JAluhZQZRfrofyfAfNLDm1Rpw4FzGmHcExrzimsKe4jkIPunIbHMYVx1esdHMmndV71lPq94vQGd0LIEuQ/w400-h379/IMG_20230226_210954064_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's WOTPING Time!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I thought I might get some good photos of Dom for a change, but that cymbal was in my way, luckily others captured "arm porn" , he did not keep that jacket on for long!<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4DhF-k-dXqD0IDJn0XAS-BLh2r3IkA21P3_yXrdGPlXUNSgk9PPfZIvz9UvyB_pnwDK1OLCoi4714FgbmRKyBzzQcnvtyZQqrphiQwNjXAoa_S-es7uuXo2w0oZhninRNi2wskB4TBEcGa9D-2WmR7waqqzkd2jswT5GwL_5_iiNUoS-5aH0IRxGDQ/s2048/Lisa%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4DhF-k-dXqD0IDJn0XAS-BLh2r3IkA21P3_yXrdGPlXUNSgk9PPfZIvz9UvyB_pnwDK1OLCoi4714FgbmRKyBzzQcnvtyZQqrphiQwNjXAoa_S-es7uuXo2w0oZhninRNi2wskB4TBEcGa9D-2WmR7waqqzkd2jswT5GwL_5_iiNUoS-5aH0IRxGDQ/s320/Lisa%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dom, photo by Lisa Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of my old favs, Map of the Problematique , returned to the set list with a bonus outro from our own Prince's Sign O the Times. The person who posted this must have been about 3 people away from me. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a_NU9sPpxTQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="a_NU9sPpxTQ"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /><br />My cover photo for this post is a screencap from Compliance which came fairly early in the set, and now includes streamers. Lisa caught that moment.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEgjFDvxJpjLN_7Vrc7ydWcDjW3Lh6frIp6eJHgM6CBbyac1sJ4vJxB4nIrpPtwAtqD_oJ7KDMHsxLcc-S-R9LJh9pJFGavcS1028VoHDhwO4CVhSboqrA2PqE-xWmiNW3VPGdgWv-osCGxaUFFuS9Pn7Exy4nhUlvpRGjl8D6OFYxcebiWJzS1WEwA/s2048/Lisa%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEgjFDvxJpjLN_7Vrc7ydWcDjW3Lh6frIp6eJHgM6CBbyac1sJ4vJxB4nIrpPtwAtqD_oJ7KDMHsxLcc-S-R9LJh9pJFGavcS1028VoHDhwO4CVhSboqrA2PqE-xWmiNW3VPGdgWv-osCGxaUFFuS9Pn7Exy4nhUlvpRGjl8D6OFYxcebiWJzS1WEwA/w300-h400/Lisa%203.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt welcomes streamers during Compliance, photo by Lisa Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Many of us were looking forward to hearing Verona live, they debuted it the night before, it was beautiful and moving and maybe it wouldn't have mattered if Matt didn't hit all the high notes, but he did, perfectly. <br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENAYDVcyZZxI-aqcmiBc2NruhcoVmhSSOSPgp9ptyusO-XLdUaddNsTm5aXmsC4SO2QcB1taGhWGNVzUHyt6ARQW-Dc3nfmNiQLauHI_BL38gTOxaIzkhxZ5or35CmrsiW33HksVyxbMTwInFHOMdWb6CxDjmTG1ESdZVPICc0hSsbjtUzC3_owfxIA/s914/Verona%20capture.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENAYDVcyZZxI-aqcmiBc2NruhcoVmhSSOSPgp9ptyusO-XLdUaddNsTm5aXmsC4SO2QcB1taGhWGNVzUHyt6ARQW-Dc3nfmNiQLauHI_BL38gTOxaIzkhxZ5or35CmrsiW33HksVyxbMTwInFHOMdWb6CxDjmTG1ESdZVPICc0hSsbjtUzC3_owfxIA/w290-h400/Verona%20capture.png" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Matt singing Verona, screencap from my video <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwMGmSt870VnvzUlPBAcp5E62VK0pnqdS8lVyW845fRlNQ-W2WYufn-G-6T01sxowD8N4dyu92v2Br2MHO5_w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I only did a snippet of video so I could watch the rest of it properly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp_macVkydDL-e73JxpKOiUxdtPGO8Zd_L64e8T7z5HAI8ZR9dxsXcdGhVhvsOINitr3Z4t3r2VeVC1a80Y1GZ-JwcExXrF1fIcz7H4FS1f5UoXrRpkRw8F_wZsZPMnsDt_h_J8A7TU_zey7FLVz6u3Wn9-ibyKQ0Ljyh-YJ0vC6ZXxL5_k_Cj7jt-g/s4000/IMG_20230226_220233927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp_macVkydDL-e73JxpKOiUxdtPGO8Zd_L64e8T7z5HAI8ZR9dxsXcdGhVhvsOINitr3Z4t3r2VeVC1a80Y1GZ-JwcExXrF1fIcz7H4FS1f5UoXrRpkRw8F_wZsZPMnsDt_h_J8A7TU_zey7FLVz6u3Wn9-ibyKQ0Ljyh-YJ0vC6ZXxL5_k_Cj7jt-g/s320/IMG_20230226_220233927.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toccata and Fugue in D minor </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Though the lyrics are dark, You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween is fun to dance to, and someone near me yelled out "I'm you're biggest fan!" at the appropriate moment. (Misery reference)<br /><br />The Dark Side Alternate Reality Version was an atmospheric moment. I think we all tried to photograph it, but Lisa's photo is better than mine. Matt is perched on the shoulder of the figure in the background, known as Will the Hacker. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwgA-w6iCSkCzVOBoZQxXcxtBsXxZ46ziWDub8Od_U3mCFOFfY_WPJuPO40uWNNrfCrxkG7RyiAq4qqyw9IxIz7MmsJQqpIcbq2DWwT6hPBbTxihCYh1_AcMMDcGj1fhuvCH_BmDrFcrXwGG8nlmg_uN-V9R-5ObXf7Dp3__yHuDLbfmy1RgUtjh8rA/s2048/Lisa%204.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwgA-w6iCSkCzVOBoZQxXcxtBsXxZ46ziWDub8Od_U3mCFOFfY_WPJuPO40uWNNrfCrxkG7RyiAq4qqyw9IxIz7MmsJQqpIcbq2DWwT6hPBbTxihCYh1_AcMMDcGj1fhuvCH_BmDrFcrXwGG8nlmg_uN-V9R-5ObXf7Dp3__yHuDLbfmy1RgUtjh8rA/w300-h400/Lisa%204.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Side AR by Lisa Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think this may have been during Supermassive Black Hole. "Guitar sex" is part of why I queued all day. đ</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qL_mHphKytNI6lVukJoVa3A3LSfKCi1ffzyD1Vwib_7EsDL7KBWcNRr54j-4ZFbTjvLUdatVct-D7AHYdecSxvco-XesPrDtXQ0AsPg_tGGCn5SSZRwC1Qahu6ovwBwRvi2nV0TfBzMICihECgKpIYttjlFx8hptozXdsdyT6DYl1m4l83_8dK0o2w/s960/Sean%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qL_mHphKytNI6lVukJoVa3A3LSfKCi1ffzyD1Vwib_7EsDL7KBWcNRr54j-4ZFbTjvLUdatVct-D7AHYdecSxvco-XesPrDtXQ0AsPg_tGGCn5SSZRwC1Qahu6ovwBwRvi2nV0TfBzMICihECgKpIYttjlFx8hptozXdsdyT6DYl1m4l83_8dK0o2w/w480-h640/Sean%201.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy. photo by Sean Kelly</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />The crowd did a great job singing along with the silly noises Matt makes to start off Plug In Baby. We stayed pumped up through Uprising, and soon we were introduced to "Baph" This character appeared in a video earlier in the show but I would like to hear more about it! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5I6GrXn3rCwmKzKCdhVR-5V6HwchvWBkdjAisqtJiLIUyISuTjLKe-OrPtxY7VbYxN9XicCeTK16Vnlyxnt7sTg-EDz8iyQY_lydoqfEW0YlfE9a58oD7XEfcm0PXFT6wjTV3KFzE61XIyaWS7ghOQk1l3DdNPV_lrctw_eoA5yBGQL9hGDXUiSkBw/s2807/IMG_20230226_224215989_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2380" data-original-width="2807" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5I6GrXn3rCwmKzKCdhVR-5V6HwchvWBkdjAisqtJiLIUyISuTjLKe-OrPtxY7VbYxN9XicCeTK16Vnlyxnt7sTg-EDz8iyQY_lydoqfEW0YlfE9a58oD7XEfcm0PXFT6wjTV3KFzE61XIyaWS7ghOQk1l3DdNPV_lrctw_eoA5yBGQL9hGDXUiSkBw/s320/IMG_20230226_224215989_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Baph" is this Murph in a new outfit?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Kill or Be Killed included more pyro though I didn't catch those parts. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1_srMLOGAWWLOgBjgthu9tpzGGamspu466LfOkXRm3KRg1W5SgCN9mEVBDnq3y-7zAQAwQssoQdWUKmG8PA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br />Finally the melancholy notes of Man With a Harmonica sounded, in all but one show I've attended this is the intro to the closer, Knights of Cydonia, now also with pyro! I didn't photograph anything so I could bounce but I was also getting ready....I had a pair of socks for Matt with a shroom design that I had been unable to get to him in Chicago last fall. At this point, I had decided I was going to go for tossing them on the catwalk since I was in a good position to do so. The guys walked out to the B stage to say goodnight and tossed picks and sticks. As they walked back, I lobbed the socks and they landed right in front of Matt and he quickly scooped them up. Then he turned to see where they came from and we exchanged a wave. đ A perfect ending for me, and quite a few of us did well getting mementos, with Ariel getting Chris' harmonica just in time for her birthday. </div><div><br /></div><div>The setlist: it was long enough for me. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBXMgg-e8aGjwqoSQW6Pc2aeuCwvdp_viCg1AGuszgXwmcxub8DNn126YV1EL6YHWkWxuKzoHnhMk7Qx1rPRLrnSDQ6AhHmWvamqfuqXLgGmIPLWoJtTn5t3r6N2VnaNuymr1Y-TOndYU0Yt789k1rAOVicmcgyXtOW1KoLh3yN3_LsAHnpgoBk7ISg/s2048/Lisa%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBXMgg-e8aGjwqoSQW6Pc2aeuCwvdp_viCg1AGuszgXwmcxub8DNn126YV1EL6YHWkWxuKzoHnhMk7Qx1rPRLrnSDQ6AhHmWvamqfuqXLgGmIPLWoJtTn5t3r6N2VnaNuymr1Y-TOndYU0Yt789k1rAOVicmcgyXtOW1KoLh3yN3_LsAHnpgoBk7ISg/w300-h400/Lisa%205.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Lisa Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Some people had to catch rides or rest right after the show, but the majority of Musers I know (and many that I did not know!) converged on Pizza Luce. It's pretty smart to have slices cafeteria style at that hour, but even so they were overwhelmed. The staff hung in there though, and soon caught up. I downed a can of fizzy water and 2 or 3 glasses of plain water, and still felt somewhat dehydrated later. Our people did not all fit at one table, but it was still great to be together processing the awesomeness of what we had just experienced. The number 12 has faded from my hand now, but I have some confetti, a cool t-shirt, and lots of extra warm memories. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-29170434216990770952022-10-17T19:47:00.000-07:002022-10-17T19:47:09.670-07:00After 3 years without live Muse, the Riviera show was epic! <p><br /> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgz8OEEZgOJHg6UbnPwVE9iuG19uE4RH70i3CJU-gFJ5PsezKO8Sok9Dw2ibH78Pz93suycjEM-k_u58xKTQZeVKsJgaLTjcxo0Y2FkD5XaJj5zWwXBz9CfNE8rxpKokKdbGqvXjx5K0sxgQQBPZMwKnyquq1vR-hN_Q3-iwN8wfWw8PeIpyEb23hvw/s4000/IMG_20221011_222357962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgz8OEEZgOJHg6UbnPwVE9iuG19uE4RH70i3CJU-gFJ5PsezKO8Sok9Dw2ibH78Pz93suycjEM-k_u58xKTQZeVKsJgaLTjcxo0Y2FkD5XaJj5zWwXBz9CfNE8rxpKokKdbGqvXjx5K0sxgQQBPZMwKnyquq1vR-hN_Q3-iwN8wfWw8PeIpyEb23hvw/w480-h640/IMG_20221011_222357962.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marquee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Way back whenever it was tickets went on sale, I was thrilled to see one of the few special small venue Muse shows was in Chicago! My travel budget is limited, but Chicago is always the easy one to get to with my sister in the South Loop. I recall it was moderately stressful to get the ticket, involving persistence & refreshing, but at least the price didn't skyrocket. At that time we'd already heard 3 or 4 singles from the Will of the People album, and they all rocked hard, so we were excitedly waiting for the album release Aug, 26 and this fall mini-tour. </p><p>Muser coordination was tested, but rose to the challenges in getting people to Chicago, and to the queue. By dumb luck, it turned out Catherine was taking the same train to Chicago as me. It was wonderful to have a chance to catch up and also to know who was sitting next to me, because there have been some characters on this route. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCxCjDonXKOEmRMxQ0_PpZY0a2JOHevTuqgPLLqSB0jd4RJ32RzZ7QO1v42vq69sxPZ3SAg_uORaN5L0RsGFWWg_MDIo7CHnZ_NsvGdNl9X26MIvyXbStsSIL7fbPwMsbLL6Qd-rBEcG-3NAg03vTIhHRScCsvMmRhbhY7OOEyIjNNzC71htKKEyLAw/s3347/IMG_20221009_175353773_HDR%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="2878" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCxCjDonXKOEmRMxQ0_PpZY0a2JOHevTuqgPLLqSB0jd4RJ32RzZ7QO1v42vq69sxPZ3SAg_uORaN5L0RsGFWWg_MDIo7CHnZ_NsvGdNl9X26MIvyXbStsSIL7fbPwMsbLL6Qd-rBEcG-3NAg03vTIhHRScCsvMmRhbhY7OOEyIjNNzC71htKKEyLAw/s320/IMG_20221009_175353773_HDR%20(1).jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago, South Loop<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As usual, Mandy Elizabeth was my guide for figuring how I wanted to queue. I am still very COVID cautious and was having mixed feelings about going for the barrier where I expected people to be packed in tight. I'd had my bivalent booster though, so I decided to give myself a chance at it and we settled on early morning arrival. We thought the venue might boot folks off the street at night anyway. </p><p>As it turned out, they didn't, and the queue that started Monday night held with Catherine at no. 10, More of us waited until morning; Mandy was 39 and messaged to check on me, Kyiia also checked up on me, good to have all these folks looking out for the elderly! I was en route and ended up at 46. It was a pleasant sunny morning of sharing snacks and catching up until Mandy's car got towed thanks to ambiguous signage. While she dealt with that, we held spots and took turns getting food, and by afternoon the rain started. It rained steadily until doors, making it a bit harder to run around and chat with folks. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznFc2vzBa7yPWUy6L0IfNrP3hwvNMPh469WM4bnlpepT45NFZ5d2SxaRWwI9-yhdE2PsXMpPHHQoNnTZRl7DWYTSsg4aJ_xT-qM8ThdVdQ01zNxeTE22cHlhQlzOnZsKxV34lrsbfywTuC6sN-37tZKbszUvEUuPQuLLKPV976cW0qoaWBzt7j60f0Q/s4000/IMG_20221011_091306118_HDR.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznFc2vzBa7yPWUy6L0IfNrP3hwvNMPh469WM4bnlpepT45NFZ5d2SxaRWwI9-yhdE2PsXMpPHHQoNnTZRl7DWYTSsg4aJ_xT-qM8ThdVdQ01zNxeTE22cHlhQlzOnZsKxV34lrsbfywTuC6sN-37tZKbszUvEUuPQuLLKPV976cW0qoaWBzt7j60f0Q/s320/IMG_20221011_091306118_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning queue</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We had kept our order, but as happens all too often, the venue messed it up by opening multiple entries and letting people rush them. So I am not sure if I would have had a much better spot anyway, but found myself on the very far left edge of the barrier in front of speakers. I could not see well and it was a bad camera angle, so I was about to go look for Amy Blaschke at the bar when I saw Crystal at the second barrier, one level up. I could see much better there, and people weren't shoving, they even let me make one last bathroom run. I decided the merch line was too long though, and that it was too much to ask them to hold it that long. Most people who had queued ahead of me, including Mandy, seem to have managed barrier spots. Soon the opening act, Brigitte Calls Me Baby, were on. They were a good, high energy opener, I'd say kind of a retro rock style. The lead singer had a good voice and charisma. Found out later they have a new album out, but if I had to guess, I would think they have not been together long.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx8sDrZuNRwmL5t_mMbT3ur1TM7Xc5pxNvXTOLgHEwmRNiyFHKAj8g-LDcbpR-_4BqhbIEruriEDFQzgjZym_FTYsNe-fZESHMsA_LQu4WJzy8scNir4AoDYFuH5m5KWa6EW__h5b-CBliH45Vt-tXtloJWSxc6Llja-LQRoeItV4ZXEOU9YWDxf3hg/s3437/IMG_20221011_193109801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3437" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx8sDrZuNRwmL5t_mMbT3ur1TM7Xc5pxNvXTOLgHEwmRNiyFHKAj8g-LDcbpR-_4BqhbIEruriEDFQzgjZym_FTYsNe-fZESHMsA_LQu4WJzy8scNir4AoDYFuH5m5KWa6EW__h5b-CBliH45Vt-tXtloJWSxc6Llja-LQRoeItV4ZXEOU9YWDxf3hg/s320/IMG_20221011_193109801.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brigitte Calls Me Baby</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>Then we found Wendy, Lisa, and Melodie were also back by the soundboard, but we were good with our spot. It would have been hard to move then anyway. After what seemed like a long wait, especially when I could glimpse Matt in the wings bouncing around with his guitar, Muse went straight into their new in-your-face banger We Are Fucking Fucked. Center of the 2nd barrier was great for viewing, but my phone camera struggled with the extra distance. Anyhow, we were all ready to be jumping! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLi9ObNsSOedZ1qEo5jt7XsZQtp0ogUzh1XaFQn5YRLia5obMJAdjh1_d3u7gNbuLIUcIbSa93EfTDD873-NPRUf_kOekQoHUND2yXpUFveVSoo20oRAT9ozTXyZTqozqcMTckqwJuJHCCG2x39cpqbTK5QkS00FWmdkhdpz2ugIojMC36fda9T6dvQ/s4000/IMG_20221011_204320662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLi9ObNsSOedZ1qEo5jt7XsZQtp0ogUzh1XaFQn5YRLia5obMJAdjh1_d3u7gNbuLIUcIbSa93EfTDD873-NPRUf_kOekQoHUND2yXpUFveVSoo20oRAT9ozTXyZTqozqcMTckqwJuJHCCG2x39cpqbTK5QkS00FWmdkhdpz2ugIojMC36fda9T6dvQ/s320/IMG_20221011_204320662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Video from a fan in the balcony, Max Griffith. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cMX7zqeHdTY" width="320" youtube-src-id="cMX7zqeHdTY"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Amy Philips was in a much better spot for photography on the first barrier, <div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYnj_XXs42guMdfD7kq-bSgcp5b_muzNqSEwjmJCpo49wT7N_TFARnOceepcv6XPARduartpfexAefX_qXOe_q6jQdvRG1nEbdc06hGL9X8W2qfHVAbVLIxOa5YjYGpSCz2bqG3GBJueU9YTXDacTPeYcrQEfhGxSyLrukFuxS8Hum8Cf50aRhDohmA/s960/Amy%20P%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="960" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYnj_XXs42guMdfD7kq-bSgcp5b_muzNqSEwjmJCpo49wT7N_TFARnOceepcv6XPARduartpfexAefX_qXOe_q6jQdvRG1nEbdc06hGL9X8W2qfHVAbVLIxOa5YjYGpSCz2bqG3GBJueU9YTXDacTPeYcrQEfhGxSyLrukFuxS8Hum8Cf50aRhDohmA/w400-h236/Amy%20P%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse by Amy Phillips</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwPwChl2FmEEyZfLo4v7jc-I4F13ISzI4jWN0u-iHssm5__D66Zo7wH1twmdt9mZXBTNJVCpCTaUq9ZuWdj8ZM2GFzLFk5sAk7feMJGkOrT_nEROz0pMaxXmtXeOQeY8olK7oM7yBXt9tXW9aQo9_GpHwvrtoQnJ66QFWfXwWytIxLWd8F9vqyvdnsw/s2048/Amy%20P%202.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="2048" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwPwChl2FmEEyZfLo4v7jc-I4F13ISzI4jWN0u-iHssm5__D66Zo7wH1twmdt9mZXBTNJVCpCTaUq9ZuWdj8ZM2GFzLFk5sAk7feMJGkOrT_nEROz0pMaxXmtXeOQeY8olK7oM7yBXt9tXW9aQo9_GpHwvrtoQnJ66QFWfXwWytIxLWd8F9vqyvdnsw/w400-h299/Amy%20P%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse by Amy Phillips</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The band really seemed happy to be there, despite some technical difficulties. I don't know TJ but they are a hero for getting the entire gig on YouTube! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="445" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hTtUxu_nK5o" width="535" youtube-src-id="hTtUxu_nK5o"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Though I had felt stiff before the show started, I spent most of it bouncing /singing along, with occasional pauses to try to get photos or video. I believe this was my first time hearing the full version of Assassin, and I know it was the first time for Space Dementia live. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qG2f_vBgvfkdsh5iEsVAyWLdl4ZLI6X8lBh3xp5_zfg9Uhl3D7SMhFiGH4i_epSCrMnEQRExxKzOoJXva4-KUeIVjT_mVggDlzx16h9PRbTzWu63D1cDtTiplf37ioyLLqAFG63rH2J58YwoJZ4k1whsaqd4gPHtvpRX_DkcfL2sZqFAhH91zaNjpQ/s4000/IMG_20221011_212653891.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qG2f_vBgvfkdsh5iEsVAyWLdl4ZLI6X8lBh3xp5_zfg9Uhl3D7SMhFiGH4i_epSCrMnEQRExxKzOoJXva4-KUeIVjT_mVggDlzx16h9PRbTzWu63D1cDtTiplf37ioyLLqAFG63rH2J58YwoJZ4k1whsaqd4gPHtvpRX_DkcfL2sZqFAhH91zaNjpQ/w300-h400/IMG_20221011_212653891.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt playing Space Dementia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>The band really seemed to be feeling the love from the crowd, especially Matt during Starlight. </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLp2rq68uPAGmlg9SS19W5MEbuNGKYLnhF0sOWj8uklYMmKp2txifYyoMn4OyIyHyxlQvqyZoXhGdh2eHLzfFigZqT4yie5ZqszKFxX-zMAe5J-Mi30cYfh6mBW84qvjHTUV-8jkB7aNSU3ax3KEoHUi-Mr3wrplIjCTHN9ml4y51SgeryvrLKSkcGQ/s2048/Amy%20P%207.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1292" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLp2rq68uPAGmlg9SS19W5MEbuNGKYLnhF0sOWj8uklYMmKp2txifYyoMn4OyIyHyxlQvqyZoXhGdh2eHLzfFigZqT4yie5ZqszKFxX-zMAe5J-Mi30cYfh6mBW84qvjHTUV-8jkB7aNSU3ax3KEoHUi-Mr3wrplIjCTHN9ml4y51SgeryvrLKSkcGQ/w253-h400/Amy%20P%207.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Amy Phillips</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR7SUBh9WnMyatqx4S1NQEK3Ix-JiTprxY_flW5cGKy8k62Hj4jvyOo50Tdwr5grPsdaoTxW35pbG3o4GW_2dwcfF_DU9xE-82roXj2g1nrKOnS1THrbi_5biyYnB3_yJZelcXqrpH9nH9i7-ozGsiaEtZVtmTeN0vpmS0UYEh-iqsfuzkosjsSUvEQ/s4000/IMG_20221011_214637613.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR7SUBh9WnMyatqx4S1NQEK3Ix-JiTprxY_flW5cGKy8k62Hj4jvyOo50Tdwr5grPsdaoTxW35pbG3o4GW_2dwcfF_DU9xE-82roXj2g1nrKOnS1THrbi_5biyYnB3_yJZelcXqrpH9nH9i7-ozGsiaEtZVtmTeN0vpmS0UYEh-iqsfuzkosjsSUvEQ/w300-h400/IMG_20221011_214637613.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by me</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The encore break seemed a bit long too, but no way would they leave without doing Kill or be Killed AND Knights of Cydonia. Epic ending to an epic show! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLTdp4ORV5XDyQYtpTzk62lBkVViL0XtIFExMHqSZUguS-Vper24QSLOrrdUl26PqZhz4JgHk6llTLjIDbrKyfaqQwWFJQuADG_kfpbFT1tRhJn9RF3sYc9sxRX95XBG15bl9Nl4krYqDMBz6RrQSFz0sh6wJBQUKYTNBhqKDQuHanBocPrBW2u3XbQ/s4000/IMG_20221011_215728412.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLTdp4ORV5XDyQYtpTzk62lBkVViL0XtIFExMHqSZUguS-Vper24QSLOrrdUl26PqZhz4JgHk6llTLjIDbrKyfaqQwWFJQuADG_kfpbFT1tRhJn9RF3sYc9sxRX95XBG15bl9Nl4krYqDMBz6RrQSFz0sh6wJBQUKYTNBhqKDQuHanBocPrBW2u3XbQ/s320/IMG_20221011_215728412.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Wolstenbeest</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The setlist, for posterity. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIVpzOnnEQwg4PnIzPiRx3GDxsLUBT5EQ2iWsmOPGuNaWrJYFjGc_8xvmqiEcMNL5NTzD4K8ntMZ_UKy9KdT2FPcNU47kKqcs3NbCBzNdStYp3YviBqKxx-8-v1jjo8qkwa2xueeEMXDsN8y_RNZHyw9lyH0Gy57HbuBECfdtcy9XICCgPT8wbI_uAQ/s2048/311591662_10161139525524617_4812709566762585918_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIVpzOnnEQwg4PnIzPiRx3GDxsLUBT5EQ2iWsmOPGuNaWrJYFjGc_8xvmqiEcMNL5NTzD4K8ntMZ_UKy9KdT2FPcNU47kKqcs3NbCBzNdStYp3YviBqKxx-8-v1jjo8qkwa2xueeEMXDsN8y_RNZHyw9lyH0Gy57HbuBECfdtcy9XICCgPT8wbI_uAQ/w300-h400/311591662_10161139525524617_4812709566762585918_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not sure who took this, got it via Wendy, this really did feel like a family reunion! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSjzmEI6Qv8yRtMsyE42t9Hm7-jl-kKzgtg4mt_boXOrgJp2U3exZ5h-BSCyABue84jzRq3f0u9JprEtkVPE6pUrbkOgG811tjBasWZgHRMELxntXTMuV5qoeuUZUqdQkQHIQwusBIeYctMVlL7kvNLam3R77kge8rVfDb6QTdAtZpyej6-zxK2_Ndg/s2048/riviera%20group.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSjzmEI6Qv8yRtMsyE42t9Hm7-jl-kKzgtg4mt_boXOrgJp2U3exZ5h-BSCyABue84jzRq3f0u9JprEtkVPE6pUrbkOgG811tjBasWZgHRMELxntXTMuV5qoeuUZUqdQkQHIQwusBIeYctMVlL7kvNLam3R77kge8rVfDb6QTdAtZpyej6-zxK2_Ndg/w640-h480/riviera%20group.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of my Musers, a few are missing...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The original plan to try to find a GF restaurant didn't happen as the closest one was too far. Most folks wanted to head back to the hotel where they were staying. I was getting whiny about needing to rehydrate, but luckily spotted a case of sealed water bottles abandoned near the back of where the queue had been, so I grabbed one. <br /><br />The Guesthouse Hotel was really cool, very much more like staying at someone's house than a normal hotel. In fact, the kitchen area looked like it had the same designer as my sister's place! After a bite to eat, one StrawberryRita, and a whole lot more water, I called a Lyft, Some people did need to travel early the next day, my train was later in the day, but I figured getting my evening cal/mag supplement would also head off leg cramps. Geez I sound like an old fart! but I guess I am, 63 in December.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had time to refuel and even go for a quick walk in the morning and my sister got me to the station in plenty of time. This time there WERE characters on the train! An older guy in my coach was some kind of evangelical Christian who also thought he was a comedian, emphasis on <i>thought</i>! Then when I went to the cafĂ© car, an Amish woman approached the staff for help. Turned out there was a drunk couple making out in the lounge car, so the conductors had to go break it up. Luckily the train was on time, so I was soon home with my kitty boys, good memories. and another show in February to look forward to. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XLNVEdqkdMKGfxn2WPXeOM_XDTC8pvLGBj2w3eXZKo_vtbyOc6yRb-1ZpBlP6HzhxdT0rzR0xw_JwoQhibKhJ3cwg1jxvlcqKY_qTwuvqLMYbJHsXBZrvgD6pkP2VZ4WyJ3LYsCtSIQvPnbgkz-BRXrYIVV0xxb-78AjUAk2e-yRlAmRxfjyLsbkDA/s4000/IMG_20221012_124052934_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XLNVEdqkdMKGfxn2WPXeOM_XDTC8pvLGBj2w3eXZKo_vtbyOc6yRb-1ZpBlP6HzhxdT0rzR0xw_JwoQhibKhJ3cwg1jxvlcqKY_qTwuvqLMYbJHsXBZrvgD6pkP2VZ4WyJ3LYsCtSIQvPnbgkz-BRXrYIVV0xxb-78AjUAk2e-yRlAmRxfjyLsbkDA/s320/IMG_20221012_124052934_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">post show morning walk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-36811511523265114992021-08-04T13:13:00.003-07:002021-08-04T13:25:46.746-07:00A Lolla weekend without Lolla!<p> This year it truly was a family visit only, the only headliner that looked good to me was Foo Fighters, and Lollapalooza 2017 left a persistent bad taste in my mouth, so going to it was not on my radar at all. It was just weird luck that it was the only time all 3 of us could get off work. Bill insisted on being the only driver of his newish 6 speed Mazda, so I got a good start on my reading. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqjbFJeQkSFSJ4YkePfc6fZCrac4vOdkLVlT3w0sGVVQ2wFTKnQmRTGE4YgytcZhLSxjyN0Nddtg2TROs7XVtX8oujAWCNhHarGsvWBaVLUVSJRMK1tiCn0XPZykskLLN2PGx_pvvaN5i/s3246/IMG_20210725_174923613.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="3246" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqjbFJeQkSFSJ4YkePfc6fZCrac4vOdkLVlT3w0sGVVQ2wFTKnQmRTGE4YgytcZhLSxjyN0Nddtg2TROs7XVtX8oujAWCNhHarGsvWBaVLUVSJRMK1tiCn0XPZykskLLN2PGx_pvvaN5i/s320/IMG_20210725_174923613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We arrived in plenty of time for supper, ravioli in a rich homemade sauce and garden salad, I had to help my dad read the directions on the ravioli package, so he is having eye trouble on top of hearing trouble, but this print was small enough that I needed magnification myself! The boys did some tech troubleshooting for their grandfather, and Bill started streaming Our Planet, which was a nice pairing with the first book I dived into, "The Uninhabitable Earth".<br /><br />The next morning we travellers had a late brunch (my dad was up and at it early as usual) , then we caught a Metra train for downtown since parking is a nightmare during Lolla. We saw some festival attendees at our station, recognizable by Camelbaks on the dudes, and short shorts & skimpy tops on the girls, 2 stops later the train was totally infested with them, most not wearing masks, the girls going back & forth while trying to keep their body parts inside their clothes. So we got all the people watching for the low price of a train ticket! I just hope they were all vaccinated. <br /><br />Our purpose downtown was the Chicago River Boat Architectural Tour and to see my sister Diane's new place.. I don't know what Diane paid for the tour, but it was well worth it, super educational and full of photo ops, though I made better use of some than others. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQA3jySmuMQCZ0AQUje7MFIp3-ruH6kZn8g_0qvxqMEAfax0ZMmtZHlfQW5QN-DM3CuvUf66IDxEBX5qnNv_HRQ3qhefVxEd_pRgfSNcz5Wn0tbmRUfWEdpCxgIFOdp5xZ7FyA-ENGLLr/s3619/IMG_20210731_160746618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3619" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQA3jySmuMQCZ0AQUje7MFIp3-ruH6kZn8g_0qvxqMEAfax0ZMmtZHlfQW5QN-DM3CuvUf66IDxEBX5qnNv_HRQ3qhefVxEd_pRgfSNcz5Wn0tbmRUfWEdpCxgIFOdp5xZ7FyA-ENGLLr/w345-h400/IMG_20210731_160746618.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-_kCQS9-mPn6TUKk7jsYZ5DAwhl9h8PBw9YHDwbwQZW6rqgqqt-aVVzmnedUr4gVAe-B8T5b7oDuYUXjx1rJIrYMFfX0NFXl0z6uvhHoxqkvFwt3cU0M97VTU8xinZysff6Jxv18ToSg/s4160/IMG_20210731_161521940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-_kCQS9-mPn6TUKk7jsYZ5DAwhl9h8PBw9YHDwbwQZW6rqgqqt-aVVzmnedUr4gVAe-B8T5b7oDuYUXjx1rJIrYMFfX0NFXl0z6uvhHoxqkvFwt3cU0M97VTU8xinZysff6Jxv18ToSg/w300-h400/IMG_20210731_161521940.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX8qyYeRKH_2pGyXUbXM8dTvzpF3JiWUADyaainZRLI_07kPu63KDhrg7Ho5qMTvXqtEl1jQpTEp1edlEpqevqCrzWmJbAYc6Oup6uerGGWrKeTFVpph5jqbJFmY0jGqtanFLHgxNFI3K/s3120/IMG_20210731_165421174.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="3120" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX8qyYeRKH_2pGyXUbXM8dTvzpF3JiWUADyaainZRLI_07kPu63KDhrg7Ho5qMTvXqtEl1jQpTEp1edlEpqevqCrzWmJbAYc6Oup6uerGGWrKeTFVpph5jqbJFmY0jGqtanFLHgxNFI3K/s320/IMG_20210731_165421174.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It will always be the Sears Tower to me! </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl5Sg3Lcb8qAjF_3coZF2VrZULZCYiJljc2HuTDLA0tYg9K6vTA2CVeFMcIlLxdC4KZ3oySM2aUUfZeDu42REXX0lTOelNz_SLLPTojjMehLIhwJMjrNEsXbsubAUl9Rywwx3pM1NcbdV/s3584/IMG_20210731_172409267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3584" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl5Sg3Lcb8qAjF_3coZF2VrZULZCYiJljc2HuTDLA0tYg9K6vTA2CVeFMcIlLxdC4KZ3oySM2aUUfZeDu42REXX0lTOelNz_SLLPTojjMehLIhwJMjrNEsXbsubAUl9Rywwx3pM1NcbdV/w349-h400/IMG_20210731_172409267.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I think it was Peter, Diane's partner, who thought it would be cool to walk back to their place along the lakeshore. It was very nice, and not too hot, but some of us were not used to walking 5 miles at once! So we whined a bit and dived right into the chips and dip when we got to our destination. We had a rather upscale burger cookout as you might expect in a place like this! It is technically a condo,but feels like a house and has a private entrance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1mtebHYUT6TolvbrkHRdh2bt_3jQ6eODXoR9rjtqitwd1Oj8Apnp-EKxx8wLmGz4EI7oY_3E6Mgj8Tqe4Tgp9wQTJuSz8iW3w7uuFZ7t-s6tNak12_fscQNEYnukcadQQitg_8BvdeG6/s4160/IMG_20210731_185212216.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1mtebHYUT6TolvbrkHRdh2bt_3jQ6eODXoR9rjtqitwd1Oj8Apnp-EKxx8wLmGz4EI7oY_3E6Mgj8Tqe4Tgp9wQTJuSz8iW3w7uuFZ7t-s6tNak12_fscQNEYnukcadQQitg_8BvdeG6/s320/IMG_20210731_185212216.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoM7QJ5WsRJM-eoxiAiDr6CF1IyfNvLFlckqZNf3Z4aW9ZUW69a1OMmtph83IGA3a4ywUwMIoHVwJl69sboLxX-fVsL-RIxKfbcIN8AUUgUhkLlK5L49X-HXd-FP4Dbm5zW22pE37U0d1/s4160/IMG_20210731_185630473.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoM7QJ5WsRJM-eoxiAiDr6CF1IyfNvLFlckqZNf3Z4aW9ZUW69a1OMmtph83IGA3a4ywUwMIoHVwJl69sboLxX-fVsL-RIxKfbcIN8AUUgUhkLlK5L49X-HXd-FP4Dbm5zW22pE37U0d1/s320/IMG_20210731_185630473.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MFEsqMlIRg6MTjAaInr80C_Ido-0RwLdZWxGo9JEFYrhmKmujb5kfVENds4agbrPTrunk0HeHKYv0bnf4kv1O-TSXbXWJegNKnmh_UkdZb_2_Q0y_gbVGubkg-OfVrav7tYiZB2i6h4I/s4160/IMG_20210731_190252238.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MFEsqMlIRg6MTjAaInr80C_Ido-0RwLdZWxGo9JEFYrhmKmujb5kfVENds4agbrPTrunk0HeHKYv0bnf4kv1O-TSXbXWJegNKnmh_UkdZb_2_Q0y_gbVGubkg-OfVrav7tYiZB2i6h4I/s320/IMG_20210731_190252238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvVx6kZRmOzzrfoxVopaeUlZ3895XlMLOx4IrGN6VBrwwdQ743vNftdsP40Gz3IrltCoAsuLewR1YmiyqgF-sM14vvavjgekl25AX_ZsiVu5IFLQtLHUeZaHlEqMrIZdZpx8QdGqF1F1D/s4160/IMG_20210731_190435627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvVx6kZRmOzzrfoxVopaeUlZ3895XlMLOx4IrGN6VBrwwdQ743vNftdsP40Gz3IrltCoAsuLewR1YmiyqgF-sM14vvavjgekl25AX_ZsiVu5IFLQtLHUeZaHlEqMrIZdZpx8QdGqF1F1D/s320/IMG_20210731_190435627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XgTP2BdBEr_fW0QhUUtbzxN93vPYAsqF9V0p7XpWy3aiiHwU47fNQnbBlEzM3C9j0KDW5fYkH4s4UO_vcQZOZ9p_-MrzeZWNQ-2cqT9HFzu5RGXI6LGtqMb68l0IsU6TahEZRxkNnABW/s4160/IMG_20210731_190612411.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XgTP2BdBEr_fW0QhUUtbzxN93vPYAsqF9V0p7XpWy3aiiHwU47fNQnbBlEzM3C9j0KDW5fYkH4s4UO_vcQZOZ9p_-MrzeZWNQ-2cqT9HFzu5RGXI6LGtqMb68l0IsU6TahEZRxkNnABW/s320/IMG_20210731_190612411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lVGH8_CRZYKDqFmMOwtQ15noKgiEIgryVSjL79xuKnQ1Brdb4UBDTWeAetF2t2hyphenhyphenBQmONeaxsM8_0jWMZRao4l1dQz7DfTSh5Yqyi9T-SpwL9ZjCilQLACFRuVniasy1TF4R8fG1AwF_/s4160/IMG_20210731_194519449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lVGH8_CRZYKDqFmMOwtQ15noKgiEIgryVSjL79xuKnQ1Brdb4UBDTWeAetF2t2hyphenhyphenBQmONeaxsM8_0jWMZRao4l1dQz7DfTSh5Yqyi9T-SpwL9ZjCilQLACFRuVniasy1TF4R8fG1AwF_/s320/IMG_20210731_194519449.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill, Ted and Joe lounging </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8QVJw9v7L7MbHqD-X6B8OOx7RXn7hcvCW631dACtMSFfSsn_DaMJSPRimeyOJyLcYSqt_X-HhElZQR7EzuigowQXlUVCGJZevyLrdKmcB1JDszk6e5bvVUUF3YO5V8pAXQcFw7dSRJcS/s4160/IMG_20210731_195737365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8QVJw9v7L7MbHqD-X6B8OOx7RXn7hcvCW631dACtMSFfSsn_DaMJSPRimeyOJyLcYSqt_X-HhElZQR7EzuigowQXlUVCGJZevyLrdKmcB1JDszk6e5bvVUUF3YO5V8pAXQcFw7dSRJcS/s320/IMG_20210731_195737365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully Diane was able to drive us back to the suburbs though it might have still been early for running into drunk Lolla attendees. <br /><br />Sunday started out at a relaxed pace but was almost ruined by DuPage Medical Group! I was able to hear the call since my dad has his phone turned up, they told him to come to the ER right away because a blood culture from Tuesday made it look like he had a raging infection of some kind. We were all baffled because he clearly wasn't sick after walking 5 miles the day before. He had been in to urgent care for a stomach bug the weekend before, followed up with his doc on Tuesday and supposedly everything was fine. After a couple hours of undoubtedly expensive further testing they let him out in time for dinner and admitted the other test might have had "external contamination" . In other words, he got to pay for their sloppiness so they could cover their butts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Joe and his girlfriend Hannah brought their cats over for a visit before we went to dinner. My dad sits for them so it's like their 2nd home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgPHKlsT3H5OSi8TqKcBPOjyL3oNecSKh_GwWj8eaUOcLopUwLwVt5KpnYPKmm8ovZx3jgxxMMxaSOw4XTibmGG-PngTTgdhYFfa_N_C5aaS-yqr4F1o0HA_S3VDybGWFzOCVFlWCXLzx/s4160/IMG_20210801_165919629.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgPHKlsT3H5OSi8TqKcBPOjyL3oNecSKh_GwWj8eaUOcLopUwLwVt5KpnYPKmm8ovZx3jgxxMMxaSOw4XTibmGG-PngTTgdhYFfa_N_C5aaS-yqr4F1o0HA_S3VDybGWFzOCVFlWCXLzx/s320/IMG_20210801_165919629.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toulouse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VOGPmIQwJE0aFcDtwBE6LSWJFEZd4Jz218RsZkKwOYk5mxRhGMxgN5yb-UWturLOHCZx4csY-BYkV2e8GFJdZbQtnhk4gkHWVmkl85Jy_hrXn_xoqxoWHTe_-F_FuXHBOga_ZeXP0Fx8/s3398/IMG_20210801_170248681.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3398" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VOGPmIQwJE0aFcDtwBE6LSWJFEZd4Jz218RsZkKwOYk5mxRhGMxgN5yb-UWturLOHCZx4csY-BYkV2e8GFJdZbQtnhk4gkHWVmkl85Jy_hrXn_xoqxoWHTe_-F_FuXHBOga_ZeXP0Fx8/s320/IMG_20210801_170248681.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avignon </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyhow, the afternoon drama made us extra glad to be having a relaxed dinner at Reza's. Persian food is a bit different from Armenian, but still, many things tasted like what Auntie Rose would have made. We went a bit crazy on bread and starters, the tabbouli was top notch, and the eggplant dip ( a cousin of baba ganoush but slightly different) was yummy. So then when our huge dinner portions arrive, we knew we'd need doggie bags! Sadly no room for dessert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6VjlDF2eZUOs8Raxfza6Hx76sfx7VUN0yIF7a3hztldixRSrs8yZO4QrdxzSgAelH6VI93GebHZQMLeKhUE97gI7W3TB1JiHqDZ1_-jPm_tux_Xb-zXyqYCrDa9YBLlhegBp8UvY-GMC/s3869/IMG_20210801_184019088.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="3869" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6VjlDF2eZUOs8Raxfza6Hx76sfx7VUN0yIF7a3hztldixRSrs8yZO4QrdxzSgAelH6VI93GebHZQMLeKhUE97gI7W3TB1JiHqDZ1_-jPm_tux_Xb-zXyqYCrDa9YBLlhegBp8UvY-GMC/w400-h263/IMG_20210801_184019088.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad, my nephew Joe, and Hannah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdHi0DSPhugYs_4722K90BPHkXAkA4IpyYjgfpYFvCbrzYHDV-Vea0-FWLNNy8bMhI6fTVhl6xY1uJLQlmq-LxP0Z_L6WUyml0GdDoZ4yg-7IxFDnX4THtqQ6QhTwRVcbj7hPciwfdTLL/s4160/IMG_20210801_193627889.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdHi0DSPhugYs_4722K90BPHkXAkA4IpyYjgfpYFvCbrzYHDV-Vea0-FWLNNy8bMhI6fTVhl6xY1uJLQlmq-LxP0Z_L6WUyml0GdDoZ4yg-7IxFDnX4THtqQ6QhTwRVcbj7hPciwfdTLL/w200-h150/IMG_20210801_193627889.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Kabob Sultani</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nKoUP8yzabHc3HABHgUUSsTwOlLh_LUFxu_6r51OhJQTIX2M1Ge5XLXphDBb3Ls7eHK9k8HJl9XYthtKpQiVwroZRG6ZtKBYR2Q97VcSz8zldOmnEP77rFxfAWbJcllLoIuL4hi4ZpnY/s3270/IMG_20210801_193632448.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2806" data-original-width="3270" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nKoUP8yzabHc3HABHgUUSsTwOlLh_LUFxu_6r51OhJQTIX2M1Ge5XLXphDBb3Ls7eHK9k8HJl9XYthtKpQiVwroZRG6ZtKBYR2Q97VcSz8zldOmnEP77rFxfAWbJcllLoIuL4hi4ZpnY/w200-h172/IMG_20210801_193632448.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamb kabobs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we did obligatory family photos since it had been so long and who knows when we can all manage this again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTafYAK5zYy6xQGldl2QAFN-h_lv6c4VamZVDxsitlIEIo62A5Z7WUGipmUyl7LRRmqGnugZy1hcsmrnA33Mo1DAqhBO5knEoX9ZT-jzn3D8-DPrbRGSGnLH2pP3xXCZv365Elj-ikM6L/s3316/IMG_20210801_201857436.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="3316" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTafYAK5zYy6xQGldl2QAFN-h_lv6c4VamZVDxsitlIEIo62A5Z7WUGipmUyl7LRRmqGnugZy1hcsmrnA33Mo1DAqhBO5knEoX9ZT-jzn3D8-DPrbRGSGnLH2pP3xXCZv365Elj-ikM6L/w400-h376/IMG_20210801_201857436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>My dad, Bill, Diane, Ted, me & Joe - Hannah took the photo<br /><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0eKzzceDT3Ppd3wnO5IWe_QsHACj4acMzEbYMo_tH_W5lEordrPxohd6dlKDVnTwTeAP6I7ShJm5O-Zp5cFbf0ZYwNtW1WhHwg1sxvlmEz91MQlOGLPZHcocpxDagKcI-CpEX3nO7dg8/s3326/IMG_20210801_201919526.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3326" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0eKzzceDT3Ppd3wnO5IWe_QsHACj4acMzEbYMo_tH_W5lEordrPxohd6dlKDVnTwTeAP6I7ShJm5O-Zp5cFbf0ZYwNtW1WhHwg1sxvlmEz91MQlOGLPZHcocpxDagKcI-CpEX3nO7dg8/w375-h400/IMG_20210801_201919526.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill, Ted, & Joe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Then it was back to Minnesota and our own cats since Ted had to get back to his new job. We were lucky to have nice driving weather and no accident-causing traffic jams either way. </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-23377041444183512432021-07-05T15:13:00.002-07:002021-09-05T13:57:05.776-07:00Should I do it again? This could be chapter 1<p> Or have you seen the Pumpkin Man? </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O3k5vIyX19TD8bndvhRjbk3Zi5-pb6dlyA4MpGypfvFqTgTEJEZXHZHd9LJ38NWLR1LO-uZ9oC5V9rEBqHie7kuhIn7a05Rlj9qLRSciXaJCaP_ZMGrs-XmuQ3PfOvBzbqkVr5c175eH/s3274/P1090049+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2255" data-original-width="3274" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O3k5vIyX19TD8bndvhRjbk3Zi5-pb6dlyA4MpGypfvFqTgTEJEZXHZHd9LJ38NWLR1LO-uZ9oC5V9rEBqHie7kuhIn7a05Rlj9qLRSciXaJCaP_ZMGrs-XmuQ3PfOvBzbqkVr5c175eH/w640-h440/P1090049+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn Billy aka Pumpkin Man</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>That was one of our nicknames for Bill when he was a baby because the ginger in his hair really showed up then. He did take his time getting here, labor started 2 days after he was due, and went on too long according to the doctors, not that I had enough energy left to argue with them by then, so he was delivered by C-section at 8pm on Oct. 8, 1988. I had argued with them ahead of time during the blistering hot summer (1988 set some records, a preview of the climate emergency) ; we health care professionals are the worst patients! Luckily, breastfeeding went much better, almost without a hitch, despite my mother's skepticism. I had my best friend Patty for support, and she had also introduced me to the local La Leche League, though I knew of their good work from college nutrition classes. My then spouse, Mark, was also on board as his mother had breastfed him, a rare thing in the 1950s. My own mother was told formula was the way, and like most others, did what the doctor said. <br /><br />It was kind of nice that my parents were there to help when Bill was born, except they were so excited they couldn't wait until he was actually born and travelled from Chicagoland to St. Peter MN anyway, and ended up arriving when I was in the early stages of labor. So my cats, Chandra and Anoush, had someone to look after them. Since I'd had the C-section, my mom stayed for a whole week though my dad had to get back to home to their cat and work. It was great to have someone to cook for us while we got settled in, even if she did rearrange all my kitchen drawers. I remember she roasted a chicken one day, and the cats were VERY attentive. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF84_4p7CO3oZFK6igHKBrfQEPeGMSP6bd4PyPNkXUmMSkcgOX7RIRX8hzAdsS_wXgGVXpWDe-5WMZRpNsLqFL5JmJjfobi6KkHofOmZrwpIdDWBmZFWGAzODTH9Do9gCTZSA52ESbGfO/s3340/P1090048+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3340" data-original-width="2274" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF84_4p7CO3oZFK6igHKBrfQEPeGMSP6bd4PyPNkXUmMSkcgOX7RIRX8hzAdsS_wXgGVXpWDe-5WMZRpNsLqFL5JmJjfobi6KkHofOmZrwpIdDWBmZFWGAzODTH9Do9gCTZSA52ESbGfO/w273-h400/P1090048+%25282%2529.JPG" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Donna, Chandra & the chicken<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Billy was a fairly easy baby, a bit colicky, resulting in some extra vacuuming sessions. Car rides were also a good way to get him to sleep, but of course taking him out of the car would wake him. Luckily we had an attached garage, so I admit a couple times, if he was really short on sleep and the garage was a reasonable temperature, we left him in the car seat with the baby monitor in place! Most of the time we just did good old fashioned rocking. Chandra helped with that, too. <div><span> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lMoBChJlKJAUyTnq_e4HAULoVJuFLdnbwIL63eEN_1Sas71ptMkS7naNWduo7M7hVHHiUJEDmX60Nfpe05fIXGJWuPoCC6zdDVvnfuyp-O0XDINTUcOc5CT9OSEN5y2-7AQrEBNLW118/s3615/P1090050+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="3615" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lMoBChJlKJAUyTnq_e4HAULoVJuFLdnbwIL63eEN_1Sas71ptMkS7naNWduo7M7hVHHiUJEDmX60Nfpe05fIXGJWuPoCC6zdDVvnfuyp-O0XDINTUcOc5CT9OSEN5y2-7AQrEBNLW118/w400-h266/P1090050+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy & me napping, Chandra on alert</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was a fall & holiday season of joyous family gatherings as everyone came to see him and take way too many photos- he was the first grandchild on both sides. We started solid food slowly at 4 1/2 months,, and I was determined to breastfeed at least a year so there was no hurry. He was not fussy about food at first, I could puree just about anything and he'd eat it, including Grandma Doris' pork, dumplings and sauerkraut! The pork roast part is not included, but the rest of the dish was published in a family cookbook.<br /><br /><i>Sauerkraut and Dumplings </i><div><br /></div><div>Recipe by Doris Otteson</div><div><br /></div><div>1 beaten egg</div><div>1/2 c. milk</div><div>1/2 to 1 tsp. salt</div><div>1 c. flour</div><div>1 Tbsp, baking powder</div><div>2 Tbsp. cornstarch</div><div>16-20 oz. can of sauerkraut </div><div><br /></div><div>.Combine egg and milk. Combine dry ingredients, and sift together and mix well with egg-milk In wide kettle, empty can of kraut and heat to boiling. Then drop dumplings by spoonfuls onto hot kraut. Cover and cook over medium to low heat for 15-20 min, Don't peek! Excellent served with a pork roast and flavorful gravy; serve kraut in separate bowl. The dumplings are a potato substitute. <br /><br />However, it doesn't seem fair to end this chapter with something Bill would not eat now; sauerkraut is not really his thing. In keeping with his first nickname, he does like pumpkin pie.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfBLZptor0n8o9M0PP-z_mVdcRzSazdP8WConnwynZnVlH7P4FFdFt4CVW_NLvFV1JK_ho2BPUyoIBSW8xVBe-vEoUsM6Ku3pI_ZuKDPxwR6T3KcbUigJvPl0t0oW0lWv5BRsgnAF6e-H/s3567/IMG_20191127_164657665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pumpkin Pies" border="0" data-original-height="3567" data-original-width="3053" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfBLZptor0n8o9M0PP-z_mVdcRzSazdP8WConnwynZnVlH7P4FFdFt4CVW_NLvFV1JK_ho2BPUyoIBSW8xVBe-vEoUsM6Ku3pI_ZuKDPxwR6T3KcbUigJvPl0t0oW0lWv5BRsgnAF6e-H/w343-h400/IMG_20191127_164657665.jpg" title="Pumpkin Pies" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pumpkin Pie</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Crust based on recipe in Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook\</div><div>Filling from recipe in Joy of Cooking</div><div><br /></div><div>Pie dough for 2- 9" crusts:</div><div>2 cups flour, may use half whole wheat pastry flour\</div><div>1/2 tsp. salt</div><div>2/3 c + 2 T. ice cold butter</div><div>5 T. ice water<br /><br />Mix flour and salt in large bowl. Cut butter into flour until lumps are the size of small peas. Sprinkle water on mixture 1 T. at a time until dough holds together. Pat into a ball and refrigerate at least 20 min. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cut dough in half. Roll out each half between sheets of waxed paper, it helps if you moisten the surface underneath with a damp cloth, then it won't slide. Roll to 1 " bigger around than your pie pan. Keeping dough between wax paper, pop in the freezer for a few minutes, the paper will peel right off once the dough is stiff. After removing paper, set gently on pie plate, but allow to warm up and soften before fitting it to the plate. Trim edges and flute or decorate the edge if desired. <br /><br />Pie filling for 2 pies:</div><div><br /></div><div>2 cans pumpkin</div><div>2 cans evaporated milk</div><div>1/2 c. brown sugar</div><div>1 c. white sugar</div><div>1 t. salt</div><div>2 t. cinnamon</div><div>1 t. ginger</div><div>1/2 t. nutmeg</div><div>1/4. t. cloves</div><div>4 beaten eggs</div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat oven to 425 or 420 for glass pie plates, which I prefer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mix filling ingredients until well blended. Pour into prepared crusts. Depending on how deep they are, you may have a bit of extra filling. I pour this into a greased custard cup or small pyrex pan . Bake pies for 15 min. then lower temperature to 350. Bake about 35-45 min. more for a full pie, test by inserting a knife, if it comes out clean the filling is baked. Small cups and pans will get done faster. </div><div><br /></div><div>Allow to cool, serve with sweetened whipped cream. We like this pie all the way chilled before serving. Keep in refrigerator.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-66859926347440868802019-04-18T23:43:00.002-07:002019-04-19T09:06:48.654-07:00Lucky 13! If you don't count the ill-fated 2017 Lollapalooza headlining gig, which was cancelled after 3 songs for a little rain, Friday, April 12, 2019 was my 13th Muse show. It was also the last show in the US leg of the Simulation Theory Tour, so we were kind of hoping for something extra special. We got it, in a quite unexpected way... but once again it was our fellow Musers who really made it happen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W4cjRMBGgGUwSNv6iKEYAJAITqui3scSCtVzRCmyV25fNyd5SlilmWxDkMILCu2OCUo6Dxg_L3SOli4AKztELYHZ67_CIKOt-h2clIxCq5dybAcHkNzmjxQF_JSgtBEW55AYf3lBAzNW/s1600/IMG_20190412_230930187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W4cjRMBGgGUwSNv6iKEYAJAITqui3scSCtVzRCmyV25fNyd5SlilmWxDkMILCu2OCUo6Dxg_L3SOli4AKztELYHZ67_CIKOt-h2clIxCq5dybAcHkNzmjxQF_JSgtBEW55AYf3lBAzNW/s640/IMG_20190412_230930187.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse, with double extra Matt on the screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My last post here told how I got stuck with a VIP ticket, I kept any eye out for the possibility of selling it and getting a normal GA ticket, but after the VIP early entry got messed up for the first few shows on the tour, that ticket was not looking real attractive to buyers. So I figured I was keeping it and hoped I could save at least one spot for someone else. However, I didn't know how I'd pull off even keeping a spot for myself if I didn't know anyone in the VIP queue. Mary solved that one for me by providing an online introduction to Jose, barrier runner supreme! He also had a 2nd tier VIP ticket for Chicago.<br />
<br />
The next hurdle was weather! In April? Yep, another April blizzard was bearing down on Minnesota just before my train was supposed to leave. Part of the reason for booking the train again was not having to sweat the weather & traffic, but Winter Storm Wesley looked bad enough that it could delay or cancel the train. So I quickly checked to see if I could leave a day early, yes I could, though not as convenient for my sister as she could not pick me up at the station that afternoon.<br />
<br />
I think a few other people had the same idea because the train was packed. I had some free "entertainment" from a bizarre F bomb riddled phone convo across the aisle, and even more bizarre stories from my seat mate, who had supposedly died 3 times and come back, part of the time with a new identity he claimed! He did not look well, so I hope he made it out east to see his grandchildren.<br />
<br />
The train pulled in on time, to drizzly, but much better than Minnesota weather.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbzpfotG3vyVq1GobPZqkyCs9fOljzOqo0L3NGe0XYIzqgFBQC5oWMgdWgjc2CWOx2y7-GOf87bbUe_3rtj1TsHIhk-qSY6QcuDt7L8Dci1ZKMqyMQFr4uwl8AdOAKFd2Ldk2xskjkWl1/s1600/IMG_20190410_153518212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbzpfotG3vyVq1GobPZqkyCs9fOljzOqo0L3NGe0XYIzqgFBQC5oWMgdWgjc2CWOx2y7-GOf87bbUe_3rtj1TsHIhk-qSY6QcuDt7L8Dci1ZKMqyMQFr4uwl8AdOAKFd2Ldk2xskjkWl1/s320/IMG_20190410_153518212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago skyline from the train window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I quickly found the bus I needed to get to Diane's place, and chuckled at how much more honking goes on in the streets of Chicago than in the Twin Cities. The staff at her building had a key waiting, and then I had a few hours to myself to re-hydrate and catch up on social media ( the Empire Builder train still doesn't have wifi) . Her boyfriend was supposed to get home first, so I thought it would be nice if I got some beer. It was still light out and lots of liquor stores within walking distance, but closest of all was an "upscale 7/11" ! Very upscale- nice produce and deli stuff, plus the usual things in a convenience store, but most of all, an incredible alcohol selection for such a small space! By the time Diane and Peter both got in, we only had time for a bit of TV political comedy and then bed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So , next was a whole day I had not planned to have free. Diane took me to a new place for lunch, Fatpour Tap Works, it turned out to be aptly named! The drink selection was fine, but it was the food that was oversized, this sandwich had 4 pieces of grilled bread, with stuff in between all layers, so it was like a burger and grilled cheese at the same time with a ton of toppings. I barely made it through half. Diane wisely got a salad, which was also big enough that she needed a box for the leftovers. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStCjTOl3gn0w52JD_fY0rTmXVacwuhYC3E9q0fphfXzntPjmazhNaVcAyropakfxvRyHGbXbjwOAn_jw0Zcyiat8Ef_kSdH8n7ksFR-4coqn8LwZ-Sibn5DRWiKaP0wqfk8gX9QlGMtXg/s1600/IMG_20190411_133425504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStCjTOl3gn0w52JD_fY0rTmXVacwuhYC3E9q0fphfXzntPjmazhNaVcAyropakfxvRyHGbXbjwOAn_jw0Zcyiat8Ef_kSdH8n7ksFR-4coqn8LwZ-Sibn5DRWiKaP0wqfk8gX9QlGMtXg/s320/IMG_20190411_133425504.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">burger, beer, fries and salad at Fatpour Tap Works</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then I tried to make progress in the book I was reading, "Democracy In Chains" and ended up nodding off for most of the afternoon. The book is plenty engaging, I was just that stuffed. Meanwhile, Diane was prepping sous vide flank steak and chicken wings, to be finished on the grill. Though it was snowing hard in Minnesota, it was quite spring-like in Chicago. Luckily I woke up in time for the news, first relayed by Laura (a French friend I have yet to meet) that the Jaded Hearts Club Band might be coming to Chicago this weekend!! This band is Matt Bellamy's side project, a bunch of musician friends had gotten together to do Beatles covers for a birthday party, and had so much fun they kept doing it and occasionally playing proper gigs. Chatting among fans revealed that other members of the Jaded Hearts were indeed on their way to Chicago, and for a while we did not know exactly where or when, but someone finally turned up the info- they would play Friday night after the Muse gig at the HVAC Pub, a small bar near Wrigley Field. Excitement was growing, could we get tickets? They were $50, but most of us Midwestern Musers never dreamed we'd have a chance to see them and considered it well worth it. Yes! there were advance sales! Big thanks to Jae for printing my ticket out since my sister had no functioning printer.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With a VIP ticket, I got to sleep in a little since I did not need to be at the venue until 3:30 at the earliest. I had hoped to visit the regular GA queue with snacks, but they didn't have to queue all day either. The United Center finally got wise to the numbered wristband idea, so people came as early as they could, got their number, and went off to relax elsewhere, or in Mandy's case, go to work! I showed up at 3, hoping to find someone, and quite accidentally ended up inside by going into the Bulls' team store and asking where my entry gate was. This gate used to open to the outside, but is now enclosed with the Michael Jordan statue in the center of the area. Not many people were around, but I did run into a few of the Muse dancers! </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_VOyP5hR4JC1Ztan3ocTBtIZK4JvlHDoAyfgW44aaz01KKtpt3Z8MjYCVjNJYm5Y-CzXdserFySQKx330hzjccTaBAFTlu-ndO4v-NXEX28IbQbCsExrS15R0SbXT88kTyCJI-JIZKaK/s1600/IMG_20190412_144719985_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1573" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_VOyP5hR4JC1Ztan3ocTBtIZK4JvlHDoAyfgW44aaz01KKtpt3Z8MjYCVjNJYm5Y-CzXdserFySQKx330hzjccTaBAFTlu-ndO4v-NXEX28IbQbCsExrS15R0SbXT88kTyCJI-JIZKaK/s400/IMG_20190412_144719985_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse Dancers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jose arrived soon after this. I went back outside for a while to join him and we hoped to see some other Musers we knew, but they had not come back yet. So we went in, checked in for our poster and lunchbox gifts and started the tier 2 VIP queue. Only one couple was ahead of us, so I am still glad I showed up early. We had nearly 2 hours to kill, so we got to know the people near us in our much smaller queue. Contrary to what many hardcore Musers feared, they were mostly enthusiastic fans, too, if not long term ones. Jose and I held our spots for bathroom and merch buying breaks; I have to say it was nice to be that close to a bathroom! I was still waffling on what spot to go for on the barrier. Jose liked the end of the B stage. Others had told me it was easier to see everything from the catwalk sides, and others liked being by the main stage though that barrier was set back farther. I think it was Maria's photos of "full frontal Matt" that she took from the B stage barrier at an earlier show that convinced me đ I had told Mandy I would attempt to save her a spot, so I let her know I was going to that place first, but if it was too high and I could not see, I would move to the catwalk. After a lot of being herded around and waiting in a couple more spots, they finally let us on the floor! Jose and I easily got center end of the B stage, a great spot. I felt I was tall enough to see , so I spread out and stayed there!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HBHhE7Jth8CCAlIybuHDHrzTHRugO-E85okDRvr7qzLS9I-8ZZ-L1oF89IMuZcTxxgBKXWkray4bZV3DEXvvAo-txBREUDBay_QscKMOo6cRDqKUE9-VVuHQdaKtUVUd9vc8Rs54CcfO/s1600/IMG_20190412_183049660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HBHhE7Jth8CCAlIybuHDHrzTHRugO-E85okDRvr7qzLS9I-8ZZ-L1oF89IMuZcTxxgBKXWkray4bZV3DEXvvAo-txBREUDBay_QscKMOo6cRDqKUE9-VVuHQdaKtUVUd9vc8Rs54CcfO/s320/IMG_20190412_183049660.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jose and I snag the B stage spots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mandy went for the catwalk with some of my other Muse friends though, so I un-spread and let a short girl behind me get to the front. After what seemed like forever, but was probably only 90 min, Walk the Moon took the stage. I had heard them often enough on local radio to know about half their songs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oTQ_gIUXEe4GVSn6uTuPEFTUSRlxWkJJrAXk4u5CP5-_3ShXIFXWnGafY8V1mNb-kaJ2sHogorFCVkOQ-rtkA44u3h5pd54lTE5zOU0DmDi0RM3xGFICUUlIB357xdmjdch4E7jADTGx/s1600/IMG_20190412_200804348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oTQ_gIUXEe4GVSn6uTuPEFTUSRlxWkJJrAXk4u5CP5-_3ShXIFXWnGafY8V1mNb-kaJ2sHogorFCVkOQ-rtkA44u3h5pd54lTE5zOU0DmDi0RM3xGFICUUlIB357xdmjdch4E7jADTGx/s400/IMG_20190412_200804348.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk the Moon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They are quite good live, a real rock band with energy and stage presence, and excellent musicianship. During the break, Jose got ready for Muse!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tSFofmFYZbRTJflYgBkkr4ok-VCKQZ_u0kq5oL6WWDJkf0u-BbH-Usy6vA2unnLArE2EBb_HrXmXPDk190IWynmTkqH-2gl-bo-NlSvEly2BgWYRdgrYmCRG0-bleNvImuImaO5wN_S7/s1600/IMG_20190412_211137237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tSFofmFYZbRTJflYgBkkr4ok-VCKQZ_u0kq5oL6WWDJkf0u-BbH-Usy6vA2unnLArE2EBb_HrXmXPDk190IWynmTkqH-2gl-bo-NlSvEly2BgWYRdgrYmCRG0-bleNvImuImaO5wN_S7/s320/IMG_20190412_211137237.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jose in Moonglasses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
At last, we heard the opening notes of Algorithm and saw the Muse Dancers! Then Matt rising up from under the stage right in front of us. His Power Glove is part of the light show. </div>
<div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpX7wtbxdtPQ2QfSgCk2kygjL8EeXAqNl4Q1TrE9DW7DV6crfpA98Tdk3GavX0qA9CQ1gMZYB4dH-0Y0GIa6iFOZ4vG-Y09KScehsA4hmzME_ER5qJ18XdirH4DJ_uHuP36WUcmYNBZ0Y/s1600/IMG_20190412_212041723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1347" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpX7wtbxdtPQ2QfSgCk2kygjL8EeXAqNl4Q1TrE9DW7DV6crfpA98Tdk3GavX0qA9CQ1gMZYB4dH-0Y0GIa6iFOZ4vG-Y09KScehsA4hmzME_ER5qJ18XdirH4DJ_uHuP36WUcmYNBZ0Y/s320/IMG_20190412_212041723.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse Dancers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSLlyTCxNpeqHFUxZxrchRH02n5F4gzUhVSrCJ_PpCiQ9IdiwKpDU6tzqDsu3QucHLiP9Wbe6m4X89l_knKYQVSI88utGSfuBPWqoA7eP6SOsvxB3LAxM0_33_z1wWVmekmePzPRTd0Qg/s1600/IMG_20190412_212051455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSLlyTCxNpeqHFUxZxrchRH02n5F4gzUhVSrCJ_PpCiQ9IdiwKpDU6tzqDsu3QucHLiP9Wbe6m4X89l_knKYQVSI88utGSfuBPWqoA7eP6SOsvxB3LAxM0_33_z1wWVmekmePzPRTd0Qg/s320/IMG_20190412_212051455.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt rising up out of the stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CW1V9tFJsldT_n67ftgan6fTxygHU7KwoUhFbIl6lMof7Qv246Voy8WB1lQ8_Zt2as1ZuXoXf8KPEIDHunmJZCcm_paWh84aRTlMSQfwinEETiCpoJoq0lGJFggd7echbrEJ4Kgj0mSa/s1600/IMG_20190412_212108852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CW1V9tFJsldT_n67ftgan6fTxygHU7KwoUhFbIl6lMof7Qv246Voy8WB1lQ8_Zt2as1ZuXoXf8KPEIDHunmJZCcm_paWh84aRTlMSQfwinEETiCpoJoq0lGJFggd7echbrEJ4Kgj0mSa/s640/IMG_20190412_212108852.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt multitasking- singing, throwing light beams around, with a guitar on his back<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Matt seemed to enjoy running around all parts of the stage. Soon the jacket was off during Break It To Me, another track from Simulation Theory. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iBB1g1ZraZoHV2esn0NBQgM-pKFZ5RTyKBzFtPuxZvfdHfDfTuxI_HwGj0R-l3pDGXzJziG_F7CYPUv9jS0UDI1KunII6anVcMXxcz0_MaC6I4cqNilqgW0O1KFSh0wAM11QzjxZJGkR/s1600/IMG_20190412_213541710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iBB1g1ZraZoHV2esn0NBQgM-pKFZ5RTyKBzFtPuxZvfdHfDfTuxI_HwGj0R-l3pDGXzJziG_F7CYPUv9jS0UDI1KunII6anVcMXxcz0_MaC6I4cqNilqgW0O1KFSh0wAM11QzjxZJGkR/s640/IMG_20190412_213541710.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break It To Me, one of my favs on the new album</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The dancers were back for Propaganda, which has a bit of Prince influence, but my eyes and camera tended to stay on Matt.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptfGZzjUcXBRB9W80anwoGH-65XbG9fMMe-OJSVHJ0CeGRA-YJ7ZLvVnY4Kd8_cBUqOnYuSSddINx9gUj9QujGXuLlxIxsMmymYA2u0i1xQ-0T8rixfuTHcjajfDC6LeJscyHmc1pv374/s1600/IMG_20190412_214305924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptfGZzjUcXBRB9W80anwoGH-65XbG9fMMe-OJSVHJ0CeGRA-YJ7ZLvVnY4Kd8_cBUqOnYuSSddINx9gUj9QujGXuLlxIxsMmymYA2u0i1xQ-0T8rixfuTHcjajfDC6LeJscyHmc1pv374/s400/IMG_20190412_214305924.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Propaganda includes an acoustic slide solo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSisgGAAkiTtq6aoh4CtE2yZIM6A4hI2uJRRO-AF9h1Z_YBplFLjDv2kpVDVOpB239Ik4iMTXTTvLdjrnkNb1vjJ-Dk6entjbKLqx-63DR3rijYlJjnXaupr6cg0d13rfDgAwA-Gi5QUCV/s1600/IMG_20190412_214609198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSisgGAAkiTtq6aoh4CtE2yZIM6A4hI2uJRRO-AF9h1Z_YBplFLjDv2kpVDVOpB239Ik4iMTXTTvLdjrnkNb1vjJ-Dk6entjbKLqx-63DR3rijYlJjnXaupr6cg0d13rfDgAwA-Gi5QUCV/s400/IMG_20190412_214609198.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most likely during Plug In Baby<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I sometimes put the phone down, so I have no photos during Pray, Matt's new song for The Game of Thrones soundtrack. He was back in a jacket for The Dark Side, think he must have used 4 different ones!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutZpluKilERZJWstSDe_u5gnK3-d1oOfBkiCbsVuq9ciHuuCqZzHDTqd7n4rp3xacY8F58VoYK45YQC2ptyoHpU7pDRxFiVVuTIhKOCGqst4bD97VL8s3sRfpL0Cfg-3MnHdh6T_RU4Ui/s1600/IMG_20190412_215733901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutZpluKilERZJWstSDe_u5gnK3-d1oOfBkiCbsVuq9ciHuuCqZzHDTqd7n4rp3xacY8F58VoYK45YQC2ptyoHpU7pDRxFiVVuTIhKOCGqst4bD97VL8s3sRfpL0Cfg-3MnHdh6T_RU4Ui/s400/IMG_20190412_215733901.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a more basic leather look </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAAm2xXIte-3ULbp_voNzpikUgY53qoxA-sjBdLn1x5IgXiO9NVRjaHebCqjEHM6d40gMufAx0szHdbP29pqoyAw649XqG-6OV_BV86bnumYKhftPpCkmAPN3KomabeJJczm5ZXZqY1GL/s1600/IMG_20190412_215738668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAAm2xXIte-3ULbp_voNzpikUgY53qoxA-sjBdLn1x5IgXiO9NVRjaHebCqjEHM6d40gMufAx0szHdbP29pqoyAw649XqG-6OV_BV86bnumYKhftPpCkmAPN3KomabeJJczm5ZXZqY1GL/s400/IMG_20190412_215738668.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blurry, but I love the slight smile<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Matt has been doing a guitar solo with his tongue during Supermassive Black Hole lately, đ This happened on the main stage, and was shown on the big screen, this is someone else's video. </div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/isabella_muse/status/1117596623989813248">https://twitter.com/isabella_muse/status/1117596623989813248</a><br />
<br />
and someone else's still photo<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQc3JgHfLmqbDTcfn51QPQaorDzkui8KxYo4MFfET6VWA6YceyqtrFY_4-pZazKOdkoaPpnNlynEZH_-J2RVhm1WVWOS-ZhFKYixQJoefNsxtNJhNOAtvDgAeH-JKB_LU8YZK0Q4kDnJi/s1600/57162428_2182534941822526_6328723134874648576_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQc3JgHfLmqbDTcfn51QPQaorDzkui8KxYo4MFfET6VWA6YceyqtrFY_4-pZazKOdkoaPpnNlynEZH_-J2RVhm1WVWOS-ZhFKYixQJoefNsxtNJhNOAtvDgAeH-JKB_LU8YZK0Q4kDnJi/s400/57162428_2182534941822526_6328723134874648576_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tongue action!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Muse Dancers may have been at their best during Thought Contagion. The zombies even left the stage twitching in character!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcVOJn5BIVpe2Z5QJKgGgdRVK5dGmFR40DqCs7a7klY4Ak8bNnucBA0uUJzHInmNcKIR9Wp94atuxXs_m0n5jPVZEthl8vxwJ_MxFCm6fZvbON2AlKb7CuYNqSwXJzT58vY_vX2rPwE6U/s1600/IMG_20190412_220511922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1465" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcVOJn5BIVpe2Z5QJKgGgdRVK5dGmFR40DqCs7a7klY4Ak8bNnucBA0uUJzHInmNcKIR9Wp94atuxXs_m0n5jPVZEthl8vxwJ_MxFCm6fZvbON2AlKb7CuYNqSwXJzT58vY_vX2rPwE6U/s320/IMG_20190412_220511922.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought Contagion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KSrehH2xVAOfEihHlHn3zvHbufM9adZcyK7hwcH3SFlx6HEgOZQwK7-960wyyQwIJAD42V4M-6sAkzssEQ8p_In6DHUjs1DyPTIuC5mNS5hZ0rXn-rpEYusD27aqwD1KE_gttbIyN36h/s1600/IMG_20190412_220513186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KSrehH2xVAOfEihHlHn3zvHbufM9adZcyK7hwcH3SFlx6HEgOZQwK7-960wyyQwIJAD42V4M-6sAkzssEQ8p_In6DHUjs1DyPTIuC5mNS5hZ0rXn-rpEYusD27aqwD1KE_gttbIyN36h/s320/IMG_20190412_220513186.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You've been bitten by someone who's hungrier than you"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
Not the best photo of Chris during Hysteria, but I kept if for having a good view of Dom's Bulls jersey on the screen. The United Center gave the band Bulls & Black Hawks jerseys.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoUasQcNu0DaNTE1qAjUwJ5QSULCHPlpDY62VCfRgSOhvGpVpByyd8ee-feEdbBc3zhyphenhyphenxCs6Y-oAUCy8PiRuu7hxmH0HNXYz2IJml45rbcttu-vFz2KCY1lC2ag41BHj-R8N5vvlhqTTl/s1600/IMG_20190412_220704084_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoUasQcNu0DaNTE1qAjUwJ5QSULCHPlpDY62VCfRgSOhvGpVpByyd8ee-feEdbBc3zhyphenhyphenxCs6Y-oAUCy8PiRuu7hxmH0HNXYz2IJml45rbcttu-vFz2KCY1lC2ag41BHj-R8N5vvlhqTTl/s640/IMG_20190412_220704084_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris in lights, Dom on screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Dig Down , the gospel version, was a quieter moment, where I could capture all 3 of our boys, though we were singing the choral parts.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCMz3358bGZPVj7HMx5ayM3c_5YNQTibxVJFedHCzA9ROHsXVbc-TYA1CWbaISPJMC3ZqbKjuIdaguBtOPCy37RmBDUpI4Dpgj_j-Nz_6NBNtpXYynVzzpTSfPUCGF5TLfCjULzHUNASq/s1600/IMG_20190412_221704794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCMz3358bGZPVj7HMx5ayM3c_5YNQTibxVJFedHCzA9ROHsXVbc-TYA1CWbaISPJMC3ZqbKjuIdaguBtOPCy37RmBDUpI4Dpgj_j-Nz_6NBNtpXYynVzzpTSfPUCGF5TLfCjULzHUNASq/s320/IMG_20190412_221704794.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dig Down, gospel version</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfGjgZeH3Xg6af7NdYZAYJDGrUN1NhGAC1sm3jhrZ2PxMvT2v0QDAFr2TqeTF8KWRChLAMWIaz_gYxS11DqtJCZNpCQ3-_jx0tshCgu6isVIl22s6P5_7d2nrqvHdPLskkapp_xVWb0FM/s1600/IMG_20190412_221720992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfGjgZeH3Xg6af7NdYZAYJDGrUN1NhGAC1sm3jhrZ2PxMvT2v0QDAFr2TqeTF8KWRChLAMWIaz_gYxS11DqtJCZNpCQ3-_jx0tshCgu6isVIl22s6P5_7d2nrqvHdPLskkapp_xVWb0FM/s640/IMG_20190412_221720992.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with extra Dom!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some of us knew what to expect during the next song, Mercy. Matt comes off stage to greet people along the barrier, and we get blasted with confetti and streamers. I didn't get to touch him this time đ but I did get this rather amazing shot. I am not sure how it managed to be in focus! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CmP7F_fhdQORNKCjYou_oINgwI__oJSq65BzWo6z3Ymhz_ZvcarODg07G7pizZRXNbUb3PctpLKZxfq-qIIvi9RhbAaMJeD6wR3q13QPTVtY7mZRnvY3BM1u0dI2pFZX_RAgDTWoIwlo/s1600/IMG_20190412_222722892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CmP7F_fhdQORNKCjYou_oINgwI__oJSq65BzWo6z3Ymhz_ZvcarODg07G7pizZRXNbUb3PctpLKZxfq-qIIvi9RhbAaMJeD6wR3q13QPTVtY7mZRnvY3BM1u0dI2pFZX_RAgDTWoIwlo/s640/IMG_20190412_222722892.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mercy!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The confetti was glow in the dark multi-colours this time! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDtEOuNEOS6CaYTg9mfBNYYhy3LNgWUQIXKW23HDfDjm6SOaUIips61hRrn6dT8bfjH7hhYED9gv-_q7Q0famJCK7VdpDmPgAOulkb8GKMIAhSRS3hKjebdjtRP5Pg6BnyifUWFNVHJvw/s1600/IMG_20190412_222935741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDtEOuNEOS6CaYTg9mfBNYYhy3LNgWUQIXKW23HDfDjm6SOaUIips61hRrn6dT8bfjH7hhYED9gv-_q7Q0famJCK7VdpDmPgAOulkb8GKMIAhSRS3hKjebdjtRP5Pg6BnyifUWFNVHJvw/s320/IMG_20190412_222935741.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt in a blizzard of confetti<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this production there is no real encore break, the last part kicks off with the original version of Algorithm including Matt on piano, then the Metal Medley. Jose got a much better photo of Algorithm, showing Matt's LED jacket.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN1oB8zdHEkyn1VHqvFUoNp94z3kytV-PES7MVhW6430Ty2hVQh_unWdwhNdDKpB_LktKmdsBkdPhyVkoo6kuH6exKS9WYOsNegfl1UxaXWxui8lEw-CVMjSSpEUXd85DtIbY6VgaikIq/s1600/57253379_10156412247783693_6870700891838611456_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJN1oB8zdHEkyn1VHqvFUoNp94z3kytV-PES7MVhW6430Ty2hVQh_unWdwhNdDKpB_LktKmdsBkdPhyVkoo6kuH6exKS9WYOsNegfl1UxaXWxui8lEw-CVMjSSpEUXd85DtIbY6VgaikIq/s400/57253379_10156412247783693_6870700891838611456_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Jose Fernando Ochoa Coello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Then Murph the giant inflatable robot appears! No picture does him justice, he looks much more awesome in person!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFug8ZWWt7PcAcd1GlcV-7p7SYG8qjfw8GIDBELdfNTIlkAQ3XLmsKuz_B52-mFiPAUg-ERfqxduBHFFdTJyJ17xThNhhVI_wg9nbgDNvLLZKSMijj6FgH7Z40IjPIFtRcNlpcvQ4CNGSC/s1600/IMG_20190412_225305065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFug8ZWWt7PcAcd1GlcV-7p7SYG8qjfw8GIDBELdfNTIlkAQ3XLmsKuz_B52-mFiPAUg-ERfqxduBHFFdTJyJ17xThNhhVI_wg9nbgDNvLLZKSMijj6FgH7Z40IjPIFtRcNlpcvQ4CNGSC/s640/IMG_20190412_225305065.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Murph tries to grab Matt throughout the Metal Medley, especially during the Handler, but Matt either evades him or attacks with his guitar. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDB6z3dDKv9ufBVK637zA7gvz9SB3-1b5-ZAP1AC4pyb5DEGw9jeenKdqDS05kYeOXP9ryz0hJBUyIUESzoGPrKuUbLI7jWZYDFS4q0Hje4KKmaS7uZttfcspnUtNypYVs3SOeEi5wC-F/s1600/IMG_20190412_225648297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDB6z3dDKv9ufBVK637zA7gvz9SB3-1b5-ZAP1AC4pyb5DEGw9jeenKdqDS05kYeOXP9ryz0hJBUyIUESzoGPrKuUbLI7jWZYDFS4q0Hje4KKmaS7uZttfcspnUtNypYVs3SOeEi5wC-F/s320/IMG_20190412_225648297.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a safe distance from Murph </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZE3VdklwVH7C5UJddhRBRsRxwxKTzRV25PD_ow8y6oRJuSspJzMWGMRbiBjstc1SJyUJit0ADClPAuMm9Kn7-r4C9XEKiVoD3SdeMo7mEIYGSIIguDG9ctimKgShIoed5ufV24ESVBun/s1600/IMG_20190412_230107518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZE3VdklwVH7C5UJddhRBRsRxwxKTzRV25PD_ow8y6oRJuSspJzMWGMRbiBjstc1SJyUJit0ADClPAuMm9Kn7-r4C9XEKiVoD3SdeMo7mEIYGSIIguDG9ctimKgShIoed5ufV24ESVBun/s320/IMG_20190412_230107518.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">possibly during Newborn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1Qp5DfrhyphenhyphenlryqlhXyfdGNM0QLb98U7-5fqrhzMJvEN7MKKkXMEXUAynNFyh7_DQKrX4xxLH5sttA5jdhmKrmt05AtxsUSvathUSbNreNWjbjrBfhLFeWqWJqistPUfb8-tSLiETz5SEg/s1600/IMG_20190412_225656918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1Qp5DfrhyphenhyphenlryqlhXyfdGNM0QLb98U7-5fqrhzMJvEN7MKKkXMEXUAynNFyh7_DQKrX4xxLH5sttA5jdhmKrmt05AtxsUSvathUSbNreNWjbjrBfhLFeWqWJqistPUfb8-tSLiETz5SEg/s640/IMG_20190412_225656918.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reapers fingers!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Man with a Harmonica is still the beginning of the finale with Chris looking heavenly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNj-CyeJA__1UKf5rI2CdtF9Bnjq6D825_KEm9vOEAsnmY1zhZ32yhQWGIK73qjVCSlNr1q6L4aIy5TiFIlyGG-GiAFUWRZsyEJWPutlQxJUBHfdTTVjggirS3_1nCy5-9xoz4_BnL6oyj/s1600/IMG_20190412_230605952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNj-CyeJA__1UKf5rI2CdtF9Bnjq6D825_KEm9vOEAsnmY1zhZ32yhQWGIK73qjVCSlNr1q6L4aIy5TiFIlyGG-GiAFUWRZsyEJWPutlQxJUBHfdTTVjggirS3_1nCy5-9xoz4_BnL6oyj/s400/IMG_20190412_230605952.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris in the vapor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One last epic song to rock out to, Knights of Cydonia.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN4xJ5GjKeHSJLUNZwRJvzboPc6tBparEsDGizDLz4NHs74gr4uncvI8dDe-B18gXhIrQUaaSpV3GISlt1NmIqq1QxKKCLTIoeoaEN4ovJwt3D70OlS2qLRoxYHAGX-X_5_OxmS7xBOuX/s1600/IMG_20190412_230933878_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN4xJ5GjKeHSJLUNZwRJvzboPc6tBparEsDGizDLz4NHs74gr4uncvI8dDe-B18gXhIrQUaaSpV3GISlt1NmIqq1QxKKCLTIoeoaEN4ovJwt3D70OlS2qLRoxYHAGX-X_5_OxmS7xBOuX/s640/IMG_20190412_230933878_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knights of Cydonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
They came down to the B stage to toss out picks and drumsticks, and Jose got a drumstick! For those who haven't been following this tour, here's the set list, it has been the same at all the American shows.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiruHG7AikfjZuSsZhTNcPN-W9c1ltf-8Wa4c6qa8E0aQupLP0PTf_45y25lvSPin2ZQ4LcftelWYjJP9p6XK3VGmEXAfOotnmFp5nh548XpB1_Y0BjZGAu6h_fJ8jCirr5Db807iR0pPG/s1600/setlist-image-v1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="401" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiruHG7AikfjZuSsZhTNcPN-W9c1ltf-8Wa4c6qa8E0aQupLP0PTf_45y25lvSPin2ZQ4LcftelWYjJP9p6XK3VGmEXAfOotnmFp5nh548XpB1_Y0BjZGAu6h_fJ8jCirr5Db807iR0pPG/s320/setlist-image-v1.png" width="214" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mandy quickly made her way over, we had another show to get to! But Jose got separated, I think he may have had a faster trip grabbing an Uber anyway. We had to catch a train to get to Mandy's car, and since she lives near the 2nd venue , it only made sense to take it there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't think I had fully processed that I was actually going to see Matt Bellamy in a tiny dive bar. It truly was, complete with liquid of unknown origin on the bathroom floor and servers having to shove past you. It was super packed in the HVAC Pub, but Mandy wiggled us close to the front of the stage, and Jose was already there, phew! One of the servers miraculously managed to bring me a club soda, I was so impressed I gave her $10 for it! Not long after we got in place, the Jaded Hearts began with I Saw Her Standing There. Matt stayed mostly behind Ilan Rubin, between that and the crowding, my photos are very poor, but I could see he was having a great time playing bass and not being the frontman. Chris joined them to play guitar on She Loves You, and Dom was watching this time- he has stepped in on drums before. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ANjYq5xDKN-nItFjFGIWBnFNvmkbqQ_7f3iFZlTOgsLXji4HnUxbybxKL6GQKhkA0l8bCXFVcDff2MgrKbe8PU3tERON0IAYFAJqNOHe-zfi03F28wVeb0sSg3QE2u4FbVCpxnDG9IwM/s1600/IMG_20190413_011144605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ANjYq5xDKN-nItFjFGIWBnFNvmkbqQ_7f3iFZlTOgsLXji4HnUxbybxKL6GQKhkA0l8bCXFVcDff2MgrKbe8PU3tERON0IAYFAJqNOHe-zfi03F28wVeb0sSg3QE2u4FbVCpxnDG9IwM/s320/IMG_20190413_011144605.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy with the Jaded Hearts Club Band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
Someone up front got a much better photo. Good thing, because I had given up and was singing along and dancing my ass off! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSaDxwHCQAvy0Ab44srEEPasau7hBaJV_VTINtHp3_UdovYJjaC3GOO-cW3U_pyWWRNnlYGk2fBQGoCucPaxfs1j18_zNZtLe9fuvS_Yx8hc6ptz6ivdbEv3vwaH_jIK1U-pD2pABHGFH/s1600/57172592_2091963967519861_5615514515106955264_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSaDxwHCQAvy0Ab44srEEPasau7hBaJV_VTINtHp3_UdovYJjaC3GOO-cW3U_pyWWRNnlYGk2fBQGoCucPaxfs1j18_zNZtLe9fuvS_Yx8hc6ptz6ivdbEv3vwaH_jIK1U-pD2pABHGFH/s400/57172592_2091963967519861_5615514515106955264_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Matt, possibly looking up at Dom?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
We got 11 songs, not bad for an aftershow! Muse Historical Society has them all on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHoy0OFJ0ymDmdhpyMY5z1w">YouTube</a>. Some free drinks were being passed around as we made our way out, so I downed a celebratory Jameson's, but booze was quite unnecessary, we were all on cloud 9 as you can see here!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-3t2wZzFpK9_jk6sUQeBJNL3KWey81s1F3Q7qH_Tyn73gPxXHnqH-EkpYynMHNBTWLOTh67xFWxydZnRcDo6fCP8uf6Gb_MB2dEBeHG8X46bUXottGWMfjddoCJHG7852i12xg0JeR8p/s1600/57400116_10213926656547765_6039462580752220160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-3t2wZzFpK9_jk6sUQeBJNL3KWey81s1F3Q7qH_Tyn73gPxXHnqH-EkpYynMHNBTWLOTh67xFWxydZnRcDo6fCP8uf6Gb_MB2dEBeHG8X46bUXottGWMfjddoCJHG7852i12xg0JeR8p/s400/57400116_10213926656547765_6039462580752220160_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth, Jae & me after the Jaded Hearts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was some slight hope of meeting the band by the back door, so a small crowd gathered there, but most of us knew we needed food and water at this point. I decided to head back to my sister's for that, but would hang out by the door until my Lyft arrived. It only took 2 minutes! So I had to say good byes fast, and was soon headed south with a friendly yet professional driver, a foreign student at one of the local colleges. I heard later the band finally came out at 4 am, and only a couple fans had stayed that long!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I chugged 3 large glasses of water, nibbled on leftovers and had a first look at my photos before going to bed. I'd forgotten my real camera, but the phone did OK. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recovery day at my sister's included another quick trip to Fatpour, just for drinks this time, and we grabbed our Pizano's pizza on the way back, real Chicago deep dish- Diane does know how to send me off right! The next day it started snowing in Chicago, not a blizzard, but kind of annoying, and a factor keeping Peter from getting the car back in time, so I got to Uber to the train station. My trip back was quiet & calm and I finished "Democracy In Chains". My tour poster is on the wall, and my lunchbox is just the right size for my hair scrunchies. Post Muse Syndrome has not set in yet, but I don't know when I'll see them again. Will there be fall shows in Denver or maybe even Minneapolis? Or will it be Chicago again when I see them next? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZijePmJLA3s5KdTq5pMFFQz2M1kmo-n_dPb7_ssfaNQL6PQAHnnOxqsmtWwafkAZrZsqUPivHupdQZx7tJoAXXqkh2Tv_TJ0aNFChpq6oatygwFlDiMMq87Mk6-0wE8t8j9N71rnnVtUH/s1600/IMG_20190413_193129532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZijePmJLA3s5KdTq5pMFFQz2M1kmo-n_dPb7_ssfaNQL6PQAHnnOxqsmtWwafkAZrZsqUPivHupdQZx7tJoAXXqkh2Tv_TJ0aNFChpq6oatygwFlDiMMq87Mk6-0wE8t8j9N71rnnVtUH/s320/IMG_20190413_193129532.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Michigan from my sister's high rise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-52859795627398172902018-12-22T21:45:00.002-08:002018-12-22T21:45:36.351-08:00The Night Muse Stole Christmas, so they could bring it early! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SXmsuqSWLnj4SESQCLgJngXh4OxEUcdEjGRGfR6ScPl-r6Ixgk-G4KYGTLldYTK7Jyl9eqPXgq-_WR65ZFVOwgQFcbLeLLs7XVp4onhQkBNtOr_cMTqZm2QfnBPGrRU3U-NbC3jQsyqp/s1600/P1080838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SXmsuqSWLnj4SESQCLgJngXh4OxEUcdEjGRGfR6ScPl-r6Ixgk-G4KYGTLldYTK7Jyl9eqPXgq-_WR65ZFVOwgQFcbLeLLs7XVp4onhQkBNtOr_cMTqZm2QfnBPGrRU3U-NbC3jQsyqp/s640/P1080838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse at the Aragon Ballroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
Early in November, as we Musers were having eargasms over the new album, Simulation Theory, we got news of official tour dates and ticket pre-sales, but a number of cities did not have dates yet, including the big 3 of NYC, LA and Chicago. Minneapolis was not even on the radar this tour. So I thought I was off the hook for ticket buying stress the morning of Nov. 9, but then we saw tweets from 101WKQX announcing Muse headlining night 5 of their holiday shows- The Nights We Stole Christmas, exactly 1 month away! I had to think fast, well OK, not much thinking was involved, though I was responsible enough to check my credit card balances first. A little nudge from my original Muse queue buddy, Mandy, was enough to convince me to do it, and I bought the ticket.<br />
<br />
Transportation was up in the air for a few days, but knowing how nice riding Amtrak had been in April, I decided to get in on that if I could score the cheaper tickets, which I did. Driving myself in my ancient car was not an option, and parking is scarce at my sister's (but lodging is free!), she actually prefers fetching me from Union Station.<br />
<br />
The weeks flew by, and despite some home repair strife, I was on my way early in the morning of Dec. 8. I got closer to finishing As Always Julia, and did the dining car for lunch, where I got seated with 2 older men, one a Vietnam vet, the other having just returned from Vietnam as a tourist! So I mostly listened to them compare notes, fascinating! But I didn't eat too much because I knew Diane was going to take me out for REAL pizza- Chicago Deep Dish.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqsEU4X6ecBAZHkIa7b1wynOu-Jbx_gyYQ5dzcaLCxzZwE9_aZz0HQNZLf-hXAKu6me8_Wz9NiuM4SexthyehOkmTc5I0ka9WPFb_PvwOwepJ0l66zdQIfcBp0L_GvUnhipS1Uy3GbRN-/s1600/IMG_20181208_190246394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqsEU4X6ecBAZHkIa7b1wynOu-Jbx_gyYQ5dzcaLCxzZwE9_aZz0HQNZLf-hXAKu6me8_Wz9NiuM4SexthyehOkmTc5I0ka9WPFb_PvwOwepJ0l66zdQIfcBp0L_GvUnhipS1Uy3GbRN-/s320/IMG_20181208_190246394.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep dish pizza at Pizano's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Diane also chauffered me to meet up with Mandy at what I considered an ungodly hour the next morning, It was not really too cold for Chicago in December but we were layered up anyway, ready to spend the whole day outside the venue, the Aragon Ballroom. It had been 40 some years since I was last there for my very first rock concert. We were 15 & 16 in the queue.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhhjfemADRgeOpdSRCsaWqSKxg1kWDValiEWRDPscP2XQjsKf4BXZVxVBsye6bT4grsWhnao_kh0vkLvJRwA06EFMehmkY-eAWuB-KFt7IRllueN01k1RPgNVTiP112OTFvaeZNNc3PnE/s1600/IMG_20181209_085555518_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhhjfemADRgeOpdSRCsaWqSKxg1kWDValiEWRDPscP2XQjsKf4BXZVxVBsye6bT4grsWhnao_kh0vkLvJRwA06EFMehmkY-eAWuB-KFt7IRllueN01k1RPgNVTiP112OTFvaeZNNc3PnE/s400/IMG_20181209_085555518_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning queue outside the Aragon<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>
<br />We soon discovered the handy Starbucks across the street was not going to be so handy- their bathrooms were not available on Sundays! We were able to find other places nearby though, and spent the time catching up with friends, some we had not seen since previous Muse gigs in Chicago. We also tried to fix it so the maximum number of people would get early entry for donating a child's coat, by pairing up plus ones, but this fell apart when the WKQX folks came out with the wristbands before we had it sorted.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdo1WSHPO87TTKWaOg0K2B0Qu0yrClN6Ub79xWIEhIyJlvDWecSHjKBe1VSeNF8j1-a7zGtvNa1PMzNo5ngYR1UN7kpiDPMqZxK6uAdew_vmuE7ZB7MUNeciSPDy8XMCdJmN7-_8KEo1z/s1600/IMG_20181209_110539948_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdo1WSHPO87TTKWaOg0K2B0Qu0yrClN6Ub79xWIEhIyJlvDWecSHjKBe1VSeNF8j1-a7zGtvNa1PMzNo5ngYR1UN7kpiDPMqZxK6uAdew_vmuE7ZB7MUNeciSPDy8XMCdJmN7-_8KEo1z/s320/IMG_20181209_110539948_HDR.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Kelly's magnificent Matt-like shoes<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Having the wristband reduced anxiety a little, and Mandy, Jae and I decided after that was a good time for last bathroom run. Unfortunately, that meant we missed Muse leaving the venue for dinner between sound check and show time đ So some other lucky fans got to meet Dom, though Matt & Chris slipped away. I seem to have a real knack for missing out on these opportunities.<br />
<br />
It got darker and colder but excitement kept us warm. Soon staff separated those of us with wristbands into a separate line. Then after not much longer they lined us up to go in first as promised. We had to stop on the stairs once inside and Salty the Snowman , WKQX's mascot kept us riled up. Then some idiot decided to let the rest of the queue in behind us with no attempt to keep people in order. They all pushed forward of course, and there easily could have been a stampede. One of my friends did fall twice running to the barrier, but she made it and so did I. However, people who should have been right next to us ended up behind. Not as bad as Detroit 2016, but still, stupid and dangerous. Still, we were in our happy place now!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi4_QUV7pFDeEyaA8MK3g-eYXOm8PkZgNTR1mudWMCyBm2fT1DRgdRmT9IggV87F13mb8cW42rMKdlkXYo_lCbSQFK7WdnbHRoZ8y69Buo4SNMga-l-oU0jfkyR0VxNefbRf5-qmTzLHm/s1600/IMG_20181209_183754238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi4_QUV7pFDeEyaA8MK3g-eYXOm8PkZgNTR1mudWMCyBm2fT1DRgdRmT9IggV87F13mb8cW42rMKdlkXYo_lCbSQFK7WdnbHRoZ8y69Buo4SNMga-l-oU0jfkyR0VxNefbRf5-qmTzLHm/s200/IMG_20181209_183754238.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barrier in blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRwgSsi3jHvDUXM5mCSbgPMpzd6tmchIR4qShNxmgNiSyt085O1kVG17yBhxLS2Qbsh9JtuyALVMBSO5GqtEl0CGkjQckTiqK8dGtfAWDbz1byexw2hyphenhyphenLF-aDF3nb7BMO5zBq7XNbCZU4/s1600/IMG_20181209_212003607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRwgSsi3jHvDUXM5mCSbgPMpzd6tmchIR4qShNxmgNiSyt085O1kVG17yBhxLS2Qbsh9JtuyALVMBSO5GqtEl0CGkjQckTiqK8dGtfAWDbz1byexw2hyphenhyphenLF-aDF3nb7BMO5zBq7XNbCZU4/s320/IMG_20181209_212003607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandy & me , very ready for Muse<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: left;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't remember if the venue was quite as charming back in the 70s but the ceiling was certainly lovely now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuy13qJx0GzKqVizpzZGQKopUUAX1KKBYdezBRqk7_p8NXfvAbg4OdeC4VY3elnDiliCcPATo6i7BoiBBX3PEcbm03dplM5OxUkC1qmV0gOptf_zTuwjnrBaIvIMKsk_QudzkuX7XTZkQp/s1600/P1080829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuy13qJx0GzKqVizpzZGQKopUUAX1KKBYdezBRqk7_p8NXfvAbg4OdeC4VY3elnDiliCcPATo6i7BoiBBX3PEcbm03dplM5OxUkC1qmV0gOptf_zTuwjnrBaIvIMKsk_QudzkuX7XTZkQp/s400/P1080829.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Barns Courtney opened with an energetic set. His stage presence reminded me of Jim Morrison, but not the music, still it was kickass rock n roll and he's a powerful singer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eL4M93LvQl7S5kIglCc193XnkftTe6SXL9aN-yxPomFyQkeFvpQksgBPV6Il0OSDDjXP-zF8XcciJaMxeAwKyzuKc5dIZFMdeIeQRGtkvTYN7fdQgkK0NyL9G7trmkqG0OnRTPhm5bEG/s1600/P1080830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_eL4M93LvQl7S5kIglCc193XnkftTe6SXL9aN-yxPomFyQkeFvpQksgBPV6Il0OSDDjXP-zF8XcciJaMxeAwKyzuKc5dIZFMdeIeQRGtkvTYN7fdQgkK0NyL9G7trmkqG0OnRTPhm5bEG/s320/P1080830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaiONdnriDptPFU6sUX2BYS68ihoJoOkB4BT3XUUbd0oWb4I7bqTtdvfemvkKJtrbAoZt91VubX2rVXe5mKaN61Ztq706KVL02gXO3ynz_XOirRD5rxlYLQ7uyJib7EoTDzSOcLvVDPX4/s1600/P1080832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaiONdnriDptPFU6sUX2BYS68ihoJoOkB4BT3XUUbd0oWb4I7bqTtdvfemvkKJtrbAoZt91VubX2rVXe5mKaN61Ztq706KVL02gXO3ynz_XOirRD5rxlYLQ7uyJib7EoTDzSOcLvVDPX4/s320/P1080832.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00jOOx9WW_qT83paKL5DMCkiO91PMWodPHhDjs0D15Ay4dshiJxvHqAfZfllBEWVBfDfW4wq96qbgSqc_fRC9lCnlSqGGSYrP3UJ33qNpH_rA7nNc8yG7G5B5Hn7hHxNwCVGvz8LLVUWL/s1600/P1080835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00jOOx9WW_qT83paKL5DMCkiO91PMWodPHhDjs0D15Ay4dshiJxvHqAfZfllBEWVBfDfW4wq96qbgSqc_fRC9lCnlSqGGSYrP3UJ33qNpH_rA7nNc8yG7G5B5Hn7hHxNwCVGvz8LLVUWL/s320/P1080835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The second support band was Jungle. Most of us were not impressed, and I didn't take any pictures. All of their songs sounded the same to me, and would maybe be OK background music at a party.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally it was time for Muse! Knowing they had not opened with Algorithm a few days before, I wasn't counting on it, but they did open with it. Besides being an all around great song, it allows Matt to be extra theatrical. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfmZlyYwMX7F0utwN0R6EoY97rGKuaMMUzloxHAy8z7MDLdUNtd48r0aUELUO7xm0Kfhj88faD04U0oGg3zVBzF_xEXb5qhTtFbMDIt3iOXCcLQkP7jpM6MU5HLF55mx_ClMjAi7j_bvA/s1600/P1080837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfmZlyYwMX7F0utwN0R6EoY97rGKuaMMUzloxHAy8z7MDLdUNtd48r0aUELUO7xm0Kfhj88faD04U0oGg3zVBzF_xEXb5qhTtFbMDIt3iOXCcLQkP7jpM6MU5HLF55mx_ClMjAi7j_bvA/s320/P1080837.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Crystal's video of Algorithm, she was just a bit to my left.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_SbVeHMLHmU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_SbVeHMLHmU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next up was Psycho, which got everyone jumping.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQox1e_XgNO9eb1OfzhEvM6YkVd6ucVGf9L8fefX7OpBG5fKX0xYzidiCOXby-_NutQTM4acGHBGgs-G2Ijv7wisqW8uqxYodgVyvJ7bC7xtZI9iBsNlea8tLYSrx14XWKQYpExRLigrf/s1600/P1080842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQox1e_XgNO9eb1OfzhEvM6YkVd6ucVGf9L8fefX7OpBG5fKX0xYzidiCOXby-_NutQTM4acGHBGgs-G2Ijv7wisqW8uqxYodgVyvJ7bC7xtZI9iBsNlea8tLYSrx14XWKQYpExRLigrf/s400/P1080842.JPG" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"your ass belongs to me now"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrotm_mIUmqvpXh6AG8kqO0eMSGp8dpO5ZEZE1ca_1fOuObg1kgIzUh-mU0PRhlVYnllpMcTrxFtK53Syy68ftU3hbdwzLlimQvhsxj3VQouYYgS3PdZyO9HXAT2PMNonScsNya7GoD3W/s1600/P1080843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrotm_mIUmqvpXh6AG8kqO0eMSGp8dpO5ZEZE1ca_1fOuObg1kgIzUh-mU0PRhlVYnllpMcTrxFtK53Syy68ftU3hbdwzLlimQvhsxj3VQouYYgS3PdZyO9HXAT2PMNonScsNya7GoD3W/s400/P1080843.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wolstenbeast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Aragon is a smaller venue than Muse usually play, but Matt still did plenty of jumping.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB_dRX7dItmSxnvgAr9Q58KxI15PF5TCUK9YwwlelE3SxB3pTsEttxSXZFXZkIdw8uHDQ4nCZtycgLrIykNWpRnNF8urDoN7EXA7yn2FZFWxBCWZkVfC8bE8rx9CqeULR9yqZGMo8v2IB/s1600/P1080845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB_dRX7dItmSxnvgAr9Q58KxI15PF5TCUK9YwwlelE3SxB3pTsEttxSXZFXZkIdw8uHDQ4nCZtycgLrIykNWpRnNF8urDoN7EXA7yn2FZFWxBCWZkVfC8bE8rx9CqeULR9yqZGMo8v2IB/s400/P1080845.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had friends all around so it was not too hard to take close ups, except for the lighting issues. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsLiLYz_kX92xfnS7hIKgwI45yvyu4UDqulMptw791-ME2JTwvTp6Eu5U_MV-YsnjXfNZY7imOuJsoDcH7U1iMLSmAsbgCFFYodU6B0P67F_AKoYVmyhrABXXB6LMSuAgaodGkHVOVIjb/s1600/P1080846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1510" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsLiLYz_kX92xfnS7hIKgwI45yvyu4UDqulMptw791-ME2JTwvTp6Eu5U_MV-YsnjXfNZY7imOuJsoDcH7U1iMLSmAsbgCFFYodU6B0P67F_AKoYVmyhrABXXB6LMSuAgaodGkHVOVIjb/s640/P1080846.JPG" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy looking bright & shiny<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next came Break It To Me, another new song I was hoping to hear. I don't know the videographer, </div>
<div>
but I suspect they were right behind me.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-c-EWDlo3EU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-c-EWDlo3EU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The jacket came off, and some of us hollered for more đ knowing Matt has suggested Chris & Dom perform shirtless!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHUnGMSy9xANd-SA-8bA0HwTnNqmeXD3R1uUjfGHFi_KCh_r_VBvnlcBCa3mIX3B5gIoKOoUbdI3Pf7FU9jvfKFJxlDQQ_puk-IAef3scMyUybVYjlXGhyphenhyphenzO8rZkE5hGQsLGZmRF3_L8V/s1600/P1080852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHUnGMSy9xANd-SA-8bA0HwTnNqmeXD3R1uUjfGHFi_KCh_r_VBvnlcBCa3mIX3B5gIoKOoUbdI3Pf7FU9jvfKFJxlDQQ_puk-IAef3scMyUybVYjlXGhyphenhyphenzO8rZkE5hGQsLGZmRF3_L8V/s320/P1080852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsGmLdHg2snD3VygL6bLS61h3l9FVoroXIIlSoLPc5xF1Mxrzng6T0iUFQ5S6E5K-bTp4CCiBkfx7eWzknaqCRasxROpZkxT2yN8bAybz3irlx7wjsgL1HKXVkQpcrQgmehRRRbO1ruCp/s1600/P1080851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsGmLdHg2snD3VygL6bLS61h3l9FVoroXIIlSoLPc5xF1Mxrzng6T0iUFQ5S6E5K-bTp4CCiBkfx7eWzknaqCRasxROpZkxT2yN8bAybz3irlx7wjsgL1HKXVkQpcrQgmehRRRbO1ruCp/s200/P1080851.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few guitar god moments</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcAifFpXM-bU-b5VLHWqIDoWIFFTn3fDEf0m5geLX6P7QTxSM7oU9osmc0imRHewoYKd5ED53XIqU3bVCMSmSpvtU_LyGlI8n1XvwOjZLl32_XThxOJmvWHV4ulEUMdzEBuEU9WYrOuoe/s1600/P1080854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1313" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcAifFpXM-bU-b5VLHWqIDoWIFFTn3fDEf0m5geLX6P7QTxSM7oU9osmc0imRHewoYKd5ED53XIqU3bVCMSmSpvtU_LyGlI8n1XvwOjZLl32_XThxOJmvWHV4ulEUMdzEBuEU9WYrOuoe/s640/P1080854.JPG" width="523" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHTyuTXQYVYaceipD_IfUbqKmfhEjsu1pU-tP5ZE9EosBQV5gYUnEMpTz2rJnxJjho1H1sJHHfmhcV8j5L9LvUxE6YOkSe1FlAG9P15V8MNJdhOYJPUW0wYhZMaj-bkvUQzJLEjhUM2gw/s1600/P1080855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHTyuTXQYVYaceipD_IfUbqKmfhEjsu1pU-tP5ZE9EosBQV5gYUnEMpTz2rJnxJjho1H1sJHHfmhcV8j5L9LvUxE6YOkSe1FlAG9P15V8MNJdhOYJPUW0wYhZMaj-bkvUQzJLEjhUM2gw/s640/P1080855.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY0K4Lto50SW8Nsn6vq5PsiERRYflFzt4H3dvGu8KmpixttNYyea9pWpCJgf93nSc9sVny33xhf6ufoR9goR0-_pEYkv2chRkkMJG9DyswrHrMHHgKzJhVQXcXtXSZIJGIyZTXGUHvg0-/s1600/P1080860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY0K4Lto50SW8Nsn6vq5PsiERRYflFzt4H3dvGu8KmpixttNYyea9pWpCJgf93nSc9sVny33xhf6ufoR9goR0-_pEYkv2chRkkMJG9DyswrHrMHHgKzJhVQXcXtXSZIJGIyZTXGUHvg0-/s640/P1080860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Matt belting out a note, possibly during The Dark Side, an early fav of mine from Simulation Theory.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTzt_0r2Cr-rol889UxEsNsllAOyA01tV79KLYZPES3o41Izu8UyH5Ru5OYOzjahIDIR72qupRzwkvO7hbn7XsqZ67AscgnPXzVaDNxcx0_1V5FuUOa8X1m8LOpAH7j356H-dmaSjA6rp/s1600/P1080862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTzt_0r2Cr-rol889UxEsNsllAOyA01tV79KLYZPES3o41Izu8UyH5Ru5OYOzjahIDIR72qupRzwkvO7hbn7XsqZ67AscgnPXzVaDNxcx0_1V5FuUOa8X1m8LOpAH7j356H-dmaSjA6rp/s320/P1080862.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Some classic Matt pointing, not sure if this might have been during the US debut of the "Metal Medley". Fans were not too sure about this concept when Matt first mentioned it, it's parts of a good number of their heavier songs, but we found it works quite well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZsY5ATkurzfi2nQwgnFok0Y9yfFqPYtrFPAeiKVaL6deKOJyJkOWmiYupv4hgj5Y_2Nxob62zfeC9F4yKm-1uMjz4q6SqqpkLzT9BOsf9sZvfsKPgdEc3NLEO703Sew94ItfiTBn1_7d/s1600/P1080864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZsY5ATkurzfi2nQwgnFok0Y9yfFqPYtrFPAeiKVaL6deKOJyJkOWmiYupv4hgj5Y_2Nxob62zfeC9F4yKm-1uMjz4q6SqqpkLzT9BOsf9sZvfsKPgdEc3NLEO703Sew94ItfiTBn1_7d/s320/P1080864.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can't remember where in the show Matt asked how many of us had been at Lollapalooza in 2017. Sounded like a lot of us had been, then he said "fucking weather!" So I think this was in part a make up show for that sad occasion when they were yanked off stage after 3 songs because of rain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ClHLbrFDZe_dBZETqQSH7o845Ag0vZVmc94E33nqBWIWX2pLIDBBpXOLvEP1bDVb2wcPMZnMYsBY9SGfVKhVKocmNN3gIbgSQ3N8YLLvawhdv9uopnNL0q3B0MOHGA5B3T-uw9OJ987V/s1600/P1080867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ClHLbrFDZe_dBZETqQSH7o845Ag0vZVmc94E33nqBWIWX2pLIDBBpXOLvEP1bDVb2wcPMZnMYsBY9SGfVKhVKocmNN3gIbgSQ3N8YLLvawhdv9uopnNL0q3B0MOHGA5B3T-uw9OJ987V/s400/P1080867.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I tried to not take too many photos and be present, though you can see I kind of failed at first. As usual, the closer, Knights of Cydonia came too soon, but was a bit less bittersweet since Matt had told us they would be back for the regular tour "Marchish"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WqnOpha81iR4g8JhcLZHX1p5Rh4gDwmq4see6pTlMW3vn4I80AKccEn65F1qUXJc9C135hcRoqHR2oXBFh56ViUaDuTggAqwH3Zk87WQAH-XeL0Flb3QJCMKTt62t6PhaoS_n96pNC4a/s1600/P1080871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WqnOpha81iR4g8JhcLZHX1p5Rh4gDwmq4see6pTlMW3vn4I80AKccEn65F1qUXJc9C135hcRoqHR2oXBFh56ViUaDuTggAqwH3Zk87WQAH-XeL0Flb3QJCMKTt62t6PhaoS_n96pNC4a/s400/P1080871.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Man with a Harmonica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy7F4Ox1RJdM3YZrYDOt75n28lgwuYZQaTLsOliTJ_CdXAkTc_oUNM_tjKeWYO67WfJJc2LQNuxHVQvUXcHnh8fEp8bthG7yWTRSR336Yr1SZ-8l4T9J-oRD4bvLk67qJfFytWaqn0VK0/s1600/P1080872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy7F4Ox1RJdM3YZrYDOt75n28lgwuYZQaTLsOliTJ_CdXAkTc_oUNM_tjKeWYO67WfJJc2LQNuxHVQvUXcHnh8fEp8bthG7yWTRSR336Yr1SZ-8l4T9J-oRD4bvLk67qJfFytWaqn0VK0/s640/P1080872.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynqQR-X8jPheasVIWeAf53sY7He-IcgTLmmkzFom_tKBx8LmossFKnhZ5oy_1ThdUwpTe1ZRdQiaJIxOpiGGY34jBWm6qsbFcRV3rzXEv8EHeljIZUKEEJPxDyNHGUwXawpKspN0x5_Ke/s1600/P1080874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynqQR-X8jPheasVIWeAf53sY7He-IcgTLmmkzFom_tKBx8LmossFKnhZ5oy_1ThdUwpTe1ZRdQiaJIxOpiGGY34jBWm6qsbFcRV3rzXEv8EHeljIZUKEEJPxDyNHGUwXawpKspN0x5_Ke/s400/P1080874.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"you and I must fight to survive"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n3zBe_gneAhR1mvwcWCtbeUrBLcV-d4zUMxUClWqfxdE-uY8EaFvQmQzEkq-t_YNrtiLBnfq7yZolNqQ4lk6GeESnl_koBIcGXwxu4RTNLwaNzzVzrke_EU-7LyxkqLU7jLTz1zzn86H/s1600/P1080875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n3zBe_gneAhR1mvwcWCtbeUrBLcV-d4zUMxUClWqfxdE-uY8EaFvQmQzEkq-t_YNrtiLBnfq7yZolNqQ4lk6GeESnl_koBIcGXwxu4RTNLwaNzzVzrke_EU-7LyxkqLU7jLTz1zzn86H/s400/P1080875.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt & Dom at the end of Knights of Cydonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">It seemed the band were really enjoying this gig, and it was a very full show for a short holiday set. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcwiZsYvKgfdnEtOHun45nfeBw4GBrJ3amItDuJe3qS2YybuUIetM4oH6XKoiMmIbQFMfSStu-xRDMRfO_mM9escbsG_SjmTLOSjEYDrkZJIl_UrWmlcxdEvCo9JdEzKKNN8M1BfwTteR/s1600/48314211_1622582161221524_4365453129576087552_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcwiZsYvKgfdnEtOHun45nfeBw4GBrJ3amItDuJe3qS2YybuUIetM4oH6XKoiMmIbQFMfSStu-xRDMRfO_mM9escbsG_SjmTLOSjEYDrkZJIl_UrWmlcxdEvCo9JdEzKKNN8M1BfwTteR/s640/48314211_1622582161221524_4365453129576087552_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><br />Several of us who had stowed things in Jae's car agreed to go straight there after the gig, That took a while, and I wondered if I was missing a chance to meet the band again. Some friends were waiting in the alley hoping for the best, though I could see they had the SUVs behind a barricade. When Mandy got to the car she told me they had been shooed away from that spot, so we gave up on "stalking" Anyhow, Mandy had to get up for work the next day, and I was ready to get to my sister's where I knew there might be some pizza left. I was kind of sad to not join up with others partying after, but knew I needed to save my money for another ticket, not to mention my home repair problems. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From their social media posts, it seems Muse did stick around Chicago for a day to rest up. So did I , and went out for a walk in the mild weather, but not far enough to run into them by Lake Michigan. Chicago was lacking snow, but looking pretty festive, especially in my sister's swanky neighbourhood. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLku7XlUce8krjYjJcFJ2bfZhscbxl8S5vldBhSKx4dXYggCtzhibrr3IZGkp9dDFYl53ebOHo6B3BB2QfEjqxf1g8DOVnoYr6e80eYntkeT5I4kXb8s9Y8OQFQUXFb-RZiYeHOkiZBgZi/s1600/IMG_20181210_123229938_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLku7XlUce8krjYjJcFJ2bfZhscbxl8S5vldBhSKx4dXYggCtzhibrr3IZGkp9dDFYl53ebOHo6B3BB2QfEjqxf1g8DOVnoYr6e80eYntkeT5I4kXb8s9Y8OQFQUXFb-RZiYeHOkiZBgZi/s320/IMG_20181210_123229938_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Loop holiday decor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Anyhow, we soon heard that Muse was coming back to Chicago April 12 at the United Center, and the pre-sale would be tomorrow! I was grateful my train did not leave until afternoon so I could deal with that. I texted my sister right away to make sure it was a good time to visit again! Yes, it was , and I double checked which of my accounts actually had money left in them, got my cards updated at TicketBastard and thought I was ready.<br /><br />Diane spoiled me with spinach quiche for brunch, and I was ready at my laptop promptly at 10 am. I was not in the "waiting room" long, but somehow there were no regular GA tickets left already. I took a deep breath and went for the cheaper of the VIP packages. I had no business spending that much on a ticket, but it was the only show this next tour that I know I can get to, and while there was another pre-sale later, it was too close to my time to pack up and leave, and I had no way of knowing for sure if there would be more regular GA tickets. As it turns out, there were some, and even in the regular sale too. Perhaps I'll trade down later, unless it seems like I can use the VIP ticket to help a friend or two get to the barrier.<br /><br />See you in a few months, Chicagoland! <div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQziMM02-WCLaONnYr5ZsNOCP4FqSxbsZWiLW2IwCqgXl9Chc0kj0FUo3jtyJ0XzyD4mOuL5Q7bBby9cS8JktgW0-QVeLfhU7axT9nG9ISvYTQrVshqpKws-KZHJgLEQsc1IaFc6BVBSdR/s1600/IMG_20181208_153116383_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQziMM02-WCLaONnYr5ZsNOCP4FqSxbsZWiLW2IwCqgXl9Chc0kj0FUo3jtyJ0XzyD4mOuL5Q7bBby9cS8JktgW0-QVeLfhU7axT9nG9ISvYTQrVshqpKws-KZHJgLEQsc1IaFc6BVBSdR/s320/IMG_20181208_153116383_HDR.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago skyline as seen from the Empire Builder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-44262273739576417872017-12-26T14:13:00.000-08:002017-12-26T14:13:24.124-08:00Ghosts of Christmas pastNot sure why I feel like jotting some of this down, maybe because the holidays don't feel like they used to...<br />
<br />
Before I went to school, and maybe even after in the early grades, choosing the toy to ask Santa to bring was a big deal. We usually got inspiration from the Sears Christmas catalog. I remember one year very much wanting a Thumbelina baby doll, and I did get it. There were usually not lots of toys, we might get some other nice things, but generally just the one special toy. It may be because we were not that well off, but I think it was less common to try to buy more toys in those days.Even the fabulous electric train set we got in early grade school was built up gradually over the years.<br />
<br />
Economics also figured into maintaining the Santa myth. One year my sister and I had asked for some other kind of dolls, and we saw our mom making clothes for them before Christmas. She explained Santa was having a tough year and needed some help getting doll clothes. However, I remember one year we knew of a toy that was coming from her and not from Santa- she was making us teddy bears! She tried to not let us see them before Christmas, but Diane figured out where hers was, still unfinished, and got so excited she ran into a wall!<br />
<br />
We did not grow out of our nosiness quickly. Packages under the tree were always picked up and shook to see what we could guess about them. One year we noticed we each had a small square box under the tree, It was after school time, we were old enough to look after ourselves, and our parents weren't home yet. We agreed to carefully unwrap them together for a sneak peek- they were they guitar straps we'd asked for! Then we even more carefully re-wrapped them so no one would know we had looked.<br />
<br />
Christmas TV specials were important annual events to us. We never missed A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I persisted in trying to see Rudolph every year well into adulthood because I identified with him- always felt like I didn't quite fit in. I probably started watching Miracle on 34th St as a young child too This is not just my favorite holiday movie; it's my favorite movie period. "Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to" There was no TCM or AMC then, I think I probably saw it on WGN- they showed many classic movies in those days.<br />
<br />
In addition to sewing doll clothes and toys, my mother was into crafting ornaments. She made a whole set of clothespin people in different costumes like angels, witches and fairies. I hope those are still around somewhere.. She also made some stuffed felt ornaments with elaborate decorations; I do have a few of those.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlym5fQLcpRkiv_c31yx9TOmrHfJRsYmnrH8lg05JmhceWnRLe07HeBPxkyjN1DETs5jH_pybVkpix7ZBeQDo0QhgvEsk3ljCEk-8r8F5sPX4iEkWB-qFk6_9QL67psl9kTxsMZOyRygA/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlym5fQLcpRkiv_c31yx9TOmrHfJRsYmnrH8lg05JmhceWnRLe07HeBPxkyjN1DETs5jH_pybVkpix7ZBeQDo0QhgvEsk3ljCEk-8r8F5sPX4iEkWB-qFk6_9QL67psl9kTxsMZOyRygA/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I was a teenager, she started making some really involved ornaments based on styrofoam balls and old Christmas cards. and showed us how, so I made some along with her and continued making them, sometimes for gifts, as a young adult. First we covered the ball with foil. Then we glued a kind of collage of small things taken from the cards, and we had to peel these from their backing so they could be glued on to the round surface. Next came the pantyhose layer! Old hose were treated with gold spray paint, then stretched over our creations and pinned in place.The pins had to be lined up so we could cover them next with a fat velvet ribbon. The ribbon was glued and also pinned, but these pins went through tiny pearl beads at regular intervals, A smaller piece of ribbon was pinned in a bow on top to make a loop to hang it. Finally gold ric rac or braid was glued on either side of the ribbon. I am trying to remember how we had time to do all this! Perhaps because we did not yet have social media or smartphones. there was more free time for crafts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNes92F69p4_Yh327lYDRlq3atuxJZ314XTgAcbsubmG_HXxnFV9texzEk_BxJVVUsdZeBYmalj5czfdyusriChmnZGNpHP-1UOFhPNRDJ_cyr0Hc8mA8yagmISD2JEdgrHbZEkJpMsDo1/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNes92F69p4_Yh327lYDRlq3atuxJZ314XTgAcbsubmG_HXxnFV9texzEk_BxJVVUsdZeBYmalj5czfdyusriChmnZGNpHP-1UOFhPNRDJ_cyr0Hc8mA8yagmISD2JEdgrHbZEkJpMsDo1/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Despite her love of crafts, my mom was not that enthusiastic about actually setting up the tree. I always loved it though, and took the job over at some point. I even went in my own direction with felt one year and made a tree topper that looked like our cat, Muffin.</div>
<br />
Muffin thoroughly enjoyed Christmas and would usually "help" decorate the tree. Besides the expected ornament bashing, he was a champion package molester. His favorite was gold elastic string that he could snap and make noise. He still had fun when we humans finally got to the official unwrapping- then he could attack the crumpled paper and sit in the boxes. There were probably more chances to beg or steal delicious food, too.<br />
<br />
Once my dad became head of the Foreign Language Department at Hinsdale Central, we also had an annual holiday party for all the teachers in it and their guests. These were kind of posh affairs with me and Diane acting as servers of sorts. I think the guests brought all sorts of beverages, mostly alcoholic, and we did the food. A few menu items I recall were Cassoulet and Coq au Vin. I also got to assist with some incredibly putzy canapes, they involved bread cut-outs and flavored cream cheeses piped out of a tube. but I liked them well enough to make a batch of my own for a New Years party when I was old enough to be going out.<br /><br />These parties were also the likely reason for my mother's numerous Buche de Noel experiments. We really did get tired of it after a while, but only a few years later, you would have found me doing the same to get Black Forest Cake just the way I wanted it!<br /><br />So there are potentially 4 recipes I could edit into this post, might have to see if I can get at the Coq au Vin on the very old recipe cd my dad made.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-9842026540343978092017-08-13T17:07:00.000-07:002017-09-02T11:18:35.585-07:00Buyer Beware of Outdoor Concerts in Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Especially Lollapalooza... This should have been a post about an epic return to the festival for Muse. Their 2011 gig at Lolla was on fire, and it was clear they enjoyed being there. So I was really looking forward to this despite my difficulties with the heat in 2011. I had a more sensible plan to stay cool & hydrated and settle for a spot where I could see reasonably well, but not on the barrier like I do for arena gigs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjNAPVfe7OxjJt4C_k8hANiJJRUmAgfa-cWhGF-Z0iKQIsXD-t0AeWuGYofoSB3HAL5BiJ9v_n1rc3D96Dj2Lwl-TggkP-le-MTzEtF_0cAGDaep09eU3FwUwtVv-IlEYa5yhEPFLb49w_Ma8HuopRxM0PELFqw7JKG2gRt9jS7gEJJ14D3JTTtF42zb2c0a4HrKUNy=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjNAPVfe7OxjJt4C_k8hANiJJRUmAgfa-cWhGF-Z0iKQIsXD-t0AeWuGYofoSB3HAL5BiJ9v_n1rc3D96Dj2Lwl-TggkP-le-MTzEtF_0cAGDaep09eU3FwUwtVv-IlEYa5yhEPFLb49w_Ma8HuopRxM0PELFqw7JKG2gRt9jS7gEJJ14D3JTTtF42zb2c0a4HrKUNy=" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Zehr's photo from Lolla 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had a feeling this would be out of the ordinary, but I had no idea how. A Tarot reading in advance of the gig warned about deceit, with the trickster symbol of the coyote. Another omen may have been our delayed start ... but we had the moon above and it started well enough.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfLtbOStbsFFEkLyZJZnuirzf4uWcPAfXBgTWbxAuNXVGRsRmrr5jsxkaskVsZXHv55NwpFlm-HYszAxlkDuBEJ_01GmHUU_r5PpQp5fB0RR3phP9lTp2jFQmig3CItB3_lDNNpHSp0ZP/s1600/IMG_20170802_195053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfLtbOStbsFFEkLyZJZnuirzf4uWcPAfXBgTWbxAuNXVGRsRmrr5jsxkaskVsZXHv55NwpFlm-HYszAxlkDuBEJ_01GmHUU_r5PpQp5fB0RR3phP9lTp2jFQmig3CItB3_lDNNpHSp0ZP/s320/IMG_20170802_195053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">travelling with Crystal and Janelle again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And it's true there is way less traffic at night, we got through construction zones easily that I imagine were major headaches during the day. However, the wildlife apparently also thinks it's easier, about half way on our journey we hit a coyote! Yep, same animal as the Tarot cards showed. Luckily the car seemed to be OK after a quick check, so we carried on. More road construction added a detour to our route, so I texted my sister, who lives conveniently near Grant Park, that we'd be way past her bedtime. And it ended up being about 2 am by the time the doorman let me in to her high rise! I got a free sofa bed at her place, Crystal & Janelle had a gorgeous room at the Congress Hotel a few blocks away.<br />
<br />
Since I didn't plan to queue, I caught up on sleep a little. I didn't really need to be in the park until Temples started, one of the few bands I cared to see other than Muse. There was a chance of storms in the forecast, and it was cloudy off and on, but nothing threatening for most of the afternoon. I did the silly selfie at Buckingham Fountain thing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FRmwcdIOVojZQGeDuWztNsc1-V6D2VPKBfrquRWnSt5Z23d-y2lCD8Ow3fqOHl75wj7mFvYoGD1a3UCdZDrShJVe-K-A_iSY8CRWFNu08s6Urk_CWVKGH06xLt_W5kBNhdPAaBPCWIX2/s1600/IMG_20170803_122834159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="960" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FRmwcdIOVojZQGeDuWztNsc1-V6D2VPKBfrquRWnSt5Z23d-y2lCD8Ow3fqOHl75wj7mFvYoGD1a3UCdZDrShJVe-K-A_iSY8CRWFNu08s6Urk_CWVKGH06xLt_W5kBNhdPAaBPCWIX2/s200/IMG_20170803_122834159.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCslWSHG9yoHKZja7hkitTNjSxqw-_jTvhh9E1CAwfrnI5mBEkWsxe5jQbJ7vIb9kY_cKhHhEFfMia67VFVBc0zYKzRLMPnVJaQpCF8xCwEfq_8oLLkBMXX6rjg2YtHYb5TZHR6t5Ja-wY/s1600/P1080257_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCslWSHG9yoHKZja7hkitTNjSxqw-_jTvhh9E1CAwfrnI5mBEkWsxe5jQbJ7vIb9kY_cKhHhEFfMia67VFVBc0zYKzRLMPnVJaQpCF8xCwEfq_8oLLkBMXX6rjg2YtHYb5TZHR6t5Ja-wY/s320/P1080257_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First I located my friends on the barrier at the Grant Park Stage. I could see the taller members of the group, but it was already too crowded to get near enough to say hi. I considered trying for some Lolla swag early, but the line into the air conditioned shop was horrendous. Next I took note of where the porta potties were located! Then I noticed my phone had far less charge than I expected; I must not have plugged it in right the night before. So I spent some time at the State Farm free charging station, and enjoyed a nice slab of Connie's deep dish. At $5 it was also one of the more reasonably priced food choices.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got back to the Grant Park Stage in time, our road playlist had included a lot of Temples, so I was more interested than ever in seeing them live. They delivered- excellent musicianship and an understated & quirky, yet still sexy stage presence.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf424lngvzSr_EDQScwmj1HjKPUs3fQadXdVpxXWTh89S1MuG_DHkKeANacm3khQxsGYwtacRTGuxchWYd389X55MhslPcXCGA2c8v_uAu362nYbuALl-ZkrZ4Z-gkm5ruI1j431sUOg4E/s1600/P1080259_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf424lngvzSr_EDQScwmj1HjKPUs3fQadXdVpxXWTh89S1MuG_DHkKeANacm3khQxsGYwtacRTGuxchWYd389X55MhslPcXCGA2c8v_uAu362nYbuALl-ZkrZ4Z-gkm5ruI1j431sUOg4E/s400/P1080259_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I was in front of the sound booth, but not super close, so I tried shooting the big screen too. It sprinkled lightly during this performance, but not even enough to get me to break out the poncho.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOh4nNo-5qF9gChT8NMJFM1CEYVYz5DgsbxfSK666xXqr8oi87jdbVEFQpYbk1bE4HBHXbJhqhyube4H9hA4T3EWDvVyGZJ-7qfmSXjx1zUZDhM1Fn1SSsDfNXqzNhR110eQRqXMGefM0/s1600/P1080260_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1349" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOh4nNo-5qF9gChT8NMJFM1CEYVYz5DgsbxfSK666xXqr8oi87jdbVEFQpYbk1bE4HBHXbJhqhyube4H9hA4T3EWDvVyGZJ-7qfmSXjx1zUZDhM1Fn1SSsDfNXqzNhR110eQRqXMGefM0/s400/P1080260_edited-1.JPG" width="336" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had no use for Liam Gallagher who was up next on this stage; I heard later he had a tantrum and left after 3 songs! On my way to the facilities, I ran into Mandy, my original guide to queuing for Muse in Chicago. We agreed to try to meet up for Cage the Elephant later, the last band before Muse. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So I spent the in between time resting in the shade, getting water and food, including this $8 hot dog! It was good, and a fine example of a Chicago style hot dog, but not really worth the price.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SAJtdlKoRWAqVkDVHN6gqbtJvhDidtj22QWZuw9aNNkGJDKRigXx8dSIetkYc74TNynq3tV7DzPrnwyUwToLK8wf7psoy7_zde2dZ1iUnl8mXHsUMH0-tpqDkyAZFvioE-OxJONdagMP/s1600/P1080261_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SAJtdlKoRWAqVkDVHN6gqbtJvhDidtj22QWZuw9aNNkGJDKRigXx8dSIetkYc74TNynq3tV7DzPrnwyUwToLK8wf7psoy7_zde2dZ1iUnl8mXHsUMH0-tpqDkyAZFvioE-OxJONdagMP/s320/P1080261_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I knew I would not want to line up for more food later, so I coughed up $3 for a Clif bar too. That's at least a dollar more than I'd pay at my co-op. In case you are wondering, we are not allowed to bring in our own food unless you have a doctor's note that it's medically necessary.<br />
<br />
The crowd for Cage the Elephant grew rapidly. I tried to stake out a space with my towel & texted Mandy, but soon people were trampling it. I ended up getting pushed behind the sound booth in order to have a little breathing space. Mandy couldn't get near me either. I could not see the stage there anyway, only the screens, which they chose to do in b & w. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlI9SVNnwzVCThb9a4y5tFX2BvPsVmgQXxJLq9UPgQdgpsme0SzMV0ojzdGjVNKuRwA0IvznmZMZPi1sLkAiJuGGNNoAcfgIDzFTllzq3aSjkicbTLEt0AkeYDLZbPpO3j2OhDn51c-nR/s1600/P1080263_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlI9SVNnwzVCThb9a4y5tFX2BvPsVmgQXxJLq9UPgQdgpsme0SzMV0ojzdGjVNKuRwA0IvznmZMZPi1sLkAiJuGGNNoAcfgIDzFTllzq3aSjkicbTLEt0AkeYDLZbPpO3j2OhDn51c-nR/s320/P1080263_edited-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKRKORV_neimXjz4z1j0_eXTdKMQO7MugNTQedkXdztEQhybvOcq1pxZ4RKF1R9y5N-6VRLe5Dqx1hU1KL5CPCNqNeWcmMySel1-bWNkLSAJcWSj_mET5c2SdqA58phXu6tjKxWv2x_HA/s1600/P1080264_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKRKORV_neimXjz4z1j0_eXTdKMQO7MugNTQedkXdztEQhybvOcq1pxZ4RKF1R9y5N-6VRLe5Dqx1hU1KL5CPCNqNeWcmMySel1-bWNkLSAJcWSj_mET5c2SdqA58phXu6tjKxWv2x_HA/s320/P1080264_edited-1.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a high energy, emotional set, not hard to see why there was such a huge crowd. You might not be able to see in my shots that Matt Schulz started in a purple sequined dress! Crystal got one of the best photos of the whole day of this! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDzBsbeBxIlc96QvXUajOYgP2Fn6OGdxSkCP1ytHtnnChEVQzcolEHZ0jCcNLVI1ItZbzu6KULLU84zOlloy5ZeLnysNBpQQXhNwihvGk2u-h57RFyGEAyE98F6JzF8Y5ny2T8K3zhqxP/s1600/20597468_10101563240934889_7098206444529882959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDzBsbeBxIlc96QvXUajOYgP2Fn6OGdxSkCP1ytHtnnChEVQzcolEHZ0jCcNLVI1ItZbzu6KULLU84zOlloy5ZeLnysNBpQQXhNwihvGk2u-h57RFyGEAyE98F6JzF8Y5ny2T8K3zhqxP/s640/20597468_10101563240934889_7098206444529882959_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal's photo of Matt Schulz of Cage the Elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The dress came off later, but the short shorts and fishnets stayed đ</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I made one more dash to the facilities to get back to try for a decent spot for Muse. Much of the crowd had cleared out, allowing the Rock & Recycle people to pick up their cans. This time I was able to get the side of the sound booth so I could see the stage and have something to lean on. But it filled in pretty quickly after that, so Mandy went for the other side and I didn't get to see her again đ</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At dusk , Muse finally took the stage with the new single Dig Down. I was ready to rock! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTbXr1YpDX5_K_6lwxAgL017_fUi4qrSyIGqY6eaEjsAGp5j1viNrQNzkTcsbBvUgBsV3OyV5e6j_7wLKsJv2qi718Xznm612Amas9cP6XwgLrB3EgyEjpcjVSothTvSCiXi9jsPOqhk0/s1600/P1080265_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTbXr1YpDX5_K_6lwxAgL017_fUi4qrSyIGqY6eaEjsAGp5j1viNrQNzkTcsbBvUgBsV3OyV5e6j_7wLKsJv2qi718Xznm612Amas9cP6XwgLrB3EgyEjpcjVSothTvSCiXi9jsPOqhk0/s400/P1080265_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visuals at the beginning of Dig Down </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr8UKnN3jbS0MnPBI_ILTTOh1U8Z8GVaxlpc_6S0scRSeMeeTVbNAzh8ilGoNzd2qzcVlw0LD8LVjjEK12xtgikh_VV6cWrl8TyzvvvlSfPqQVi7CZMudjojw7FMdgM07PmoTaCW0gmm9/s1600/P1080266_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr8UKnN3jbS0MnPBI_ILTTOh1U8Z8GVaxlpc_6S0scRSeMeeTVbNAzh8ilGoNzd2qzcVlw0LD8LVjjEK12xtgikh_VV6cWrl8TyzvvvlSfPqQVi7CZMudjojw7FMdgM07PmoTaCW0gmm9/s400/P1080266_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Bellamy's blinky glasses from the big screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am not sure if it started raining again during Dig Down or Psycho. I heard people yelling "Ponchos" and it did finally rain hard enough that I put mine on, but I was still jumping up and down and screaming "Aye Sir!" at the appropriate moments of Psycho. The folks in the sound booth lowered protective flaps, but the show went on. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmUDGXVjTym6dQMvhGDhSrsyhGCECuKAzhJwYINSd0fqCikok32W52zQhS0q4v4yx41rqLfLoxKL8bED8g2peVH1Qi6TWz7EA7BBHeEROGXmXXwkoajtul21PU0n5hS2Aj_3hrgRRc_pe/s1600/P1080267_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmUDGXVjTym6dQMvhGDhSrsyhGCECuKAzhJwYINSd0fqCikok32W52zQhS0q4v4yx41rqLfLoxKL8bED8g2peVH1Qi6TWz7EA7BBHeEROGXmXXwkoajtul21PU0n5hS2Aj_3hrgRRc_pe/s640/P1080267_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rocking out in the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ODQLUwNYA5ZLrbyyAYbDJfJwEs5bsxLCKLW-SFrq3ncBLLlKLUFu5Pl5MLKMJjN6OQSjaIKqoOnPwPy-q395hdrQRLjUVVdUjqacr4M_BvKnpGaH8FmEJmZGFaBCzDQdy_jySu4rr_do/s1600/P1080269_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ODQLUwNYA5ZLrbyyAYbDJfJwEs5bsxLCKLW-SFrq3ncBLLlKLUFu5Pl5MLKMJjN6OQSjaIKqoOnPwPy-q395hdrQRLjUVVdUjqacr4M_BvKnpGaH8FmEJmZGFaBCzDQdy_jySu4rr_do/s400/P1080269_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt on the big screen<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next came Hysteria with its epic bass line.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvpFCOl5GGkOZun3I-wr0Zy3PnOpO0jA-6RbTi-BF4Xnjd6fTYJXceudVXiVf1_JCskQ_rQpn9rtuoY4mEMUtMiYmDtfUA9IJEtGnZxNUcSJd4vamOdyhWeSoPplPeU_LZ7qc-Po9D4jB/s1600/P1080272_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvpFCOl5GGkOZun3I-wr0Zy3PnOpO0jA-6RbTi-BF4Xnjd6fTYJXceudVXiVf1_JCskQ_rQpn9rtuoY4mEMUtMiYmDtfUA9IJEtGnZxNUcSJd4vamOdyhWeSoPplPeU_LZ7qc-Po9D4jB/s640/P1080272_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dom, Matt & Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
It continued raining steadily & we saw some lightning in the distance to the south, but I did not feel it was nearby or severe, and as a tornado survivor, I am usually skittish about that I got one last shot of Matt on the big screen, then the show abruptly stopped after Hysteria.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0E4X-FtGawq-s_rU6netqhKtknft23UzCGrG3_0kF4dypSgytiS4SCczCbe0j5RDf-sf_NfjW4gybkm0aS2M0jRAo-ik-S7-8kPKge-jIIVquwei9zDGINeHem086HkB3gvUPlQHPa9W/s1600/P1080273_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0E4X-FtGawq-s_rU6netqhKtknft23UzCGrG3_0kF4dypSgytiS4SCczCbe0j5RDf-sf_NfjW4gybkm0aS2M0jRAo-ik-S7-8kPKge-jIIVquwei9zDGINeHem086HkB3gvUPlQHPa9W/s400/P1080273_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Matt came to the microphone briefly to say they had been told to leave the stage and didn't know why, and they hoped to be back. He looked baffled. After all, they have played in much worse weather, here's how they handled it in France in 2010.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8bTj5iTGeNq3DYoLGP59-ZHYKYmOxTUdqnC8EYHcdYlSJEQjdKMgYFp4YnUUm2ZLHrm-JUdkHDFt0RqwusGnXz1oSN8UHV5t3l5w_LYfeUBfVlR1SzlNCxq2Ci2RUiCEFp-B1GmdtX-k/s1600/34653_1525455384453_1476692710_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="376" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8bTj5iTGeNq3DYoLGP59-ZHYKYmOxTUdqnC8EYHcdYlSJEQjdKMgYFp4YnUUm2ZLHrm-JUdkHDFt0RqwusGnXz1oSN8UHV5t3l5w_LYfeUBfVlR1SzlNCxq2Ci2RUiCEFp-B1GmdtX-k/s400/34653_1525455384453_1476692710_1273.JPG" width="287" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My heart sank when I next saw the signs to evacuate the park, at best it would be a hassle to get back in. Then we got the word the performances would not resume đ so both Muse and Lorde fans did not get what they came for. I later saw comments that you should not get a festival ticket for one particular band, but if so, why even have headliners? If we are only there to have some kind of live music while consuming overpriced food and beverages and seeing people in ridiculous outfits, why not use some cheaper local bands? No, they know people come for the headliners, but they did not care enough about fans of non-American bands to bother resuming, because the rain had completely stopped by the time I reached the gate. đ My sister told me the same thing happened when she went to see Don Henley. City officials are too scared of weather related lawsuits. Lollapalooza knew they didn't have to give us refunds, and we were unlikely to buy more $8 hot dogs if they let us back in, so why should they care? I did later try asking for a refund anyway, just so they would know how furious I am.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got 2 tweets from Matt on our way out :</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content clearfix" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-left: 58px;">
<div class="permalink-header" style="align-items: center; display: flex; height: 48px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="271310204" href="https://twitter.com/MattBellamy" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0084b4; flex: 1 1 0%; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" class="avatar js-action-profile-avatar" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/862819454975004672/oIagchkO_bigger.jpg" style="border-radius: 50%; border: 0px; float: left; height: 48px; margin-left: -58px; margin-top: 0px; width: 48px;" /><span class="FullNameGroup" style="display: block; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><strong class="fullname show-popup-with-id " data-aria-label-part="" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Matt Bellamy</strong>â<span class="UserBadges" style="font-size: 0.9em; position: relative; top: 1px;"><span class="Icon Icon--verified" style="color: #1da1f2; display: inline-block; padding-left: 4px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="u-hiddenVisually" style="border: 0px !important; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px) !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important;">Verified account</span></span></span><span class="UserNameBreak"> </span></span><span class="username u-dir" data-aria-label-part="" dir="ltr" style="color: #657786; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">@MattBellamy</span></a><br />
<div class="follow-bar">
<div class="user-actions btn-group following not-muting including notifying " data-name="Matt Bellamy" data-protected="false" data-screen-name="MattBellamy" data-user-id="271310204" style="align-items: center; display: flex; position: relative;">
<span class="user-actions-follow-button js-follow-btn follow-button"><button class="
EdgeButton
EdgeButton--primary
EdgeButton--medium
button-text
following-text" style="background: rgb(50, 156, 195); border-color: transparent; border-radius: 100px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; min-width: 105px; overflow: visible; padding: 6px 16px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.15s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;" type="button">Following</button></span></div>
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--more js-more-ProfileTweet-actions" style="display: inline-block; float: right; margin: -2px -9px 0px 0px; min-width: 0px;">
<div class="dropdown" style="position: relative;">
<button class="ProfileTweet-actionButton u-textUserColorHover dropdown-toggle js-dropdown-toggle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #657786; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; overflow: visible; padding: 2px 9px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.15s ease-in-out;" type="button"><div class="IconContainer js-tooltip" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 0; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" title="More">
<span class="Icon Icon--caretDownLight Icon--small" style="background: transparent; display: inline-block; line-height: 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="u-hiddenVisually" style="border: 0px !important; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px) !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important;">More</span></div>
</button></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="js-tweet-text-container" style="color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div class="TweetTextSize TweetTextSize--jumbo js-tweet-text tweet-text" data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en" style="font-size: 27px; letter-spacing: 0.01em; line-height: 32px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">
Gutted. City/police made us leave the stage tonight 3 songs in at <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lollapalooza?src=hash" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0084b4; text-decoration-line: none;">#Lollapalooza</a> . Due to weather/lightning. Nightmare!</div>
</div>
<div class="js-tweet-text-container" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div class="TweetTextSize TweetTextSize--normal js-tweet-text tweet-text" data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en" style="line-height: 20px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content clearfix" style="margin-left: 58px;">
<div class="permalink-header" style="align-items: center; display: flex; height: 48px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="271310204" href="https://twitter.com/MattBellamy" style="background: transparent; color: #0084b4; flex: 1 1 0%; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="FullNameGroup" style="display: block; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><strong class="fullname show-popup-with-id " data-aria-label-part="" style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Matt Bellamy</strong>â<span class="UserBadges" style="font-size: 0.9em; position: relative; top: 1px;"><span class="Icon Icon--verified" style="background: transparent; color: #1da1f2; display: inline-block; padding-left: 4px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="u-hiddenVisually" style="border: 0px !important; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px) !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important;">Verified account</span></span></span><span class="UserNameBreak"> </span></span><span class="username u-dir" data-aria-label-part="" dir="ltr" style="color: #657786; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">@MattBellamy</span></a><br />
<div class="follow-bar">
<div class="user-actions btn-group following not-muting including notifying " data-name="Matt Bellamy" data-protected="false" data-screen-name="MattBellamy" data-user-id="271310204" style="align-items: center; display: flex; position: relative;">
<span class="user-actions-follow-button js-follow-btn follow-button"><button class="
EdgeButton
EdgeButton--primary
EdgeButton--medium
button-text
following-text" style="background: rgb(50, 156, 195); border-color: transparent; border-radius: 100px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; box-shadow: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; min-width: 105px; overflow: visible; padding: 6px 16px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.15s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;" type="button">Following</button></span></div>
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--more js-more-ProfileTweet-actions" style="display: inline-block; float: right; margin: -2px -9px 0px 0px; min-width: 0px;">
<div class="dropdown" style="position: relative;">
<button class="ProfileTweet-actionButton u-textUserColorHover dropdown-toggle js-dropdown-toggle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #657786; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; overflow: visible; padding: 2px 9px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.15s ease-in-out;" type="button"><div class="IconContainer js-tooltip" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 0; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" title="More">
<span class="Icon Icon--caretDownLight Icon--small" style="background: transparent; display: inline-block; line-height: 15px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="u-hiddenVisually" style="border: 0px !important; clip: rect(1px 1px 1px 1px) !important; font-size: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; padding: 0px !important; position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important;">More</span></div>
</button></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="js-tweet-text-container">
<div class="TweetTextSize TweetTextSize--jumbo js-tweet-text tweet-text" data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en" style="font-size: 27px; letter-spacing: 0.01em; line-height: 32px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">
Crowd awesome, we'll be back, hope lolla book us next year to make up.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course I'll want to see them if they are there next year. It might be my only opportunity for a while. They have a few more US shows in September of this year, but that's a very busy time at my job so I did not try to get tickets to any of those. Lolla was supposed to cap off my summer. I am still furious at the authorities who made these poor decisions 10 days later. If I do return next year, I will be sure to spend as little money as possible to avoid further enriching these greedy jerks.</div>
<br />
I'll admit this is a first world problem, and there are far worse things happening in the world. In fact, I am going to a protest tonight. However, Muse lyrics and music fuel my activism; part of the reason I love them so much is that we share political values. This is my profile picture on most social media platforms.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQYJ8bvrXFTLbxfp24N30iWqUuUzqCXIaDfCXPqw-rIy_lepelOlT2zd8RuaCXBSqc-VF42dYC1nnuEYlNE4pwg0ypTlTyTmExI8HVFW7lYR3sUW3OzfZx6NiB4VsBO3zDJEY9LJI3vQu/s1600/16113439_1517138868315986_4486382740745556575_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1478" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQYJ8bvrXFTLbxfp24N30iWqUuUzqCXIaDfCXPqw-rIy_lepelOlT2zd8RuaCXBSqc-VF42dYC1nnuEYlNE4pwg0ypTlTyTmExI8HVFW7lYR3sUW3OzfZx6NiB4VsBO3zDJEY9LJI3vQu/s400/16113439_1517138868315986_4486382740745556575_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carrying Matt's lyrics at the Women's March<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I am not sure what to hope for now. If Muse returns to Lolla in 2018 I hope they take steps to make sure we don't get cheated again, whether that is a clause in their contract, or a good-sized aftershow location booked just in case.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi249.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg214%2Fnicolemm99%2FMuse%2520or%2520Matt%2FLindaLolla9.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjNAPVfe7OxjJt4C_k8hANiJJRUmAgfa-cWhGF-Z0iKQIsXD-t0AeWuGYofoSB3HAL5BiJ9v_n1rc3D96Dj2Lwl-TggkP-le-MTzEtF_0cAGDaep09eU3FwUwtVv-IlEYa5yhEPFLb49w_Ma8HuopRxM0PELFqw7JKG2gRt9jS7gEJJ14D3JTTtF42zb2c0a4HrKUNy=" -->Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-90336565347623880842017-06-18T20:00:00.002-07:002017-06-22T15:55:25.718-07:00Red Hot Muse, Red Hot Musers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hiexd8IIp8qHZM98VMpNmjPKYpFAQPhhLDQ1x4iF6UDWRcTtJFtjDcjOQkrdj_qXD92Wk0BW9nTV80wzV5S_RBWUCmIcL4gVUkqv4TtfhjHtPtd8m0Er-2AP5YiY7ol6hI3vLjwka0Zp/s1600/P1080145_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hiexd8IIp8qHZM98VMpNmjPKYpFAQPhhLDQ1x4iF6UDWRcTtJFtjDcjOQkrdj_qXD92Wk0BW9nTV80wzV5S_RBWUCmIcL4gVUkqv4TtfhjHtPtd8m0Er-2AP5YiY7ol6hI3vLjwka0Zp/s400/P1080145_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweaty Dom, Matt in red hot skinny jeans, and the always hot hunk Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The closest Muse gigs for me on this 2017 tour turned out to be in what I consider the South; Kansas City and St, Louis. Being perpetually broke, I at first only had a ticket for St. Louis, chosen because it at least had a general admission pit and KC did not. I also have plans to see them at Lollapalooza, but St, Louis looked like my best chance at a barrier spot. I figured I might have to ride along to KC with no ticket to be able to share a ride to St. Louis, and this became a more interesting prospect when I heard the Westboro Baptist Church might be there to entertain me! However, Stephanie saved me from potentially getting in their faces by selling me her ticket that she could not use.<br />
<br />
My fellow road warriors this time were Crystal & Janelle. Crystal graciously let me stay over the night before the long drive to KC-I had wanted to meet her pets for a while anyway. đ Muse <span style="text-align: center;">chose to stream their gig in Austin that night, so we were able to watch with the sound on good speakers and get extra excited for what was to come. We ended up waiting for some storms to blow through the next morning, but were soon on our way in Crystal's very up to date Kia Soul that could simultaneously tell us where to go, play her excellent Spotify list, give message alerts, and offer to find gas stations when the fuel was low. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4Zc7ukP8JRgnJV6WVXzZBmRJx8Ztx0QX6o8w2wJrxmXub3XuYA82NSPZayNqgeo2audixDiwztySi5vDVV5UdqXAe5I2qwHo0jtconcjVjOkSJ15D3gEYqwSN-AipXaDefqNRc9RgYI_/s1600/IMG_20170611_115252893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4Zc7ukP8JRgnJV6WVXzZBmRJx8Ztx0QX6o8w2wJrxmXub3XuYA82NSPZayNqgeo2audixDiwztySi5vDVV5UdqXAe5I2qwHo0jtconcjVjOkSJ15D3gEYqwSN-AipXaDefqNRc9RgYI_/s320/IMG_20170611_115252893.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
We arrived the night before the KC gig and had dinner with an old friend of Crystal's. Then we had the whole day for Muser shenanigans. Since the Starlight Theatre in KC has only seats, there was no reason to queue. Soon we had a message to meet the rest of our gang at a downtown Starbucks. I think it had been 2 years since I saw Cath, and also my first time meeting several other Musers, so I am glad we had this time to hang out. I got an iced mocha, and once we had all arrived, we decided to do some sight seeing/hoping to run into Muse and/or 30 Seconds to Mars who are on tour with them. We sort of lucked out right away, crossing paths with Shannon Leto on his way to Starbucks! We kept on though, even though one of our bunch, Kayla, had an official meet & greet later, and downtown KC is rather pretty, and we rested in the shade when necessary. Here is a pretty hotel we just happened to walk by. đ<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIOz9RH3a3weC6Zy0jbe31QUKnVahy9qJdMS4yWt9K9pAG6HXXf0aCT6GGkZjOls029_RCOtwTAbZlfhOBLVc3G3wgNJ_4KPieZqt2E_HPOdQzla2wdwaWCedvKc4WHFSP5rLDnqfAPMX/s1600/P1080119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIOz9RH3a3weC6Zy0jbe31QUKnVahy9qJdMS4yWt9K9pAG6HXXf0aCT6GGkZjOls029_RCOtwTAbZlfhOBLVc3G3wgNJ_4KPieZqt2E_HPOdQzla2wdwaWCedvKc4WHFSP5rLDnqfAPMX/s320/P1080119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Heidi wisely organised some group photos while we were out and about.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAbg-e_4ffLJTooSJKF4Rp2zmF2s4C7k030QMnD1c6SckUjRwb9mQg0jO5IfJfEk6r_xzgdEXrynQZBf0XhVgTRWTrZQ98uOb5A08my07PDXdqR_6XqlGsuQ-JHgQWWFtDiXaCsEW5g2l/s1600/19059147_10211699766202970_4148347124287365812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="818" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAbg-e_4ffLJTooSJKF4Rp2zmF2s4C7k030QMnD1c6SckUjRwb9mQg0jO5IfJfEk6r_xzgdEXrynQZBf0XhVgTRWTrZQ98uOb5A08my07PDXdqR_6XqlGsuQ-JHgQWWFtDiXaCsEW5g2l/s320/19059147_10211699766202970_4148347124287365812_n.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7th1ZKDbZ0H3SdDje7lGnQ8mkUWLriYDEYU7hNkn6KnTO_vg3o15JwmytLmIXdZzu4G02MgK34Pth0D2H7qwEFJL5tkLtmqWZQM7iZF6rBqqUZqdZuCHzs5DpxeDFEjX-ifBQf5yvP-cM/s1600/19113521_10211699760682832_8276009969818892724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7th1ZKDbZ0H3SdDje7lGnQ8mkUWLriYDEYU7hNkn6KnTO_vg3o15JwmytLmIXdZzu4G02MgK34Pth0D2H7qwEFJL5tkLtmqWZQM7iZF6rBqqUZqdZuCHzs5DpxeDFEjX-ifBQf5yvP-cM/s320/19113521_10211699760682832_8276009969818892724_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.F. Chang's was nearby, handled our large group well, and in my mind was just the thing to be eating for a late lunch/early supper on a hot summer day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsBX98VZNcR6SE52Z49UkAADL5SdXqgP0uoWTiejO3UbbccuVkRzl4NFGU58H14QtnwnsfkBA_DYmsy3r06TdHfp8YEv2WyZ-lMqjqT-tYq74hyFAnThC67wyVi_9yBWZ33BKG4qIXcMj/s1600/19059591_1576171799069365_5066860908352207987_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsBX98VZNcR6SE52Z49UkAADL5SdXqgP0uoWTiejO3UbbccuVkRzl4NFGU58H14QtnwnsfkBA_DYmsy3r06TdHfp8YEv2WyZ-lMqjqT-tYq74hyFAnThC67wyVi_9yBWZ33BKG4qIXcMj/s640/19059591_1576171799069365_5066860908352207987_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we headed to the venue, I was shocked to find security would not allow my Lumix in, luckily Crystal and Janelle had run back to the car already for sun screen, so I was able to put mine away, and warn them. So we took steps to make sure Crystal's camera got in by deploying "female supplies" as camouflage! đ While in line for merch, we got the excellent news that Kayla could take Crystal in to the meet & greet! It was finally her turn to meet the guys! Later we found that Muse posted it Snapchat too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/musenewses/status/874444169225416704">Kayla & Crystal meet Muse!</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a very good seat, dead center, front row of the plaza level, so I could see the stage well enough, but my phone was not up to the task of getting good pics from that distance. Muse began with the new single Dig Down, which of course sounds even more awesome live when you can <i><b>feel</b></i> the bass & drums.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjxbT5z2zuKLQ3wmNq0-QgeyC8NtcSODJqwecakwP8jrdphUSyfLvmZVpm7U3-zvDGo7sx3c3mZ0HaHePjhLX8aAqZhnmtHKlkZIPF_a29zjdj4WXaRiTFZit7uFkhwUaYd0t88Ue8Ig2/s1600/IMG_20170612_211914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1459" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjxbT5z2zuKLQ3wmNq0-QgeyC8NtcSODJqwecakwP8jrdphUSyfLvmZVpm7U3-zvDGo7sx3c3mZ0HaHePjhLX8aAqZhnmtHKlkZIPF_a29zjdj4WXaRiTFZit7uFkhwUaYd0t88Ue8Ig2/s320/IMG_20170612_211914.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes it worked better to look at the screen though. At least everyone around me was on their feet and rocking out too, though security continued to be annoying, trying to prevent people from trading seats. I also noticed other people with better cameras than mine walking in plain sight, so they were not even consistently strict.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHw_c7FqwUk8l9fEyfRKqufQ-PiyT84ussR0ZQ0NfO_bQ64DtrfeQBVBS4ur8zGTQBdX2qM9ilGzRbP7nvUSipjJ9sXEWzvcnsaPbNkU5_xQnJ5NV0sdb6IpD8uoouDzRTztFHe9mOBdz/s1600/IMG_20170612_212135746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="512" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHw_c7FqwUk8l9fEyfRKqufQ-PiyT84ussR0ZQ0NfO_bQ64DtrfeQBVBS4ur8zGTQBdX2qM9ilGzRbP7nvUSipjJ9sXEWzvcnsaPbNkU5_xQnJ5NV0sdb6IpD8uoouDzRTztFHe9mOBdz/s320/IMG_20170612_212135746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Getting the wide view of Tom Kirk's amazing visuals was some compensation,too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNJqHhq-WhuP11XnU24C_4dCkqKss2HEDYI71qEfdV5KEKmVxgy7PdTEYFxZ_SQB_CkFrjjRpQoYZuyBiimj0fWvcfM5fw_gUbLnsxrwfeWhbDNqW3u5Y_dkoNpaJjBOwtpebbi9Yqkqt/s1600/IMG_20170612_214848151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1374" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNJqHhq-WhuP11XnU24C_4dCkqKss2HEDYI71qEfdV5KEKmVxgy7PdTEYFxZ_SQB_CkFrjjRpQoYZuyBiimj0fWvcfM5fw_gUbLnsxrwfeWhbDNqW3u5Y_dkoNpaJjBOwtpebbi9Yqkqt/s640/IMG_20170612_214848151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
However, I'm very glad Crystal got some better shots!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8GSrCgmhTEXcpwy3H-2OW-2fSAiNLTHGMaGowLwRgHJaPrSoZlLSBrkh2ReIxfw2z4lh_sGMD0G5o3D7_hnVClW53ORrkbZeDWg55vxiX8nTs-GGH8lxoe4266kIfVCebwdrEI1p6X6u/s1600/19092690_10101490525716769_7772208121549420721_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8GSrCgmhTEXcpwy3H-2OW-2fSAiNLTHGMaGowLwRgHJaPrSoZlLSBrkh2ReIxfw2z4lh_sGMD0G5o3D7_hnVClW53ORrkbZeDWg55vxiX8nTs-GGH8lxoe4266kIfVCebwdrEI1p6X6u/s400/19092690_10101490525716769_7772208121549420721_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9XSNOryj155FCfvgg85ho6DiPnfpOTWcypJiYB_XoSH2WfAR4jmnrgsChClSzNxHIi-PVWX4Xp2ToNSNFoTIbQxHJo-zloNyLp6yqrE3rUg9EBhFzppPgP7sWlGuHi0MrfPV_5-_E27G/s1600/19142905_10101490525791619_7642543495472912552_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9XSNOryj155FCfvgg85ho6DiPnfpOTWcypJiYB_XoSH2WfAR4jmnrgsChClSzNxHIi-PVWX4Xp2ToNSNFoTIbQxHJo-zloNyLp6yqrE3rUg9EBhFzppPgP7sWlGuHi0MrfPV_5-_E27G/s400/19142905_10101490525791619_7642543495472912552_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh55Pia2DpnoPMKof0oulPTSByr052xLw3U3FZE74sQNMgdAiQ0NVjelNL6pca985UPr0N6SqKQJGm1ildkdSEm3qdqFwqb0mGNZrGmO2JQ0x8qlfLzQk5UkO-P_j6a_DIsH90J8BNylct/s1600/19143347_10101490527009179_7444166140840084736_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh55Pia2DpnoPMKof0oulPTSByr052xLw3U3FZE74sQNMgdAiQ0NVjelNL6pca985UPr0N6SqKQJGm1ildkdSEm3qdqFwqb0mGNZrGmO2JQ0x8qlfLzQk5UkO-P_j6a_DIsH90J8BNylct/s640/19143347_10101490527009179_7444166140840084736_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Matt came out in the crowd to sing Starlight, but his path did not bring him near me unfortunately. I did manage to grab one of the red streamers during Mercy for a souvenir. Even not being at the front, this felt like a good high energy show.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NgmQZmymJQCvn3irE5i99I537dsN9q6tqP6J8aOkOlx_oKoNonvxdQRyicygJ78e_qZ5GGf_npd6BEftRWURP7iLjr8XhGaWVvXZf7zT3rGbDqoEdBhax8cslqhFAbQvopAiQNLewtx6/s1600/19025180_1687750727921465_8560263139844491828_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NgmQZmymJQCvn3irE5i99I537dsN9q6tqP6J8aOkOlx_oKoNonvxdQRyicygJ78e_qZ5GGf_npd6BEftRWURP7iLjr8XhGaWVvXZf7zT3rGbDqoEdBhax8cslqhFAbQvopAiQNLewtx6/s320/19025180_1687750727921465_8560263139844491828_o.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some of our group were not going on to St. Louis, so more shenanigans and refuelling our bodies was the next order of business. Catherine has been to the US many times before, but is continually astounded at some of our food habits. đ Kayla caught this moment:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Galaxy.Angel.48/videos/416292362103276/">Blue Cheese Dressing was harmed in the making of this video</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Group shot of our hot, tired, but still amped up selves!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnvluedPUJ78NuJMPil_fSCRsEj9BiwpqgJ8c-nJquLd8kXKdCpNlB8IgXZEnsX_aoPx4qk27qSNjvORO30XXZ56czF3WQhy-aDg-E86FWDJO2_jFE077386EhgmkNjGMDosn46m2uBcV/s1600/19106008_10211702338427274_1982617008204583878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnvluedPUJ78NuJMPil_fSCRsEj9BiwpqgJ8c-nJquLd8kXKdCpNlB8IgXZEnsX_aoPx4qk27qSNjvORO30XXZ56czF3WQhy-aDg-E86FWDJO2_jFE077386EhgmkNjGMDosn46m2uBcV/s640/19106008_10211702338427274_1982617008204583878_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then it was time for an insane overnight push to St, Louis. I begged off driving due to mistrusting my night vision on unfamiliar roads, but tried to be conversational to make it easier for Janelle. We arrived at the Hollywood Casino shortly after dawn, and thought we could perhaps stash our bags somewhere that would not be blistering hot until actual check in time at 4 pm. However, the wonderful woman at the front desk said we could have our room right away if it was ready, and likely in part because it was a Tuesday, it was! So we decided to cat nap before queuing. I also inquired further into the possible usefulness of the hotel shuttle to the amphitheatre which had its own private entrance. We also heard LiveNation was selling fast lane upgrades for $5. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIE9fekorKJYQ1BEKpLDV7K6nYSp12svY7s1dV11SBCVEt0LTeWk7f8rUrtqPVtBqxkV7zkBOmDlywg3yQkWvPZRb1CSwLyVILIkSlzMWpFZMrIBAvwBPZIlV2hf_QISFc7U7LryD4VIp/s1600/stayhwdhotelpkg187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIE9fekorKJYQ1BEKpLDV7K6nYSp12svY7s1dV11SBCVEt0LTeWk7f8rUrtqPVtBqxkV7zkBOmDlywg3yQkWvPZRb1CSwLyVILIkSlzMWpFZMrIBAvwBPZIlV2hf_QISFc7U7LryD4VIp/s1600/stayhwdhotelpkg187.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While we were snoozing, the heat index got up to 100. Janelle was ready to go to the queue first, so I went with to see if I could scope out the private entrance deal. It was indeed closer to the barrier and on Matt's side, too. I thought one of us should try it to see it would be an advantage, and since I don't do well with heat lately, figured I should be the one to risk it. I took the car back, and soon Crystal was ready and took the car to the amphitheatre, I got cleaned up and attempted to eat an early supper, but the gigantic Southwest salad would have been too much even if I wasn't stressing about the barrier. I kind of missed being with everyone, but I heard later someone else had passed out and cracked her head open đŹThat could have been me, so just as well. The shuttle worked pretty slick and I was with a small group of other people who had chosen this option, many did it to avoid parking & traffic hassles later on. There were also about 60 people with VIP passes lined up and I knew they would go in ahead of us. Security was much better here, they wanded and inspected bags ahead of time. I also heard my friends in the queue were given cold water and access to bathrooms; a vast improvement over many concert venues I've been to. So entry went smoothly and I power walked to Matt's side of the barrier. The rest of the group had made it before me, but there was still room on the left, kind of where I wanted to be anyway as it might make it easier to hold the spot. Melodie soon joined me; we were both looking like red hot mamas! Mel had the foresight to bring a cooling towel and a small cooler full of ice cubes and she shared, so I have nicknamed her Our Lady of Mercy of the Ice Cubes! I also got my t-shirt wet and had it around my neck until the sun set.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofYghYynUjqDKzqxfhu6sQWa6ncrT3LZo7a_aWaf_lhL46ycE5KoV905mbdaqIcyQpW2LFyKnbrpLPDR2BcthxNT4Grg_ZDfhzFVqnXbou0obA9RaHm0SV0nQYWb7SwlFYol67SnGeiCB/s1600/19105657_10211430072845073_7179715777360214178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofYghYynUjqDKzqxfhu6sQWa6ncrT3LZo7a_aWaf_lhL46ycE5KoV905mbdaqIcyQpW2LFyKnbrpLPDR2BcthxNT4Grg_ZDfhzFVqnXbou0obA9RaHm0SV0nQYWb7SwlFYol67SnGeiCB/s320/19105657_10211430072845073_7179715777360214178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was no fuss about my camera this time, but I took very few of Paris and 30STM mostly to conserve energy. I enjoyed both bands, and no one can accuse Jared Leto of being boring! Unfortunately , the one shot I got while he still had the nightgown on didn't come out, so he looks relatively normal here- don't be deceived! đ</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ3Fds1Br0SxvxNMui2Yx0inOpOJOTb42Tig060BjF1S-bb7bDjhCMekZJ7JdopdPj-oBZC7SozKjud4ZBrJjN57FyM-0rhM6BuKVkYVLXpXlVwaVGPXohXISIgiKYcUWPYnz1xz0i3Aw/s1600/P1080122_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ3Fds1Br0SxvxNMui2Yx0inOpOJOTb42Tig060BjF1S-bb7bDjhCMekZJ7JdopdPj-oBZC7SozKjud4ZBrJjN57FyM-0rhM6BuKVkYVLXpXlVwaVGPXohXISIgiKYcUWPYnz1xz0i3Aw/s320/P1080122_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jared has a great voice and pretty blue eyes, too, but nothing to compare to Matt in my book, even when he's hiding those pretty eyes behind blinky glasses. So a much better view for Dig Down for me this night.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u4CfoApD-yvT5l7i3mgsDLY4wCjqeQQsJTb4nxVliRrdkuulYFf340nsRpkx3WaFMaAunhbX93ih6DOu-tfKFm9iP50vYZjDdx-jJ0QpxrhwHbmhXEQfyy1i5fwvk8mD3p4Oyx0VvXBY/s1600/P1080125_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u4CfoApD-yvT5l7i3mgsDLY4wCjqeQQsJTb4nxVliRrdkuulYFf340nsRpkx3WaFMaAunhbX93ih6DOu-tfKFm9iP50vYZjDdx-jJ0QpxrhwHbmhXEQfyy1i5fwvk8mD3p4Oyx0VvXBY/s400/P1080125_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was also nice to be close enough to attempt close ups.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc1WckClsKHakiASrUt9rb4BDlkxk6W_o_tQ1ckMw9vuW-K1SxA_n-UpO1loN8SlmlzgPo8c31SIdoU1EgZItLoK6kutOuIDLbPlboJUuEsJf7L26t4Cj9-uBQHe82zy-2VZEaAMDVILt/s1600/P1080126_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbc1WckClsKHakiASrUt9rb4BDlkxk6W_o_tQ1ckMw9vuW-K1SxA_n-UpO1loN8SlmlzgPo8c31SIdoU1EgZItLoK6kutOuIDLbPlboJUuEsJf7L26t4Cj9-uBQHe82zy-2VZEaAMDVILt/s400/P1080126_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDwdi3nIlk3nV3nDsFB5c29KMl_L-OAH2BnMO_k4NEfQXC-N4HiTftUyzIfdeDGLibfXDXtXJtcr3ECYmaWxHbdN8G4BSYyZGEOzINkMwVceVmj68f0YG0BxRqhLxEhzTFBMJDxPAM1IG/s1600/P1080128_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDwdi3nIlk3nV3nDsFB5c29KMl_L-OAH2BnMO_k4NEfQXC-N4HiTftUyzIfdeDGLibfXDXtXJtcr3ECYmaWxHbdN8G4BSYyZGEOzINkMwVceVmj68f0YG0BxRqhLxEhzTFBMJDxPAM1IG/s400/P1080128_edited-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And at times I had a good view of Dom, too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPV-nTnEhCNjseP25YXkW21FDjv_AKZYTBLA4NNHir1-Bwcdip7LC6gnfaoWuCGLBAuBCb1VaEkVCupSEoM6Pn60ij9vIdbi6Jba9wZTnGstaP2I4ZwZ3aT-j0noOLBQexrDnkkym27AbT/s1600/P1080130_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1600" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPV-nTnEhCNjseP25YXkW21FDjv_AKZYTBLA4NNHir1-Bwcdip7LC6gnfaoWuCGLBAuBCb1VaEkVCupSEoM6Pn60ij9vIdbi6Jba9wZTnGstaP2I4ZwZ3aT-j0noOLBQexrDnkkym27AbT/s400/P1080130_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chris came over to the left side once in a while, this is probably during Hysteria.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmeU1Rrd9oZ7EkCnnw4JSnJU_ND5bceVIDE1pcsJIiY3FJebPGYLAoI0C73Fh6bOPJKFFf9-mEuNE7kOBo2kYAJai4VII5oshPcNgxDCrgGXBpBRa26dSwaIEH5lEAITL1b7ie0aYnh0v/s1600/P1080133_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1126" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmeU1Rrd9oZ7EkCnnw4JSnJU_ND5bceVIDE1pcsJIiY3FJebPGYLAoI0C73Fh6bOPJKFFf9-mEuNE7kOBo2kYAJai4VII5oshPcNgxDCrgGXBpBRa26dSwaIEH5lEAITL1b7ie0aYnh0v/s400/P1080133_edited-1.JPG" width="343" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I always say I don't care about the set list; I want to hear whatever the guys feel energised about performing. Still , it was nice that they chose to rotate in Map of the Problematique and Bliss for Resistance and Plug In Baby. I would not want to have to choose any one of those over another though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt8Ur1gwrE7VCLVwc6K8omjMhVKhqXgWY5dSqh6kxmSP-CO2pPWL3Xj3OrM81kddiSK7_2Qxcl3VMgvIbW0CG7EkY6nMllm7adqwtt5zvOpiHBOCZFc1SyXosHWmTiPpUCUpzIa08ZY5H/s1600/P1080137_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt8Ur1gwrE7VCLVwc6K8omjMhVKhqXgWY5dSqh6kxmSP-CO2pPWL3Xj3OrM81kddiSK7_2Qxcl3VMgvIbW0CG7EkY6nMllm7adqwtt5zvOpiHBOCZFc1SyXosHWmTiPpUCUpzIa08ZY5H/s400/P1080137_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dom likes to keep us riled up during Isolated System.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoBfavmD8lDa9aTZWHey2_jHdadd-8IYK_rzIRRYEpwkMNZRZ2m77gsWngr2mwCrKeHL4yTBCA0V0ncF6NLV2GuuMh7E_mv3n7s73lWxdTEPxfccdDZVYrjX8x0X_qqj3ftTMZYMybcBi/s1600/P1080139_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoBfavmD8lDa9aTZWHey2_jHdadd-8IYK_rzIRRYEpwkMNZRZ2m77gsWngr2mwCrKeHL4yTBCA0V0ncF6NLV2GuuMh7E_mv3n7s73lWxdTEPxfccdDZVYrjX8x0X_qqj3ftTMZYMybcBi/s1600/P1080139_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoBfavmD8lDa9aTZWHey2_jHdadd-8IYK_rzIRRYEpwkMNZRZ2m77gsWngr2mwCrKeHL4yTBCA0V0ncF6NLV2GuuMh7E_mv3n7s73lWxdTEPxfccdDZVYrjX8x0X_qqj3ftTMZYMybcBi/s400/P1080139_edited-1.JPG" width="383" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A good view of Matt's sparkly shoes. Jared Leto has a similar pair, so we think they went shopping together!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi5i6vty4TSTS_r9b2ePhQORyaelAwWMmP3n7IFdPl4P7eUPX3824JMoVgBKOQZCPD_Rid35aio7sD9ZVCxh71jy2wzZlYJeOBUBFa3iqIw5RPo_b6zkooIUcw6TRzSwkq_BZpSghFP2n/s1600/P1080141_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1600" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi5i6vty4TSTS_r9b2ePhQORyaelAwWMmP3n7IFdPl4P7eUPX3824JMoVgBKOQZCPD_Rid35aio7sD9ZVCxh71jy2wzZlYJeOBUBFa3iqIw5RPo_b6zkooIUcw6TRzSwkq_BZpSghFP2n/s640/P1080141_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Wolstenbeast</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppTBlnHxUm83-EoNQuz8qDjjl3al2bq92UbmD77FL7k061hqFMPbxNtMgTztTar45V2r3Nyhqf-qFx-7lqu1laEG1Ck6zNoffw4sObZJGCHo0IKB1kjkapXPrU0Mp46zFLLeZHE1uL2TB/s1600/P1080143_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="1412" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppTBlnHxUm83-EoNQuz8qDjjl3al2bq92UbmD77FL7k061hqFMPbxNtMgTztTar45V2r3Nyhqf-qFx-7lqu1laEG1Ck6zNoffw4sObZJGCHo0IKB1kjkapXPrU0Mp46zFLLeZHE1uL2TB/s400/P1080143_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
More fun with special glasses for Madness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROSKr-ieHY-QUwecoJqt3JXUPpprX6Mx1pcDnRc5rO1qVFdtTXo8Bkw4_B1_nyMRUvtDM3V9-VKiik6IjFo3EX-S7Qv74IbjURxuPc_USKtv2ziD-0kAvuN3J4Nu1j31FjGWvpPUPgUhq/s1600/P1080144_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROSKr-ieHY-QUwecoJqt3JXUPpprX6Mx1pcDnRc5rO1qVFdtTXo8Bkw4_B1_nyMRUvtDM3V9-VKiik6IjFo3EX-S7Qv74IbjURxuPc_USKtv2ziD-0kAvuN3J4Nu1j31FjGWvpPUPgUhq/s400/P1080144_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC4h4gFLQj9UqOMx4g-_3yYt7Q_Dj9c_CxqZBdx4aemfWt6P2G0_Q8joMAnm78-mHUfkT2V-w5P6fhArrZ6Mn3wBUZIlGOKOs6x_qV_AW2dFI1XfS_k3Y-KUR3GKSpb8QjQHxhs-5c68H/s1600/P1080146_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC4h4gFLQj9UqOMx4g-_3yYt7Q_Dj9c_CxqZBdx4aemfWt6P2G0_Q8joMAnm78-mHUfkT2V-w5P6fhArrZ6Mn3wBUZIlGOKOs6x_qV_AW2dFI1XfS_k3Y-KUR3GKSpb8QjQHxhs-5c68H/s400/P1080146_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a>And about here, I lose track of what song goes with the photo. But you can see Mat is getting hot & sweaty too. đ</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s2Q-igGN3VG2_f5lXZli1TmGOnYkGCFD420VWINdNeqGk3X_Uwrk4NIoT9Wn4CHSt8gx0pZK8An6X9YA0gigt6KURPzu21Nwk81jfcMgOjWtRvja9G9awC0CUmewPFmxo69_BSJB0uXN/s1600/P1080147_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s2Q-igGN3VG2_f5lXZli1TmGOnYkGCFD420VWINdNeqGk3X_Uwrk4NIoT9Wn4CHSt8gx0pZK8An6X9YA0gigt6KURPzu21Nwk81jfcMgOjWtRvja9G9awC0CUmewPFmxo69_BSJB0uXN/s320/P1080147_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKzMuFjZU4fkI-fVAmOzhpr5w6VrBkuRwKjNlkH9p8WaQjz70Z5xGVxDF9-48G1ntN-0HsptyTIMatcWIrAGT7GEwNVmEhCSF_HdZLCdaaESQh61eD4BSnLbRFPPIBTfLPefUUMV97jYI/s1600/P1080148_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKzMuFjZU4fkI-fVAmOzhpr5w6VrBkuRwKjNlkH9p8WaQjz70Z5xGVxDF9-48G1ntN-0HsptyTIMatcWIrAGT7GEwNVmEhCSF_HdZLCdaaESQh61eD4BSnLbRFPPIBTfLPefUUMV97jYI/s320/P1080148_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Matt went into the crowd for Starlight again, and again I was not on his path. I had to use maximum zoom to get this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbVKmPucQ_-CiYaGnNlJ8V765wYoiqrKpBjwfjGplqjT1lI3VH9J8JL3n4iMOX6Ae-nuiGJexrw6o8MDpvGfwz3npCwEbSEfQSKoKmrzKtv15sJKWmN8AIzzvNIqHKk1B4SW78wyLBstn/s1600/P1080149_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbVKmPucQ_-CiYaGnNlJ8V765wYoiqrKpBjwfjGplqjT1lI3VH9J8JL3n4iMOX6Ae-nuiGJexrw6o8MDpvGfwz3npCwEbSEfQSKoKmrzKtv15sJKWmN8AIzzvNIqHKk1B4SW78wyLBstn/s400/P1080149_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I noticed something missing a couple days after I originally posted this- Morgan! I truly could not see him at either gig, but I heard him. He makes the live show possible, especially times like this when Matt is concentrating on singing.<br />
<br />
And here I lose track of the songs again; between photos I was also busy jumping, fist pumping and singing along.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3bST83fziW_dxQDAqxgLVHiqyEgUD4kpWv5y1to6sBg9dXdV8HPJjQrLpuKpfzdHQ_IdT1LoQjF2J_EeZmlhzL0m433ggUekMxLjGM7UobJFz3oQ4MCzd2fq-wLFPXoVivVLSIWWSHAd/s1600/P1080150_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1600" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3bST83fziW_dxQDAqxgLVHiqyEgUD4kpWv5y1to6sBg9dXdV8HPJjQrLpuKpfzdHQ_IdT1LoQjF2J_EeZmlhzL0m433ggUekMxLjGM7UobJFz3oQ4MCzd2fq-wLFPXoVivVLSIWWSHAd/s400/P1080150_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51JAOi868G_DwH0iF0TraRHQ7QMuiBvj7viePX_jZjtlNslsqIuzR-2cU4ckIUOxmzGgZw4a174JlriBftFXigFmornv7rFWQ7zCOmribVYPY4ey6TcxrqsjxfpgjtPe5CSReePHOkX3d/s1600/P1080152_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51JAOi868G_DwH0iF0TraRHQ7QMuiBvj7viePX_jZjtlNslsqIuzR-2cU4ckIUOxmzGgZw4a174JlriBftFXigFmornv7rFWQ7zCOmribVYPY4ey6TcxrqsjxfpgjtPe5CSReePHOkX3d/s400/P1080152_edited-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWP3vggrXwGwx7mXgQyyhQbSoacwTKTTci33Mhl4Ab2Un9TFy-kThQyZNo_novXqifTwzUP82doNCYB0o5UG794jHejVRLhEgkJAaFCHLfiDJSvMTMVPYdIkknpZcB4uZl-0h-zewkvmX/s1600/P1080153_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWP3vggrXwGwx7mXgQyyhQbSoacwTKTTci33Mhl4Ab2Un9TFy-kThQyZNo_novXqifTwzUP82doNCYB0o5UG794jHejVRLhEgkJAaFCHLfiDJSvMTMVPYdIkknpZcB4uZl-0h-zewkvmX/s400/P1080153_edited-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But when you see the confetti, you know it's Mercy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeCdtmCj5OyY9TSGBl-IR0klwzcNmSbte6GzIbGmyHmFUn3unAM61pMiYSQrpjgTy4O4KpG3r2xzvkKsAxH0QeHaDc3B_Cxqzff650Ln8-sM8qw1xeOnNrNHSB7snvq3ZHpxHnzj44Hnc/s1600/P1080154_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeCdtmCj5OyY9TSGBl-IR0klwzcNmSbte6GzIbGmyHmFUn3unAM61pMiYSQrpjgTy4O4KpG3r2xzvkKsAxH0QeHaDc3B_Cxqzff650Ln8-sM8qw1xeOnNrNHSB7snvq3ZHpxHnzj44Hnc/s400/P1080154_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWVdMAdYWmw5xpU1pYU1K3DVyWfM5e54SgmRoLWXTyucmJfP6w68gvLP1s5sUenGI0YK3KB4zinP9RxnQrDqSMrYsl_yBe6THcDWwDTtP4mBlOoqvCHjNVB57JlvsfSRVvxftIguhcjYj/s1600/P1080157_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWVdMAdYWmw5xpU1pYU1K3DVyWfM5e54SgmRoLWXTyucmJfP6w68gvLP1s5sUenGI0YK3KB4zinP9RxnQrDqSMrYsl_yBe6THcDWwDTtP4mBlOoqvCHjNVB57JlvsfSRVvxftIguhcjYj/s400/P1080157_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Globalist<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLtEcVJxnzRQV3GrEdimp7r00dmKsMEcLCkQVQEz9IPqYxn2huB7ccsHteAoQgKLxFM3XxA0RDgazqotIXV9Z5lKYtvaZiwKgY4ACgpgkFpBvYUXbKtstE81CM-VsBS6_D44oTf-mmC2P/s1600/P1080162_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1600" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLtEcVJxnzRQV3GrEdimp7r00dmKsMEcLCkQVQEz9IPqYxn2huB7ccsHteAoQgKLxFM3XxA0RDgazqotIXV9Z5lKYtvaZiwKgY4ACgpgkFpBvYUXbKtstE81CM-VsBS6_D44oTf-mmC2P/s640/P1080162_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The next 4 are probably all Uprising, I chose not to try to take pics during Knights of Cydonia.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOvAC9KnhvukWeLSlh_OsgvvGSw_JH5EjJyC2KFom_CnJWA8AUM9Ibif08y0OG3oir9VLlNYTWERnWbhJMOuldEHaecVaEXFj82ONdZiGtwkmEWPHjGhks8anTPe_m5to0Hdu2eUJTiDe/s1600/P1080163_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1312" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOvAC9KnhvukWeLSlh_OsgvvGSw_JH5EjJyC2KFom_CnJWA8AUM9Ibif08y0OG3oir9VLlNYTWERnWbhJMOuldEHaecVaEXFj82ONdZiGtwkmEWPHjGhks8anTPe_m5to0Hdu2eUJTiDe/s400/P1080163_edited-1.jpg" width="327" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAgeGw9Dm17LPJtP3AcJ1JFv5_EmKtMA86H4FuqBwjJvTazhZEXnrbSKy_MPM81p8oqsR9ytKvMFfke3rfpObCfIYwepYJbpyrb9ODj5zuBSGBUPGAms55gmNSrFfBftAHWwX0jkIm6n1/s1600/P1080164_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAgeGw9Dm17LPJtP3AcJ1JFv5_EmKtMA86H4FuqBwjJvTazhZEXnrbSKy_MPM81p8oqsR9ytKvMFfke3rfpObCfIYwepYJbpyrb9ODj5zuBSGBUPGAms55gmNSrFfBftAHWwX0jkIm6n1/s640/P1080164_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo7l24PnDqxZ0UT1QlTBtFNqaitsqV7OZSN9aIWTEQPwbQesZ7r6f6BR06Y9_NLKJWP-TxbuU6470Oabl3uJE-Ixd3UpRv9H4pPH76DaeBBweSxNlkLIoPVBg98Lo0EmICkuxCzAvzoHX/s1600/P1080165_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo7l24PnDqxZ0UT1QlTBtFNqaitsqV7OZSN9aIWTEQPwbQesZ7r6f6BR06Y9_NLKJWP-TxbuU6470Oabl3uJE-Ixd3UpRv9H4pPH76DaeBBweSxNlkLIoPVBg98Lo0EmICkuxCzAvzoHX/s400/P1080165_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHQwd1HJhTDN6yOzdFf4sKksSSl5hqfXPEQlsYGBfSH6oAZAVaLDKXi8N3dnjqiRj3zBD1kFlHE_WqhrZMib5qnbNCQ2mglE3UteemAOAW_VrI-1l2Wx0BjIn3iLdxKJHsKBRwh1ca-X5/s1600/P1080167_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHQwd1HJhTDN6yOzdFf4sKksSSl5hqfXPEQlsYGBfSH6oAZAVaLDKXi8N3dnjqiRj3zBD1kFlHE_WqhrZMib5qnbNCQ2mglE3UteemAOAW_VrI-1l2Wx0BjIn3iLdxKJHsKBRwh1ca-X5/s400/P1080167_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was ready with another pair of socks for Matt though I wasn't really hoping for another hug. The stairs didn't line up right and I was all gross and sweaty anyway. I hoped he might see them and pick them up though. I landed a solid throw after Knights ended, but alas, he didn't see them. We then started going after picks, and some of the crew helped us out. Then I saw the missed socks and got them back to maybe try another day, but Kayla pointed out Oli was still around. So I got over to him and asked if he could get them to Matt as a late birthday present. He said he would make sure of it, with a huge grin, so I am confident they were delivered. đ </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's what we heard, but the set list is truly only a fraction of the experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQV2SQAgR_ei3rZ-cOCZe6IFM_uR2Z3kcjUs8aR-Mk21utrO8XsPpKV1Z8rDTBYicsBjZeVWILDMqkNtz-oJyrTovYd5sQXUoQojweiYE1MxVH2ISbnvNvSMHr6gSNQTinvohViWRP0oF/s1600/DCS15ycXUAUwjdh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQV2SQAgR_ei3rZ-cOCZe6IFM_uR2Z3kcjUs8aR-Mk21utrO8XsPpKV1Z8rDTBYicsBjZeVWILDMqkNtz-oJyrTovYd5sQXUoQojweiYE1MxVH2ISbnvNvSMHr6gSNQTinvohViWRP0oF/s400/DCS15ycXUAUwjdh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hydration was critical after this gig, Melodie actually left our barrier spot to sit down after a while , but she also had a better view of Chris from that spot! đ So I popped for an expensive bottle of cold water and sucked it right down. Kayla had a slightly different method!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xbxgxALV0dvp3O8TiqMdwgJI0p_5042qwesixl-MEvw7RqmX-ZTivsMD9y1zg7D2EkwXJnMdsRsgfQjy8tAh98LLgtKex7bG9XQ80zkv-qq2cSNaVJVEZP24QweAxduKodIzm5TxGHsT/s1600/P1080169_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xbxgxALV0dvp3O8TiqMdwgJI0p_5042qwesixl-MEvw7RqmX-ZTivsMD9y1zg7D2EkwXJnMdsRsgfQjy8tAh98LLgtKex7bG9XQ80zkv-qq2cSNaVJVEZP24QweAxduKodIzm5TxGHsT/s400/P1080169_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were in no shape for any more shenanigans after this. Kayla and Catherine had originally planned to drive right back to KC, but wisely crashed in our room for a few hours instead (even though I now know I snore "like a freight train" I hope they got some rest) .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Crystal, Janelle and I slept a bit later, but made check out time at 11 am. I finally did some driving on the long stretch back to Rochester, it was fine weather though and we made good time, so I was able to hop in my car and get home to my cats the same night . As I unloaded my laundry, I was horrified to discover my Psycho shirt was missing. That was the one I had dunked in ice water, then I hung it in the closet to dry and forgot it at the hotel! However, the consistently helpful Hollywood Casino staff found it and have shipped it back to me. Phew! That was the shirt I was wearing the time I did get a hug from Matt, can't believe I was that careless with it, sure sign of some heat exhaustion!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A little of the loot I collected in the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbHiEWzOnlp8M1c0H6AT_uFdSXoI8W3C14JqG8-Yy4JQ-XQDy4Y6sUPGoAG6brsAyF953pVFuB4SAjfyuY0cu53omlJMcn_ZS1flM7fV6oe7qOgaJSrorbP1PWZkKL-wobh6rNjwD8Duy/s1600/P1080170_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbHiEWzOnlp8M1c0H6AT_uFdSXoI8W3C14JqG8-Yy4JQ-XQDy4Y6sUPGoAG6brsAyF953pVFuB4SAjfyuY0cu53omlJMcn_ZS1flM7fV6oe7qOgaJSrorbP1PWZkKL-wobh6rNjwD8Duy/s320/P1080170_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So 2 great shows, and good times with old friends and new friends. Can't wait for Lollapalooza in August, I doubt if I can handle barrier there, but will get as close as I can for Muse! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-42597361674865786052016-01-17T22:06:00.001-08:002016-01-22T22:04:29.865-08:00Our frozen asses belong to Muse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We hard core fans have been saying our asses belong to Muse since last March when the song Psycho came out, with Matt in the character of drill sergeant singing "your ass belongs to me now" to a recruit. So when we finally got Drones tour dates for the US Midwest and saw they were in Dec. and Jan. , we nicknamed it the #FreezeYourAssTour. We sort of lucked out though, precipitation was minimal and temps were milder than they sometimes are in January.<br />
<br />
I got to sleep on my sister's sofa the night before the Chicago gig, then hooked up with my Musers for brunch. Wildberry's was great in every way, hope I can go back sometime.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM5GahrNW_qaa2zIaFKdnYYjjStueebwJmG3p98d05ufuqCRN7Q8XZaU_SLl4u5vGgiraxM2Uuc_51TmxWG-YZf0aqlf9xCyXnniFvpDU-nTufk6PbUJ0oiv92F61Bcgi3kK8sDpPaalJ/s1600/chi+brunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM5GahrNW_qaa2zIaFKdnYYjjStueebwJmG3p98d05ufuqCRN7Q8XZaU_SLl4u5vGgiraxM2Uuc_51TmxWG-YZf0aqlf9xCyXnniFvpDU-nTufk6PbUJ0oiv92F61Bcgi3kK8sDpPaalJ/s400/chi+brunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken by our awesome server at Wildberry's, Kym Detato's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The queue at the United Center was challenging though. Many layers, and most used hand warmers, making us look like extras from "Fargo" </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq676gEJOjsL2t6MnwYOf7C5qazE2tAUVj4_6enPkW60hkXDyYf5pxVGnC8422kWvvWfc2xzMsjQSagf33H-ByBRvG1v6iH8vYvOn0H5p9rhj5332gnWrL9CGwqQ6AFJEHm3vglGsOL-8I/s1600/Chicago+queue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq676gEJOjsL2t6MnwYOf7C5qazE2tAUVj4_6enPkW60hkXDyYf5pxVGnC8422kWvvWfc2xzMsjQSagf33H-ByBRvG1v6iH8vYvOn0H5p9rhj5332gnWrL9CGwqQ6AFJEHm3vglGsOL-8I/s400/Chicago+queue.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Lisa & Shauna, Wendy Smith's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We also had breaks for the bathroom or just to pop in Melodie's van which she generously ran for us. One bathroom break occurred at the famous Billy Goat Tavern, kind of wish it had been the right time for a "cheezborger" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLr_Wk0NJ3iICpQFtroFbtZdPO6qGKUdVXYaRuH0RxRExo6ShU81czduU21GVpazNbdJDenWyoa-JE2xEyBGAr3zXSOKFxpv254qiOE75UBwpKbaxpu0LbZQxmVUsq3GmWOSKsCG0TOfn/s1600/IMG_20160113_144142908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLr_Wk0NJ3iICpQFtroFbtZdPO6qGKUdVXYaRuH0RxRExo6ShU81czduU21GVpazNbdJDenWyoa-JE2xEyBGAr3zXSOKFxpv254qiOE75UBwpKbaxpu0LbZQxmVUsq3GmWOSKsCG0TOfn/s200/IMG_20160113_144142908.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally they lined us up at the doors, having teased us that they might do it an hour early. but they did not. In fact, we ended up standing there an extra half hour due to difficulties with the stage set-up, causing people who had ditched some layers to shiver. I had not since my outer layers were old ugly things that I did not care if I had to stand on or what. At last, we got let in, wristbanded, and then a short wait at the inner doors, the United Center does at least do a good job keeping our queue in order. So soon we were on the floor heading to a particular barrier spot , guided by Wendy, who had not only been to several earlier gigs, but is tall enough to spot easily :-) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJbbOdCNlun2ASTflM3t4zcYUV-voV3qKyHW5iZJHOecPIJwCa-8pkDQ6IBGMgBgHE5W4HVM07oHGIwPsvv2Q5m5sxkmyuH3DG2yfByNZHOPqQliCA4Q7-x4gIDvNctzfW-18eYiz5x5L/s1600/12496278_1173673689329174_2745699451808435604_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJbbOdCNlun2ASTflM3t4zcYUV-voV3qKyHW5iZJHOecPIJwCa-8pkDQ6IBGMgBgHE5W4HVM07oHGIwPsvv2Q5m5sxkmyuH3DG2yfByNZHOPqQliCA4Q7-x4gIDvNctzfW-18eYiz5x5L/s320/12496278_1173673689329174_2745699451808435604_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPIAQLbyh5knHdowlz0dW8xWNypjvWJItMMlFk3bnMZySW5D5cfGPSxlj_DsvR4TnnsOIfYb9z6DAO7Dn3-h5KAK7I_1KI06Yms1jv3NFWt_fkExzHhxtRIpzpZGBXqhJPJxt8s4pm6s4/s1600/P1070045_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPIAQLbyh5knHdowlz0dW8xWNypjvWJItMMlFk3bnMZySW5D5cfGPSxlj_DsvR4TnnsOIfYb9z6DAO7Dn3-h5KAK7I_1KI06Yms1jv3NFWt_fkExzHhxtRIpzpZGBXqhJPJxt8s4pm6s4/s320/P1070045_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrIxQhUQGcA7bdBBX015ELcE8gU1PX8JSoVt8BC9zbfD8VTwYnWIFlP4bC_nkIlFs1rIHewyLcTuF6Lo1Fve3plv8r7AmKSJkz-4YKBbKk3xMAFv7TD5PVgn2-F1qzRf7oJBDVw_0hZNw/s1600/Chi+barrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrIxQhUQGcA7bdBBX015ELcE8gU1PX8JSoVt8BC9zbfD8VTwYnWIFlP4bC_nkIlFs1rIHewyLcTuF6Lo1Fve3plv8r7AmKSJkz-4YKBbKk3xMAFv7TD5PVgn2-F1qzRf7oJBDVw_0hZNw/s400/Chi+barrier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barrier babes: me (barely visible & texting), Janelle, Kelsy, Jen, Shauna, Lisa, Wendy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
X Ambassadors opened the show. I had heard a couple songs on the radio and thought they were merely OK, but they really brought it live. The frontman is high energy and multi-talented, and the keyboard player played a beautiful interlude before their big hit, Unsteady.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgTFMtJ80dCMdzRqRbvkD1g3wPXWjCE45zTzTRFgDUHSdwZQSmsBfgldR3gIJTSPyPh-pNY2pIfDVmdgxz7W8SYrZO4ObYr2_s5bVk4nja-NGuOVqHDKNyg7QnuVE7f_lRy-enBOS7cne/s1600/P1070046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgTFMtJ80dCMdzRqRbvkD1g3wPXWjCE45zTzTRFgDUHSdwZQSmsBfgldR3gIJTSPyPh-pNY2pIfDVmdgxz7W8SYrZO4ObYr2_s5bVk4nja-NGuOVqHDKNyg7QnuVE7f_lRy-enBOS7cne/s400/P1070046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We then waited impatiently as final preparations were made for Muse, including 2 announcements to disable our flash functions, though they welcomed people taking photos and videos. At last we saw the "stormtroopers" military looking types in blue blinking glasses- because of the blinking, none of my photos of them came out well. However, the recorded title track of Drones that usually starts the show was not played, and then our Muse boys came right out and plunged into Psycho. Let the head-banging and jumping begin!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOokH1s_Ja2td0S0dleFPitWC5bkmq0aDwH7CGNG6cbwmnCG3kYLHY0C1KOlg1AHIOXCEh27rcmhbMMC3kzu-zUgb3ThRF26Q7hlRHKEJt4fiVkYcFRBCfETOnY_4AihabUedLa5AYKnHQ/s1600/P1070058_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOokH1s_Ja2td0S0dleFPitWC5bkmq0aDwH7CGNG6cbwmnCG3kYLHY0C1KOlg1AHIOXCEh27rcmhbMMC3kzu-zUgb3ThRF26Q7hlRHKEJt4fiVkYcFRBCfETOnY_4AihabUedLa5AYKnHQ/s400/P1070058_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse- Dom Howard, Chris Wolstenholme, Matt Bellamy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After this, I rather lost track of which of these photos were taken during what song. I have often said I don't care what songs are on the set list, but I was a little pleased that Map of the Problematique, one of my first favourite Muse songs, is back in rotation.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-NaGvDTLPJMPavRuWPWsZ4nQdvrOzrHGLXpMlRaFs-jnM2mnASgMHlbei3hDSUamYIgIfesep_CG5kdquWbp4SpXawNNTgI2WtskY4xK7xh8rittkeXCocLsT4NetmB8WKL9Pg-EAX6b/s1600/P1070060_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-NaGvDTLPJMPavRuWPWsZ4nQdvrOzrHGLXpMlRaFs-jnM2mnASgMHlbei3hDSUamYIgIfesep_CG5kdquWbp4SpXawNNTgI2WtskY4xK7xh8rittkeXCocLsT4NetmB8WKL9Pg-EAX6b/s400/P1070060_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGlHaJNWCH5r-LSTzDzta-E1T299ALbNnj9MqyZ_dyoOhLSAGWmvtyz3y9ndLzqhre0Nee-T_WAazynEfndoXCglktRXzsbWLtIqLapXXy6cP1ek6DSoqzOTSI6tJYSWW_-M8zdrUu8XS/s1600/P1070068_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGlHaJNWCH5r-LSTzDzta-E1T299ALbNnj9MqyZ_dyoOhLSAGWmvtyz3y9ndLzqhre0Nee-T_WAazynEfndoXCglktRXzsbWLtIqLapXXy6cP1ek6DSoqzOTSI6tJYSWW_-M8zdrUu8XS/s640/P1070068_edited-1.JPG" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCflwJJ9UVFt-gk9C_YZ0CQPoU6ItsP6BpJZE7JylKSdCZpakWDLrSTaQBDXvE8WJ4tbm8cJ9KfHZfGW5jxJTbApPFkhwIWl_kFMNIlKtWCujG_XQOMwRV8V9RPtI7qdGsQf5qcb3kUcM/s1600/P1070069_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCflwJJ9UVFt-gk9C_YZ0CQPoU6ItsP6BpJZE7JylKSdCZpakWDLrSTaQBDXvE8WJ4tbm8cJ9KfHZfGW5jxJTbApPFkhwIWl_kFMNIlKtWCujG_XQOMwRV8V9RPtI7qdGsQf5qcb3kUcM/s640/P1070069_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKbN-rAEWLs9jQ6tiv3XaMsY31kJ6yVHJ9daveKqhy0180LZT22NWCCkVC7lsUU1zF8MWxQYQySmgQ9GpxYZB3vaqgf1RkZ8How_qwrBOGEcCxOW2nArqG76z1jbV3Xcw1K6x3i3jEc00/s1600/P1070075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKbN-rAEWLs9jQ6tiv3XaMsY31kJ6yVHJ9daveKqhy0180LZT22NWCCkVC7lsUU1zF8MWxQYQySmgQ9GpxYZB3vaqgf1RkZ8How_qwrBOGEcCxOW2nArqG76z1jbV3Xcw1K6x3i3jEc00/s640/P1070075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dom, arm porn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some photos have visual cues that remind me which song it is, these next two are Apocalypse Please.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw34ikp_M3rm6e2qvFBKBopAfSkL9lOJaX5Sm83WzZBtfgtPebNyZc7x0iFCOY-eezPU5E1qnfPrfONTdY0oF6Dq7DdcscmcNbqB_rZ9jw3DTfCowkdyCUcUNA9UH0dDXxnX5rk7MmXdI/s1600/P1070076_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw34ikp_M3rm6e2qvFBKBopAfSkL9lOJaX5Sm83WzZBtfgtPebNyZc7x0iFCOY-eezPU5E1qnfPrfONTdY0oF6Dq7DdcscmcNbqB_rZ9jw3DTfCowkdyCUcUNA9UH0dDXxnX5rk7MmXdI/s400/P1070076_edited-1.JPG" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikliQieu5fQmEw1N-BNfHt6jnLFVsV2PJ0AVK2SkSnVB3qvRIzY71QApoEtah84L8zYRum8yFbvjEx702uG1aYKIFENxgq-PY49pF1U5mkdwsrHd2-oST2niQBsxEPlgqTL6JI1FL0RDG7/s1600/P1070078_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikliQieu5fQmEw1N-BNfHt6jnLFVsV2PJ0AVK2SkSnVB3qvRIzY71QApoEtah84L8zYRum8yFbvjEx702uG1aYKIFENxgq-PY49pF1U5mkdwsrHd2-oST2niQBsxEPlgqTL6JI1FL0RDG7/s640/P1070078_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And this one is clearly the Drones Drum & Bass jam</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rmQ8TF54LUbWVU0FF2SvHwWnQhaaIqTuPf0YZIXY883FefX1qfcgXBCcuPQcoFtPHVXpPBVCSxJ1sr6sL0DAEilJ1iHb-tKf3IMkTdkbFoZV0HGjfQZeMLFvuvj9zvzlKKROC9n_sVjT/s1600/P1070081_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rmQ8TF54LUbWVU0FF2SvHwWnQhaaIqTuPf0YZIXY883FefX1qfcgXBCcuPQcoFtPHVXpPBVCSxJ1sr6sL0DAEilJ1iHb-tKf3IMkTdkbFoZV0HGjfQZeMLFvuvj9zvzlKKROC9n_sVjT/s640/P1070081_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My cheesy shot of the overhead screen during Madness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh33eiDeSSFv_XxObpm-egCqSvWuWfTwbzmGZ9k-yelF4DRCHURDpX6RvoBUAyXmTaBdcQQ5P8aRgs4vpqC0yVDm68ZOTEiR6lYcGiuJeOJMRIKmG8FtcY12o15f9oFR7D7yN5okfx0eQ/s1600/P1070084_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh33eiDeSSFv_XxObpm-egCqSvWuWfTwbzmGZ9k-yelF4DRCHURDpX6RvoBUAyXmTaBdcQQ5P8aRgs4vpqC0yVDm68ZOTEiR6lYcGiuJeOJMRIKmG8FtcY12o15f9oFR7D7yN5okfx0eQ/s640/P1070084_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Besides the round overhead screen, at times, transparent curtains dropped down for visual projections. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6atcgv_JF3nrtWEKpVorGQQHpfEHY5LUVreHy44x61ySPRGPow1s7tVhlDvfHSyQnvnOqJARUXzHCsA1AdDdsZDB81_V26g33nSyFk2Sbg0J-wjfd5rMiFX3iNFyhrZmZDkDtUD934bw/s1600/P1070085_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6atcgv_JF3nrtWEKpVorGQQHpfEHY5LUVreHy44x61ySPRGPow1s7tVhlDvfHSyQnvnOqJARUXzHCsA1AdDdsZDB81_V26g33nSyFk2Sbg0J-wjfd5rMiFX3iNFyhrZmZDkDtUD934bw/s640/P1070085_edited-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">projection of Dom during Undisclosed Desires<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back to not being sure which song...but I managed to get a shot of Morgan Nicholls, Muse's 4th member for live touring,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ6YxITy_6XHw5cu2sqs3RclQGJRoodgjlmDDVmkq-9EzSDhAKU5LVzlCgy29Np3ur16UUK3k_rsv6dKqwKkKzgg1WTije2B64zOb5OnTL30PjOeOEQkXazXkTdzbvHkwobWlnOx1P2wz/s1600/P1070086_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ6YxITy_6XHw5cu2sqs3RclQGJRoodgjlmDDVmkq-9EzSDhAKU5LVzlCgy29Np3ur16UUK3k_rsv6dKqwKkKzgg1WTije2B64zOb5OnTL30PjOeOEQkXazXkTdzbvHkwobWlnOx1P2wz/s640/P1070086_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan, Dom, Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An unfortunately unfocused, but particularly sexy pic of the Wolstenbeast!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CvXjR72NecwMgYo5RyK_o2mUxanYCM8XGD2YJpPee2bACPLZgHpU3w-_Y5DIBBrG6_11ow1Ki3X6R3xr468cABQYxQ_fyKQfsiZ9VHoAZObtNJG82TqulDCmWt3lqC5mdhRnNmHuHzEj/s1600/P1070087_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CvXjR72NecwMgYo5RyK_o2mUxanYCM8XGD2YJpPee2bACPLZgHpU3w-_Y5DIBBrG6_11ow1Ki3X6R3xr468cABQYxQ_fyKQfsiZ9VHoAZObtNJG82TqulDCmWt3lqC5mdhRnNmHuHzEj/s640/P1070087_edited-1.JPG" width="475" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next two may both be during Reapers though the lighting makes the guitars look different. At the end of this Matt beat up his guitar. These Manson guitars are tough and can be repaired, but this night he actually broke a piece off!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSSDOvhFPdV2AA-rfVoqf77mcqi_2r5NC7W6y569zXb7htsA__118YIJNAiVE83XXqeGHiz-3z3dNCgjfHiIDIJzG-MRW3pcEyzmb7rUaOKrN89zEQL_FRmYl1-ko7J5uPkn0MJCHHk4W/s1600/P1070088_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSSDOvhFPdV2AA-rfVoqf77mcqi_2r5NC7W6y569zXb7htsA__118YIJNAiVE83XXqeGHiz-3z3dNCgjfHiIDIJzG-MRW3pcEyzmb7rUaOKrN89zEQL_FRmYl1-ko7J5uPkn0MJCHHk4W/s640/P1070088_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHQFlk-LbXk_Jxk43kwNVkIpNjvM-KlR9TEM9yLB_2PWvaHAS5EwZnAm1AYtGluBDtgRFhapWM3SIWuSLMNGeSMJtyo3G9hx01fxs9N4W9n6Wd4JiSPuz441vks7eOZtY8Dzh8beHfbJ-/s1600/P1070089_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHQFlk-LbXk_Jxk43kwNVkIpNjvM-KlR9TEM9yLB_2PWvaHAS5EwZnAm1AYtGluBDtgRFhapWM3SIWuSLMNGeSMJtyo3G9hx01fxs9N4W9n6Wd4JiSPuz441vks7eOZtY8Dzh8beHfbJ-/s640/P1070089_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my attempt at a close-up of Matt's fingers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Matt strutting on one of the catwalks</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_R84OurhmtYxqKaQvU9tBiR0c8GCj0p_hnDv6FopKS65JAHcw_tlOiI7EABAoytcacvoBNyxYjhNuQOVpvXAkUcjst7i0J9Bq_YQi6R10R7PrT7T04lNCN0Nt1dcxdIxdxoDqTxdHIzz/s1600/P1070096_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_R84OurhmtYxqKaQvU9tBiR0c8GCj0p_hnDv6FopKS65JAHcw_tlOiI7EABAoytcacvoBNyxYjhNuQOVpvXAkUcjst7i0J9Bq_YQi6R10R7PrT7T04lNCN0Nt1dcxdIxdxoDqTxdHIzz/s400/P1070096_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi90Fn7qban4tlnKnlC0DfpshDGtqlQGIkg-RLhWBSkWcOClX-gDBOCWpkm4knoAQtZg3IykTUk028L5QHK8NqOXh5T0JtScuvpwQk6rlgPAVuQStI4aVB-wG9PODhjHQde3qb9YLOJ3F1/s1600/P1070103_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi90Fn7qban4tlnKnlC0DfpshDGtqlQGIkg-RLhWBSkWcOClX-gDBOCWpkm4knoAQtZg3IykTUk028L5QHK8NqOXh5T0JtScuvpwQk6rlgPAVuQStI4aVB-wG9PODhjHQde3qb9YLOJ3F1/s400/P1070103_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The confetti tells me this is probably Mercy, when we get showered with little grey drone men confetti and red & white streamers.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDtzlgf_FGrxPzxBbz6pbqfDjMgUK5V6BypLwCl6cDt-M6lS56JBoXHPSHHwIcvdef_4dJMfmFOS5eQmziz4ldb_9JXCVjyuerrbB-QwJJE8ks-ZXVxUdLuhZJXM5eD7IthsQKyASsgU1/s1600/P1070108_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDtzlgf_FGrxPzxBbz6pbqfDjMgUK5V6BypLwCl6cDt-M6lS56JBoXHPSHHwIcvdef_4dJMfmFOS5eQmziz4ldb_9JXCVjyuerrbB-QwJJE8ks-ZXVxUdLuhZJXM5eD7IthsQKyASsgU1/s640/P1070108_edited-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From there they go into the epic closer Knights of Cydonia.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVMF04BATmVCA6DiwXnsmQ8QYGhepeAYCpvDcertNfjPdV3-nCynICte68qqnB8_X_9G3Vka9BcxP3x4sNu8MK75RI4rQWVxBCqUvgMiS-W3TM6O6ibZPDqeVOItQM7HVTj57-bnnTFPg/s1600/P1070112_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVMF04BATmVCA6DiwXnsmQ8QYGhepeAYCpvDcertNfjPdV3-nCynICte68qqnB8_X_9G3Vka9BcxP3x4sNu8MK75RI4rQWVxBCqUvgMiS-W3TM6O6ibZPDqeVOItQM7HVTj57-bnnTFPg/s400/P1070112_edited-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGAxSFiC3LDYyJRa33MNDlnh1OVVgNjorImmxsczHjHtz5UAjiA7grxBSQ25DQJuzb6YYvRYGPWQ4dpN2zmYiGkcfUrKhAoPcqyqiP3ecGN4Cel7b6DEx9sXPcv1h7qUXYP-1k3TAytwS/s1600/P1070115_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGAxSFiC3LDYyJRa33MNDlnh1OVVgNjorImmxsczHjHtz5UAjiA7grxBSQ25DQJuzb6YYvRYGPWQ4dpN2zmYiGkcfUrKhAoPcqyqiP3ecGN4Cel7b6DEx9sXPcv1h7qUXYP-1k3TAytwS/s400/P1070115_edited-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then came the most amazing moment for me. Wendy had positioned us where we were because she knew the steps the band takes to leave the stage would take them right in front of us. I had a pair of socks for Matt, a holiday pattern this time, and normally I would have tossed them on the stage for him. After consulting Wendy, I decided to take a chance of handing them to him as he walked by. After all, if that failed, I could toss them the next night when we were at the Detroit show. But it did not fail! He not only took the socks, he stopped to unwrap them...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDR4rfU9WoiNmvU4MU2oet4rsIefebztA196u12EPWts3CVc5JKvWhOx3sNa7OwfSiyr4NkZdrTNx2-ofwm9BF68hyphenhyphen9Ryel3R4DPbeCjP3D_FKGKtXzonFHJigyTK29qgGeGZp0ItJy-I/s1600/opening+socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDR4rfU9WoiNmvU4MU2oet4rsIefebztA196u12EPWts3CVc5JKvWhOx3sNa7OwfSiyr4NkZdrTNx2-ofwm9BF68hyphenhyphen9Ryel3R4DPbeCjP3D_FKGKtXzonFHJigyTK29qgGeGZp0ItJy-I/s400/opening+socks.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janelle Miller's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYYeaYntE1JuC8jSRRI_XG4frhIz1yi8cY66dR_qC4xkRqL6X57nChfIgfX2DeI92ABF0LnL0c5oUC69phfhu4jg6nNpuyk4s46_X6bqIzKjHCCU7b8Exw3-IoYIoWAr8lO-Najv3pBmW/s1600/socks%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYYeaYntE1JuC8jSRRI_XG4frhIz1yi8cY66dR_qC4xkRqL6X57nChfIgfX2DeI92ABF0LnL0c5oUC69phfhu4jg6nNpuyk4s46_X6bqIzKjHCCU7b8Exw3-IoYIoWAr8lO-Najv3pBmW/s400/socks%2521.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsy Butterfield's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He seemed surprised that I was giving him something! :-) and then to my complete shock, he came over and hugged me!!! Most people reading this probably know I am a "Matt girl" , so this was the thrill of a lifetime for me. You can't quite see me, which is OK, my hair must have been a fright, however, I'm wearing olive green, you can make out my hands.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pzLKRTowiksovI50kBo9W3llPNkB5UnahY1XgMbn4U8UmlqzsG0MCmGGFcXIHmORhYzl8OVqaTQro5mIB5OwLg5-cN8aQmscgfF9uqpzPw0zQ8JROA6LbXr9ggpM0J-OOpf4GKFZp1wf/s1600/pre-hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pzLKRTowiksovI50kBo9W3llPNkB5UnahY1XgMbn4U8UmlqzsG0MCmGGFcXIHmORhYzl8OVqaTQro5mIB5OwLg5-cN8aQmscgfF9uqpzPw0zQ8JROA6LbXr9ggpM0J-OOpf4GKFZp1wf/s400/pre-hug.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janelle Miller's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFgYYL-WzEincwqrjeSKn0vCJZ_jK-xV-Oe7TZ0U79BKrAguIXclJk5jCJYPhNUYXLbY0eT1JUHgTklFFKOAUIw5qS_Sq6vUPTb9mFOrZB3jflD3baBowvTAdqBqB5iHBsog5DE3TT7l7/s1600/hug%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFgYYL-WzEincwqrjeSKn0vCJZ_jK-xV-Oe7TZ0U79BKrAguIXclJk5jCJYPhNUYXLbY0eT1JUHgTklFFKOAUIw5qS_Sq6vUPTb9mFOrZB3jflD3baBowvTAdqBqB5iHBsog5DE3TT7l7/s400/hug%2521.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsy Butterfield's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Huge thanks to Janelle and Kelsy for getting this moment on camera!! Somehow I continued breathing and walking after this. I am still giddy 4 days later when I am typing this.<br />
<br />
Others of our group had a good night, too, Wendy caught Matt's blinky glasses at the end of Undisclosed Desires, and Melodie got Chris' harmonica at the end of the show.<br />
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the show, Crystal proves you can never have too many streamers :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKANsI2WvlPkpzw-D3k11cIEPpt4BjERMws8K6GEUISDhg4oOONMQh0EoJcvkK7a8qWpb5ExWwSWqIpBPhNdW9khIxJ2lMl-OVbuCj7lZjZrCy1m5AY9lPkHNmrOZxvVkwbMUifmR-qQ16/s1600/P1070116_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKANsI2WvlPkpzw-D3k11cIEPpt4BjERMws8K6GEUISDhg4oOONMQh0EoJcvkK7a8qWpb5ExWwSWqIpBPhNdW9khIxJ2lMl-OVbuCj7lZjZrCy1m5AY9lPkHNmrOZxvVkwbMUifmR-qQ16/s400/P1070116_edited-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Most of us had actually made it to the merch tables before the show, so food was the next order of business, especially for those of us nutty enough to drive overnight to Detroit to queue for the barrier again. A few of us went to the Golden Nugget so we could meet up with Jae who had been in the VIP section. There we finally got a good look at her red metallic pants :-) , and way more food than we could eat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we regrouped for our mini-convoy to Detroit: Shauna and Kelsy in Jen's car, me and Wendy in Melodie's van. I rode shotgun and attempted to help the drivers stay awake but did end up nodding off a few times when Wendy was driving. She was fine though, singing along with Frank Turner :-) And we made enough rest stops too, both for bodily functions and driver alertness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then began the adventures that caused us to consider the hashtag #fuckingDetroit. Once in the city, we had a devil of a time finding the arena parking lot. One wrong turn had us in a spot where we witnessed the tour buses pulling in, so that made us smile for a moment. Then back to frustration..even with an idea of where to go, screwy Detroit intersections with U turns required messed with us. We finally found the arena lot only to be informed by the attendant that it closed at 5! We explained we would be queuing all day for the Muse show that night. An older female attendant nearby laughed "Oh that ain't happening!" grrr, so we got out of there. Eventually we realized we would not be able to park close to the arena, so we went to our hotel. The Crowne Plaza was not far, but between the distance and valet parking, we would not be able to use cars for warming up. Luckily, temps had risen overnight. And we had some shelter. We were also the very front of the line this time. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo17aBrTw6S5RCBbkuY5pVluHlB2KxmS3juor7zTSz03X2mvBAdToarqm2EKsmaTEK4Qt4giMzXU8oi9FD9K3IwpExprQaDIHB5dHh6Q7pjC6xOHhuvcIhnvur1_CjwjF-YF7c2oiqwhig/s1600/Det+queue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo17aBrTw6S5RCBbkuY5pVluHlB2KxmS3juor7zTSz03X2mvBAdToarqm2EKsmaTEK4Qt4giMzXU8oi9FD9K3IwpExprQaDIHB5dHh6Q7pjC6xOHhuvcIhnvur1_CjwjF-YF7c2oiqwhig/s400/Det+queue.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinmayi's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After what had happened for me the night before, I knew this gig might be somewhat anti-climactic, but we got to meet more Muser friends. Ellen was driving up from Ohio even though she had to turn around and drive back right after the show. Chinz found us thanks to an online introduction via Catherine Marlin. Catherine, Muse's most devoted fan, was with us in spirit, and we had a couple pics of her face on sticks, "flat Cath" that we were taking everywhere with us! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We took turns going back to the hotel to wash up. That revived me a little. We also had a good time getting to know new people in the queue and signing the tour flag ( we also did that in Chicago, but it was hindered a little by greater need for hats and scarves) Then we once again heard from security that the band was behind schedule setting up. So we were a bit more cautious about the timing of removing layers and taking sleeping bags away. Wendy and I cut it real close, they were lining us up to be wristbanded when we got back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's when the real clusterfuck started. They told us they were opening 3 doors for this, so that scrambled our queue order, then when they actually opened only 2 , it was even worse, Wendy and I had to shove our way into another line. Even more ridiculous, after doing this, they put us back outside in 2 lines, now completely mangled as far as queue order. :-( We were still near the front though. As we waited, we were told numbers of gates we could use to access the general admission floor. We raced for those when they let us in, and incomprehensibly, at some of these gates, personnel were still blocking people, and others were not! Some of us caught on to this and moved to one that let us in and then ran for our spots. No one cautioned us not to run despite steep stairs down to the floor. Somehow everyone but Chinz made it to our same spot on the barrier though we had to hold a spot for Melodie for a bit. I think it is a miracle no one was trampled or hurt. None of us had ever experienced a worse entry procedure :-( There were also a couple rude, possible drunk people trying to wiggle forward into our barrier spots, but we were firm.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZnkIRL6TXtx_b51gYDf780EANHPVCSDW6STC0WmiwwR0I1JnPdWZMG1CBGCjiLwAGhEe5eU6YulIsJxMTjzOWLK7xj4UmDuxzm1_P1w2z1C-hXht4dqXSIiuE7MiM5qK2Mzgw_IZrWFp/s1600/Det+barrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZnkIRL6TXtx_b51gYDf780EANHPVCSDW6STC0WmiwwR0I1JnPdWZMG1CBGCjiLwAGhEe5eU6YulIsJxMTjzOWLK7xj4UmDuxzm1_P1w2z1C-hXht4dqXSIiuE7MiM5qK2Mzgw_IZrWFp/s400/Det+barrier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen, me holding flat Cath, Melodie, Wendy, Shauna, Jen, Kelsy- Kelsy Butterfield's photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Security at Joe Louis Arena failed later, too. We noticed a drunk person who had passed out and told the guards in front of us, but they said they couldn't do anything. They also failed to mind the mosh pit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
X Ambassadors opened with the same set as the night before, but they rock so hard, it was still enjoyable. Then when it was time for Muse, this night we got Drones, both the audio track with Matt's beautiful voice in 5 layers of choral singing, and the giant round things flying over our heads.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TSOAekQrxZVYfYQ6KKbBw9MuSNRbckLITBT0kmasAeBiUjSF0cHiANhu7VsDnQZiB4jgCNcq8WCOWobPyuyN4lkeMmMv2TvLZJ3bCLG2_5h2i28XA152266eaRu5F6r4CbfBovhwx0qB/s1600/P1070118_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TSOAekQrxZVYfYQ6KKbBw9MuSNRbckLITBT0kmasAeBiUjSF0cHiANhu7VsDnQZiB4jgCNcq8WCOWobPyuyN4lkeMmMv2TvLZJ3bCLG2_5h2i28XA152266eaRu5F6r4CbfBovhwx0qB/s400/P1070118_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So cool! I also tried to be more judicious in what I chose to photograph this time since I theoretically knew when I might have good shots. However, it's a 360 stage, part of the time we are looking at the boys' bums, and Matt moves very fast, so this one was an accident, but I am OK with that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR-mSAAHRcclZuR2_PKfM3xLx7UJvsq4XbF7ZgT-FNf2K6heuNPwlj3eZTbGLNkgJUOQSR9tn7KBCcC2vS29VItTHwfjdNrsRYEP2YrytTwT5tSIGv8BvZawEeY2yRKSnI9xcl1cy94aD/s1600/P1070122_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR-mSAAHRcclZuR2_PKfM3xLx7UJvsq4XbF7ZgT-FNf2K6heuNPwlj3eZTbGLNkgJUOQSR9tn7KBCcC2vS29VItTHwfjdNrsRYEP2YrytTwT5tSIGv8BvZawEeY2yRKSnI9xcl1cy94aD/s400/P1070122_edited-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Much of the Muse set list was the same too, but not all, and the acoustics may have been slightly better. Having the drones flying added something too. Here during Supermassive Black Hole, I think they look like Christmas baubles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_9AE3YlPnS2gjybp-4OD7xruAoFvy656UlZ6II1iG1FDacQ6Mkil90SvuyuVw7umtto59mLRLqiNjQe9UsKVIP-256_BEy_oy5FjJjzUuOrwam2a9HYp4ejjBseFzIwL0j8Y7i0edvKr/s1600/P1070125_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_9AE3YlPnS2gjybp-4OD7xruAoFvy656UlZ6II1iG1FDacQ6Mkil90SvuyuVw7umtto59mLRLqiNjQe9UsKVIP-256_BEy_oy5FjJjzUuOrwam2a9HYp4ejjBseFzIwL0j8Y7i0edvKr/s640/P1070125_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Again, not sure what song some of these are from.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfvExas6Vb9UfWtCyx5Z7qyZLQ0r9e_yVd3zHnrR6hGlJvu0CXi9RfAj85fSc-hY7r66YJTgkYn7yMjVMZ4O-QbQge7ikJ0g3U84YMUqEX_Wj9gorVXD6WhwxviSN3OJNsLG5XNXptXKw/s1600/P1070129_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfvExas6Vb9UfWtCyx5Z7qyZLQ0r9e_yVd3zHnrR6hGlJvu0CXi9RfAj85fSc-hY7r66YJTgkYn7yMjVMZ4O-QbQge7ikJ0g3U84YMUqEX_Wj9gorVXD6WhwxviSN3OJNsLG5XNXptXKw/s640/P1070129_edited-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ruBkRr_uqu3Z6f9rFfZ40gRgcP46id-2sn-Qc5iynn_E1_S-Um-KotCj-DYBxM8yzpYOjRIi_xdMDO_gjmEKMcuCq2ndJVlXucJb_9WXzNMVco46WfHL8uWB7FCCC_BM_Rm8AZU6mIG8/s1600/P1070134_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ruBkRr_uqu3Z6f9rFfZ40gRgcP46id-2sn-Qc5iynn_E1_S-Um-KotCj-DYBxM8yzpYOjRIi_xdMDO_gjmEKMcuCq2ndJVlXucJb_9WXzNMVco46WfHL8uWB7FCCC_BM_Rm8AZU6mIG8/s640/P1070134_edited-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The drones were having some difficulties though. A couple round ones had to be deactivated after bopping people on the heads. The big drone was still launched, but it also had some issues with going where it was not supposed to. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijasOytt9IFBrVWITb-ZWnvQ9IIuPxBHcuRv1q4C7yWsaKW3ugN_WlXVHYpayAtHpZo441_fvN3ATwglRNWkJ2fhNY8hm0gIc_6FaduIotic9JlRHmNda9GYryM-twpPUXghjIEejVB3Bo/s1600/P1070139_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijasOytt9IFBrVWITb-ZWnvQ9IIuPxBHcuRv1q4C7yWsaKW3ugN_WlXVHYpayAtHpZo441_fvN3ATwglRNWkJ2fhNY8hm0gIc_6FaduIotic9JlRHmNda9GYryM-twpPUXghjIEejVB3Bo/s400/P1070139_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The band carried on like the pros they are through all of this, though Matt seemed to find some of the mishaps funny. However, the boys seemed a bit tired, and then the piano lift also malfunctioned so we did not get one of the planned piano songs; later we found it was supposed to be United States of Eurasia.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time during Mercy , I decided to photograph the confetti. I did not plan to get hands in this shot, but that I am glad I did as it captures the excitement of the crowd.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIYfT94MYq-a7UhUTC5BVGXW7Z6WjhyrrvE5DWFFO9qri7eOXE37Z2JhqwG6IGw9I9ISNfzKBpiBNiS9dGAWjhlXpW9R-cDrYawDxyqtqEpld0Tf-TKBhhE7zbN0t0xTbHF-B1R-wvKcw/s1600/P1070145_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIYfT94MYq-a7UhUTC5BVGXW7Z6WjhyrrvE5DWFFO9qri7eOXE37Z2JhqwG6IGw9I9ISNfzKBpiBNiS9dGAWjhlXpW9R-cDrYawDxyqtqEpld0Tf-TKBhhE7zbN0t0xTbHF-B1R-wvKcw/s640/P1070145_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">confetti and streamers during Mercy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All too soon, we were at the finale again, a little sadder for me this time since I have no other shows to go to on this tour, and I knew I would not be handing Matt socks again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLJQGYPOeKpdtYfio1mfGb11D646pb5L031-GcaoKsPQqxd1v2hObckElv3imqHw0hX6n56AiKz96LG9w32vOw70qIfNKu3CdrMhE3CI_aP3GAlOPfj7NhXlM-FtPADrR_HSaObQTll5E/s1600/P1070148_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLJQGYPOeKpdtYfio1mfGb11D646pb5L031-GcaoKsPQqxd1v2hObckElv3imqHw0hX6n56AiKz96LG9w32vOw70qIfNKu3CdrMhE3CI_aP3GAlOPfj7NhXlM-FtPADrR_HSaObQTll5E/s640/P1070148_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knights of Cydonia, long view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeAD_2a1Bk7sxxIK2PGzeZiP77MKrt2YAxvTx65H1mKUAuShhWX-b0hNsQY1SSshPE_6t0D3tkiwcmqzV0WnGUlyrK6II1qJ6g_N7G_L73S_QXWtMNqPYPTsNdM28WtQPUGgFPsFCjm0H/s1600/P1070149_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeAD_2a1Bk7sxxIK2PGzeZiP77MKrt2YAxvTx65H1mKUAuShhWX-b0hNsQY1SSshPE_6t0D3tkiwcmqzV0WnGUlyrK6II1qJ6g_N7G_L73S_QXWtMNqPYPTsNdM28WtQPUGgFPsFCjm0H/s640/P1070149_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knights of Cydonia, zooming in on Matt, Chris and Dom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They did their usual tossing out of picks, harmonica and drumsticks- Wendy finally got a harmonica as she had been holding up a sign for one. However, they exited rather more quickly this night, though we still got some quick high fives in.<br />
<br />
Despite all the difficulties, we were all ecstatic after the show.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVfFyXeVuBosdQVinkl_q-N18L1a5Vi2861y_Il1ppSwLgm7P09h3liIUKFvz-gmrxWHKuKSnPMjAhd1OtLb8FcEa30ZidabT4js1eKfqi_wX9EK1bcvmeubqPXb6dYootTKL_WCctCqZ/s1600/bf528f5f-d00a-4945-9802-b720f161f9aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVfFyXeVuBosdQVinkl_q-N18L1a5Vi2861y_Il1ppSwLgm7P09h3liIUKFvz-gmrxWHKuKSnPMjAhd1OtLb8FcEa30ZidabT4js1eKfqi_wX9EK1bcvmeubqPXb6dYootTKL_WCctCqZ/s640/bf528f5f-d00a-4945-9802-b720f161f9aa.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back-Kelsy, Kym, Ellen, Wendy ,Melodie, me, front-Shauna,Jen, Lisa: Wendy Smith's photo slightly cropped</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then for most of us it was time to party! Food was a priority again, so pizza was ordered promptly. We also had snacks and wine in the room and some went to the hotel bar and got drinks that looked really good, but I mostly needed water. Some of us had been at the barrier, but others had seats for this show, so we had a lot to share. After a while I made a spot for my sleeping bag because Melodie planned to leave at 9 am. I apparently got to sleep easily as I totally missed those who were still up singing Bohemian Rhapsody over the phone to Ellen as she drove back to Ohio.<br />
<br />
Shauna, a qualified Chicago driver after 9 years, did the driving on the morning shift, and handled all the jerks on the road well. We listened to some Frank Turner again, but also Shauna's mix playlist which included some Bowie ( tears) and some Muse ( fist pumping!) It seemed we were back at my sister's place all too soon; I did not want this adventure to end. After a shower, I took a photo of all my souvenirs, the black satiny thing is part of a Hullaballoon- they bounce over the crowd during Starlight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PzMIO66DgU-6FnKeEJmk3pfcc_-iqEFAjPn_eDYSgP-8oaVzA1fZWmFAXuiqggS6VjtSsQpjoRBr_3cZdR2UkzpgWLA1O5EJWghWCd38RE4OxzNVOxHrqz_2prwh-94QVesaRu1Twoy9/s1600/P1070150_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PzMIO66DgU-6FnKeEJmk3pfcc_-iqEFAjPn_eDYSgP-8oaVzA1fZWmFAXuiqggS6VjtSsQpjoRBr_3cZdR2UkzpgWLA1O5EJWghWCd38RE4OxzNVOxHrqz_2prwh-94QVesaRu1Twoy9/s400/P1070150_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Most people would take a January vacation in a warm place, but I would not trade this. Being with my Muser friends, ones I know well, ones I knew online and finally met , and brand new ones, all made this trip fantastic. Though Muse themselves are still my reason for being there, and it is hard to top a hug from Matt, those things could not have happened if we were not all mutually supporting each other. I can't wait to do it again, though it would be fine if it was not in the dead of winter during a Mercury retrograde again!<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-19890345234703379012015-12-18T21:57:00.000-08:002017-10-28T17:31:16.410-07:00Chapter 15- Are We Grown-Ups Now?So in 1978, Diane started at the University of Chicago, pursuing an economics degree. I chose Michigan State, partly for its well-rated dietetics program, partly for scholarships I could get, and partly for the drinking age being 18! Ironically, shortly after I arrived, the drinking age was raised. But in a couple months I turned 19, allowing me to buy beer and wine in Illinois. Then the next year Illinois changed their law! No grandfather clauses, so I stocked up on wine.<br />
<br />
My first year was spent in an all girl dorm, freshmen did not get to choose where they lived. It was better than I thought it would be and I made some good friends. And of course we were not isolated from boys, they were in our classes, at work and at parties. Toga parties were all the rage the first couple years. Most of my classes were not that hard, so I had a nice balance of study, work and fun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP71Z3Pnik0myTX7cW04vyCRHATScuOdAuqBkHuS7LPDCzTgnF-tGneu-AImZ7sOZjJ2deKjIgSzLYy4eO9ATQ5xsw28qs4Cb_BnqyJUJrYhTQqAmljDMzPyEDUQWUd_s3FUk7CxY_rT4p/s1600/college+senior+portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP71Z3Pnik0myTX7cW04vyCRHATScuOdAuqBkHuS7LPDCzTgnF-tGneu-AImZ7sOZjJ2deKjIgSzLYy4eO9ATQ5xsw28qs4Cb_BnqyJUJrYhTQqAmljDMzPyEDUQWUd_s3FUk7CxY_rT4p/s320/college+senior+portrait.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my college yearbook photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Sophomore year I applied to be in a rather unique dorm, Williams Hall. Structurally, it was like the other classic old brick dorms, but each floor had a kitchen and we could cook for ourselves instead of relying on meal plans. Luckily, a roommate accepted me and I got in. I wanted to try being vegetarian after reading Diet For A Small Planet. There was a small food co-op a few blocks away so I had no trouble getting the sorts of ingredients I needed. I successfully ate vegetarian for a whole year, making only a couple exceptions for family events. Though my floor mates obviously cooked too, I made a bit of an impression for being able to make souffles and birthday cakes. I donât know where I got the spinach soufflĂ© recipe, but I still make it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3EYjykaSHCOk7TP0WhwPMkMd3e5p3ozmOjxcCk8oglaaIMvTN-8DAF2byzz5hBBQtmQDeKeroug6daMTPN_UVpgf4u5ALzxW4XAGU64dxGdnJg5OqlQ4u8l6e1zvMbn1jA3YXulmY0qa/s1600/P1040368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3EYjykaSHCOk7TP0WhwPMkMd3e5p3ozmOjxcCk8oglaaIMvTN-8DAF2byzz5hBBQtmQDeKeroug6daMTPN_UVpgf4u5ALzxW4XAGU64dxGdnJg5OqlQ4u8l6e1zvMbn1jA3YXulmY0qa/s320/P1040368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Williams Hall also housed the campus test kitchen. I first volunteered to be on the taste panel, then I got to work behind the scenes with the dietitians in the test kitchen. I still had hours in my old dormâs cafeteria too; I learned some culinary tricks there, but more in the test kitchen of course, like how to fix a cheese sauce that had broken down, by beating in hot water a little at a time.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed the classes in my major, so I thought I was on the right track. The science of nutrition and related courses were interesting, and the food lab classes were fun. I really enjoyed food science where we got to âtortureâ food items to see what happened. We even had a little guillotine to measure how tender the pastry was. Junior year I started dating a musician who lived in the same dorm. He was a non-traditional student and fascinating person, but later I realized he was an alcoholic, so though it lasted longer than some other relationships I had in college, I eventually had enough.<br />
<br />
Diane got engaged to her long time boyfriend John in 1980, and planned the wedding for September 1981. I stayed in Michigan to work & take a summer course that year, but came home every so often. On one of these trips, we got busy looking at bridal magazines while making Swedish Tea Rings. Then we got inspired by some designs we saw and decided to check for them at the local bridal shop. We forgot we had tea rings in the oven already! We had a great time shopping, but came home to blackened tea rings and angry parents. Swedish Tea Ring is a family specialty; my mother made it for many occasions, sometimes as a thank you gift. I carried on with it, and the bridal shopping incident was the only time I totally ruined it. Years later, I got a second place in the Minnesota State Fair for it, and another second place finish in 2016. I use all white flour when baking for competition, but started experimenting with whole wheat flour for general eating at home.<br />
<br />
A couple months before Dianeâs wedding, Muffin passed away at the age of 13. I was heartbroken, feeling especially bad for not being home at the time. My parents got new kittens from the same shelter after a bit, but they were shy and I was never home long enough after that to get close, because it was time to make my own way in the world. Diane also managed to graduate from college somewhat early, so she was out before me and soon had a job as an insurance claims adjuster. I met with various recruiters before I graduated in the spring of 1982. I had been in a coordinated undergraduate program, meaning I was fulfilling internship requirements while still in college, so I was eligible to take the Registered Dietitian exam at the first opportunity after graduating. By this time, I was having doubts about whether I liked the actual work. Hospitals had a very hierarchical, authoritarian structure that rubbed me the wrong way. But I didn't know what else I could do at that point, so I accepted an offer from Service Direction, which provided food service management to various facilities. I was given a choice of a small rural hospital in Iowa or Minnesota. I picked Minnesota, and so began my journey to the north and presumed adulthood.<br />
<br />
<br />
Spinach Souffle<br />
<br />
Recipe By: unknown<br />
Serving Size: 2<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
8 ounce Spinach ; chopped<br />
4 tablespoon All purpose flour<br />
3 tablespoon Butter<br />
1 cup Milk<br />
1 cup Cheddar ; shredded<br />
1 pinch Nutmeg<br />
1/4 teaspoon Marjoram<br />
1/4 teaspoon Salt<br />
4 large Egg ; separated<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Cook spinach in small amount of water and drain. Set aside.<br />
<br />
Make white sauce: Melt butter over med low heat, stir in flour. Add milk gradually, stirring constantly. Cook until smooth.<br />
<br />
Stir in cheese gradually . Add seasonings and remove from heat.<br />
<br />
Beat egg yolks, then stir into sauce. Stir in spinach.<br />
<br />
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold sauce carefully into whites.<br />
<br />
Spoon into a dish that has been greased and coated with fine bread crumbs. Bake at 400 for 10 min, then 325 for 40-50 min.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Swedish Tea Ring<br />
<br />
Recipe By Donna Nelson Simonian, with some modifications by me<br />
Serving Size: 24<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
2 package Yeast ; dissolved in<br />
1/2 cup Water ; warm<br />
1 1/2 cup Milk ; scalded, then cooled<br />
1/2 cup Sugar<br />
1/2 cup Butter<br />
2 large Eggs ; beaten<br />
1 teaspoon Cardamom<br />
1 teaspoon Salt<br />
3 cups Whole wheat flour<br />
3 cups All purpose flour<br />
4 tablespoon Butter ; softened<br />
1/2 cup Brown sugar<br />
4 teaspoon Cinnamon<br />
1 cup Raisins<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Add butter, sugar, salt, and cardamom to warm milk.<br />
<br />
Measure 2 cups of of whole wheat flour into mixing bowl. Stir in dissolved yeast and milk mixture. Alternately add small amounts of both flours and eggs to keep a thick batter until ingredients are combined. Continue adding flour gradually until a kneadable dough forms. Knead until smooth and springy, on a floured surface or in mixer with dough hook, adding flour in small amounts as needed.<br />
<br />
Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top, cover and let rise in warm place until double, about 1 hour. Punch down, let rise again. Punch down and form into 2 balls. Roll each into a 9 x 13 rectangle. Spread butter on 2/3 of surface, leaving a margin to seal when done rolling. Sprinkle buttered area with cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins. Roll up like a jelly roll. Form into a circle on greased pan. Make cuts from the outer edge to 3/4 of the way in, about 1 inch apart. Turn cut sections slightly on side. Let rise until almost double.<br />
<br />
Bake at 350 degrees 25-30 min. until golden brown. May frost or glaze if desired.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFM_DTicTv55fDMps9W1UOXxayV2K8O32SM2YFcTHDIMaixPu2kifeioBbH1bjvoWHup6uXqPz7D6U5iaXvORAGAOnL-nNUmqf1elP_WA4v8LnPYXFBof35TO4F9SOADWlL0sWzyrisqfN/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFM_DTicTv55fDMps9W1UOXxayV2K8O32SM2YFcTHDIMaixPu2kifeioBbH1bjvoWHup6uXqPz7D6U5iaXvORAGAOnL-nNUmqf1elP_WA4v8LnPYXFBof35TO4F9SOADWlL0sWzyrisqfN/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-29266436028690136062015-12-05T23:19:00.000-08:002015-12-06T11:39:52.406-08:00Chapter 14- High SchoolAt the beginning of high school, it was mostly a continuation of junior high awkwardness for me, with the added problem of being in the same building with my dad! As head of the Foreign Language Dept. at Hinsdale Central, he would often find out what I got on my tests before I did! There were some perks though, he could tell us which teachers were best for certain subjects, and we could all ride there together in one car if we wanted, though this also made getting everyone in and out of the single bathroom we had quite hectic in the morning.<br />
<br />
During my sophomore year, I started dating, the first was a fellow teacherâs brat that I knew better than most because we vacationed at his family's cottages near Hayward, WI. That started my real social life of parties,and getting to know other people in band, choir and drama. I sung in concert choir and was considered good enough to get some voice lessons, but never got solos or leads. Some friends were on stage crew, so I joined them. It was a blast, so many things go into a show: building sets, sound, lights, props, curtains, moving sets. I got to try nearly all of it. We also had great parties, often pot luck dinners. My lasagna was in demand. I did it all the hard way then, cooking the noodles, making my own sauce. I still like to make my own sauce, but the recipe at the end of this chapter saves a few dishes at least.<br />
<br />
While not letting on to most of my friends, I continued getting As in most classes, even calculus. Didn't like it, donât remember a bit of it, but I could do it. Computer programming was more fun, we were lucky to have the chance to take that, but the classes were quite small. In the first year we were using Fortran and punch cards, by my second year we had moved on to Basic and cassette tapes. The assignment I remember most vividly was moving a knight around a chess board in such a way that it covered every square, but never twice. It took me a while but I got it. While I didn't choose this direction, unfortunately it seems, it is still fairly easy for me to think in terms of flow charts.<br />
<br />
I liked my language and literature classes , and most aspects of social studies, too, but was most fascinated by sciences. Our chemistry classes with Mr. Hake were like going to stand up comedy performances! To this day I remember him saying âFluorine is the brazen hussy of the elements, sheâll combine with anythingâ One December day, we had a lab to do involving boiling a sugar solution and âprotein pelletsâ I think I was the first to figure out we were making peanut brittle! So between liking science and having a strong interest in food and nutrition, and thinking cousin Laurieâs job sounded really cool, I chose to major in Dietetics.<br />
<br />
The grading system changed while I was at Hinsdale Central, at some point they awarded an extra point for getting an A in advanced placement classes. This left them unable to figure out who was really valedictorian, so they named a 14-way tie, which included me, but a better speaker got to give the commencement address. Diane distinguished herself in a different way, she had mostly As too, but also got it all done in 3 years so we graduated together. Uncle Clay and Grandpa Nelson had passed on by this time, but Auntie was there to share the day with us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCedXCPcDULX9E8T017XbJSx1PwfffQ_EShgiCc9iXgiitJqfKP2NYWGNnirju4qs0m7qsyGGglB931fTCLBpBMQ5r16uL_8HYvXX1S6kcRvBjknvx7O_49ZWxC14r0GFDzE7mOE5G2qzX/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCedXCPcDULX9E8T017XbJSx1PwfffQ_EShgiCc9iXgiitJqfKP2NYWGNnirju4qs0m7qsyGGglB931fTCLBpBMQ5r16uL_8HYvXX1S6kcRvBjknvx7O_49ZWxC14r0GFDzE7mOE5G2qzX/s320/001.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R, me, Auntie, Diane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Minimal Mess Lasagna<br />
<br />
adapted from a church cookbook<br />
Serving Size: 12<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1 pound Ground beef<br />
1/2 Onion ; minced<br />
1 quart Pasta sauce<br />
12 ounce Lasagna noodles<br />
1 cup Cottage cheese ; 2% fat<br />
16 ounce Moreland cheese ; shredded<br />
1/2 cup Parmesan ; grated<br />
1 1/2 cups Hot water<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Brown ground beef with onion, drain excess fat.<br />
<br />
Place enough sauce in bottom of 9 x 13 pan to just coat it. Add a layer of uncooked noodles. Cover with about half of the ground beef. Sprinkle with 1/2 of cottage cheese, the 1/3 of mozzarella, and then 1/3 of remaining sauce. Repeat. Cover with a layer of noodles and press down gently. Pour 1/2 of hot water over all, cover with remaining sauce and then remaining mozzarella, then parmesan. Pour in rest of hot water around edges.<br />
<br />
Cover with foil and bake at 350, 45 min- 1 hr. Remove foil and bake 20-30 min more until bubbly.<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-53102453477909369932015-10-03T19:16:00.000-07:002015-10-03T19:16:16.897-07:00Chapter 13- HalloweenHalloween was a major holiday for kids when I was growing up. Trick or treating was practiced with enthusiasm and endurance! Diane and I would each carry a large grocery bag or pillowcase as we headed 5 blocks in either direction, no little plastic pumpkin would cut it for the kind of haul we planned on. It was probably when we were old enough to go with just each other that we did so well we had to make a pit stop at home and empty the bag so we could start over. Neighbors left their lights on so we would know it was a house you could stop at; we knew that we should skip completely dark houses- either no one was home or they wished not to be bothered. Most homes had a jack oâ lantern or two as well, but store bought decorations were not yet common. We always had at least two jack oâ lanterns so Diane and I could each design one, but even when we were old enough to do some of the carving, I think mom and dad got stuck with the worst of the pumpkin cleaning.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4qNO8GSrRsqnHuWeBHenAWhyrgtXRCCjd1URfcmsDh4W7JZSw74sOTgcosfyjfxyHa1fge6dCtnWUY7wqohSa5ns2jAyvhmgEpq8viSxbGKUwDtF7Jx8dwZ2Bs8yuJFLicNLed_JU8B9/s1600/May+Day+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4qNO8GSrRsqnHuWeBHenAWhyrgtXRCCjd1URfcmsDh4W7JZSw74sOTgcosfyjfxyHa1fge6dCtnWUY7wqohSa5ns2jAyvhmgEpq8viSxbGKUwDtF7Jx8dwZ2Bs8yuJFLicNLed_JU8B9/s320/May+Day+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010 jack o lantern, I do the cleaning and carving now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We were lucky to usually have one of a kind costumes sewn by our mother. I think the first year that I was a witch, Diane was Little Red Riding Hood. I really liked my witch costume and stuck with it for quite a few years, though Iâm sure larger versions had to be made. As mentioned before, I may have been influenced by Samantha on Bewitched, but I was also proud of my ability to cackle properly like the Wicked Witch of the West. Diane went for more variety, I think she was Arnold the Pig from Green Acres one year- my mother made a fabulous paper mache pig head.<br />
<br />
After weâd made the rounds, the sorting and bargaining began. There were some things we were willing to trade, but no one was giving up their Snickers or Milky Ways! Sadly, in later years, we also had to look for signs of tampering. When we were very young, my mother had often made popcorn balls to hand out. Then some psychopaths started putting razor blades in popcorn balls and certain kinds of candy, so my mother stopped making them for other people- they would have no way to know if they were safe. Packaged candy could be checked , so everyone went that route. However, incidents like this probably started the decline in trick or treating; the door to door style was much less popular when my own kids started, though there were still parties and hayrides, so it was still a big candy pig-out.<br />
<br />
We think our mother used this recipe from Betty Crocker to make the popcorn balls. Popcorn had to be made in a pan on the stove back then, there were no microwaves or air poppers. You would heat some non-smoking oil such as peanut oil in heavy skillet, put in 2 kernels, cover, and when they popped, add the rest , cover quickly and shake the pan frequently to pop them evenly. The only kind of convenience popcorn was Jiffy Pop, which was a foil pan full of popcorn with a foil lid that expanded with the popcorn as it popped, but it still had to be used on a stove. In searching for an image of this, it seems these are still being sold for campfires. I have also heard popping corn the old fashioned way is making a comeback as people donât like the chemicals in microwave popcorn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0WcbU7-0VlH99oBouvxv4Y9RRtwmXGTo6OC9enR9carGIKK39WbRbdlySDjN7UxMboGPINM2NQbBO7WbAsjhminAtszngnv43GjR1NXLJ8duvQyx-OJyF8vflg4j6hDfabTmVUF71fMa/s1600/jiffy-pop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0WcbU7-0VlH99oBouvxv4Y9RRtwmXGTo6OC9enR9carGIKK39WbRbdlySDjN7UxMboGPINM2NQbBO7WbAsjhminAtszngnv43GjR1NXLJ8duvQyx-OJyF8vflg4j6hDfabTmVUF71fMa/s400/jiffy-pop.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Popcorn Balls<br />
Makes 12-15 large balls<br />
<br />
7 cups popped corn<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1/3 cup water<br />
1/3 cup light corn syrup<br />
1 tsp. Salt<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
1 tsp. Vanilla<br />
<br />
Put popcorn in an extra large bowl. Mix sugar, water, syrup, salt & butter in a saucepan. Cook to 250 degrees or until a few drops form a hard ball when dropped into cold water. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour in thin stream over corn, stirring constantly. Mix well. With buttered hands, form into balls.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-3996030528250011142015-09-06T19:34:00.003-07:002015-09-06T19:34:42.873-07:00Chapter 12-School DaysI have always looked forward to September, my favorite season of fall begins and for most of the Septembers of my childhood, I was actually excited to go back to school. I genuinely liked reading and learning, and got good grades easily. My mother gave me a good jump start by teaching me to read a little before kindergarten. Not that it was completely utopian, there were still nasty boys trying to bully us on the way home, or the occasional times Iâd get in trouble for sticking my foot in my mouth. Some teachers liked me better than others and vice versa. But I still love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils.<br />
<br />
We had to wear dresses or skirts to school in the 1960s. My mom sewed a lot of these, and I can tell from photos they were both cute and practical. I don't recall anything frilly or princess-like unless it was a costume for a play or Halloween. Nor did the dresses look anything like adult clothing, they were clothes you could play in, and we did have recess twice a day that involved a fair amount of running, climbing and ball games. Finally in 1970, the Powers That Be decided we could wear pants on cold winter days, and by the next year I think they were allowed in all seasons. As we approached the teenage years, my mother did not try to sew as many of our clothes; besides, Diane and I liked a trip to the mall to see how well we could do with a set amount of money to spend. Sometimes that caused us to buy a shared item, and that was known to lead to fights over who got to wear it first!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq_kSZeNS1_O_DqJfbhI9RDgiLDUHH7d7ToLylmo3KApSKOFEDOv8RSuoVfzmNX1d8Qyeo4XgtQn57pUPBTQvH7iqblaXDKNEpatNhpNzOjFtfIHMcIGvLBBA_D0vfjCCADFsuZXs2gja/s1600/P1060686_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq_kSZeNS1_O_DqJfbhI9RDgiLDUHH7d7ToLylmo3KApSKOFEDOv8RSuoVfzmNX1d8Qyeo4XgtQn57pUPBTQvH7iqblaXDKNEpatNhpNzOjFtfIHMcIGvLBBA_D0vfjCCADFsuZXs2gja/s320/P1060686_edited-1.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd grade, home sewn dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We had progressive reading classes, so I did not get bored by being stuck with work that was too easy. Later , there was progressive math too. I did not enjoy math as much , but was persuaded to go advanced in 6th grade so I could get out of taking it later. We chosen few gathered around telephones with headsets and a thing called a telewriter, and Mr. Nugent would teach us remotely from a nearby junior high. Computers were not yet common and PCs did not exist at all, so this was really state of the art technical stuff! But the coolness factor did not make up for the tedium of being drilled on equations every day. The âtake it now so you donât have to laterâ argument repeated until I got all the way to calculus in high school, and then finally got to college and discovered I already had more math than I needed for my major!<br />
<br />
Homework was not too intense in early grade school; I remember being able to spend time playing before settling down to do it, and then still having time for TV after supper. As the pace picked up in later grade school, Diane and I could look forward to our homework helper- Muffin was a master of sitting on the papers or books we had spread out on the kitchen table. Sometimes we would whip up a batch of cookies to fuel ourselves. The early 1970s was also when my mother went back to work, her teaching certificate was no longer current, so she started at a florist until she could get it reinstated. I think she liked the creative aspects of that job.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALJCB15Jh6QQePaHraEdLgj-MdDKrqLJgFjjTs2hv1eHB7oP1YVs0ofd3Hpu5gINYQibGk3qji-iMyfufGB3FVZ5nQ28Rw5Jh3VeiS7LcsU0pqVZWg8Ck7AFxAS6jrfvuU4PWc8n1EsDG/s1600/P1060684_edited-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALJCB15Jh6QQePaHraEdLgj-MdDKrqLJgFjjTs2hv1eHB7oP1YVs0ofd3Hpu5gINYQibGk3qji-iMyfufGB3FVZ5nQ28Rw5Jh3VeiS7LcsU0pqVZWg8Ck7AFxAS6jrfvuU4PWc8n1EsDG/s400/P1060684_edited-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muffin "reading" also shows sofa reupholstering in progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So around this time, it often became easier to have supper on time if Diane or I pitched in to make it. We were quite competent at it, though we weren't attempting anything complex. I remember Tator Tot Casserole being a very popular thing at the time though I now see it as the American food industryâs messed up version of Shepherdâs Pie. I still make it sometimes, and the cast iron skillet option is my own idea to save dish washing. My mother never used them, she had some paranoid notion that they were unsanitary! Once in college I learned that they actually do add iron to the food cooked in them. Since Iâd had some trouble with anemia when I was younger, I decided cast iron skillets were good insurance against a recurrence.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tator Tot Casserole<br />
<br />
Recipe By: don't know where my mother got it from! Everyone was making it.<br />
Serving Size: 4<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1 pound Ground beef ; or ground turkey<br />
1/2 cup Onion ; chopped<br />
1 can (12 oz) Cream of Mushroom soup ; or cream of celery<br />
1/2 cup Milk<br />
Salt & pepper ; to taste<br />
1 pound Green Beans ; frozen, thawed, or fresh in season<br />
1 package Tator tots<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
This is one of those recipes that works great in the cast iron skillet, you can go from browning to combining to oven in one dish.<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350.<br />
<br />
Brown ground meat with chopped onion, Drain if needed.<br />
<br />
Stir in soup, milk, salt & pepper to taste. Stir in green beans,<br />
<br />
Cover with tator tots and bake about 30 min until tots are heated through and crispy<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-77607015617603371642015-08-02T22:00:00.000-07:002015-08-03T06:15:12.309-07:00chapter 11- SummertimeSome of the early summers that I can remember were spent away from home. Until we got Muffin, my dad was taking summer teaching jobs at universities in other states, and we would have some kind of house sitting arrangement with a local professor. Though Burlington, Vermont was the first, it made some deep impressions. Coffee ice cream at the U of Vermont, the stuff that would later become Ben & Jerryâs, was a fairly regular treat. It may say something about me that the only other 2 things I remember clearly were 1) impressing the neighbor kids by being able to count to 20 , and 2) touring a maple syrup factory! It smelled absolutely divine.<br />
<br />
The next summer was in Michigan, my most distinct memory of that was my mother bleaching all our toys because someone we had played with got chicken pox. Somehow Diane and I got through our school years without having it.<br />
<br />
Then the last summer away was in Lafayette, Louisiana. Diane and I wasted our opportunities to eat great seafood most of the time, choosing to order hamburgers instead! We did enjoy the spectacle of Cafe Diablo though, so my dad would always get that when we went to Donâs Seafood. I remember having a hard time with the heat, humidity and some kind of allergy, and there were also lizards hanging around the porch. Diane thought it was great fun to pick them up and throw them at me, but sometimes their tails fell off! We got to stay in New Orleans for a couple days on the way home, I have some vague memories of a voodoo shop, prostitutes on Bourbon Street, and a restaurant that put us in a back corner because my dad wasn't wearing a tie.<br />
<br />
Later childhood summers were spent doing more mundane Midwestern mid-century things. Girl Scout camp, riding bikes to the library or the swimming pool, park district arts and crafts, and more time to read, color and play with friends.<br />
<br />
Summer was also time for picnics. Most of the ones I remember were simple family affairs, sometimes just grilling and eating in our own backyard, or larger gatherings of extended family. We must not have been in Vermont for the entire summer of 1965 because there is a photo of all of us cousins on my motherâs side at a family picnic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdt5huKMfJGTEEMB60l21DRMAc72ufkduCABFveF2WAbVYEw6-dKd1Bc2Zdt6HHdm_rHRs4xGbhW3wucQp5MhqRqDbxglTHK6jiyDwHbBF8TgCfBD3uWwYA_GV4IgoGxsV9hAnxFrchxq/s1600/P1060067_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdt5huKMfJGTEEMB60l21DRMAc72ufkduCABFveF2WAbVYEw6-dKd1Bc2Zdt6HHdm_rHRs4xGbhW3wucQp5MhqRqDbxglTHK6jiyDwHbBF8TgCfBD3uWwYA_GV4IgoGxsV9hAnxFrchxq/s400/P1060067_edited-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Besides some of Auntieâs wonderful pies, something you were likely to see at a family picnic, large or small, was my motherâs potato salad. I am not sure she followed an exact recipe, but I helped with it often enough to know what was in it. I've since added a few touches of my own after seeing some what some chefs did with large batches. The garnishes in this photo are entirely my own doing though!<br />
<br />
If the picnic was at our house, Shish Kebab was nearly as likely to be on the grill as hot dogs or hamburgers. This was my dadâs project, the one thing patriarchal Armenian society allowed men to cook. Fortunately, he did not respect that limitation and cooked many other things, and was considered the green salad expert in the house.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCCnLueMvQiprzInqLzmJuqVh9p3upYZJrWA00btWB9ts1ejT-aAv2sMSQt6rO9oGCMZSwsm2cjRc4WZd4I2edgYSGQCenYGxedmVv6dEJ2BBFhlrGdpm0GXKqmcFp-IGx530zIzSzEB0/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCCnLueMvQiprzInqLzmJuqVh9p3upYZJrWA00btWB9ts1ejT-aAv2sMSQt6rO9oGCMZSwsm2cjRc4WZd4I2edgYSGQCenYGxedmVv6dEJ2BBFhlrGdpm0GXKqmcFp-IGx530zIzSzEB0/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Potato Salad<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Donna Nelson Simonian, with a few additions by Nicole<br />
Serving Size: 8<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1 ounce Onion ; minced<br />
5 ounce Celery ; chopped fine<br />
6 large Egg ; hard cooked & diced<br />
1 1/2 pound Red potatoes ; cooked & cubed or sliced<br />
1/2 ounce Pimento ; chopped<br />
1/2 medium Cucumber ; sliced & quartered<br />
2 ounce Green pepper ; diced<br />
1/2 cup Mayonnaise<br />
4 ounce low fat plain yogurt<br />
1/4 teaspoon Salt<br />
2 dashes Tabasco sauce<br />
2 teaspoon Mustard<br />
1 tablespoon Sugar ; or honey<br />
1 clove Garlic ; minced<br />
1/2 teaspoon Dried basil<br />
1/2 teaspoon Dried marjoram<br />
1 tablespoon Fresh parsley ; chopped<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Combine mayonnaise, yogurt and seasonings in bottom of large bowl. Fold in remaining ingredients, adjust seasonings to taste. Chill at least 2 hours.<br />
<br />
May wish to save one hard cooked egg for garnish. Slice and sprinkle with paprika and arrange slices on top of salad. A tomato rose looks nice on this, too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Shish Kebab<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Pierre Simonian<br />
Serving Size: 4<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1/2 cup Wine, red<br />
1/2 cup Olive oil<br />
1 large Onion ; sliced<br />
1 tablespoon Tomato paste<br />
1 clove Garlic ; minced<br />
Salt ; to taste<br />
Black pepper ; to taste<br />
1 pinch Paprika<br />
1 pound Lamb ; cubed<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Combine marinade ingredients in ziploc bag. Add meat ( meat amount may be doubled and there should be enough marinade) and marinate several hours or overnight, turning halfway through to ensure even soaking. Thread meat on to skewers along with veggies such as green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions if desired. Grill over moderately hot coals, turning to brown each side.<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-22079913314060745472015-05-14T19:50:00.002-07:002015-05-14T19:50:45.103-07:00If I wasn't a Psycho Muser before, I am now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>(cross posted from a Facebook note)</i><br />
<br />
The insanity began with trying to get tickets for a once in a lifetime chance for American fans to see Muse in a small venue, Webster Hall in NYC, capacity of 1500 for a band that can sell out stadiums. Predictably the site crashed when the pre-sale began, but we Musers were all committed to helping each other get tickets, planning to get the 2 allowed even if we did not need it because we knew someone would. I never got through to the ticket choosing part of the page, so Wendy Smith was my saviour, allowing me to buy the 2nd ticket she got. Similar arrangements worked out for other people, but it was a very stressful morning! <br />
<br />
I managed to get us (Wendy, Lisa, Crystal, Maria, Amanda and me) a room in a not too expensive hotel not too far from the venue, Wendy took care of flights, so this dream was ready to come true! Wendy and Lisa's mom gave us a great head start by allowing Crystal and I to sleep over there so we could be ready to grab the light rail at the crack of dawn. I am not often seen at this time of day, so the paleness may be real.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRkEyImQZ4G1nEiflFBK0ZN7W8ERWwofQfNqmYnypfqbIQXQ_yCeCHjWsZllJYJ5hhNRbbqiegI3D6Q2YLsvZTEKvZPwcCBuKeA4rtJaOMd71A-z27kWV6pcMO_vRAztaXv2peS73Orbb/s1600/10846116_10153255102979687_10802537612345068_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRkEyImQZ4G1nEiflFBK0ZN7W8ERWwofQfNqmYnypfqbIQXQ_yCeCHjWsZllJYJ5hhNRbbqiegI3D6Q2YLsvZTEKvZPwcCBuKeA4rtJaOMd71A-z27kWV6pcMO_vRAztaXv2peS73Orbb/s320/10846116_10153255102979687_10802537612345068_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Lisa, Wendy and Crystal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soon after we were in the air on the way to the Big Apple, my first time, I got a few glimpses during descent, but our flight path did not give me a good view of any landmarks. Lisa fortunately knew her way around the subway a bit; our first ride included a dude ranting to all who would listen , seemed one part Black Lives Matter and one part religion. We arrived at the Hotel Pennsylvania way early for check in. Once again, some luck and Muser teamwork helped. Another group of Musers had arrived early and already eaten lunch, so they offered to watch our bags while we went to lunch. Crystal found Friedman's, a trendy spot near the hotel,with her gf app, so we had to wait a bit for a table, but it was well worth it; everything was prepared with attention to detail and the portions were huge too. The fries were amazing, so we split an order, though my giant Asian chopped salad would have been enough food. Then it was finally late enough to check in. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz_2xXb9B5Ibh0jDD1gQEGxASKsASDPwsb4UAgdlrMKHMMylUeOT8ifB4TOwxrwWAU01Q-j3Rb7-cXZwChn0gIa5VMiiiTb6KCTCV9OtFlnpjtZv7d90-nwVVJhXp8KBeLzhXkb7yNS0O/s1600/P1060359_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz_2xXb9B5Ibh0jDD1gQEGxASKsASDPwsb4UAgdlrMKHMMylUeOT8ifB4TOwxrwWAU01Q-j3Rb7-cXZwChn0gIa5VMiiiTb6KCTCV9OtFlnpjtZv7d90-nwVVJhXp8KBeLzhXkb7yNS0O/s200/P1060359_edited-1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Pennsylvania</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I would say the Hotel Pennsylvania was slightly faded elegance, large beautiful rooms, but some minor cosmetic repairs needed in spots, nothing that detracted from being able to relax and have fun though. We had a huge suite with 4 beds and 2 TVs that never got watched :-) Soon Maria had got through customs and joined us.She flew in from the UK, and she was not alone in being a long distance traveller, Catherine from Australia of course, but also many other US states represented. So we started sorting out who was going to shower first, where and when to go to dinner since Amanda's bus did not arrive until 6:30. Then we found out people were queuing at the venue already!! So we hoofed it over to see if it was true, since I had already dressed to go out I was not wearing good shoes at the time and got a minor blister. And it was true, 8 people had started queuing! So we planted ourselves and got numbered ( I got 11) and then figured out who was going back for our "camping supplies" Clearly I needed to change so I volunteered, and Crystal went with me on pleasant cab ride with a mellow chatty driver. We returned with sleeping bags and more suitable clothing but the second cab driver was completely different; he had the aggressive driving style I expected from a NYC cab driver :-). Meanwhile, others willing to queue overnight had been arriving, and Amanda caught up with us there. Soon some decided to order pizza since none of us had had a proper dinner. A place was within walking distance so we did not even need sidewalk delivery, and so this was how I had my first real NY pizza! We also lucked out that the weather was near perfect for overnight camping, clear and not too cold.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our queue was down the sidewalk a bit from the venue at this time because there was a Noel Gallagher show going on. Attendees of that gig seemed pretty surprised to see us on their way out. :-) We did cause quite a bit of comment from a variety of passers-by. Most simply wondered who we were lining up for. A self-proclaimed "sexy bum" offered his services. There were also a couple other drunks that seemed to think we would not be warm enough without their help, but Mandy, who has a way with words, was able to convince the worst of them to leave. Catherine also had some good responses "we're conducting a social experiment" or "we're actually homeless but the police won't run us off if we say we're queuing" I am not sure what time this photo was taken, before or after we got shifted around.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPs5LjksCs5Q1IITmaOjuPd4ucTsZNffyNpZFS-hYCxNldxJahdTbNSkTdbvmgfJIoc8IV0EzfP9yGkKbAXEcc4qGQu9TIZlB4yaK8BEqMkTDlVIwXsgZQ1SHfcV0Ic2MrN5JZfF_A9AD/s1600/11086443_10153259544269687_660290224_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPs5LjksCs5Q1IITmaOjuPd4ucTsZNffyNpZFS-hYCxNldxJahdTbNSkTdbvmgfJIoc8IV0EzfP9yGkKbAXEcc4qGQu9TIZlB4yaK8BEqMkTDlVIwXsgZQ1SHfcV0Ic2MrN5JZfF_A9AD/s640/11086443_10153259544269687_660290224_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Catherine, Mandy and Wendy<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Those of us numbered 10-18 or so were in front of post office garage so we knew that might not last, at some late hour we finally had to move. First we tried across the street, and one of the bouncers at the nearby billiard place came out and was very nice to us. Then about 15 min later his not so nice boss came out and told us to get lost. So we returned to the original side and a few were able to cram in, but we were kind of out of space. A few of us decided at this point to take short shifts sleeping at the hotel and then come back when Webster Hall was able to let us use more of their sidewalk at 4 am. So I got a couple hours of sleep in a bed closer to a toilet. Before that we'd been using a nearby Whole Foods or the bar across the street. Dawn rewarded us with the sight of the Muse sign going up on the marquee and not long after, the arrival of the Muse truck. At this point, we took turns looking for bathrooms and breakfast, I got a very nice deli breakfast sandwich. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKmVZe2xrVA2wLw0Ee282qpN2MuJ-X0t2Vdn8IJe4YAuES31KV3gcbatrD7BMAioIXYA97ZaJ_QyxaM9dNX5uF6GI38Pe2q04itdrAhxwv1g4L4ZiOenyXTbb8sh9av8lOnNzgWCxlked/s1600/psychos+at+dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKmVZe2xrVA2wLw0Ee282qpN2MuJ-X0t2Vdn8IJe4YAuES31KV3gcbatrD7BMAioIXYA97ZaJ_QyxaM9dNX5uF6GI38Pe2q04itdrAhxwv1g4L4ZiOenyXTbb8sh9av8lOnNzgWCxlked/s320/psychos+at+dawn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A second truck arrived shortly and then equipment unloading began. We wondered how it would all fit on a small stage and indeed a couple things were wheeled back in. It was also challenging for the guys to get some of the bigger stuff up the stairs.] Meanwhile some who had not been back to the hotel earlier went now to freshen up. Gradually the sun hit our street in full and it started to get quite warm. I looked forward to the bar across the street opening for lunch, but that was a while off yet, so my next bathroom run was to Walgreen's and included a purchase of cold water and sunscreen. The queue started growing more rapidly now, reaching the movie theater at the corner. We grabbed shade when we could, benefiting from a truck that pulled up to repair something in the venue. Venue staff were looking out for us too, at the hottest part of the afternoon, Kristina brought us popsicles! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_syBvcDfTZ1L8TVAHJ_l7Hvz6apxQe7wuIgVbldZv9b5qqNmJffDug0u_xR8YykHtLMDsk7AiG1j-uFb4CdDokFKLLA30H9qaXlQ07g_Kkq9ycYTQ4hzbl0ElGfJLwM2s6XGLxpyvTq1/s1600/muse+crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_syBvcDfTZ1L8TVAHJ_l7Hvz6apxQe7wuIgVbldZv9b5qqNmJffDug0u_xR8YykHtLMDsk7AiG1j-uFb4CdDokFKLLA30H9qaXlQ07g_Kkq9ycYTQ4hzbl0ElGfJLwM2s6XGLxpyvTq1/s320/muse+crew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we saw street barriers being fussed with, and figured our Muse boys were due to arrive soon. Some of the staff doing this were more prickly and squeezed us into an unreasonably small sliver of sidewalk, though before they got to that, Morgan Nicholls walked quickly by. A few of us knew him by sight and said hello. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAK8YWYuGNH2cfITxAGB57Bb2NIR7SeXcozJIObl4wr2rKwbJ8ErNwj0XA0lqCg0B4fvDJJZpSnpHcy9snEQCXNtFPh-iBBXvRVAbT-ynMkcetJaFBRx8LgcLO_LpBtlllPXiDwY5dTf9/s1600/11012005_10153333868209617_6929783722106322071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAK8YWYuGNH2cfITxAGB57Bb2NIR7SeXcozJIObl4wr2rKwbJ8ErNwj0XA0lqCg0B4fvDJJZpSnpHcy9snEQCXNtFPh-iBBXvRVAbT-ynMkcetJaFBRx8LgcLO_LpBtlllPXiDwY5dTf9/s320/11012005_10153333868209617_6929783722106322071_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy's photo of Morgan and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
After what seemed like forever, a shiny black SUV pulled up and our guys entered with a quick wave only as they were running late. I managed to get one decent photo of Matt.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaqvAqakDoE5nLTAE2C4GYt_DMz5o-6xXBsUxu8LUM4HIeyOp53TeGgGtRGoxe6bfe1OKteCc-W1TbmwenaBoXKeagxqDzOwdcS6cIvaCc7FExX5zK-XYkilar-rb3Re2Lk5twzRnBQvi/s1600/P1060361_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaqvAqakDoE5nLTAE2C4GYt_DMz5o-6xXBsUxu8LUM4HIeyOp53TeGgGtRGoxe6bfe1OKteCc-W1TbmwenaBoXKeagxqDzOwdcS6cIvaCc7FExX5zK-XYkilar-rb3Re2Lk5twzRnBQvi/s640/P1060361_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt ( and Lisa's hair and hands!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSKIBV-tWWohqTKutJ-l4N5wCjRwANQZiMeq5JGCjjIpoxXaeYwQbvPS7zHuaVTgn56FXgPDINttoYppW-smFCH4A5GXTv2nYYOiaNpS-KJUrTw8EZDMXdreaqhUN1T-tbw-pUBE0sP-R/s1600/P1060361_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSKIBV-tWWohqTKutJ-l4N5wCjRwANQZiMeq5JGCjjIpoxXaeYwQbvPS7zHuaVTgn56FXgPDINttoYppW-smFCH4A5GXTv2nYYOiaNpS-KJUrTw8EZDMXdreaqhUN1T-tbw-pUBE0sP-R/s1600/P1060361_edited-2.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> couldn't resist zooming in on that smile</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we tried to get ourselves back in queue order, and it was now late enough that people were getting their camping supplies put away. Then we heard some screaming and turned to see Matt, Dom and Chris leaving to go to supper. A few managed to get close enough for quick selfies with the guys, but I was not among them :-( and after that bit of chaos , we re-ordered ourselves once more, and not long after staff gave us wristbands to identify who was of drinking age. And it seemed like a long time after that, but it probably wasn't, they began to let us in. This went fairly smoothly and those of us who got the 30 or so barrier spots were ones who had waited the longest, but I noticed the next row behind us was less orderly, People numbered both 29 and 76 were right behind me. A couple other girls further back, not sure they even had numbers , announced they needed to be on the barrier, and I told them there was no way they were getting my spot after I'd waited 24 hours! The place filled up quickly. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-IWGPUF414YyCdnnEdc1t1TNLaEw836lhMzixASd0lHkjK2Sa-Oo5oA4W-MQKkIHag8XIjEPa-FOE6gYqTrH3CvhFNNrK4sQZe5yBs1ArIoNBG4ktoUf90NIY1bx9mUkpkyiu03szWBP/s1600/P1060364_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-IWGPUF414YyCdnnEdc1t1TNLaEw836lhMzixASd0lHkjK2Sa-Oo5oA4W-MQKkIHag8XIjEPa-FOE6gYqTrH3CvhFNNrK4sQZe5yBs1ArIoNBG4ktoUf90NIY1bx9mUkpkyiu03szWBP/s320/P1060364_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking back from my barrier spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9t38Src2GDubCCYY7Q4iRL0l8qJ0sRQzTRs9emOiEaoTxze8-QT_Ed0Xr4vNhst7K2cDRhWi6jEP5txP9mzZgMCNZTVskwiAsjzNGNv4WRGGzMoEcTEGl3wfXtv1f1c1Y3elRDL-JFdF/s1600/P1060368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9t38Src2GDubCCYY7Q4iRL0l8qJ0sRQzTRs9emOiEaoTxze8-QT_Ed0Xr4vNhst7K2cDRhWi6jEP5txP9mzZgMCNZTVskwiAsjzNGNv4WRGGzMoEcTEGl3wfXtv1f1c1Y3elRDL-JFdF/s200/P1060368.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Hands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Next I had to wait through the support band, Bear Hands, nothing wrong with their performance but it was not my thing. Finally our 27 hour wait was rewarded ; Muse took the stage and opened with Psycho which had us jumping and moshing in no time. The floor itself was literally bouncing which scared me a bit, but this was not a new venue, figured it had been built to take it. However, this did make photography difficult, 2/3 of my shots were blurry. I managed to find a few still moments though, like this one , which I think may have been during Dead Inside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5aIW2pnSEuU5DJUvRYs0Z_SN9-4I7u68qRiOWEaPAUvGgd4NFT7WnRorEfRNR3vQY-sLwD3GDS2-fMW9JMyQR0AzHKVPYhheBVCqsJ0DhFLe2abl2cIAC1HIcpqHq7ru4u3B8uquVVEG/s1600/P1060375_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5aIW2pnSEuU5DJUvRYs0Z_SN9-4I7u68qRiOWEaPAUvGgd4NFT7WnRorEfRNR3vQY-sLwD3GDS2-fMW9JMyQR0AzHKVPYhheBVCqsJ0DhFLe2abl2cIAC1HIcpqHq7ru4u3B8uquVVEG/s640/P1060375_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For many of the rest, I can't quite remember which song the photo is from.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0WxA0Yxk9Qvba5T9o01RBSVDLDKv57hjjmjYntDap4hEhuWWzqHw_ZjAnA5TlGLIHDj7_WxlNfhNda9uLAdFeifte1wpPxf7Yz1IfnLvWAmX1Myw60oIDvjvWaQkP25WC5VScf5LkGoy/s1600/P1060379_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0WxA0Yxk9Qvba5T9o01RBSVDLDKv57hjjmjYntDap4hEhuWWzqHw_ZjAnA5TlGLIHDj7_WxlNfhNda9uLAdFeifte1wpPxf7Yz1IfnLvWAmX1Myw60oIDvjvWaQkP25WC5VScf5LkGoy/s640/P1060379_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> matching drone pilot suits<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The band was as fired up as the crowd, Matt managing to do a lot of jumping and twirling in the small space </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklExvodADOUjg79mgUCpyO8RgX5fp9sQzF5eS1IX_6UzbrelhUxgO1FGvoCbN4UiW6f0gwkIA-s3PIKxkAp_119auYfA6Firt-t3qU9yfiLC6tQTfl0L__RlDalz27-JtQUAzkzJpn75T/s1600/P1060382_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklExvodADOUjg79mgUCpyO8RgX5fp9sQzF5eS1IX_6UzbrelhUxgO1FGvoCbN4UiW6f0gwkIA-s3PIKxkAp_119auYfA6Firt-t3qU9yfiLC6tQTfl0L__RlDalz27-JtQUAzkzJpn75T/s400/P1060382_edited-1.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc34IbnsQ3NkRnxoKXfs8Dn7UcRINERV2eIGHHDbnl4hJsvMDy4mxchThi5nOjk4YxkSXkiRm_xe4q-9_HGDlpTGpZzBRApsHxyDLW4RnN4kM3oKTi0pcvonboia4OGExQifK3QuN9T0Xn/s1600/P1060383_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc34IbnsQ3NkRnxoKXfs8Dn7UcRINERV2eIGHHDbnl4hJsvMDy4mxchThi5nOjk4YxkSXkiRm_xe4q-9_HGDlpTGpZzBRApsHxyDLW4RnN4kM3oKTi0pcvonboia4OGExQifK3QuN9T0Xn/s640/P1060383_edited-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apocalypse Please</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgElNmo4zI5N80Bgx7NlLDZNr9hbKKnyFsk2hW-qFXpYTV1Aw3E0tyuWz0z3GCE0CUhaigpcLGCqVTxN70v8-masD4NIS9Hn_5hmbwG3zDDC2QgXpWJ8Yl46quc0SCHe_ImkDlTFhyphenhyphenE2QS/s1600/P1060390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgElNmo4zI5N80Bgx7NlLDZNr9hbKKnyFsk2hW-qFXpYTV1Aw3E0tyuWz0z3GCE0CUhaigpcLGCqVTxN70v8-masD4NIS9Hn_5hmbwG3zDDC2QgXpWJ8Yl46quc0SCHe_ImkDlTFhyphenhyphenE2QS/s640/P1060390.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It got quite warm and sweaty, but I kept my hair down for headbanging anyway :-) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD9MqrQIufFK0pyqtCsuDxf0aY7GukabzZSngCma-0lduoOvMgRBn_EhhS4y9zQ_2KLSuwlCbDMfATcu_O7ejyv3QB0v183ICG94XuxCgW58A-7I8aFzcIjuZn6NWBlQJmMGfinOxKhBk/s1600/P1060392_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD9MqrQIufFK0pyqtCsuDxf0aY7GukabzZSngCma-0lduoOvMgRBn_EhhS4y9zQ_2KLSuwlCbDMfATcu_O7ejyv3QB0v183ICG94XuxCgW58A-7I8aFzcIjuZn6NWBlQJmMGfinOxKhBk/s640/P1060392_edited-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Reapers was amazing to hear and see live, a great rocking song where Matt's magic fingers are at their best, I almost could not believe what I was watching him do! And it ended with guitar violence! Another special moment was Bliss, this next photo may be during that.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFo6IRqGvahtyc-vmrc3q_8QYmXfudZ82vGNtPN4fkfyXFLRuQwSjsBWbwukWI1MQ5HpynzFOXw9nYADQ2IMSUi8e2vD8Ol3x2FWuWS4DhsJn2DvsndHzFRMtdnF6_pUIansq2O3FmPeX/s1600/P1060398_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFo6IRqGvahtyc-vmrc3q_8QYmXfudZ82vGNtPN4fkfyXFLRuQwSjsBWbwukWI1MQ5HpynzFOXw9nYADQ2IMSUi8e2vD8Ol3x2FWuWS4DhsJn2DvsndHzFRMtdnF6_pUIansq2O3FmPeX/s640/P1060398_edited-1.JPG" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bliss<br /></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
We had plotted beforehand to wear LED sunglasses on the barrier, similar to what Matt wore on the Resistance tour. We decided on wearing them for the first song of the encore, which was Bliss. Matt loved it and dedicated the song to us :-D This was also my first time hearing it live. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://youtu.be/i9FLH0jnGl8?list=FLSZvD6Tpq8ZNWk8qZHeAgHw">https://youtu.be/i9FLH0jnGl8?list=FLSZvD6Tpq8ZNWk8qZHeAgHw</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was poorly positioned to get photos of Dom, so just take my word for it, he was looking buff! I did get this decent one of Chris.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTVFVefP1x_KkD_FKYFdkITsKmP80RsDyNdWncz3iWc4g_645lmm_s5w4eVI7U5cBxBd2uMfOnZsXezP6Mh2FWxZALuglyhowE7_gQ0WseJB0SaRUzATABGuLXFWE3qfBsbZQ6n05NlwH/s1600/P1060402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTVFVefP1x_KkD_FKYFdkITsKmP80RsDyNdWncz3iWc4g_645lmm_s5w4eVI7U5cBxBd2uMfOnZsXezP6Mh2FWxZALuglyhowE7_gQ0WseJB0SaRUzATABGuLXFWE3qfBsbZQ6n05NlwH/s640/P1060402.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Man with a Harmonica<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Too soon, it was the closer, Knights of Cydonia. One last hard rocking song to test the strength of the dance floor.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTL7-7tg0-f4Xo7dhRaVr5fn-nMeTrWYBILK249aHlS-YTn1t4MY6x61pyKfD9k3kys9L7-IwvZkcbcOwznGy5lIyruw1fu9u4c40LorWxm1XRqpivrFlvQ40qmcpBCM1jXI5hgegQdqh/s1600/P1060408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTL7-7tg0-f4Xo7dhRaVr5fn-nMeTrWYBILK249aHlS-YTn1t4MY6x61pyKfD9k3kys9L7-IwvZkcbcOwznGy5lIyruw1fu9u4c40LorWxm1XRqpivrFlvQ40qmcpBCM1jXI5hgegQdqh/s640/P1060408.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knights of Cydonia </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /><div>
Then the band said good night quickly. I tossed a pair of crazy socks on stage for Matt, but not fast enough, he did not see them at all :-( I hope he got them later. I missed further chances for selfies and autographs somehow, though some of my friends were in the right spot after the show. So this set list is from Caitlyn <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PaRkZ9Y6mACFk3XP9UTvToehOVR0sC8ULgTu2-n2GupneMYntu0X0Pcd-HcLG7FdVYUXopD7GCtxgu9QMyVLUEPpQ3nnEMCiJFOUg2DH1x56CF1U0TW46LzOIbICgFgPkWcZBOzBEcQu/s1600/P1060409_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PaRkZ9Y6mACFk3XP9UTvToehOVR0sC8ULgTu2-n2GupneMYntu0X0Pcd-HcLG7FdVYUXopD7GCtxgu9QMyVLUEPpQ3nnEMCiJFOUg2DH1x56CF1U0TW46LzOIbICgFgPkWcZBOzBEcQu/s320/P1060409_edited-1.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Part of the problem with me being unlucky was indecision about where to celebrate- I was initially trying to save a table in the bar across the street, then we remembered one of our group was under-age, so we headed back to the hotel for a wine and pizza party. Getting a cab was impossible, so another subway ride, this one with an elderly lady serenading us with "Only You" she was actually a decent singer, but it was surreal after where we had just been! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So we got more yummy NYC pizza and wine. I had no idea photos were being taken! Someone should have told me to put some pants on! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr2RYHuCKG9fnRhahba_xBix9KC8A__vBhdovZd-OwHA1dZ1bAQAIDEslGdnwcPHsZvKWWb-MadIMvGbPSmctNBQ8aCl2zt_0WfTLBSKv5fiUh4Lo-suFH1f6wllsmkcHQx794HbHoPs7/s1600/afterparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr2RYHuCKG9fnRhahba_xBix9KC8A__vBhdovZd-OwHA1dZ1bAQAIDEslGdnwcPHsZvKWWb-MadIMvGbPSmctNBQ8aCl2zt_0WfTLBSKv5fiUh4Lo-suFH1f6wllsmkcHQx794HbHoPs7/s400/afterparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Lisa, Wendy and I had to get up to fly back to Minneapolis though, so we did not quite party all night. We managed to get to the gate on time. I didn't really want to go home, especially knowing a lucky few friends were able to get in to the next Muse gig that night-the iHeart radio show was for contest winners only. But I still feel incredibly lucky that I was able to be at the Webster Hall show; my number will fade, but I am keeping this wristband forever! </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpWzXTXQ4bfxZm1i9KyzN55AMJBMGAXf0QieTF82KZvdZPw0VN3BF4XiPxPIkSmx2pihuwsdJSPRA9lH5JRVHedmfBixnaQg8lgxJZyFO3zrbUKeyJmJyp6FtyoBM3wBpifGUGznnl6bU/s1600/wristbanf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpWzXTXQ4bfxZm1i9KyzN55AMJBMGAXf0QieTF82KZvdZPw0VN3BF4XiPxPIkSmx2pihuwsdJSPRA9lH5JRVHedmfBixnaQg8lgxJZyFO3zrbUKeyJmJyp6FtyoBM3wBpifGUGznnl6bU/s320/wristbanf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-82320911591122346432015-02-18T19:32:00.001-08:002015-02-18T19:32:14.850-08:00chapter 10- Girl ScoutsGirl Scouts had a significant role in our childhood, right up there with church, and we often met in church basements. Diane and I joined the local Brownie troop when we were old enough, starting our adventures in crafts, cooking outdoors, camping and many other things in second grade. I remember when you first became a Brownie, you wore your pin upside down until you did a good deed. My friend Kathy and I got our pins turned very quickly as we had car trouble on the way home from the initiation meeting! It was only a few blocks for us to walk to get one of our dads to help, and we were happy to take the responsibility of fetching them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyt5M0nSxWE1_gzCseInc05pnxATnaZCuZ8e0WSN9F-yCabNuBJIOUtaPaR8cCHv6RdLRJq_zlOzNgQRl49HBibrQkIVnRX-STJfXuLjLmg4vy3-AccFN2FsDapkOI4GpqhqxSyVACBtv/s1600/P1060069_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyt5M0nSxWE1_gzCseInc05pnxATnaZCuZ8e0WSN9F-yCabNuBJIOUtaPaR8cCHv6RdLRJq_zlOzNgQRl49HBibrQkIVnRX-STJfXuLjLmg4vy3-AccFN2FsDapkOI4GpqhqxSyVACBtv/s1600/P1060069_edited-1.JPG" height="320" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my sash full of badges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had no idea that some 40 years in the future conservatives would say we were learning witchcraft! But maybe they did unwittingly find a grain of truth there; we were learning to appreciate and respect Mother Nature and to be self-sufficient in ways not taught in school. Cook-outs were my early favorite, aside from involving food, there was the whole starting a fire thing. I still like doing that and am rather good at it to this day, and it did come in handy during a time in my adult life when we went 10 days with no electricity.<br />
<br />
I am writing this as the annual cookie sales begin. Diane and I sold our share of cookies and got very competitive with each other. In those days you could go door to door in pairs safely, so we were willing to cover the same territory we did as when trick or treating. However, there were other scouts on some of those blocks so we had to restrain ourselves. Some of the varieties we sold are still popular today: Thin Mints, Savannahs (now called Do-si-dos) and Trefoils.<br />
<br />
As we advanced to Juniors, camping was another set of skills to learn though often it seemed more like a slumber party on steroids! I probably remember as many ghost stories as knots. We also played truth or dare and attempted levitation when it was supposed to be quiet time in the tents or cabins. Singing was a big part of camping, whether around a fire or while hiking, or on the bus on the way to day camp. I remember one strange song about Adam and Eve that seemed to have little to do with scouting but it was funny. Others, such as the Happy Wanderer or Blue Sky fit our activities perfectly.<br />
<br />
Most girls dropped out of Scouts after Juniors which generally ended in 6th grade. I stuck with it a few more years and became a Cadette, it was more service oriented as you advanced, which suited me. However, eventually my social life became too busy as well, and I gave up going to meetings in favor of working on stage crew and going to basketball games.<br />
<br />
When we didn't have Girl Scout cookies around, chocolate chip was the family favorite. We started with the recipe on the bag of chocolate chips, and I remember Diane powering through creaming the butter and sugar by hand with a wooden spoon. She could get it done fast! I tried a few other variations over the years, and then ended up with this, which may be very close to the one Hillary Clinton released during the 1992 presidential campaign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDqs-tpXG1f-ydM7LyNXUsXLUiBE03MUNqLfqQ3yZ0crb9ACNrxtqJUdcmV8HCUcHaeKzw7kUJDxQryr3WGFNMElc6y4bPd9oGIFe5b_cgie11gKREGOFcJZBOBZCZppBmG94BQFECAf5/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDqs-tpXG1f-ydM7LyNXUsXLUiBE03MUNqLfqQ3yZ0crb9ACNrxtqJUdcmV8HCUcHaeKzw7kUJDxQryr3WGFNMElc6y4bPd9oGIFe5b_cgie11gKREGOFcJZBOBZCZppBmG94BQFECAf5/s1600/002.JPG" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Chocolate Chip Cookies<br />
<br />
Recipe By: inspired by Hillary Clintonâs version<br />
Serving Size: 60<br />
<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1 cup Butter ; softened<br />
3/4 cup Brown sugar<br />
3/4 cup Sugar<br />
1 teaspoon Vanilla<br />
2 ea Eggs<br />
2 cups quick oats<br />
1/2 teaspoon Salt<br />
1 teaspoon Baking soda<br />
2 cups Whole wheat pastry flour<br />
12 ounces Chocolate chips<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugars. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Stir in flours, salt and soda gradually. Stir in chocolate chips last.<br />
<br />
Drop by scoops or teaspoons on parchment lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake about 9 to 13 min., depending on the size of the scoop.<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-64930017450343404362015-01-17T19:58:00.000-08:002015-01-17T19:58:22.207-08:00Chapter 9 - Sundays<br />
Our parents attempted to raise us Catholic, so that meant getting dressed up and going to church nearly every Sunday. I think this was also when some of the worst of my momâs penchant for dressing us alike came out, causing more of the silly âAre they twins?â questions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZRY_1jz4xf-M9medBClYxerqlEGjxKPtraSXLSVLlb-f-acOL89RHYR17cbP82W0iCHQ8GS0Lr8qw4otQhYQOyGtW3c1aceZ113Yqkl8Diq2Rv8-B4_Mra9KiQDSBQSqJ77F1jg1LkTG/s1600/P1050737_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZRY_1jz4xf-M9medBClYxerqlEGjxKPtraSXLSVLlb-f-acOL89RHYR17cbP82W0iCHQ8GS0Lr8qw4otQhYQOyGtW3c1aceZ113Yqkl8Diq2Rv8-B4_Mra9KiQDSBQSqJ77F1jg1LkTG/s1600/P1050737_edited-1.JPG" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I donât think it was the dressing up I minded so much as the boredom, having to sit still and not play with anything. Not wanting to go and having a minor tantrum was probably one of the most common reasons I got in trouble as a child, though I would sometimes try to get out of it by saying âThe Devil made me do it!â Later, when I could understand more, I was not much more impressed. One of my earlier confessions included that I had thrown a snowball at the church building. I did not truly feel guilty about it , but was curious if it would get a longer penance than the usual âI was mean to my sisterâ and indeed it did!<br />
<br />
I also found the content of the homilies (sermons) annoying. All too often it seemed to be about why the church needed more money, or else something really silly like the evils of hot pants! Around the time of junior high, leading up to confirmation, we were finally allowed to make our own choices and we stopped attending. Neither of us is Catholic now.<br />
<br />
<br />
However, as noted in earlier chapters, Sunday might also be about visiting relatives. When it was not, we still usually had a nicer dinner than other days, a roast or perhaps pork chops, though that was one of the few foods my mother did not cook well. She was so paranoid about trichinosis that she often cooked pork chops until they were all dried out.<br />
<br />
Easter Sunday was of course a bit more of all of the above except the tantrums. We would get not only new matching dresses, but sometimes a hat and handbag. My mother sewed a lot of our clothes, but I think some of the Easter dresses came from Auntie Margaret; she worked in a higher end department store and most likely got an employee discount.<br />
<br />
Easter dinner was most often a ham, a potato dish, asparagus if we could afford it, salad, some kind of fancy dessert, perhaps angel cake and strawberries, but of course Diane and I were more interested in our chocolate bunnies. Scalloped potatoes were one common choice to go with the ham, but later on it might have been this recipe for Alsatian potatoes, though it actually came from a Christmas article in the Chicago Tribune. They go very well with ham.<br />
-~~~<br />
<br />
Alsatian Potatoes<br />
<br />
Recipe By: the Landis family<br />
Serving Size: 10<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
4 pounds Potatoes ; Yukon gold best<br />
4 tablespoon Butter<br />
4 large Eggs ; beaten<br />
4 tablespoon Flour<br />
6 cloves Garlic ; crushed<br />
4 tablespoon Parsley ; chopped<br />
1 pinch Nutmeg<br />
1 pinch White pepper<br />
1/8 teaspoon Salt<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Peel and trim potatoes. Boil until tender, about 20 min. Drain.<br />
<br />
Mash in butter, then beaten eggs. Beat in remaining ingredients and beat until potatoes are fluffy.<br />
<br />
Transfer to shallow buttered baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15 min. until lightly browned. Drizzle with a little more melted butter before serving.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-47046527254882289492014-12-26T18:39:00.000-08:002015-01-17T18:14:35.549-08:00Chapter 8- Muffin1968 was an exciting year, elections, riots and police brutality on network TV, and we got our first pet. After much begging by me and Diane, my mother gave in, and we went to the shelter to get a cat. We settled on a grey tabby kitten with singed whiskers; my mom said the mishap was a sign of a curious and healthy cat. The shelter said it was a girl, and we named her Muffin. A few weeks later when we took her to the vet, we found out she was a he! However, I don't think Muffin cared what we called him as long as we called him for meals!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvAnDVqYPRfg9-93mSfwUUkQ-nGAaoBgs7ptLQ4f2V7UJEIrV4tm2s-x-IpjFyV4CteQ5XxPtdnzg2dlebWsFdmyeXfyylY9Bn0yNmTMn7Z1HbvOCePwYi_c23u112iX6vwJ2cElaqOq7/s1600/P1050739_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvAnDVqYPRfg9-93mSfwUUkQ-nGAaoBgs7ptLQ4f2V7UJEIrV4tm2s-x-IpjFyV4CteQ5XxPtdnzg2dlebWsFdmyeXfyylY9Bn0yNmTMn7Z1HbvOCePwYi_c23u112iX6vwJ2cElaqOq7/s1600/P1050739_edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sewing machine was the ideal spot for scouting kitchen table offerings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At first Muffin was supposed to be kept in the basement, but was very quickly allowed in the breeze-way where we watched TV. Every chance he got, though, he would bolt for an open door, so he soon had the run of the whole house during the day. Diane and I would have made that 24 hours, but he could not learn to be quiet at night, so my parents made him go back to the basement at night. I can't remember if it was finished when we got him, but if not, it was not long before he had carpet, chairs and a hide-a-bed to lounge on.<br />
<br />
Muffin was playful, sometimes scaring us a bit when he'd make a mad dash across the back of the sofa. He was also fairly tolerant of us playing with him, submitting to the indignity of being dressed up in Easter bonnets and swimming caps. He loved his cat food, and would even jump for it, so meal time came to be called "Hop Hop" However, he also loved people food. My mother was oddly lax about letting him jump on the kitchen table, and many mornings he'd be stalking my cereal bowl. I would try to block him with cereal boxes, but that just made it more fun for him. Eventually, he'd be rewarded with the milk in the bottom of the bowl.<br />
<br />
Other times he was fast and sneaky enough to get things we had not given him, pepperoni off a pizza, tuna right out of the sandwich as my dad was eating it, a nice buttery corn cob out of the trash! He didn't have much sense about it sometimes, jumping on the counter and helping himself to bacon grease put him in some severe digestive distress! Another unfortunate occurrence was eating the string from a rolled beef roast, my mom got the unpleasant duty of helping pull it out of his rear end! He even ate through a plastic bag to get at chocolate chip cookies a few times, luckily he did not get enough chocolate to get sick.<br />
<br />
Muffin was supposed to be an indoor cat; he was allowed out on a leash in the backyard only. Once in a while he would escape and start exploring the neighbor's bushes. Usually he was quickly lured back with food, but sometimes he managed to be gone for a few hours. One thing he really, really liked was licking the wrappers from instant milk, a fad of the early '70s. One time I was not sure if he'd got past me when I came home from school, so I opened a milk packet. No cat came running inside the house. Then I looked out the back door and he was right there! Could he possibly have heard me open that from outside? I don't know, but it got him in.<br />
<br />
So nearly any recipe from my youth would work for this chapter, Here is one of my mother's specialties that I'm sure Muffin liked taste testing if he got a chance.<br />
<br />
<br />
Swedish Meatballs<br />
<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Donna (Nelson) Simonian<br />
Serving Size: 4<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1 pound Ground beef ; or turkey<br />
1 1/2 cups Bread crumbs<br />
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg<br />
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce<br />
1/4 cup Onion ; minced<br />
1/2 cup Milk<br />
1 ea Egg<br />
1/4 teaspoon Black pepper<br />
1/4 teaspoon Salt<br />
1 tablespoon Butter<br />
2 tablespoon Flour<br />
5 ounces Beef stock<br />
1 cups Milk<br />
2 tablespoon (or more) chicken stock or<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Combine first 9 ingredients ( easiest in food processor) , blend well and form into 1" balls. Place on a cookie sheet , greasing may not be necessary, bake at 350 about 25 min. until brown.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in beef consomme and milk. heat just to boiling, stirring constantly,<br />
<br />
Add meatballs and simmer 15 min. Add sherry, heat 15 min. more. Serve over noodles.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-43070460061462654222014-12-05T19:06:00.001-08:002014-12-05T19:10:41.550-08:00chapter 7 TelevisionI can remember when we had just one black & white TV. Eventually, we got a smaller one for the kitchen, too, but we did not get a color TV until I was 12. That was a little behind the neighbors, but not by much. TV was still rather new when I was young, there were only broadcast channels, no cable, and no video players. However, there was no monthly fee other than the electricity to run it. We did develop the unfortunate habit of watching it at lunchtime. At first that was Bozo the Clown or a game show, a very suitable thing for kids. But then these got replaced by soap operas! So I was not even out of grade school when my mom got us hooked on All My Children.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPe8f44M4YpRpC9BEwYax_-scHq7mhRLArd2G0_Zhk4bSAXB0aPbWnTQjMlhrBU0eXzSZRvpXpK70ZdnJTujyIUlkQu8e4-zrJrPBnDCoRiSY_E87-gjArNuiKTd4x_1ZdnWCRwsQ_4HF/s1600/P1050818_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPe8f44M4YpRpC9BEwYax_-scHq7mhRLArd2G0_Zhk4bSAXB0aPbWnTQjMlhrBU0eXzSZRvpXpK70ZdnJTujyIUlkQu8e4-zrJrPBnDCoRiSY_E87-gjArNuiKTd4x_1ZdnWCRwsQ_4HF/s1600/P1050818_edited-1.JPG" height="268" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muffin lounging on our first color TV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Supper was different though, perhaps my dad did not approve, so TV at supper was only for special events, like a genuinely classic movie on Family Classics on Sunday. Diane and I, like most kids of the 1960s, liked our Saturday morning cartoons, but we still had to get our cleaning chores done, too. Evening TV was very much a family event with lots of âwholesomeâ shows like Andy Griffith, Batman, Dick Van Dyke, I Dream of Jeannie and Hoganâs Heroes. Bewitched was one of my favorites; I think Samantha may have influenced me quite a bit.<br />
<br />
Advertising had its effect, too, perhaps only slightly less insidious than it is now. I know we ended up buying and eating certain breakfast cereals because Diane and I would see them and ask for them. However, it seems the positive side of TV was more prevalent back then. There was a lot of educational programming for kids before Sesame Street- we had Captain Kangaroo, Romper Room, Garfield Goose and Friends, and others.<br />
<br />
On weekends, long before there was any Food Network, public television aired the French Chef! My mother was probably watching Julia Child to learn, but Diane and I were more likely enjoying the showmanship. I recently revisited some of these, and giggled at the ruined crepe tossed to the floor all over again. One way or another, I think we were all influenced, and my mother bought the showâs companion cookbook. I donât know if Juliaâs recipes were served at some of the elegant buffet parties my parents had for my dadâs department at Christmas, but she may have set the style for those. For me it was also more about the style and fearless attitude than actual recipes. BĆuf Bourguignon was the famous first episode of the French Chef. Watching that again, I realize the recipe I'm using is not much like it. However, it is one I tinkered with until it was tasting the way I thought it should.<br />
~~<br />
<br />
Beef Burgundy<br />
<br />
evolved from several French recipes I've encountered with much fat trimming<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Nicole<br />
Serving Size: 8<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
24 ounces Beef bottom round ; cubed<br />
1/2 cup All purpose flour ; for dredging<br />
2 tablespoon Olive oil<br />
2 Onion ; chopped<br />
2 clove Garlic ; minced<br />
4 stalks Celery ; chopped<br />
2 Carrot ; sliced<br />
2 teaspoon Dried thyme<br />
2 teaspoon Dried marjoram<br />
1 teaspoon Tarragon<br />
1 cup Burgundy ; or other dry red wine<br />
1/2 cup Tomato sauce<br />
4 cups Beef broth<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
1 cup Peas<br />
4 large Red potatoes -optional<br />
Salt ; to taste<br />
Tabasco sauce ; to taste<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Dredge beef in flour. Brown in olive in Dutch oven or large saucepan. Add onion, celery, carrot, and herbs when beef is nearly brown and continue cooking until beef is brown.<br />
<br />
Add burgundy, tomato sauce and beef broth-broth should just cover meat, you may need to adjust amount depending on your pan. If you are using potatoes, add these now. Simmer about 2 hours until beef is tender. Or put everything in crockpot on low for 4-8 hours after browning beef.<br />
<br />
Add peas (and pearl onions for that variation) and heat through. Add salt and Tabasco to taste-if your broth is salted , no extra salt may be needed.<br />
<br />
Serve with a crusty French bread, or over noodles or rice if doing the pearl onion variation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lyXyw_OWYRI8uZMN59-sgAvKeHyifD2xbncjCE0P9VBjSeCtRD7i-1tvDusUXZi7NW2dIEUq2WO9tq07EiHfYevnqNRPvjGOepmMTM34sMvTqmd_OtBZoQO7uV-V9bNuVyO_15LEECGl/s1600/P1040342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lyXyw_OWYRI8uZMN59-sgAvKeHyifD2xbncjCE0P9VBjSeCtRD7i-1tvDusUXZi7NW2dIEUq2WO9tq07EiHfYevnqNRPvjGOepmMTM34sMvTqmd_OtBZoQO7uV-V9bNuVyO_15LEECGl/s1600/P1040342.JPG" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-21557350817487276112014-11-27T23:07:00.002-08:002015-12-05T23:20:36.092-08:00chapter 6 Thanksgiving Hostessing Thanksgiving often seemed to fall to my mother, I am not sure why. She and Auntie Margaret and any adult females who came generally had the cooking under control, or if they needed another pair of hands, my dad would be allowed in the kitchen. So Diane and I were free to watch the Macyâs parade on TV during our early grade school years. Maybe we saw some football, too, but we thought it was boring. After all, our male relatives fell asleep watching it after dinner! Those who did not succumb to football or tryptophan often played a lively game of Tripoli after washing dishes- this was a card game that involved poker chips, but was quite different from poker as I recall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktqwJFlh_2Ux0OCcgD4CfxKXZwIsYh-AH-0qvW-WFCeSVLGEzhi7DE6_yiqQ5Y1vCpCM0zljKgqLSojTbTV8MO5oQy2e5iUZhi3QyYXjMNZhK8om9gUySiVeWjS6htd3UfAYzVgJOFQWx/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktqwJFlh_2Ux0OCcgD4CfxKXZwIsYh-AH-0qvW-WFCeSVLGEzhi7DE6_yiqQ5Y1vCpCM0zljKgqLSojTbTV8MO5oQy2e5iUZhi3QyYXjMNZhK8om9gUySiVeWjS6htd3UfAYzVgJOFQWx/s400/002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving 1967</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Diane and I were not entirely off the hook though; we got to help set the table and help with clean-up, and as we got older, we had more of a hand in the side dishes. The main part of the meal was the standard Midwestern turkey, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, sometimes the green bean casserole would be there, but not always. One rather fussy side we may have helped with was pan-glazed sweet potatoes, round slices dipped in brown sugar and fried in butter. Other vegetables and sides varied year to year, and yes, sometimes there was a jello salad. Pumpkin pie was a given, other desserts might depend on the number of guests. Sometimes my mother made Lowell Inn crescent rolls, but the one bread that had to be on the table was Limpa, a Swedish rye bread. Perhaps it was a favorite of my grandfather or uncles on the Nelson side, but everyone loved it, so itâs hard to say. It has some unusual flavors, but the sweetness appealed to us as children. My motherâs recipe may be based on a Betty Crocker version, but had some important differences, like the anise seeds.<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
Limpa ( Swedish Rye)<br />
<br />
2 loaves<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Donna (Nelson) Simonian<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
4 1/2 teaspoon Yeast<br />
1 1/2 cup Water ; warm<br />
1/3 cup Brown sugar<br />
1/3 cup Molasses<br />
1 tablespoon Salt<br />
1 tablespoon Orange peel<br />
1 tablespoon Anise seeds<br />
2 tablespoon Shortening<br />
1 cup Rye flour<br />
3 cups Bread flour<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Dissolve yeast in warm water.<br />
<br />
Place rye and half of bread flour in mixer bowl with bread hook. ( this can be done with a spoon and hand kneading as well) Stir in dissolved yeast, brown sugar, molasses, salt, shortening, anise and orange peel. Stir in enough bread flour to make a kneadable dough. Knead in bowl or on board, gradually adding more bread flour as needed, until smooth, elastic, and springy.<br />
<br />
Place in greased bowl in a warm spot. Cover and let rise until double. Punch down and let rise until double again. Punch down and form into 2 round loaves. Bake at 375 degrees 30 -40 min. on greased pans. Brush with butter after baking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1558704998299394328" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEuyT5P754wUlONfhV1Uyy-_OKt7SVtfJFjzLVzKLy4L4Xafkco6iqWz-9qziBwqMrRnOkDFerTWrD2INKJHTM2Mf3Kg4FYLFEKko71LDLGUY7puUE1mBwQazSw2vKK2yP9Gdj0WO9Tp4/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEuyT5P754wUlONfhV1Uyy-_OKt7SVtfJFjzLVzKLy4L4Xafkco6iqWz-9qziBwqMrRnOkDFerTWrD2INKJHTM2Mf3Kg4FYLFEKko71LDLGUY7puUE1mBwQazSw2vKK2yP9Gdj0WO9Tp4/s1600/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
~~~<br />
Stuffing was always my favorite part of the dinner, though. If I did not have much room for seconds, I would just have another helping of stuffing. It seems a good stuffing recipe has been in the family quite a while--from my motherâs memoir on the subject of my great-grandmother Magdalenaâs cooking â<i>When I was small I remember celebrating some holidays at my grandparentsâ farm. These occasions were rather subdued, but my grandmother was a wonderful cook and baker so the meals were always wonderful. Some of the things I remember were her wonderful bread stuffing and fried eggplant</i>.â I donât know how close this recipe is to Magdalenaâs. It is fairly close to what my mother usually did, though she was known to experiment. So do I, so there may be further variation.<br />
<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
Stuffing<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Donna (Nelson) Simonian<br />
Enough for a 12 lb bird<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
1 1/2 quart Bread cubes ; old, dry best<br />
1/4 cup Butter<br />
1/2 cup Onion ; chopped<br />
1/2 cup Celery ; chopped<br />
1/2 teaspoon Sage<br />
1/2 teaspoon Marjoram<br />
1/2 teaspoon Thyme<br />
1/4 teaspoon Rosemary<br />
1 pinch Paprika<br />
1/2 pinch Nutmeg<br />
1/4 teaspoon Salt ; optional and adjustable<br />
1 tablespoon Parsley ; minced<br />
3/4 cup Chicken broth<br />
1 Egg ; beaten<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Sauté onion and celery in butter until translucent. Add seasonings and sauté 1 min. to blend flavors.<br />
<br />
Add to bread cubes and toss. Moisten with broth and egg, may need to adjust broth amount. May also adjust salt to taste. If preparing ahead, this can be chilled at this point, NOT inside the bird.<br />
<br />
Stuff loosely inside bird before roasting or bake in a separate buttered dish, covered at 350 for 1 hour.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-39402791608624179982014-11-23T16:39:00.001-08:002016-07-31T16:18:43.875-07:00chapter 5-more ChristmasIt seemed we were at Auntie & Uncle Clayâs for Christmas more often than not. That may have made it easier for my dad to do the Santa trick. He would go out to the back yard to smoke a pipe, and somehow Santa always dropped the presents off at the front porch while he was out. We may have figured out the game before we admitted it, but we wanted to keep believing in Santa. Diane even convinced me she saw Rudolph in the sky one year. I should add here that Auntie Margaret, for all her rigidity, did spoil us a little too, in a more practical way. She worked part time in a department store and enjoyed choosing quality bed linens and dresses for us. It seems she also took time to read to me , despite having dropped out of high school to chase boys herself!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghOUNhXflFXIvn7B6WtLwBpQuQOzl5SnPB1TWSUHz7JJvB75IzB1uiBp8CgNUdzLVjgPLlqvMWNolrNH27xhmSaEQKXZbPp2xdf2IoM1MMrJ6n1LkucOmf4XXAbttgYyZN4eLlSdY0O8V/s1600/P1050325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghOUNhXflFXIvn7B6WtLwBpQuQOzl5SnPB1TWSUHz7JJvB75IzB1uiBp8CgNUdzLVjgPLlqvMWNolrNH27xhmSaEQKXZbPp2xdf2IoM1MMrJ6n1LkucOmf4XXAbttgYyZN4eLlSdY0O8V/s1600/P1050325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 year old me on Auntie's lap, my mother in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was one of these Christmases when I got my Easy Bake oven. It cooked things with a light bulb! We had a lot of fun stirring up the little mix packets, sliding them through the oven and eating the results, nearly instant gratification. However, it was not long before we graduated to the real oven. I think scrambled eggs was one of the first things I learned. Then we got the idea from our Brownie handbook that we should cook breakfast for our parents on Sat. morning since we were up first. The only problem with that was that we didn't know how to work the coffee pot, so my dad still had to make his own.<br />
<br />
Soon, around ages 8 and 9, Diane and I were trying our hand at real cake recipes, and were foolishly pleased when we could make it turn out âas good as a mix!â We also ordered a Peanuts cookbook at one of the Scholastic book sales at school. The recipes were easy, but they were real cooking, I still make Lucyâs Applesauce pie today , though I have changed a few things, like I donât peel the apples any more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lwl2w7BkPGaAox2hHS2OMBdNu8E-O4idjCvvuGyNn6lPTY95N8_zqzEzkVSRD1BognUerP0qycn86F5n4wbmjqgaNmIhJoGFIt3YB9VjentFT_k9HGBfj5f7dODhSSW9WecIONWzKJi3/s1600/4_Applesauce_Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lwl2w7BkPGaAox2hHS2OMBdNu8E-O4idjCvvuGyNn6lPTY95N8_zqzEzkVSRD1BognUerP0qycn86F5n4wbmjqgaNmIhJoGFIt3YB9VjentFT_k9HGBfj5f7dODhSSW9WecIONWzKJi3/s1600/4_Applesauce_Pie.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
Applesauce Pie<br />
<br />
Serving Size: 6<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
6 medium Apples; cored and sliced<br />
1/4 cup Sugar<br />
1/4 cup Maple syrup<br />
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon<br />
1 pinch Nutmeg<br />
1 dashes Salt<br />
1 cup Whole wheat pastry flour<br />
6 tablespoon Butter ; softened<br />
1/2 cup Brown sugar<br />
1 dashes Cinnamon<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Slice apples into medium saucepan. Add sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Cook over medium heat ( covered and stirring frequently) until extra liquid is gone. Stir and mash until large lumps are gone. Turn apples into a pie plate and cover with topping.<br />
<br />
Topping: Blend flour, soft butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon with fingertips and sprinkle over applesauce. Bake at 375 until top is brown and crusty, about 20 min.<br />
<br />
Variation: I sometimes add 1/2 cup of quick oats to the crumb topping.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-30115522223036142642014-11-23T15:03:00.000-08:002016-07-31T16:17:16.365-07:00chapter 4 -Auntie & Uncle ClayAuntie Margaret was a bit slower to let us kids in the kitchen, preferring the more expert and less messy assistance of my mother. We got shooed outside to ride various toy vehicles-Uncle Clay had a pedal car, a couple tricycles and a contraption called an Irish Mail for us- or colour with crayons in the garage. He loved getting us a fresh box of 64 colours! The garage was huge and had a deluxe work bench where Uncle Clay built things and it was easy enough to colour and draw there, but the real reason we were out there is that Auntie Margaret was a neat freak. She kept a spotless house, and ironed sheets and underwear. She also paid us a quarter each visit to not touch the walls! Easy money for us, Diane and I were not on the habit of doing that anyway, but maybe some of our cousins were a bit rowdier.<br />
<br />
Uncle Clay, however, was all about spoiling us. Not just with crayons and toys, but he would be out there playing with us. He even let us tie him up with jump ropes for âcowboys and Indiansâ. When we got a bit bigger, he also bought us Schwinn bicycles. He also sang funny songs to us at bedtime. One of them went something like âwhere was Googie when the lights went out? Down in the kitchen eating sauerkrautâ However, the refrigerator was not stocked with that when we visited, but 3 Musketeers bars, ice cream and Bosco chocolate sauce. Uncle Clay liked his TV sports, especially baseball, but he had a big lounge chair with wide arms, so we could all 3 be in it eating ice cream sundaes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvFP_9C_s7BLVuq1u6-x4_d1oSZfoo2EP7h2I0trIIAWq6ImMsC7VTMlwjv-WGNPQfAKzTBtmtpDohRmpkVGAs4up7vOZnGxc7gukJ_HPBVMyBE49-nX8GV6G5kIEHx9QmRUFF4Dkaa4s/s1600/P1050738_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvFP_9C_s7BLVuq1u6-x4_d1oSZfoo2EP7h2I0trIIAWq6ImMsC7VTMlwjv-WGNPQfAKzTBtmtpDohRmpkVGAs4up7vOZnGxc7gukJ_HPBVMyBE49-nX8GV6G5kIEHx9QmRUFF4Dkaa4s/s1600/P1050738_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
That did not prevent us from enjoying Auntie Margaretâs baking though. There were many excellent pies, cakes and cookies to eat up. A holiday meal at her house might mean 3 different pies, all made by her! Sunday dinners were occasions, too. It was not anything trendy or exotic, mostly roasts with mashed potatoes and gravy , or ham and scalloped potatoes, but everything was cooked to perfection. Eventually, we did get to help with simpler things like shelling peas, or peeling and cutting up apples for applesauce. However, Iâd say Auntie Margaretâs biggest influence on my cooking was setting a kind of standard of excellence, that it was something worth doing well and serving in style. Here is one of her most impressive pastries.<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
Almond Coffee Cake<br />
Recipe By: Auntie Margaret (Margaret Lutz Kennedy)<br />
Serving Size: 18<br />
<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
4 cups All purpose flour<br />
2 tablespoon Sugar<br />
1 teaspoon Salt<br />
3/4 pound Butter<br />
1 pkg Yeast<br />
1/4 cup Warm water<br />
1 cup Milk ; cold<br />
1/2 cup Butter<br />
1 cup Sugar<br />
1/2 can Almond filling<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Sift flour, sugar and salt together. Cut in first amount of butter.<br />
<br />
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir yeast and cold milk into dry ingredients.<br />
<br />
Chill at least 2 hours or overnight.<br />
<br />
Cream second amount of butter & sugar. Beat in almond filling.<br />
<br />
Divide chilled dough into 3 parts. Roll each into a 6" x 12" rectangle.<br />
<br />
Spread 1/3 of filling mixture down center of each rectangle, and then fold sides over.<br />
<br />
With scissors, cut through top layers of dough at 1" intervals.<br />
<br />
Let rise in warm place until nearly double, 1 hour estimate but will depend on degree of chilling.<br />
<br />
Glaze with egg white beaten until frothy before baking.<br />
<br />
Bake at 350 for 30-35 min.<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-81576985106818971552014-11-20T19:54:00.000-08:002016-01-31T19:24:54.155-08:00chapter 3- Our Middle Eastern HeritageBefore and throughout grade school, many weekends were spent visiting family. We went back to Auntie & Uncle Clayâs house most often, but also visited my dadâs side of the family regularly; he had moved in with his uncle and aunt and their boys when he came to America. Their real names were Vahan and Vartar, but we knew them as Dada Zeke and Auntie Rose.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQT6sAp1eSmuujxrIPoBuPfKh8M91dKb1TF4mkULf_4s7joLvr6Xdh3Sw37ChPiRC7waqGuwzMAND9graVFlCILDVkep9Ji9KhLTQMfNm6uEf2GD7PXfZ0lI7aEym6ZjDSGjZBZq04qHw/s1600/P1050304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQT6sAp1eSmuujxrIPoBuPfKh8M91dKb1TF4mkULf_4s7joLvr6Xdh3Sw37ChPiRC7waqGuwzMAND9graVFlCILDVkep9Ji9KhLTQMfNm6uEf2GD7PXfZ0lI7aEym6ZjDSGjZBZq04qHw/s1600/P1050304.JPG" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />
There were horse and soldier action figures to play with (all our cousins on this side were boys!) and perhaps a few other toys, but Auntie Roseâs kitchen was where the action was and where we liked to be. The aromas were quite different from Auntie Margaretâs, the onion, parsley and garlic used so much in Armenian food are some I recall. There was also a hint of rosewater from the pastries stored in the basement, mostly paklava (baklava) and boorma. As best as I can remember, there were far fewer processed foods here than in my motherâs kitchen, or even Auntie Margaretâs. Auntie Rose baked every kind of baked good they needed.<br />
<br />
Diane and I were allowed to help by a certain age. Armenian food is often labor intensive and gets done more easily with many helping hands. I think it may be like that because it was also an opportunity to socialize--daughters, sisters, cousins, daughters-in-law and grand-daughters would all be around the kitchen table chopping and mixing and stuffing while chatting. The men and boys would be in the living room. There was further gender division when the meal began; only the men got to have a shot of hard liquor!<br />
<br />
Auntie Rose did not have written recipes. As a teenager, my sister stayed over for several days so she could learn and write down some of them. However, thanks to a small spiral cookbook from the Detroit chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, we had a starting point for traditional recipes. So my mother learned to cook some of these dishes, and Manti akaâBaby Shoesâ is one we liked making and eating. The nickname comes from the size and appearance of the dumplings, I donât know if any other families call them that.<br />
<br />
~~~~ <br />
<br />
Manti<br />
<br />
Recipe By: possibly based on one from Treasured Armenian Recipes by the Detroit AGBU<br />
Serving Size: 8<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
3 cups All purpose flour<br />
3 Egg<br />
1/2 cup Water ; scant<br />
1 pinch Salt<br />
1 pound Lamb ; ground<br />
1 large Onion ; minced<br />
1/3 cup Parsley ; chopped<br />
1/2 teaspoon Salt<br />
1/4 teaspoon Black pepper<br />
1 1/2 quart Chicken broth<br />
1 clove Garlic<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Stir first four ingredients together to make a stiff dough. Let sit one-two hours.<br />
<br />
Combine lamb, onion, second amount of salt ,pepper and parsley.<br />
<br />
Roll out dough to 1/16 inch. Cut into squares. Place a small ball of meat mixture on each and wrap up like a canoe.<br />
<br />
Bake at 350 until golden brown, about 20 min. May freeze at this stage.<br />
<br />
Boil in chicken broth with garlic until soft. May also add a tablespoon of tomato sauce for extra flavor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0TAPJWZQqsCCaRknoZrbAu-WYARqnMS_OPWYIyW9kcN73AezC8tTYowZL0Jzp8VBlKeQpiLPDjcYsmbso3YhW_zcVzJ4Bba7xRT0X_3Odw9RQSmAInfesfVqiZIHAQvQiXJpHmFwnY5F/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0TAPJWZQqsCCaRknoZrbAu-WYARqnMS_OPWYIyW9kcN73AezC8tTYowZL0Jzp8VBlKeQpiLPDjcYsmbso3YhW_zcVzJ4Bba7xRT0X_3Odw9RQSmAInfesfVqiZIHAQvQiXJpHmFwnY5F/s1600/028.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_g5fXAo6fpHyLhVKTejSWYxNSjphi7iLwSo5-AkrmzaRIacYo90_DsThldx1ATwcb1f_ITywyhyphenhyphenY6QxvwDMTyA1MFq0ZziT61mpkkFtutQZUdMs8DvndQruAoFzByxSKTfInneYA9lAtU/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_g5fXAo6fpHyLhVKTejSWYxNSjphi7iLwSo5-AkrmzaRIacYo90_DsThldx1ATwcb1f_ITywyhyphenhyphenY6QxvwDMTyA1MFq0ZziT61mpkkFtutQZUdMs8DvndQruAoFzByxSKTfInneYA9lAtU/s1600/029.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjLCh33Mt4cMroRbmiGt8cf7KU_Hl08KPRglFxrdyY_BRsmZzh58Z90itVfGapt-YCWkpzbOTc_sl0tg9OykK_ySZHi1ihbAiqTFZZujDbUX6ZaDEKAt8uT2BoNYuGOFTy2hS1H-JOV-Z/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjLCh33Mt4cMroRbmiGt8cf7KU_Hl08KPRglFxrdyY_BRsmZzh58Z90itVfGapt-YCWkpzbOTc_sl0tg9OykK_ySZHi1ihbAiqTFZZujDbUX6ZaDEKAt8uT2BoNYuGOFTy2hS1H-JOV-Z/s1600/030.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGA1Xxm2ywaphHur0tNQEtevIKZJRcA5VwCH8mAZ_vXJHOOTEW5QyL1gNiAzsvffvQloYBy9G3yEHnMLBBo0-789ri0F8Ajx0EbUedSNB4ZyL_q2djZoYlji15Xw13_57dG845Bmgm6yH/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGA1Xxm2ywaphHur0tNQEtevIKZJRcA5VwCH8mAZ_vXJHOOTEW5QyL1gNiAzsvffvQloYBy9G3yEHnMLBBo0-789ri0F8Ajx0EbUedSNB4ZyL_q2djZoYlji15Xw13_57dG845Bmgm6yH/s1600/031.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1558704998299394328.post-24077865140752050182014-11-13T18:46:00.002-08:002016-01-31T18:59:37.716-08:00chapter 2 -SistersMy sister, Diane Celeste Simonian, was born August 14, 1961, so I donât remember any of my time as an only child. People would sometimes ask if we were twins! We did not really look that much alike, but both of us had dark brown eyes and hair, worn in the same style when we were little.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRsYcSXN3M2c0_VEgYsaD3sXNm32rFSOYmt8z5q0tMtHaOG-FU6WC7BUHX1a9z5aylCOI7dRRnVvoTsx3yqXZ4T10qjujUkN8pt97e6OU-aCXrP-dpRHOA_z46M4YrWgpAevCJzRvCmcF/s1600/P1050112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRsYcSXN3M2c0_VEgYsaD3sXNm32rFSOYmt8z5q0tMtHaOG-FU6WC7BUHX1a9z5aylCOI7dRRnVvoTsx3yqXZ4T10qjujUkN8pt97e6OU-aCXrP-dpRHOA_z46M4YrWgpAevCJzRvCmcF/s320/P1050112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had long since moved out of Auntie & Uncle Clayâs , and then moved to a house in Deerfield, IL to have enough room for Diane. I have a few fleeting memories of that home, one of my dad making pancakes. Though the division of labor in the household was mostly typical of 1960s America with my mom doing most of the cooking and cleaning, my dad did pitch in, and he seemed to enjoy cooking. Now here you might expect a pancake recipe, but they used Bisquick!<br />
<br />
I remember a bit more of our next home on âTeacherâs Rowâ in Clarendon Hills, IL. My dad had been hired to teach French at Hinsdale Central High School which allowed new staff to rent one of several houses the district owned for a bargain price for up to 3 years. One memory I have is of biting into a brown crayon to see if it was chocolate! No, it was nasty, and I spit it out. I also have some faint memories of playing with the boys next door, tearing around with tricycles and wagons. And it may have been for my 3rd birthday that my mother made an awesome Christmas tree shaped cake. Maybe I saw photos of it later, but I think I might actually remember it because it was pretty special.<br />
<br />
We moved again before the 3 years were up, and before I started kindergarten, just across town to the ranch-style house that is still my dadâs home. Diane and I soon found friends across the street, the Glovers had 2 daughters our age, Kathy & Julie, plus they had a younger brother and sister, and then later, twin baby brothers. Grab a couple other kids from the block and it was easy to have team games like âRed Roverâ in our backyards. Or sometimes we pestered some unfortunate older boys whose mothers made them play âcops & robbersâ with us. Sometimes we were inside doing quieter things like playing with dolls, having a pretend hospital or coloring. Yet I seem to remember a lot of time spent outside. In addition to the games and bike riding, we sometimes acted out fairy tales or made things out of the grasses and brush in the Gloversâ lower yard. It was on a hill and terraced, so the upper 2 levels were like normal suburban backyards, but the lower one was allowed to be wild.<br />
<br />
All that activity gave us pretty good appetites, and I donât remember anyone being truly fussy. We also walked to and from school, and in those days we came home for lunch. Soup and sandwich was a fairly common one for us. Maybe sometimes the soup was this one from my grandmother Gladys (Lutz) Nelson. However, I think we had it more often on Saturdays when my mom could get Diane and I to help make the croutons.<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
Potato Soup<br />
<br />
Recipe By: Grandma Gladys (Gladys Lutz Nelson)<br />
Serving Size: 4<br />
<br />
-= Ingredients =-<br />
3 slices Bacon ; diced<br />
1 small Onion ; chopped<br />
2 large Potatoes ; diced<br />
1 pinch White pepper<br />
1 pinch Salt<br />
Water ; as required<br />
1 teaspoon Parsley ; chopped<br />
2 cups Milk<br />
<br />
-= Instructions =-<br />
Fry bacon and onion together in large saucepan. Drain fat.<br />
<br />
Add potatoes and seasonings and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.<br />
<br />
Reduce heat. Add milk and heat through. Serve with croutons.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOE8MUJrOJmZlJYowTGVqCfLAnf8rtvffGW0WNBNceiswk7qpAZ9RYAbrQ2V9oESNrUV1mr-BaO8ekrfBvTUZIg_2YDU_DT7Jpv9YuR-nl5InlcFEdoFP7vx5II3l1684msXCfKds-Bh-/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOE8MUJrOJmZlJYowTGVqCfLAnf8rtvffGW0WNBNceiswk7qpAZ9RYAbrQ2V9oESNrUV1mr-BaO8ekrfBvTUZIg_2YDU_DT7Jpv9YuR-nl5InlcFEdoFP7vx5II3l1684msXCfKds-Bh-/s1600/002.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAnRUYYp8oTeCo7lCNZLh2iZ8Y0gqiONc3btBthjokw2G-BgspbWytA7gXubAp_sL7xEdSxq2DvuokqQvyCzoudpo1ax91lh_XVQinJCpr2S1MrK7TtZ0B5UuLvWbAegJddpaTNPQmxBi/s1600/P1050220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAnRUYYp8oTeCo7lCNZLh2iZ8Y0gqiONc3btBthjokw2G-BgspbWytA7gXubAp_sL7xEdSxq2DvuokqQvyCzoudpo1ax91lh_XVQinJCpr2S1MrK7TtZ0B5UuLvWbAegJddpaTNPQmxBi/s1600/P1050220.JPG" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Gladys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183326816163255998noreply@blogger.com0