March 4, 2008Bon Jovi & Daughtry...can it get any better?
For Christmas Jeff completely surprised me with tickets to go see Bon Jovi at the Verizon Center in DC on February 28. Finding out that Daughtry was the opening act only sweetened the deal!
During the drive up we decided to park at Franconia-Springfield and take the Metro in. I don't think it really saved us any money, but it sure was nice not to have to battle city traffic! The concert started at 7:30 and we got to the Verizon Center shortly after 6. We were allowed in the building, but were blocked from entering the arena area and finding our seats. Luckily the wait wasn't too bad and we were within the first 100 people to have our tickets scanned.
Our seats were in the lower rows of the nosebleed section (the concert was sold out, Jeff was lucky to find tickets at all!), but it was closer to the stage which was situated at one end of the arena.
Daughtry came out right on time at 7:30 and played for about 45 minutes. It a shame it wasn't longer; he's really good. There was only one song I didn't recognize, I suppose it will be on a new album. It was cool to see him in concert after watching American Idol (Season 5). He sooo should have won that year.
There was a brief break while the stage was reset and then Bon Jovi come out. They opened with Lost Highway (appropriate since it's the Lost Highway Tour). I had no idea how they would figure out the setlist because they have so many good songs. They ended up playing a really good mix of old and new stuff; kept the crowd engaged for about 3 hours.
Right in the middle of the setlist Jon walked offstage to let Richie step up and sing a song (it was really good by the way). When the next song started the spotlight was in the middle of the crowd on the floor where Jon was set up on a mini-stage to sing (You Want To) Make a Memory. Richie came down for the next song, Bed of Roses which they really mixed up into a much slower ballad. It was kinda cool. The girls standing close by looked like they were about to faint.
For 46 years old, Jon sure does have a lot of energy. During Faith he was shaking maracas and jumping all around the stage the entire time. They really put on a great show and I would love to see them again.
Setlist:
Lost Highway
Bad Name
Raise Your Hands
Runaway
Capt. Crash
Sleep w/ Jumpin' Jack Flash
In These Arms
Whole Lot of Leavin'
Born To Be My baby
Blaze of Glory w/ Knockin' On Heaven's Door intro
We Got It Goin' On
It's My Life
Bad Medicine w/ Shout
Stranger
(You Want To) Make a Memory
I'll Be There for You
Bed of Roses
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Have a Nice Day
Faith
Prayer
Encore:
Wanted
I Love This Town
Posted by Olivia at 2:40 PM | Comments (1)
Find me in: All About Me
March 18, 2008Contacts
Friday I had my first, and possibly last, encounter with contact lenses. Technically this was my second try at getting them in, but the first one doesn't really count since it never happened. This time I took a coworker with me for support and after an hour I finally got them in and out the first time. I had to do it 2 more times before I could leave the doctor's office, but I did it both times without too much trouble.
Later that evening my distance vision was still a little blurry so I wanted to take them out before I went out. Unfortunately I had such a hard time doing so that I ended up canceling my plans. When Jeff got home he tried to help out, best he could; he even tried taking them out for me. It was close to midnight before I was finally able to do it and I was just exhausted.
I've tried to put them back in a couple of times since then, but I get so panicked at the thought of having to take them out that I just can't do it. Maybe I'll look into Lasik next...
Posted by Olivia at 11:09 AM | Comments (1)
Find me in: All About Me
March 18, 2008Bristol Race
March 16 was our first opportunity to go to a Nascar race this year. Mike & Lauren were nice enough to invite us to stay in the rv they rented for the weekend. Jeff & I got up before the crack of dawn to make the 6 hour drive to Bristol, TN. We arrived at the dragstrip, where the rv was parked, just in time for a delicious pancake & hashbrown breakfast.
Around noon all of us piled on layers of clothes (it was much colder than we anticipated) and walked over to the speedway. We perused through some of the vendors, including a 'goodbye Dale' booth, complete with the big brown truck, before climbing the endless stairs to find our seats.
Lauren managed to find us pretty good seats on the backstretch that were actually individual seats, not benches. The race wasn't terribly exciting until the last few laps, but it was really cool to see Jeff Burton win.
Posted by Olivia at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
Find me in: Richmond Geeks
March 24, 2008Happy Birthday to me
In the weeks prior to my birthday I was slightly panicky and a little depressed about turning 30. However, on the day of (and the day before), I was surprisingly calm. As I tend to not like surprises much, I get jittery the day my office desk is decorated and when I wake up on my birthday I'm nervous, anticipating what may, or may not, happen that day. This year was different for some reason; I had no expectations or fears. It feels strange having to check that other box on surveys and forms, but everyone has said turning 40 is harder; good thing I have 10 more years to go.
As a birthday present to myself I joined a gym last week; New Fitness for Ladies is right in between work and home, so it's pretty convenient. I started out 3 weeks ago by taking a pilates class and was hooked. It made much more sense to join than pay per class, so now I'm a card carrying member. I've been to 3 pilates and 2 yoga classes and have really enjoyed both. I have also had my first 2 appointments with an instructor to set up my schedule on the weight and cardio machines. I figure my goal in all this is to look, and feel, better in my 30s than I did in my 20s.
Posted by Olivia at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)
Find me in: All About Me
March 27, 2008Unexpected congratulations are in order
I received a call from my brother the other day wishing me a happy birthday, but also to inform me of his recent engagement. Bruce & his long-time girlfriend, Jenny, have finally decided to tie the knot! November 9 is the wedding date, but nothing else has been decided as of yet. Frankly, I was surprised they knew that much! (My brother's not much of a planner). So anyway, congratulations to Bruce & Jenny!!
Posted by Olivia at 10:17 AM | Comments (1)
Find me in: Family Fun