Concert Reviews: Atlas Genius and Pearl Pearl Jam Jam

It's been a great few weeks for live music and I was lucky to see some amazing performances, one of which gets the Best Concert I've Ever Been To award.

Atlas Genius, Family of the Year and Little Comets - It's no secret how much I love the boys of Atlas Genius so was thrilled to hear they were coming to Charlotte again.  Last time was November 1, 2012, so it was time. I had never heard of the opening act Little Comets but was surprised and hooked immediately.  They remind me of Vampire Weekend, some songs more than others, but the overall sound and feel is infectiously poppy.  The second act was Family of the Year.  Their song Hero made my music list earlier this year so I was looking forward to seeing them, but sadly I was disappointed. I'm not sure if I just didn't connect to the lyrics or overall vibe of the band, but I was glad when they were done.  Then it was Atlas Genius time. The boys had bulked up a bit since I saw them last time but they sounded just as good as ever. They are releasing more new music so I was happy to hear song after song that I knew. They are working on album two and I am rooting for these kids.

Charlottesville

Pearl Jam x 2 - I was never a huge Pearl Jam fan but recently started listening more and more and was surprised at how many songs I knew and how many I actually liked. I had never been to a  show but headed up to Charlottesville, Virginia for the October 29th show. We had decent seats on stage right and at first we were surprised that the arena seemed less crowded than we thought.  The lights dimmed, the band took the stage and when the lights came back on, wow...packed.  I had been studying up on Pearl Jam songs so I would be familiar with the music and was glad to hear a ton of songs that I have grown to like, some love.  As with most of their shows in this tour, they started with Pendulum, off their latest album.  This is the perfect "first song", slow but builds to a pretty sound. The entire first set was strong and I am sure more knowledgeable PJ fans could talk for days about each and every song inclusion. There were a couple of songs I really wanted to hear but unfortunately none of those were played.  One of the highlights of the show was Sirens. This is by far my favorite song of theirs. The sound is beautiful and the lyrics are wonderful. My favorite line: "If I think too much I can get overwhelmed by the grace by which we live our lives with death over our shoulder."  I love that line.  I love this song. They played many other great songs, took a short break and then came back for a very intimate set including Thumbing My Way, which I had never heard before but loved immediately.  A lot of their new stuff is really great so I was excited to hear so much of it (when is that ever said about a concert?).  They threw in a few covers too including Pink Floyd's Mother and Little Wing by Hendrix. About half way through the concert I was pretty hooked. You cannot deny that Pearl Jam is a fan's band. Their website lists every song they've ever played, how many times and where they played it, who wrote it and lists the lyrics.  They release professional bootlegs of every concert after the tour so they can make sure that random people don't charge a ton of money for horrible quality versions.  City specific shirts and posters are sold so people can commemorate not only the tour, but the specific night and city where they saw Pearl Jam.  Each night the set list is created specially for how the band feels and they change it up based on Eddie's read of the crowd.   But more than that, and here is something I don't think I can really explain adequately, is how passionate the fans are for THEM.  There were people in the crowd with signs that said "Thank You".  TO THE BAND. Who does that? Even before the show we went to a local bar that was PACKED, and since I had just walked three miles in heels I desperately needed to sit down. I asked two guys if we could join them and of course they were also going to the show. We chatted about the band, the tours and life in general. There was an overall sense of "you're here for Pearl Jam, that means you are a good person."   At one point during the show I just looked around and was utterly amazed at the overall vibe of the entire arena. And while I mostly think that "Lead Singer Banter" is scripted, it seemed like the band was having just as much fun as the rest of us. It seemed spontaneous, genuine. If it was choreographed, props to them for making it seem real. From the first time Eddie spoke, saying "Good Evening, we'll talk later. First I have a story to tell you" I was enamored with him. His stage presence was warm and friendly, his sense of humor evident and his voice was clear and much prettier in person. There were a number of other little moments that stood out for me: Eddie stopping everything to check on a scuttle in the pit, talking with some young kids in the front row, offering them wine, commenting on them knowing every song since it is great to know there will be at least two PJ fans when the guys are in their 80s, They wrapped up the show with a cover of The Who's Baba O Reilly that had the entire crowd screaming at the top of their lungs.  I honestly cannot remember having more fun at a show. They ended the show saying "If you could see all the great faces from up here, you'd be very grateful and you'd probably  keep saying thank you and thank you and thank you like we are doing right now, but you'd understand if you could see what we see.  Thank you" We all walked out smiling, high fiving each other, knowing that we just were part of something awesome.  Amazing, just amazing.

We drove home the next day and prepared for the Charlotte show. We had pit passes for this one so headed down early to get in line for the general admission. I really wanted a Charlotte  poster since I have a collection of band posters, so loved the city specific one. I stood in line for 30 minutes chatting with the people around me. Most were talking about shows they had been too and I immediately had street cred saying I was at Charlottesville.  It hadn't even been 24 hours and the show was already known for being amazing. The posters sold out 6 people in front of me. ARGH.  Assured there were merch stands inside, I went to wait in the general admission line. We had pizza and drinks and talked with our neighbors. There is nothing like the instant bond you can create with someone standing in line, it made the two hours go by very quickly. As soon as the doors opened, I headed to a merch stand while my new friends headed to secure our space in the pit. I was able to get a poster, walked to the pit and was thrilled to see I would be 2 people back from the stage.  I don't care what band is playing, being that close is a neat experience. I love seeing the set up, the "behind the scenes" things that happen that most people don't get a chance to see, and being that close to a legend is always a treat. The show started with Pendulum again and then they proceeded to play hit after hit. I don't know it was just different than Charlottesville or I was tired or they were tired, but it seemed like there was a bit more of a laid back vibe. Don't get me wrong, it was still fun and amazing, but in a different way. They sang more of the well known "sing along" songs like Even Flow, Daughter, and Black.

Again there were two songs I really wanted to hear (Chloe Dancer and Let The Records Play) and sadly, I was disappointed that neither of them were played. I was more upset when I saw the original set list HAD LTRP listed but it was replaced with the famous Better Man.  I am not a huge fan of that song, but I liked it live. I was happy to hear Just Breathe (another great line: I'm a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love) and I was taken by surprise when I got teary eyed during Sirens.  Have I mentioned what a great song that is? I was pretty happy to hear Getaway live and now can say I was there when they played it for the first time.  Overall the concert was great, the crowd around us was into it and there is nothing like making eye contact with the band members to feel more connected. I even was lucky to get one of Mike McCready's guitar picks.   Eddie passed out wine to the pit and gave a tambourine to one of my new best friends from waiting in line. Again I walked out of there smiling, glad to have been part of something so special.

Many people have told me that they "just don't get it" in regards to Pearl Jam but I think those people still think of them as the twentysomethings with long hair, wearing flannel and heading up the grunge movement. And to be honest I don't know that I would like them as much as I like the 50 year olds that I saw twice this week.  They and the shows are so fan-centric, it is hard not to leave there feeling like they tour just to make the crowds happy. Many people talk about how unintelligible Eddie's singing can be (check out this hilarious video of Yellow Ledbetter  "I said I don't want a whale in a box or a bag; Potato Wave"). The band has an amazingly comprehensive listing of all the lyrics online. I read through many of the songs and was so impressed with the poetry and imagery that is created. Some of the songs are utterly beautiful. I was also so surprised at how clear and pretty Eddie Vedder's voice is. And honestly, no matter how you feel about their music, you have to respect the fact that this band has been around, viable and rocking since 1990.  These (old) guys still are able to create new music that is really good, entertain and put on an amazing show.  While I've never seen The Stones or Zeppelin, I have seen many concerts and many of those have been legendary performers, but I can honestly say I have never been to a show that felt like such a mutual love fest between artist and crowd. If you get the chance, go see them. I guarantee you will walk away amazed, smiling and utterly happy.

Oh CANADA! Race Review

I have trained for races, run them and felt great afterwards. Training has included watching my diet, long runs, short fast runs, long at tempo runs. I have stood in the starting corrals and felt excited, ready to challenge and push myself.

This was not one of those races. I did virtually no training, running a mere 6 times in the past year and my longest run was 2 miles. I can offer a million excuses as to why I didn't train but ultimately my priorities are very different than they were two years ago.  But I was excited about seeing Shelia run her first half and was looking forward to the road trip, so packed my bags and drove to Detroit.

We lined up in our corrals at 6:45am, in the 40 degree darkness.  I didn't even wear my timing chip since I was planning on walking and didn't want this time on my permanent record.

The gun went off and as my section crossed the start line, peer pressure kicked so I started running. I actually felt pretty good running so kept running. The sun started rising and as we approached the bridge to Canada, I was still feeling strong, remembering why I sign up for these things in the first place. I stopped to take pictures, (one very cool perk of not caring about time) and as soon as the slope of the bridge changed, started running again.  I had one of my best mile times ever, running into Canada with a 9:30 pace.  I was having a great time, high fiving border patrol officers, talking with nearby runners. It was fun.Miles 4-6 continued in the same way. I counted up how many half marathons I have done and thought maybe I could do one more to get to 10. I was in love with running; that I was running.

We entered back into the US via a tunnel which was cool to see, but it was hot and stuffy.  I did stop again at the US/Canada line, but was relieved to get out of the tunnel and be back in the US>

Miles 7-9 were rough. Everything started hurting. A lot.   My hip flexor starting hurting and that is unusual for me.  I popped more Aleve. My feet starting hurting.  I remembered why I said this would be my last race.

By Mile 10 I wished I knew Detroit better so I could cheat.  Surely there was a faster way to finish.
Mile 11 brought out the hate.  I hated the couple holding hands walking in front of me, I hated the 500 pound person who lapped me.  I hated the 86 year old man that passed me at such a speedy clip he startled me.  I hated running, I hated myself for not training. I hated. Everything.

Mile 12 was the longest mile ever. I continue hating everything and since I was downtown, I was super annoyed with all the people who are were just walking around the course. They were crossing the street in front of me, I hated them. I hurt.

A half marathon is 13.1 miles and many people leave off that .1 but when you are running it, holy hell that .1 is as long as any mile before it. I turned a corner and could see the finish line and started running.  I don't care how sore I was, I vowed a long time ago to never cross a finish line walking and this was no exception.

I crossed the finish line, grabbed my medal and chocolate milk. Usually I feel amazing at this point but really I just felt blah. I was impressed with my overall time of 3:25. I was thinking it was going to take me 4 hours so I was quite happy with a sub 3:30. But mostly I just hurt.  A lot.

I had said going into this that I was not going to do another half but part of me wishes I had gone out on a higher note. But my life is so different than it was two years and so are my priorities. So I am not saying never, but it is going to take a lot!

As far as races go, the Free Press International is pretty great. The pre race expo was large with an OK amount of free stuff and packet pick up was easy.  Crowd support was amazing with people lining the entire course. There were plenty of water stations giving out water or lemon lime gatorade. There were several live bands at "entertainment stations" throughout.  Overall organization was good and there were plenty of port o johns along the course. The medal is a nice size and heavy and the dual US/Canadian ribbon is very cool.  It is a large race which is nice since you don't feel like you are going to be last. The course is mostly flat with a few inclines going up the bridge and climbing out of the tunnel.  The weather was perfect - 40 and clear when we started and ended up in the mid 50s. It was windy on the bridge, but overall the course was pretty, and it was pretty cool to cross into Canada and then back into the US. I'd absolutely recommend this race.  I would NOT recommend running it without training though....HOLY CRAP I AM SORE!

September Music

Still loving the way music is trending these days! 

The Wire by Haim - a fun poppy song.
Get Me Golden by Terraplane Sun
Sirens by Pearl Jam - OK there is a backstory here. I have recently listened to A LOT of Pearl Jam and while some is good and some I don't really like, I have been following the countdown to their new stuff.  Say what you will about them, but the longevity is impressive. The first track from their latest album "Lightening Bolt" is good, but distinctly punky. I had listened this, their second released song the day it came out and thought I really liked it.  Fast forward a few weeks and I was listening to the radio, not really paying attention and all of a sudden I heard the music playing and thought "Wow this is pretty..wonder who this is."  It was Pearl Jam.  I was just as shocked as you.
Loud Like Love by Placebo
Bad Blood by Bastille - you may remember Bastille from last month. I like them.  A lot. I would be very surprised if a Bastille song wasn't on my Amy's Audibles for 2013.
High Road by the Cults - Speaking of Amy's Audibles, Cults has been featured for their song "Go Outside".  I really like them for their etherealness that is sweet and haunting at the same time.
Why Do You Only Call Me When I'm High - Artic Monkeys - love the tempo of the refrain
Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus - I know.  I know.  But crazy stunts aside, I like her music.  And the lyrics are good. (I put you high up in the sky - And now, you're not coming down - It slowly turned, you let me burn-And now, we're ashes on the ground  I know.  I feel ashamed listing it.  But there ya go.
Changing of the Seasons by Two Door Cinema Club - LOVE the Lyrics.  LOVE. 

Is it....Seitan?

(To find the humor in the title, you must know seitan is pronounced Satan and  have watched SNL during the late 80s.)

I really don't mean to be a no meat groupie, but IT IS SO EASY TO NOT EAT MEAT!  I have less than 3 weeks until my "no meat training period" is over and honestly, I don't know that I will go back.  I haven't missed it, at all, and I feel good.  I have always been freaked out by WHERE meat comes from, went a month not eating chicken after I made eye contact with a chicken on a Tyson truck that immediately turned into the Tyson plant, and hate dark meat because I think it tastes too bloody and that freaks me out. I needed the meat to be totally cooked through because rare meat or even shades of pink made me gag.   It's been a comfort not having to think so much, and really, how often do you eat meat with no flavorings, marinades or sauces?  Rarely.  

So last night I tried seitan for the first time and was so pleased.  Seiten is a wheat gluten,  first developed in China and is popular in the cuisines of Japan and other East and Southeast Asian nations. In Asia, it is commonly found on the menus of restaurants catering primarily to Buddhist customers who do not eat meat. It is super high in protein and has a chewy texture so is often called the Wheat Meat.  Read more here.  

I have been craving curry chicken salad with grapes, but knew tofu, even extra firm tofu, would not have the texture or the solidity needed for the recipe.  Intrigued by the wheat meat name, I decided to try seitan. IT WAS SO GOOD!  It really does have the same texture as chunks of chicken and the curry dressing was the flavor I wanted.  Add in grapes and some almonds, and this was the texture and taste I had been craving, without meat!  I used this super simple recipe, went light on the curry since this was my first time and am giddy with the result.   

I have never been one to experiment in the kitchen, but there is something incredibly freeing about using plant based products that do not need to be COOKED as much as prepared. I don't have to worry about not cooking the chicken enough and getting sick.  I am EXCITED about recipes now, no longer JUST searching for vegetarian options, but knowing I can substitute in a meat alternative and be good to go. 

Yes, I know that me not eating meat is not going to stop the world from killing animals.  I actually agree with self sustaining farms and that way of life.  But for ME, I feel better not eating meat, and that is the most important thing.  And now that I know I can just substitute plant based product in my favorite meals, I don't have to miss a thing!   PS Happy World Vegetarian Day!  Yes, it's a thing. 
http://www.worldvegetarianday.org/

Fall TV...meh

Usually this is one of my favorite times of the year but I am some what underwhelmed by TV's offerings this fall. Maybe it is because Showtime and networks like USA and FX have produced such great shows all year long that fall TV isn't the breath of relief it used to be. But even with that, I am still sure I watch too much TV.  Thank goodness for Dish Network's Hopper!

Monday
8pm 
How I Met Your Mother - CBS - 9/23 - I have watched this since day 1 and even though the past few seasons have not been the best, I am committed to these characters and will watch this, the final season, where we FINALLY meet the mother. Update: I was recently asked "Haven't you grown out of that show?" Sorta, but I am two episodes in at got a little teary eyed at the last one...and that is why I still watch this show.
Almost Human - Fox - 11/4 - This new sci fi show features Michael Ealy as a law enforcement android who is partnered with a human to solve crimes.  I give this a 50/50 shot of making it, but I LOVE Ealy and have followed him since I first saw him in Sleeper Cell so will watch this and root for him.

9pm 
Sleepy Hollow - Fox - 9/16 - OK to be fair I will NOT be watching this.  It is getting a fair amount of positive hype, but I just don't care.  But in case you do, check it out. Update: I lied.  I watched this.  It was OK.  I watched two episodes and the guy who plays Ichabod is charming and funny, but I don't think I will seek it out on a regular basis.

10pm
Blacklist - NBC - 9/23 - I am a fan of James Spader but was initially turned off and thought this show was too close to Hannibal. I've now seen more and it is certainly intriguing and possibly the show I am most excited about seeing. Update: THIS IS SO GOOD.  By far my favorite show of the season.  James Spader is excellent in this role as smarmy, evil-but-you-like him.  There are long term twists and mysteries but each episode is a one and done which I like.  Just great all around. 

Tuesday
8pm
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD - ABC - 9/24 - Despite an obnoxiously long name and really no idea what this is about, it's JOSS WHEDON.  JOSS WHEDON.  I'd watch people sleeping if Joss Whedon was involved.  Update: Yep, Joss is great.  This is good.  It's all there - action, humor, great dialogue, special effects, so it is totally worth watching. It's a bit of a super hero Warehouse 13.   I don't LOVE it like I have with previous shows of his (or Blacklist), but I won't miss an episode.

8:30pm
Brooklyn Nine Nine - Fox - 9/17 - Do I think this will be good?  Nope.  Not at all.  But I like 25% of what Andy Sandberg does so I will give it a shot since my Hopper records more than one show. If it didn't, I wouldn't care if I missed this. Update: Surprise of the season, this is really funny.  It reminds me a lot of Parks and Rec, and has delivered solid shows so far.

9pm
Supernatural - CW - 10/8 - you know who else I'd watch sleeping?  Either of the Winchester boys or Cass. Watched this from the beginning, will watch til the end.

10pm
Lucky 7 - ABC - 9/24- I don't have high hopes for this show since it is getting virtually no publicity, but I am behind in Person of Interest so have an opening at 10.  This is about lottery winners and maybe it will make me never want to win. Update: I had good intentions to watch this show...but there is too much else on.  Haven't watched a single episode of this yet.

Wednesday
9pm
Tomorrow People - CW- 10/9 - If you are looking for comedies,  there is another season of Modern Family and new contender Rebel Wilson's Super Fun Night. But I am looking forward to another guilty pleasure, Tomorrow People, about a high school (I said guilty pleasure) that learns he has special powers like teleportation.  This is based off a 70s British hit,so I will watch, (and probably not tell anyone I do).

10pm
Top Chef - Bravo - 10/2 - After watching Masterchef this summer, my love of cooking shows is renewed,  I took a few years off from Top Chef but am looking forward to seeing the show in the new location setting of New Orleans.

Thursday (Or Hopper Appreciation Day)
8pm
Parks and Rec - NBC - 9/26 - The funniest show on TV.  Period. Update: Still good....so many funny lines in each episode, but with some key characters leaving, not sure how I feel about its future. But til then it is Lit-trally the best show on TV
Big Bang Theory - CBS - 9/26 - I was late to the Big Bang Bandwagon, but I like it.  Makes me laugh.

8:30pm
The Millers - CBS - 10/3 - I will watch this based on Will Arnett and Margo Martindale.  I have no idea what it is about but MARGO MARTINDALE.  That is all. Update: Only one episode in, but I really liked the pilot and that is hard to do. Margo Martindale is fantastic, Beau Bridges is a comedic surprise and I just love Wil Arnett.  There were a few laugh out loud moments for me and a solid "awwww" so I am in.

9pm
The Crazy Ones - CBS - 9/26 - Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Geller team up as father daughter Ad exec team. Something about this quote about the show really hit home for me: "Dad worries he is becoming irrelevant while daughter fears her pop may be going off the rails." Update: Two episodes in and this is a solid OK.  They give Robin Williams a number of options to ad lib comedy and those parts are truly inspired. Sarah Michelle Geller plays a nice serious foil and is called Kitten by her dad, so yeah, I will watch this religiously.
Reign - CW - 10/17 - Been waiting for a Mary, Queen of Scots teen drama?  Yeah, me neither.  But I will check it out for at least 3 episodes since I am sure it will be very different than the rest of my TV watching.
White Collar - USA - 10/17 - I love Neal Caffrey but the relationship between he and Peter was the part I loved the most.  Season 5 begins with Peter in jail so I am not sure how much I am going to love this storyline.

9:30 
The Michael J Fox Show - NBC - 9/26 - How can you not want Michael J Fox to succeed?  This show parallels his life but promises to not ONLY be about Parkinson's. I have loved Fox when he has guest starred on The Good Wife and am rooting for him to do well.

10pm
Covert Affairs - USA - 10/7 - This show has been on this summer and it is getting increasingly far fetched, and that is saying something.  I love Auggie though because the actor that plays him personally tweeted me once (I know, it doesn't take much to impress me)  so will watch this until it becomes utterly unbearable.

Friday 
10pm 
Haven - SyFy - 9/13 - Yes, I am skipping Raising Hope, Enlisted and Shark Tank.  Sure if I am home and there is nothing else on, I might watch one of those. But mostly I don't care.  I DO care about Haven, which is creepy and sweet and odd and stars Eric Balfour, the hottest man with the longest face ever.  Add in Lucas Bryant and the show has some pretty awesome eye candy. Update: I am surprisingly hooked on Shark Tank and super geeky pleased when I see one of the products in real life. Haven is also really good this season with the addition of Colin Ferguson.

Sunday (I Love my Hoppa, part 2)
9pm
Revenge - ABC - 9/29 - Last season was decidedly eh, but this is truly brainless TV so I will watch for at least 3 episodes this season and see how it goes from there.Update: Yep....eh.  It's just OK. If I miss it, I won't miss it. 
Good Wife - CBS - 9/29 - Another show with a less than stellar 2012-13 season, but the last two episodes were strong and I was surprised by the cliff hanger of an ending. Still a bad season of this show is still better than many shows out there, so I will watch for sure! First episode reminded me of the strength of this show.  Not sure how they are going to stretch out the secret all season, but I still am a fan.
Homeland - Showtime - 9/29 - Filmed in Charlotte, I will watch this show forever, just to support local film industry. It helps immensely that the show is great, with suspense, intrigue and a never ending gut feeling that you don't quite know who is good and who is bad.  Also, Damian Lewis is hot.Update: Episode 1 was so good and we never saw Brody! I have confidence that any doubts that may have risen in season 2 will be immediately dispelled in season 3.
Shameless - Showtime - January 12 -Just when you think that Frank can't be any more deplorable, he hits a new low. When we left last season, my favorite character Jimmy was missing (or dead) and Frank did something noble.

10pm
Masters of Sex - Showtime - 9/29 - Showtime produces great shows so I am looking forward to this new offering about Masters and Johnson and the revolution of sexual ed. Update: I could not be a woman in the 50s. Episode 1 was interesting and I will keep watching, if anything to see where it goes.
House of Lies - Showtime - January 12 - I am intrigued by this show and the end of last season was sad and shocking with most everyone turning on Don Cheadle. I am not sure where they are going to go, but I will watch and find out!

10:30pm
Episodes - Showtime - January 12 - Hands down the funniest, smartest show you've never seen.  Can't wait til January!

Martin Wentzel Hill: December 20, 1916-September 8, 2013

My grandfather, Martin Wentzel Hill, died last night at the age of 96.

The funny thing about being a 39 year old woman with grandparents still alive is that you tend to just kinda assume they will ALWAYS be alive. He has brothers and sisters older than he that are still living. I used to joke that my mom's side of the family is part roach...they were going to live forever. It may be irrational, but I started to believe that. It's strange to think he is actually gone.

He was born in 1916 and would have been 97 this December. It's crazy to think of the changes he had seen in his lifetime.  He raised four children, was grandfather to seven and great grandfather to two.  To me he was Pop-Pop.

Cousin Bridget, Mike and me in the tree.

Strong, stoic, smart, kind, he was hilarious in a way I too late realized. Growing up we knew he was REALLY angry when he would yell the German phrase "verdammt sau donner wetter".   It wasn't til later I realized that the phrase I was so afraid of was "Damn Pig Thunderstorm".  He liked to kid me, a picky eater, "tempting" me with such fare as scrappel and chow chow.   He'd eat anything and the Pennsylvania Dutch's influence was easy to see. I passed on the "gross foods" but never passed up Shoofly Pie.  We always lived at least 8 hours from them but I remember spending most summers at the stone house he built, playing in the "crik" and climbing the big tree in their back yard. I remember catching fireflies in that yard, dancing in circles practicing being a ballet dancer in the basement, reading stacks of National Geographic magazines, getting pizza from Esposito's, sledding down the hill in the winter.  We moved around but Reading and the house at 1723 Friedensburg Road was my constant.  When I think of being a child, most of my memories happened in Stony Creek.  I still remember their phone number, neighbors, exact details of the street, the front yard, the back yard, though it is smaller than I remember (or I'm bigger).

With a full tuft of white hair on his head, he was always an imposing figure. But he softened as he aged, and while we generally didn't get along when I was a teenager (both of us stubborn and I was pretty much a shit), I am glad that I got to spend some time with him as an adult. On a summer road trip in 2008, I stopped in and spent the day with them. We  talked and talked and that was the first time I fully realized how great of a man he was; how smart, funny, stubborn and how much of an influence he has had on my family and of course, me.  On that trip he took me by the house he grew up in, talked about meeting and courting my grandmother, building the house I knew and loved, and his time in the Navy. I could have stayed up all night listening to him talk about his time in the war and one of my biggest regrets is that I didn't record every word he said.  We went by the local cemetery to see the graves of family members and I asked him if that was where he was going to be buried.  "Oh no" he snapped with such indignation I am sure I offended him with my question.  He will be buried in the national cemetery.  "I earned that" he told me. I don't think that is something my generation can appreciate- the pride of serving our country. As he aged, his body failed. He fought more cancers than I can remember, but his mind remained sharp.

The last time I saw him in person was in 2010. I drove to Boston for my friend Stacey's mom's funeral service and I stopped by on my way  back. I had to return to work so only stayed for dinner and again was reminded of how great of a man he was.  I wished I could have stayed longer, SHOULD have stayed longer, talked more, absorbed more and come to know him more for the man he was, than just my grandfather.

Today is he and my grandmother's 74th wedding anniversary. She doesn't remember much of anything; Alzheimer's has wrecked havoc with her brain. God surely has a sense of humor that my grandfather could be so mentally acute while his body failed him when exactly the opposite is happening to my grandmother.   But when I think of my grandparents, I will forever think of my grandfather sitting at the end of the table, my grandmother seated next to him, in her left hand a cup of coffee, in her right hand, my grandfather's hand on her lap.  Always coffee..always holding hands. The love he had for her is enviable and ever lasting.

There are too many memories to capture on on this blog; they flash in my mind when I think of him; the anniversary party we had in Maine with generations surrounding him (was that 50th?), the anniversary party we had in Reading, the week we spent in the Virgin Islands, him teaching me how to put up the flag in the front yard, shopping at Boscov's, the joy in his voice when I called him on Veteran's Day.

So to my grandfather, my newest guardian angel, thank you for your sense of humor, intelligence, your kindness, your nose (Ok, this I could have done without, or preferred a cute little one).  Thank you for the work ethic you instilled in your family, the love you passed along.  Thank you for being a Truly Great Man and showing me that honor, love and dignity exist. I am proud to be your granddaughter, to have Hill in my blood.  I love you and always will.

Music Update...from June - July and August

A few weekends ago I had a spend the night party with my friend Cara. I've been friends with her since 7th grade, when we bonded over silly teachers, bad puns and growing pains.  We've stayed in touch over the years and states and I was thrilled when she and her husband moved to Charlotte in 2001.  We've just gotten closer, proving that immature humor never goes out of style!  So on a Saturday night we each dragged out the old diaries and photo albums and had a blast reading what 14 year old us deemed important. There were lots of comments about boys ("When I danced with George our stomachs touched and it felt WEIRD"") but the thing I thought was the funniest was that every diary had a section where I listed all the songs I liked.  Nice to see that I haven't changed all that much,  though thankfully my taste has!

Work has been crazy, so here are my favorites from June - August.  When I get a chance I might list my favorites from when I was 15 so you can appreciate musical growth.

Land of the Gathering by The Ceremonies - Just a feel good, fun to listen to song.
Alive by Empire of the Sun- Toe tapping song, really funky video.
Afraid by The Neighbourhood - I continue to love these guys and am so glad I got to see them in person.
Royals by Lorde - This 16 year old New Zealand girl may be my favorite new artist in a long time.  I got my hands on 6 more of her songs and love all of them.  This was the first to hit mainstream US and the lyrics make me happy.
The Love Club by Lorde - seriously love her.
Biting Down by Lorde
Tennis Court by Lorde. OK last one.  I promise.  I just like her voice and the lyrics.
Thunder Clatter by Wild Cub - Great song.  Love how it picks up as it goes along.
Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray - the Cedric Gervais remix -Still pretty sure I am one of 4 people who like Lana Del Ray, but I won't apologize for it at all!
Head on by Man Man - Sure I like the song but fell in love with this band called Man Man when I found out their twitter name is ManManBandBand.  Gotta love a sense of humor.  And really,"Hold onto your heart, even when your body's bitter"  Yes.  Their album comes out 9/10.  Buy it.
Lost Generation - Rizzle Kicks - I am a big fan of pretty much anything Rizzle Kicks does. It just sounds like summer to me.  #trend
High Hopes by Kodaline - This is an Irish band that I love for their hautingly sad sound.
All I Want - the song that introduced me to Kodaline.
Brand New Day - Kodaline, kinda happy.
Little Games by The Colourist - you may be familiar with this song from a Samsung commercial.  I like it anyway.
Awkward by Fildlar - this is very 80s punky to me, but the lyrics make me laugh "Didn't know I'm really good at making you feel awkward"."
Doing OK by Wretch 32 featuring Jacob Banks - Bet you are saying Wretch WHO?  It's a British rapper/MC/DJ.  I love the sweetness of this song's melody.
Grow Old With Me by Tom Odell - Yes I did feel like I was punched in the guy when I heard this kid was born two years before I graduated from high school.  But 1990 birth date aside, I love piano in a song and this is both sweet and dirty.  And I've always loved the Robert Browning poem that has this line in it "Grow Old with me, the best is yet to be."  It's my inner romantic coming out.
Flaws by Bastille - Been a big fan of Bastille since Pompeii hit, but again, my inner romantic loves the "all of your flaws and all my flaws lay there hand in hand" line.  Seems such a realistic picture of a love;  "there's a hole in my soul...can you fill it?"
Things We Lost in the Fire by Bastille - since I am singing the praises of Bastille, might as well continue with this haunting and sad song and sadder video.
Kids by Mikky Ekko - No, this is not another little British boy, though you might think that listening to this. He is American and his claim to fame til this point has been that he was in Rihanna's song Stay. which I also like.   
Hopeless Wanderer - Mumford and Sons- It seems like you either hate or love this band and I happen to love them. I love the sound, their voices, the words and the meaning. And then there is this video which features Jason Sudeikis, Jason Bateman, Ed Helms and Will Forte, which makes me love them even more!

Hope you enjoy the music.  I can't believe it is already September.  I need to start working on my Amy's Audibles list and this year is going to be another hard one. Music is trending in my favor.  LOVE!