Adele and me

For our anniversary gifts to each other in February, G and I went through the schedules for events this year in Boston and chose a handful that we would enjoy together. (What a treat. I think we'll do it every year...it's the gift that keeps on giving! Plus it makes me feel zesty to be out on the town with my guy.)

One of the ones we (read=me. I influenced this decision.) chose was Adele, Saturday May 2nd at the Orpheum. Oh, I love me some Adele. As the night drew closer we started realizing we had a problem. Both of our babysitter daughters had commitments that couldn't be changed and Sam's too young to stay home alone. But we had a plan B. 

Which fizzled. 

And a plan C--that on Saturday became impossible.  G kindly offered to send me with a friend (the Celtics game 7 that night might have had something to do with his generosity) and I tried a few but it was a beautiful spring Saturday in May!  Everyone already had plans & it was too last minute.  Even when we offered both tickets to anyone who could go that night, no one nibbled.

I was so sad.

An hour before the concert started, I sat down to listen to the cd and have a little pity party. The boys were camped in front of the tv with the Celtics.

I listened to about 30 seconds (and had a Facebook conversation with Jen) and decided to just go.  By myself (gasp!).

I've done movies by myself without blinking. Traveled solo a bit.  I'm generally kind of a happy-go-lucky-by-myself kind of person.  Solo concert-going felt kind of...lonelyish. 

But.

Oh. My. 

It was so worth it. She is one of those artists who is incredible live.

So talented.  And heartfelt, emotional. And young (she turns 21 this week).

I had chills. And (I'll admit) some inspiration tears.

So I've been a bit obsessed* since, humming & playing her music.

And I found footage of the Orpheum concert so you can come with me (virtually):

This is a sneak preview of a song on her next album:

And my favorite (already posted here; I'm redundant), a cover of the Bob Dylan song:

Also good:
Best for Last
Right as Rain

I was so glad I went.
But sorry not to share it with someone.

{Until now!}

* also? I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this: Afterwards I waited a long time in line for the ladies' room.  When I came out of the theater there was Adele!  Getting into her bus!  What did I do?  Walk coolly away? No.  Take a picture? No camera.  No, I ran over and asked for her autograph and she signed my (two) tickets. I'm sure when I walked away she thought what's with the loser soccer mom who came alone? And I was thinking what am I going to do with two scraps of paper with a sharpie scrawl on them?  What can I say? I was dazzled.

A little holiday verve

To help spark the holiday spirit, 

every year I get a new holiday cd or two 

to add to our collection.  

This year this one

and this one

are my favorites.

Other favorites from years gone by: 

Sufjan Stevens, 

Harry Connick Jr, 

Amy Grant, 

the Carpenters, 

Barbra Streisand, 

Tony Bennett, 

Anuna, 

The Muppets Christmas 

(with John Denver...listen for Beaker's solo in the 12 Days of Christmas), 

various choirs...

How about you?

And then there are the clunkers.  For awhile my mom was collecting really bad Christmas recordings (are you still, Mom?).  Here are a few I'm pretty sure I won't be getting (but their awfulness is so wonderful!) Like this one (sorry cat lovers).  And this one, a very Brady Christmas.  And this one...wookies singing carols, anyone?  Here's a little blurb from a review of the cd:

The album's story takes place in a droid factory where robots trudge away at building toys year round for S. Claus. However they don't understand the meaning of Christmas until C-3PO and R2-D2 show them how to appreciate the holiday spirit. Even Artoo adds to the season festivities by learning how to whistle the catchy Christmas ditty, "Sleigh Ride." Later we learn who gets what from their wish list: a scarf for Luke Skywalker, perfume for Princess Leia and earmuffs for Han Solo.

 Wow.  I would not have guessed the earmuffs for Han Solo.

Finally, I appreciated the Jolly Porter for speaking up on a very important issue: the inclusion of Frosty the Snowman in the Christmas carol canon.  Pro? Con? Let's try to find some middle ground where we can agree to disagree, you guys.  See his hilarious critique here.