"How great is life today" -Scott Heinig, 1988-2011

Railroad Revival Tour

Well, I'll get my complaining away first off and then just focus on what was awesome about this concert. My mom and I arrived a little late, so it was partly our fault we missed Old Crow Medicine Show's set, but the line was absolutely ridiculous (literally like a mile long) even 45 minutes into the show. They really should have opened the doors earlier since even people who arrived early missed some of the show. But we got in during the set change and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes were next.

Now of the three bands, they were my least favorite anyway. And they just didn't bring it. The first two songs sounded better live than on their album, but it just never took off. So I went and found Ale and a couple of her friends and got a beer and danced to Home and then Ale and I went back to where mom and I had set up chairs.

And then came Mumford and Sons! Even though I was in line for the bathroom for their first two songs, from the beginning they were awesome. They brought so much energy to the stage and were absolutely amazing to see live. I love their sound anyway, but it was so much fun to hear them live! They played a couple of new songs too, which while I couldn't sing along, had a great sound.

Then of course members of all the bands came out for an encore in which they sang what I am guessing is called "This Train is Bound for Glory." So that was fun. The entire show had very good energy, and even when waiting in line and clearly missing the first act, everyone was in good spirits. And of course there was all sorts of flannel and hipster hippies (for lack of a better term). Also, that Middle Shoreline Park in Oakland is a fabulous place for a concert!

Bottom line: Mumford and Sons kick ass.

Aside from the girls behind me loudly singing along despite knowing none of the lyrics and the point where I help Ale onto the ledge I was standing on and the fact that I was excited and bouncy at the end and quite far from the stage (thank you 10x zoom), this video I took isn't bad. Plus it's my favorite song. I can even play it on my uke.

Black and Orange! or: How I Learned to Love Baseball

I used to think baseball was a stupid sport. True story. Now I can't get enough of the Giants.

It all began last spring when my best friend was dating a member of the Carleton baseball team. I went with her to all the home games; we sat in the grass, in the sun, and would watch the games. Sometimes we would only go when we knew her boyfriend was pitching, but regardless, I enjoyed spending time at Carleton's diamond.

What really drew me in for good though, didn't happen until the World Series began, and I emphasize began, because I'm not like the bandwagoners who hopped on the Giants train because they won. If the Giants had lost every game, I would have still become a fan, and I'll tell you why.

At this time I was living in southeast Texas in, quite literally, the middle of nowhere. After work and on weekends, I had nothing to do, very few people to hang out with, and limited internet. My new best friend became our old TV and its five watchable channels (I say that as we actually got about 10 channels, but 5 of them were some variation on Nuns 24/7 or God rocks!). But this was southeast Texas, and you could tell, not just from the dorky local commercials, but the news and sports as well. I probably learned more about the area high school football teams than I ever knew about my own high school football team. I also knew what time and on what days every sitcom known to those 5 channels were on! Fountain of useful information I was in my free time.

Back to baseball.Maybe it was because the Rangers made it so far, maybe they would have shown the games anyway, but once it got down to the National and American League championships, thankfully all of the games were broadcasted in my little corner of Texas. And I watched all of them, all of the Giants games that is, because after all, I am a California girl and anything reminding me of home was welcome when stuck in Texas.

My point in all of this: the San Francisco Giants were a good friend of mine while I was stuck in Texas, and because of that they have one more loyal fan. Also, baseball rocks and I'm doing pretty damn well in the fantasy league I'm in. (Fun fact: my fantasy league team includes: Buster Posey, Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Aubrey Huff, and Matt Cain; aka some of my favorite players of the Giants)

Watching opening day: