So, this appeared on my Timehop today...
Watching the newest Alan Rickman movie. #immanerd! I'm so excited, I can't stop smiling! #alanlove #greatweek #cbgb— Amanda (@mundanemandaa) November 29, 2013
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Alan, 'Coco,' and storytelling.
November 29, 2017
So, this appeared on my Timehop today...
So, this appeared on my Timehop today...
Lucky number five.
October 9, 2017.
I got to see Fastball five times this year. FIVE times. What can I say? I fell in love really effin' hard and fast. The band is the soundtrack of my year, and I love sharing this with friends, family, and anyone who is willing to take it all in with me. Now I'm completely crashing from this rush of passion, excitement, thrill, and pure bliss. There are no remaining tour dates, and I'm left to reminisce and reflect on the intimate three shows I attended the second half of the year, two shows within the past four days.
The last show is a close tie to being the best show this year. I convinced my dad to go out on a Sunday night with me because I try quite hard to impress him, and I knew that he'd get more than he expected with Fastball's live performance. I got him hooked on Colin, and now he's getting reeled in with Fastball. He knew the hits before me, obviously, but he had never seen the band live. I was on a mission to get him to the show and to experience the absolute brilliance that is the "rock & roll pop harmonic thrill seekers" I'm deeply passionate about.
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| Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, October 5. I always take a selfie in front of the stage. |
The last show is a close tie to being the best show this year. I convinced my dad to go out on a Sunday night with me because I try quite hard to impress him, and I knew that he'd get more than he expected with Fastball's live performance. I got him hooked on Colin, and now he's getting reeled in with Fastball. He knew the hits before me, obviously, but he had never seen the band live. I was on a mission to get him to the show and to experience the absolute brilliance that is the "rock & roll pop harmonic thrill seekers" I'm deeply passionate about.
A magical night of tunes with Colin Hay.
August 13, 2017.
How does Colin have the ability to take my breath away but also help give me the will-power and strength to breathe?
There are truly no words to emphasize or describe how remarkable and unreal this show felt. With my family sitting in the chairs on the side, I took this one opportunity to stand at the stage; from what I've noticed with Colin's venues, this is rare. Never have I been able to watch a performance this close to Colin. We were so close, we could hear his voice as he stepped away from the mic to finish Maggie.
Colin has a large collection of songs, so I expected not to hear many of my favorites because they're usually not the typical show-pleasers. Even so, I held on to one of the newer melodies.
While my new friend and I were taking a photo with Colin in the background as he tuned his guitar for the next song, I suddenly heard him strumming the first notes of The Best In Me. I knew -- instantly -- it was the song.
I lost my ability to breathe, gasping in between each line. I can't remember the last time I was overcome with such a connection when a song was playing a mere few feet away from me. As he played the song, I felt as if he knew I wanted to hear it... I can't explain it. There was a force between the two of us; no one else was in this circular current. This was the first time I shared this what felt like one-on-one energy with Colin.
All the positive energy, joy, love, were too much for me to handle. It felt unreal.
Which song followed? I can't recall at this point; I attempted to sing along but was still near-hyperventilating due to the over-excitement. I hope every person gets to make a connection just as I did with a musician at least once in her or her lifetime.
How does Colin have the ability to take my breath away but also help give me the will-power and strength to breathe?There are truly no words to emphasize or describe how remarkable and unreal this show felt. With my family sitting in the chairs on the side, I took this one opportunity to stand at the stage; from what I've noticed with Colin's venues, this is rare. Never have I been able to watch a performance this close to Colin. We were so close, we could hear his voice as he stepped away from the mic to finish Maggie.
Colin has a large collection of songs, so I expected not to hear many of my favorites because they're usually not the typical show-pleasers. Even so, I held on to one of the newer melodies.
While my new friend and I were taking a photo with Colin in the background as he tuned his guitar for the next song, I suddenly heard him strumming the first notes of The Best In Me. I knew -- instantly -- it was the song.
Shadows in the night, danger is all I know, so difficult to let go. If I close my eyes and breathe, gets easier to believe, and you bring out the best in me.
 |
| Sheila caught me on the brink of ugly crying. |
In your reflection I can see that you bring out the best in me.After he finished the song, all I can recall is looking at my friends, completely awe-struck of how truly magical those four minutes were for me. I exclaimed how I didn't think he'd play my favorite from Fierce Mercy, attempting to keep composure. I was fighting for air.
All the positive energy, joy, love, were too much for me to handle. It felt unreal.
Which song followed? I can't recall at this point; I attempted to sing along but was still near-hyperventilating due to the over-excitement. I hope every person gets to make a connection just as I did with a musician at least once in her or her lifetime.
Yeah, you help set me free, and you bring out the best in me.
What being a fan is really about.
June 12, 2017
It's not about getting your photo taken with or of your favorite artist or band to impress others or to have something to boast. It's about living in the moment and creating a connection during the performance. Capturing a single or few photos is sufficient enough to recall one of many thrilling days you'll experience while you're here. You don't have to share the experience verbally or show with a photo to prove it happened. Take a single photo and then live in the precious time you're given.
It's not about meeting the artist or band to get that photo or autograph. It's about having the chance to connect, relate stories, and ultimately binding and strengthening the circle with an unbreakable bow. It's about giving thanks for the sacrifices it takes to create music and to tour: being vulnerable to compose the music, forcing oneself to dark and light places of the soul in order to articulate haunting lyrics or instrumental notes, and being absent during monumental moments in family members' lives.
It's not about proving you can afford the VIP treatment. It's about going the extra mile to invest in the artist's or band's craft; what you gain from it is invaluable and truly can't be bought. The positive impact music provides isn't a single, tightly-pressed package you find on a store shelf. If you have the means to do so, then great! If you don't, that's okay too; appreciation is often found in the simple, little things, such as writing thank-you letters or dropping off the artist's or band's favorite food!
It's not about indulging in only the one-on-one time you get. It's about completing full circles as a group and between you and the other fans. Watching another fan's smile - sometimes even tears of joy - during a meet and greet is a beautiful moment to witness. The joy others experience can easily make you joyful, too. Don't be afraid to start conversations with other fans; everyone is already part of an exclusive, special group! Don't lose sight of your family or friends being in this with you, too. If you're blessed with that opportunity, seize it.
It's not about proving you're the biggest fan by parading the plethora of memorabilia you own, memorizing all the lyrics of every song and never missing a beat, or having a tattoo dedicated to the artist or band. It's about expressing yourself in the ways that feel most right, doing what makes you feel good and things that respect the music and people associated with it, following your heart, and deciding the right time - if at all - to visibly show the fandom to others. Who's to say there are right or wrong ways to show you're a fan? There isn't one definition of how that looks.
Never be ashamed to admit you're a fan - "just a fan" or "a confidently committed and passionate fan" - of an artist or a band. Heck, this holds true for sports fans, movie fans... fans of anything! Truth is, you're never the only one. No matter your level of fandom, the circle isn't complete without you.
It's not about getting your photo taken with or of your favorite artist or band to impress others or to have something to boast. It's about living in the moment and creating a connection during the performance. Capturing a single or few photos is sufficient enough to recall one of many thrilling days you'll experience while you're here. You don't have to share the experience verbally or show with a photo to prove it happened. Take a single photo and then live in the precious time you're given.
It's not about meeting the artist or band to get that photo or autograph. It's about having the chance to connect, relate stories, and ultimately binding and strengthening the circle with an unbreakable bow. It's about giving thanks for the sacrifices it takes to create music and to tour: being vulnerable to compose the music, forcing oneself to dark and light places of the soul in order to articulate haunting lyrics or instrumental notes, and being absent during monumental moments in family members' lives.
It's not about proving you can afford the VIP treatment. It's about going the extra mile to invest in the artist's or band's craft; what you gain from it is invaluable and truly can't be bought. The positive impact music provides isn't a single, tightly-pressed package you find on a store shelf. If you have the means to do so, then great! If you don't, that's okay too; appreciation is often found in the simple, little things, such as writing thank-you letters or dropping off the artist's or band's favorite food!
It's not about indulging in only the one-on-one time you get. It's about completing full circles as a group and between you and the other fans. Watching another fan's smile - sometimes even tears of joy - during a meet and greet is a beautiful moment to witness. The joy others experience can easily make you joyful, too. Don't be afraid to start conversations with other fans; everyone is already part of an exclusive, special group! Don't lose sight of your family or friends being in this with you, too. If you're blessed with that opportunity, seize it.
It's not about proving you're the biggest fan by parading the plethora of memorabilia you own, memorizing all the lyrics of every song and never missing a beat, or having a tattoo dedicated to the artist or band. It's about expressing yourself in the ways that feel most right, doing what makes you feel good and things that respect the music and people associated with it, following your heart, and deciding the right time - if at all - to visibly show the fandom to others. Who's to say there are right or wrong ways to show you're a fan? There isn't one definition of how that looks.
Never be ashamed to admit you're a fan - "just a fan" or "a confidently committed and passionate fan" - of an artist or a band. Heck, this holds true for sports fans, movie fans... fans of anything! Truth is, you're never the only one. No matter your level of fandom, the circle isn't complete without you.
The best Vertical Horizon concert experience to date.
June 4, 2017
It's officially summer concert season! Looks like this fan-girl is going to splurge not just this summer, but this whole year. Ahh!
Like the crazy woman I've been more and more since the start of 2017, I decided to go to two Vertical Horizon shows -- including one VIP package -- within three days. Was it worth it? Definitely!
It's officially summer concert season! Looks like this fan-girl is going to splurge not just this summer, but this whole year. Ahh!
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| HOME Bar, June 2, 2017. |
Come spring, come baseball and baseball movies!
May 27, 2017
I've changed the URL to my blog to "mudanemandaa", as I did with the rest of my social media. Being a Muskie will never change. Despite my tendencies to follow routines and order as much as possible, change is sometimes wanted, needed and totally okay. In honor of this post being baseball-centric, here are some softball-related photos of yours truly back in the day:
Yeah, you can clearly tell I loved the sport.. ha. I don't have any action photos with me; let's hope the old man keeps those somewhere safe back in Illinois.
I've changed the URL to my blog to "mudanemandaa", as I did with the rest of my social media. Being a Muskie will never change. Despite my tendencies to follow routines and order as much as possible, change is sometimes wanted, needed and totally okay. In honor of this post being baseball-centric, here are some softball-related photos of yours truly back in the day:
Yeah, you can clearly tell I loved the sport.. ha. I don't have any action photos with me; let's hope the old man keeps those somewhere safe back in Illinois.
I'm still going to love Alan and 'love today.'
May 7, 2017
The other morning at the gym, I had a random thought to check Alan's IMDb page to see what films or appearances were in the works. A brief moment later, I had to stop what I was doing. Oh yeah. Holy shit, I said to myself with a trembling grin, now that's a depressing, disappointing thought.
The other morning at the gym, I had a random thought to check Alan's IMDb page to see what films or appearances were in the works. A brief moment later, I had to stop what I was doing. Oh yeah. Holy shit, I said to myself with a trembling grin, now that's a depressing, disappointing thought.
Just some highlights of my evenings with Colin Hay.
March 11, 2017
There is A LOT I'd like to say about my trip; I've had a lot on my mind about the experience and how I want to continue reaching my life's purpose. Maybe I've discovered it on this trip? I can't say for sure, but I know that I really enjoy sharing my passions with others, meeting people who share the same passion, witnessing pure joy, and reading and hearing stories about anything and everything, through any medium.
There is A LOT I'd like to say about my trip; I've had a lot on my mind about the experience and how I want to continue reaching my life's purpose. Maybe I've discovered it on this trip? I can't say for sure, but I know that I really enjoy sharing my passions with others, meeting people who share the same passion, witnessing pure joy, and reading and hearing stories about anything and everything, through any medium.
Time to get back to being me.
November 24, 2016
First off, happy Thanksgiving! It's a beautiful week here in the Chicago suburbs to celebrate being thankful with family and friends. We've already done many things I've wanted to do since arriving in my hometown. We had a family dinner at my favorite spot for deep dish, Lou Malnati's. My brother was such a good sport. He, my sister, my sister's boyfriend, Dad, and I all met up to celebrate the Cubs' World Series win and my birthday. I asked for my mushrooms to be in the shape of a "C" for Cubs, but the cooks didn't listen. Oh well. It was still nice and a relief I could confidently eat a vegan-friendly deep dish pizza! We aren't as close as other families are, but all of us having dinner and not causing a scene was a success and well worth the risk! It's nice to feel like a normal family every now and then, even though I know we aren't. To finish my first full day back, we watched Die Hard, our family Christmas movie. :)
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| Family, Lou's and Alan. Yes, please! |
It's National Taco Day!
October 4, 2016
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| My vegan taco: kale, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, very little quinoa and lentil (just a tiny scoop from tomorrow's lunch, haha.). You can't forget chips and extra hot sauce. Today's choice is Valentino's extra hot! |
This is a food I eat 2 to 4 times a week, so this isn't a meal I purposefully cooked for today's National Taco Day. My dad constantly took me to Los Compadres in MP growing up, and the restaurant probably dishes up the best tacos to date. It's authentic, Mexican cuisine. Our usual was a steak taco dinner with an extra taco. He'd eat the beans, I got the rice and we'd each have two tacos.
I will, more than likely, never be able to have my usual there again since transitioning into a vegan diet (who knows; I may add fish at the least!), but nonetheless... You need to take my word for it and go there if you're in the area (Los Compadres, Dempster St., Mount Prospect, IL). Order steak tacos with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro, and onions, and use the in-house Verde salsa to top it off. You won't be disappointed.
For now, I'll be eating my homemade veggie tacos with as much hot sauce I can get on each without it running onto my hands. Happy taco eating, peeps!
Trying a vegan diet isn't as easy as I thought.
August 1, 2016
August?! WHAT?! Anyways...
Yes, I've been transitioning into a vegan diet. It's more like a cleanse, but nonetheless, no animal products until I figure out what's going on with me. I started this once I got back from Chicago (see previous post), and it's not as hard as I thought it was going to be. The cheese and yogurt have been a little difficult, yes, but I haven't been missing or craving meat all that much. One of the two problems I'm having is the balance of the amount I eat throughout the day.
August?! WHAT?! Anyways...
Yes, I've been transitioning into a vegan diet. It's more like a cleanse, but nonetheless, no animal products until I figure out what's going on with me. I started this once I got back from Chicago (see previous post), and it's not as hard as I thought it was going to be. The cheese and yogurt have been a little difficult, yes, but I haven't been missing or craving meat all that much. One of the two problems I'm having is the balance of the amount I eat throughout the day.
Memorial Day Weekend thoughts.
May 30, 2016
As Memorial Day Weekend is ending, I'm emotional for a few reasons. I got to spend time with my dad for the first time in 2016. The last time we were able to see each other was Christmastime. Since it was a longer weekend, he came by to check out a few courses here in Ohio. He didn't enjoy my favorite course in this area, but we'll find a better one next time.
Modest Muskies.
March 2, 2016
It's been a tiring week. Monday we announced the 21st president, it's the last week of Phonathon and it's almost spring break for the students. Why has this made me tired? I don't know. My alarms were set for 5 a.m., 5:15 a.m. and 6 a.m. What time did I get up? 6:29 a.m. Yup, waking up to my alarms is a new issue.
A project I'm helping with for work has given me the opportunity to speak with students. Man, do we have a school full of great individuals. While I was a student, I was involved and busy, but I wouldn't say that I was anything more than an average college student. I was cum laude, Broadcaster of the Year, a scholarship recipient, and graduated a semester early. I wouldn't really boast these things or think of them as accomplishments others couldn't have earned. But, many people tell me how amazed they are for what I've accomplished while a student and since graduation.
It's been a tiring week. Monday we announced the 21st president, it's the last week of Phonathon and it's almost spring break for the students. Why has this made me tired? I don't know. My alarms were set for 5 a.m., 5:15 a.m. and 6 a.m. What time did I get up? 6:29 a.m. Yup, waking up to my alarms is a new issue.
A project I'm helping with for work has given me the opportunity to speak with students. Man, do we have a school full of great individuals. While I was a student, I was involved and busy, but I wouldn't say that I was anything more than an average college student. I was cum laude, Broadcaster of the Year, a scholarship recipient, and graduated a semester early. I wouldn't really boast these things or think of them as accomplishments others couldn't have earned. But, many people tell me how amazed they are for what I've accomplished while a student and since graduation.
Post holiday frustration.
January 3, 2016
It's 2016, and it came way too fast in my opinion. I was really enjoying 2015. There were so many positives at the end of the year. A positive this year so far is that I got to spend lunch with my Big and GG-Big. It was nice to spend the weekend out of the house and not alone.
I hate the holidays. From the end of the November until the new year, there are four major events I celebrate: Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and New Year's. The most tolerable is Thanksgiving out of the four. But, I dislike, really, really, dislike these weeks because the one thing that always comes with these parties and events: eating and drinking.
It's 2016, and it came way too fast in my opinion. I was really enjoying 2015. There were so many positives at the end of the year. A positive this year so far is that I got to spend lunch with my Big and GG-Big. It was nice to spend the weekend out of the house and not alone.
I hate the holidays. From the end of the November until the new year, there are four major events I celebrate: Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and New Year's. The most tolerable is Thanksgiving out of the four. But, I dislike, really, really, dislike these weeks because the one thing that always comes with these parties and events: eating and drinking.
My night with Colin Hay.
February 22nd, 2015
I'm up early on a Sunday, as usual! Even though my Saturday was quite uneventful, my weekend feels to be very exciting and life changing.
I'm up early on a Sunday, as usual! Even though my Saturday was quite uneventful, my weekend feels to be very exciting and life changing.
Daddy's little girl.
October 12th, 2014
I think that's an understatement. I really am my Dad's favorite and little girl.
It's been something on my mind recently, and I can say despite not always being the right "father figure" for me when seeing him as a parent, he truly does care for and love me. He puts up with my anxiety, mood swings, horrible golf skills, and many other things. I should appreciate him more for it. He's an interesting guy, to say the least.
Not born in this country, you wouldn't know it because he came here when he was nine and had time to "Americanize" himself. He loves golf, eating, the Denver Broncos, real football (soccer), food, cherry flavored Pepsi, RC and Dr. Pepper, the Chicago Cubs, ice cream and popsicles, and his children. Did I mention he loves food and eating?!
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| Dad and I at the Cubs games this summer. |
It's been something on my mind recently, and I can say despite not always being the right "father figure" for me when seeing him as a parent, he truly does care for and love me. He puts up with my anxiety, mood swings, horrible golf skills, and many other things. I should appreciate him more for it. He's an interesting guy, to say the least.
Not born in this country, you wouldn't know it because he came here when he was nine and had time to "Americanize" himself. He loves golf, eating, the Denver Broncos, real football (soccer), food, cherry flavored Pepsi, RC and Dr. Pepper, the Chicago Cubs, ice cream and popsicles, and his children. Did I mention he loves food and eating?!
"You gotta hear this one song. It'll change your life, I swear."
December 20, 2013
Sorry, this isn't a song from Garden State, but the quote from the movie really fits for this song, I swear.
Matching that song to a person.
December 19, 2013
Have you ever had that one song that you thought was just so inspirational and motivational but never could pinpoint someone in your personal life that truly spoke those words to you? I used to have a song like that. You're in for a long one, ladies and gents.
Have you ever had that one song that you thought was just so inspirational and motivational but never could pinpoint someone in your personal life that truly spoke those words to you? I used to have a song like that. You're in for a long one, ladies and gents.
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