One Sweet World

Over the weekend, I had a chance to relive my youth a little at Nissan Pavilion Jiffy Lube Live all courtesy of Dave Matthews and his awesome band.  If you know me, you know that I am a super DMB fan and have been since the minute I heard a bootlegged copy of "Seek Up" on a Walkman when I was a sophomore in high school.  Back then, they were not the mega-band they are today, but a small rock band that rehearsed in Miller's Bar in downtown Charlottesville and performed at UVA frat parties.  After hearing a few songs from a one of their weekly Tuesday night performances at Trax, I was hooked. 

I can't remember how I obtained their first CD - it was an independent release so I'm not sure if I got it at Tower Records (remember them?!) or through a direct mail order from Bama Rags (DMB's own recording label).  Either way, I remember loving it and memorizing every word to every song.

As my high school career progressed, DMB grew larger and larger. By the time I was a senior, the group had released 4 albums (Remember Two Things, Recently, Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash), received a Grammy nomination for "What Would You Say", had performed on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Saturday Night Live" and launched their first national and European tour.  A far cry from their early days in Charlottesville! 

In the fall of 1995, an AMAZING opportunity was presented to the Woodson class of '96.  We were looking for new fundraising options and found that George Mason University's Patriot Center paid groups to be part of the clean-up crew after a concert or other live performance.  While this may not seem great on paper to many, the band we were offered to clean up after was none other than the Dave Matthews Band making it the BEST fundraiser EVER.  And there was an additional opportunity for a small group to be at the venue before the show started to help set-up the floor level chairs.  Um hello?  Sign me up!! My memory of the night is patchy, but I do remember getting to hear parts of the sound check before the show and I did obtain a used saxophone reed from the legendary LeRoi Moore.  It is a treasured piece of wood that I will hold onto always.  Rest in peace, LeRoi!

I actually found the full concert from that night on YouTube (crazy!).  It's amazing to listen to what I heard during my first, live Dave Matthews Band experience back in 1995.  Take a peek at the first few minutes and note the signature baggy pants that Dave sported in the early years and his fancy footwork.  What's really great is that he references a "new album" they are working on and plays new song "Crash Into Me".  LOVE IT!!  Here is the set list for those who are interested.  :)

My DMB obsession continued in college where I met a slew of other Dave lovers.  Looking at my ticket stubs, it seems I hit up a Dave concert every summer from 1995 - 2002.  Back then, before the no-tailgating rule was put into place at Jiffy Lube Live, we would show up early in the day, set up "camp", head to the concert and then have a post-show tailgate since it took forever to get out of the Nissan Pavilion parking lot.  Lots of amazing memories were made in that damn parking lot!

I've been to a little over half a dozen shows and each of them had set lists with songs from the early days, the current album they were promoting and new stuff they were working on.  They are famous for their 15-20 minute jams which are not only is it amazing to hear, but also awesome to watch as they passionately bounce around the stage and feed off each other.  My most favorite jam is the version of "Jimi Thing" that they did at the Central Park Concert in 2003.  I wasn't at the FREE concert (boo!) but I did purchase the  CD and DVD so that I could witness this momentous event.

Ed and I went to our first Dave Matthews Concert in 2009 at Jones Beach.  He was a Dave novice, but started getting into the music after seeing them live.  DMB has that effect on people.  :)  We incorporated a DMB song into our wedding (of course!) and danced to "Ants Marching" as we made our big entrance into the reception room.  The band did a GREAT job with the song and it really got people pumped up for the party that was ahead of them.

DMB didn't enter our world again until just this past Saturday.  We secured a babysitter for the night (we love Miss Ellen!), and headed to Jiffy Luby Live to visit the scene of many a drunken concert experience...well for me that is. :)  We arrived just in the nick of time to hear them open with "Ants Marching".  Dave definitely knows what to play to get a crowd going!  It was packed - sold out I'm sure and everyone with hyped up.  They played a variety of music from classics like "Two Step", "#41" and "Granny" to newer hits like "Belly Belly Nice", "Why I Am" (awesome BTW) and "If Only".  They also played a few covers which was pretty cool to hear.  Take a peek at the full set list as decorated by bassist, Stefan Lessard:  http://instagram.com/p/cUGJEZoRKU/.  We had a great time at the show and felt like college kids again as we danced and belted out one song after another (more me than Ed).  An extra special treat was the presence of guitar legend Tim Reynolds. 

I can go on and on about my love for the Dave Matthews Band, but in an effort to get back to my life, I'll just leave you with this.  If you are a Dave novice and are looking for a way to hear some great music, do yourself a favor and pick up the following cd's:

• Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95
• Live at Luther College
• Listener Supported
• The Central Park Concert
• Busted Stuff
• Big Whisky and the GrooGrux King

Believe me, you will not be disappointed. :)  

A Whole Lotta Mangiaracina's

As mentioned in Wednesday's post, we headed up to New York last Friday night for a weekend of family fun and a very special wedding.  We left after rush hour ended in DC and sped up to casa de Kolb.  James slept the entire way in the car which was both good and bad.  When we arrived, he perked up like it was morning. Luckily, by the time we got settled, he cozied up to us and slept like a baby.  We woke up late on Saturday (unheard of under normal circumstances!) and headed to the Eggery (mentioned here, here and here) with the entire family for some good eats.  James entertained Ed, Uncle Joe and Grandma while I was able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast chatting it up with John and Adriana.  It was bliss!

Post breakfast we decided to visit the new strip mall that was built after we left New York.  It is an AWESOME mall known as The Gallery at Westbury Plaza (fancy!) and a great addition to the neighborhood.  I'm talking Nordstrom Rack, Off Saks, Bloomingdales Outlet, Banana and Gap Outlets, Trade Joe, Container Store and all kinds of cute eateries including Red Mango and a Shake Shack.  Hello?  Where was this mall when we lived there!!  But I digress...

James had a ball running around the stores, playing with Grandma and Uncle Joe and just entertaining everyone in his path.

After we soaked up all the retail therapy we could handle, we made our way back to the house.  James took a decent nap and woke up ready to play with the animals over at Grandma M.'s house.  On our last trip, we discovered that James has a love of all animals - not just Lucy.  His most favorite at Grandma's house is Princess the cat ~ and she seems to love him too, surprisingly.  The cute factor is at an all time high when James sees the cat.  He points and squeals and it is just adorable.  Everyone got a kick out of it - even Princess. 

We decided to take advantage of a small break in the heat and headed outside to play with some bubbles.  Grandma M. has a gorgeous backyard that she takes extra special care of.  She recently installed a beautiful patio making an already great space even better.  James had a ball chasing the bubbles and chasing Marty.

James had a great time as did we all.  Ed and I headed to the Graziano/Diez wedding later that night and left James in the capable hands of Adriana, John, Joe, Lee Ann and Grandma.  They did a great job but I think James ran them all ragged!  I think the exact quote from Uncle Joe the next day was "I don't know how you guys do this everyday."  Well said Uncle Joe.  Well said. :)

A Long Time Coming

This past weekend, Ed and I had the pleasure to witness a wedding that has been in the making for quite some time.  Not for just the two loves getting married, but for an entire segment of the population.  My best friend Jim married his best friend Daniel on a warm summer day in July.  And it is 100% legal and 100% recognized by the state of New York and the Federal Government.  Finally!

I've spoke about my friendship with Jim and Daniel in the past so I don't want to go overboard with the gushing.  But I have to say, I'm feeling very nostalgic after having been to their beautiful wedding.  From the start, it was clear that the two of them were made for each other.  They are fun loving, high spirited men with impeccable taste and more passion than one couple needs. They have endured many obstacles and faced them with strength and integrity.  Their intense drive to succeed in both their careers and their personal life is truly inspiring.  I feel very lucky to be a part of their lives and to call them my family.

We arrived in NY the night before the big day and spent some time with the Mangiaracina family before heading out east to the Three Village Inn (more on the family time in a separate blog).  It was 96 degrees with 98% humidity so when we saw the ceremony chairs set up outside, we knew we were in for some sweat.  But that didn't matter.  The setting was beautiful just as I knew it would be.

The ceremony began with a processional of the family members.  The parents, followed by the siblings and finally the two most handsome men in the crowd.  Jim and Daniel looked perfect - new suits with matching ties and watches.  It was a great moment to see them walk down the aisle together.

The ceremony was perfect.  I don't remember what exactly was said, but I do remember the feeling I had seeing my two friends become a married couple.  It was a very proud moment and I have to admit that I teared up on more than one occasion.

After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate.  And these boys know how to throw a party!  The decor was cottage chic complete with hydrangeas in mason jars with roping accents. The music hit on every genre and kept the party going all through the night.  A special moment was the first dance to Sade's "By Your Side" - a song that has been a part of their relationship for quite some time.  But I have to say, the best part about the first dance was when Ms. Aguilera picked up the pace with "Ain't No Other Man" - an appropriate way to get the dance party started!

It truly was an amazing night and I'm sorry to say that I only had my iPhone to document it because it deserved a real camera.  One with a really expensive lens!  I did manage to get a few shots with my boys though and even though they are blurry, they are special. :)

Congratulations Jim and Daniel!  May you have a long, happy life together filled with love and laughter...and cocktails of course!  xoxo

Autism Speaks

A few weeks back - July 4th to be exact - we participated in a special event with a very special family.  It was the 13th Annual Autism Speaks 5K Run and Walk and we joined the Nuttall/Alessi family as participants of the Owen's Turn team.  This annual event attracts more than 1,400 runners and walkers who are all there to raise awareness of the plight of children affected with autism and their families, as well as to raise funds to support research and programs for autistic children and loved ones.  My good friend Anne and her hubby Ed were co-chairs for the event so we knew this was the year to join up.

I met Anne back in my AMI days when I was fresh out of college and leaving the retail field for a good old 9 to 5 office job.  I was the out of control 20-something that made her laugh and she was the grounded mature mentor who I looked up to in terms of work-life and family-life.  During our tenure at AMI, we had lots of good times including a serious game of air hockey in Nashville (Nuttall could NOT lose!), detailed (and I mean detailed!) conversations of what it is really like to raise a young family while in the lunch room of the AMI offices, and the AMI Holiday party (no need to say more than that).  But most importantly, we became good friends and remain that way still.

Anne has a beautiful family with her hubby Ed.  They have 3 amazing kids ~ Emily, Owen and Meghan ~ and are the kind of parents that Ed and I hope to be.  Their son Owen was diagnosed with autism when he was a little guy and they have done everything in their power to make sure that he grows up being accepted and included in this world we live in.  Owen is a great kid and I think Anne's hubby said it best in a recent article about the race:  "Owen and so many other children like him are leaving their mark on the world and we are each better, kinder, and more accepting of each other because we are lucky enough to know and love these children."

There are so many people out there that are affected by autism and whether it is a family member, a friend or even the kid down the street, it tugs on our heartstrings to see them grow and succeed.  We are still learning about this disease and while so much has already been done, there is a lot more work to do.  If you are interested in learning more or donating to this important cause, I encourage you to visit the Autism Speaks website.

The Owen's Turn team set a goal to raise $15,000 at the event and I am happy to report that the grand tally was $16,388.  They had 77 people on their team and it's no wonder why.  :)  We were so proud to be a part of this great day - and were honored to be a part of such an amazing team.  Thank you Nuttall/Alessi family for welcoming us with open arms.  We will definitely see you there next year!