It's a Sip of Wine, It's Summer Time!

Summer time, indeed! What a weekend! Although, quite saddened it was cut short due to unforeseen circumstances, IG and I had a blast while it lasted. The Sun City Carnival Tour was unbelievable! SO much fun. 

We were so excited to arrive and discover that the entire venue was an outdoor theatre with drink stands and snack stands, etc. just as a real carnival but without the rides! And it was the perfect night for it! The weather was mid 70s, not too hot, but never chilly and the skies stayed clear all night long. Lady Antebellum opened for Miranda Lambert who brought out a surprise guest, Blake Shelton... all before Kenny even took the stage! I love Lady A. I would've been happy with them playing much longer than they did, however, when Miranda took the stage, I had no complaints. After her grand entrance to 'Ring the Alarm' by Beyonce, she kicked into 'Kerosene' which is just one of her many ass-kicking songs. She was the perfect mix of so cute and country and so bad ass all at the same time in one little bitty body. She rocked. I loved her before I saw her live, I love her even more now. 

Then Kenny came out. There are just not enough words that I could use to describe how hard this man works to entertain his fans. No one can really appreciate how much he truly deserves every last Entertainer of the Year award he's ever received until he or she sees him live. He was amazing. While I love Kenny, I don't have the heart throb passion for him that my dear IG has, but after seeing the man live, I completely understand her enthusiasm. We had a fantastic time. 

Next on the agenda, ... The Big WEDDING WEEKEND! Indeed, this coming Friday, we'll be making our way back to my hometown for the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner and on Saturday, I get to watch as the entire event unfolds before my eyes. I also get to watch everyone else's eyes and expressions as they witness what should truly be a very.... interesting... occasion. I'm actually really looking forward to it. I'm more so looking forward to the conversations that will ensue Saturday night after all is said and done, when it's me and the last of the 'normal' sitting at the bars enjoying beverage and recapping the day's events, as I'm sure they will be both comical and enjoyable to the fullest extent of the imagination. I'll keep you updated. 

As for now, Roxie is a graduate, Kenny with IG was fabulous, and IG, myself, and hopefully Roxie, along with other favorites, will all meet up again next weekend for and after wedding festivities! May has definitely been good for my soul. I love being able to spend time with my best friends and those who are looking forward to the fun and excitement of Memorial Day weekend as much as I am. Should be interesting... stay tuned. 

My Bad!

One would think that I was in the middle of exams in light of my recent slacking in the blogosphere. Alas, no such luck. When I told Rico in a recent telephone conversation that I would gladly be studying for an exam this week knowing I had a three month summer vacation, he quickly shut me up. But seriously, when you come to a time when you have no more summer vacay, you'll completely know where I'm coming from. It sucks. Just fyi. But back to my slacking, I have no excuses other than a simple lack of luster and excitement in my life currently. That, however, is getting ready to change. I've mentioned before "May Mania." The next three weeks have boat loads of excitement for this Classy girl. One might say I'm pretty eager to be in the middle of it. 

This upcoming weekend is a road trip both back to my hometown along with Roxie's current city of choice for her college graduation. Such an exciting time. I can't believe it has been a full year since I was in her stilettos. Time flies, doesn't it? You can bet there will be partying, laughing, and many many pictures taken. Should be a good time. T-4 days. 

The following weekend, a huge concert weekend in IG's current city of choice. Yet another road trip for Kenny, Miranda, and Lady Antebellum. One might say I'm just a tid bit thrilled about this one. 1) I've never been to IG's cute apartment since she's lived there.. mind you, she graduated a year before I did, therefore making this year number two.. sad, huh? 2) This particular city is further south than my current location and I can guarantee at least 80 degrees... ie. Pool Time! Also, I've asked off that Friday from work as the concert is on Thursday night, therefore.. Long Weekend! Welcome Summer! I'm hoping for a fantastic concert, quality IG time, and a great tan by the end of our run. Once again, you can bet on plenty of pictures. You know how we are about making all the haters jealous. ha! I. can't. wait. T-10 days.

But there's more! The following weekend, Memorial Day weekend, will be yet another long weekend! And I didn't even have to ask off of work as we have Memorial Day off anyway. Perfect! This is also the big Wedding Extravaganza of my college roommate. (Note: THE bridesmaid dress I've referred to previously, the one ordered in a larger size than requested... Recall? This would be the wedding. By the way, that dress was taken in over two inches last weekend! ha!) While in some aspects, it will most definitely be a stressful event, in many others, it will be oh so much fun. I will have college friends coming from all over back to my hometown (where the wedding is taking place), and guess who is in charge of the after party... oh. yes. Once again, quite eager to make it the event of the summer. One of the most memorable ones anyway. T-19 days. 

I suppose I'm making up for my lack of a summer vacation this year. May Mania will keep me occupied for a while anyway... until I remember I have to go back to work instead of laying poolside for three months working part time and going out every night. sigh. Ah well. I'll keep you posted! Here we go! 

"Country Music Makes the World a Better Place"

...or so says Carrie Underwood last night after accepting her top female vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music. I agree. I love country music. I've previously posted about how my selection of music is quite broad in variety. From Jimmy Buffet to Destiny's Child, Keith Urban to T Pain, John Mayer to Tina Turner, the list goes on. Big fan of music in general. Therefore, I get really excited about music awards shows. Alas, I'm sure you read my distaste for the Grammys this year... we're not reliving that experience, but it seems to me that country music awards shows especially, never seem to disappoint. And last night was no exception.

After an awesome opening performance by Brooks and Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood, I knew that the next few hours were bound to be thoroughly entertaining. And I was right. With performances by the majority of my favorites including: Lady Antebellum, Carrie, Sugarland, Reba, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney, I felt as if I couldn't be happier if I had been sitting in the MGM Vegas watching live. Okay, no doubt, I probably would've been a lot happier if I had seen it live, but the point is, it was a great show. Sugarland took home Best Duo, Carrie took home Top Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year, Rascal Flatts took home Best Group, and Brad Paisley took home Top Male Vocalist... all in all, the majority of the decisions made by the Academy, I was quite pleased with. I would've chosen Jake Owen's beautiful self over Julianne Hough for Best New Artist and I would've chosen Carrie's Carnival Ride over Taylor Swift's Fearless for Album of the Year, but I won't be picky. As I texted both IG and Roxie all throughout the show, I couldn't help but feel as if I were watching my friends perform and win awards. I can't tell you how many "Yay!" or "I hate her!" or "Really!?" text messages were sent back and forth. It was quite the enjoyable evening. I hope the rest of you had the pleasure of viewing.

I have quite the summer of concerts and weddings planned out this year. You already know all about the weddings... but, as it is my first summer working full time and not being a student on summer vacation, I have been slightly worried that it will.. well.. suck. However, I have a major concert to kick off my summer down south with IG including Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, and Miranda Lambert and another to wrap up the summer in late August with Sugarland and Keith Urban. Can we say SO excited?! Yes, yes we can. These events only added to the sentiments felt last night of watching my friends on television. Call me crazy, it's okay, it wouldn't be the first time. I probably had too much fun sitting at home watching my television on a Sunday night, yes, but I'm okay with it. It put me in a good mood to start another Monday. I'm still in a good mood on this Monday because I know it's a short week... Hope the rest of you have Good Friday off, too! If so, three and a half days til another weekend!



Note: While not a fan of either Taylor Swift or Miley Cirus and the ever-so teen dramatics that they bring along to their "country" performances, I will admit to enjoying SOME of their songs... even if I wish someone else would sing them. It really burns me, however, when the likes of the slightly talented Taylor wins out over the enormously talented Carrie. She can write songs, yes, good ones, yes, but Carrie could out sing her in a heartbeat. Just had to be said.

Oh, John...

As I discussed previously in my post about the 51st Annual Grammy Awards show, one of my favorite acts was the John Mayer, BB King, Buddy Guy and Keith Urban ensemble. It was incredible. Big fan. Mr. Perfect enjoyed it as well, surprisingly enough. We've always had our differences over Mr. Mayer because of my... well... undying love and devotion towards the man and anything he puts out musically. You could say that Mr. Perfect is a wee bit jealous. Maybe because I've flat out told him, I'd leave him for John... yeah... that could be it. Oh well. Such is life. I can't help it. The man just does something for me. Always has. I received a burned copy of Room for Squares the summer after my sophomore year of high school. Before he became a HUGE deal on pop radio charts, then on blues/jazz radio charts, and then on gossip columns everywhere. Since that cd, let's just say, there was no going back. I have every cd and dvd that has been put out, I was in the fan club and received back stage passes to one of the three concerts I've seen him perform, have my picture with him, a framed poster... yes, I'm in my twenties and some might call me obsessed. I hide it well. Don't worry. Not a freak about it. Mostly. I just love him. Love his music. Think he's an unbelievable song writer lyrically. You name it, I'll go on and on about it... Just can't help it. Sorry. 

Anyway, to my point. 

I come home from my run this evening to find Mr. Perfect and a friend of his watching my latest John dvd, "Where the Light Is"... if you're a fan, you need this dvd. It has performances of an acoustic set, the John Mayer Trio, and then all of his chart toppers. It's fabulous. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, Mr. Perfect, not so much a fan of John... at all...  at least this was my understanding. Anyone who knows him would understand the shock factor here. But apparently the gears are shifting. He has always said that he respects him as a guitarist, because let's face it, he's amazing at his art, however, apparently now he's starting to warm up to him a little bit more... And thus, my job is done. Sure, he's still jealous. He should be. ha. 

Good point in my day, I get to watch John all night and not be ridiculed for it. He did roll his eyes at me when he saw that I was looking for images of the man for my blog. Oh well. I don't see the problem. 

And so, I don't believe I've ever truly expressed my love for John via my blog, so I thought tonight would be as good of a time as any to share. Happy Monday. 

Concerts, Movies, Shopping, and Cocktails

Sounds like a pretty exciting weekend already, wouldn't you agree? I would. 

My boring yet, quite enjoyable Thursday off turned into quite the eventful evening after receiving a few messages from one of my new city friends who obviously knows me all too well. She claimed that she would not be attending our Thursday Night Out (2 for 1 at my favorite bar), because she had a free ticket to a concert down the road. Upon asking what concert in the area, I received a response of "Just the CMT tour this year, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum. I really don't even know who Jason Aldean is and I know like two songs from Lady A, but it's free..."

Excuse me? Okay, maybe it's being new to this city and not exactly used to this free concert here, free concert there, who really cares who it is, let's just go because it's live music mentality, but these are people/bands I know all too well! I want to go! ... And what Classy wants, Classy gets. I ended up in the middle of the show with two fantastic friends singing along to great music. There's just something about a man of 6'3 singing southern rock/country in tight jeans and a cowboy hat. Don't judge me. 

Friday night consisted of more entertainment. As many of you probably know the new James Bond released this weekend and Mr. Perfect and myself along with five others felt the need to make a night of it. After the viewing of 007 at his finest, we then moved through the city to a local bar that I had not been to before. Two Captain and Cokes and a bottle of my favorite beer later, we headed home. I loved the movie. Some in attendance of our party did not, but then again, I also realized that my movie tastes differ so drastically from theirs, it is time to simply see movies for the first time without them, compare notes, and only then, if they have the same opinions and I'm not going to be mad by the end of their rants, will I be viewing them again in their presence. End. Of. Story. 

James was just fine for me. I recommend it if you're in the mood for your typical action packed, women throwing themselves at him, rebel with a cause trying to escape death at every turn of scene, 007 movie. 

Today is shopping day as yesterday was payday. It's difficult for me to not go on at least one shopping event after this day comes and goes. Therefore, happy weekending and wish me luck on spending money that I shouldn't!