You Can't Always Get What You Want

I should be doing my education.  Or reading my book.  Or doing something more productive {like my education modules}, but I'm at work, it's 9:55pm, and we don't have any cases going right now.  Don't worry--I put in my time . . . working with Dr. Hill and Dr. Bishoff in one day {either I'm really unlucky or God is punishing me}.  I think it all balances out in the end; some days are insane and you don't get to sit at all, and others are kinda slow.  We have been relatively busy in the evenings lately, so I don't feel too bad about blogging while at work.

I haven't written much for a while, being busy with work and stuff.  Plus I have been sick for the past few weeks.  I'm getting better, but now Benji and Allen have it.  And Benji probably won't be able to go back to school until next week because of it, so we'll have to figure out babysitting and all of that.  It's such a pain; it makes me wonder if working the 12-hour shifts is worth it.  I really don't want to work five days per week {it would be 3pm-11pm}, but it may have to happen in the fall anyway, because of Benji's school situation {which we still know nothing about}.

I have been to a couple of concerts, though.  I went to see Phillip Phillips with Allison, Cameron and Dawson at UCCU.  It was okay; it seemed like more of a jam session than a concert.  He may be an
American Idol, but he only has one solid hit under his belt {"Home"} and another song playing on the radio {"Gone, Gone, Gone" which I love!}, but only one album.  Now, if you're new on the music scene, and have one album out, you should be expected to play the entire album, right?  He didn't.  He played a few of his songs, a few covers, and there was a lot of instrumental.  That may be fun for the musicians, but it doesn't keep the energy up at a concert.  Sorry!  He saved "Home" for last, and that was great--the energy was awesome.  And his encore was "Thriller" {a Michael Jackson cover . . . because nothing endears you to fans faster than playing other peoples' songs, right?}.  So he ended strong, but that was definitely not the best concert I have been to.  Churchill opened for him, and I actually liked them a lot.  Check out their video for the song "Change."  Good stuff, right there.

Phillip Phillips

I also went to see Train again last week.  The new {underwhelming} Microsoft store was opening at City Creek, and in order to get a crowd for the ribbon cutting, they had to bribe people with tickets to see Train.  Microsoft has been doing this with their other stores, with some pretty big names--Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, etc.  I'm glad they had Train come here.  I got to the store about 8am to wait in line and I was still able to get an orange sparkly wristband {which got me into the "Meet and Greet"}.  I got another wristband, which was destined for Allison, until she found out the concert was at 2pm.  She was free in the evening, but couldn't make it in the afternoon.  Neither could any of the other people I asked, so . . . I went by myself.  Again.  I enjoyed it, because I like the band and I know many of their songs.  I wish I had gotten to the Gallivan Center earlier, to get a spot closer to the stage.  But, as it turned out, there were not a lot of people there.  It was fairly exclusive, so I still got to park underneath {one thing I LOVE about the Gallivan Center as a venue}, and I also got a standing spot on the cement.  None of my pictures turned out very well, and it was raining on and off the whole time.  But I did get funneled through the Microsoft Media Machine to get a picture taken with some random people {not enough time to get one of just me with the band, and personal photography was not allowed}.  I'm not particularly proud of this picture, but it was cool to see them again up close, even if it was for all of 20 seconds.  BTW--Scott the drummer {the blonde guy next to me} is pretty. dang. hot.  And yes, I hugged Pat Monahan.  Woo!

Me and some random people with Train at the Gallivan Center for Microsoft Store opening

As far as concerts go, it was pretty good.  For "Bruises," they had the cutest little 8-year-old girl sing the duet.  She knew all the words, and Pat was so great with her.  It was really nice that there weren't opening acts to sit through, they sounded great and it wasn't too hot.  I usually try to keep a list of songs played with my handy-dandy Evernote app, but I forgot to get it started right away.  I think I got most of the songs, though not necessarily in order.

50 Ways to Say Goodbye

I Got You

Don't Stop Believing {Journey cover}

Walk on the Wild Side {Lou Reed cover}

Meet Virginia

If It's Love

You Can't Always Get What You Want {Rolling Stones cover}/Calling All Angels

Save Me, San Francisco

Mermaid/Could You Be Loved {Bob Marley cover}

Bruises

Marry Me

Everyday People {Sly And The Family Stone cover}

Hey Soul Sister/We Are Young {fun. cover}

Drive By

Encore: Drops of Jupiter

Anyway, I'm glad I went--I really do like Train.  I feel guilty about it, though because my priorities are a little messed up.  I put the concert ahead of the needs of my family . . . sorry, Dave.  I'm a very selfish person.  I'm not proud of it, but it is what it is.

I guess I should have written this post for "Musical Monday."  Oh well. Right now I need to go to sleep so I can go volunteer at the Consignment Sale in the morning, and I need to figure out what I'm going to do with Benji since he's too sick to be in school, and I need to volunteer so I can go to the pre-sale tomorrow evening and buy clothes for said boy.  My life is a weather-worn map of twisting roads paved with good intentions. 

California 37 Took Me Right To Heaven's Door

I need to write about the AWESOME concert I went to last week: TRAIN!!  *sigh*  I love these guys.  I'll admit--I like their older music a little better than their newer stuff, but it was a really fun concert.  When I got the e-mail announcing that they were coming to the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City, I went online as soon as I could to get my ticket, and--lo, and behold--they had VIP packages available, which included a meet and greet with the band.  Um, YES.  So I bought the "Gold Package," and it was worth every penny.

Jimmy Stafford, Me, Pat Monahan and Scott Underwood

The meet & greet lasted only a few seconds.  I probably could have taken a couple of minutes to talk to them, but I was so star struck that I just had nothing to say, except that it was an honor to meet them.  I was a little surprised that they were all taller than me; I expected them to be shorter.  That was a pleasant surprise.  They also had a professional photographer to take pictures, and I downloaded this from the Save Me, San Francisco website.  I also got a "commemorative" lanyard (not a backstage pass, but cool nonetheless) and a signed poster.  Then, since we had early entry, we got to wait next to the stage and scoot right up against the barriers before the gates even opened.  Good times.

I loved the covers they did.  They made some great segues from, "You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes, you just might find You get what you need . . ." into "I need a sign, to let me know you're here" (Calling All Angels).  And at the end of "Hey, Soul Sister" where they say "I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight . . ." they went into the chorus of "We Are Young": "Tonight, we are young, so let's set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun."  It was awesome, and it was so natural.  Everyone kept right on singing.  So cool.

I wish I had a setlist, but alas--I do not.  This is a setlist from Red Rocks, where they performed the day before.  I'm pretty sure it was the same.

50 Ways To Say Goodbye 

This'll Be My Year 

If It's Love 

Meet Virginia 

I Got You 

Free / Respect / She's on Fire / Get to Me / When I Look to the Sky / Ordinary / For Me, It's You 

(Medley)

Calling All Angels (with Rolling Stones cover, "You Can't Always Get What You Want")

Save Me, San Francisco 

Mermaid 

Bruises 

Marry Me 

Everyday People (Sly & The Family Stone cover)

Drum Solo 

Hey, Soul Sister (fun. cover, "We Are Young")

Drive By 

Encore:

California 37 

Drops of Jupiter 

Sing Together 

I wish I had my camera, but I didn't have that, either.  The phone on my camera SUCKS.  It took one picture, and refused to take any more for the rest of the night.  I made friends with a couple who had iPhones, and they are supposed to e-mail me some pictures, but they haven't done that, either.  There was a gal from one of the local radio stations who had a nice camera and supposedly took some good pictures, but they aren't up on the website yet, either.  So there's not much to show you, but I was right up front--against the barrier, and it was awesome.  Some shorter people behind me were a little uptight that we wouldn't let them in front of us, but I kinda paid a lot of money for that privilege, and I'm kinda mean.  So I didn't give up my spot.  Sorry kids!

They had two opening acts: Andy Grammer and Mat Kearney.  I didn't know any of Andy Grammer's music at all, but he's adorable!  He sang, "Keep Your Head Up," "Fine By Me," "Ladies" (a super-sweet song dedicated to his mom), and he did a great cover of Rihanna's "We Found Love."  Here's a YouTube video of this song.  It's pretty fantastic.



Mat Kearney was awesome, too.  He's very talented (and yes, I was close enough to see his freckles!).  I know a few of his songs: he sang "Nothing Left to Lose," "Undeniable, "Count On Me," "Ships in the Night," "All I Have," and Mat also did a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark."  So great.  He also sang "Closer to Love."  Here's a video of that song.





Here's a link to a video of Train's latest single.  It's a fun song, and the video is hilarious.  I tried embedding it, but I'm having technical difficulties.

http://youtu.be/GSBFehvLJDc

This is the best shot I got all night, using Allen's little camera.

So anyway, they aren't the greatest band ever (I don't think anyone will replace U2 in my not-so-humble opinion, and I think I'll keep the current rankings with Keane at #2, but Train is a solid #3), and the concert wasn't life changing, but it was awesome.  I loved it.  I danced, I sang my little heart out, I bought a t-shirt and I left a very happy woman.  The Gallivan Center is a great venue--parking is easy, it's pretty intimate, and the location is great.  I loved being so close to the bands.  They signed a ton of autographs, brought people on-stage to help sing certain songs ("Mermaid," "Bruises," etc.), they threw out t-shirts and beach balls.  They brought along an awesome trumpeter (Brian Switzer), they had a real piano on stage, two gorgeous black back-up singers, they had a couple get married on stage and another in the audience get engaged to "Marry Me," and Pat even broke out the sax for a bit.  And at the very end, they gave away a signed guitar to a girl in a wheelchair.  They are such sweethearts!  What a great night!