Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Monday night, my husband and I went on the Harbor Queen in Annapolis for the Grace Potter and (some of) the Nocturnals show. Apparently, the band has been battling a terrible stomach bug so a couple of members were missing... Playing on a rocky Severn River is probably not the best idea for barfy bandmates. There were torrential storms during the day and the lightning continued throughout the night. I have to admit, I was a little terrified to get on that boat. The rain held out for the night, at least and obvi, we didn't die... so that's good.

I had so much fun. I'm not sure how many people were there, but it was a sold out show and the boat is not very big. I have to say, it takes a band that I really, really, really love to get me to go out on a Monday night. (We were home by midnight, but I suck and am old.) I'm writing this on Wednesday night, and my sleep schedule is still messed up. The show was well-worth the sleep deprivation. The music is sexy and her voice is amazing. As a married, heterosexual woman, I have to say... this chick is hot. Watch bluesy Grace belt it in this video from Monday night's show. (Thanks to the person who shot this video!)



It was fun to hear them cover Blondie's Heart of Glass and just a touch of Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It before moving into their own song, "One Short Night." My husband isn't a big fan of concerts or crowds and he hadn't heard of Grace Potter before I dragged him out for the night. I knew he was a convert when I received some text messages the next morning with little facts about Grace Potter that he had found while googling her on the job. Like Mikey and his Life cereal, (who, by the way, did not die from a pop rocks/soda explosion), Matt likes it, he likes it! (Matt's a hard sell so this means a lot to me; he might even volunteer to go the next time they come around instead of being dragged along.)

If you have a chance to see this band, GO!

Here is a great video from their youtube channel (gracepotterofficial), "Paris". Maybe it's the drummer's mustache, but this reminds me of the movie Almost Famous... Living the dream, playing music, partying in hotel rooms. I never have this much fun at my job.

Dear Internet, It's not you, it's me.

Dear Internet,

I  have something very difficult that I need to say to you. I guess I just need a little space right now. It's not you, I swear. Internet, I think you're swell. You entertain me, you inform me, you keep me in touch with friends and family. The problem, Internet, is that I sometimes love you a little too much. Possibly to the detriment of my own well-being. 

I looked at the weekend forecast this afternoon while I was sitting in my frigid, windowless office and felt excited about the warm, sunny weather that we are expecting. I felt determined to get outside and get a little color on my pale limbs. I want to read my book on the deck and watch my dog play. Maybe my husband could put some veggies on the grill for me, some burgers for himself. I'll take my bike for a ride around the neighborhood and take the dog for the longest walk of her life. Actually Internet, if I don't waste a bunch of time playing Bejeweled or going through friend's Facebook photos or tweeting my stream of self-consciousness, I'll have time to do a lot of things that need to get done. 

You're partially responsible, Internet, for my weekend plans without you. I read this today while I was clocked in to my soul-sucking job: http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/06/21/18-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-when-i-was-18/  The part about finding hard work that I enjoy struck a chord as I was just contemplating my suicide by scissors. So, Internet, I need to take some time, not just this weekend, but everyday, to daydream because my dreams can't become reality if I don't have any. I'll be journaling again but I will not require your services or even a keyboard. I'm going old school with a pen and a pretty little book. 

I have a lot planned for this weekend, Internet. Tomorrow, I'll have lunch with a friend that I haven't seen since high school and take my husband clothes shopping. Sunday, I will hang out with my Little Sister and then I need to find resistance bands so that I can start my P90X program on Monday! After my first crazy workout, I will go to the movies with another friend from high school. In the midst of all of the fun, Matt and I need to tidy the house and do some laundry, and I need to organize the projects that I'm working on. So, you see that I have plenty of distractions to keep me busy while we are apart. 

I'll only be gone for a few days, Internet. I get the feeling that this is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you, but I just need some time without you. I hope you understand. 

See you Tuesday, 

Steph