Mandy Moore @ the Fillmore

Nick, Kimia and I went to go see Many Moore at the legendary Fillmore last Wednesday night and it was so much fun. We were about 10 feet away from the stage and I actually got a video of her song "Extraordinary" but the blog is having trouble uploading it...maybe later. I will be honest and say that Mandy's music is VERY fun with a couple of drinks--we sang along to her songs, yelled out requests and acted like die hard fans :) She did sing my request (cover of Umbrella) and Nick's request (Candy) and then blew us all away with her new song Gardenia...I will say that it was awesome live.

Below is a list of Kimia's favorite moments...some of them are inside jokes but I have to post them to at least make myself laugh...

Memorable moments:

-- Getting a half wave from Mandy!!!!
-- Feeling really deep and connected to her while she sang Gardenia (I
really do like the song)
-- Bumming a ciggie from John O'Riley (Mandy's drummer) and getting dissed
by the Filipino guitar player
-- Acting like dorks in front of the bartenders who had zero sense of humor
-- Interpretive dancing to Paula Cole (she played after Mandy)
-- Do do DO do do... Dawson's.....
-- Drunken shopping spree at the ticket box office (what the hell did we buy
tickets for?!)

To answer Kimia's last question, we bought tickets to: MuteMath, The Bravery, Zap Mama and Matt Nathanson--oops!

Shakespeare in Tahoe

Last Friday I went to see Taming of the Shrew in North Lake Tahoe. The stage was set up right in front of the lake so you could see a beautiful view while watching the show. The show had some modern twists and a lot of physical comedy which made it really funny. It was a great way to end my summer off...back to school on monday :(

Kassey's Moving to Mexico City

Last Thursday evening we had a going away party for our friend Kassey. She is moving to Mexico City for a year to teach English and we had to send her off with a few Margaritas and lots of hugs :) The fun part is that everyone from our MPCC small group (which has retired after a good run) came so it ended up being like a little reunion. Highlights included hearing about Michael Conrad's new girlfriend Carly, seeing Chris Gruener in a pink shirt, talking to Nina about the breastfeeding song her brother wrote, and learning more about Lily's new pharmacy school program. Oh yes, and then there is Andy the "new MCC intern" and finally, Katie Hess is my hero and she knows why :) On a sentimental note, Ben Kerns receives the award for "most effort to attend" because not only did he drive here after a youth event but he also knocked on many doors to finally find the party while his 9 months pregnant wife, Katie, was waiting at home! Kassey definitely felt the love from the Kerns family!

Ingrid Michaelson

Last Wednesday evening Kimia, Susanna and I went to go see Ingrid Michaelson open for The Magic Numbers. She performed acoustically and her voice sounded beautiful in the Great American Music Hall. I especially liked her song "Boys and Girls" because of the way she compares how fragile one's physical heart can be with the vulnerability of an emotionally open heart...

She's the one in the blue shirt with little black glasses...

Oh yes, and earlier in the evening we went to the Red Velvet Lounge for a little fundraiser and met San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom...wish I had a photo of that!

Steve Shimmin's Birthday

Last Wednesday night we went out to Qool at 111 Minna to celebrate Steve's Birthday...and Kassey's exciting plans for Mexico... We danced to house/electronic music and had Thai food after at Osha...yum!

Last week of summer...

So it's my last week of summer and I'm trying to relax and live it up all at the same time. Have a concert and a daytrip to Tahoe planned. Must finish organizing my room and buying that dishwasher we need. Also have a couple movies to watch, a blackberry pie to bake and a Margarita going away party for Kassey to throw. Oh yes, and a job description to write as the new student activities coordinator at ECA. Photos to come and fun to be had during the next school year, right?!