The Mylo Xylotour

You might be wondering why it's been a full 4 days since I saw the concert we all knew would change my life and I haven't written about it yet. The truth is, I've been speechless since the second it ended. When I think about the show, all I can do is sit here and smile and shake my head and think "that REALLY happened." It was more incredible than I could have even imagined. It was like a much needed full-system reset that turned my world upside down (and now my feet won't touch the ground - had to).

When Connor and I bought our tickets back in December, we sprung for what we thought was a pretty high price bracket. And since we didn't have a map of Key Arena in Seattle, but landed with 17th row seats, we assumed we would be sitting pretty. However, the Coldplay gods must have known that the two biggest fans in that arena were going to be sitting in the 3rd bowl way in the back so they somehow managed to get us hooked up with an upgrade to 5th row floor seats. Yes, people. 5TH ROW. FLOOR. SEATS. We almost cried as we looked up into section 214 and realized where we almost were, and where we ended up. It was a miracle for sure.

Stage so close behind us

When we got into the arena they handed us wristbands to wear that lit up with the show. It was incredible to see every single person in the audience lighting up in neon colors, jumping up and down to the beat of their new album. When they came out on stage my brother turned to me with wide eyes and said "THEY'RE REAL." It sounds so cheesy, but that's how we felt. We have this band up on a giant pedestal, and there they were in the flesh, just mere feet in front of us singing the songs that have brought us close to each other and gotten us through some unimaginable times, both good and bad. It was one of those moments you just know you'll never, ever, ever forget because it rocks your whole world.

I've never been to a show with such high production quality - everything was big and dramatic and loud and colorful and every second that passed I was more and more impressed. I'm not gonna lie, at one point in the show I was moved to tears (totally expected). I had goosebumps. I was screaming. I was crying. And I thought to myself, "nothing in the world has ever made me as happy as I am right now." And that's pretty close to not being an exaggeration. I was in a state of euphoria and I rode that high for days.

After the show my brother and I got in the car and drove all the way back to my hotel in silence. We really just couldn't speak, and we had this silent understanding between us that there were no words for what we just experienced together. I woke up the next morning and got ready for the day in complete silence. I've never been so speechless in my life about anything - and for someone that loves to talk that's saying something. I couldn't gather my thoughts enough to formulate words to describe how I was feeling. And I still can't. I've never been so moved and inspired and happy. Seeing Coldplay really changed my life and I'll never forget that experience. It was worth every penny I dropped on that trip, and I probably could die happy having seen them play live.

I was super sad as I crossed "See Coldplay live with my brother" off my bucket list, 

but so happy that I was lucky enough to finally get to see them play. 

It shook me to the very core of my being.
I couldn't be happier.

John Denver

Tonight John Denver was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame [as their first member] and I got to go watch it happen! Let me explain...

My aunt Glenna and her friend Jill had to pass on these glorious tickets because the show was in Colorado and they both live in California and ended up not being able to make it. Luckily, they offered them up to my mom and I. There was a bunch of awesome people there all singing John Denver's best songs and well, let's just say I may or may not have *almost* ended up in tears several times.

I grew up listening to John Denver, long before I even moved to Colorado. Something about his music has always touched my heart and half of his songs make me tear up for no reason while the other half make me want to jump around and belt out louder than I ever have before. Bottom line is, I'm sad I was never able to see him perform live because that would have been such a dream come true. I've always said, if I ever had the chance to record again I would make an album of all John Denver covers. My parent's even had "Annie's Song" as their wedding song so he's pretty much part of the family by now (figuratively, of course). I could go on and on about my love for him but that could probably fill up another 7 pages...

[had to get a cheesy screen shot]

They chose this night to induct him because it's the eve of "Earth Day" and JD was so passionate about the earth (if that wasn't blatantly obvious in ALL of his songs). Hearing people talk about his love of nature and all the wonders of the world was so inspiring to me. He found beauty in everything. And on top of all the John Denvery goodness of the night, the whole event was hosted by Olivia Newton John (you know, Grease?) and THAT was really awesome. She's just as adorable now and in person as she was back then on the big screen.

[Olivia Newton John and John Oates]

There were some other really cool appearances too. John Oates (^^) from "Hall & Oates" (who lives in Aspen, by the way) was there, Lee Ann Womack was there (with her voice of an angel), and Annie Denver, John's wife (as in "Annie's Song") came on stage in tears. It was just one of those moments you never thought you'd be experiencing with so many different, random people. But that's what made the night so cool.

You have to love John Denver. His music is just so ridiculously epic and inspiring. Having a random experience to celebrate his life and work is the closest I'll ever get to seeing him live and I won't soon forget it. He makes me appreciate Colorado and being able to live and go to school in such a beautiful place.

Someone [Changed] My Life Tonight

One of my life-long dreams came true last night:

I got to see Sir Elton John in concert!

I can't even begin to describe the amazingness that was this concert. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I feel so lucky to have been able to see one of my all time favorite artists performing live (and for the record, he sounds just as brilliant live as he does on his albums - pretty rare for this day and age). The fact that all the proceeds of this concert went to such a great cause - the Matthew Shepard Foundation - just made it all the more worth it to be there. He also spoke some really inspiring and encouraging words about respect and celebrating each others differences instead of hating people for them. Needless to say, my admiration for him as an artist grew to admiration of him as a person as well. Totally inspiring night.

[Getting excited for the show to start!]

[bestie Emily - biggest Elton John fan I know!]

[Tiny Dancer]

Carole King changed my life last night.

Last night James Taylor and Carole King were in town and my family and I (minus my dad, sadly) were lucky enough to get FREE tickets! Usually when you get free tickets you can't expect too much, right? Well, we were in the SECOND row. The stage was in the center of the arena and it rotated around in slow circles the whole night so each section of the audience was able to see everything. It was incredible. We were SO close to them! Like I could see details in their faces!

I've seen James Taylor in concert about 7 times now (which is funny because all night my brother and I kept getting asked if we were having fun or if we were forced to be there with our mom) but this was my first time seeing Carole King and let me tell you... I was blown away. That woman is an incredible performer and she has the most amazing chemistry with James Taylor (who is one of my favorite artists of all time).

The whole show just kept getting better and better. They played all my favorite songs of theirs, and being in the second row (this was my FIRST time seeing him/them so close!) made it so much more emotional and sentimental to me. I felt like crying tears of amazement when she sang "So Far Away" because I just felt so connected! It was absolutely amazing.

Of course, I see James Taylor every year with my mom; it's like our little tradition now, rain or shine (and I mean that literally - we've seen him in the pouring rain before) and now I would be thrilled to see Carole King again, but seeing them TOGETHER was unbelievable. Who knows if that opportunity will ever happen again, so I feel so honored to have experienced that. They defined a huge generation of music that I have been listening to since I was a wee little nino, so I will cherish that experience forever.

Haven't Met You Yet

I'm In Love With Michael Buble's New Single!
It's Called "Haven't Met You Yet"
So cute and so true for anyone who hasn't met "the one".......YET.
<3

I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
I've Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stop Keeping Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
And Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Loose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility

And I Know Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Get So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Timing
And The Other Half's Luck
Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Mmmmm ......

And Somehow I Know That It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Get So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It Right
And We'll Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Mmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get Than I Get

Oh You Know It'll All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

John Mayer!

John Mayer just posted (via twitter)
his first single off his new album on his website.
And it is gorgeous.

http://www.johnmayer.com/whosays/

He is a beautiful artist.
Go listen!

Death Cab For Cutie

(From left to right: Alex, Chad, Me, Tyler, Jill
at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, the most beautiful venue in the world)

The concert was AMAZING.

Good friends, good music, beautiful arena...
could you ask for a more perfect setting for an incredible night?
(apart from me getting sick from asthma and the altitude and having to get a liter of fluids pumped into my body by the paramedics through an IV of course...)

Death Cab For Cutie is just as good live
as they are on their albums
and to me that is REAL talent.
They were awesome.

(Death Cab during "Title and Registration")