Empty Bowls - Update!

I arrived about 3-5 minutes after my scheduled shift time.   I was asked to come for the first shift, so I figured this let them get a couple kinks out, including being ready, without me screwing them up by actually being late.   I promised M I'd be sure I looked okay, lol, even added a touch of makeup.  M and her class of 7th and 8th graders had prepared soups and bread for dinner, along with clay bowls they'd made and decorated, to raise money for a local hunger-related charity.   (See  Empty Bowls )

Ahhh, looking in the "restaurant," I saw lit candles, ringed with a blue ribbon, on each separated table.   Each one also had a painted paper table "cloth."  I was greeted warmly, the adrenaline high, the routine figured out.  I was checked off the list and asked how many were in my party.  (How many?  Perhaps some RSVP'd without stating the number of people.)   I said one, or, maybe two if M joins me, as I wasn't clear. 

I was given a pamphlet on Bread for the City.   http://www.breadforthecity.org is the charity that they chose to contribute their proceeds from this Empty Bowls project.  They provide direct services to low-income people in Washington, D.C. (just meet income requirements).  Their services include food, clothing, medical, social services, and legal services.   Certainly there are programs closer, in our county, in our towns even, but nothing wrong with supporting this well-known charity.   Later, (teacher) Mo said she hoped to have the students be able to volunteer with Bread for the City sometime, or at a minimum, bring the donation there in person.

"A" shows me to the table where the bowls are, for me to chose one.   There is to only be one bowl given per family.  I ask if he knows which one M has made.   "J" is nearby, J being the guy I'm fairly certain M has had a crush on, and he and A look at the bowls.   I like the one they show me, yep, has M's name on the bottom, I'll take ths one, please.  White with differing-colored green stripes around the rim and down the bowl itself.   I comment on J's haircut for conversation (M described to me in detail a bit ago, it'd been verylong).  I'm shown to table 6, near a window, and A tells me that my waiter will be with me shortly.   Yet, A returns, states that all waiters are busy, so he'll be my waiter:) 

There are three soups to chose from, chicken noodle, Asian beef noodle, and a vegetarian one which is chicken noodle without the chicken.   He brings me ice water, a plastic bowl with my soup, and a slice of fresh bread.   Wow was that bread ever good, freshly made in their handmade bread oven.   I borrow butter from the vacated table in front of me.   M later tells me that about twice as many loaves were made as needed, seemingly it was just fun to do and there were sufficient supplies.   The soup was tasty, then seemed especially peppery.   Oops, I'd bitten on a peppercorn.   M's good friend, Md, later laughed when she saw my small pile of peppercorns on my bread "plate" napkin.   "The recipe called for whole peppercorns."   Next time, perhaps they'll crush them in advance, or strain them out.  

My tablecloth has swirls of beautiful blues on it and a drip of wax.  Apparently, M decorated the tablecloth for the table in front of mine; I got a glimpse of orange and yellow and other bright curved colors.   I chatted briefly with the couple, and later their young son, who sat there.   They had chosen a polka-dot bowl.   "J" waited on them, and the man commented on how J had seemed so professional.  A family with two young children, one a girl, had a more handmade golden "bowl" with triangular points circling the top, with "jewels" added to look like a crown.  I smiled to think of her chosing that one:)   There were two little tables with table cloths of games, and crayons included.   "Those are the kids tables."  The "head of school" (principal) sits at the table behind me.

M stops by here and there, not thinking she could sit down so tries a taste.  LOL, a lot of "tasting."  "What, you didn't get my polka-dot one?"   "I didn't know you'd made a polka-dot one; would you rather me/us have that one?"  M enjoys the polka-dot style the past year or so.  "Nah, it doesn't matter."  Later, M learns she CAN (is supposed to) join with me, and brings her soup and bread.  That was nice.  I was practically done, but stayed sitting there, her talking almost non-stop inbetween bites.   "I also made a princess crown one, but that one can't be eaten out of."  I tell her what girl had chosen that one.   M seems pleased, and had noticed that herself.  (She'd destroyed her first bowl created as it didn't look right, oy, my perfectionist artistic child.)  C is scheduled for a later shift.   J stopped by, asked if we needed anything, and told M I'd commented on his haircut.  I'm glad M was fine with that, shrugged it off "Anything new at school today? " Oh, J got his hair cut."  Hmmm, has he noticed HERS from last Saturday?   I'd told her what I paid (requested donation was $5., but I paid more.)   M got even more excited, telling me something akin to them earning $300. or $500. with the first three families, and that most were contributing between $10.-$20./bowl (person). 

Done, a somewhat goodbye, M went back to her duties, taking our now empty plastic bowls and shared cup, fussing at A for not cleaning it up for me/us, and me taking the bowl I'd bought.   Admittedly, A had come by a couple times to check on me:)  

Parents of one of M's long-time friends were seated near me, and we started to talk, for a while.  She's a touch anxious about the class trip to New York City.  It was good to touch base with parents again.  It was fun to see the students execute this event.  It was interesting to see the school community again, coming together, the younger students excited for the evening dining in the older students classroom, and then later they'd show off to their parents various lessons in their own classroom.  It seemed time for me to go.

I walked into the other room with the door, and saw C there eating with M.  She'd said she'd just sit with him and not eat, but I do think she was hungry and what the heck.  M's back was to me, so I figured I'd not disturb her and go.   C must have mentioned to M that I was there (or leaving), as M turned around.  I smiled, "Good-bye, sweetie."  "Bye, Mom."   Sh and Si were walking up the pathway (guess they drove separately from C).   Not wishing to be rude and ignore, nor knowing what else to say, I simply said to Si, "M's waiting for you!"  I'm glad all of them came.  I'm glad M came even, could be a part of this.  It IS important.   (I don't know why C is "allowing" M more things more this year, but, I do think it's better for her.  Or maybe it'll be limited to school and stepdance functions, but, even that is better.)

The air felt warmer outside, the wind had died down, the clouds had come in, insulating the earth.  It would snow, just not yet.  I felt warm and good inside, too.  (Did I mention that they planned this all, themselves?)

Update (yes, to the update):  M was proud to relay that over $450. was raised, she wasn't sure exactly.   She had to leave early (w/ C, Sh, Si), before everyone else in her class, 10 minutes before the restaurant closed (and also before cleaning up with others in her class).   M wished, ultimately, that her little half-sister, Si, had gotten the princess bowl that M made.  Ah, yes, that would have been nice.   Even if M says they like the bowl chosen, also.  Some of the handmade bowls were leftover, which is better than being way short.   The change in plan to one bowl per group instead of one bowl per person saved them from being short. 

M and I stopped by the next night, Wednesday, after her day off from school, to get a book she'd need for Thursday.   (She had planned to get it from school Wednesday.  Except we returned later, as she really needed TWO books for Thursday.)    A note on a table where I'd walked by, implied C may not have RSVP'd for the dinner until the night of, via M?   All the white candles with their blue ribbons were set up to look a bit like a Catholic church area where one lights a candle for someone needing prayer.   A big board behind it indicated that one of the boys was to speak, as if ceremonial, for the death of their microwave.  (I'm sure it was a bit humorous, touching and fitting for many of them, yet it seemed almost a touch sacreligous to me, too, not completely certain on this.)  M stressed just briefly, had she missed this the night of Empty Bowls, or was this in preparation for the next morning's group meeting?   The class had raised money the other Friday from a not-well organized bake sale (heading out the door, I'm asked if we can stop to pick up sandwich bags or plates, etc.), maybe some could go for a new microwave.   Ends up, another boys family had an extra microwave in their basement.   Their sacred lunch-making routines are preserved.  :)  

Tags: Empty Bowls, Empty Bowls Project, cooking project for students, hunger charity, Bread for the City

Empty Bowls

M and her class are serving an "Empty Bowls" meal tonight.  I'm rather excited that they are part of this.   They actually got overwhelmed with responses, so have backup plans in place.   I'm proud of the work they have all done.   After chosing this project, they've made clay bowls, painted them, had them fired, and they may not be ready for tonight's meal.....   BUT, a local pottery place donated 20 bowls to this worthy project, which the class went and painted last Friday, and will be there waiting tonight.   Along with over twice that many plastic bowls.   We're to eat in shifts:)

I get ahead of myself.   Empty Bowls Official Web Site  This is for hunger charity.   People, mostly parents and family, were asked to join the students for dinner tonight.  There is a minimum donation amount of $5./bowl, which I know doesn't even cover the cost of this.   We will be served soup, also made by the class, and then get to keep the bowl.   (Or, provided a nice handmade one later.)   All proceeds go to a hunger charity.  How cool is that?!

M's combined 7th/8th grade class, earlier in the year, made a traditional Native American bread oven.   Today, they were to make at least 13 loaves of bread in that oven, which is outside.   And it's been arctic-weather so to speak, VERY cold.   The soup was made and frozen some time ago, or at least first batches.   Some students were asked to stay after and help today.   I rather hope that M was not, as she didn't know of it last night, and she's to go with her father, C, tonight (I did remind her that he'd need to know if she was planning on staying after school).  

(Okay, I also personally hope that they come down for this, bringing her at least.  This is being held in combination with Parent/Child night, for the primary and elementary students.   Some will eat first as a family and then Parent/Child.  Last year, M planned lessons to show C and me, and Sh and Si if they showed.  I was there.  I waited.   C never brought M down.   (Teacher offered for me to come a class day.)  She'll be heartbroken not to stay being part of this tonight, so hoping that this is not an issue this year.   He's been comparatively better, so!)

I got an e-mail today, from teacher Mo's e-mail, but from one of M's classmates, indicating what time I'm to arrive:)   I'd not heard of the Empty Bowls Project before.   A lot of planning and different skills went into this by the students.   I think it's awesome:)

Tags: Empty Bowls, Empty Bowls Project, cooking project for students, hunger charity

Hypoglycemic? Craving sugars?

I graze throughout the day, all day, every day:)   I'm not super big on food, oh, sometimes I like it, sure, food can be good and fun at times.  But primarily I eat as we need the fuel for our bodies.   If M isn't with me, say, away at her dads for a weekend, I find that I"m out of rhythm of providing meals for her, and I have often forgotten to eat.   I'd go into low-blood sugar periods before itd click, oh yeah, have I eaten?  Certainly that's not good.  So, I've learned.  I make myself eat.   Even if I don't feel like it, and especially if I am hungry.   I don't really like to bother with the time it takes, I'm happy with something small but packed with a lot of uumph (my ADD and impatience?), thinking I'll eat larger meals later and oftentimes I do just that.   I always eat/drink something before I head out the door with Daisy (unless she's particularly whining and "can't wait").  I have two breakfasts, a mid-morning something, and then I aim for lunch, plus a pre-dinner then dinner.   M likes to eat something (healthy! I make sure it's healthy!) while I'm preparing dinner, or to tide us over.  M apparently doesn't like to take as much time as she used to always take eating her lunch, so she eats less then.   I pack enough for her to have a full lunch and afternoon snacks plus horse snacks.   Today, she packed minimally.   I added two Golden delicious apples, as I know that packing M one apple would mean two bites by her, the rest eaten by Chance, her current favorite horse.  And cashews.  Just cuz a quick protein snack addition isn't a bad thing.

Grazing is apparently healthier for me, though, eating smaller meals more often.  It helps to keep my blood sugars more level and consistent.   We're both less cranky if we have something to eat when first arriving home, too, early evening, plus dinner.  So dinner is smaller.   It works out (balancing for healthy foods). 

It clicked for me this morning, reading CanyonSun04's entries, that she is mentioning potential signs of blood sugar problems.   Whether she has blood sugar issues or not, is for her and her doctor(s) to figure out, other medicines, whatever.   Hmmm, I'll have to add her link later (to her private journal), as I'm not finding it now.  Update:   Ang since checked out http://www.hypoglycemia.org and took an online test.   Great idea for any of us!  To quote them, "A higher score is evidence of probable adrenal insufficiency and/or deranged carbohydrate metabolism (Hypoglycemia), and would indicate further testing. "  Wow, serious sounding wording.   They're pushing sales, but otherwise have a fair bit of information on their site.  Yep, I still scored very high myself.

Some tidbits I'll relay for anyone who may be craving simple sugars or sweets, who can feel unenergized sometimes, who sometimes even feels cranky and irritable but feels better after having eaten and otherwise doesn't know why s/he'd feel cranky and irritable, who can feel shaky and not quite able to think clearly.   At least, those are symptons I've had.  Remembering later, I'd get close to passing out at times, too.

Testing for hypoglycemia is not the same as testing for diabetes, similar but not the same.  Typically a longer time frame is needed.

Hypoglycemia is somewhat the opposite of diabetes yet very related.  In diabetes, the body cannot produce sufficient insulin to convert sugars properly and timely (or something akin to that).   In hypoglycemia, the body produces too much insulin and converts sugars too rapidly. 

 

This means that someone who is hypoglycemia who eats, say, a candy bar, will initially have her blood sugar level raised, perhaps even soaring.   Testing the blood sugar level then won't show the full picture.  In time, the blood sugar level drops, sometimes dramatically so, sometimes even the shakes and light-headedness can happen and the low blood sugar is similar to a diabetic low blood sugar then and is also dangerous if too low.   So, the key is that eating simple sugar products puts a hypoglycemic person on a roller coaster / yo-yo, feeling sluggish eat something to perk up, perks up but drops again, feeling cravings for more sugar to perk back up.  

(Blood sugar problems can be triggered by various things, such as pregnancy, also.)

 

If feeling a craving (and not a seriously low blood sugar problem in which case, drink orange juice, or consume a quick sugar plus then a protein).   If craving sweets, try a piece of fruit instead of sugar-sugar.  In time, they taste better than white sugar items (or soda).   I don't even like donuts, for example.  Albeit, I love ice cream:)  lol

Eat a piece of complex-carbohydrate such as a low-glycemic piece of fruit, along with, say, a piece of cheese or a yogurt to counter balance (the sugar levels) with the longer-acting protein and fat.  It'll help bring the blood sugar levels back upyet not in as chaotic way.  

 

I'm no doctor, obviously.   There are likely tons of websites on diabetes and hypoglycemia.  If you feel, see, read something that could be you, check with a doctor, please.

 

I've spent years learning what does and doesn't trigger my hypoglycemia.   I can have sweets, in moderation and balanced.  Some people can't.  I can't drink a regular soda unless it's with a meal, and sometimes even then it's too much for me.  When in a social setting where alcohol is an option, I have to balance that out, too, if I chose to drink, not eat as many desserts as others are AND a glass or bottle, for example, and that's okay.   I'm fairly regulated at this point, and I don't actually count the number of carbohydrates, thankfully.  I'd hate that but if I needed to to feel alright, I'd need to.  I started off with no clue about this, feeling almost faint all the time and yet not lacking sleep or exercise or iron.  I recall driving home from work one early evening, just feeling as if I could just close my eyes and die, I did not wish to die mind, just felt physically as if I could.  I had so little energy.   I had to be very strict about my diet at first, get my body back in whack.  I can still occasionally not realize I'm dipping (blood sugar levels), every thing I eat (or skip) counts.  Mostly, I'm balanced out now.  I can eat vegetarian even, just nixing most simple sugars and meats from ones diet can be trickier, and keeping my blood sugar levels level is more important, so there have been times I can't stay strict about my vegetarian eating preference.  

 

Each persons body is unique:)   If anyone out there is having symptons, and diabetes symptons can include being thirsty often and some other symptons, please consult medical information / professional.  

 

I'd love some semi-sweet "protein" bar right now (some of them are VERY high in carbs, have you noticed?  WOW).  But, I'll heat up my "savory lentil" soup (with carrots, etc.,) instead.   Ahh, I do love lentils, though.   And, I'll feel better for it.

 

Tags: hypogylcemia, low blood sugar, grazing

Robert Burns Birthday alas a day short

Ah, what delight to revisit a journal I've enjoyed, and discover, oops, twas the anniversary of Robert Burns birth yesterday!   What, you don't know of him?   He was one of Scotland's favorite poets.   Please visit Robert Burns, Robert Burns - II, and the dinner party version, Thursday 25/01/07, all from Northern Trip journal, full of weather reports and photos as well.   (I told y'all I like weather, and heck, I've got almost as much Scottish blood in me as I do Irish.)

Tags: Robert Burns, blogplugs

Other Bloggers from Blue October @9:30 Club

Argh, let me try this entry again!  General consensus:  awesome show! :)  I knew that.

From a self-appointed "Blue Fan" -- blog.myspace.com/luvedgal  Hmmm, trying to capture her January 24, 2007 entry, not her entire journal......   AOL is not acting as nicely as it has previously........   wait, this may have worked out.  AOL Journals is still acting up, though.

I've posted this woman's entry previously:  Blue October concert at the 930 Club in Washington DC last night - Washington D.C. Metro Rider  She followed it up with a post concerning two metro officials not realizing that the last train in her direction was scheduled to depart at 12:21am, NOT at 11:xxpm.  However, only the search showed her words -- I couldn't find her entry any longer on her blog itself.  Hmmm, good writer, an "around town" blogger.  I may have to check her out again.

Another fan was not as lucky and heard he'd miss his train.   He was fine, anyway, even got to hang out with Blue October and Army of Me after the show!   That's worth missing a train over, IMHO! :)  Okay, not with M with me, not in a bar.  But, if she wasn't.  Wow.  I do bet that was fun.  blog.myspace.com/S1ndr0m3

This show was thursluv's first concert ever, what a start!  She's "spoiled" now even if having to share Justin's drumsticks with her sister -- thurstluv: BLUE OCTOBER RULES!!!!

Daggone aol.  Keeps cutting off my "highlight" about one blog.  jesskl: Spontaneity and money are two of those t

 

Who can blame this blogger for reminiscing about the show, instead of working on a job application?  blog.myspace.com/crow1138 Into the OceanIS a catchy tune:)

 

Of course, my two entries on Blue October and the show here (DC/9:30 Club) this week:  After the show and sound check:  Blue October ("They treated us well.")

and earlier that day excited in anticipation:  Day for "Celebrities"  Wow, I think this worked!   Obviously, I'm STILL reminiscing and happy we went.

 

M wore her Blue October long-sleeved black "girlie" t-shirt today, with the green flower on the front that glows in blacklight.   She also took in flyers to her big Irish stepdance performance to school.   She's a bit more awake today, only telling a couple people yesterday about the show, and a couple who had asked her.  The memory, though, will last.   :)

 

Tags: Blue October, Blue October concert 

A New ADHD Journal!

Just wished to highlight a new AOL Journal with some emphasis on ADHD.  Amy has three boys, her middle son is Sam.   One of his different-abilities is that he is very much ADHD.   Here is her new journal focusing on him:  My Journey With Sam

Check out her list of famous people with ADD/ADHD!   It's inspiring:)

Tags: ADD, ADHD, blogplugs

Blue October ("They treated us well.")

AWESOME show!   :)   Great music, great stage presence and dramatic skills (not overdone or "fake,") enough light show stuff to make the atmosphere but not detract from the musicians and music.   Wow.   Not even clear that M realizes how good of a show she just attended.  

An online friend/reader e-mailed me a nice comment last night, to which I responded (mostly) as the following (hence I suppose, my summary):

She's been asleep for a long time now, and I'm unwinding.    She is a good kid and I'm glad that this was actually a smoke-free, incident-free, non-explicit, sparingly albeit well used swear words, good "real" rock (with a touch of violin) show that I could share with her.   More my thing than hers, but she loves music and live shows.  Very excited she won the tickets. 

It was awesome.  The band REALLY nice "boys."  Who are trying to be positive, turn the bad into positive and not stay in the bad place, making that choice, to quote the gist of what Justin explained at the sound check when asked about the bands name.   The popular Into the Ocean IS about finding that reason to hold on, swim into shore once jumped from the bow of the ship and it's too far away now, that lifeline, "and tonight, you (audience) is mine.")   adding: At the show itself, Justin started out with the "story" explaining Into the Ocean, and the music almost seemed too pop comparatively at first, and yet, it so fit, it was right, and fun, and yes I believe everything was singing to that one, upbeat and enjoying themselves. 

Of course, Hate Me was the final final song.   Justin paused at one point, held the microphone out to the crowd, "For any of you who have been hurt.   For any of you who have done the hurting.   Sing with me........."   I don't need that particular type of catharsis right now in my life, but wow, I can see how it was or would have been for him and many who sang along.  Not that I didn't also sing, cuz hey:)
Many of there songs are romantic, too, really, soul baring, soul wrenching, etc.
Good show.   I'm tired lol.

I still wouldn't let her buy a t-shirt with "hate me" on it, as it could be so misunderstood by others.   She liked another one, though:)   I got one for myself with a quote from "She's my ride home" on it, about reaching for the stars.

Later, I rechecked in on M, giving her another kiss goodnight, another pull of blankets extra snug around her.   Getting under my covers, Daisy jumped on top, and Billy raced to jump underneath where he likes to go lately.   I thought more of the song, Hate Me.  I understand the concept of it.  Even the various nuances of the concept of it.   He's singing out that he wants the woman (his mother is implied) to hate him so that she can do what's right for HER, not be dysfunctionally enabling, etc.

Yet, I also think of Dougie, possibly feeling unlovable, as if he should be hated.   His coworker, at Dougie's viewing or sometime those few days, told me that he'd see Dougie show up at work several times all black and blue, swollen places and gosh, Dougie had a special bone disease that makes them break readily, too.   He wasn't perfect by any stretch, but he was worthy of real love.   True, non-abusing love, and yes, men can be victims of domestic abuse, also.   Those who feel unlovable, perhaps if Dougie felt that way, as if we'd be better off without him (which is so not true yet I know some get so depressed that they start to believe that), I want to just erase the idea of hating him, just erase the idea of hateful feelings away, his self-hatred included, remind him you are LOVED, Dougie, remind others, you were and are always so loved.  So deserving of love, also.

I give Blue October credit for being so soul and heart baring, so open about these struggles.   And the moving forward bit, too:)  None of them are stuck in that black hole space, at least what I can tell, but acknowledging that some are.   That can take guts, and can be useful for others to hear.

Army of Me opened for Blue October.  The lead singer acknowledged Blue October, saying that, "They've treated us well."  Among other things.  Yes, I do agree, to the 17 of us at the sound check, and to the fans when on stage, also.

Our "opening" events were hours before Army of Me.   Nicely the soundcheck was pushed back about 15 minutes.   The parking lot used for the shows doesn't usually open until evening and after the University permit holders are gone.   I hadn't wished to risk missing the last Metro train home, I preferred to have M be able to change enroute down and sleep enroute home.  And, Metro cost more with that Stupidcard (aka SmartCard) and fare charges.   Fine drive, luckily found a great spot, and got to save $10. which would have been the parking fee.   This isn't the same spot in DC this venue used to be in ages ago when I was in college and saw, hmmm, someone good lol, a college friend had tickets and asked me to join him.   The only "sign" was on a trash can, in front of a large blue bus that was Blue October's bus, and a different shade of blue on the outside walls of the venue.   I saw two people sitting on stools near doors, the directions fit.  Cool:)  (Army of Me was about, also, offloading from a white bus and inside the room where we were.)

To read a better-written review than mine is:) go to:  Blue October concert at the 930 Club in Washington DC last night - Washington D.C. Metro Rider

I picked up our "will call" tickets.  Two radio stations had given them out.   DC101 had Army of Men interviewed yesterday a.m. and gave out tickets to the show.   Mix 107.3 had Blue October interviewed yesterday a.m. and gave out tickets to the show AND the soundcheck party.   I like both stations, and others, but M prefers more pop than rock, oftentimes, so we are more likely to have on Mix 107.3 if not playing cd's.  Mix 107.3 and Cindy Maguire was on when I thought I was calling in for Goo Goo Dolls tickets and M got through and wow, "I love Blue October!" was what my happily surprised self ended up saying on air, lol.

I counted 17 of us guests inside for the sound check "party."   Perhaps there were 19 or 20, or that was the intent.   Small and cozy, except we were strangers and a bit awkward at that point, only some chatting with others.   We'd been chatting occasionally with a couple from southern Maryland, who are apparently older than me.   For our purposes, as it seemed Blue October had been fiddling around a bit already with their equipment, Blue October started off playing just the music from "She's My Ride Home."   I really like that song.   Beautifully done.  They played a few other songs as well, of course, such as bits of X Amount of Words (played fully for the show, the one song of theirs M really does not care for).   Their sound check songs includedone M and I both liked that I"m guessing is called "Chameleon Boy" from an earlier cd than Foiled.   They did not play "Chameleon Boy" later in their official set.  

M wanted to sit down, yet no seats.   She had plenty of room to sit on the floor, then, but declined.   That and occasionally not getting a good view was her only real complaint; standing the entire time was tiring, and it did bother her.   Yet, no smoking!, yeah DC laws for that effective this month, no hassles.  The crowd was real nice, too.

Nice guys, all came down, seemingly eager to converse with us.  Or, eager to be done with conversing with us and hence wanted to get it started and over with:)   Representative Alissa, whose cell phone we were given "good that day only" yeah right, but I won't misuse it, had checked us off upon entry, and given us a poster per person.  She carried Sharpies on her, and the guys each assumed they'd be signing every poster.  They took a few moments to chat with each person who wished for it, posed for photos I'm eager to get developed.   I'd read on their website that they allow recording of their shows, if not used for commercial gain and other legitimate caveats, a bit reminiscent of The Grateful Dead to me just more wise legally speaking.  I figured a camera would be alright, and it was, just not while they did their "sound check."   Fine by me! 

(I had my copy of their latest cd in my coat pocket but spaced about getting that signed.  They also sold their cd's there for only $15. each! yet I didn't dare risk our spot on the floor later on oh well.)

Jeremy (the drummer) was talking with another "couple" about the other band, a UK band, called Blue October.  Oh.  I'd wondered after happening upon their website.   He confirmed, just go to http://www.blueoctober.com  Okay, got it:) 

Jeremy and Justin are brothers.   Justin is the lead vocalist and has a natural flare for drama it seems, and one of the prime lyrics writers.  (He said for "Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek" that he didn't know where that song came from, just sitting in a hotel room.)   Justin said at one point last night at the show, "I'm having a blast."  It seemed as if they all were. 

He thought he was without eyeliner during the sound check (I was thinking mentally, hmmm, I have purple with me....... and brown.  He'd have wanted black, and seems he found some before the show.)  He said he'd try to keep the swear words down for the show, looking and smiling at M, and I told him that I knew they were few, and when used, were used well which he seemed to appreciate that notice.   And explained the bands name, which I mention above I think......

"Ryan's 33," M says, "I did the math."   He plays the violin and mandolin, adding that richer sound and touch to the Blue October songs.   Ryan said he started playing at age 4 years old, per his mother, carrying one instrument in each arm.  He told M to not stop her dancing as it could take her around the world.  Later, Ryan told someone else he's been playing violin for 27 years now and is still learning new things.  

Matt plays bass and CB plays guitar, both nice looking boys and courteous, nice acting boys, too.  They and Jeremy can really get going and wail it / rocking hard and good.   Or, the softer sentimental open heart-type songs.  

18th Floor Balcony is one of the songs Blue October played in one of their two encores.  I really like that song:)   Very open, tender treasure of a song talking about shared moments.   And, btw, nothing more explicit than "her head on my stomach" (while they tried not to fall asleep), and "she kissed me" which is done with more resolution than the simple statement would relay.  

I really really liked most of their other songs, from their previous cd's, too (all but one whose name I don't recall now).  Apparently one of the guys from the sound check asked Justin if they'd be playing Quiet Mind.  Ahhh, great lovely song, I'm glad it was requested.   I do need to check out their previous cd's now.

The songs off of Foiled that were played at the show itself include You Make me Smile (one of M's favorites, and I also like), She's My Ride Home, Into the Ocean, Hate Me, Overweight, X Amount of Words, Drilled a Wire Through my Cheek, Everlasting Friend which we were told was written approximatley 1998 just hadn't made it on an album previously, and 18th Floor Balcony.

Not played (from Foiled) which I would have enjoyed hearing was Congratulations, and Sound of Pulling Heaven Down.  I like both of those, more than X Amount of Words and Drilled, and even more than Overweight, but guess they didn't fit in.

A theme I learned with them is that the members of Blue October wish to, as Justin put it later on stage, be an equal member, be respectful, etc.   If I recall correctly, this was in preparation for the song, Overweight.  (Weight of the world type of thing, not physical overpoundage on a persons body.)  I'd not grasped fully the depth (or, the simplicity of the truth) of the concept behind that song when mixed in with all the others on the cd.   I wish the lyrics were on the cd itself, too:)   (That theme makes sense inregards to the song "Hate Me," also, in some ways, but that's a different paragraph, lol.)

Army of Me is a "local" band that the main Blue October rep, Alissa, mentioned had been found by Blue October while searching on the internet.  I can see why they were chosen.   AOM, as I see they refer to themselves as, has a musical style that fits well enough with Blue October, and a positive we can overcome sort of message.   Their song Rise is the best example of that.   AOM refers to themselves as alternative.   I'd say more alternative with an edge.  They are not only local, but really local, claiming a hometown that is one of mine, albeit graduating some 20 years later.   (We chatted with them real briefly after the whole show, before they joined some fans or friends in the downstairs bar and we headed out for home).   They'd said onstage how excited they were to be back home playing.)   M would comment on their lead singers vocals for each song.   She didn't like the vocals for the first song, but the second song she felt the vocals fit well with that song.   She even liked a song or two of theirs.  I did as well.  (Perfect and Rise I recall being better ones; the song about Wash. D.C. could be tweaked and improved, or it wasn't their best night?, good basis, though, with potential.)   They'll do alright, and I wished them well.  Even if Blue October blew them away, a possible likely fate for most bands:)

More on Army of Me on www.myspace.com/armyofme and Army Of Me, both of which apparently have a forum about their tour with Blue October.

M had fun:)   One of the venue staff spotted us later, and smiled at M and said, "Oh, you came back!"   I think M was mostly on the observant, tired but AWAKE tired, and legs a bit bugged, but she followed and watched, and commented.  She put in only one ear plug (I did relent and put in both of my ear plugs, sigh, my ears were actually hurting, and the beats could be felt even in my ribs).   She thought of wearing her shirt this morning, a long sleeved black one with glowing flowers on it, or at least glow in the darklights gosh I forget what they are called.  

There was a real range of ages at the show itself (including probably 1/4 to 1/3 or more under the age of 21, just harder to tell for certain as the older high schoolers and the 18-not quite 21-year olds look very similar to the other young adults there, only by the hand stamp can one truly verify, and yes, that was very enforced -- the 50-something guy from the couple from the soundcheck hadn't driven so left his license at home, nope, NO alcohol for him.)

My sweet child.   I'm glad she's still essentially sweet and innocent.  I'm glad that the show was a good one, nothing foul about it, and nothing disappointing about it.  Even if somehow, it feels to me as if she's that much older now for having gone.   Even had a nice dinner break, at Duffy's, good food at happy hour prices!, good beers available but I abstained, both of us downing Sprite's and overhearing conversations of others eager to see the band play, only a few of us having gone to the sound check party.   I think M liked that she was in a special few, not sure she wanted to be in photos but then quite willing to be in them when the time came.  

It was good to have some one on one time with her, too, her starting right away when she got into my truck and at dinner time, her only quiet during sound check, and then when the bands played as it got to hard to hear each other and she was watching and listening.   Her bowl for Empty Bowls charity worked out great this time, yeah, Topper Shutt looks hysterical in his sunglasses which M described, and M agrees she will "do" the dance recitals not the class play as we'd JUST gotten the dates for the class play which naturally are thee same dates.   M insists she'll never live in Washington, D.C.   I then ask her, even in the White House, to which she givesme a look.  Then says, "No." :)   She was assigned to watch the State of the Union last night, a first.   Too many had conflicts planned already, however, so she'll get a print out today about it to discuss another day.   I read her The Washington Post's headline this a.m. (about it), and some other tidbits of information in part to help her wake up hehe, along with the chai tea latte, and she heard a bit on the radio about it.   I let her make her own conclusions about him and other politics, and yet she does not like how he's run things and especially has never understood the war in Iraq bit.

May M not be TOO tired today for class today, and class photos.   I told her she could skip dance later if she wants, though.   Then again, she's rather eager to share with her musically-interested friends all about the band and the show.  :)

Tags: Blue October Concert, Blue October, Army of Me, depression, concerts