Reba’s blog

Out of all the music festivals this year, which were the coolest?  Did you travel to attend any of them?

This year I went to Lollapalooza.  It was awesome.

But, I went to Bonnaroo a few years ago, and I actually liked that better than Lollapalooza.

What experience or moment in your life have you learned the most from? 
Submitted by AngieK. 

My break up.

What's the best thing you ever bought off of Ebay or Craigslist?

A violin, though probably not my smartest purchase.  I want to learn to play.

Another trip to Florida was planned for the end of July for my 15 year high school reunion. Am I really already that old? I didn't attend the 10 year. I was in a 'bad place' at the time, and decided to forego the torture.

In all honesty, I was a bit reserved about my decision to attend the reunion. But several months before the big event, Paxonites came creeping out of the woodwork. All of a sudden I was corresponding with folks I hadn't seen or talked to in years. It was great to 'hear' all these familiar 'voices,' especially since I was incredibly homesick. I found myself getting excited about seeing everyone again.

I don't think you are ever exactly "where you want to be" when you run into people you haven't seen in years. In the back of my mind, I'm always thinking, "well, shoot, if they'd seen me 2 years ago, I was really on top of my game or in the best shape of my life or right now my life is kind of boring but man, in 2 months I'm going to have a ton going on." This was as true for me at the 15 year as it was for the 10 year.

Five years ago, I would have chickened out and not gone. Oh, wait, I did exactly that. Having a 15 year reunion means (unless you're some kind of genius who skipped grades) you are now in your 30's. In my opinion, it's a great place to be. I don't care that I'm not a beauty queen or a size 2. Alright, that's not completely true - of course I'd like to look like Michelle Pfeiffer, but I am also a realist. At any rate, what is true, is that even though I may never be satisfied with my physical attributes, I am perfectly at ease with the person I am. Those five years made all the difference in how I approached the subject of my reunion.

I boarded the plane to Florida, still a little nervous about the reunion, despite my "I'm in my 30's and I know who I am" bravado. What would we talk about? What would we do? Would it be awkward? These questions ran through my mind as I realized that we would all be stuck on a gambling boat for 4+ hours with no chance of escape. I needn't have worried. We arrived at the boat, and for many of us, it was as if we had never been separated. I loved seeing and receiving all those familiar smiles and hugs. We drank, we laughed, we danced, we gambled, we drank (I know, I already said that, but some of us drank quite a bit so it warranted another mention).

High school and angst filled teenage years can be a difficult time in a person's life, but there is something to be said for the intimacy you share with those "who knew you when."

I am truly looking forward to the 20 year.

HA, thought it was a football blog, hunh?  Sorry to disappoint, but it's about my first DMB show of the tour.  The first of ten shows.

Having lived in the Midwest for less than a year, and being a native Floridian, I was more than ready for some warm temperatures, sunlight, and some outside activity. With the exception of my trip home in May, I felt like the summer was really getting off to a slow start. But, once it did begin - WOW!!

What an amazing summer it has been.

I attended my first DMB show at the beginning of July -- Toyota Park, Bridgeview, just outside of Chicago -- with a friend who was staying for the weekend. He was really more of an acquaintance than a friend.  At any rate, he a fellow DMB'er. Unfortunately, the weekend turned out to be one of the worst I've ever had. This 'friend' turned out to be untrustworthy and I lost a lot of money that I didn't really have. That's the short version of the story. At this point, I've decided to write it off as a bad memory and a lesson learned. [For those of you who have heard the story in its entirety --- Wanna pickle?]

Thankfully, the weekend leading up to the show did not ruin the big event for me. Nor did he. The music gods were smiling down on me. He only appeared at our seats twice during the show, and didn't stay for more than half of a song both times. (YAY) Prior to the show, we attended my first official tailgate. There I met a large number of folks (fellow Warehousers), forever known to me as the 'Colorado Flag' group. (It was a great time, and I hope to see them all again next year.)

Toyota Park is a soccer field and therefore, wide open. I prefer amphitheatres or small venues (as do most music fans) because the sound is better. Truthfully, I was just happy to be there and I love everything they play. With 'Seek Up,' 'The Idea of You,' 'Satellite,' 'DDTW' and 'Two Step' as part of the setlist, what right do I have to complain, really?

And so ends my first DMB show of the tour -- 9 more to go!!!

Setlist

07/08/2007
Dave Matthews Band
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, IL

One Sweet World *
You Might Die Trying *
Still Water 
Don’t Drink the Water *
Grey Street *
Louisiana Bayou *
The Idea Of You *
What Would You Say *
Anyone Seen The Bridge *
Too Much *
Falling Off The Roof [new song] +
Dream Girl *
The Maker *
Seek Up *
Satellite *
Crush *
Stay (Wasting Time) *

Encore: 
Sister ~
Two Step *

Special Guests:
* Rashawn Ross
+ Dave and Carter
~ Dave Solo

indicates a fade into the next song

What was the best football highlight of the past week?

Is it football season already?

HA HA, just kidding, I'm not THAT out of the loop.  But, I don't follow it so I don't have a highlight. 

I guess the O.J. story -- wait, that's not football, but he did play football (right?), so it's football-related.

When did you last write/receive a handwritten, snail-mail letter? Who was it to/from? 
Submitted by Places Unknown.

The last snail-mail letter I got was from my Mom, less than 2 months ago.  I loved it.  It's great to get mail that isn't a bill.

I don't think I have too many 'readers' on here, but for those of you that I did manage to forge a 'vox friendship' with, I am sorry that I have been so lax in posting and reading your posts.  I wasn't all that great before. 

My only excuse is that it has been an extremely busy summer!

My summer consisted of moving into the city, taking a week's vacation to visit home; a class reunion; EIGHT DMB shows (should have been nine, but the ninth show still involved a trip - long story); Lollapalloza; a weekend with my niece and nephew; an additional Ben Harper show.

And, I still have one more show -- Shoreline in Mountain View, CA. 

It is the last show of the tour for me.  :o(  I am saddened, but I feel lucky and somewhat spoiled to have had such a fun-filled summer.

And, I'm tired, so though I'm not looking forward to winter temps, I am looking forward to hibernating and concentrating on hobbies.

Look for future postings journaling some of my adventures. 

peace and love,

reba kay

If you could eat only 3 foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Submitted by formance.

Yogurt

Bacon

Asparagus

What are five things you take for granted? 
Submitted by meowkitty.

 

The fact that I have family and friends who love me unconditionally

The fact that I have a cell phone

The fact that I live in this country and enjoy the freedoms that so many others don't

The material things I have, that I think I can't live without, but don't really actually need

My fairly good health