I got a rock ‘n roll car

I made a beer run this morning, and I was waiting for a lady to back out of her parking space so I could get in there.

She backed out and as she passed by me going the other way, she smiled and said something to me. I turned down the music and rolled my window down all the way and said, “What?” She said, “Nice car!” I grinned and kind of flapped my hand at her, like “Oh you!” and thanked her.

It was just one of those pleasantries you sometimes get from strangers that makes you smile and brightens your day, and I thank her for that. You rock, lady!

What was funny was that I was listening to Green Day’s “American Idiot” CD (on heavy rotation in my car right now), and the song was “Homecoming.” It’s a rather long song that consists of five distinct parts and subtitles (“American Idiot” is essentially a rock opera, remember), with one of them “Rock ‘n Roll Girlfriend.” That part includes the lines “I got a rock ‘n roll house, I got a rock ‘n roll car.” I’m not so sure about our house (Although the Retro Lounge might be a little bit rock ‘n roll...our property is a little bit country. Haaaa! I slay me!), but I think my car could reasonably be called a rock ‘n roll car!

I listened to “Homecoming” twice as I was driving, and I was struck by just how damn good it is (the whole CD is great, actually). I love the different tempos and beats, a little bit of wistfulness followed by full-blown rock bombast. This stuff is anthemic, with the martial beat of the drums at the end and the chanting “Home...we’re coming home again!” Makes me want to pump my fist in the air and sing along!

Although it’s not part of the Broadway Theater League season package in 2013-14, the Morris will be bringing “American Idiot” (the musical) here this year, and as season ticket members, we’ll get first dibs on seats. I am so psyched about this one, and I think it’s going to be a blast. I’m not sure how they can recreate the sound of Green Day and the CD in the theater, but the Morris has a pretty kickass sound system, so I’m thinking it’s going to be great. This will be kind of weird, though. These are balls-to-the-wall rock songs, but it’s a musical. I’m guessing that the crowd will sit for most of it, and I will be cool, don’t worry! I hope there will be plenty of chances to stand up and dance, though, because this isn’t sitting-down music!

I’ve never had a chance to see Green Day, but I’m going to start watching for them. I would love to see them. Talk about a high energy show!

Rock on, Citizens!

Stop it, South Bend!

Seriously...just stop being so fun already! Stop tickling me! hahahaha

Not one, but TWO more things to add to the calendar. I mentioned “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” coming in November. I was able to obtain some VERY IMPORTANT insider information (okay, it’s available to anyone who is paying attention to this), and I will be getting tickets in the presale tomorrow morning. In fact, I need to get to bed soon so I can get up and get the password and get the tickets.

I also learned tonight that the fabulous State Theater in downtown South Bend will be showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on June 8th, doing an earlier show for teens and young adults, and then a midnight showing for the rest of us depraved individuals. We had heard rumors of this, and we (Ken, Shane, Matt, and I) agreed that we wanted to go. To give a little background, the State was built in 1919. It was the premiere theater in downtown South Bend, and when downtown sort of dried up and died, it entered a period of decline. It operated as a nightclub for a while, then was sold to some religious group who didn’t have the funds to rehabilitate it, and...finally! A Notre Dame graduate, Andrew Elegante, saw the potential there, and has been working like a bastard to develop it, renovate it, and once again make it a happening place.

Downtown has been experiencing a bit of a renaissance lately, with lots of great restaurants and nightspots opening. The Morris is doing great business, and people seem really interested in seeing the State once again being a downtown destination. We are proud supporters!

I haven’t seen Rocky Horror since college, and Ken has never seen it, so this should be a blast.

Look out...I’m breaking out the fishnets!

Getting Wicked

Last evening we headed to fabulous downtown South Bend for a fun evening.

We met Shane and Matt for a bite to eat at Madison Oyster Bar and had a few pitchers with our yummy dinners. I really like MOB (or as Shane and Matt and I like to call it, MadOyBa). The owners and staff are always so nice and attentive and the food is reasonable and good. It’s kind of dark and atmospheric and just a fun downtown place. I saw the server who attended to us last time we were there and bought our table of eight a round of shots. I asked her name, and said she was so great when we were there last and she said she really appreciated that. Samantha, you rock!

After she walked away, Shane looked at me and said, “You’re such a whore.” We all totally cracked up. This came from some recent nasty comments I’ve gotten from She Who Shall Not Be Named. Of course, she left a comment on my flip-off picture, so I guess she named herself, huh? More about that in a moment.

Anyway, we had a fun dinner, chatting about that whole ridiculous mess and plenty of other things. It had been a while since we’d been able to get together, so it was great to see them and get caught up. Shane and Matt, you guys rock, too!

Then we headed over to the also-fabulous Morris Performing Arts Center, where the final show of this season’s Broadway Theater League is playing: “Wicked.” I wasn’t quite sure that I would completely enjoy this...I tend to prefer shows that have harder-edged music, like “Rent” or “Rock of Ages.” But I’m happy to say that I was just blown away. The set visuals were just stunning. The scene in the picture I’ve posted here came at the end of the first act, and I was like, “Oh my goodness, this is so cool!” The performances were fantastic, and I loved the whole storyline of how the wicked witch got that way. I’m sure many of you have seen this already, so I’m not giving any spoilers away when I say that she was more than a little misunderstood. The interaction between her character and that of the good witch was sweet and wonderful.

This was really top-notch, and a great way to close out the season. Great job, Broadway Theater League! I’m so glad we got season tickets, because these shows have really been a blast. Next season will also be great: “Bring It On: The Musical,” “Jersey Boys,” “Million Dollar Quartet,” “West Side Story” (I have always wanted to see that!), and although it’s not part of the season ticket package, Green Day’s “American Idiot.” Wow! I also just found out that the tour of the John Mellencamp/Stephen King collaboration, “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” will be making a stop at the Morris in November. I am very intrigued by this, although I have few details yet. My sisters got season tickets for BTL next season, too, so that will be fun. Oh, and we upgraded our seats, so we moved up nine rows! We’ve also got Cubs tickets for August, concerts coming up for Smash Mouth at one of the casinos in Michigan, the Dropkick Murphys here in town, and I believe I’ve mentioned that we have tickets for a this little band out of England that some of you may have heard of. [wink] It’s shaping up to be a fun and busy year! There will be a couple of vacations and some Notre Dame games in there, as well. Whew. No rest for the wicked. Hey, nice callback, Beth!

We had a very pleasant lunch with both of our moms today, and when we got back to our place, Ken’s Mom stayed and chatted for a while. She got to see our orioles, the hummingbirds, several other birds, and we saw two baby raccoons out back. I was happy she got to see a little of our wildlife, and she really enjoyed it!

As for the recent “unpleasantness,” SWSNBN seems to have crawled back under her rock...for now. All I will say (some of you know the details from Facebook, but I’m not going to post them here) is that it must be a real bummer to be so bitter and joyless, and to hate someone as much as she seems to hate me. What a way to go through life. I hope I never get that way, but I don’t think I will, because that is just not in my nature. Thank goodness!