311 Day 2014

How does one describe one of the best experiences of their lives?
My brother and I just got back from four days in New Orleans where we did nothing but celebrate peace, love, unity and beers the size of our heads.  Thousands of 311 fans from every state in the US and something like 18 different countries descended on the town for the infamous 311 Day festivities and friendships were forged between members of the 311 Familia that will last a lifetime.  The best part was that my brother had the opportunity to experience it as well.
We landed late that Sunday morning, dropped our bags off at the hotel on St.  Charles Avenue, and walked about three blocks to what was to become our favorite day time bar, a place called Lucky's where you could have a drink, grab something to eat or do your laundry.  (A brilliant concept in my opinion.)  From there we walked around the town, killing time before we could check into our hotel, then stopped for beer and some amazing fish tacos at a place appropriately called Beer and Tacos.

My brother and I on Bourbon Street.

Once we sated our appetites, we got cleaned up and took the trolley halfway across town to meet up with my cruise buddies at the house they were staying in.  How awesome it was to be reunited with the people I shared yet another amazing experience - the 311 cruise last year - with.  We then headed to Bourbon Street and partied the night away.
It's really hard to describe the feeling of elation as you walk through the streets of an amazing town, waving at, saluting, and exchanging a "Happy 311 Day!" with complete strangers.  It kind of reminds you that there is still good in this world.  The fact that five guys from Omaha have put their heart and soul for the past twenty years into creating music that spreads the message of peace, love and unity just blows my mind.  And they're not finished yet.

Hammie and I with my cruise buds.

We must have waited in line to check out the merchandise for four or five hours on that Monday, but did we
really care?  No, because we were with like minded folks.  When drinks needed refilling someone would volunteer to step into the nearest bar.  When someone needed something to eat, another would accompany them to the nearest eatery to satisfy their hunger.  We laughed, we got to know total strangers, and had a damn good time.  We met people from all over the country - it was basically a giant tailgate minus the cars.
Bourbon Street was in a constant state of "Stay positive and love your life!" during our time there.  You could hear 311's music being cranked out of every bar you walked by - to me, that's a little slice of heaven.
Why?  You may ask.  What's so special about this silly band?  I can't really explain.  It's a passion for most of us.  Some get it, some don't.  Everyone who knows me says they think of me whenever they hear 311 on the radio.  Just last night Philip texted me to tell me that he was thinking of me while shooting pool and so he played Don't Stay Home on the bar's jukebox.

Homemade shirts are the way to go.

The concert at the New Orleans Arena on March 11 was nothing short of extraordinary.  The band played three sets totaling five hours and 66 songs, at times accompanied by either native jazz musicians or a small orchestra.  I don't know of many artists that do that for their fans anymore.
I plan on keeping this experience I was blessed enough to have tucked deep inside my heart for the rest of my life, and look forward to many more like it....I should probably open up a new savings account titled "The 311 Experience," being as that I will be on the boat again come 2015.    

Leave It To Music To Soothe The Soul

I'm still coming down from my trip to New Orleans and let me tell you, the drop has been pretty brutal.  [I'm working on a recap post so stay tuned for that.]  In the months leading up to my trip, it was the One Big Thing I was looking forward to, and now that it's over, I need something else to Look Forward To, but I don't want to live my life that way.  I want to look forward to every new day.  I want to completely immerse myself in the present moment and squeeze every bit of joy possible out of it.  I see so many others capable of this, so why is it so hard for me?

We don't want to walk into the gray, solo rolling with no map in hand
so we reach out for someone to grasp, keep from sinking into the sand
Pick it up now brother help another pick it up
don't get stuck in the destruction looming near
pick it up now brother help another pick it up
This is the revelation of the year
Picking up all the pieces here and there to see if one might fit
Spinning them around and sideways and up and down it kinda stings a bit
Digging through all the ditches
Just unwinding all the stitches into thread then hang it out to dry so
what was I expecting just collecting balls of lint up in my head?
I know I know don't yell at me
- Revelation of the Year, 311

Right now, all that runs through my head has so much more to do with things other than Philip.  The constant struggle I feel is an existential reverberation of life.  I know it doesn't have to be that way so I need to make some choices to remedy this problem, because I'm missing out on so much.  You know how some people are functioning alcoholics?  Well, I'm a functioning depressive.  I get out of bed and go to work every day, I do laugh, I do smile, I do enjoy the blessings I'm lucky enough to have bestowed upon me.  But those demons are always in the back of my head waiting for a moment of weakness so they can attack.  Those moments come in the hour before daybreak when my brain hasn't fully woken up yet.  Sometimes they hit in the midst of reverie, but it's usually before the sun has come up that the waves of desolation sweep over me.
There are things I do have on my side - I have God, my family, my friends, and believe it or not, the music of 311.  Their new album has hit home.  The chatter going around social media is how personal the new songs are, and I'm right there in agreement.

Every time I think I've got it figured 
something bigger always jumps in the frame
something gets in the way
Now I'm ready to turn the page on yesterdays and forgive them
Now I'm ready to disengage to seize the day and move on.
-Boom Shanka

I'm getting better at reminding myself to
Try not to think too far ahead
The pendulum swings soon enough
We could stay on this side instead
But we wanna make it rough

But the kicker is teaching myself to
Journey in peace now
You don't have to be afraid
Though mistakes
they will be made
Journey in peace now my friend

No you can't go around it
You have to walk right through it
My father told me that so long ago
Every time that you ignore it
It gets a little more
You just have to walk toward 
The fear to go

Don't be afraid
it's all part of the plan for us
Don't be afraid
it's all part of the plan for us
All that you hold dear
is on the other side of that fear.

It's March Already?

We are about 3 and a half months into 2013 and what a year it's been already.  I'm feeling the need to do a quick recap so let's run down the list.

• I have embarked on a new career.
  Monday I started my new job.  So far so good.  I'm catching on quickly and the boss said I did an excellent job my first day and it proved he made a good decision when he hired me.  (Yes, I "squee'd" inside when he told me that.)  You all know I had been incredibly frustrated with my career as a photographer and needed a change, and it's finally beginning.  (See Perseverance Pays Off - 2/19/13.) 
• I went skiing for the first time in almost 15 years.
  Philip and his friends took me to the Poconos on February 24th and it was the perfect way to pay  tribute to my father.  He and my mother taught my brother and I to ski when we were little and it was a passion we shared as a family.
• Two years have gone by since my father passed away.
  I can't believe it's been this long.  Like my mother said, time does not heal, it just forces us to adapt, and we are still adapting to life without Pop around.
• We had the 2nd annual Mid Winter Classic in Ocean City, NJ.
  Last year my brother and sister in law started a new tradition, weekend-ing in Ocean City during the month of February because, well, there's not much to do between Christmas and Memorial Day.  It started out as a sort of reunion for the bridal party from their wedding and has evolved (or de-volved,) to include other friends and family members.  We average about 14 people crammed into my sister in law's parents' beach house - Friday night staying in drinking and playing games; Saturday night we venture into Atlantic City for a night of dancing and/or gambling.  Philip came with me this year and let's just say a great time was had by all.
• I had the opportunity to be a part of the 311 Caribbean Cruise 2013.
  I barely have the words to describe the sheer awesome-ness of this experience still, and I've been back from Miami since last week.  I will detail this adventure in a post all its own.
• My relationship with Philip has been tested and I'm pretty sure we passed with flying colors.
  We are still moving along, doing our thing with no real definition.  I was planning on laying it on the line for him when I got back from the cruise, but a big part of me is hesitant to mess with a good thing.  Not being too concerned about it is a big thing for me, it is what it is and I can say with confidence that we both know where it's headed, and I'm content.

So yeah.  That's about it right now.  I have to go get ready to leave for work at my new big girl job.

11 Days and Counting

It's official kids - I AM GOING ON THE 311 CRUISE.  What is this, you ask?  Only the most exciting thing to happen to me since the birth of my nephew.  My most favorite band on this planet hosts a 4 day cruise in the Bahamas, complete with concerts, parties, events, and performances by several other artists.  It's a 4 day party with the greatest fans in the world, and I am going to be right in the middle of it.
I've never been anywhere tropical outside of this country.  I've never even been out of the country, much less on a cruise.  I'm so excited I could just...pee.
I'll be flying down to Miami on February 27th and we set sail March 1st.  I can't believe that one of my dreams has become a reality.

Holy Shit We're In the Second Row

My second 311 show of the summer was at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, about two hours from my house and 45 minutes from one of my best friends who lives in Clifton.  Since VIP packages were not offered for the Philly show, I went scored them for this one and paid out my ass for Platinum VIP tickets for her and I.  Included was a meet & greet, pictures, front row seating and merchandise.
It was the day before my 29th birthday, so I considered this show a continuation of my birthday celebrations.

Jenny and I in the parking lot.

I got to Jenny's early in the afternoon and we headed down to the pavilion to get in some tailgating before the show.  (I was surprised to learn that Jenny really isn't into tailgating, but the both of us had a lot on our minds at the time so it wasn't a big deal.)  It was also one of the hottest days of the year, and I was so paranoid about giving sweaty hugs to all of the band members.

I kept getting more and more nervous as it came time for us to meet the band.  This was the first time I was coming face to face with the people who create the music that has been the soundtrack to my life for over ten years.  I was afraid I would start gushing and not be able to control it, I was afraid of making a fool of myself, even a little concerned that I might throw up.

"Holy shit I can't believe we're about to meet this band!"
"I know, right?"
"I think I'm going to puke."
Jenny looks at me incredulously.
"No, you're not.  But there is a trash can over there."

Tim Mahoney signing Jenny's poster.

The entire time we're in line I'm reminding myself to breathe.  And I'm sweating.  Like a whore in church.  We're all sweating.  I could feel it dripping down my back and between my boobs.  Nice, I'm going to meet 311 and drops of my sweat will be smearing the sharpie ink as they sign my poster.

I had managed to collect myself enough to not act like a fool once I got up to the table.  Surprisingly, it didn't all pass by in one big blur.  I walked up to the table, put my poster down, and just grinned at Tim Mahoney.  He grinned back, but I couldn't find my voice.  How do you tell someone who has no idea you even exist that you adore them without sounding like a weirdo?  Luckily he broke the silence that was about to become awkward.
"Hey!  I'm Tim!"
He holds out his hand and I take it, shaking hands with my second rock legend in less than a week.
"I...I know who you are!  I...I'm Dana!"
As he signed my poster, I thanked him for all he does as a musician and that the band's music has been such a huge part of my life.  He looked up and saw how overcome with emotion I was, then promptly stood up and gave me a huge hug.

Nick, Chad, SA and Pnut.

Nick Hexum was sitting next to Tim, and I told him the same thing, that I can't believe I got the opportunity to stand there and tell the band I love how much their music means to me.
"You guys are what make it possible for us."
Chad Sexton was sitting next to Nick, and I went through the same spiel, thanking him for doing what he does, and grinning like a fool while he signed my poster.
"Your friend said you're going to throw up.  Please don't."
"I think I'll be okay, I've made it this far."
"Ok, good."
By the time I got to SA I was on the verge of squealing like a fangirl.  My face hurt from grinning so much.  I did manage to tell him that my brother and I see them in Philly every summer to celebrate our birthdays.
"That's so cool, when is your birthday?"
"It's...um...Oh my God!  It's tomorrow!"
Yes, I had actually forgotten that my birthday was the next day.  The guys all wished me a happy birthday and SA wrote it on my poster.
I turned to Pnut and he gave me a big, goofy grin.  We shook hands and as he added his signature to my poster I gushed on, again, thanking him for all the band does, the music, the shows, the all-around positivity that they promote.  That's when I started getting emotional and could feel tears welling up in my eyes.  I actually just stopped talking mid sentence, Pnut abruptly stood up and gave me a huge hug.

We then took our places in line again to have our pictures taken with the band.  Since Jenny and I were the second to last for the signing, we were second in line for pictures.  Much to my delight, Tim latched onto me as soon as we walked over.  (I have a special place in my heart for that man.)

Nick, Jenny, Chad, SA, me, Pnut and Tim.

What I call the blooper photo.

As you can tell, I was in Heaven.  I mean, all you can see is my teeth.  It was by far one of the best nights of my life.

Please Don't Ask My Brother If He Wants To See Pictures of Me - 311 at Festival Pier

I never got around to recapping my 311 experiences this summer, so I'll start with the show at Festival Pier on Penns Landing in Philadelphia on July 27, 2012.  This was the annual birthday celebration for my brother and I, of course.  My friend T was able to join us and the three of us had a blast.  It made me happy to see the both of them, stressed over work and family life, be able to let loose and genuinely enjoy themselves, even if only for a few hours.
We drove up to Philly in my car, my brother in the passenger seat and T in the back, drinking his Captain and diet Coke.  I was nervous about Hamilton meeting T; I'm always nervous having my brother meet a guy I'm either seeing, sleeping with (whether he's aware or not...but he's not stupid,) or even just friends with.  I've been over how protective Hamilton is, not to mention the fact that T is significantly older than I.  I had a feeling they'd hit it off and I was right.  They talked shop the entire drive up, I couldn't get a word in edgewise and once the benevolent ball-busting started, I relaxed.

We tailgated for a bit in the parking lot next to Dave & Buster's and my excitement over getting ready to see my favorite band for the umpteenth time kept growing, along with the urge to pee.  I was getting drunk and my pride was disappearing so I finally opened the back driver's side door and T, God love him, stood in the gap between it and the car next to us while I relieved myself for what seemed like an hour.
"Can you stop staring at me?  You've seen it before."
"Yeah, but not in a public parking lot overlooking the river with your brother standing twenty feet away."
"Well have him make sure no one comes back here...holy shit, I can't stop peeing...hey, um, you might want to move your foot."
"Are you done yet?"
"No!  It won't stop!"
He's laughing his ass off, and I am too.  High class trash is what we call it baby, high class trash.  Needless to say, I didn't have to go to the bathroom for the rest of the evening, anything liquid I consumed I sweat out almost immediately.

The show itself was fucking awesome, what can I say?  I love 311 with all my heart, one of the main reasons being that they put all of their heart into their music and their shows.  Hammie even hoisted me on his shoulders for a few minutes so I could get some good shots while T held my purse.

It was a hot night, the setlist was mind-blowing.  "Watching you dance and having the time of your life..."  And dance I did, with either my brother or T twirling me around the whole time.  When it was over I felt that familiar sense of satisfaction and joy that I get after every 311 show.  The three of us ended up back at a private club, played some pool, had a few beers then eventually called it a night.  And my satisfaction never stopped coming.  ;-)  

...and this is where my shirt ended up.

Hey! What's going on?

Still coming down from an amazing weekend in Dewey Beach, Delaware.  Luckily I did not get arrested.

Gearing up to see 311 at the Festival Pier on Penn's Landing in Philadelphia on Friday with my brother and *hopefully* a special friend of mine.

Baby shower on Saturday, but the Pack 'n Play that my girl friend & I were supposed to buy already got scooped up, so I need to get the creative juices flowing.  I hate sticking to registries.

Next Thursday is 311 in Holmdel, NJ, and my chance to finally meet this band.

Friday is my 29th birthday, and it's looking like no one is going to be in town.

So that's what's going on, trying to keep busy and working long days at the same time.  It's good for me because the department I'm involved in at the moment is moving forward and I'm blessed to be a part of it, not only because it shows the faith my company has in me, but it's rekindling my passion for photography.

Things That Piss Me Off

It seems everyone thinks that 311 wrote Love Song. No. Look it up.

Pasta "Fazool" is actually spelled Pasta "Fagioli" (or something like that.)

People make fun of me because I do not pronounce the 'a' at the end of the word "mozzarella." Or the 'o' at the end of the word "proscuitto."

The same fucking quote comes up every time I search Erica Jong. She has said infinitely more poignant things than "You want me to tell you something really subversive..." Of course, I'm too lazy to go back through my collection of her work to post the excerpts that smacked me in the face when I read them, so I guess I shouldn't bitch too much.

Nicki Minaj.

I've lost touch with the BDSM scene so bad that the thought of subbing to someone again makes me go "Ugh." Sometimes I think it's degrading, but then again I have no right to judge. Hell, I used to be the one tied up, the fuck toy, the dirty little cum slut. And given the right circumstances, I'd probably jump right back in.

I will be watching a man accused of rape have the privilege of playing quarterback in the Superbowl later today.

When a certain member of our circle of friends can't even commit to joining us all for dinner. There's no need to be such a pain in the ass about it.

Decisions, Decisions

311 just added a show to their spring tour in Las Vegas.  On February 19th, of course.  Because that's the same day as Buckcherry in Philadelphia.  And the same weekend my brother and sister in law decided to have the Mid-Winter Classic down at her parents' beach house.

It's not like I can afford to fly out to Vegas right now anyway.  (When I say I don't regret anything I've done, like blowing my money on various trips and concerts around the country too much, too fast, it becomes a little more of  lie every day.)

But going to see Buckcherry would be a lot less expensive than a night in Atlantic City.  And flying to Vegas.

Good things come to those who wait though, right?  To those with patience, and those who make a valiant effort to get their shit together, even though it's going to take a long time?

Hopefully.

Welcome To This Groove

I can't get enough of 311. Their entire catalog is on my iPod, and I love shuffling through strictly 311 tunes. I could be in the shittiest mood, but if I put some 311 on, it improves immensely. Especially their new album, Uplifter. As corny as it sounds, that's exactly what it does - it's a damn uplifting album.

311's music invokes summertime memories of laying on the beach with my toes in the sand, nights spent with my dearest friends getting trashed or staying sober, the sun on my back and the smell of earth on my skin.

Their music plays throughout the soundtrack of my life. The night in Chula Vista with Jenny, watching them play in an amphitheatre set in the hills of southern California. Sweating through the entire Sprite Summer Music Festival in Virgina with Tara just to see 311 headline, on the hottest day of the year. Countless nights crammed into the Electric Factory with tons of other crazy 311 fans. And of course the nights under the stars at the Festival Pier on the Delaware River, dancing in the midst of people who feel the same way I do about 311's music.

It's a completely different love affair for me. This band doesn't fit into my dirty rock & roll category. Yes, Nick Hexum has a smile that can melt me from a million miles away, but for me, it's strictly about the music.

"Groove as your soul sings...spinning all around as we dust a melody...groove as your soul sings..."

311: What It Means To Me

I have a very hard time putting into words what the band 311 is to me. I've been a dedicated follower for about 12 years. I've seen them in concert 14 times in the past 9 years, and as long as they tour, I will keep on going to their shows. Whenever I bring up this band, people either love them or hate them. There doesn't seem to be much of the in-between. I remember when I bought their first album, Music, down in Ocean City, New Jersey, when I was 16 or so. My life was changed from that minute on.

My favorite song of all time: Do You Right, off of Music

My first 311 show was in Holmdel, NJ at the PNC Bank Arts Center with Incubus. It was Father's Day 2000. Me, my brother, and two friends of our's drove up to central NJ in a guy's 1969 Firebird. Our seats were third row, stage left. And it was just amazing. The energy flowing through the crowd was electric.

It doesn't matter how many 311 shows I go to, I still get the same feeling in my belly when the lights go down and the band's intro starts up, and I can see Nick's, SA's, P-Nut's, Tim's and Chad's silhouettes moving into position on the stage. It's devastatingly uncontrollable excitement. Depending on the tour, the time of year, and which album has just been released, my brother and I usually can pinpoint which song they open with. This is a group of five guys from Omaha, Nebraska, who share some of the tightest musicianship I have ever seen. They feed off of each other's energy and inject it directly into their performances. Sometimes I just stop dancing in my spot just to stare in awe and take the whole experience in. It's better than any high I've ever had.




I've seen the band live in Southern California, Virginia, Washington, DC, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. I remember when tickets cost about 20 bucks and they were still playing at the Electric Factory in Philly.



One of the beautiful things about 311 fans is that we all know why we are there. We all know about the affinity we share for the music being played onstage. I can turn around in the crowd at any given moment and seeing hundreds of people all singing along to the same song. When the infamous drum solo begins during Applied Science, everyone goes still, and all eyes are focused on the stage. I don't care what anyone says, Chad Sexton is one of the best dummers of all time.



And if you don't know about the team-effort drum solo, then look it up on YouTube. It is show-stopping.






"My yin hates my yang but what the hell ya gonna do? It's a rocky-ass path but that's how I like it, Life's a bowl of punch, go ahead and spike it"

The Concert Timeline

My very first concert was at the Spectrum in 1997. Lauren's dad took her, Andrea and I to see Bush and Veruca Salt. We were thirteen.

When I was 14, my dad took my brother and I to the now non-existent Stone Balloon to see Reel Big Fish. They were one of my favorite bands, and still remain in the top twenty. They played at the Stone Balloon again the following year and I went with Samantha to see them.

At the end of my freshman year of high school, my friend Samantha had an extra ticket to the Y100 Feztival, so we got to leave school early and go to the E-Center in Camden to see Everclear and Green Day.

When I was 15, Samantha, Lisa and I went to see SILVERCHAIR and Lit at the Trocodero in Philly. We were so excited we couldn't help but act like retards. Samantha's mom dropped us off in Chinatown and we waited in line freezing our asses off for what felt like an eternity, smoking bootlegged cigarettes thinking it would help keep us warm. (See what I mean about retarded?) I remember having to pee so bad that Sam and I ran across the street to a Chinese restaurant to see if we could use their bathroom and when the hostess refused Sam started crying and she let us in. I'll elaborate more on Silverchair in another post.

My first 311 show was right after my junior year. One of the best.

That same summer I went to Warped Tour 2000 that was held in the parking lot of the E-Center in Camden, NJ with Bridget and her two younger brothers. It poured down rain as we were waiting in line to get in, and then didn't rain for the rest of the day. There were so many bands on the bill that I can't remember everyone that played. I do remember getting to see The Long Beach Dub Allstars, which I was ecstatic about because I never got to see Sublime live. Green Day was one of the headliners as well.

Oh so many concerts...I'm having a hard time remember them all. Taproot, Linkin Park, Disturbed, Incubus, Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio, Liz Phair, tons of music festivals, tons of 311, Motley Crue, Buckcherry, and not to mention all the local rock bands that I go out to see every chance I get.

Stay tuned for posts about each of my concert experiences...

The Groupie Label

I'm sure I tend to come off as just another groupie. At least I'm a groupie who KNOWS the music. Who understands the muscianship between 3, 4, or 5 people playing together on a stage. One who has the albums from 10 or 20 years ago.

I picked up on Incubus when I was 16, before they hit it big. I'm not dissing or intentionally offending people who start following musicians when they hear a hit on the radio for the first time. I've done that too. As soon as I heard "Pardon Me" by Incubus I went out and got the album, along with previously released ones. I learned the music. I listened to it over and over again. I familiarized myself with Incubus's style, and their evolution as a band, from Fungus Amongus up to Morning View. Yes, I thought Brandon Boyd was incredibly hot. But what made him even more attractive was his songwriting. I met him at the Electric Factory after a show one night, and we held a full blown conversation amisdt the crowd of people that had gathered. I told him how much I loved the music. How it captivated me, and that I thought his style was unique. He listened intently, nodding and expressing his genuine appreciation of my fanship. There was no "Yeah, thanks, do you have a pen?" Other girls were grabbing at him as were talking and he completely ignored it. I wasn't gushing over his looks, I was tapping into a love we both shared, a love of music. I wasn't giving empty compliments either, and he picked up on that, which is why I think he gave me a few minutes of his time. The same goes for the rest of the band. Incredibly nice guys who were probably still in awe of their newfound fame. DJ Kilmore was an absolute sweetheat, joking with me and flashing a beautiful smile. They were happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs. I have a framed poster hanging on the wall that each member had signed, minus the drummer because he didn't come out.

Me with Brandon Boyd, circa 2001

I was at Incubus concert at Hershey Stadium in Pennsylvania a few years ago with two of my best girls, Jenny and Dara. The three of us were avid Incubus fans. We sang along to all the songs. And in between songs could not help but get a little excited over Brandon Boyd, especially when he took his shirt off. It was fucking sexy! There were three bitches behind us talking shit the whole time. I guess they thought the only reason we were there is because we were teenyboppers? Jenny and Dara managed to talk me out of turning around and slugging the ringleader of their little group.

I usually don't mind being called a groupie. Or a groupie slut. It's not hard for me to leave my mark if I feel so inclined when I'm at a concert, except it's quite difficult when the band is relatively mainstream or has a huge following like 311. Yes, I am a 311 groupie. But I do not want to sleep with the guys in the band. I would die for a chance to interact with them as humans, not false gods. The same goes for Billy Corgan.

I've got typical groupie stories. I fucking flew to Chicago for one night just to see The Last Vegas. And went broke to get the chance to meet Buckcherry. And stood outside of the Electric Factory to catch glimpses and autographs of various other bands. And I bought another copy of a Liz Phair CD so that I could meet her. I've lost count of how many times I've had my tits signed by musicians. It's all in so much good fun. Sometimes it borderlines obsession, (okay, sometimes it IS obsession) but I love my music, and I love when a musician can reach into my soul, or my pants haha, and grab it by the throat.

IT'S ALL FOR THE LOVE OF ROCK AND ROLL.