February, cont.

For Christmas, I got something I never expected. Ben gave me tickets to see Brad Paisley in concert. It's hard for me to believe that I now know who Crystal Shawanda, Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley are. And I'm going to a concert featuring the three of them! One of my favorite videos is Brad's "Waitin' on a Woman" featuring Andy Griffiths. I just love it! When Ben decided to get tickets, the Portland concert was sold out. His officemates told him Tacoma wasn't that far so he got tickets for Saturday, February 28th at the Tacoma Dome. Ordinarily, 158 miles (2 hours 40 minutes) wouldn't be that big of a deal. We could drive up early afternoon, enjoy the concert, get a room overnight and drive back the next morning. But not that night! I spent the day as a Judges Coordinator for Valley Catholic Middle School's Regional Speech Tournament. I've volunteered in this capacity for about 7 or 8 years and I love it. There is no way I could miss it (but I did skip the awards so we could head out a little sooner).

We got there a little early so that I could "see the sights". If you've never been to a Country artist's concert, it is an experience. I have learned that there are rednecks everywhere!!!! Portland prides itself in being wierd and I consider myself pretty open minded. I saw clothes (whole outfits) and things at that concert that are beyond words. I didn't know little old ladies acted that way in public! In the late 90's, I went to a Backstreet Boys concert with my then teenage daughters. Even all those screaming lovestruck teens couldn't prepare me for crazy country fans!

Crystal's "You Can Let Go" was beautifully sung. Dierks' "Feel That Fire" and "Come a Little Closer" was right on target. And everything that Brad sang and played was AMAZING! The concert lasted for hours and every minute was better than the last. It was the best Christmas Present! All too soon it was time to get in the car and drive home. I tried to sleep but I didn't want to miss a minute with Ben. We arrived home about 2:30 in the morning, threw my suitcases in the car and headed to the airport. I had a very, very early morning flight to Baton Rouge.