ConCert in Cloud

Augustana opened for Dashboard Confessional last Sunday on the SCSU campus (of all places). Dustin and I don't enjoy shows with lousy acoustics (like Hallenbeck), but we are really into Augustana and I've loved D/C since I was 16 years old, so I figured we really couldn't miss a show in our backyard. And to both of our surprise, the concert was actually really good!
Chris Carraba played a solo set - w/ the occasional backup of this guy pictured above. D/C, in my opinion, is the first true Emo band and my infatuation did not falter having seen him a second time. I have to admit, hearing him wail away with his band is definitely better, but this show was really intimate - as there was hardly anyone there!

We went with old buddies Michelle and Aaron - although a bit too much fun at the previous evening's Halloween bash left Dustin and I feeling a bit groggy and under the weather...

Augustana was SOOOOOOO good! They sounded great and their band was way more talented than I originally thought :) Below - you can take a listen to some old school D/C....man this music is SO nostalgic...but I accidentally uploaded it sideways. twist your neck and enjoy!

Halloween Part II

Halloween - Take Two! This party was down in the Cities with Dustin's friends. This is a creative bunch of people, so I was expecting great costumes...I've included a few pics of our pals below:
Anthony was a jellybean machine and I went as a "historical tennis figure" --- Monica Seles after being stabbed by a psychotic Stefi Graf superfan. The few people who actually knew who Seles was, thought the costume was quite clever, but those lame anti-tennis folks weren't so quick on the uptake. Oh well, a sweatshirt and tennis skirt were by far the most comfortable costume clothes I've ever worn for Halloween!

Chet switched places with his dog for the day, Megan was SuperWoman, can't remember Adam's costume...

Below: Tina spreads her Sprite wings and Lindsey oozes of jellyfish

Luke, a Mountain Dew Roman God, takes a stab, while I

took several Aspirin the next morning. :)

Halloween Part I

Our first of several Halloween parties was Bill and Laura's combined bday/holiday party. I met a few new pals - who seemed to know a few of my old pals. All the more reminding me of how small this world really is... :) Costumes were optional, but at the last minute we pulled together pseudo-impersonations of Debbie Harry and Payne Stewart.

...but Bill wins w/ the "Slash" tribute...

my parents (Bill and Laura's neighbors)

stopped by for a bit

HaLLowEEn hoTTieS

concertpalooza

Spill Canvas @ Station 4 in St. Paul

Not exaggerating, one of the GREATEST bands of today. Awesome entertainers, passionate songwriters, this group rocked their new album and played many of my old favorites. Lately, my ears have been obsessed with the Spill :) We drove 12 hours last Saturday to see State Radio play an incredible show in Madison. It was the smallest venue I have ever been to and one of the greatest performances. I'm a newbie to SR, but that concert made me want to be a fan. I'll post a picture of the buddies we rode out there with when I get them. Until then, here's a trippy picture of Chad~

Matt's wedding

I see that it's been a few weeks since I've updated the blog. The semester is half over and I am down to my final 8 weeks of grad classes! It is a really exciting-exhausting-celebratory-stressful time - as I'm sure my friends, family and Dustin will attest to my crazy antics. Sometimes I feel bad that I can't be a better daughter, friend, girlfriend, sister, teacher, etc... but I know this is a temporary moment in my life and soON I will move on to bigger and better things! Namely, an INCOME! ;)

Last weekend, Dustin was a groomsmen in his cousin Matt's wedding. It was a great time, but I had waaaaaaay too much to drink (again). You'd think a girl would learn her lesson the first (hundred) times... So, once again I spent a full 24 hours recovering from the festivities ;)
(above) Dustin's dad & mom

Joline is THE cutest little cousin in the world.

Carrie & Megan are Dustin's non-Randalite cousins.

Minus the intense 'morning after' symptoms, it was a really enjoyable weekend spent with Dustin's family (whom I am really starting to feel a part of lately, ...'and just a shade under a decade'... :)