There's nothing wrong with the SOUND you've been needing all along...

I got home from DE late Thursday night, and on Friday night we drove back to Raleigh to see one of my most favorite bands - Virginia Coalition.  If you haven't heard them, check them out.  ("Hurricane Song" "Walk to Work" and "Green and Gray" are my favorite faster songs... my favorite slower songs are "Mason Dixon" "Home This Year" and "Voyager II"  .. although all of their songs are awesome!)  The show was great - sorry about the blurry pic, but I did my best.  We were right up in the front.  It's been a long time since I've been to a show like that, where it's in a tiny little place that's standing room only.  We loved the show, the setlist was phenomenal with a lot of old tunes mixed with their mellower new stuff.  They covered "Lean on Me" which was pretty freakin' sweet.  The only downside to the concert: every high schooler in the Research Triangle area was there.  I've never been prouder to be 21 and not have stamps on my hands!!!

We found out about Virginia Coalition (also known as VaCo) because they opened up for OAR when we saw them play at Elon University two years ago.  Ever since then, Kim and I have been keeping the VaCo spirit alive by playing Hurricane as much as possible (especially in the car when it's sunny out, with the windows down!!)  We were so psyched to see that they were coming to Raleigh.  Oh - sidenote - Maria, they are going to be in Dewey Beach on June 7, it's a Saturday night ... I think they'll be at North Star Bar, it's only a $5 show, but you should DEFINITELY try to go!  They are amazing, I promise you would love them!!

Today I finished my transcribing interview.  I felt very accomplished...and since then I've been catching up on all the shows that I missed last week when I was home.  I love how abc.com will let you watch any episode of their shows.  I find myself getting so caught up in Desperate Housewives.  At first I was annoyed with the show, but back when Grey's aired on Sunday nights, DH would come on right afterwards, so I got hooked .. and now I'm completely enthralled.  

I know this is crazy, but Em and I are heading back UP to MD/DE/NJ on this Friday.  This weekend is the Chestertown Tea Party - which I'll explain at another time - and then after that we are just running all over the place.  Up to NJ to visit with Em's parents and brother, then back down so I can go to an Orioles/Red Sox game with my dad, then maybe visiting the Dewey/Rehoboth area or exploring Philly (Linds- will you be around then?  It'll be like June 1 and 2, right before the concert). 

On June 3 and 4, we are seeing Dave Matthews ... it feels like old times, going to BOTH shows in Camden!  I am so excited, I can barely contain myself.  This will by my 10th and 11th Dave Matthews shows, and I don't want to hear any crap about how all of his songs sound the same, because they all sound different and beautiful in their own way to me :)  He is a very talented musician.  

Then, we're coming back down here to spend the summer (minus a week for PACAA in July).

So, now you all know the plan.

Kristen

PS. I will write soon about how I am buying a new camera.  It's a digital SLR - I think I am going to go with the Nikon D60.  If you know anything about cameras, you might wonder why I am getting the D60 over the D40, and I've spent a lot of time debating that and researching, however, Ritz camera is having an awesome sale this week, so I might just go ahead and get the D60!!  If you have any comments though, let me know (or if you own either camera!)