Bruuuuuuuuuce

Springsteen Show #11 ~ at Quicken Loans Arena in CLEVELAND {not Pittsburgh, Bruce}  And WHAT A SHOW!  This is The River Tour {take 2} and he is playing the double album straight through ~ all 20 songs.  It was a good show...an album that I rarely listened all the way through very often ~ but certainly favorite songs.  The one I was looking forward to most, was Sherry Darling ~ because I have very fond memories of dancing around my kitchen on Moseley Road with my little babies.  I'd play that CD when I cleaned up & that is just such a party song.  I  just looked back in this blog to find my list of concerts...and found this post ~ where I put my song wish list ~ "Here are my hopes:  I hope he plays Sherry Darling and Roselita and Thunder Road"  ummmm...he played Sherry Darling, Roselita & Thunder Road.  OMG TRIFECTA.  So I might as well put in the set list here:

Setlist:
Meet Me in the City
The Ties That Bind
Sherry Darling
Jackson Cage
Two Hearts
Independence Day
Hungry Heart
Out in the Street
Crush On You
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
I Wanna Marry You
The River
Point Blank
Cadillac Ranch
I'm a Rocker
Fade Away
Stolen Car
Ramrod
The Price You Pay
Drive All Night
Wreck on the Highway
Prove It All Night
Lonesome Day
Candy's Room
Because the Night
Youngstown
The Rising
Thunder Road
* * *
Growin' Up
Born to Run [with Joe and Johnny Grushecky]
Dancing in the Dark
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Bobby Jean
Shout

Kirsten, Max and I had GREAT seats! {as you can see}  Could see the whole stage & Bruce was right there.  

Bruce played for 3 1/2 hours ~ without any break.  Amazing.   After the show we walked back to the hotel... and just like the last time we saw Springsteen & parked at the hotel...the parking lot guy got fired.  I'm thinking you don't want to work that job the night I go see Springsteen.  Starting to feel like bad luck.

My BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN History

 I've seen him in concert:

1. The Born in the USA Tour July 9, 1984 ~ at the Richfield Coliseum

2. The Tunnel of Love Express Tour March 14, 1988 ~ at the Richfield Coliseum 

3. The "Other Band" Lucky Town/Human Touch tour August 22, 1992 ~at the Richfield Coliseum (Mike's first show)

4. The Reunion Tour November 14, 1999 ~ at The Gund Arena 

5. The Rising Tour August 14, 2002 ~ at The Gund Arena

6. The Devils and Dust Tour May 15, 2005 ~ at The Wolstein Center (CSU) 

7. The Working on a Dream Tour November 10, 2009 ~at Quicken Loans Arena (same place as The Gund)  ~ where he played this song, just for me.  (Mike's second chance show)

8. The Wrecking Ball Tour April 12, 2012 ~ at Quicken Loans Arena ~ Best Show Ever 

9. The Wrecking Ball Tour October 27, 2012 ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

10. The High Hopes Tour April 22, 2014 ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

11. The River Tour February 23, 2016 ~ at Quicken Loans Arean, Cleveland, Ohio

the twitter

It's a known fact that Jake Clemons reads all his tweets ~ so the fact that he LIKED my Tweet means that he LIKES me and I'll probably get a shout out at the concert tomorrow.  I won't be surprised if I'm summoned to the stage to become an honorary member of the E Street Band.  

Social Media is the greatest.

Advent

Advent.  The season of preparing.  Waiting for the arrival of a notable person, thing or event.  The most wonderful time of the year.  Advent for me is always an anxious time of trying to get it all done; get it all done right; and remember the real reason ~ the birth of a baby boy to save the world.  I think I'm getting better at being less anxious.  The house is decorated.  The tree is up.  The presents are being bought. The music is being played.  

The Madison High School Jazz Band had their first Christmas performance at Giant Eagle on Friday night.  They sounded great & Jacob rocked his solos.  Once again, so thankful that both my boys have been blessed by the Madison Band Program.  

While we were listening to the Band ~ I catch a glimpse of the TV in the far back corner  (You can see the TV in the picture)  What is on that TV, you might be wondering?  A picture of Bruce Springsteen with the words "Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band  Live at Quicken Loans Arena"  WHAT?  A real quick search on my phone finds that Bruce announced Tour Dates!  And CLEVELAND is on the list.  February 23.  Tempted to get tickets for Pittsburgh...but I may be in Florida that date.  I guess I'll be happy with one concert.  SOOOOO excited for show #11!  Here are my hopes:  I hope he plays Sherry Darling and Roselita and Thunder Road.

On Saturday we got up early & lifted for 12 minutes so we could be running by 7:15.  Got in our 10 miles...During which we were yelled at by a police officer.  Seems it's illegal to cross train tracks when the gate is down...even when there is plenty of room to do so.   ~ story:  As we were running south on 528 we can see that the far gates are down ~ but no train.  We can also see there is a police car with its lights on.  As we get closer the near gates come down... and I see we have enough time to cross, so I say, "Go" so we all run across...However, just as I yell "Go"  the cops yells, "Get Back."  I'm kinda shocked that I've been given a directive from a police officer, but I'm not about to ignore it, so I turn around.  As we are running around the village grounds to get in our extra 1/2 mile we discuss the legalities of crossing tracks when the gate is down. Mike thought that maybe there was something going on on the other side of the tracks that would have been unsafe for us to be involved with; he just can't comprehend why we weren't allowed to cross the tracks.  But realistically, we kinda figure it must be illegal and laugh at the thought of being arrested during our Saturday morning run.  {I won't tell the story about the time we were running down Bates}  Later in the day I Google Ohio Revised Code & discover that it is a $55.00 fine to cross tracks when the gate is down.  That would have been an expensive 10 mile run.  And embarrassing.  Bad enough to get yelled at by an officer of the law.  Being thrown into the car handcuffed would have been horrible.
I'm 52 miles (or so) into my Rudolph Challenge 2015.  Doing all the events will be 66.6 miles.  I'm going to run all of them in full except the 26.2 ~ that one will be broken into pieces.  I will do that distance again, just not this month!

We had to run early because Dodd had plans that morning.  Seems little baby William Glenn Dodd was coming into the world.  What a beautiful thing ~ a newborn baby.  Such promise and love.  So sweet and precious.

So as we celebrate this season of Advent I want to remember the blessings that I have in my life.  Family, Friends, Music, Running.

Bruuuuuuuuce

4/22/14 Bruce Springsteen at Consol Engery Center in Pittsburgh, PA.  The second time that Ag & I have made the drive to PA to see the Boss.  First time was the end of the Wrecking Ball tour...this time it was the beginning of the High Hopes tour.  He went to Cincinnati, Columbus & Pittsburgh.  UGH...where's the CLE love?

Started in crazy Cleveland traffic, picking up Max @ work.  The parking lot attendant made fun of my 'white girl' name.  Seriously.  I've never felt so put down about by name before...weird.

We arrived in Pittsburgh a little after 7:30 with about 2 gallons of gas left in the tank. {yeah, that becomes an issue}

First picture is of the lady who K handed her credit card to so scan for our tickets.  Kirsten said, "I've never done this before; I hope it works."  The lady says, "Me neither.  We could be in trouble."  It was so funny. K didn't even know what to say :)  The second is the Bruce selfie...with Max, Ag & me.

The review:

Bruce singing "The Promise"  He was pretty amazing on the keyboard, considering he's a guitar player.

Patty was at the show {first time I've seen her in a long time}, but Steve wasn't.  No mention of where he was, but Nil was so funny & Tom Morello was amazing.  K made the comment that she bet he never at any moment when he was with Rage Against the Machine think he'd ever be part of the E Street Band.  I love their voiced together & Ghost of Tom Joad is just amazing. 

 The past 5 or 6 shows have all been the best show ever...this one was great, but didn't quite reach that level for me.  That said, it was definately worth the price of admission & the two hour drive.  I certainly hope he comes to CLE in the fall.  Waiting for the magic tour date announcement. Love Bruce Springsteen. (still waiting to hear Sherry Darling live.

Show began at 8:15 p.m.

Set list
1. Clampdown (The Clash cover, tour premiere)
2. Badlands
3. Johnny 99
4.Stand On It (tour premiere)
5. Seven Nights to Rock
6. High Hopes
7. Just Like Fire Would
8. Hungry Heart
9. I Wanna Be With You (sign request, tour premiere)
10. Back In Your Arms (sign request)
11. Wrecking Ball
12. The Promised Land
13. Youngstown
14. Lonesome Day
15. Mary's Place
16. The Ghost of Tom Joad
17. Radio Nowhere
18. The Rising
19. Land of Hope and Dreams

Encores:
20. The Promise (solo piano)
21. The Wall
22. Born in the USA
23. Light of Day (with Joe Grushecky)
24. Frankie Fell in Love (with Joe Grushecky)
25. Born To Run
26. Dancing in the Dark
27. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
28. Shout
29. Dream Baby Dream (solo on the pump organ)

Over at 11:23 p.m.

For the first time ever, we left as they were lining up after Shout...and I missed Dream Baby Dream {not my favorite song, but booooo on leaving early ~ MAX}

and then the trip home began with us frantically searching for an open gas station at 11:30pm.  Finally found one...but we were EMPTY.

My BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN History
 I've seen him in concert:
1. The Born in the USA Tour July 9, 1984 ~ at the Richfield Coliseum
2. The Tunnel of Love Express Tour March 14, 1988 ~ at the Richfield Coliseum 
3. The "Other Band" Lucky Town/Human Touch tour August 22, 1992 ~at the Richfield Coliseum (Mike's first show)
4. The Reunion Tour November 14, 1999 ~ at The Gund Arena 
5. The Rising Tour August 14, 2002 ~ at The Gund Arena
6. The Devils and Dust Tour May 15, 2005 ~ at The Wolstein Center (CSU) 
7. The Working on a Dream Tour November 10, 2009 ~at Quicken Loans Arena (same place as The Gund)  ~ where he played this song, just for me.  (Mike's second chance show)
8. The Wrecking Ball Tour April 12, 2012 ~ at Quicken Loans Arena ~ Best Show Ever 
9. The Wrecking Ball Tour October 27, 2012 ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
10. The High Hopes Tour April 22, 2014 ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Waiting for show #11

run it off

It's 9:00 and I just got back from my run.  I had to go run this day off.  UGH.  I'm unsettled.  I remember one year ago this Patriot's Day feeling the same way.  Some yahstick had just exploded homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon...it was so unthinkable; I had to go run.  Today I had the same kind of feeling, but I think it runs deeper than just the anniversary of the Boston bombing.
It started with another yahstick driving mach 10 in reverse out of his driveway at 7:04 this morning.  DIDN'T even glance to see if there was oncoming traffic moving west on Middle Ridge Road ~ there was! {ME}.  I slam on my breaks and hit my horn so he can slam on his breaks...we stopped inches from each other with his kid fully turned around in his seat {I'm assuming he wasn't buckled in}.  And instead of looking sheepish and apologizing, he motions for me to get moving out of his way.  Yahstick!  I really wanted to knock on his front door after school today & inform his wife of what a yahstick she lets drive her son around.  I didn't, but I wanted to.
Then there was school...At some point someone is going to have to realize that when parents don't value education, their children will most likely be left behind.  I'm just saying.  I'd love to get into the whole story...but this is a little too public, even if no one really reads my blog.
Then I get a text at 3:35 from Jacob.  We're on our way to South and I need shorts!!!!!  He was introduced by coach as "Jacob, I hope my mom gets here with my shorts, Barton"  I made it...but really?!  What happened to the kid who knew what was going on?

So a deep breath
and a 4.5 mile run

Tomorrow at this time I'll be in Pittsburgh singing along with BRUCE at my 10th Springsteen concert ~ Then it's off to Cincinnati to bring Patrick home for summer.

Life is good ~ crazy ~ but good.

Wild Wonderful Weekend

 Sometimes you get those moments when all is good & everything is rolling your way.  As Bruce Springsteen so wisely wrote, "Hard times come and hard times go; hard times come and hard times go, just to come again."  This was a week of blessings and a weekend where hard times go.  I know they will come again, but  if you don't celebrate the good times, what's the point of having them.
Before I go into the weekend, here's my Facebook post from Thursday:
I am blessed.
I work at an amazing place that CELEBRATED EXCELLENT WITH DISTINCTION today at a WHOLE district pep rally ~ in 80 degree sunshine (in Ohio, in October)
I got to watch both my boys perform on the football field with the best high school band in the land.
I got to tour the soon-to-be new middle school. (tried to pick my room & write my name on the wall, but couldn't find a sharpie)
I celebrated a FANTASTIC cross country season with an amazing group of 35 kids and their thoughtful & supportive families.
AND I came home to clean kitchen (you should have seen it when I walked out the door) I have a gem of a man for a husband.
Life is good.
And sometimes it just gets better.
Friday night we watched the last football game ~ ending Patrick's marching career, but it was in the rain...so I wasn't so sad!  Then we went to Cassidy's to hang with Le Jeder ~ Janice is a true groupie ~ as they spent the weekend performing in Geneva and Cassidy's house party.  Unfortunately, I had to miss the house party, because I had to travel to Pittsburgh to see BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN for the ninth time.  Kirsten & I sent off, shopped at Ikea, changed our clothes in a church parking lot {close to the hood} ~ really funny FUNNY story, but not one to share here ~ went to the Marriott to have a drink pre-show, and ran into an old friend from college.  Such a small world moment.  Then we go to the show.  I know our seats are behind the stage, but I don't care.  We sat there before & you can see everything & there are always screens to see what you can't.  I usually have to watch the screens wherever I am since we're most often pretty far away.  We walk in, hand our tickets to Robert (the friendly usher), who, instead of walking UP the rows, walks us DOWN the rows, and down the rows and down the rows to the FOURTH ROW behind the stage.  There were three rows, a gap of 10 feet & then the E Street Horn Section.  HOLY COW.  We could see the entire stage, the faces of everyone on the stage, their expressions, the interactions, EVERYTHING.  AMAZING VIEW of the show.  And, as always, it was an amazing show.  I will share the set list & some pictures (Taken with my new iPhone, which I quickly have fallen in love with)

1. Don't Look Back
2. Candy's Room
3. The Ties That Bind
4. Streets of Fire
5. Hungry Heart
6. We Take Care of Our Own
7. Wrecking Ball
8. Death to My Hometown
9. My City of Ruins
10. Spirit in the Night
11. Pretty Flamingo
12. Talk to Me
13. Adam Raised a Cain
14. Because the Night
15. She's the One
16. Working on the Highway
17. Shackled and Drawn
18. Waitin' on a Sunny Day
19. The Rising
20. Bandlands
21. Land of Hope and Dreams

Encore

1. Racing in the Street
2. Born to Run
3. Glory Days
4. Light of Day
5. Dancing in the Dark
6. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

My BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN History~ The Boss ~ I've seen him in concert at the Richfield Coliseum on the Born in the USA Tour July 9, 1984, The Tunnel of Love Express Tour March 14, 1988, The "Other Band" Lucky Town/Human Touch tour August 22, 1992; at The Gund Arena on the Reunion Tour November 14, 1999, The Rising Tour August 14, 2002; at The Wolstein Center (CSU) on the Devils and Dust Tour May 15, 2005, And at Quicken Loans Arena (same place as The Gund) on the Working on a Dream Tour November 10, 2009.  ~ where he played this song, just for me.  ~ at Quicken Loans Arena on the Wrecking Ball Tour April 12, 2012 (Best Show Ever) ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA on the Wrecking Ball Tour October 27, 2012

Once again, an amazing show...

Then, Kirsten & I drove home (not an hour and a half...but two).  I was in bed just after 2:00 am.  Of course, with the way I've been {not} sleeping, I was up at 7:00.  The Barton Family Runners set off to Rabbit Run Theater for the second annual Rabbit Run.  A blustery, raining day, but not as cold as it was last year.  I did not repeat as second place female overall, but I did repeat as first place in my age group!  I ran it in 24:21  {details to follow when I find them on the internet}.  Patrick won for the family (22:34), followed by Jacob (22:38) & Mike (25.56) brought up the rear, making sure his whole family safely crossed the finish line.  AND, because costumes were encouraged {and I only need a slight reason} I ran in a pink tutu.  I felt like a running princess.

But the highlight of the weekend was the text Patrick got from his soccer coach:

"You've been named Academic All-State."

A positive ending to a roller-coaster season.

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUCE

Show #8. April 17, 2012
I have to call it: The best show ever.
A packed crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.  Bruce lit up the stage ~ so much energy.  The mix of his energy, his voice, his ideals, and the crowd make a kind of kindred spirit that is unlike anything else I've ever experienced.  There is a sharing of the human experience that is heartbreakingly tender and rock solid, all at the same time.  His music touches my soul.  He gave us an opportunity to say good-bye to The Big Man in a way that reminded us that when you love someone they are truly never gone from our lives.  They live on in what they've left with us.  Watching Jake Clemons fill those big shoes was moving in a way I can't adequately put into words.
The songs just kept coming...Badlands, The Ties That Bind, The E Street Shuffle, Jack of All Trades, Trapped, RACING IN THE STREET, Because the Night, Light of Day, Out in the Street...Blows any set list I have ever dreamed up OUT OF THE WATER.
At the end of the night, Bruce was the last to leave the stage.  He waved and saluted and made us all feel that he enjoyed the night as much as we did.
I wish I were a poet
I wish I had the words

So Glad I was THERE.

Setlist:
Badlands
We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
The Ties That Bind
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
The E Street Shuffle
Jack of All Trades
Trapped
Youngstown
My Love Will Not Let You Down
Shackled & Drawn
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Racing in the Street
Apollo Medley
Because the Night
The Rising
We Are Alive
Light of Day (including You Can't Sit Down)
* * *
Rocky Ground (with Michelle Moore)
Out in the Street
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

My BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN History~ The Boss ~ I've seen him in concert at the Richfield Coliseum on the Born in the USA Tour July 9, 1984, The Tunnel of Love Express Tour March 14, 1988, The "Other Band" Lucky Town/Human Touch tour August 22, 1992; at The Gund Arena on the Reunion Tour November 14, 1999, The Rising Tour August 14, 2002; at The Wolstein Center (CSU) on the Devils and Dust Tour May 15, 2005, And at Quicken Loans Arena (same place as The Gund) on the Working on a Dream Tour November 10, 2009.  ~ where he played this song, just for me.  ~ at Quicken Loans Arena on the Wrecking Ball Tour April 12, 2012 (Best Show Ever)

Wrecking Ball

Bruce has released his 17 studio album ~ wow ~ 17 (that's how old my kid is) ~ and I LOVE it.
I will be the geek and list the songs:
1. We Take Care of Our Own
2. Easy Money
3. Shackled and Drawn
4. Jack of all Trades
5. Death to my Hometown
6. This Depression
7. Wrecking Ball
8. You've got it
9. Rocky Ground
10. Land of Hope and Dreams
11. We are Alive
12. Swallowed up
13. American Land

Land of Hope and Dreams has been a favorite of mine, nice to finally have a non-bootleg recording ~ and, being old, it's nice to hear American Land and have a chance to learn the lyrics...Dear I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long...
The last few albums have taken me a while to find favorites and songs that are meaningful to me.  Not that I haven't liked the music, it just wasn't MINE right away, like Racing in the Streets is MINE.  But Jack of all Trades immediately spoke to me.  That's my husband.  That's my life.  Same with Rocky Ground.  I find it amazing that Bruce can put into song my thoughts and feelings.  Mike always sarcastically exclaims, "Bruce sure feels the plight of the working man..."  But for someone who doesn't have economic hardship, he sure understands some of the related feelings.
Can't wait for April 17!

ready for April

I have BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN tickets.

I have BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN tickets.

April 17, 2012

Quicken Loans Arena

Cleveland, Ohio

I have BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN tickets.

I'm a little excited.


This will be the my 8th Bruce Springsteen concert...I love the Boss, but I'm not one of those crazy-follow-him-anywhere fans.  I just love Bruce.
In order to buy concert tickets today you need two things...a credit card & the internet.  At 10:00 I clicked BUY TICKETS.  and I bought tickets.  Yep, no more than 5 minutes of my life.
The simplicity of this process makes me remember how much of a challenge it was to buy concert tickets before the internet.
There were two options:
1.  Go to local Ticketmaster outlet ~ where you needed to get their early for those 'once in a lifetime' shows, and WAIT.  Back in college a group of us camped out to get good seats for Genesis.  I think we got to the Sears at Belden Village Mall around midnight.  We waited in line (believe it or not, we were NOT the first ones in line) until Ticketmaster opened at 10:00 the next morning.  I'm sure we had fun...and we thought it was totally worth it because we got floor seats. Turns out floor seats are so hot...you really can't see over the people in front of you...and they yell at you if you stand on the chairs.
2.  Try your luck ordering tickets from Ticketmaster over the phone. Dial, busy, dial, busy, dial, busy.  (There was a time when phones didn't have a redial button.) I remember calling over and over and being so in the habit of hanging up being afraid I might just hang up when I got an actual ring. 
Oh, the drama of buying tickets before the internet made all of our lives so much simpler.
I feel like the old woman I am recalling all of this.  I did just pay $100 to see a 62 year old man sing.  I'm not going to think about that any more.

Be the Boss

E Street Radio (on Sirius XM) lets the average Joe take control of the airwaves to “Be the Boss” for a 30 minute time slot. My husband LOVES to listen to them because the “how I met Bruce” portion of the show has people telling some of the most outlandish tales ever heard. He makes fun of me, because I must not be a true fan since I’ve never had Bruce throw me a guitar and let me strum along with the band.

But if I WERE to be the Boss for the day, I’ve got my set list ready, because, contrary to Mike’s opinion, I am a true fan, and Bruce’s music has meant a lot to me throughout the years.

I’m a teacher ~ and my students know I’m a big Bruce fan. I had tickets to a concert one night and told my students. I had a girl (big N’Sync fan at the time) ask me if I was going to cry when I saw him come on stage. Never even occurred to me that it might happen ~ who cries at a concert? But she cried at an N’Sync concert when she was 12…so she thought it was what happened. I just laughed.


My first favorite song is one that I had never heard Bruce sing this live and, for some reason never really expected to. But one night, sitting at the convocation center on the CSU campus, with two of my dearest friends, I heard the opening chords to this one and did tear up. This song speaks to me about never letting our dreams die and living life, not letting it pass by.


Racing in the Streets


This next song reminds me of when my kids were babies. I would put it on in the kitchen and dance around with them in my arms. We’d spin and twirl and laugh and sing. My first baby is 6’2” and I don’t get to twirl him around much, but this song reminds me of that time.


Sherry Darling


This should be the part when I tell the most amazing “How I met Bruce” story. I’ve never met Bruce, but if I were so honored, I would just like to shake his hand and say thank you for sharing your music with me. Thank you for being a huge part of the fabric of my life.
Well I don’t have that, but I don’t need it, because I have MY song. When I need a lift, when I need to feel my strength as a woman, when I need to know Bruce loves me, I play the recording from Cleveland taped 11/10/2010 when I heard him sing it just for me.


Red Headed Woman


This song is my hymn. This song is my prayer. This song tells me it’s going to be alright.

Waiting on a Sunny Day


My most romantic husband sent me a text once that said: When I count my blessings and you're mine for always. We laughed beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays
I knew it was from a song…but I couldn’t for the life of me place it. So, I had to ask (and he again laughed at my claim to be a true fan). And he said, this line is from the sequel to Thunder Road. It was happily ever after, just like us. That’s why I love him, and why I love Bruce.


Kingdom of Days


I’m from Cleveland and I spent some formative years listening to Kid Leo from 2 to 6 on WMMS, Cleveland’s Rock Station. Every Friday at 6 pm Kid Leo would help us all welcome the weekend. I especially remember summer evenings driving home from work ready to see my boyfriend, who is now my husband, and listening to Kid Leo start it off right. First was Bruce’s best song, then "Cleveland Rocks" by Ian Hunter and "Friday on My Mind." So Let me end this as Kid Leo would.


Born to Run



So, In case E Street Radio calls me up, I'm all ready.  Maybe I should actually enter my name through an email...but no, I think it was more fun to just make it up here!!

gather them in

This whole growing old thing.  I thought I'd conquered it.  I thought I had figured out how to do it gracefully.  I really thought I'd figured out how to stay young.

Since I turned 40 I've been confronted with that number.  With what that number means.  With the change that number brings.  And I thought I'd figured it out.  I thought I was ok with it.  I thought I'd fooled time.

But, even looking back at a few of these posts, shows me that I really haven't fooled anyone.

Another point in that directions ~ Friday at our annual MMS BOO-fete, Chad and I were talking about spelling, as is our running joke that he's a former spelling bee champion and they wouldn't let me in the competition room.  Our very young assistant principal says to me, "Did you have Chad in class?" 
Stab...Chad's 36.

It finally dawned on me that I can't keep going back to all those times I've been asked for my ID to convince myself (and everyone I tell) that I still look 21. ~ My new theory is that the youngsters working in these establishments have a running conversation ~ they pick people to ask for their IDs and watch the reaction.  Then they laugh about it (me) later in the break room. 

So, as in all of my times of inner turmoil, I turn to Bruce Springsteen.  In his recent interview with Brian Williams he talks about aging.  He feels that the band in better now than they've ever been.  He says, "If you do it right, instead of running from the years, you gather them in.  If you gather them in, something really wonderful happens.  Give me these years.  Gather all the time we can.  With the time we've got ahead ~ it should get better."

Gather them in.  Live and learn.  It's just going to get better.

The Boss

It's been there for well over a year ~ I guess I can't run for fan-of-the-year ~ Anita, Kirsten and I finally went today to the Rock Hall to see the Bruce Springsteen Exhibit.

Did you know that they charge way too much for admission?  But they do give a "greater Cleveland" discount ~ so it only cost us $18.00.  We took a picture for a woman from Florida and rode in the elevator with people from New Jersey.  It's weird to see Cleveland as a tourist hot-spot!  Especially in late September.  I don't know why that seems so weird.  I like Cleveland and I'm glad others come here...
The Hall really is put together well and The Springsteen exhibit was worth seeing.  I found his music notebooks to be interesting.  It was very cool to see his words in his handwriting.  It made the very public songs much more personal.  How many times have I scribbled thoughts into notebooks complete with cross outs and doodles.  It would be hard to bare my soul, so to speak, to the world.  There were also many posters advertising his early shows.  "This Friday"  ~ now the dates are set months in advance and I have lots of time to anticipate a great show.  "Admission $2.00" ~ didn't I spend $102.00 to see the last show?  There was also the leather jacket he wore during Born to Run ~ it was SOOOO small. 

The exhibit is on the fifth and sixth floors with a circular staircase going up to the sixth floor.  On the walls are the words to the first verse of Thunder Road.  So, of course, we have to sing the song as we walk up!  And when we get to the top the MTV Unplugged concert is playing.  Red Headed Woman started just as we entered the floor.  It's fate ~ someday I will meet him, and it will be amazing.  (I'll have to practice a reaction so I don't just flop around.)

Happy Bruce Springsteen Day, Girls.  Thanks for a great time :)