Off To Palm Desert

This is my chance for a mini vacation with the girls - woo hoo! My sister from New York was in San Francisco last week for a meeting. She flew south to spend some time with my mom, so I decided to tag along on their Palm Desert Resort stay. (technically it's in Indian Wells, but all those desert communities are so close I just lump them together). It will be a wonderful chance to catch up with her and her life and a great opportunity to spend time with my mom, sister and her friend.  5 middle-aged women looking for adventure in the desert! I am sure there will be lots of pool time and a lot of wine drinking.

We will be staying at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort compliments of my sister's loyalty points! That is quite a compliment! It is about a 4 hour drive, and we will split the cost of gas, so this is turning out to be quite a luxurious mini vacation that will be very affordable. I know I'm ready.


Where's my bathing suit and sunblock?


Ta Ta for now...

Before We Begin - Josh Groban

My sister and I had an amazing treat in Palm Desert when we went to see Josh Groban at the McCallum Theatre on November 6, 2010. The concert was titled "Before We Begin" and it was the first of five concerts in intimate venues to promote the official release of his new album "Illuminations" on November 16, 2010.  

It was quite exciting waiting outside the theatre by the beautifully lit waterfall and fountain. I asked a "Grobanite" (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's a Groban groupie) to take a picture of my sister and me. There were many dedicated fan groups there, mostly middle aged women (hey, that's me!) who wore matching t-shirts (no, not me!). Some shirts were screen printed and some were bedazzled. There were all forms of fan paraphernalia such as handbags, sweatshirts, buttons, you name it, as long as it said Josh, Groban or Illuminations it was donned!

It was a miracle that I was even able to nab two seats, and we were literally in the last row of the balcony, dead center, directly below the follow spot and lighting control booth! Finally the moment came, the curtains opened, and there he was sitting on a sofa with sunglasses on with his adorable dog "Sweenie" next to him. He was dressed very relaxed and casual in jeans, Josh not the dog, a plaid shirt and cowboy boots. What a sweetheart!

The show lasted an hour and a half, and he sang songs from across his four Cd's and a couple from the upcoming new one. I can't even explain how amazingly talented he is. Not only is he an accomplished pianist, but also a songwriter and most importantly a gifted baritone. Like an angel he filled the theater and my soul with melodies as smooth as glass and as uplifting as an angelic choir. I could listen to him all night long!

The remaining venues on this tour are San Diego and Santa Barbara California, New Haven Connecticut and lastly London England in the UK. What a treat his fans are in for and I can't wait for his new album to be shipped to my door!

Ta Ta for now...

Josh joked and conversed with the audience in a
very relaxed and casual way that made us all feel
as though he were speaking to us individually.

THE END!

Josh Groban Hear I Come!

Josh Groban sings like an angel! I am excited to have been lucky enough to buy two tickets to his pre-tour concert in Palm Desert on November 6. As a friend on facebook, and FOJG fan I received notices that the tickets were going on sale.  He described this concert as inviting us to be in his living room to hear and see how he puts his tour music together. Perhaps just sitting at the piano and playing and singing to see what suits him - a Groban jam.  I can't wait. Plus the ticket price includes his new cd "Illuminations" mailed to me when it is released!

Because I am not a paid up fan member, I did not have access to the "secret code" that was necessary to buy the tickets on Thursday night.  So Friday morning I planted myself down in front of the computer and tried my luck at beat the clock.  He is also playing in San Diego on November 7th, but I noticed that Ticketmaster was handling the sales so I figured I would increase my odds by trying for the McCallum Theater instead. They were using their own ticketing system and I actually started submitting before the 10:00 am start time. I kept requesting two and it said that there weren't any, but did I take no for an answer? NO! I just kept on submitting and then there were the words I wanted to see, 2 tickets in the balcony. I would have loved to have been closer, but I am just thankful for the two I got.

Since my sister's birthday is mid-November I thought that this would make a perfect gift. I booked a hotel, have my driving partner and will see what else we can squeeze in to make it a great sister day.  Of course I have also made some people very unhappy, like my daughter who is a HUGE fan (but who also is abroad at school for the semester) and my two other sisters, and probably my mom, and probably ....

Ta Ta for now..