In the words of Olivia Newton John...

Let's get physical.

This is me.  Post workout.  I couldn't choose an image for today so I snapped a few after my 'self created' workout today.  It consisted of this: turn iPod on shuffle, skip through til you get to fast song you want to dance to.  Dance, jumping jacks, kickbox, grab handweights, do shadowboxing with weights, dance some more.  Repeat it all.  Add other stuff too, whatever makes you sweat and feel the burn.  It's actually pretty great.  May I just say that my favorite tracks this time around were the following:

1. Happiness in Slavery - Nine Inch Nails
2. Gold Digger - Kanye West
3. Fat Chance - 311

The only thing that would've made it more fun is if I had someone in my place to have participated in a dance-off with me.  I just noticed that it looks like my left arm has a nodule or something.  Nope.  That is actually my vein.  The American Red Cross people love me.  Yay for sweaty self portrait.  Aren't you glad you clicked my blog link today?

you came in with the breeze on Sunday morning

Sunday morning coffee.  Royal Blue blend from Zeke's Coffee is divine.

and a little No Doubt reference there on the post title, just because it came to me all of a sudden and it is of course, Sunday.

Barnaby

This is Barnaby.  He belongs to my friend Ben.  We went to a local trail and walked him one day and the trail was pretty muddy which was unexpected.  It wasn't earth shattering, but you can see some mud on Barnaby's lower half.  He is also sporting some wicked drool.  Both sides, not just one.  Awesome.

I took a bunch of photos on the walk but that was one of my favorites.  Probably because Barnaby actually sat and posed for it.  Many other shots I tried to take I was just a split second too slow.  I also was fond of this one (which was right before he ferociously shredded the dry grass you see in the background) ..

Furbabies are the best.

Wilco at Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD

I've seen Wilco a number of times but never in the front pit area.  It has always been lawn or another outer area so I was pretty psyched.  It was a bit of time since my last Wilco show and the anticipation was killing me.  I left my Nikon at home and brought my borrowed piece as planned.  After some lot time catching up with faces I hadn't seen for awhile and encountering new ones, I made my way through the gates.  Nick Lowe was the opener and I missed it but luckily he came out later in the show and did a song with Wilco so I at least got a few shots of him. 

Once I merged myself into the pit area I gazed longingly at the space between the stage and the fence wishing I had that magical press pass that would allow me to be in that very space.  One day..

They took the stage, opened with the track I suspected they would and then it was game on.  It was a great show as it always is, as I knew it would be.  I did not go hog wild with the camera like I have for other shows in the past.  I think I'm finally finding my way to blending photos and concert enjoyment all in one which is something I've struggled with.

Wilco goodness...

Jeff Tweedy

Wilco action

Nels and Mikael

Tweedy in red

Jeff and John

Nick Lowe

Armed and dangerous

Wilco with Nick Lowe

John Stirratt

Group shot

Set design

Perfection

It's almost Wilco time

I've been stalking Wilco set lists.  I also put my request in for tomorrow's show.  There is a link on their tour section of the website for you to request a song.  It only lets you do it once, but this nice message comes up after you have made your selection..

Wilco loves me!

This morning my friend Michelle and I went to Zeke's Coffee , a local coffee spot, to replenish our bean supply.  It was my first time actually in the store and it was a nifty little space.  There was a friendly and knowledgable dude who gave us a few samplings which was nice.  The coffee is more expensive than your average (about $14/pound) but well worth it.  I recommend.

Since I cannot take my Nikon into the Wilco show tomorrow, my boss was kind enough to lend me his camera which will fit in my pocket.  So the photos here were taken with that rather than my usual camera.  Not bad for a super tiny point and shoot.  I am pleased that it has manual settings.  

After Zeke's,  I spent some time at Michelle and CJ's place testing out my borrowed camera on their cat Hunter.  I am not a cat person, but Hunter is my exception to that rule.  I like the fact that he plays fetch.  He's also a good looking little guy.  Every time I was about to snap the shot, he would move.  So I figured out that if I shimmied the wrist strap on the camera around like a toy, he would be much more alert and looking in my direction.  Take note that his left paw is slightly elevated because he's about to swat at the strap:

 Finally, since I am in "anticipation of rocking my face off with Jeff Tweedy and Co. tomorrow" mode, I thought this shot was appropriate..

Stay tuned for Wilco photos!  I have never been close enough to even attempt photos at any prior Wilco shows.  I have a pit ticket for tomorrow.  Fingers crossed! 

a few of my favorite things

Wine, Waterford, Coconut candle.  Which makes for another one of my favorite things...a peaceful evening.

Waiter, there's a piano in my drink

I'll meet you anytime you want.  In our Italian restaurant.