February 2012 – Page 2 – Concert Katie

Idol – More Hollywood & Vegas

Katie February 20, 2012 0 Comments

Idol was 2 hours on Wednesday which messed with my schedule for sleeping a bit… but oh well.

I really liked the 2^nd group that did “Hold on Im Coming”, they had some great harmonies and I am glad that the judges let them all through! I don’t know who was in the group though because I was multi tasking and not paying enough attention. (Remember when I said I scheduled things really badly? This half assed re-cap is just another example of that)

Is this group singing MMMBop mixed with Blu Cantrell? Ha. They’re actually pretty good and it looks like they are having fun.

And here we go with the fainting again. It’s so crazy how many people this girl ended up getting sick. And I truly believe that these people who forget lyrics should be kicked out immediately. It’s not fair to the others who did practice and learn their parts.

I love how cut throat it is though – that some groups won’t even help out their group members with the lyrics. I would think that would make you look better to the judges… that you knew your part and more and were helping out.. but I guess no one wants to try that!

And wasn’t “those girls and that guy” the one with the cop who wanted to sing 2 songs for sure – and now that is not even what her group is singing? Be flexible people. That girl was so effing annoying and then didn’t even get what she wanted in the end – except for probably a bunch of viewers who are rooting against her!

I also can’t believe that after that girl fainted for what looked like a 3rd time – her group tried to keep singing! (That was my favorite doing it too – wasn’t it? ugh. lol) I mean, I get that you really want this – but if you were doing well I think that the judges would let you continue after the group member is taken care of (although to be honest they were a bit of a mess.)

Then it was time for solo performances again. This is when you really have to give it your all. I’m glad they are finally showing us some people that we haven’t seen yet. I can’t believe we are so close to the live rounds!

It looks like a couple of my favorites have made it through! And I’m still hoping the spoiler list is wrong!

Thursday night was the performances in groups in Vegas! Unfortunately my DVR decided that I didn’t REALLY need to watch it :/ Fortunately the performances were up on americanidol.com so I could see them!

(Another thing that was funny – is I avoided episode spoilers by not checking my twitter or facebook feeds after the concert to avoid anyone talking about results. What I *did* check? My blog stats. And keyword activity. Which said… “Why was johnny sent home on idol?” ACK. So then I knew that the spoiler list I had seen – might be right – since he was not on it. What HAPPENED?!)

Book Review

Book Review: Playing With Purpose: Basketball by Mike Yorkey

Katie February 19, 2012 0 Comments

Playing with Purpose Inside the Lives and Faith of Top NBA Stars – Kevin Durant, Kyle Korver, Jeremy Lin and More! is a book by Mike Yorkey. Each chapter focuses on the story of a different NBA player and how their Faith comes in to play in their life and in their game. The last chapter has smaller write ups on several other players who have strong faith but does not get in to their stories quite as in depth as they do with the players in the earlier chapters.

I don’t really follow the NBA, so most of the players I had never even heard of – but that wasn’t really important to being able to follow their stories. If you are an NBA fan (view https://www.megaslam.com.au/adjustable-basketball-hoops/ to know what experts suggest regarding the training undertaken by the basketball players) or just interested in learning more about players who have a strong faith, then this is the book for you. The author has also written a book on NFL quarterbacks and one on baseball will be coming out soon as well. (Which I will also be reviewing so be sure to keep and eye out for that)

I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in order to write my review. I was not asked to write a positive review nor was I otherwise compensated for my review.

About the Book

Just in time for the new NBA season, Playing with Purpose: Basketball chronicles the lives of several players who stand strong for their Christian faith on the professional hardwoods. Veteran CBA author Mike Yorkey, whosePlaying with Purpose biography of NFL rookies Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy was a best-seller, now profiles NBA stars both established and up-and-coming—such as Jeremy Lin, Kyle Korver, Anthony Parker, Luke Ridnour, and Chris Kaman. With a foreword by Ernie Johnson, host of TNT’s NBA coverage, Playing with Purpose: Basketball introduces readers to talented athletes with compelling faith stories.

About the Author

Mike Yorkey, a former Focus on the Family magazine editor and author and co‐author or editor
of more than 70 books, has written about sports all his life for a variety of national publications.
He has collaborated with Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and his father, Brad, in
Growing Up Colt; San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky (Called Up), San Diego Chargers
placekicker Rolf Benirschke (Alive & Kicking), and tennis star Michael Chang (Holding Serve). In
2010, Mike authored Playing with Purpose, the story of college football’s “Holy Trinity”—Sam
Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow—highly talented quarterbacks who stood strong for their
faith through their collegiate and into their professional careers. He and his wife, Nicole, are the
parents of two adult children, Andrea and Patrick. They make their home in Encinitas,California, and his website is www.mikeyorkey.com.

Concert Hanson

Hanson in Sayreville, NJ

Katie February 18, 2012 4 Comments

Thursday night was Hanson’s 6th time playing the Starland Ballroom! (And my 66th time seeing them.) This was an additional show that they threw in to the mix when making up a couple of the canceled shows from the Musical Ride tour.

Opening up was Joanna Burns, who seemed to do an awful lot of songs. The highlight of her set was the medley she did of Christina, Mariah, Whitney and other power house female vocalists. I think she really won over the crowd with that one – but then lost them when she did 2 more songs. Maybe she should have ended her set with the medley. Random fact – she mentioned she opened for Hanson once before at Starland with April Smith and the Great Picture Show. She was enjoyable though – it just seemed like her set went on for ever (and it is probably just because I am always incredibly impatient when I know Hanson is about to perform.)

Then it was time for Hanson. I was teasing saying I could name the whole setlist before they did it – but I guess they heard me and decided to switch things up, well, a lot. And I got the new song I had been hoping for when they threw in Ray Charles “What I’d Say” (at least, I think that is what the name of the song is) during Thinking Bout Somethin. I knew something was up when before the song started Isaac walked over and said something to Zac and then something to Taylor.

They threw Stories in the mix for the acoustic part of the set, since they are celebrating their 20th year as a band. For the solos, Zac did Go on guitar (I was glad because I couldn’t really see him at the drums because of his mic stand and everything else he had rigged up over there at his set), Isaac did Being Me – which marked my 12th time hearing him sing that (ughh) and Taylor did Me Myself and I. I’m not sure he has done that one as a solo before! (And my goodness it sounds so much like Song to Sing I get them so confused with the opening notes!)

When Zac sings Oh Darling, he holds out one of the “ohhhhs” for a really long time. Taylor was trying to pump everyone up and running around the stage getting us to cheer. When Taylor got to Zac’s side of the stage, he ended the note and Taylor had to run back to the piano to start playing the rest of the song. It was hilarious.

For the encore, Zac said he got new drums. Taylor asked to hit the lights and the drums LIT UP and changed colors. They were awesome. Zac after the show mentioned that they are from a company he’s been working with and the making of them will be a TV show.

After the show we waited by the bus – and Zac was the only one to come out. I got a photo with him, although it is awkward because he was on a ramp and I was on the ground… but that’s quite alright. Though things did get a bit crazy when he came near us, people climbing all over me and on the ramp railing (where I had claimed my spot as soon as we walked outside!) and on my head. But I survived and didn’t go ballistic on the girls standing on my head (although I really wanted to. I mean, really, there is no reason to climb all over other people when Zac is really good about trying to get to everyone.) At midnight Zac went back to the bus, which turned on, so we figured they would be making their way out and headed to our cars – while the venue proceeded to turn off all the lights on us. And I made it back home to CT in record time! (No road work! woooo!)

The Voice: Blind Auditions 3

Katie February 17, 2012 0 Comments

If this post seems like a rushed mess, it’s because it is. The show aired while I was at the Concert for Kids, so as soon as I got home I turned it on and started taking notes – except at the same time I was editing photos and working on a million and one other things. I really dropped the ball scheduling posts and in fact, today was supposed to be an Idol post but I knew there was no way I could write it and get it ready to post on a Friday, after being in New Jersey Thursday until who knows when seeing Hanson! Apparently when scheduling posts I like to think I am superwoman, but then when it comes down to it I realize I need some sleep to function!

So, here are my thoughts on the 3rd round of blind auditions – sorry if I got any names wrong, again I was not giving it 100% of my attention!

“blind audition” (sarah) – to be honest i intended to not look for most of this episode as i’m working on some upcoming blog posts. I can’t say I’d have turned around for this person. Not to say that he/she has a bad voice, but I wasn’t totally wowed by it. Although I am glad 2 did turn around so she will have a chance.

Elley – She has an interesting tone to her voice, but I like it. I dont know how far she’d go in the competition, but I guess we’ll never know since no one turned around!

Pip – This guy looks so familiar to me from the commercials. I can’t figure out why though! I like him though – whether I know who he is or not!

Erin (is that her name? i wasnt paying 100% attention in the beginning) – Carson jumping for joy when Blake hit his button cracked me up far more than it probably should have. (probably because it was so late when I actually watched)

David – Good… but not great.

Christina – I thought she was good and I liked her song choice!

Geoff- I thought he was awesome and I was kind of surprised only 2/4 turned around for him!

Erin Martin – She has an interesting voice, that’s for sure. But my goodness did she prove to us just how creepy and gross Cee Lo is…

James – How adorable is he!? And he can sing! I’m glad that he won’t be going to team Adam so I don’t have to worry about Tony beating him! (Until the end, of course!)

Winter – I liked her until she name dropped Perez Hilton. And apparently the coaches agreed with me, even though they didn’t hear her pre-interview 😉 since none of them turned around.

Chris – I like him, but I feel like they are being super picky about everything tonight!

Jordis – She really didn’t wow me, but Adam singing along with the song was really cute!

I was hoping NBC would have an updated list of how many people were on each team – so I could figure out how many more weeks of auditions we have – but it looks like they haven’t updated with this episode yet and of course I didn’t keep track of who went where this week! Oh well, it’ll get updated eventually.

Concert Hanson

Valentine’s Day with Hanson

Katie February 16, 2012 4 Comments

Tuesday night, Valentine’s Day, Hanson had a show at Northern Lights in Clifton Park, NY. Being the show was in the middle of the week, for a while I wasn’t sure if I’d end up going – but then I figured I had to. I’ve never had plans for Valentine’s Day and spending it with my favorite band would be a pretty awesome thing, even if it did mean driving 2.5 hours there and 2.5 hours back for a 1.5 hour set from them!

For some reason I had convinced myself doors were at 6, but they were really at 7. The show kicked off at 8 with 3/4 of “Wild Arctic” (I think that’s what they said their name was) performing. I sat down and didn’t pay much attention to their set at all. Then I spotted a few of my friends so we caught up a bit.

At 9pm it was time for Hanson! I was hoping for some rarer love songs since it was Valentine’s Day and all, but really, no such luck. (I’m never going to hear Love Somebody To Know live!) Running a Hanson fansite (hansonstage.com), I am pretty up to date on what their setlists have been on the Canadian tour they just finished – and this show was not much different. However! They did go off their “rehearsed” stage banter and talked a bit about it being Valentine’s day and thanked us for spending it with them (and Zac and Isaac asked if we would be their valentines. Isaac said something about that being a LOT of valentines and Zac replied that he was a whole lot of man or something to that effect lol!) Then at one point Taylor said there were a lot of guys there (there were! and they all at some point or another seemed to play “air piano”) and then said something about “all 27 of you”.

This show was actually a make up for one in October that got canceled due to the band being sick. They apologized and dedicated “Wish That I Was There” to those of us who had tickets to the show that got canceled.

For their solos – they went a little different than usual (but nothing I’d never heard before) Zac said that he had several requests but none of the songs were romantic so he sang “Need You Now”, a song about his wife (ew.) Isaac came out for his solo and said he opted to sing something that WASN’T romantic and sang Being Me (probably my least fave Isaac song… oh… EVER! Although it struck something in me that night.) and then Taylor did one of my FAVORITE solos of his, Love Me, an Elvis cover. It was this string of songs (and With You In Your Dreams that followed) where I was tearing up. Why? I don’t know.

They finished out their set with a bunch of my old favorites – Hey and Lost Without Each Other to name a few. Then for the encore I was hoping there’d be something new… but nope! Ah well, it was still a great show even if it has been a while since I’ve heard a song that I’ve never heard live before. I guess that is what you get when you’ve seen them 65 times. (The last time I heard something new live was actually October – so, really, ignore my complaining but I used to get 1-2 new songs every show for a while so they have spoiled me!)

A couple of observations – during the show security was trying to get 2 girls to leave. I’m assuming they were drunk. One was really fighting him taking them towards the door – so much so he PICKED HER UP and carried her outside. Her friend followed and seemed like she was fighting him as well. When the show was over, I walked to my car and the girls behind me got in to the car next to me. The driver screamed out something like “omg!” and picked up a HUGE box of chocolates from her windsheild. Her boyfriend (I assume) came by during the show, found her car and left them for her!

The ride home got a little crazy when it started to SNOW! But it turned to rain by the time I got home, at 2am. Then I couldn’t fall asleep until 4am… AND I still made it to work on time. And now I get to do it all again tonight – but in New Jersey!

Country 92.5 Concert For Kids

Katie February 15, 2012 0 Comments

Tuesday night Country 92.5 took over the Cadillac Ranch in Southington, CT for their annual “Concert For Kids”. All the proceeds would go to St. Jude’s. Tickets were $35 and posters were $25. A purchase of a poster meant that you got to meet all the acts after the show.

Performing were Courtney Drummey (a local CT talent), Casey James, Gloriana, Lee Brice, Neal McCoy and Uncle Kracker. Courtney opened the show with a 4 song set.

Then it was the interesting part, at least for me. Apparently the set up of “guitar pull” is pretty popular in the country community – but since I woudn’t call myself a country fan I’d never heard of it. All the performers are on stage at the same time so they can interact with each other, play with each other, etc. It also leaves more time for the show and less for set up, since as soon as one act ends the next can start up. The order was Casey, Gloriana, Lee, Neal and then Uncle Kracker. Each sang 4 songs which took about 2 hours. Then at the end they all jammed together for a few songs.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ended up being a really great show and a lot of fun! I especially liked at the end when they were all performing together they sang “hey jude” but instead of saying “hey” they said “st” for St Jude’s, since that’s what it was the fundraiser for. Really cool.

Once the show ended, we waited about half an hour for all the acts to come out for t signing. Casey was first so I told him he was the reason I was there and that I was a fan from Idol. He told me his CD is coming out March 20th and I told him that I already had it preordered through Walmart. He seemed surprised and said I was the first person who told him that! I said quick hellos to the other acts as the line started moving at that point (perfect timing that I was “stuck” in front of Casey though so we got to chat a bit longer) and made my way home. It was so great to meet Casey, I only wish I could have gotten a photo with him – but hopefully he’ll be back promoting the album!

Pictures are going to have to be posted a bit later – I did a really bad job scheduling posts this week! I was in Albany last night and got home and went right to bed – no time to post photos even though I had them uploaded. (Can’t sneak it from work at lunch because I upload to Facebook and that is blocked!) Hopefully this weekend (at the latest!) I’ll have some posted.

Setlist under the cut – but I can’t remember for the life of me what Lee’s first song was! I think I’ve got everything else figured out though 🙂

Book review: Fairy Lies

Katie February 14, 2012 0 Comments

Fairy Lies is a book by E. D. Baker. It is actually a sequel and I must admit I was a bit lost in the first couple of chapters, but then I was able to catch on to what was going on. I’m going to assume the other characters were explained a bit better in the book before and that’s where my confusion came from.

Tamisin is a fairy princess – the book has a lot of interesting sci-fi characters – fairies, mermaids, gargoyles and even unicorns which made it a bit more interesting than if was a regular princess that was kidnapped – that’s for sure. I also enjoy reading books that take me to a different land than where I live – it lets my imagination go wild!

Tamisin’s boyfriend Jak finds out from some other fairies that Tamisin has been kidnapped and goes to rescue her. He is afraid that there may also be a war, so he must find her and quickly.

Fairy Lies is going to be released in February 2012 and I would definitely recommend it for any young adult readers in your life who enjoy books dealing with the supernatural.

If you think that the king Oberon, Titania & Botton are names that sound familiar – it is because William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the inspiration for Fairy Lies and the prequel Fairy Wings.

About the Book

Sparks fly when this fairy princess is kidnapped!

In this delightful sequel to Fairy Wings (originally titled Wings) the fairy princess Tamisin has been kidnapped from her home in the human world by Oberon, king of the fairies, who thinks he’s her father. When Tamisin’s boyfriend Jak finds out, he sets off to rescue her. In this funny and heartwarming romp through a land of fairies, goblins, sphinxes, unicorns, and many more, Tamisin and Jak try to regain their romance even as they find their way back to the human world.

E. D. Baker is a master of the madcap world of magical creatures and she demonstrates once more that a clever girl who shows a dose of kindness, humor, and common sense can overcome almost any fearsome foe, no matter how magical!

E. D. Baker is the author of The Wide-Awake Princess and the highly successful Tales of the Frog Princess series, the inspiration for the Disney blockbuster “The Princess and the Frog.” She lives with her family in rural Maryland.

I received a free copy of this book to read from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not asked to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Book Review

Book Review: Constant Craving

Katie February 13, 2012 2 Comments

This year I have a goal to lose some extra weight. I’ve been doing alright with calorie counting and cutting back on fast food and soft drinks, but one part where I am struggling is cravings! I recently read the book Constan Craving by Doreen Virtue which gave me a bit more insight on WHY I might be craving these foods. Most of the time there is some sort of underlying issue related to why we crave a food so if we can try to fix that issue, we can most likely overcome the cravings.

The book contains a few quizzes to help figure out what kind of eater you are and if you’re a chocoholic… (I am.) as well as some other activities you can do to keep track of what you are craving and the big ol’ important WHY. I am looking forward to using the strategies I learned in this book in my every day life and hopefully cutting back some over eating due to cravings and continue to my goal weight!

If you too struggle with cravings, definitely check out this book to help figure out why and to move in the right direction in curing yourself from cravings!

(Random, but after reading this book and writing the review I now have O-Town’s “craving” stuck in my head…)

I received a free review e-copy of this book from the publisher through netGalley. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Do you crave chocolate, bread, cheese, fries, or other foods? If so, there’s a reason why, as Doreen Virtue‘s breakthrough book explains. Each food craving actually corresponds to a specific underlying emotion; so once you understand the meaning behind your particular craving and apply the information and affirmations within these pages, you’ll be able to heal your cycle of emotional overeating.

In addition, you’ll read scientific studies about the mood- and energy-altering properties of each food, which will help you see how your appetite perfectly mirrors your emotions. This comprehensive and empowering guide will also show you how to give “food readings” to yourself and others, allowing you to accurately interpret the meaning behind many cravings.

Constant Craving is a one-of-kind book that will give you the emotional, physical, and spiritual tools you need to make friends with food . . . and your appetite!

Doreen Virtue worked as an eating disorders therapist at inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities in California and Tennessee. She holds degrees in counseling psychology, and her doctoral dissertation was on the link between childhood abuse and the development of eating disorders. She turned her dissertation into her first Hay House book, Losing Your Pounds of Pain. Doreen is also the author of The Yo-Yo Diet Syndrome, The Art of Raw Living Food (with Jenny Ross), and Eating in the Light.

Book Review

Book Review: A Stranger at Home: A True Story

Katie February 12, 2012 0 Comments

A Stranger At Home: A True Story is about Margaret (Olemaun) Pokiak. She is sent off to school for 2 years with nuns and this is the story of her return home. While at school, Margaret learns to read and write and speak english. Once she gets home, she realizes that she has forgotten her native Inuit language. Her mother doesn’t recognize her after she was forced to cut her hair and doesn’t speak Inuit any longer. She is upset that Margaret is now accustomed to “outsider” food and not the typical meals that her mother serves.

Margaret’s father understands what she is going through and acts as a translator for her. They work on building a cabin together and he starts out speaking English with some Inuit, then Inuit with some english and by the time they are done, they are speaking just Inuit. Margaret gets picked on by some of the other local kids that didn’t go to school with her, and her only friend from school, Agnes, isn’t allowed to see her because her mother feels she is now a bad influence because she speaks English.

I actually chose this book by accident, but I am glad that I did end up reading it. It was a short book with some great illustrations Liz Amini-Holmes. At the end of the book there are some real photographs of Margaret’s family and home as well as some of what the inside of their home might have looked like. It was interesting to learn about a different culture and a different way of life.

I received a copy of this book for free through NetGalley and Annick Press. I was not asked to write a positive review, all thoughts and opinions are mine. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

The sequel to the unforgettable memoir FATTY LEGS.

Traveling to be reunited with her family in the arctic, 10-year-old Margaret Pokiak can hardly contain her excitement. It’s been two years since her parents delivered her to the school run by the dark-cloaked nuns and brothers.

Coming ashore, Margaret spots her family, but her mother barely recognizes her, screaming, “Not my girl.” Margaret realizes she is now marked as an outsider.

And Margaret is an outsider: she has forgotten the language and stories of her people, and she can’t even stomach the food her mother prepares.

However, Margaret gradually relearns her language and her family’s way of living. Along the way, she discovers how important it is to remain true to the ways of her people – and to herself.

Highlighted by archival photos and striking artwork, this first-person account of a young girl’s struggle to find her place will inspire young readers to ask what it means to belong.

Giveaway

Print Runner Giveaway

Katie February 11, 2012 6 Comments

PrintRunner.com was established with a little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later the company has become one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. Their commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at affordable prices made their company grow. PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in Chatsworth, California. They offer Postcard printing services online with their online design tool and also offer banners & signs, stickers, and many other great products.

Concert Katie is doing a giveaway for 100 postcards from PrintRunner!

The details:

Postcard Size: Postcards 5×7
Quantity: 100
Colors: 4/0 Front Only Printing
Paper: 14PT. UV Coating on front
Rounded Corners: Yes
Proof: None
Ready To Ship in: 4 Business Days

**Giveaway is open to US Residents only, age 18 years old and above **

Thank you to PrintRunner for providing us this giveaway, I will receive a set of postcards for hosting this giveaway.

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