Mullets, Snow & Josh Ritter

Last week, was one of "those weeks".

Sheer frustration. I guess we are entering into the stage of terrible twos involving meltdowns, tantrums and unavoidable tears. At the end of the day I am exhausted from finding 27 different ways of saying "no Violet, thanks not a good idea", "sorry Violet, its 32 degrees outside we're not going to go for a walk", "Violet, you already drank almost a whole carton on milk today, let's try water".

I find relief at the gym. YES the gym, I  never thought I would be a gym person. 

I have avoided the gym culture my whole life. While friends would hurry home from work or class to meet each other in a boxed room full of testosterone, biker shorts, and & ipod holders that go around your arm... 

I'd go for a run.. OUTSIDE.. the largest most beautiful FREE treadmill you nature gives us.

Nonetheless... times have changed. I meet my dearest friend Nikki there almost every other day to let off steam, have an adult conversation and of course...

PUMP SOME IRON

(you can't hear my voice but I'm totally mocking...)

I fought through the week tears and tantrums, because I knew the weekend brought redemption. 

Redemption found in a baby free weekend in Los Angeles with my husband and Josh Ritter (one of our favorite musicians)  and the Music Box.

So we got up saturday morning, packed and headed to my parents to drop off violet. Before we got too far I had some business to take care of. 

Business by means of Mullet.

My sweet one's first hair cut. 

One snip and the mullet is gone.

May it RIP and only be found places like, WalMart, the Fresno Fair, the Mid West and the Clovis Rodeo.

*****************

So like I said, Josh Ritter, LA, just the two of us.

We get to LA, through some rain, snow and shine (which is fairly typical because from where we live we drive through a miniature mountain rage to get to the valley) meet up with some family for dinner and while we are driving it STARTS TO SNOW.

Snowing, in Burbank California...

it's the truth.

After dinner we head on over to The Music Box in Hollywood and waiting in line.

It was COLD. I mean, frigid. At least 33 degrees, with wind, and slushy wetness on the ground. IT'S LA EVERYONE, I wasnt prepared. I wore skinny jeans, those gold flats seen above a tank top and a leather jacket. COLD. very cold.

Finally we get in. 

We bought general admission tickets it's a floor venue. We heard from a friend to try and go tot he balcony because the acoustics were great up there.

I was all for it, because standing room only, at a concert, when you are 5 feet tall is sometimes, always frustrating.

Entrance denied. We had to have special tickets to get up there. 

Oh well.

I found a cozy stop on top of a ledge of the entrance stairs leaning against the railing.. even if someone stood right in front of me I had a clear view of the whole band.

Since Jake is 6'2'' He had no problem standing in the middle of chaos. So we split up for part of the concert.

by the way,  Jake CAN spell... he does that to annoy me.

Josh was amazing. AMAZING. Can I emphasize that enough?

He had a great play list, and sounded superb live.

I can't really explain anything more.

And of course, He played, the kathleen song. What else do I need?

The next morning we got up, and went to Pasadena to Le pain de quotidien an all organic restaurant we used to frequent when Tim and Nikki lived in Pasadena.

I talked about this place the whole way to LA. Jake said I was more excited about eating there than seeing Josh Ritter.

I'd say... equal parts. There food is FRESH, not over done with ingredients...mmmmm salivating now.

I ordered carrot soup, and black bean hummus over wheat bread with spicy tahini sauce. 

We did some shopping and heading back into the central valley.

Our stomach, ears and hearts full from such great things.