Taylor Swift, Super Saturday Night- A Look Back

I remember the moment I became a Taylor Swift fan. I had heard a few songs of hers on the radio. However, it was in the fall of 2010 I found out that one station was going to air a concert and documentary about Taylor Swift; it was called "Journey to Fearless." I saw her sing, interact with the fans, and the amazing stage she had.

I was hooked.

Fast forward to six years later. I'm still a fan. I got her CDs, and was dreaming of going to a concert. It just seemed a bit out of reach. Finally, this past summer, I finally got it into my head: Hey, I'll just start saving up some money. A lot of people in the fandom, at the time, were speculating that Taylor would release a new album in the fall. So, I figured that she might start touring in the summer or fall of 2017. Strangely enough, her label manager Scott Borchetta had tweeted the answer no to this fan's question: Is TS6 coming? However he later deleted the tweet. This further fed our speculations.

But I digress.

Well, October came and went. No sixth album. But, some bigger news would come our way. It all started when AT&T announced a partnership with Taylor regarding promotions and events. There would be an On-Demand section on DirectTV and AT&T that would host many of Taylor's videos and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

To top it all off, there was more huge news: there would be an exclusive concert performed by Taylor on Super Bowl weekend, 2017. In Houston. However, it was also said that this concert would be open to VIPs and by invite only. This made me feel a little better. This was a concert that I wouldn't really have to worry about getting to. Or was it? There would be a contest to get tickets for this event.

I entered as often as I could.

The deadline was January thirteenth, and the thirteenth came and went. Online Taylor fans started hearing of people- enthusiastic fans- who were being picked to get tickets.

"Well, maybe I won't win," I thought. Oh, well.

On the morning of January 31st, I went to work. My lunchtime was around noon. I was in the break room, checking my email, when the subject ATT Taylor Swift caught my eye.

What? I opened it.

Hi Erika ... ,

You have been invited to receive two (2) tickets to the DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday Night concert featuring Taylor Swift in Houston, Texas on February 4, 2017…

Oh.
My.
Gosh.

I thought I was going to pass out. Cry. Maybe both. I took some breaths. I called my mom: "Mom, I won Taylor Swift tickets!" She knew all about the contest. At that point, I really thought I was going to cry. She replied, "Well, don't cry!" This was such a huge deal. And after I thought I wouldn't win… But I did.

Right after I hung up with Mom, I filled out the online confirmation form. But I made a little mistake. I found a person who you could email. And after some back-and-forth, I resubmitted the form.

I had also seen on Twitter that other people had gotten emails about the same time I did. Some people seemed to be from Houston, so I figured that we were picked at the last minute.

After a very anxious two days, I got the confirmation email. I was going! The dress code was described as "party chic," but you could wear Taylor shirts, if you really wanted. I got an outfit ready, that I really liked.

Thankfully, my work schedule had me getting off work early the evening of the concert, and finally, finally, I was off work and ready to go. The venue, Club Nomadic, had been built just for this weekend. The concert would start at 11:30 pm.

We got to Club Nomadic, and checked in. A representative took us inside to the seating area that I had requested for mom. As we entered attendants gave each of us two light-up bracelets, saying they were a gift from Taylor. I was really happy about getting them since I saw them on social media during her last tour.

The outside of the building had lights and images projected onto it, and the inside was just as cool. Contest winners would be on the floor in front of the stage. The VIPs were on the balconies above us.

Everyone had to wait before the concert. I got to the front of the stage early on, at one point, but I didn't think Mom would want to be surrounded by a whole bunch of people, so I ended up going back to the seating area. This would pose a slight problem, as more and more people gathered in front of the stage- especially the tall people. Mom eventually came up with a solution for me; she had me stand on the "base" of her cart.

People got drinks while they waited. I noticed there was a stand that was selling Taylor's shirts, so I bought a hat. The hat had several pins on it, including a patch with the date and "Houston, TX" on it.

There was a DJ who was playing music; her name sounded vaguely familiar but I didn't really know who she was. What I did notice were the songs that were being played:

Bruno Mars- 24K Magic
5th Harmony- Work It
Ed Sheeran- Shape of You

I wondered, later on, if Taylor had picked the pre-show songs. Ed toured with her a few years back, and 5th Harmony made an appearance on a tour stop.

At last, 11:30 came. As the lights finally dimmed, everyone cheered. The lights pulsed as everyone kept screaming and the introduction to "New Romantics" played. Taylor came up onto the stage, and suddenly, it didn't feel so late any more.

The bracelets were programmed to flash on and off during the songs and even change colors. I thought they were awesome; I'd been wanting them since I had seen them on the tour. (I geeked out so much over those….)

"Hi! I'm Taylor!" This is her standard greeting, and the audience cheered in response.
"Welcome to the Super Saturday Night concert in Houston, Texas. You are 9,000 people who have come from all over the world, possibly to play football, but would it be alright with you if we played some music first?"

Of course, Taylor. Of course. She ended "New Romantics." Then she launched into the next songs "22," and "Blank Space." The latter is a fun song, and I considered it my "lucky" song, because I won a contest lip-syncing to it.

Not only were the bracelets lighting up, but Taylor was also using most of the on-screen graphics from the 1989 tour. We wouldn't be able to notice until the videos hit DirectTV and U-verse, but the round stage she was on also lit up. People pointed out that the setlist was very similar to the one used at the concert in Austin the previous October.

Taylor also pointed out, "As far as I know, I'm doing one show in 2017. And as far as I know, this is that one show. So what I am trying to tell you, is by coming here tonight, you are essentially attending 100% percent of my tour dates for this year… You're the crowd I'm going to see in my most recent daydreams, when I'm thinking about being onstage, you're the one I'm going to see in my head."

"The first couple of songs I can always tell if we're going to be dealing with a wonderful crowd, and from the looks of it, I think we are going to have a good night, Houston, Texas."

I Knew You Were Trouble - I had gotten to like the "1989" version better than the original, but she performed the original this night.

Style- this is a fun song. It's not quite my favorite, but it's still catchy.

I Don't Wanna Live Forever- This was a song she co-wrote with Zayn Malik from One Direction, and was used for a film. A few weeks before, they had filmed a music video. Taylor had posted a little video of her rehearsing it on her guitar, so this was the only song we knew beforehand she was going to play.

The acoustic version sounded really great, and some of the audience was singing Zayn's part.


You Belong With Me- This is one of my favorites of her early songs, and I was really happy she sang it. She mentioned that she had written a song that had a cheer captain, it being Super Bowl weekend, and we all knew what song she was talking about. I sang along to this one!

This is What You Came For - This song had been on the Austin set list, and was performed acoustically this night.

Then, Taylor proceeded to shock everyone. She started her next song:

"I know, I'm--" Everyone immediately started screaming because this was the song she wrote for Little Big Town called Better Man. This was the first time she had ever performed it, and everyone went crazy.

Sometimes in the middle of the night I can feel you again
But I just miss you and I just wish you were a better man

The song was even more poignant when Taylor sang it.

Red- During "Red," the display behind Taylor changed colors on the chorus: Losing him was blue like I'd never known, missing him was dark gray all alone. Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met. But loving him was red.

The bracelets were also changing colors to match up with the words. So. Stinking. Cool.

We are Never Ever Getting Back Together- This is another fun song.

Love Story- For The "1989" tour, Taylor had changed a few older songs to match the sound of her pop album. This was one of those songs. She also had some pyrotechnic effects at the end. Taylor stood at one side of the stage while stage hands quickly moved out a piano that we recognized from the Austin show.

This was no ordinary piano; it was covered in crystals. It was so pretty. I was glad she had brought it tonight.

All too Well- As Taylor sat down at the piano, she mentioned the Austin concert, and how some people wanted her to sing a particular song that she had always played on the piano on the Red Tour. "So," she said, "If I ever played a show in Texas again, I would put it on the set list." This song is "All too Well." Everyone was really happy about that.

Enchanted/Wildest Dreams - This was the last song Taylor sang on the piano. "Wildest Dreams" was one of my favorite songs on 1989. The onscreen graphics were so pretty- underwater with bubbles.

Bad Blood- Everyone also enthusiastically sang along to this favorite.

Out of the Woods- This was another one of my top favorites. It vaguely reminds me of "Let the River Run," by Carly Simon. My only regret was that there was no paper airplane confetti. As on her last tour, Taylor had everyone sing the three-note background part while she sang the chorus for the last time.

Shake It Off- Finally, sadly, we came to the last song of the evening. I got down off of the cart and just joined in the epic dance party- ness that is this song.

A storm of confetti exploded at the end. Taylor thanked everyone.



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Comicpalooza (or, It's Kind of a Funny Story)

The golden idol, or holy grail, of just about any fandom is going to Comic Con in San Diego.  ("Throw me the idol, I throw you the tickets!")

However, sometimes you have to make do with what you got. I had heard about Comicpalooza around 2 years ago, but hadn't really had much of a desire to go- until this year. 

In April I found out that Norman Reedus was going to be at Comicpalooza. (Yes, I'm a Walking Dead fan) To make a long story short, I was able to go in the end. And meet Norman Reedus. And did I mention Lennie James? 

Someone went with me on Sunday, the 19th. This Someone didn't want to be in my picture with said actors, but the staff would let her have a quick fly-by in the photography area.  

After checking in, I looked around for a little bit then we headed over to the photo op section. We got in a good place in line. Good enough, in fact, to see the actors arrive.  I believe Michael Rooker arrived first, Lennie arrived shortly after. They said hi to everyone as they came. Norman came last; I think he was at an autograph session. He made up for it though. He stuck his head out of the curtained area a couple of times. And his foot. Everyone screamed.  

Then the staff started letting people in. We were arranged in lines according to photo types: Norman only, Lennie only, Michael and Norman, etc. You get the idea. I was trying not to freak out too much at this point. 

Finally it was my turn. I knew beforehand that I wouldn't have a lot of time in there. I went in the area. I may have passed by Michael; I think he was in the corner. Lennie was the first one I saw. My conscious thought was: "He's so tall." I said, "Hi, Lennie, it's nice to meet you." I shook his hand. He said, "It's nice to meet you." 

I saw Norman next (he's also tall). I shook his hand. Again, "Hi, Norman, it's nice to meet you." They were both really nice.

Then it was time for the photo. It was about this time, in front of that camera, that my brain ceased to function. 

I forgot to take off my glasses. The studio recommends you do.

I forgot to smile.  

In front of that camera, my brain goes, "Oh, wait--"  

But it was already done. The photographer must have checked to see if someone blinked, and nodded. Keep in mind, all of this took about thirty seconds.  I must have said thank you, and went out to collect the picture.  

I looked... Stunned. It wasn't quite my ideal picture. I just ended up, with some prodding from the Someone, just chalking it up to experience. And it was kind of funny. 

I went to explore for the rest of the day. It was shortly after the photo op and looking around the floor that I looked at my watch. "Shoot!" It was after one. I'd had a panel I'd wanted to go to.  So I went as fast as I could to the next floor, and got to see most of it. 

I also dropped in on the Boondock Saints panel, only because I thought Norman would be there. After a few minutes I left, only to learn later that he did stop by for a few minutes.  

Charlie Hunnam was there signing autographs, but I didn't see him. I did pass by Peter Mayhew's (Chewbacca) table. 

It was neat looking at all the vendors' booths. The big thing to buy there is fan art, and there is a lot of it. I stopped by one artist's booth; she had designed the art that went on the 3-day passes: Captain America and Iron Man. The larger prints were sold out, but she had smaller ones available and autographed one for me.  There was also a booth that sold photographs from TV and movies; they might have been reprints but it was okay.  We found some from Gotham (Someone's favorite), Homeland, and even Twilight.  We purchased a Walking Dead cast picture that had been taken last season with everyone in it. (On a related note: maybe next year, I'll go for an autograph instead of a picture.)  Someone also enjoyed the NASA booth. 

What not to buy: food.  Seriously, the food there is so overpriced.  You're better off going upstairs and eating at the Starbucks.  There was a good pretzel, though, if a bit overpriced. 

All in all, I had a great time. It was a good introduction to Comicpalooza, and I'd like to go again next year. 

Jurassic Blood

This past Friday I had to get up really early to go on an errand with Mom. When she was done we had some time to kill before we had to be at our next destination. After a fruitless search of looking for a place to eat, we passed by a Gulf Coast Blood Center.

Mom had to talk me into donating for a minute; I didn't want to at first. But then I relented. She brought up the point that I had gotten 34 units of blood during my time in the NICU as a preemie. So, I changed my mind.

After a preliminary test and some questioning, I was allowed to donate. (They wouldn't let Mom donate; her iron was too low.) A technician/nurse got me situated and showed me how to work the TV. Each chair had a TV attached to it, that was pretty neat. I had it turned to the country music station. The nurse then explained what the needle was like. I guess it was a little bigger than your standard "injection"-type needle. I say "guess" because I never really wanted to get a up-close look at it. He said it would hurt for a couple of seconds.

Yeah, it did hurt for a couple of seconds, but then it was over. I had to squeeze the stress ball once a minute or so. The whole thing only took ten minutes. I was donating whole blood; there were a couple other guys who were donating platelets, I think, and that takes longer.

Afterwards, they want you to drink and eat something, so you don't feel quite so woozy. I must say, apple cranberry juice hit the spot for some reason. (I did feel slightly dizzy.)

-------

Your next meal is supposed to be a hearty one, but I kind of fudged on that. Mom and I went to go see Jurassic World. It was fun, and predictable- but in a good way. It's gratifying to finally see a fully-functioning park, and all of your favorite dinosaurs are back. Once again, people misjudged how frog DNA factors into the dinosaur cloning. One plot hole I thought about was why no one thought of having an override function on the gyrospheres so they could come back to the center automatically.

("How many times did I tell you we needed locking mechanisms on the vehicle doors?"....)

Strange as it may sound, I loved the raptors, probably because one of them was named Blue- ha. It's interesting to think that they could be somewhat trained.

There's a whole ton of nostalgia in this movie, one being the music. I had wanted the old theme to be in the film so bad, and it is. I wish more of the original cast could have been in it, but at least we got BD Wong back. He's in the film more than you would think at first.

The audience knows what the Indominus Rex is made of, so it was kind of surprising that the characters take so long to figure it out. Near the end of the film, it's right in their faces. Like, "Ohhhh... We get it now."

Fun trivia: Bryce and the actress who plays her sister in JW also played sisters in "The Village."

All in all, it was a fun movie. I'd love to see Inside Out, and Terminator Genisys next.

Currently reading: "Life is Short (No Pun Intended)" by Bill Klein and Dr. Jennifer Arnold. 😀

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That Rocks!

I was able to go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science a few weeks ago, where they are having a minerals and gemstones exhibit.  If you've seen my Pinterest boards, you'll know I have a thing for gemstones and rocks.  It was really cool; I had a good time.

Along with all of the minerals, there was a rather lavish jewelry collection. 

I Miss the 90s

I don't know about you, but I thought the 90s were the best Decade for Contemporary Christian Music. 

(Warning: waxing nostalgic will occur. Proceed with caution.)

I first got into it in high school, freshman year or so. That was about the time I discovered Point of Grace.  They were four women out of college, and they sounded really good. The first song I heard of theirs was "The Great Divide." I was hooked. 

The next artist I remember liking was Jaci Velasquez. She was 16 at the time, and had a great voice. Jaci's music had Spanish influences, and she released a Spanish-language album a few years later. She even went sort of "indie rock" for one album. 

CCM even had a brief foray into dance music (well, what I call dance) in the early 2000s, with the ladies' trio ZoeGirl. I liked them, but they really sounded great when they changed their sound to rock around the third album.

About my senior year I was introduced to The Katinas. They are five brothers from Samoa, and they sound great. 

Other artists I loved included Carman, and Twila Paris. 

Fast forward to now. A lot of the artists I liked have either retired or slowed down. ZoeGirl disbanded. Twila Paris has slowed down, at least touring-wise. Jaci hasn't done a lot of music or touring, due to family.  But we still have the Katinas; and Point of Grace, even though they've changed one or two hands. 

It'll be a sad day when they retire.

In short, what do I love about CCM?  The music. The voices. The message. 

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Once You See It

This photo was taken by an employee, who gave me permission to use it. This was found by a manager at night in a NW Houston Walmart. Please... Caption this!

Cat Grass

(It's not what you think.)

The person who invented "kitty grass" must have never had a cat. I remembered today how my cat, Punky, would sometimes sneak past me out the door. 

I lived in a second floor apartment at the time. Punky would slip past, race down the stairs as fast as she could, and start chowing down on the little patch of grass by some bushes.

Now at this point, I would try to rush to get her as fast as I could. I didn't want her munching on the grass.

Because a few minutes later, the results weren't pleasant. In case you need a hint, dogs chew on grass for the same reason. 

Yeah, so I wanted to keep that from happening. 

Once Mom had a chive, as well as catnip, plant. She and I were out for the day, only to come home to...nothing. 

Punky ate the whole thing. Mom wasn't happy. 

I Will forever regret we were gone the day the catnip plant was eaten. 

What happened that day, we will never know.

 

Instrumental Work

I have always been rather fond of a good instrumental piece.  I basically grew up with an orchestra in church.  I've taken music lessons off and on throughout the years, although I needed to practice a lot more than I did, frankly.  And I still have a desire to play the piano again.  Guitar, too, for that matter.  Rather, learn how to play the guitar.

So, that being said, there are some instrumental pieces from films that I've grown to love.  

"Bella's Lullaby"- by now it's no secret that I love Twilight.  "Bella's Lullaby" is a very sweet, relaxing piece with a lovely piano solo.  I do wish it was longer, though. "Bella Reborn" (from "Breaking Dawn part 1") has a selection from that piano solo.  And the unique thing is, just before the solo, the strings section sounds like something from a sweeping Western.  (YouTube it, and you'll get what I mean.)

"Soul Inside"- this is from the film "The Host." It's a very lovely acoustic guitar-driven piece.  I've been meaning to get the rest of the score. You might like this if you're partial to the acoustic guitar. 

"Father Christmas"- this is my favorite selection from "The Chronicles of Narnia," and I would still love to hear this live.  This is going on my Christmas playlist.  The only thing is, it segues into a darker part where the Pevensies are being chased by wolves; but it's all one track.

"Nessun Dorma"- technically, this is from an opera, sung by Luciano Pavarotti.  I love it.  One place you can hear it is in "The Sum of All Fears."

"Theme from Schindler's List"- very moving, and thoughtful.  

"Deep Shadows"-  This is a piece, strangely enough, that is not found in any film at all.  It was used in a trailer for "The Hunger Games."  And as it turns out, apparently a bunch of people liked it, and subsequently were disappointed that it wasn't in the film.  Myself included.  (But the artist made it available to purchase online.).  There's another good piece the artist did for the "Catching Fire" trailer.

Do you have a favorite?  Happy listening! 

The Hope Bracelet

I finally made this bracelet about a week ago, having been in the planning stage for forever, it seemed like. I had been wanting a blue bracelet for a long time. The blue beads and charms I got from Hobby Lobby, and I still had clear beads left over from previous projects.

Those "gray" beads are actually supposed to be bluish, but they pick up colors from what's around them. I got those from Walmart; really happy with that choice. I've nicknamed them "blue jean beads."

This is a personal piece for me. What inspired this, in part, was a quote: "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." (A proverb) I discovered this quote a few years ago when, well, let me just say, this was what I needed.

My History of Cooking

Apparently, when I was little, I could crack an egg with one hand.

That's what my mom tells me.

I suppose I got it from my grandmother.  Nan had a long history of cooking and baking.  She passed away when I was eight, and my memories associated with her are baking and being my only babysitter.  Years later, people would still remember things she made, such as a lemon chiffon cake.

The recipe that I most connect her with is Divinity.  Ah, the elusive Divinity.  See how it prowls across the barren landscape... Ok. It doesn't prowl.  But it is very elusive and temperamental. Made from mainly eggs whites, powdered sugar, and (traditionally) pecans.  We did walnuts.  You have to do this recipe exactly right.  Under the right conditions, or else it turns out like rubber cement.  It did, one out of the two times Mom and I made it.

When I was a little older, I would sometimes watch cooking shows with Mom on PBS on Saturdays.  Our favorites were the ones with Julia Child, especially the series with Jaques Pepin. (Those were the best ones.)

Several years ago, Mom found a box of Nan's recipes and took it upon herself to organize and type them up.  That was easier said than done.  Some were newspaper clippings, but most of them were in Nan's handwriting.  Furthermore, the recipes were often in shorthand and sometimes didn't have exact measurements, and Mom had to figure them out.  Mom collects recipes, and I have too, for a while.  Just look at my Pinterest board.

In getting me to try new foods as a toddler, Mom would hide her judgements/distaste of them.  It worked.  I loved sometimes-considered unconventional foods (shrimp pizza, anyone?).  I absolutely love Brussels Sprouts and cauliflower.  I am rather proud, and shocked, that I got her liking seaweed salad at the Japanese restaurant.

"Everything was so clear."

I had to start this post with a quote from Bella Cullen as she awakens to her new vampire life. It's quite fitting, I think. It's the ultimate HD vision. I have quite resigned myself to the fact that I will never have "vampire vision." And, frankly, I am quite okay with that.

I was a preemie, and I won't go over all of the details, but suffice it to say that life could have handed me a worse deal. The major issue that I've had to deal with is my vision. I've had glasses since I was about one and a-half years old. I had a cataract in one eye when I was a teenager (and it's common for us to have them at that time).


So anyway.... I was overdue for glasses this time around. There was a package deal where you could get contacts, glasses, and an exam for so much, so I decided to go with that. I have a mixed history with contacts. Back when I was about 8 or 9, it was decided that I would try contacts because the doctor said it would be good for my peripheral vision. I don't remember sticking with them for very long, because I hated having them put in.  Mom would put them in for me and it was a big struggle.


Fast-forward to the present: So I went to the doctor's, and everything was good. She started questioning me after looking at pictures of my retinas. *Let the auto-pilot begin* After mentioning "retinopathy of prematurity", everything clicked into place. She even called in her third-year medical student to come see me. Show and tell, I felt like.


A short time later it was time to try out the contacts. I must commend the third-year, and the technician. They had the patience of Job. Dilated eyes + contact lens tutorial = disaster. I'm usually tired as all-get out after my eyes are dilated. It took me like, forty-five minutes to get the contacts in and out. I was sent home with the contacts.


I skipped the next day, then cautiously tried them out the next. My, but they were pretty nice. I've had them for about a week now, and sometimes I still fight to get them in, but it's better. Sunglasses are a nice friend. I picked up my glasses Sunday, and they're working out, too.