Shout Out to Hailey

Boston has been so HOT the last few days. It all started on Saturday when temperatures got into the mid 90s and it hasn't begun to cool down until today. It's suppose to be something like 80 degrees. The reporter on the news two days ago did an entire piece on how humidity effects the bodies cooling system. Pretty much . . . your cooling system doesn't work when humidity is present. So, on those days when it is 98 degrees . . . it really feels like it is 100+ degrees!

So, what is a girl who is living in a non-air conditioned house to do? Look at her sisters blog and take notes from her niece about how to wear her hair...Duh! I will admit I felt pretty funny walking around the house with my hair styled like my 1 year old niece, but it was far better than having my hair stick to my neck and it did offer a little relief. Thanks Hailey!

(I only had that sweatshirt on for .5 seconds while I took the picture!)

On Monday, I enlisted the help of Kenley and went on a search for a window air conditioner. It was an extremely long night. We stopped at Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, Costco, and Circuit City. Every store was completely wiped out of air conditioners. Finally, at 9:30 pm we found one at Sears! I swear, it was the best purchase I have ever made!

Now I can wear my hair down if I want, and sit in a nice 72 degree bedroom! It was a complete mess trying to find an air conditioner but well worth it! Thanks again Kenley for helping me out.

Canoeing the Concord

Last Saturday I went with some friends in the ward to Canoe the Concord River. We canoed down the river to the Minuteman park, got out for a little history lesson about the battle, canoed back up the river and finished the afternoon off with some Kimball's ice cream and a pedicure.

Look, I'm actually almost the shortest person there . . . that never happens!

It was absolutely beautiful and I loved all of the cool bridges that we passed under.

Starting out I got to sit in the middle and enjoy the ride while my canoe mates rowed along. It was fantastic, a little hot but relaxing!

This is another cool bridge at the Minuteman park, where the shots were heard around the world.

These are my Canoe mates, Emily and Claire. As you can see, we put our life vests to good use!

As I said before, we finished up our day with the greatest ice cream ever. . .

. . . and a pedicure. It was my first time! Yes, I was wearing flip flops and yes I did get a little burnt. It was really sad, the tops of my feet, tops of my knees and tops of my arm were the only things that got burnt. I borrowed Emily's organic sun screen for those areas and it didn't work at all. No more organic crap for me . . . give me the chemicals any day!

The Raconteurs

People who are skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly

On Tuesday night I went to see the Raconteurs play at the Bank of America Pavilion here in Boston. If you are thinking to yourself, "Who are they" you are not alone. I originally got tickets to the show because I knew the two front men of the band, Jack White from the White Stripes and Brendan Benson. I loved what they did single of each other, so I figured I really couldn't go wrong seeing them in a band together. Plus I knew one song of the Raconteurs and I liked it.

Now, let me just paint you a little picture:

The lights go out, the crowd goes wild as the shadow of the band members enter the stage and pick up their instruments. All at once an explosion of sound and lights fills the outdoor venue. People are on their feet the entire show, even though there are comfortable chairs right behind them. The boom of the drums, the electric sound coming from the guitars and the unique voices make it hard to resist swaying and singing along.

The band full on ROCKED OUT like I have never seen before. I have never seen someone play the guitar the way they did and was truly amazed to be witnessing it. I found myself laughing and giddy and jumping around without caring what I looked like because the people around me were doing the same. I full on enjoyed every moment!

I did however have one "You have got to be kidding me" kind of moments. As the concert started the 40 year old guy standing next to me pulled out a pipe!!! For all of you naive people out there...No, not a tobacco pipe. He was super nervous and kept looking around because he didn't want to get caught. After he puffed away for a little while my inner beast came out. Before I realized what i was doing, I grabbed his arm and said, "If you're going to do that, go somewhere else. It's bugging me." The guy was super apologetic, as he should have been seeing how I could have turned him in and sent him packing.

Anyway, the Band was amazing and put on one of the best Rock Shows I have ever seen. They even came back and did 5 more songs for their encore. I have attached some video so you can all check them out. None of the video is from the show I went to because I couldn't find any that I thought was good enough. Just promise me you will listen to it all the way through. At first you might think, "Oh Sarah and her weird music" but just wait until the guitars start to sing! How can you not love that!

This next video is the one that they closed the show with. I was blown away! Shelly, this is the one you NEED to check out!

Also, at the bottom of the page is a link to a sound clip. They sang this cover of a really old song, keep it clean, and I loved it. Just click the play button next to the title when the page loads up. Take a minute, have a listen, and for goodness sake see them live if you get the chance.




The Raconteurs - Keep It Clean (Charlie Jordan)(Live 930 Club 20080527)

Memorial day weekend

(Sorry it's taken me so long to post it)

On Sunday as I came out of church and sat waiting for my bus to come, I began to hear the strangest sound.  It sounded like a full band which I thought was kind of weird seeing how most street performers were one or two people at most.  I began walking toward the sound and discovered a HUGE parade! None of the buses would be coming because this parade ran right down the street that my bus would have to take me home. So, I started walking and was able to enjoy the parade all the way home.  

 

How cool is that little red truck! 

I tried to take a video of this little old lady playing in this band but didn't pull out my camera fast enough.  She was so cute and looks so tired in this picture because of how much she got into her drumming.  I loved it!  Well... I loved it up until I ran into the scariest beings on this planet.

CLOWNS!!! Okay, I knew there may be a chance that I would cross paths with a clown or two, but I was not prepared to literally cross paths with them...and not so many of them. 

  
Okay, things are still alright.  They stay on their side of the street, I'll stay on mine.  (Is that not the scariest clown you have ever seen sitting on the back of that car!)

"What....NO, I said you stay on your side of the street and I'll stay on mine! That's right kid, sick your dog on a stick on him!" I stood there and waited at a far enough distance until they both went back to their side of the street.  

I thought it was safe, so I continued walking.  I was really proud of myself for not having to have any scary interactions with these demon clown people until this train came chugging along. The clown on the back took one look at me and started shouting, "Lady, Lady! You're going the wrong way!!! Lady, can you hear me...The party's this way.  You're going the wrong way!!!" I took off running like a mad woman and yelled back, "Um, my kind of party's this way." He yelled something back but I was too far gone to understand what he said.  I have never been so grateful for working legs before in all my life.  

Now, check out this cute little boy and how he decided to watch the parade.  I thought it was adorable.

The Zoo

On Monday, Kristin, Kenley and Cora were nice enough to let me tag along for a trip to the zoo.  We had a blast looking at all the animals and even got to go into a room full of butterflies.  

Cora was so excited and loved all of the animals. She was happiest when she could get down and run around on her own.  Look at the excitement in her face when she was able to let go of Mom's hand and take off.   

The butterfly part of the zoo was so much fun.  You could get right up close and there were so many different kinds of butterflies.  

I loved this next group of pictures. 

Kristin (thinking) "Oh, aren't butterflies just so beautiful"

Cora (thinking) "I wonder what these things smell like"

Kenley (thinking) "I wonder what it tastes like.  I'll just take a little bite, no one will notice!"

The zoo had this fun little scale. You would jump as far as you could to see how your jumping skills compared to the animals and insects.

I could jump 6 feet, as far as a rabbit.  Kenley could jump 8 feet, as far as a moon bear. 

And, Holy Crow! Check out how far a snow leopard can jump!!! 

The day was fun and by the end we were all ready for a long nap!