I had an exceptionally good weekend. It's been a long time since I've felt completely renewed after a day off. It started off normally. I had to work Saturday, and wasn't quite sure what the evening would bring. My original plans for Sat night were looking pretty weak and I thought about going to see the Violent Femmes in concert, but couldn't get excited about going by myself. Luckily, I got a call from my friends, who had a 3rd ticket to the get-together after the tri-service cup regatta. I didn't get to race with them because I had to work, but I met them at the shindig for some pizza and wine as we awaited the results of the race. Afterwards, we went back to Scott's house to watch a movie: "Stone Mountain". I enjoyed the movie, particularly Renee Zellweger's portrayal of her character. The movie was both depressing and hopeful. I didn't like the soldier going through so much to die at the end of the movie, but I suppose not everyone gets their happy ending... and life does go on. Greg seemed to enjoy the movie. Scott wasn't too happy with the ending. After it was over Scott went to bed and I stayed up a while and watched TV and talked with Greg. All together, it was a pretty nice day... but Sunday was GREAT!!
I woke pretty early in the morning... as always. I was up by 7, but no one else was, so I grabbed a book and read for an hour or two. Scott still wasn't feeling well in the morning, so Greg and I went out fishing by ourselves. The day was gorgeous! We took his Carolina Skiff out on Bennetts Creek over to the Nansmond River Bridge. Greg let me take over the boat for a while, which I enjoyed much more than I thought I would. I don't usually like playing with other people's expensive toys. I'm always scared that I'll screw something up. Greg has a pretty easy going attitude. He's very easy to relax around, and I feel I can be 'myself'. We followed his plan to drift in the wind and current toward the bridge, but didn't catch anything with that approach so we tried setting the anchor under the bridge and sitting there for a while. The time flew by, I got a chance to stretch out in the sun and relax for a bit... and try to ease the pain in my back. I didn't catch anything except for some great pictures of brown pelicans sitting on an old dock near the bridge. In fact, if I hadn't seen fish swimming by on the fish finder, I might have given up after an hour or so and declared the area a 'barren wasteland'. Not catching fish was fine with me though... just being out there was an exhilarating experience. I was so nice to live in the moment, to enjoy the day, the place, just being alive. After fishing, Greg and I stopped for a quick late lunch/early dinner.
The finale of my weekend was going to the Rascal Flatts concert up in Richmond. After Greg and I got back to Scott's house, I hopped back in my car and drove up to the Richmond Raceway and State Fairgrounds. I've been waiting for this concert for months. Purchased my ticket the day they went on sale a few months ago. I thought my seat was in the 10th row based on the seating chart provided by ticket master when I purchased the tickets. When I got to the ampitheater, I found out I was in the 3rd row. I've never been that close to the stage at a major, sold-out concert before. What a rush! Julie Roberts played a nice set to begin with.
Chris Cagle was incredible! It was so nice to be able to see the expression on his face. He sounded so genuine when he said "I told the guys you know you've made it when you are playing in the dark." He was so full of energy! At the end of his set he told the audience "See you when I get there!" Well, I think he's already there :-)
Rascal Flatts was worth every bit of the money I spent on my ticket. I have never sang, danced and laughed so much at a concert before. I sang right along with every word! I actually enjoyed going to the concert by myself. I could act as I pleased and no one was there to brief my friends on my behaviour afterward... Now that doesn't mean I was flashing a camera, or getting plastered, because I didn't (not even a single beer.) But I did dance, which is something I never do. I don't usually let myself get lost in the music, but I did there, and once again found myself completely living in the moment... and completely happy with who I was and where I was.
Toward the end of Rascal Flatts set, the people in the first 3 rows were allowed to come to the edge of the stage. I didn't expect that! It made the experience all the more incredible. I almost had the opportunity to have my t-shirt signed by one of the band members. It didn't quite work out for me, but in this case almost was just fine. It didn't diminish my feelings at all. I left with a smile on my face and on the drive home I sang the whole way.
The concert ended at 10pm, and I didn't make it home until midnight. When I got home, I had to prepare my daughter's school fundraiser, to be turned in the next day. I finished that around 2 am, then went to bed and got up at 6:30am. I made it to work on time, but depended heavily on coffee to get me through the day. 6 cups of coffee... and I usually don't drink any! My good mood stayed with me all day though. I'm still smiling :-)
Oh, they allowed cameras at the concert. I was hoping they would, and I had my little digital camera with me. I'll add some pictures from the fishing trip and the concert when I get a chance... What an awesome weekend!
