Starlight Theater Concert Series - Steely Dan & Steve Winwood

When I saw my cousin, Gary, a few months ago at a wedding, I mentioned I wanted to see Steely Dan in concert but that I couldn't find where he was touring. Gary is a huge music buff so I wasn't surprised when he called me a few weeks later to tell me Steely Dan was performing at Starlight Theater along with Steve Winwood - another of my favorites.

Every time I go to a concert, I keep thinking the songs will be just like the ones I have downloaded on my iPod. And, yes, I still use my iPod. But for some reason, bands believe that live appearances should be filled with showmanship and elaboration of already popular songs. Steve Winwood was great. Steely Dan was good, but didn't perform a lot of his most popular songs. Maybe my expectations are too high.

Another Birthday Celebration for Aunt Pam

Since Pam was in Vegas for her birthday, Melissa and Jamie wanted to give her a special party since this was her 60th birthday.

We had a little barbecue at the Taylor house. Jamie grilled hamburgers and brats and we finished with a giant chocolate chip cookie.

Once again, Happy Birthday Aunt Pam!

Father's Day

Trying to get all the family together for holidays is getting harder to do. 

But I was able to successfully get all the fathers together - there were only 2 - Dad and Jamie.

Dad looks like he was having a wonderful time. Oh wait, that's how he always looks. It was the breakfast buffet at Harrah's this time and not because Michael was working (he was home sleeping). Karen, Teresa and I took Dad inside the casino after breakfast to try and turn $60 into thousands. Let's just say that didn't happen.

Since Violet and Lincoln aren't old enough to go in the casino, Melissa and Jamie headed home to continue their own Father's Day celebration. I think Jamie mowed the grass.

Orange is the New Black

If you have not seen the series Orange is the New Black, do not start. That is if you like this type of movie.

I'd always wanted to see this show but it was an HBO exclusive and I didn't have HBO. So last year I bought season 1 and 2 from Amazon. The first episode I watched was on an airplane. Luckily I was in a window seat and I could keep turning the screen toward the window. I thought I was watching some type of porn film. But after that first episode, I was hooked. I must have been going someplace extremely interesting, because I only watch the episodes while on the plane. When I got home, I finished seasons 1 and 2. I searched all over the internet for season 3 and found the only way I could watch it was to get Netflix. Then I heard that season 4 was premiering June 17 - only on Netflix. Well I couldn't watch season 4 without having watched season 3, so I quickly joined Netflix. After 13 hours of binge watching season 3, I couldn't wait for season 4 to begin. I thought how am I ever going to be able to wait a week between each episode. SURPRISE! Season 4 came out with each and every episode. Another 13 hours of my life was spent in front of the TV binging on OITNB (as us experts say).

While waiting for season 4, I got hooked on another series called Dexter. This was 8 seasons with 12 episodes in each season. Talk about obsessive. As soon as I watched the entire 4th season of OITNB, I cancelled my Netflix subscription. All I need is one more reason to sit in front of the TV.

Royal's Baseball Game with Aunt Pam

It isn't everyone that embraces a 60th birthday as much as Aunt Pam. Aunt Pam is actually Jamie's aunt, but the name seems to stick with her with everyone else. Pam celebrated her actual 60th birthday in Vegas.

I had tickets to a Royal's baseball game so I asked Pam to go with me. Thinking that the complimentary tickets to the game from Harrah's would be pretty good, I was completely surprised when we were in the left field bleachers, directly in the path of the 90 degree sun.

This was also the day of the "Big Slick" softball game. Actors Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, David Kouchner and Eric Stonestreet (all Kansas City natives) host a celebrity weekend benefitting the Cancer Center at Children's Mercy Hospital. The Big Slick started in 2010 as a poker tournament but for some ungodly reason, they changed it to a softball game. Even George Wendt - Norm from Cheers - was there as an umpire.

Jamie was able to snag a couple of free tickets which were directly under the press box. GREAT SEATS! Pam and I watched the Big Slick tournament from that section until close to the Royal's game time when they literally kicked us out. We then slowly ambled back to our easy bake oven seats.

The sun finally set, Jamie and Anthony came down from their premium seats and joined us, the Royals won and there was a fabulous fireworks display after the game. Since the Royals are the World Series champs, it's rather hard and expensive to go to a game. But who knows, I may have a large lapse in memory and go again before the season is over.

Lincoln's Eating Real Food

I'm trying to capture all the "firsts" in Lincoln's life like I did with Violet. It was a little easier with Violet since they lived with me. So I have to rely on stealing pictures when Melissa posts his progress.

Today Lincoln ate solid food. Now "ate" be a strong word since most of his time was spent playing with the sweet potatoes and flinging them across the room. But never fail, Lola was there to pick up the mess.

Lincoln - 7 Months Old

Already 7 months old with 6 teeth.

He's trying real hard to crawl but not quite there yet. Melissa had a little problem taking this picture without Lincoln trying to throw himself off the edge.

Happy 60th Birthday, Karen!

Karen is now officially a member of the "over 60" crowd.

I didn't see her on her birthday - I believe she was in hiding. She does go out every once in a while and now Violet is her best friend. Happy Birthday, Karen. If you don't say "60" then it's like you're really not that old.

Happy Birthday Michael!

I hate saying this out loud, but Michael turned 35. No way do I look like I have a 35 year old son - at least that's what I keep telling myself.

I wanted to take him to Chuck E Cheese but Michael wanted to go hit golf balls. Happy Birthday, Michael. No more after this year!

Gladstone Bluesfest

I'm always looking for exciting adventures to get me out of the house.

My cousin invited me to come to the Gladstone Bluesfest. This was just a fancy name for a concert in the park. There were 3 bands who performed. The first wasn't too bad but the lead singer had blue tooth type equipment so he kept roaming through the crowd. It was a little hard to keep an eye on him. The second band was better. But the third band, I swear, was nothing more than 5 guys jamming in their garage. I don't believe they could reproduce that exact song - it lasted about 15 minutes. I'm sure all the applause at the end was because the song was over.