John Mayer and a dog beach...

I love listening to John Mayer.
I love listening to Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson as well who all seem to fall into the same sort of realm, musically.   They are jammy, chill, excellent musicians and I always find myself smiling and moving when they pop on my iPod.

I've seen Dave Matthews live before and he is outstanding.  But I've never seen Jack Johnson or John Mayer.  Until last weekend.

I had heard John Mayer was going to be playing at Verizon Amphitheater and was quite excited.  I have a friend who works there who hooked me up with some great prices and VIP bonus stuff.  I love and thank her so very much!
My original date couldn't make it, so after finding out that not a lot of my friends care for John Mayer all that much (totally shocked me) I ended up with a very excited Jill.  Yay!  She rules and I knew would be a perfect date!  So - Saturday arrived.

We got a bit turned around but finally found our way into the theater.  We were directed to VIP parking.  The only time I think I've ever had an anxiety attack was when I had VIP parking last time I came here to see 311 and was directed to back in against a chain link fence in between 2 ginormous trucks in a space no normal truck should fit.  T and I could barely squeeze out of my truck and the whole process freaked me the hell out.  As we drove up towards the parking I was thrilled to be directed into an actual lot.  THANK GAWD.  As we parked I noticed a lot of people tail gating in the lot.  Like with picnic tables and shit.  Awesome - and note to self if I get to do this again!

We stopped by the box office to give hugs and loves and thanks to my friend who handed us a couple of drink tickets and sent us on our way.  Um rad!

We promptly hit the VIP bar feeling very special and got ourselves a glass of wine.  We found a little couch and made ourselves comfy and started to catch up.  We hadn't seen each other in a while so we had lots to talk about.  We heard Philip Phillips, the opening band, begin and decided to stay put.  We were having too much fun already!

When we did finally make it over to our seats for John, they were awesome!  So close!  This pic doesn't do it justice but we had fantastic seats.  Center, I could see him and his band clearly, it was perfection!  I also have to say I dig the seats at Verizon - you actually have leg room, and when people pass in front of you there is room!

So John begins.  He was just fabulous.  His saxophone player - Rob Reynolds was fucking awesome!  The smooth way he played that instrument matched some of my favorite blues artists.  He picked up a clarinet later in the set and played her beautifully as well.  At one point there were two drummers.  They did a fantastic set together bouncing back and forth and almost challenging each other.  Loved it.  His entire band was flawless.  It was such a perfectly groovy evening.  The images in the background were a trip, made me feel like I was on an acid trip.  And John Mayer - he was just lovely.  I had been told he was super sexy when he played, and I will say yes - he was  - BUT, I have seen so many brilliant blues artists that play just as he does.  It's hard to explain but you can see them feel the music with each strum.  Some sing their licks.  He mouthed them a bit but he felt every one.  It does honestly look as if they are having sex with the music they are playing.  I love it.  That to me is such musicianship.  Feeling it so much that your audience feels it right along with you.  He was quite humble as well, constantly thanking everyone and acknowledging the great artists around him as well. People have mentioned he's a jerk, a womanizer, etc.  But I don't follow celebrity gossip really at all.  What I can say is John Mayer is a wonderful musician and put on a great show.

Part two of this blog I wanted to mention my latest trip to the beach.  I was exhausted from the night before at the concert and half considered canceling on my friend who I was supposed to meet at the beach relatively early.  She has a giant Great Dane whom I adore and takes him to a beach that I didn't know until Sunday was a dog beach.  It's right where Huntington kisses up to Newport Beach and the Santa Ana river flows into the ocean.

After many grumbles and yawns, I loaded my bike into my truck and headed down.  I parked on Brookhurst and rode the Pink Panther down to where she told me to go.  I begrudgingly locked my bike up to a chain link fence since she promised me it would be ok, then we headed out and plopped our stuff down at a vacant spot and collapsed.  It was a chilly overcast day so I was annoyed because I had worn my suit hoping to get a little color.  But I noticed something.  Within in minutes of sitting there scratching her giant dog behind the ears, visiting with my dear friend and inhaling the salty smell of the ocean, everything fell away.  We would sometimes go into the water and play fetch with Blue or just wade around.  A few times we ran around so he could chase/play with us.  Always in the awe struck faces of those around us.  I do love the reactions to his size.  We would wander back to our spot and just lay there or talk or people/dog watch.  The sun never did come out and I only stayed a few hours (due to the fact I HAD TO get so much done that day) but it was perfect.

I forget how much I love the beach.  It doesn't matter what the weather is like, it's home.  Fatima made the comment - "This is my zen.  Here at the dog beach".  She's right.  As I leaned back and patted Blue and looked around at the happy dogs and people running around, watching them play, watching the pure joy all around, listening to the ocean's song and breathing her in.  Perfection.  I rode my bike back to my truck with a big smile on my face and made a note to get down here more often.  It certainly doesn't take much for Mother Nature to remind me why I'm so happy in her arms.

ROC Race Part Deaux

Yup.  I did it again. 
After we had signed up and raced the Del Mar ROC in May they announced they were doing one here at the OC Great Park.  I honestly wasn't going to sign up again because I kept telling myself I already did this one, it's too expensive, etc.  Well let's just say a generous friend paid my entry in - so - off we were again.

It was a rough start.  I drove by myself and got completely lost.  They ROC people hadn't set up the signage yet when I was driving around (what happened to early bird gets the worm), so after a lot of wasted time, gas and stress I finally found the cops setting up signs.  Jackasses.  We all pretty much arrived at the same time and decided this year to be the Team Average Joes.  Below is almost all of our team members:

And the usual sib shot:

I ran with a waterproof disposable camera where pretty much the remainder of the photos come from.  Anywhoo, so we begin.

We were the very 1st wave and it was obvious the race folk did not have their shit together yet.  The DJ was supposed to be giving out wristbands for costumes but didn't seem to be paying much attention, so no medals for us.  We all get ready to start, and they start releasing us in waves as last time.  Problem was, the guy didn't seem awake yet, not much pump, not much of anything really.
Whatever.
We start.

My friend Fatima paced me which was AWESOME and made me realize how much more fun it is when you have a friend with you instead of others (ahem, won't mention names, but they are not runners and always are only like 20 feet in front of me the whole damn race but for some reason feel the need to always be AHEAD of me.)  I believe I mentioned this before, but from now on I'm only signing up for races if I have a friend who wants to have fun and we stay together.  Fatima - you kick ass.  (She's a real runner too!)

This was her 1st obstacle course, so she was stoked to be with me anyway as I prepped her for each obstacle, even though this particular obstacle race isn't necessarily that challenging.

1st up was the "concrete" wall things.  Well, at Del Mar - they were concrete, and all in a line, and you could do the cool military like hop over them if you were strong.  These were weird orange plastic things that you had to sort of climb over.  I of course still tried to military hop them and totally bruised my butt!  Whoops!  Got a great shot of Fatima though!

Next was the Belly Flop Drop.  This was way better here than Del Mar because we didn't run through any mud or dirt yet so the slide wasn't sandy and cut you like before.  Belly Flop down we went.

Third was the Tarzan Swing.  I'm hoping D got a good shot of me and I will post below whenever she sends it if so, but as usual - kicked ass.  Thank you very much.  Fatima did as well!

Fourth was up and over.  This one is a challenge.  You need a buddy to hoist you over.  Roger the rad guy he is, waited for us and hoisted us over.  I got a nice shot of him coming over as well.

Fifth was Cool Runnings.  This is the Wild Rivers like thing.  Grab an inter tube and slide down.  Fun as per usual, but sadly we lost Roger at this obstacle.  He dislocated his shoulder :(.

Sixth was Tire Mile.  I was much more careful this time hopping through the tires and did pretty well!  I snapped a shot of Fatima as well.

As we continued along, I realized the course was kind of boring.  It was laid out kind of odd and I don't understand what is so great about this OC Great Park.  There's like no green!  There was also alot of construction going on and the very prominent smell of manure.  I much prefer the Pomona Fairplex and the Del Mar Fairplex were we did this race before.  I had to take a shot of the Ball though - I always see it off the freeway, but must admit, not really caring to explore this park as I had once thought.

Next was the tight rope one.  Killed it.  But the guy you see in the picture below kept shaking the rope when Fatima and I were crossing.  Not sure if I appreciated the challenge and was proud of my core muscles or annoyed.

Next was the big slip & slide.  They said run fast and you'll slide farther...well I stopped half way.  So the kid that can't slide on a slip & slide.  Sigh.  Ha ha!

After this was the monkey bars.  Again - got all the way across!!!  This is the one that I always feel I can conquer and I'm so proud of myself because most people don't get across.  I rule.  And the Gorilla thought so too!

Now was the giant Moon Bounce.  This one is always fun.  We hopped across and I got to hop a little more than last time because my knee hadn't blown yet!  We hopped like bunnies. And I didn't fall!

2nd to last was the Wrecking Ball.  Now, I really really wanted to get across this time.  I was trying to mentally prepare when I saw Shane make it across!  I screamed my support and shot my favorite pic of the day!  (This disposable camera was pretty rad and so old skool because I didn't know I had this shot until I developed it!  Remember that?  Waiting, and developing?)

So after this amazing shot if I may say so myself, was my turn.  Well - here is where my major injury of the day happened.  I got about halfway and lost my footing but instead of falling to the side in the water, my body did some weird twerk and I body slammed into the barrels - chest first - then flopped into the water.  Oh my fuck.  Ow.  So ladies and gentlemen - Jami bruised her sternum.  As I type this blog, it hurts to laugh, breathe deep and move my arm a certain way.   Lord.  But, I'll live.  So - didn't make it across dammit!!!

Now one of the unfortunate things about this particular course was the manure smell I mentioned earlier.  Well on this stretch right here - brutal.  I almost vomited.  I can't imagine how nasty that is going to get later in the hot hot day.

Last but not least was the giant inflatable slide.  No explanation needed - fun as hell.  Although I did take out the cameraman.  Whoops.  He was very nice and understanding.  And got a great shot of Fatima as we ran up the back.

Here is a photo that the cameraperson I didn't take out caught:

As we walked out, a couple of our crew was heading into the Dr. Bronners Foam glass box thing.  We forgot about that last time, so Fatima and I trotted up and joined our crew.  I actually shot a couple of shots in there and was surprised they came out!  The foam smelled like lavender and it was like a free shower.  But if you get claustrophobic stay away.  It was a little weird to be buried in foam and not able to breathe before they rinsed you off with freezing cold water.  Fun, but wouldn't do it again.  Got a free bottle of the yummy smelling stuff though!

After this, we changed into dryer clothes and headed out to explore.  Unfortunately it sucked.  There was like 2 vendors, no free shit, no free beer (you ALWAYS get a free beer) no nothing.  The DJ wasn't even set up to do the after party yet, and there was alot of racers just sitting around looking bored.  The beers were overpriced and there was a line of food trucks but that's it.  I was really really disappointed in this compared to the Del Mar race.  This was not a cheap entry fee and they should have had way more stuff.  They were also 4 or 5 obstacles short of the Del Mar.  The volunteers were not nearly as fun and much more scarce.  So I do have to say - ROC for sure disappointed me this time around.

But as per our style, we made the best of it!  Below are the remaining shots on my disposable camera.  I'm now home with ice on my knee and my chest and sucking down some Advil but you know what - I can do this right now and I fucking love it!!!!!

2 more races...

Couple more 5K’s under my belt!

Here’s my re-cap.

First I’ll start with The Color Run. 

There are a bunch of different versions of this now I’m seeing, but this was the actual original Color Run.  D, Holly, Court and Court’s friend Laura and I all signed up.  Holly had done it before and was super excited for the rest of us to try it.

D decided to call our team the Stache Dashers – hence the mustache headbands.  It was out in Pomona at the Fairplex where we have done other races before.

We of course were signed up for an early wave, but it didn’t seem to matter as they were just releasing waves every half hour or so.

With your race bag you got a little bag of color.  Apparently at the end of the race there is a big group color pouf.  I was excited.

Since the race wasn’t timed, the girls had said we would all walk together.  Well, I got shafted there.  They all took off leaving me with the friend Laura, whom I didn’t really know and who was not in very good shape so I ended up having to walk much slower than I would have preferred.  I was a little bummed that the girls ditched me.  AGAIN.  But I’m getting used to this.  I was extra bummed I didn’t get to at least walk my preferred pace, but what can ya do.

Anywhoo, enough of bad and on with the good!

Color Run was an absolute blast. 

It starts out with a great DJ hollering at you and getting you super pumped up, dancing, laughing, etc.  Nick Cannon also showed up (I wasn’t sure who he was at 1^st) but he was a hoot as well.

As you go throughout the 5K there are groups of volunteers with bottles of color that they shoot you with when you go past.  Each section is a different color and by the end you look like a tye dye.  The only downfall is if you are like me and get very excited and whoop and holler when you come bouncing up, you may inhale a mouthful of the stuff.  It’s not horrible, it’s like powder but I did find myself spitting and hacking a bit.  My own fault though.  I just get so damn excited.

I also found out I look like an angry excited nerd when I see a camera on the course, as shown below.

When you cross the finish line it’s a bit anti-climactic, but once you head over to the stage it’s a big ol party.  Every 10 minutes or so they do a giant color pouf, where the DJ counts down and you all shoot your bags of color in the air.  This was so friggin cool!!!!!  I don’t know how to explain it but it was awesome seeing all the color blast into the air and everyone jumping and dancing and having a great time!  I mean it is called the Happiest 5K on Earth right!  Nick Cannon was a part of this as well and a fantastic energetic host.  The other girls were too hot and tired, but Holly and I kept going back and completely enjoying ourselves jumping around and getting hit with all kinds of color.  It was awesome and Holly was the perfect person to bounce around with.  She took a couple of great shots:

I really enjoyed this 5K and would do it again if I can find a fellow power walker.  The only downfall is I’m still trying to get that neon green out of my hair!  I also think I lost a layer of skin scrubbing the stuff off later on, but – totally worth it.  Laura made a really cute before and after shot you can see below:

Next up is the 5K I did on the 4^th of July. 

Apparently this is the 4^th annual!  I had no idea this existed.  D found it and suggested we sign up.  She actually convinced my brother to do it as well.  It’s called the Orange Park Acres 5K and parade.  We had all pretty much planned on doing this at our own paces, so we all brought ear buds and decided to challenge ourselves.  Of course my brother over did it and pushed himself too hard.  Le Sigh.  Boys.  I power walked the entire race and finished in 38 minutes!  I thought that was pretty damn good for walking!  I also was only a couple minutes behind my brother and D who jogged it. 

What I loved about this race, was the neighborhood we went through!  So beautiful!!!  It’s the Katella side of Orange Park Acres and most of the houses up there are huge ranch style layouts .  Most had horses and just amazing landscape.  I saw emu, llama, mini donkeys, mini horses, big horses and chickens!  It was hilarious!  A lot of people were outside rooting us on as we went by and set up for the parade that followed the 5K.  Lots of great patriotic décor and happy faces.  My favorite was a little old lady standing all by herself in her front lawn wearing a fantastic gaudy red/white/blue hat, waving a little flag in one hand and a cocktail in the other.  Amazing. 

There were a lot of hills on this route which I loved because it gave me that extra workout. 

I was also enjoying pacing these two little boys about 7 or 8 years old.  They would shoot past me, wear out and walk.  Then I would pass them.  Repeat.  This happened the entire race.  Then as we approached the finish line which was at the top of one of the larger hills I sprinted past the boys.  I heard them curse and start chasing me but I won.  So silly and so funny!  I of course paid for that one shortly after when my knee swelled up to the size of a grapefruit but totally worth it.  Tee hee hee!!! 

We stayed for part of the parade afterwards which was really cute and creative.

I think I may sign up for that one again next year! 

It felt great to start out the holiday with a great workout!  The before shot is below.

So two very cool 5K’s to report on. 

I really do love these fun runs.  I don’t mind doing some of them alone if I go in planning that, but I’d like to do more of them with friends.    Next up is ROC again which my friend Fatima will be pacing me, after that is Drenched which I’m expecting to be alone.  Foam Fest I’m doing with Fatima in August, then Rugged Maniac with two friends that are pacing me then finishing up with the Zombie run as a zombie again.  Yup, signed up for a boat load this year!   As long as I can keep doing them I’d sure like too.  It’s such a fun way to challenge myself. 

I am finding I need to be careful though.  I followed up the 5K with a 12 mile bike ride on my beach cruiser the next day and ended up at home with ice packs on both knees sucking down a bottle of Advil.  Not horrible but defiantly need to be conscious of my limits. 

I’m so grateful to be able to be active and I do always like to live by the motto I’ve posted below.