Last night I was lucky to have tickets to see the Counting Crows in concert. This would be my fifth time seeing them in the last several years. They did not disappoint.

Adam was in true form - one of the main reasons I plunk down a good chunk of change to see them any chance I can get. He was full of energy and passion that's all of his own.

I sang through the entire concert - my throat raw and my voice hoarse as we walked out of the venue. I was amazed that they sang the songs that they sang. It was as if Adam called me directly and said, "Okay, you paid your $60 bucks for a ticket, what do you want to hear?"

They opened with 'Anna Begins' which was amazing. They sang 'Omaha', 'Catapult' and I nearly wet my pants when they started the first few chords of 'Miami' one of my personal faves. they even did 'Ghost Train' which was tucked away neatly on their first release, 'August and Everything After' and not one of my faves but neat to hear just the same. As if handpicked by myself to hear in a private concert just for me. I know I've said it already but...amazing. Cindy and I discussed what they would encore with and how they would end the show. Both of us guessed that they'd end the show with 'Holiday in Spain' and they did. But not before Adam got up and gave us the most passionate speech on their outreach program and the charities they always support (AIDS, environmental and domestic violence) and reminded us that this is an election year. Adam has always been a big fan of women's rights (which is another reason I dig him) so he made sure he got up on his box and reminded us women that our ancestors fought for 144 years to get us the right to vote and we'd better get out and do it.

I love going to see live music. I don't care who it is or what they're singing - I'm just happy to be in that environment. I love to hear the music, see the band live and watch the people around us. Their were people there of all ages - from the little boy seated behind us that rocked out through the whole show to the long haired older man and his significant other in front of us. It was hard to tell who was there for the Goo Goo Dolls and who was there for the Counting Crows.

All in all a most perfect night in my opinion. There is no better way to spend it than sitting at an outdoor venue soaking up the atmosphere and listening to some good live tunes.

BETH AND I FOUND NEMO!!!

I think the best part about vacation is that I get to take it with my family. Mom rented us a condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with a balcony that overlooked the beach and the ocean. Wow - it was the life.

I got to spend quality time with everybody that week. I took Beth to lunch at Margaritaville and to the aquarium on Monday. Mom and I went off on our own to shop in the rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday. Mom, Nancy and I went shopping just the girls on Thursday morning. That night Nancy, Beth, Venu and I went to the amusement park then to dinner at Johnny Rockets. Friday we were on the beach by 10 a.m. and didn't leave until close to 4 or 5 that night. Then mom, Venu and I went to south Myrtle Beach to see where she is staying when she goes back in October and we did a little shopping then as well. This was possibly the best vacation I've had in many years. Sure, we've been on a few together but this was the best.

It was time to say goodbye on Saturday. I flew home to return to the daily grind. Gretchen and Steve had picked up Joey that afternoon so that he was in the car when they came to pick me up at the airport. Although I miss my family like mad, it was good to be home in my own house with my dog and my cat planted firmly in my side in bed that night. I can't wait for the next vacation!