fixation friday: wine-o

Welcome to the end of the week friends! It's that time again, time for me to think long and hard ::insert Peter Griffin Laugh:: about what I'm fixating on this week.

I've already discussed my fixation for Pearl Jam, and to be totally honest I'm still fixated on them. I can't stop thinking about the show. Add to that the fact that I've been reading a book I purchased for Mike at Christmas about the band, that I'm almost finished reading, you've got a full blown obsession going on over here. Better late than never right?  I also may or may not have dug out a ton of CDs this morning, thus fully loading my 10 disc changer with only PJ CDs (minus 3 slots left for Foo Fighters and and Eddie's solo projects - I'm a freak).

Instead of saying the same shizz over and over I'm going to talk about the other thing I've had on my mind not stop since probably last weekend and that's my beloved obsession with WINE!

Wine-O At Heart!

I'm going to blame my current craving for the lovely drink of the gods squarely on Eddie Vedder. From the moment he walked out on stage last weekend, toting his trademark bottle of wine and notebook I've been craving some red wine. If you've never been to a live PJ show, know this. Eddie drinks at least two bottles while performing on stage. I'm oblivious to how he doesn't get dehydrated doing that. I love me some red but I usually walk around after drinking it feeling like I look like Fire Marshall Bill. [Side note: I loved In Living Colour in my teens!]

obsessed with this image • via • Peace, Love, Eddie and Wine

I wasn't alone in my craving, Mike too was ready for some red wine as well. We decided to do what any sane crazies in need of a fix would do and snag a few cheap bottles of wine at Target and our local grocery store on a Wednesday night.

Truth be told Mike and I really don't drink a lot during the week. When fall rolls around we have a bit of a tradition on Thursday nights - we get a bottle of wine to share with our dinner and watch our favorite tv line up on NBC. It's a fun, date night like tradition we've tried to keep going.

This week we got a bit reckless, and bid farewell to our usual schedule. Instead of Thursday - we got our wine on Wednesday and I declared it WINE AND PIZZA NIGHT! We enjoyed our food, and great conversation and our wine on the front porch. This is a new tradition I could definitely get used to, especially after a long work day.  Front porches aren't just for happy hours folks!

 not bad for cheap wine and a store bought deli pizza right? • via turnedup2elven

After dinner I watched a movie and relaxed on the couch, and did what any normal person does and instagramed about it.

Cheap Wine and a movie - What to Expect When You're Expecting {it was cute} • via turnedup2eleven

I love most wine. Red and White alike, but I will be honest I hate sweet wine. Hate it. It gives me acid reflux and a headache and I just can't handle it. Don't ever try to serve it to me, I'll pass it up every time. I'm also not a real big fan of Chardonnay - I just don't like it. Last time I had it, hang over from hell.  I also love my wine to be crisp. I'm a big fan of Pinot G - most will say that's sweet and I have had some that I had to turn away from for being too sweet. But in the end if it's light, crisp and chilled just right and NOT overly sweet. I'll love it long time.

Reds however, are my favorite. I love a full bodied red. Zinfandel is the best. The wine we purchased on Saturday was pretty cheap, and the cheapest bottle was actually better. The first was a mixture of Zin, Chard and Merlot but was way too sweet. I don't think I've ever had a red that sweet... I will not be purchasing it again.  The wine Mike snagged was much better (pictured above).

I'm a firm believer that you don't have to buy the BEST wine. Sure there are some amazingly delicious expensive wines out there but you can find a favorite on any budget.

My go to Wine for any time is Gnarly Head's Old Vine Zin. Like I said I love my Zins. It's usually about $9.99 / bottle at our local store, often times maybe $14.99 depending on where we shop. But I love it. It might not be the best but it makes me happy. That's all that matters. We served this at our wedding, thats how much I love it. I loved the left over bottles even more! I like a wine that makes me crave steak, or pizza. Reds do that to me all the time.

via google

This time of year - I look forward to the cool weather and the holidays. Mike's sister and brother-in-law come in town from Colorado and Thanksgiving always becomes a bit of a wine tasting. We each purchase a bottle to pass around and share and it warms my heart and my cheeks to try the different brands. This winter we are supposed to head to Colorado to visit them for the first time and I hope that the same tradition will be happening again.

I. LOVE. WINE! Love it. Especially this time of year.

Do you love wine? What's your favorite type, and brand? I'm always open to suggestions!

tuned in.

I will be the first to admit, I watch a lot of television. Maybe not as much as some people do, but by most non-tv viewers standards I watch tons of TV. That being said I'll be the first to also admit I love our DVR. Passionately, not physically though that would be sick.  I really love the idea of recording my favorite shows and having them wait for me while I go out and try to live life. Or honestly just try to complete cooking a home cooked meal.  Living in a Central Time Zone I rely on our DVR a lot in order to get the kitchen cleaned up, make a meal for us, and then get the kitchen cleaned up again. I love being able to pause a show I'm watching in order to use the restroom, answer a phone call or just stop it all together and come back to it when I have time. I also enjoy fast forwarding through commercials.  There are often times we are sitting in the living room while something we want to watch is recording and we don't watch it, just so we can have the convenience of hitting FF through those blasted commercials.

That being said, I do believe I could survive without DVR, but I frankly don't want to. Sure if times turned hard, or we had to scale back for the sake of a budget. I'd get rid of it, but I'd totally kick and scream the whole way.

Today Misty over at Handbags and Handguns gave us a list of the Fall Show line up she'll be watching and it inspired me to share the shows I'm looking forward to watching the most this season! I'm totally giving Misty credit for this - she's on the ball I'm just trying to keep up! Thanks girl!

First up, I'm dying for the new season of this show to start!

Walking Dead

I am in one word, obsessed with this show. So obsessed that the season finale kept me awake at night for 3 days straight trying to figure out what might happen this season. I love every single cast member and what they bring to the table. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this damn show!

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Hart of Dixie

It's a bit of a cheesy show, and maybe the South isn't portrayed 100% accurately with the accents being off and some of the behavior, but for the most party it's a feel good show that gives me warm fuzzy feelings and I adore Rachel B. So it's a win/win for me. And let me just say the fashion on this show, is always awesome! I'd kill for Lemon's jewelry box!

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Always Sunny In Philadelphia 

Mike and I are semi new to this show and are kicking ourselves for not watching it when it first started. It's amazing. I love every, single, bit of this show. I laugh my ass off and we often reference it now in our everyday lives. I'm still waiting on kitten mittens in the mail. And we really wish we could go have drinks with this cast. Maybe one day we'll make it to Philly.

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Grimm

I will be the first to admit, I had a love/hate thing going on with this show when it first started. I wanted to love it so much, but I got bored mid way through the first season. I stopped watching but my DVR kept recording. I deleted about 4 episodes and didn't watch them... I watched a few of the final episodes of season 1 and heard rumors it was being canceled. After watching the last 2 parts of season 1 I got a bit sad to hear it might get canned. When Season 2 started, I was iffy about it all. They changed the opening title sequence which I frankly think sucks now... but something was different. It was less of a rush to get you up to speed on what a Grimm was and the story and characters were starting to develop. (Note - I love Monroe, Love him!) Add to that the fact that it stopped seeming so much like a total CSI spin off with fairytale info. They finally stopped doing case after case with supernatural creatures and started to tie them all together to one HUGE case with small ones sprinkled in. The only way I can describe my rekindled love for this show is that it's a total bandaid for me and my aching heart over Buffy the Vampire Slayer being over. There are lots of similarities to Buffy in this show and I think that's what brings me back. And thankfully the special effects are getting a little better, each time it airs.

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Last but never least

Wilfred and Louie

I love both of these shows. They are a bit dark, but still funny and heartwarming. If you love dogs and you're not watching Wilfred, let's just say you're totally missing out! Their new season has already been in full swing and has not disappointed one bit! There are also lots of great cameos in both of these shows from famous actors and comedians.

via google

via google

Sprinkle in my favorite Thursday shows on NBC

Community • Parks n' Rec • The Office • Up All Night

And you've got a really well rounded DVR full of entertainment for Mike and I. I am sure there are a few shows I'm completely forgetting to mention... but for the most part these are the ones I'm most excited about being able to watch again.

We also regularly record anything that Anthony Bourdain is on - the No Reservations Final Tour has us hooked as always. But let's be fair, Anthony could brush his teeth on film and I'd still be interested in what he had to say through mint paste.

So I ask you - what are you into and watching? Maybe my DVR has some more space to share? Let me know and stop by to visit Misty, tell her what your'e watching! She's always adding new shows to her DVR - I'm not sure where she finds the time, but she does! :)

I just wanna scream, Hello!

It's been well over 24 hours since my last glimpse of Pearl Jam on stage at the ATL Music Midtown festival and I'm still dancing on the inside! Outside, I'm battered, and sore. If you've never been to Atlanta, Peidmont Park where the concert was held, is HUGE. They blocked off a section for the show and it was a huge lot of grass, hills, concrete and awesomeness!

I woke up, without my alarm at 5:30 AM -  Not sure if I was just excited or ready to roll. We got ready and hit the road at about 7:00 AM. We should have probably left earlier, we didn't take into account the time change between Alabama and Georgia. Not a big deal - we didn't miss anything serious and were able to snag all the swag we wanted.

THE SCORE

Two T-shirts, a sticker, and Two great screen printed posters.

Biggest HIGHS:
We caught Adam Ant's set - it was so fun. We also were able to catch Ludacris from far away, and later Florence and the Machine up close and personal. The BEST part was being about 20 ft. from the fence next to the stage for Pearl Jam. We wormed our way as close as we could without being completely rude to others who were there longer trying to do the same.

There was so much amazingly delicious smelling food there. Food trucks, vendors, you name it they probably had it. And yet, I settled for a slice of pepperoni pizza. Simple, I knew it would sit OK on my stomach in the heat and it was awesome! SO tasty! I wish I could remember the name of the place - I'd visit there again in a heartbeat. Mike opted for a BBQ Sandwich - which looked pretty tasty as well.

At concerts, Mike and I aren't big drinkers, and it's a good thing. The 24 oz beers were $10.00 EACH! That was sort of a low, but at the same time we only wanted water so it was a plus.

FREE WATER STATION = NOT GETTING DEHYDRATED! Score! I filled up my 32 oz bottle at least 5 times that day and drank it all.

Seeing Eddie walk on stage for the first time, truly took the wind right out of my lungs. It was a huge HOLY SHIZZ moment! So close to someone I've been enamored by for so many years. Add to that Jeff Ament, forgetaboutit. Mike's lucky I didn't faint!


Biggest LOWS:
I got two blisters - but thankfully I caught them before they popped (sick sorry) - I was able to ward off any further pain with HUGE bandaids I brought with me AND the blister block I purchased before the show. Needless to say my 'dogs were barking, loud' by the end of the day. The pain was minimal compared to the greatness that day!

Second day of a Music Festival means second say port-o-pots. Blech! I was prepared though. I made sure to purchase a pack of tissues, as well as a pack of wet-ones to clean my hands after the use of the port-o-pots.  Answer me this, why do they always set them in direct sunlight? Talk about death in the heat, add to that day old funk, and it's VOM DOT COM!

Missing Garbage's set. I wasn't really disappointed but I sort of wanted to catch them. But to be fair we were taking our posters back to a friend's car so they wouldn't get damaged during the rest of the event. We miss a few other acts but most of which I had never truly heard of so I was OK. I'm sure I missed out a bit from what others say but I'm content with who I saw, what I heard and what I was able to do durning the long day.

Young kids making comments about "All theses old people trying to relive their glory days by going to see Pearl Jam." It took a lot not to cuss out the young "privileged preppy kids" behind me that said that. As Mike stated when I told him they said that... If it wasn't for us buying the records in our youth, those brats wouldn't be here to witness Pearl Jam. Douches!

OBSERVATIONS:
White folks love to dance, horribly to Ludacris. I got such a kick out of the fans dancing.

Girls will wear any type of footwear to a show and not care how uncomfortable it is. Platforms on grass? Are you serious?

I swear the 90's and 70's were alive at this show. It was like Coachella mixed with Seattle everywhere I looked. [ And I liked it, a lot!]

Pre-teen and Teenaged girls are small, mighty and bitchy: During Florence + The Machine's set we were surrounded by small girls. All belting out every lyric that flew out of Florence's mouth (is her name Florence, I didn't research that). It was an amazing set and I think the did a great job but I was worried about making one little girl angry for fear they might form a VOLTRON-esque TEEN GIRL MONSTER and kill me.

We almost witness a fight before PJ right next to us but it was quickly diffused. A drunk girl was trying to push her way through Mike and another tall guy. She called them both A-holes (classy) and her short, stocky, mouthy brother tried to defend her against the TALL, Marine that told her to back off. I just thought to myself. SO Help me, if I get a black eye because of you ass hats before Eddie takes the stage I will go mental, call my TEEN VOLTRON GIRLS and kick both your asses!

At MIDNIGHT after a long day of only drinking water and eating one slice of pizza, a Big Mac Extra Large Value Meal REALLY hits the spot! Not a healthy spot but I was so happy to eat that!!!

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Bottom line I'd do it all again, and again just to see Pearl Jam and I'm already anxiously awaiting their next tour close by... or far... HAVE DESIRE, WILL TRAVEL!

I think what I like, and admire most about Pearl Jam is that they are a group of guys that have been together 20+ years, with little or no drama. It's not about fame or fortune to them. It's not about who's the front man, and who's not. They are in this for the music, the fans and the love of what they do. It's completely evident to see them play and to hear them talk to the crowd. I have to say, this was my all time favorite show I've EVER been to.

The Days Line Up!

O'Brother • Civil Twilight • LP • Garbage • Ludacris

Neon Trees • Florence + The Machine • Girl Talk

PEARL JAM

via my instagram @turneduptoeleven

I wanted to remember the set list for years to come so I thought I'd post it here for you to see, and for me to have for safe keeping! (Enjoy my notes if you actually read it).

PEARL JAM • MUSIC MIDTOWN • ATL, GA • 9.21.12

SET LIST

1. WHY GO - I was excited they opened with this song, love it! {And yes, I cried when they took the stage}.
2. SAVE YOU - such a powerful song/message.
3. ANIMAL - This song always makes me think of Mike. He always counts the 1-2-3-4-5 on his fingers when the song starts in the car, so I had to smile when it started, and he started with his fingers counting 1-2-3-4-5.
4. ... SMALL TOWN - This is the first song, I could really hear the entire crowd of 52,000+ people singing. Talk about chills!
5. CORDUROY - Not a ton of people like Vitalogy, but I loved it in HS, and still do today.
6. GOT SOME - Mike was excited that newer material was played a lot in this show. He's seen PJ three times before this show. The last show he was at was in 2003. They haven't been here in the South since then. Mike and I have been talking and then together for 8 years and not once have they made it here until now. Hearing the new stuff was exciting for me, but I think meant more to him.
7. AMONGST THE WAVES - Before this song Eddie gave a small speech about loving people, family, friends, bandmates. That how after 20 years together they still love what they do, weathered any storm the band might have had, or relationships they had and they were still together stronger than ever. Tell us all that if we have that love it's worth working for. Eddie asked if we had that in our lives and Mike grabbed my hand and held it up high our fingers entwined. This song is extremely moving, and it was that much more moving to share it with my husband.
8. WISHLIST - I've blogged about this song before. It always, always, always makes me smile. It's such a simple, touching song.  I was also hoping they would play this (song hope 1)
9. BETTERMAN - I prayed they would play this song. It's a HUGE, HUGE part of my relationship with Mike. When we met we were both dating other people. I hadn't admitted to myself how miserable I was in the relationship I was in. I was losing ground and myself but wouldn't face it. One night, before going to bed I started to set my alarm and this song came on the radio. I laid there an listened to it for the millionth time in my life, but this time really listened to the lyrics... I realized I was the woman in the story. I lied and said I was in love with that guy, because I thought it was the best I could do. I realize I had become all I hated about girls in tragic relationships and the only reason I was still there was my own doing, and it wasn't his fault we weren't meant to be together. Soon after that night of crying myself to sleep, I ended our relationship. If not for Eddie's words I might still be there, stuck in a relationship that didn't fill me up. Thankfully I took it as a sign, and got my crap together so that eventually, almost a year later, I could be free to be with Mike. Emotionally and physically. And if you're wondering, yes, I cried during the song, and yes Mike knows this story, and he held my hand and we smiled - I hope he knows I did find a better man, the best man, Him. (song hope 2)
10. DO THE EVOLUTION - I love, love, love this damn song and I was SO stoked that they played it. (song hope 3).
11. EVEN FLOW - Do I even need to say how awesome this was?
12. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - [CLASH COVER] Before singing this, Eddie talked about the importance of voting. He didn't once tell you which side he was on (although we know this already) - he just stressed the importance of making your voice heard, voting with your head and making a difference.
13. NOTHINGMAN - Again, letting the crowd sing with him, it was awesome. He made it evident early in the show that he wanted us all to sing as loud as we wanted, to express ourselves fully and I really think he took it all in. As did the rest of the band - they fed off our excitement.
14. SUPERSONIC - Another newer song, so fun!
15. JEREMY - the young teen boys behind us were over the moon excited about this. Their comment may have pissed me off but I'm happy seeing a younger generation loving the music I love and grew up on.
16. PORCH - great song to end the set!

ENCORE 1

1. CRAZY MARY - Mike actually loudly yelled 'YES!' when this song started. He was so excited. It's a song that doesn't get played live, often.
2. GIVEN TO FLY - This was another song I was dying to hear/see live. Epic!
3. THE FIXER - love this song!
4. REARVIEWMIRROR - very excited to hear this

ENCORE 2

1. UNTOUGHT KNOWN - I was DYING to hear this live. There is an amazing piano solo in this song and one of the best lyrics ever "See the path cut by the moon, for you to walk on." SO over the moon to hear this.
2. BLACK - One of my favorite songs from the TEN album.
3. ALIVE - I had recounted all the songs in my head that we had heard and KNEW this one was bound to come up before they left the stage. Knowing what it's about it's moving to see Eddie sing with such conviction every, single, time he sings this song. Hearing the crowd sing back to him gave me chills during the chorus.
4. ROCKING IN THE FREE WORLD - NEIL YOUNG COVER Eddie said to us... we've been told we have 2 minutes left if we play this fast we have time for one more. They launched right into it and the crowd went nuts! Best. Ending. We Could Have Asked For. EVER!

Mike got a much better shot of the band with his phone, than I did with mine!

via his instagram • jamofpearls

PEARL JAM

I couldn't have asked for a better set list. I really wanted to hear State of Love and Trust, and Oceans but in the end I think they did an amazing job blending together 20 years of music for a 2+ hour set!

I couldn't have asked for a better Anniversary gift from Mike. Or a better person to witness this concert with. I look forward to all the years ahead that we can see PJ together, again.

Next Bucket List Concert - We are going to see The Who in Nashville in December for our Birthdays!