Prize Night, Southern Style

I've been a bit slow with my postings of late. Once again, life's events, a death in the family, company and so on, not to mention the unstable condition of my computer have slowed me down. I am currently connected to the cyber world through a cord. Imagine that...a cord! My computer refuses to recognize wifi.

So here's the result which follows my last blog.

First born and I took GO transit to CNE. We walked, and walked, climbed, crossed, and walked. After we passed the new soccer stadium and traversed several roads, we scaled a concrete barrier, the reason will be taking place this weekend. (http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/)        
We took a bridge over Lakeshore Blvd. and eventually arrived at the Molson Amphitheatre.

I immediately noted that I was too generously dressed. Sleeveless mini skirts and daisy dukes abounded. Plaid shirts, cowboy hats, denim, and boots were the norm. I muttered to myself as I wore my layers, carried my coat, and saw the outdoor venue. "They'll be sorry."

I was soon in a better mood when I saw the box seat section. We appeared to be under a roof and in prime real estate in view of the stage. There was even a counter type table for our all inclusive drinking and dining evening. We were now ready for the Darius Rucker Southern Style Tour.

After meeting our hostess and benefactor from the Wonderlist contest, we sat and perused the menu. We were told to order what we wanted and she would pay at the end of the evening. Pizza would be served when all prize winners arrived.

Being Canuks and not wanting to be too rude, we opted for a delicious appetizer sized bag of popcorn and a couple of Eristof lemon/vodka drinks, in cans.

As we were munching, the first band began to play. My ears throbbed. It was loud. It was unharmonious and it did not give me a sense of cowboy music. Instead, it sounded like a thousand horses. Coincidentally, the name of the group was....A Thousand Horses. Appropriate I thought.

We had time for a selfie prior to the next act,  Brothers Osborne. I think I liked this group and could potentially listen to them again. On the other hand, perhaps they were just more acceptable than the horses. When this group was finished, it was still daylight, but lake effect cooling began. I smiled knowingly as I slipped on my jacket.

Two huge pizzas greeted us prior to Brett Eldredge.  "Hello, I'm pepperoni", said one, while the other remained laid back before announcing its vegetarian status.

Not only was this singer quiet and melodic, he wasn't too tough to look at either. Perhaps I could become a country fan after all.

The crowd linked arms and swayed to the music. They lined up for overpriced food and drinks as we continued to enjoy our personalized service, our $37 pizzas, $8 popcorn and our $10.75 drinks. What a great prize.

Finally came the main event Darius Rucker! The performance was wonderful and very entertaining. I was starting to realize that I could easily become a country fan. The crowds were friendly and out for a good time. Harmless fun. There were no violent or inciting lyrics.

I hated to suggest leaving at around 10:30. Fortunately, the show was almost over. We could avoid the crowds and get the next GO train for the great two hour trek back home.

It was a lovely evening and time well spent with my first born. I'm glad she entered the contest. Now, I'll be off to see what kind of denim and plaid I can acquire for when Blake Shelton comes to town.

I Won A Real Prize

The phone rang. "Congratulations, this is the Toronto Star calling. You've won tickets to......."

Of course, since I've been receiving phone scam calls, I responded with "No I haven't. I didn't enter any contest."

Fortunately, I didn't slam down the receiver. The woman sounded excited for me and somehow had an air of legitimacy about her. It didn't take long before I tracked down the perpetrator. It was the alien life form that lives in my house aka child #1. She had entered a contest and wanted to increase her chances of winning by entering me as well.

Now, there are two problems. I will need to go to the Toronto Star building to pick up the winning tickets this week, and I will have Toronto Star suite seats at a concert which I'm not that interested in. I rarely even stay awake late enough to attend live shows and I've never heard of Darius Rucker. Do I look like a country and western fan?

"Darius used to be in Hootie and the Blowfish." my daughter announced.

Ah yes. It was all becoming clear to me now. Hootie and the Blowfish seem to be one of those recurring themes that I've had and we all have throughout our lives. In fact, they just came up in conversation the other day. I even knew the Hootie and the Blowfish answer on Jeopardy recently. But that's another story.

Sometimes, I'd swear they mixed up the children at birth, but I know for a fact that this is impossible. Besides being the spitting image of her Amish grandma Rose, child #1 was the only fair complexioned blonde baby in Toronto East General Hospital during the week I gave birth.

Apparently, I now have to pick up the tickets in person and provide evidence that I am in fact me prior to solving a complex, mathematical skill testing question. So there's trip one to Toronto next week. Fortunately, I get senior rates on the GO train now, and that's as good as free. Skill testing question??? Prodigy child #1 has offered to coach me all weekend. Sure, I have nothing else to do. Alternate suggestion and new plan was that she accompany me and solve the question herself. Is that likely to be allowed? Anyhow, a mother daughter day out. Sounds like fun.

Once we investigate said tickets, I'll know better whether I can give her both of them or whether I'll need to accompany her to the Molson Amphitheatre on Saturday night for this wonderful Star suite opportunity. Did I mention they also provide free food and drinks to the winners?

If I schedule my time carefully, take naps between all my errands next Saturday, sleep on the GO train on the way to the concert, I might be able to stay awake for the opening acts. On the other hand, I should think of this as an experience. It's an opportunity to do something new and potentially enjoyable. It's never too late to try something new. Besides...the Star suite? I'll report back.

As Darius would say......

I'm up for just about anything as long as it's almost legal
I can fit in with any old crowd, long as there's a part, they're my kind of people
If you're down with painting the town, I'll be around all night
You know I'm always good for a good time
When it comes to a good time, you know what they say
I'ts never too early, it's never too late.