Sunday night.
Ugh.
I have been out of the office for two weeks – a little for work travel but mostly for vacation, so my transition back tomorrow is going to sting a little.
Okay. Probably more than a little.
Wish me luck.
In order to keep me smiling tonight, let me share with you my Saturday night experience. This, my friends, is a bucket list item of epic proportions.
I finally saw Duran Duran in concert.
OMG, I think I’m verklempt.
Let me explain:
Duran Duran was my favorite band when I was growing up in the 80s. I’m talking posters on my bedroom wall, Tiger Beat magazine articles, and a supreme desire to marry the bass player, John Taylor, if I could’ve just found my way to the UK. Never mind that I was 13 or 14 at the time. I was pretty sure we were destined for true love.
You can see how that all turned out for me. 😉
But no matter. When I heard Duran Duran was coming to Saint Paul, Minnesota, I quickly ordered tickets in about 5 minutes flat and let my best girls know afterwards that they were attending the concert with me. They were given little choice in the matter.
The end result – a fabulous Saturday night in Saint Paul, enjoying a mini-get-away and an awesome concert of all Duran Duran’s greatest hits! (And yes, their hits do span more than the 1980s, people.)
So many reasons I am one lucky girl. 🙂
Reason #1: The Embassy Suites in downtown Saint Paul was kind of enough to provide this lovely display in our room for a little pre-concert happy hour. (Barb – you rock! Thank you so much!)
Reason #2: One of my most favorite restaurants in Saint Paul right now is Public Bar+Kitchen. It’s the right amount of urban upscale without any of the pretense. I ordered the paella Saturday night, which was DREAMY. But I can also attest that the folks here make a mean turkey burger that is well worth trying. (And don’t miss the bar downstairs, especially in the winter … it’s all exposed brick and comfy couches and big chairs and fun cocktails. The perfect place to hide away with a Moscow Mule or a glass of wine.)
Reason #3: I got to go to the concert with my oldest and dearest friend, Chris – who also happens to be my cousin. She is just 6 months older than me so that’s why we have basically known each other since forever. I bought the tickets and texted her – “By the way, you are coming up to the Twin Cities in July to go to Duran Duran with me.” She took it all in immediate stride and responded back, “Sounds great – can’t wait!” 🙂
Reason #4: Hello, boys from the UK. (My boyfriend? The guy on the left in front – playing a mean bass guitar.)
Reason #5: This crew – including my adorable sister and our friend, Billy, who filled in admirably at the last minute for my sister-in-law, who unfortunately wasn’t able to make it.
Reason #6: Why hello again, boys from the UK. We dug this funky version of Notorious!
Reason #7: I got to see this girl today, when I dropped off her momma at home. 🙂 I never get tired of hearing “Auntie, Auntie!”
On an unrelated note, I still have a thousand and one vacation photos to share, somehow, with you all. I’ll be back with a new blog post later this week – fingers crossed!
Lara