My bucket list is complete--

Paul Simon-So Beautiful or So What Tour

or

The fact that he is one of the most influential songwriters of the past century overrides the fact that he can't dance.

Most of you already know that I went to a Paul Simon concert on Monday--which might have been my highlight of the year.

Here are quite a few pictures from a little road trip to Phoenix I took with Jacob and Karina. We left on Sunday and came back Tuesday, or in other words, not long enough to enjoy the 100 degree saguaro-ish weather.

But first, here's a random box of delicious chocolates to look at:



Back to the trip:

This scenery was surprisingly interesting. Southern Utah has a lot of offer as far as unique landscape. Exploring some of the national parks (Utah has 5) is high on my list of things I want to do to enjoy living in this state. 

Jacob taking a picture of this canyon:


 What the canyon looks like without Jacob and a fence in the way:

A sign that I thought was really funny. Actually, it's not that funny. Especially if you're in the way of the thrown object.


We spent Monday afternoon walking around Phoenix for a bit, enjoying some southwest flavor (after I sat in the hotel room in the morning and took an online test for school. Blasted school. Blasted, time-consuming school. Blasted, time-consuming, exhausting school. Blasted...oh, I'll stop now).


Since I spent a year and a half in the southwest as a missionary, this was a nostalgic trip for me. Pink houses, desert flowers, rock yards, stucco. I donated my soul to the desert for 18 months and part of it is still there. I think it always will be--and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Real Mexican food, the kind where they give you a pile of stuff on a plate and a large tortilla and you have to tear the tortilla and mop up the stuff. It's so good I'm salivating while writing this. Jacob tried really hard. 


Special time in front of a beautiful prickly pear cactus. I was so happy to see it, I sat there and petted it for a few minutes. 


I was only a bit giddy to finally make it to the concert hall. It was a really nice theater, not like a stadium.  Most of the men there were bald, so that tells you something about my taste in music. The guy I sat by went to school with Paul Simon's brother in Queens--I was so impressed.



Some thoughtful words:


Here's the man. He is 70 years old, but still has perfect pitch and tone quality and enough energy to play a rock concert for 2 1/2 hours. I never wanted it to end! My hands hurt from clapping. He has very devoted fans--when he came on stage, there was a huge standing/screaming ovation. 


We were so full of excellent music when the show was over--we couldn't stop smiling!


Then we waited behind the theater (a last minute decision-Jacob's idea, really) where the band comes out to catch a glimpse of the man I've idolized since age 12. Turns out he's pretty short, extremely socially awkward, very quiet, but never rude or impatient. I got my ticket signed!


So happy to have a signature!


A very fuzzy close up.


"I'm an ordinary player in the key of C." My new favorite quote.


Set list:


"The Boy in the Bubble"
"Dazzling Blues"
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"
"So Beautiful of So What"
"Mother and Child Reunion"
"That Was Your Mother"
"Hearts and Bones"
"Mystery Train"/"Wheels"
"Slip Slidin' Away"
"Rewrite"
"Peace Like a River"
"The Obvious Child"
"The Only Living Boy in New York"
"My Little Town"
"Love is Eternal Sacred Light"
"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes"
"Gumboots"
Encore
"The Sounds of Silence"
"Kodachrome"/"Gone At Last"
"Here Comes the Sun"
"Graceland"/"Pretty Thing"
"Late in the Evening"
Second Encore
"Still Crazy After All These Years"


Comments

Jennifer Walker said…
I flip between being giddy excited for you and violently jealous. Please leave your signed ticket to me in your will (should you pass first, of course).
October 23, 2011 at 8:24 PM
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