weddings

Bachelorette party night

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I’m about to go jump in the shower and get dolled up to go to my cousin’s bachelorette party. May the wedding festivities begin!!

I have to admit, the cliche idea of a Bachelorette parties kind of baffle me. “Last fling before the ring!!” “Out on the prowl!!” Etc. Etc. Am I wrong that the bride has already committed herself to her groom? Why is there this idea that she needs one last “fling” with random-guy-of-the-moment at the urging of her girlfriends? The same ones who will stand up beside her at the wedding.

I’ve never attended one of those kinds of parties, so maybe they’re actually this mythological idea of a bachelorette party. Nonetheless, they make shopping for a bachelorette party difficult, since most of the party favors are geared that direction.

My party was actually a joint party with my husbands. A joint bachelor/bachelorette party. It. Was. The. BEST. Definitely goes down as one of the top five most fun nights out ever for me. My friends. My husbands friends. All together at a club in College Station. Laughter. Drinks. Dancing. Back flips. Incredible time!

I planned my best girlfriend’s party (I was her matron of honor) and we hit sixth street in Austin, TX for hers. But not being much for bar hopping, we ended up in a hotel room eating junk food girl-talking. Also a total BLAST.

Tonight’s plan is to eat at a Mexican restaurant and then just “go from there.” A brewhouse nearby has pool tables, etc. that we might go do for awhile. We might go in search of photo ops. We’ll see! But no plans for a night out “looking for a fling” here!!

To me, the point of the bachelorette party is a good time out with the girls. No looking for guys or any such hoopla. It’s a good time with the girls, and it warms everything up for the wedding weekend… a celebration of love and a new life beginning.

That being said, I was bartending a few weeks ago when a bachelorette party came in for drinks. There were four or five girls, counting the bride. The band did everything they could do to bring the group into the fun. I’ve never in my life seen a more lifeless group of girls. They sat and sipped their drinks and then left. Not a single one got into the music or the idea of the night. I whispered to the other bartender that I’ve never seen a more boring bachelorette party in my life.

I fully intend to have a great time tonight. Mom and I made the bride a sash to wear designating her the bride. I have a few party favors that are so G-rated its crazy… but crazy in a fun way. Even if we ended up just having dinner and going home… by gosh we’re going to have FUN!

And yes, there WILL be pictures.

husband, travel

In-ears

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I’m sitting on a flight to Austin, TX again. My head leans against the wall of this Southwest Airline plane, and LeeAnn Womack croons to me about Solitary Thinkin’. (FYI – I’m in the music video for this song.)

You’re probably wondering what the title of this post means. I’m getting to it.

Ah… Heidi Newfield now. A dear friend. “Cry Cry (Til the Sun Shines)” I turn it up to hear the B3 sing to me. I smile.

No one around me can hear it. Similarly, if someone spoke to me now, I’d hear nothing. I’m wearing my husband’s back-up pair of E5s.

E-what you might ask. I know I was lost the first time I heard of them. Think super-duper-expensive and high-tech pair of ear buds. Like the ones that come with your iPod.

If you’ve been to a concert, or perhaps have watched live music on tv, you’ve probably seen the musicians and artist wearing headphone/ear buds. They’re called in-ear monitors. They let the musicians hear themselves. Some artists use floor monitors (basically speakers facing them) to hear instead, but a vast majority today use In-ears.

Random side story, I was at a concert when the guy beside me very seriously told me, “They wear those so someone can tell them the words to the songs.” I just nodded and acted like it was brilliant he figured that out, all the while going in my head,”You wouldn’t believe the truth even if I showed you my lammie (backstage pass) to prove I know the REAL story.”

I still remember the first time my husband let me wear his In-ears for awhile. It was long before we even started dating; he stuck them in my ears to hear what he was hearing. I was amazed. The quality was impeccable and I am sure my jaw dropped when he said they cost him $400 new.

He’s used these In-ears for years, but as all things have want to do, they started to just wear out. They have ceased to be the superior quality he needs and expects on stage, and he’s gotten a new pair. (Thankfully this time NOT paying $400.) His old faithful pair are his “just in case” back-ups.

They’ve made many miles with him. Every state in the US. They’ve been to Canada, Turkey, Iceland, Switzerland, Qatar, Japan, South Korea and more.

Last night, as I packed for my trip, I found my iPod ear buds were MIA. I tore through multiple bags to no avail. Dug in jacket pockets. I found $5 but no ear buds. I was facing a 2 hour flight without music.

I plopped on the couch with a pout.

My husband offered me his old E5s.

“No self-respecting wife of a musician should have sub-par ear buds anyway,” he said.

I was giddy!!! This morning he dug into his work-box and carefully packed the old E5s and tucked them in my purse. He has no idea that that gesture meant more to me than if he’d stuck a note in there that said, “I love you.”

So as I carefully put them in my ears and cranked up the iPod, I felt like he was wrapping me up in a big bear hug. I was no longer traveling alone.

Now Exile is singing “Gimme Just One More Chance” and my toes are tapping happily, sipping a cup of tea from Starbucks. Ready, now, to embark on the weeks adventure: my cousin’s wedding…