Another Wednesday night, and a fun (though slightly difficult to learn) game called "Come Together". Kevin taught this game which is all about putting on the best 60's music festival, ala Woodstock.

Finally, we got to play with an owner of Punchboard, Edith!

The board is lit up with pastel colors, small text, and wonky icons.  It "looks" like a lot and it kind of is at first.

It was one of those games where you have to ask a bunch of questions during your first couple turns.  The you begin to get the flow, and even start to formulate a strategy.

Edith and Steve seemed quick to "get" things, while I felt like I was fumbling around in last place.

As an aside, Edith definitely made it a more lively experience than is typical, and we all ended up laughing way more than usual.

Somehow, my balanced strategy worked and I ended up handsomely ahead at the end.

I had a blast, victory tends to do that, but the fun was also in part to the new energy at the table.

Good times keep on rolling at this sweet Board Game Cafe! <3

After parking over 1 mile away (to my surprise) in downtown Hollywood, and walking that distance to the Hollywood Bowl (after a great car ride with awesome conversation with my youngest daughter), we found our seats were really "obstructed".  Apparently it was more than just a warning on the ticketmaster site, it was actually a real thing.

We could see the stage, at this angle, but not the main screen.

After some talented opening musicians (they really are talented, the Hernandez brothers) but I couldn't help but think that every song was really long and I couldn't firmly tell when one song ended and another began because it all sounded similar.

It was desert themed guitar + slide guitar instrumentals, with some bongos thrown in there on a loop.

I'm going to call it experimental music that conjures up images and feelings.  It would be awesome for a long car ride, but sitting and waiting for the main performer made it a little monotonous and boring after about 20 minutes.

Then, Jack came on stage and we loved it! Plus, the nice guys sitting to the right of us decided to go swoop in on better seats and told us we could move over and take their.  Boom!  Now we could see the screen.

Jack played most of his popular hits, told stories about his beginnings and his Isla Vista/UCSB days back in '94.  "Those were the days" he said.

Squeak and I knew almost every song, and sang along for most of the concert. She's amazing with memorizing lyrics!

Then, he pulled the Hernandez brothers back on stage to jam with, then Ben Harper (who helped Jack and his band get comfortable with touring back in 2001), and then, the great surfing legend Kelly Slater came on stage, as a good friend of Jack's, and they played a song.

It was an awesome night with my little one.

One I'll never forget.  We both love Jack Johnson songs, and it was a night to remember that we got to see him live, together, at the beautiful Hollywood Bowl which even hosted a few rain drops! :)

It was an impromptu decision. I saw the Bruno Mars concert flash across the screen, and upcoming date at SoFi stadium in LA.

My mind flashed to all the Bruno Mars songs our family his listened to through the years, and the hip hop dance routine the girls performed to "Uptown Funk", going became a must.  And it must be all of us.

After hearing that Jen and Linda had left their BTS seats at SoFi, in favor of the standing room only section in the 400's, and seeing that those SRO tickets were only $137 a piece -- we made sure schedules were clear, and I got the tickets, along with a parking pass.

I am so glad I did.

None of us will ever forget that.  The girls sang along to most of the songs, and it was a magical night.

It started with "Pee Wee" the DJ, who we found out today was Anderson.Paak, a former FTHS student who graduated in 2004.  He was hilarious and got the crowd riles by calling out to different decades, and playing some of the most popular/recognizable songs of the day.

Next was the stunning Raye, a British artist who was playing on the biggest stage of her career.

She was very sweet and connected on an emotional level with the audience. Even though the lyrics were hard to understand due to the acoustic qualities of SoFi, the message and emotion was clear.

She felt like a throwback to a different day, a classic style with beauty and charm.

I admit I teared up when she got real about the peaks and valleys of life, and plead with the audience never to give up on this 1 life.  No matter how hard.

She was awesome.

And then...

Bruno.

He stunned and amazed me with his stage presence, vocals, and musicianship across the bongos, guitar, and piano.

When you combine that kind of natural talent with a lifetime of performances to over a 34 year career, starting when he was about 6 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the result is magic.

He excited, he moved you to tears, he made you feel, and run the gamut of emotions.

I just loved seeing my girls dancing and singing along.  They absolutely loved it.

I think today, we are all missing the moments of last night, and the artists who brought them to is.

This feeling will pass, but the memories will remain. I'm so glad we did it, and I'll never forget it.

For years, when I'd tell people that I'd have 2 teenage girls at some point in my life, a jovial banter would ensue related to feeling very sorry for my future self.

More times than not, I would begin the banter. "Oh Lord what I have done?"

Now that time is here, and while the older one has graduated, it's the younger one I worry about.

The worry of today is a new boy she's interested in, after having just broken up with her boyfriend.

The ex was small, her age, and safe enough.  He didn't drive.  He doesn't like football games, or parties.  He like to rock climb at the climbing gym.

Honestly, I wasn't a fan of this or any relationship, and I can't seem to get past it. 

However, this time feels different.  It feels like the beginning of a new period of worry.

Why?

She can drive now.  She's 16 and just got her license.

"He" is 18 and on the Ventura High football team.  And yes, he drives.

The only saving grace I have to hold on to is that Jen tutored him in the past and knows his parents, who are still together.

Beyond that, the future is murky, and worrisome for me.

I don't know if I'll ever like any guy she ever dates completely.  I don't trust them. And, if I'm honest, I don't trust that I'll ever get the straight story.  All I can do is try, and also try to stay sane by busying myself with other things, so that I worry less.

This could easily put me in a state of gray for the foreseeable future.  This guy as an adult.  She's only 16 1/2.  This could go south.  All I can do is hang on, try to stay positive and understanding, and hope that it doesn't.  

Letting go is hard. Realizing you don't have control is just as hard.

I know it's thought of as another cheesy dog movie, but it was different.

I took Jen to see it yesterday, and it definitely opened up the emotions.

Something about that dog, the look in his eyes, and especially the cinematography around Odin (the dog) staring down a grizzly bear after being urged by his owner (Pitt) to look away and not challenge it.

Something in the battle torn eyes of the dog gave the grizzly bear and understanding, a fear, whatever it was... and the AI generated grizzly bear back down and left.

It was a cool moment, and that one scene created lots of attachment for me, to the dog Odin.  The eternal friend with you to the end, after seeing so much pain.

Somehow in the hours and day to follow it opened a door of emotion about my dad.

For some reason I just started thinking about the things he used to say, and do, and the way I felt being around him.

And now, to have him gone, never to return in that form made me understand how much I miss that steadfast voice and the old world words of wisdom about not needing to take certain risks, patience, hard work, etc.

It also made me realize how much sadness is just kicking around inside me that will come pouring out eventually.

Welcome to the House of Pain Chris! Invited an old acquaintance from the crossfit days to the PBC yesterday, and we played Blood Rage with Kevin and Steve.

I consider the night a success, mostly because we've found a new person, like us, who will absolutely love playing with us!  Welcome Chris T!

However, we didn't pay it exactly right (after 4 tries, we've never played it totally 100% correctly...), and I took the brunt of the incorrect rule applications.

On my first turn I decided to by the sea serpent in an effort to have a powerful ally that could affect 2 lands at all times for the rest of the game.

At a hefty price tage of 3 rage, I was excited to get it on my first turn.

I placed it in the fjord of my choosing, then, then make sure I could do that I read the rules.

The rules mention only warriors, leaders, and ships can be placed right away.  The sea serpent is a monster.  So I took it back into my reserves, and paid the REST of my rage the next turn to play it.

Stupid.

I couldn't do anything the rest of the round, and I started falling behind.  

When the 2nd age came I started trying to claw my way back by taking gambles, stupid gambles, and had the door shut in my face every single time, through the end of the game.

I ended up with a "whopping" 27 victory points, while Kevin ended up with 106!

Oh well... my pride took a hit, but we had the rules wrong, so I'll forgive myself!

Fun times as always, even with the stinging defeat...