Colder Weather

Stardate 66255.3

12:40 - On Friday (Stardate 66248), some friends and I went to see the Zac Brown Band. Since they're one of my favorite bands, I was thrilled to get a last minute ticket to the show. So we drove until the city lights dissolved into a country sky to arrive at the Jiffy Lube Live Amphitheater. 

Before any good concert, you must tailgate; it simply is a fact. My well-prepared friends brought hot dogs, chicken, and beer. Also, they brought a grill. Class acts, all of them. We sicced Justin on the chicken, and we relaxed with cold beer in our hands. Life was good. Speaking of being prepared, they brought jackets. I did not. I had no forethought and did not believe that the weather would drop to forty degrees. With only a scarf and a long sleeve shirt, I was stuck in colder weather. 

It was seriously cold. Seriously.

Zac Brown Band has an amazing group of musicians with a wide range of talents, skills, and musical instruments  They go beyond standard country music; they represent every sub-genre of country that I love.  They blend Southern Rock, Caribbean, folk, blue grass, and gospel harmoniously together. My favorite aspect of Zac Brown Band is that their music inspires you to jump right in. Their music pulls you in and does not let you go until they are good and ready to. They never take themselves too seriously. My favorite part is how effortless they make it look. Music, much like life, is too easy to be so damn complicated. They just play whatever they want, however they want to.

Girls' Photo

Focus Foxies, you can understand why I would be excited about seeing Zac Brown Band live. Believe you, me they do not disappoint. They played for over an hour and a half. Their play list was half album hits, half jam session craziness. The whole musical experience just washed over me and helped to put the outside world away for a minute. It felt great to pretend that I didn't live in it. The only worry in world was when the music was going to stop. Eventually their main set did; then, they had a dueling drum solos; then, they came back onstage for an encore. They are that awesome. True story.

After the encore, we saw goodbye in their eyes; we didn't think we could change it. They had to be on the road to their next stop, and couldn't wait around for us. We never questioned why; they just kept chasing those melodies across the US. We were just thankful they stopped by our town. The next time Zac Brown Band comes back by, keep them in mind. I know I will be waiting. In my humble opinion, live music, good friends, and beer are the keys to paradise. 

Focus Foxies in attendance: Justin (Ticket Purchaser), Alex (Photo Queen), Rachael, Kara, and some dude named Thomas?

Hail to the Falcons

Stardate 66236.5

15:28 - On Sunday (Stardate 66233.7) Rob and I made our way to Landover, Maryland to Fedex Field. We had tickets to see the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins battle it out. Being from Atlanta, Rob wanted to be there to support Matt Ryan trampling the Redskins. I wanted to support RGIII and the home team, but I secretly wanted the Falcons to win.

View from the outside

Despite having Washington attached to their name, the Redskins' field is not located in Washington. It is barely in what I would consider the metro area. It's outside the beltway! But I digress, Focus Foxies, the Landover location allows Redskins' fans plenty of room to tailgate. They tailgate pretty well for not being in the South. They have tents, grills, and games set up all around the parking lots. We had to dodge footballs to make it into the stadium. I think they were aimed at Rob's Ryan jersey, but there is no way to be sure.

We got inside the bowl shaped Fedex Field at last. Let me tell you something, Focus Foxies, no one comes to the stadium until kick off or a bit afterwards. We were worried that no one would show up. For the first half of the game the Redskins remained competitive with the 4-0 Falcons. They met them touchdown for touchdown. In fact, they looked like an awesome team for a bit there. After the touchdowns, I was introduced to the Redskins' Marching Band. Each touchdown they play their fight song: 'Hail to the Redskins.'

Rain and cold weather didn't stop us!

Well, the Redskins' good luck couldn't last very long. The Falcons came out ready to play the second half. They kept RGII contained, and then they sent him to the sidelines with a mild concussion. The Falcons were trying to make short work of the Redskins, but the Redskins kept limping along. One of the more special aspects of this game was the opportunity to see a career die. It wasn't RGIII's (although he should take lessons from Harper in sliding); it was the kicker Cundiff. We watched the sad field goal attempts to keep the Redskins in the game. Missing a 30 yard field goal was an especially low moment for Cundiff. His next extra point attempt led to the crowd booing him. I mean the guy could not kick a simple field goal; why add to his struggle by booing an extra point attempt? Redskins' fans that's why. Cundiff was eventually cut the next week in disgrace. The Redskins had a few chances at the end of the game, not that their fans would have noticed. A majority of them left before the last 5 minutes. Two turnovers in the last 3 minutes sealed the deal for the Redskins defeat. So I guess their fans' bet against the home team worked.

Superman Rob over Fedex Field

Well, a bunch of people in the stands were happy with the Atlanta win. I credit this with Atlanta fans being the only ones left (I cannot stress enough the emptying of the stands. Incredible). Focus Foxies, what you are more interested in knowing is why would I want the Falcons to win? Is it love? In a way yes. I would love to have a Falcons/Texans Superbowl. I would love to see the hope drain from falcons' fans eyes. I would love to see them leaving the stands as degraded as Redskins' fans. The picture that I want to paint for you, Focus Foxies, is one where our dear Superman is shaken up by the kryptonite that is the Texans Defense. It would include the one-two punch that is Foster/Johnson duo masterminding a Lex Luther like destruction of the Falcons Defense. Unfortunately for the Falcons, there will be no Parker Posey to save them. So yes, love is the reason.