I've spent a lifetime learning how to live in Rome

Concert Ticket: $25.00
Friggin' Ticketmaster Fees: $12.80
Miles Driven: 250
Gas $$: Let's not talk about it
Crusing at 90 on the way home: pretty sweet
Possums Hit: 1
Witnessing Nickel Creek play TOXIC live: priceless
Watching Chris and Mark Schatz (the bass player) Irish Dance: also priceless

...and with that, we're off and running! I never thought I'd breakdown and start a blog. Of course, I said the same thing about Facebook once, and we all know what happened there. I thought it fitting to begin my blog with memories and stories from my crazy, impulsive and exciting solo adventure yesterday traveling to Bend, OR for my first Nickel Creek concert. In case you're wondering, even with the price of gas, it was SO worth it.

This whole thing was incredibly serendipitous. On a whim, I checked Nickel Creek's website Friday night just to see if they were playing in Portland before they come to Washington in August. July 15, 2006: Bend, OR. What are the odds of that? I took it as a sign, and with a little encouragement from Soren, I bought the ticket. I find it satisfying that on the 2-year anniversary of leaving for China (to the day), I'm continuing to be more impulsive and hang-loose. That was my biggest lesson from China. I also felt it appropriate to celebrate a little after finishing my first graduate Chemistry class (which I'll talk more about on a slower day)!

I made a couple wrong turns, and of course, ended up on the "scenic byway" to Bend (thanks, Google Maps), which added about an hour to the trip and got me to the concert as the opener was starting...whoops. In retrospect, though, it was a beautiful drive! I drove along the McKenzie river for an hour and then wound around an amazingly gorgeous forest until cresting a hill and seeing the Three Sisters in all their glory - what an unexpected treat! I absolutely love nature. It all turned out well, and the concert wasn't too packed, so getting there late was just fine.

When Nickel Creek waltzed out and played the first two songs off their most recent album "why should the fire die?" pretty much cookie cutter from the CD, I was a little surprised. They hardly said anything for the first 5 or 6 songs and continued to play fairly conservative, and I'm thinking, crap, I could have just stayed home and listened to the cd for free! I was soon shut up by the most amazing version of "The Lighthouse's Tale" ever beheld by man. Sean and Sara also got to strut their stuff a little more and show that they are also great musicians, not just the mighty mandolin master, Chris Thile (which is pronounce Thee-Lee, for those who are curious). From then on, they seemed to loosen up a little, with more solos and even a few songs I'd never heard, including "Trouble," which I've got to get my mitts on somehow.

They're pretty funny, but not the best at the whole talking to the crowd thing...something they'll get better at with time, I hope. However, they made quite a rucous with Brittney Spears' "Toxic"...I almost wet myself, and it was actually quite good at the same time! I finally got the inspiration to go to the front for the encore (and subsequently wished I'd gone earlier), where they all played solo (Chris played the second movement of Bach's Sonata in A...bravo!) and then collaborated with the opener, the Foghorn String Band, for the last two songs.

As they say, the third time's the charm. I missed Nickel Creek playing at my church last year, then decided not to see them at the Paramount right before finals this year, and both times I was in mourning for weeks. I'm really glad I picked up and took this little excursion against my better judgement. I've learned a lot living by myself already in the last 3 weeks. I can tell this year will be very good for me: introspection, solitude, spiritual growth and growing up a little (without becoming a bore, naturally) are all things I'm praying for. But, yesterday also made me realize that even though my whole life and most memorable experiences hinge on being in community (be it 2 or 20 other people), I can still live, learn and have a darn good time by myself! I can't depend on others to have adventures, and I'm determined now more than ever to never live the same day twice and to make many lasting memories this year. That started yesterday when I saw my favorite group live: something I won't soon forget. Now I'm off to a baseball game! Here's to a great year in Eugene.