Picture
I don’t listen to bands, but I love Maroon 5. 

I got into Maroon 5 in 2004, I’m guessing. I was working at my old job and “Harder to Breathe,” the band’s first single, was out. It was hard and loud and angry and I loved it. Every time I heard it on the radio, I would crank it up and sing along. But I was reluctant to explore the band’s music further because, like I mentioned, I don’t listen to bands. I’m not a rock person (not that M5 is rock, but they’re as close as I get). I like pop and R&B.

Anyway, one day, while in a co-worker’s car driving to lunch, I started looking through her CD Collection. Guess what she had? The Maroon 5 CD! I asked to borrow it. She let me, and it was love at first sound. The CD, Songs about Jane, and I connected. The soul-infused album contained songs about a toxic relationship that was unhealthy for both participants. It was real and honest, and I “got it.”

That album was the only CD I listened to for months. I could be exaggerating, but I’m not. I knew all the words and the riffs Adam, the lead singer, would go off on.

I’ve been lucky that Maroon 5 likes to tour and I’ve been to three of their concerts. I get to see them again next week, and I’m beyond excited. I’ve been listening to their new CD Hands All Over nonstop, and I love it.

This morning I was thinking how grateful I am that I get to see them. If they’d been touring last year at this time, I would have had to miss the show. Last year, I had no job and no money. I had to miss several concerts of artists I adore, like Pink and Kelly Clarkson, because I was BROKE. And I LOVE concerts. I love being in the atmosphere and listening to my favorite singers and singing along. It’s so cool.

It sucks not having money. It truly does. I was so grateful last November when I finally got a job. I’m even more thankful now that I have my new job because I can see Maroon 5 in 10 days without obsessing about whether or not I can afford it.

Life throws us so many curveballs, good and bad.

I've learned that when you have the opportunity to do something you love (without being irresponsible, stupid, or bankrupting yourself), do it because you don’t know what the future holds.

xoxo,
Jamie

 
 
Picture
Hugs...

Maroon 5 released a new CD, which I’m loving a little more every time I listen to it. The band is coming to town in October. Very excited!

My Texas Rangers clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years. Very, very, very excited about this.

Usher is coming to town. I've been a fan since I was a teenager, but I've never seen him in concert.

There’s a class called French Novels of Erotic Intrigue I want to take. Cool.

Bugs...

Do you see where this is going?

Two concerts, a playoff game, and a class. Yeah, that’s an easy $400 right there. Why does everything cost money? And so much money at that.

Oh, well. I’m definitely going to the concerts. I’d planned to go to a playoff game, but they conflict with my work schedule, and now they’re sold out. I want to take the class, but I’m still on the fence about that.

Why can’t money grow on trees? My life would be so much cooler if it did.

What/who are you hugging this week?
What/who is bugging the mess out of you?

xoxo,
Jamie