Life of Larisa or LOL

The coolest night out in paradise can be found at Blue Note Hawai'i .  I accomplished experiencing two new things last night by attending a Hawaiian Music concert at the Blue Note Hawai'i in Waikiki.  Number thirty-six (out of fifty-two) was seeing a concert by a group I have never seen live before.  It was doubly new since it was a new venue to experience as well.  New live band concert at a new to me venue made last night's "new thing" adventure extra fun. I love music, especially live music.  I have been to concerts at multiple venues on O'ahu and seen favorite bands in concert in Georgia, Washington, California, and Colorado.  Each concert experience has been special in its own way---from the band you are going to see, to the venue, to the people you attend the concert with.  Concerts can be a religious experience.  Concerts are a unique mix of a deeply personal experience that you have with hundreds (pre-Covid anyway) of other people.  E...

  Dirty thirty!  My latest "new thing" is a game.  Rockstarr Band Battle is the newest game in the Majors household.  We are a game family.  We love cards, dice, and board games.  Over the past year or more of the pandemic, our love of games really paid off.  We are semi-professional gamers at this point.  Since we aren't a big sports family (our kids never did soccer or Little League or anything like that for an extended period of time), our weekends are generally free.  We have no commitments to be at a field or a gym at a certain time.  Our lack of organized sports creates room for lots of organized game play . Since we aren't a part of the organized sports crew, you might assume that we aren't very competitive.  One of us isn't (Isom).  The other is (me).  The boys are usually interested in winning , but the true competitive spirit resides inside me.  If you're going to play the game, you might as well win the g...

Apparently I'll do anything that is cheap and anything involving music...like risking me, the unborn child, and Gabe's life to walk across the street. I'll start off with the negative (since that's my favorite thing to point out these days) and I'll let you know in advance that it does have a happy ending. I'm always interested in trying new things. I'm always interested in getting out of the house to keep from going crazy with summer cabin fever. When my friend mentioned checking out the Honolulu Zoo's Summer Concert Series, I jumped at the opportunity. We packed a nice picnic dinner, left the house a good two and a half hours prior to the start of the concert, had quarters for parking, a fully charged phone for picture taking...we were all set. And then we sat in traffic for over an hour to arrive at the zoo. And then we drove around for almost another hour looking for parking near the zoo. And then pregnancy attitude kicked in and I started get...

First there must be inspiration. Once I realized we would be welcoming a new baby boy in August, the first thing I started thinking/dreaming about? How to decorate the nursery. From the beginning I knew I wanted a color scheme of red, black, and white. And then, the second inspiration hit... A rock inspired theme. No pressure or anything for the baby to be the next great rock guitarist. Many have questioned my colors and my seemingly adult theme, but my excitement can't be swayed...or rocked. Slowly, the pieces are coming together. With punches of color as seen in the pillows. Iconic rock pieces such as the always popular lava lamp. Framed John Lennon concert poster, framed Blondie and other albums (yes albums), and a concert t-shirt baby blanket...nothing rocks more. Except for maybe baby Z. Who we have decided we will name Zachary. Zachary Majors...a pretty rocking name for who we know will be a rocking kid.

Some obsessions are from birth, others begin in childhood, high school, or are new found. The Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam obsession has been going on since about 1992. It's had years to change and cultivate and grow with the many people I've been since I was a sophomore in high school. Mostly the obsession is due to the combination of good music, good lyrics, and highly soulful voice of Eddie Vedder. This seems a perfectly healthy obsession to have. When I was alerted of the availability of his latest solo album at STARBUCKS via text from the other EV obsessed (Sarah), I pretty much knew that I'd be taking a trip to Starbucks today, whether I was "thirsty" or not. It just so happened I was able to try a new flavor of Frappuccino and pick up the new CD with Hawaii roots (the best kind). While Ukulele Songs is a clear departure from any heavy guitar riffed rock anthems of his past, it is an album that folks of any age and background can enjoy and appreciate. It...

...to one of my favorite bands. Today is the anniversary (is that what you call it when someone dies?) of Kurt Cobain's death. I remember it very vividly since I was a senior in high school and was totally obsessed with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Red Hot Chili Peppers at the time. It was a weird day at school and everyone was talking about it and passing around the newspaper...imagine...no Facebook. We were all engrossed in his story...and the sad ending of it. I still love this band, (listened to them all day today) but unfortunately, for obvious reasons, they won't be coming to concert, releasing any new albums, anything. I know I should be sad for the loss of a person, but I'm really sad for the loss of the music. Here's to Kurt ...and his one time drummer who turned the tragedy of Nirvana into...The Foo Fighters.

Count on me to attend every great concert Oahu has to offer...and not get one, single good photo of the artist(s) performing. Consistent. That's what I am. The annual Kokua Festival, featuring Jack Johnson and guests, was this past weekend. This year was our third year attending. It has become somewhat of a family tradition. The first year we went, we saw Jack Johnson and Eddie Vedder (GOLD! It was like striking gold). It was Gabe's first concert...at age three...and he sees two awesome solo performers. The second year we went, we saw Jack Johnson and Dave Mathews. Are you kidding me? The then four year old has now seen three musicians I waited my whole life to see. Last year we were all equally bummed when we realized there wasn't going to be a Kokua Festival. Our spirits were revived however, when Isom purchased this years tickets, apparently the wait was worthwhile--Jack Johnson and Ziggy Marley! Reggae royalty is how he was introduced...and they were so rig...

Sometimes the encore is the best part. Take my birthday for example (and I promise there won't be too many more references to it after this post). Since it was a week long celebration, last night was the encore--- Bon Jovi concert at the Blaisdell with good friends. Ever since "You Give Love a Bad Name" blasted through my boombox in the fifth grade, I have been a fan of Bon Jovi . They are not my favorite band, BUT they do sing one of my favorite songs---one that is on my top ten of all time list. "Wanted: Dead or Alive". I know it's cheesy. I know they are a big hair 80's band from New Jersey. I don't care. Every time I hear that song, I have to turn it up, listen, and sing along. After getting my hair and makeup done at Marsha Nadalin by Sarah and her salon pals, I was transformed from house frau to Bon Jovi rocker chic. The pampering was a great gift and I thought that was the end of it. But then I arrived at Lehua's and ...

Last night I saw the cheapest concert I think I'll ever see. Lena and I met for our postponed date. We got our mochi crunch popcorn and settled in for the two hour MJ fest that is "This is It". I really believe that everyone is a fan of Michael Jackson. People will say they aren't, but they really are. Just like it's "cool" to dog on corporate America, Simon Cowell, and "The Real Housewives"...but secretly (or not so secretly as is the case with me) people love these things. Thrive on them even. It's the same with Michael Jackson . Whether you knew him as the little kid fronting "The Jackson 5", the 80's pop icon, the troubled adult with strange habits, or through all the other famous musicians and dancers he inspired along the way---everyone has something to say about him. The audience in the theater proved that Michael bridges generation, cultural, and economic gaps with his toe tapping rhythms. Seated behind us w...

I can't believe I've put off writing about this for this long...I mean it came out last Friday and here it is a week later and I finally share my thoughts. I, of course, purchased this on the day it came out. I had a reminder in my phone. It was on my calendar. I am obsessed. The problem with being obsessed is that sometimes you get let down. I'm gonna hope that the soundtrack will be more meaningful and something I can't turn off once I see the movie. For now though, I've only listened to it once. Okay, maybe I should give it a second listen. The "Twilight" soundtrack is one of my favorite CDs ...and it seriously would be regardless of loving the books, the movie, and Edward . But the "New Moon" soundtrack just didn't do it for me. I'm really hoping this is not foreshadowing of how I'll like the movie. Right now, I feel like I could just sit and watch the movie trailers over and over and over again. Not the case with the CD. But the...

More good music from a really good band. For someone who doesn't really even use an ATM machine---I am very proud to say that I bought my first CD online...and better yet it was in digital format from iTunes . Pearl Jam has been the soundtrack to many of my adolescent firsts and now adult firsts. First time drinking. First time wanting to travel on the road with a band. First time driving on my own. First time really loving a band...but especially the lead singer. First time seeing a lead singer backstage. First time seeing a band multiple times in a year. And now my first digital CD. With a few quick clicks of the mouse I had paid for, downloaded, and was listening to the newest CD from Pearl Jam. I am already loving "The Fixer" , "Just Breathe" , and "Gonna See My Friend " . " Backspacer " is an album that even those not familiar with Pearl Jam can pick up, listen to, and enjoy---which I hope you'll do.

Blaisdell Stomp. Plastic cupped beer. Overpriced alcohol. Red bandannas as far as the eye could see. Aerosmith concert. The classic rock band from the '70s was at the Neal S. Blaisdell center and Sarah and I were there for the party. The last concert that Sarah and I went to was the young, energetic, fun Gwen Stefani with "No Doubt". Last nights concert was a departure from that...as we were informed several times by lead singer Steven Tyler ---"It's been thirty years since we've performed in Hawaii". Hawaii has been waiting thirty years and I've been waiting for about twenty years. My first, fond memories of blasting Aersomith were in high school, circa 1990--grunge was just making the scene, bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam were just beginning to make their mark on a younger, skinnier, nerdier me. The last vestiges of the '80s were on their way out...I was happy to say good-bye to the evil hair claw (you know the girls with the can of Aqua Net...

Muse . Defined as the source of an artist's inspiration. Or English Alternative Rock Band. I first discovered Muse in the back of Stephanie Meyer's blockbuster book "New Moon" from the "Twilight" series. I had read the book in what seemed like record time and wanted more. I was pouring over every last page. Every last sentence. Every last period and comma. At the back of my book I found acknowledgements---a part of a book I usually don't find interesting. There it was, at the bottom---thanking the musicians for their inspiration and role in her writing. Her many muses. And even better that one of the bands was actually named Muse. I had to check them out. "Showbiz" was the first CD I purchased followed by "Origins of Symmetry" and just today, "The Resistance" . I love all three. It's not just bad things that come in threes. I am thrilled that I not only found a great series of books but some great mu...

Not that anyone can tell from the worlds worst photo, but last night's impromptu concert was awesome. First, it was cheap ($21). Second, it broke up the monotony of my week. Third, it was No Doubt! I had resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be seeing No Doubt for this "Greatest Hits" tour. I was o.k. with it since I have seen them at Kualoa Ranch, The EMP in Seattle, and The Blaisdell Arena here in Honolulu. I have also seen Gwen Stefani and of course own the Cd's and have filled my iPhone with their music. Nothing beats a live concert though. Tuesday night was the first show and it came and went. I was a little sad to see other friends posting about their concert adventures on Facebook but busied myself with other things (like re-watching "6 Feet Under"). Then, about 6 p.m. yesterday evening, the phone rings. Sarah had news of $20 tickets and a plan to get them. Hey Baby. I picked up Sarah and we met a very pregnant (but happ...

Eddie Vedder . Hawaii Theater. Free Corona. Late Night. Locked Out. Last night was my fourth time seeing Eddie Vedder (lead singer for Pearl Jam www.pearljam.com ) in concert here in Hawaii. As always it was a memorable experience. My partner in crime for his shows, as well as many other concerts, is Sarah. From the beginning it was an ordeal to get tickets to the last show of his current concert tour. From difficulties with Ticketmaster (surprise, surprise), to closed ticket kiosks we thought we might actually miss out this year. In the end we got our tickets and were pumped for a new venue. I knew the night was off to a good start when while waiting to pick up our tickets at will call, a cab pulled up with a load of middle aged drunkards--one of whom fell out and into the street upon exiting the cab (no judging here I promise!). Drinks at Du Vin ( www.brasserrieduvin.com ) followed and then we were inside the maze of frat boys, surfer dudes, and 90's high school gr...