Sushi Secrets was pretty good -- can't compare it with anything because it's a new concept to me. But overall, I enjoyed the flavors and the burrito was very balanced. It could have used maybe a little less sauce, since it was dripping everywhere.
Here was my night's outfit -- channeling some Rosie and some Travis Garland. [Pro Tip: Dress for a show depending on the artist.] This is also the first time I'm willingly posting an outfit photo... and surprise there are two. I guess I'm becoming more comfortable with my appearance, which isn't something that has come naturally to me before.
When we got to Red House, there was a massive line out the door. Doors were supposed to open at 7:30, but we arrived at around 7:45. 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, and 8:45 passed by, but we were still in line waiting for the show, which was supposed to start at 8. At the front of the line (finally) a man checked our ID's and another man-bunned man gave us wristbands. [Spoiler: I didn't get a chance to meet Travis Garland this time, but at least I had contact with someone who had a man bun, so tonight was not a bust. I repeat, not a bust. Wow, imagine a bust of a man with a man-bun.] By the time we got in the venue, Jeremy Passion was on his last couple songs. I don't really know his music, but I can say that he is a very talented man.
Probably if I were me maybe 3 years ago, I would have been so mad that I had to wait past the scheduled time to get into the venue and miss part of the show. Nowadays, I'm so much more relaxed about mishaps and schedule changes. I don't even get bothered when someone gets my order wrong or if a store gives me a bad product. Things happen, and I can't control it. There's no use getting upset about it. Also, I think at the time, I was just really excited about Travis Garland that I didn't really care about anything unless it got in the way of seeing him perform.
The crowd for this show was really chill - no pushing, no shoving, no sweating. On the whole, people were very pleasant and people were mostly shorter than average, which was good for sight-lines and for my self esteem.
Travis Garland's set was a very well-rounded performance that showcased his vocal ability and his stage presence. He performed song after song of my favorites [which only makes sense because all his songs are my favorite]. It was the perfect set, but I'm probably biased. I loved the fact that he played some of his songs back to back with no breaks, but rather, a smooth (I'm guessing rehearsed, but seemed to be improv-ed) transition.
Although I don't think Red House's system and venue are the best, I do think that the size of the stage and the size of the room really suit Travis, at least for this moment in his career. It's a small, intimate setting and I think that added to the quality of the show.
* steals these two very nice photos from a kara I don't know *
- Let's not forget Dominique, to whom Travis chose to sing a freestyle. "Hey Dominique, what do you do?" "What do you mean?" "I mean, do you go to school? Work?" "I go to school." "What do you go to school for?" "To learn?" "I mean, what are you studying?" "High school." "Well I'm going to try to make this as not-creepy as possible. Dominique, what are your hopes, dreams and fears?" "To go to college." "..Okay, that's your hope, what are your dreams and fears?" "To have fun." "Okay your dream is to have fun - what's your fear?" "Being alone." "Yeah I can relate to that."
- Titillating conversation.
- The freestyle was really impressive though. "I'll take you to Los Angeles so you don't have to be alone anymore." [I mean, if you offered, I wouldn't say no.]
- Slightly upset and confused about the fact that there was no merch table. I was really looking forward to a poster.
- Ended the night with some chicken from Sweetheart and AHS at Rosie's.
- "But how Travis Garland are you?"
- Y'all need to calm down.
- I wouldn't call myself a fangirl, but I am a fan and a girl, and I owe a lot to this guy. I'm a grateful fan.
Let's get a little personal now.
Dear Travis Garland,
Your existence means more to me than you'll ever know. Perhaps I've attributed too many things to you - perhaps all these things already existed within myself, but you and your music just sped up the process and brought them to life.
~ As a performer, you've been a strong presence in my life.
Back in 2007, you first introduced yourself to me as a member of NLT, which soon became my new obsession. In a very short time, my 13 year old self was enamored by your singing, your dancing, your personality. Needless to say, you were quickly my "favorite." The (sometimes cheesy boy band) dancing in music videos got me very interested in dance, and I subsequently joined a hip-hop dance class for a year. The performance aspect of the band also inspired me to write and choreograph the spring program for my 8th grade class. I guess you could also say that this interest in dance carried on to affect the other videos I watched, TV shows I watched, and some activities I was involved in even in high school. Next semester I plan to get back into dance [even though I can't dance] to revive that active interest, rather than just passively consuming it.
~ As a writer, you've been a strong presence in my life.
Adding you on MySpace was just me being infatuated with every facet of NLT, but it has been the catalyst for so much in my life. You introduced me to McFly, which back then was just this quirky British boy band that had nothing on NLT. Seven years later, they still remain my favorite band, and they've helped me through so much, especially in high school -- so for that, I thank you.
Exploring your MySpace page allowed me to indulge in your poetry. Even at age 13, I was very taken by the depth of the writing, the emotion, and I related to the struggles that you wrote about: loneliness and facades. As a direct result, I tried my hand at poetry as well, and I knew I was good at it. Words, rhymes and rhythms came to me quickly; I just knew what to put down on the paper. With your solo demos like "Your Song" and "A Thousand Goodbyes" playing softly in the background, I churned out poem after poem, compiling a small collection. This collection of poems ended up winning gold in my 8th grade Young Authors, and it got turned into a bound book of my work.
My heart broke when the band split up in my freshman year of high school.
In high school, friendships fell apart. It had been a difficult transition from middle school. Again, I turned to your poems (and McFly's music) as a source of inspiration and comfort. Poems were a new way for me to respond to challenges in my life. It was a way for me to work through struggles and find a way to rise from the darkness. Nowadays, those poems have just turned into quick blog posts, but it is writing nonetheless.
For a long time, I would occasionally go back to your MySpace page, reading and rereading the same poems over and over for inspiration -- until MySpace revamped and everything disappeared. Hopefully one day, those files can be recovered, but for now all that remains is what those poems have meant to me all these years.
~ As a musician, you've been a strong presence in my life.
Although the band didn't release a full album, I purchased every single and every music video off of iTunes, allowing you to sing me to sleep with the cover of "Silent Night." And when I say you I really mean just you -- I cut the song so I could be immersed in your tone and your vocal runs. May 3rd 2008 - my first concert (not including the Chinese concerts my parents forced me to attend). At the time, I would have called it the best day of my life. You officially introduced me to the world of concerts, and I thank you that that concert experience was an overwhelmingly positive one. This was my first time meeting you (and hopefully not the last time). Here's a picture I dug up from the depths of my MySpace page.
[good thing we both grew up]
Shortly after the concert, I found out that an acquaintance of mine also listened to NLT. We instantly connected -- she is still one of my best friends, 7 years later. Throughout those 7 years, I've followed your musical path, from NLT to the breakup, to your going solo to your covers of "Dead and Gone" and "Beautiful Nightmare" at the Fantasy Factory to your appearance on American Idol, to your EPs and your self-titled album. Through it all, I've always supported you in everything you release. You've been dependable, constantly releasing work that gets better and better, quality lyrics that I always find a way of connecting with.
November 8th 2014: Red House Studios, Walnut Creek.
The first time seeing you perform solo.
The first time I was emotional at a show.
Your performance of "Mr. Rogers" moved me to the verge of tears.
The first time in a while that I was reminded that I'm the most important person in my life, and I need to take control of and find comfort in myself. "Mr. Rogers" really helped me to reflect on the past year, something I didn't consciously know I needed. It brought me to so many places, and that's what good music is, to me at least.
[Who the hell are you to judge me? Who are you to judge me?
Everyone has lots of ways of feeling
And all those ways of feeling are fine.
It's what we do with our feelings that matter, in this life...
I hope you're able to grow to respect whoever you are inside.]
~ As a person, you've been a strong presence in my life.
You are probably one of the best examples of never giving up. You didn't give up when song after song was leaked; you made a song in response to it. You pushed through, despite challenges, and maintained a positive attitude, fought for what you wanted to accomplish, what you wanted to stand for. In the mean time, you've created your own unique image, your own signature style and sound.
- “I strive to just be something different, a breath of fresh air. Someone who is true to the art of it, that’s all I want to be. The best compliment someone can give me is saying ‘Man, I haven’t heard something like that in a long time.’”
- “The biggest misconception about me is that I’m disposable, that I’m just a boy-band kid, come and go. But I’m a real artist, I have something to say.”
There's a lot of information in this letter, but really all I wanted to say is thank you.
It's been 7 years since your voice first graced my ears. In that time, you've encouraged me to dance, inspired me to write, introduced me to one of my best friends and my favorite band, comforted me with your lyrics, and gave me courage to be a better person. We've come a long way together. Here's to another 7.
Sincerely,
Justine
[All this, but the question that still remains is: How do you feel knowing that you were in a Bratz movie?]
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