Like Deja Vu, Only Better

You do not get many second chances in life. I am happy to say though this week, I did. About 8 years ago when Zach and I were living in Honolulu, we went to a Wynton Marsalis concert. By some crazy good luck we got seats in the 2nd row. You could almost feel the spit off his trumpet. It was fantastic. Unfortunately, I do not remember much more than that. I do remember he opened the show with the standard "Take the A Train." After that it is pretty much a blur. You see, I got a migraine. I did not want to leave the concert early. We paid good money for the tickets. Also I knew Zach had really been looking forward to it; I did not want to disappoint him. So, I spent the remainder of the evening closing my eyes, trying really hard not to cry or vomit. I succeeded in not vomiting, but I am sure I cried a little. As soon as the show was over we ran out of the arena and to the car. We ran into some acquaintances from Kauai, who I am sure thought we were terribly rude as we nearly ignored them.
So when we heard Wynton Marsalis was coming here to Roanoke, we could not pass up the chance to see him again. This time I was prepared though. I made sure that I carried medicine in my purse in case of any problems. Thankfully I did not have to use it. We enjoyed a fantastic concert, headache free! Our seats were not quite as good this time around, but it was good all the same.

Corban's 1st Hokie game

Yes, we took Corban to his first Virginia Tech football game. I wouldn't say it was a complete failure, but I wouldn't say it was entirely successful either. He had a great time tail-gating. What's not to like, all the food you can eat, most of it junk food? That sounds like Corban's dream come true. Unfortunately, by the time the game started he was about worn out. We got to the parking lot around around 10:30am, headed to the stadium around 12:45, kick-off was at 1:30. It also meant he would miss his nap; not a great idea when you combine that with extreme over stimulation. Calvin loves the excitement, the crowd, the noise, everything about it. Corban is not so much a people person. He was a little freaked out, I think. The band during the pre-game performance kept his interest. The Apache helicopter fly-over kept his interest. The Hokie bird (mascot) kept his interest, but that is about it. He climbed from person to person, over and over. With each person change he would try to lie down a little, then get distracted and move to someone else. Every time the Hokies scored, they fire the cannon. He jumped out of the arms of whoever was holding him each time. He just couldn't get used to that, and couldn't realize what made it happen. So, he made it (barely) till half-time. Zach and I took him back down to the car for some rest. Nana and Neds let Calvin stay in the stadium with them. He made it mid-way through the third quarter.
Over all, it was fun, and it was certainly a learning experience. I learned Corban will need to wait a few years before we try to take him again. I learned it is very difficult to pay attention to a football game when there is a toddler climbing all over you. And Zach learned it is not easy carrying a 45lb kid on your shoulders up many many flights of stairs.




The boys tail gating


Some people take this VERY seriously




The popcorn kept him busy for about 5 minutes



2 Apache helicopters doing a fly over

A few of the 66,000 in attendance, and the Highty Tighties

(Corp of Cadets) band on the field