Sir Elton John - Truly Amazing!!!

Elton John October 7, 2007

I saw Elton John in Sioux Falls last night, yes that’s right Sir Elton made a stop on his tour in little ole Sioux Falls, SD. Dad was able to get 2 accessible tickets, row 2, seats 1 and 2. I had probably had the best seat in the house. From where I sat on the riser I could see Elton perfectly and he could see me. While I was sitting waiting for the show to begin I was going to pull a roadie aside to see if I could get a guitar pick, but none of them got close enough for me to get their attention. I really wanted an Elton John guitar pick to add to my collection.

The show was amazing and breathtaking. It was 2 ½ hours of pure Elton John. OMG – the rush and emotions I felt when he took the stage was unlike any band I have ever seen. He came out bowed and stood on and around his piano and I almost started crying it was that intense. He did all his classic hits and a few songs I didn’t know. My favorite is Tiny Dancer and I decided to go get a t-shirt during a song I didn’t know, well of course there are a bunch too choose from. When I heard the chords to Tiny Dancer I said I’ll take the black one with the tour dates. I wanted to get back quickly. He was a little raspy when he talked, but you couldn’t tell when he sang. I saw him smile a couple of times my way and there was no one behind me so I’d like to think they were for me, but I’ll never know.

I was freezing my ass off the entire show, but refused to put my sweatshirt on because I was looking pretty damn cute in the top I had on and there was this HOT guy in a wheelchair and his HOT friend next to me. To keep warm I didn’t sit still in the chair at all so I constantly moved back and forth and/or bounced up and down. I’m single – I’m allowed to bounce. Plus I had a good bra on so it’s not like the girls were going to come out for show and tell. When I wasn’t doing that I was seriously busting a move as best as I could and singing all the words. Well, when I was dancing and singing along to the songs Elton’s guitarist, bassist, and drummer - Nigel Olsson all noticed. I don’t remember the other member’s names and Nigel’s drum kit had his name on it so it is easier to remember. Got a couple of nods and quite a few smiles. These guys are pretty old, but it was still hella cool either way. These guys are touring with Elton John – I’m going to smile back! Nigel (I love that name) started with Elton in 1969.

The guitarist was closest to me so he interacted with me quite a bit. Well, he was handing guitar picks to the ladies in the front row and well I really really wanted one at this point. Kept thinking about just wheeling down to the front row. The worst that can happen is they tell me to go back to my spot or tell me to leave and the show was close to being over at this point. Well, I didn’t do it right away. I liked my view of the stage and didn’t want to leave it. Then the band went into Bennie and the Jets and the first three rows of people got permission to go in front of Elton so there was this whole big gap in front of the stage with my name written all over it. I told dad I was going down there and he came with. I didn’t think he would stay, but he was having a good time in the front row and security didn’t have a problem with it. I thought the other chairs would have come down there too, but maybe they were scared to. It was a ballsy move on my part, but I’m glad I did it. I was having a blast dancing and singing along.

The drummer kept smiling and waved at me so I waved back. They finished Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting and were leaving for their encore break, but before they all did the guitarist came over and gave me a guitar pick! He goes I know you want this. How sweet it is! My goal for the night was accomplished. I said thank you and with a sweet smile back he joined the others. Before the drummer left he held up one finger and told me to wait where I was. Dad leaned down and at the same time we both said I was getting a drumstick. They came back to the stage and their encore was Your Song and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Beautiful songs. The said their quick good-byes as they left the stage and the drummer blew me a kiss with two fingers and gave me the peace sign and I blew him one back, but he didn’t bring his sticks. Dad goes – maybe you are going backstage? I said yeah right. I couldn’t go anywhere with 7000 people trying to leave so I just stayed where I was at. The drummer’s tech was taking his mics off his kit, but pointed to me and told me to wait right where I was and that he had something for me. When he finished he came over and gave me the sticks Nigel played with ALL night. How freakin cool is that? I thanked him and my god was he gorgeous. Nigel must have said something during the encore. I wasn’t expecting both. The older crowd (I was one of the babies at the show) was impressed to say the least. I was totally stoked! They have his name and signature on them. They are going with my collection of drumsticks.

It was an amazing night and after 38 years I’m glad Elton John decided to play some of the smaller cities and come to Sioux Falls. I’ve been watching his dates for Omaha and Minneapolis and almost died of shock when a Sioux Falls date was announced. Tickets sold out in 15 minutes. He didn’t make as much money coming here, but the 7000 people that were there will never ever forget it. Elvis played here two months before he died and it is a toss up as to who is the bigger name. We have had some big names stop here, but nothing as big as those two.

George McGovern walked out in front of me before the lights dimmed. For those who don't know who he is – he was a Senator from South Dakota who ran against Nixon during his second run at President. Like Al Gore – South Dakota didn’t give him his own State vote. He is a huge democrat that does a lot of work with world hunger. The man is 85 years old, but the man sure knows how to dress in some fancy digs. He looked so handsome in what looked like to be a custom made suit. Elton just announced he’s about to play Believe and dedicates it to "[I]A man I never thought I'd get to meet, but I did tonight - George McGovern[/I]." The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. McGovern rocked out in the second or third row ALL night long.

A cute little story Elton told that his dog goes everywhere with him and his dog is from South Dakota. He says he loves that dog so much and he thanks South Dakota for him so he says everywhere he goes a little bit of South Dakota is with him all the time. I found out later from the Arena manager that it is a cocker spaniel and I asked if he got a pic with Elton and if he was nice. He said he was very nice, but to get pictures it was difficult because the dog wouldn’t cooperate. He asked how I got the sticks and I said I beat up the drummer. He laughed and then he got the real story.

With the drumsticks in my hand you wouldn’t believe how many people asked – so you got the drumsticks? And mind you these people weren’t drunk. I didn’t say anything smartassy though I wanted to. A couple of guys my dad works with saw us in the front row, but knowing us they weren’t shocked that we were there. One asked how I always get so lucky with stuff from the stage. I said when you are cute and not pushy you get a lot of cool things from the stage!

While talking to them this guy with a backstage pass approached me with a friendly hello. He introduces himself and it turns out he is a reporter for the Link, a small inside magazine of our city newspaper and asks if I wanted to get interviewed about the show. I said sure why not. I mentioned Tiny Dancer, that I was shocked that Elton didn’t have a big stage show, the guitar pick and sticks as one of my favorite parts, and a few other things. I hope when it is published - I don’t sound like a complete dork. When you are on after concert adrenaline it’s like being drunk and you don’t know what you are saying sometimes. I tend to freeze up. I’ll post it if it makes it in the paper or online addition.

If you ever get the opportunity to see Sir Elton John do not pass it up!

My Pics From The Show.

I have a little video of The Bitch is Back and Candle In The Wind that I'll get up in Photobucket soon.

I made it in this reporters blog section of the Link.
Link Blog

Plain isn't exactly what I meant when I said I was shocked he didn't have a big stage show, but the kid was writing pretty fast. I'll give it to him.

I Get It

I just got done reading He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo and let me tell you that this was an eye opening hit you in the face type of book. It never occurred to me to read a book about why my past relationships have gone wrong or why I stayed in them longer than I should have. I do watch Greg Behrendt's talk show a couple of times a week so of course they advertise the book and I contemplated on picking it up. Low and behold it arrived in the mail for an early birthday present from my twin sister from another mother Carrie.

Carrie and I lead pretty much the same lives when it comes to men. It is quite bizarre to say the least. We tend to date similar assholes at the same time and when one of us dumps said asshole it's not long after that she or me will dump the asshole we are dating. The one thing Carrie and I are known to bitch about to each other is making excuses why we are still with them. As I think back to the men I have dated and the conversations Carrie and I had about them time and time again she would tell me to dump the bastard. Did I listen? Well - yes, but not right away. The excuse train was a rollin' out of my mouth and there were no stops on this train ride. Like the good friend she is – she would listen. The exact same thing would happen with Carrie and someone she was dating. I could see that she should dump him, but did she listen? Just like me – not right away. We can be stubborn when it comes to dating. I think part of it is that we want to be with a guy whether he is right or not.

Carrie and I live seven hours apart yet both of us can tell each other what kind of loser each of us is dating. She and I will tell each other to end it weeks before we actually get out of the relationship. You think we would be getting smarter about ending a relationship sooner, but we don't. For her birthday I got her a shirt that said Boys Suck and it was very fitting at the time for both of us. I hope she wore it proudly.

Now, I dive into this book because Carrie said it was soooo us. Yep, Carrie read it too. I couldn't put it down. There is a chapter for every guy that I have ever dated and reasons why those men were just not that into me. Behrendt says that a lot in the book so if you read it – get used to it.

The most poignant chapter for me was He's Just Not That Into You If He's Disappeared. What an awful feeling is to have someone you love just up and disappear on you without a word. Well, that happened to me and it took me a very long time to stop crying over a man that I knew wasn't coming back. I had no closure which was the worst part of it all. I just wish he had told me that he was going back to his ex than just leave me hanging to cry for months and months. There was a letter from a girl who had basically the same thing happen to her – if I didn't know any better you could have signed my name to it. It was that surreal.

This girl wanted to know why - as did I. Behrendt's advice was to drop the asshole and forget about him and not waste anymore time on him. The asshole knows you are pissed and he is not going to listen to you. He doesn't care anymore. That stopped the minute he disappeared. He says it might feel good to yell at him, but in the long run you will wish you hadn't. You have much better things to do with your life.

Oh how I could have used this advice two years ago when it happened to me. I might not have wasted so many tears on a guy that obviously didn't want to be with me. You know – I probably got the advice from someone along the way, but chose not to listen to it then.

My problem with this guy now is that he keeps coming back and I have a hard time saying no to him when he does. Carrie can attest to this as she is one of the first people I tell when he does contact me. She has now started to tell me to be careful – she knows me too well that girl. I get this giddy feeling when I do talk to him, but this every few months of saying hi and flirting is complete bullshit and I am sick of it. No more! There is a chapter about breaking up and him constantly coming back. If this man truly wanted me he would move mountains to be with me and that is not what he is doing. He hasn't even attempted to move a rock. Why the hell do I even bother with him? I have decided as of right now to cut of all ties with him. I am wasting too much energy on this man when I could be ruining the chance of meeting someone great. If I keep letting him suck me back in every few months I'm never going to be happy. So bye-bye mister he's just not that into me.

Behrendt also states that the right guy will chase you and do practically anything to have you. If a guy doesn't appreciate you for all that you are worth, why do we constantly stay with these losers? I am all about my independence and not afraid to ask a guy out, but he says that's not what guys want. Well, I'm going to try it. He could very well be right on this. Let the guy ask for your number, let him work to get to know you/be with you. Anyone can seem too eager especially when alcohol is involved. So watch out for that. The right guy will do practically anything under the sun to put a smile on your face.

The main message I like from Behrendt is don't waste the pretty. He says that a lot throughout the book along with other uplifting messages that women should feel about themselves. He is right – if you read this book and see signs that a guy is just not that into you – move on! Why waste how beautiful, great, exciting, intelligent, independent, sexy, etc. on a guy who doesn't want to be with you? Dump him. As I write that I know it is easier said than done, but I am going to take what I have read in this book and learn from it. Hopefully I will see the signs sooner and not risk getting myself hurt again. It's amazing that friends can tell me I'm dating a loser and not listen, but reading the words in a book it's more insightful and has opened up my eyes. Obviously I sometimes have a problem with listening to my friends relationship advice. I'm going to work on that too.

After reading this book I do have faith that Carrie and I have learned from it and we are not going to waste the pretty. We are both too good, too beautiful and so much more that any man would be lucky to have us. We just need to be smarter about the ones we are seeing before Mr. Right passes us by.

I highly recommend this book to any woman who is struggling with a relationship right now or is questioning previous relationships. It will make you laugh, but it will also give you some great advice. I find Behrenddt's sarcasm on the show extremely funny and he applies it to the book just as much. He can be very blunt, but it will make you listen.

Not Confused Anymore

Well, Mr. Wonderful is not so wonderful anymore. I was a fool once again, but NO more. I can't get suckered in every time he thinks it's ok to start things up like nothing happened.

He put it out there that he possibility wanted more and so when I ask him about it do I get an answer? Of course not!! I just wanted to know either way if we were on the same page or if I totally misread what he said those two nights we talked. I'm not stupid in what he said. He was recindling the past and starting up a possible new future with us.

I guess that's all it was - it was all talk. I can't tempt myself into talking with him anymore. I'm sure in a few months we will talk again - it seems to be the pattern with us, but if it does happen again I'll be sure to put my foot down and not let it get too far.

At one time we could have been really great together, but that time was a LONG time ago and that ship has sailed.

Confused

My ex from two years ago contacts me this weekend and we had two great conversations. So great that I am a tad confused on what he wants from me and us. We seem to always come back to each other every 4-5 months. I have forgiven him, but forgetting is another story. To this day I have a hard time trusting the men I am with in fear it will happen again. It felt good talking to him again, but it was just talking. The passion we once had was there again which makes talking now all the more confusing.

He broke my heart like you wouldn't believe. I cried for months wondering why. It took so long to get over because I never received any closure from him. I was left hanging with no answer which hurt more than anything. I knew the answer, but wish he had just told me why. I never thought I would get over it. I evenutally did, but have yet to have a decent relationship since.

I'm willing to work on being friends with him, but I'm not sure about being anything more. I at one time thought he was the love of my life. He very well could be, but how much is it going to take for us to get what we had back? How can I be sure he won't do it again?

He is one of the sweetest guys out there other than the one flaw that ended our relationship. It's because of him that I believe good guys really do exist. I just need to find one. I am kinda looking and kinda taking a break. I want to find Mr. Right whether it is him or someone else. I think I deserve a Mr. Right.

After we broke up I wrote this poem abour our relationship and how it all ended.

Shattered

My heart still breaks every single day
To not know is killing me
You are a little boy trapped in a man’s body
Not man enough to tell me the truth
Not man enough to face me in person
Your actions repeat those of your father
Left me alone without an answer
Left me alone without any closure

Tears run down my face
Just thinking of what we used to have
Tears run down my face
Just thinking of what we could have had

You shattered me into a million pieces
Pieces I do not think will ever be whole again
You gave me the world and took it all away
All for someone who left when you needed her most

You were the love of my life
The one that wanted to raise my vail
And have that baby girl
The one that said we would grow old together
And stare a lifetime into my eyes
Whatever happened to him?
Whatever happened to our fate?

I never knew what true love was like until I found youy
I never knew what true love was like until I lost you

I am always the one that is so strong
But with all my power and strength
I cannot put you out of my mind and heart
You took away my trust
You took away my passion and spirit
You took away everything I cherished most

You made me feel so special
And wanted to spend the rest of forever with me
I lit up at the sound of your voice
And you took my breath away
I melted every time you said I Love You
And you always put a smile on my face
Made the most difficult times better
With a promise to always be there
Here I am at my most difficult time with no smile in sight
And you are no where to be found
I guess forever got be too long
I never imagined Prince Charming could be so wrong

One day you will realize what you have lost
By then it will be too late
No matter how much I still care for you
Nothing could make me take you back

I want to find someone who can take away the pain you have caused
Will I ever let him?
I can only hope
I have put up my walls again
And hide my feelings from those who care

Someone will find me again
I hope he will have the patience
And give me that chance
Keep trying when I push him away
And understand my hesitation
It is all because of you
I will not be crushed again

©Kristina Allen 2005

In my poem I state that I wouldn't take him back, but now I'm wondering. That confusion could be overshadowed by the lonliness that I am feeling and I could be walking a fine line and jumping into this too soon.

I have emailed him and asked him straight out what he wants for me. If I read into what he was saying wrong I want him to tell me. If he wants to work on it again I want him to tell me. I just don't want to be left in the dark being confused on what he wants and most of all I don't want to get hurt again. A lot of my friends would kick my butt if I went back to him, but it is my choice. Right now I'm not thinking either way.

I'm going to try and keep myself as busy as possible and hopefully I will get an answer one way or another. I'm not going to wait either - if a man comes along and wants to go out and I feel comfortable I won't turn down the opportunity.

Almost A Goner

I almost met my demise on Tuesday. I have this need for speed and I LOVE going down ramps and hills. Well, I met the first hill I couldn't stop on. It was the drive way up to the parking lot which met it lead into a street. Not a busy one, but with cars nonetheless. I'm at the top and I say daddy watch for cars. I'm such a big kid sometimes. He's like ok - no ones coming. I didn't think the hill was as steep as it was, but I was motoring and next thing I hear dad say is CAR! STOP! CAR!!! Well, I couldn't stop as much as I tried to. The rubber on my wheels was burning my hands and next thing I know is I'm flying into the middle of the street with a car just a couple of feet from hitting me. He wasn't going that fast, but he had to stop quickly and I probably gave that poor old man a heart attack and it scared the crap out of my dad. I couldn't stop until I was in the opposite lane - so I went across 4 lanes roughly. I still had fun going down it. Dad made me take the walk way the rest of the trip. He was shaking his head at me and said no more. I never want to see that again!! I thought I would be picking you up and calling an ambulance. Talk about a quick way to get to the front door. At least he could joke about it a little bit.

It really didn't look all that steep and dad even thought I would be able to stop on it. I misjudged it. That's my fault. The daredevil in me sure likes the speed though. I need to find a safer way of getting the wind to rush through my hair. I won't attempt that again unless there is a looooooong sidewalk at the end for me to cruise down. I'm safe and I know it could have been a lot worse.

I would never ever want my dad to wittness something like that. He was shaken up over that event to say the least - I could tell so I will be more careful of when I am launching myself down a hill no matter where I am at.

I'm Cured...

...well technically not, but sorta. I'll explain.

I had my four-month Lupus check up on Thursday and all my lab work that I had done on Wednesday came back perfect. Last months lab results my platelets and liver counts were off a little, but when I had them rechecked the following week they were normal so most likely a fluke/off test.

Dr. Fanciullo and I discussed my Cell Cept dose and I told him they do make the drug in 250mg tablets so if he wants to try going down a little more than we could. I have been at 1000mg for over two years and he said we will check my blood work next month and if everything is ok we will go down to 500mg and not even worry with getting 250mg tablets and dropping down to 750mg. He said if all goes well with that I will soon be off it. That shocked me and scares me a little. I have been on it for so long that I don't want to rock the boat. The drug is my cushion barrier to stay off that nasty Predisone. I never thought I would be off it totally ever. I will still continue to take Plaquenil as it doesn't have the side effects and it will keep the Lupus calm and worse case scenario by going off Cell Cept in the future is that my monthly blood work would show signs and I would just go back on it. It beats going back on Prednisone right away that's for sure.

He checked my hands for the red bumpys (my medical term) since I am his only patient that has that symptom when the Lupus is active and checked my lungs. After that he said it looks like you are in perfect health. With that I announced " I'm Cured!!" and Dr. Fanciullo shook his head yes. That surprised me, but I know that the Lupus is still there - it is just very calm and undetectable. Going out the door I was blowing a bubble with my gum and he goes you have been in remission for two years now and I held up three fingers and he goes, well who's counting and I pointed to me.

I am counting every year that I stay in remission as another year that I don't have to worry about - nasty hospital stays, is my blood count high enough for me to get out of bed today, the fight with pressure sores, icky drugs that make my hair fall out and make me gain a ton of weight, among a million other nasty things that happen when the Lupus is active. So three years IS a big difference over two and you bet I will count! I spent two years in bed from being sick so to have another extra year over that – it's huge and I hope to continue to add on more years.

He didn't even bring up Actonel. I think he is sick of butting heads with me on it. I did forget the info I printed on it that said it wouldn't do much good for somone with SCI, but did tell him that an FES bike would be beneficial for osteoporosis and asked if they could get one. I said they were 17 grand and he said ask your rehab people at Sanford to get one - he just donanted 400 million, they can afford it. It's a thought.

YIPPEE FOR REMISSION!!!

Men...

...I can't live with them and I can't live without them seems to be the saying as of late. I haven't had a steady boyfriend since mid-February, but dated a few different guys over the last few months. Some better than others and some that didn't just click at all. On top of dating my ex's from past have decided to want to contact me out of the blue for whatever their reasons may be - mostly to say the miss me and want me back. I have talked to them, but not often. That's not a path I want to go down again with either of them and if I start chatting too much then I might find myself getting attached again. It took me a long while to get over the one and the last thing I need is to be hurt by him again.

Through the guys I have dated whether it was long term or short term I learn a lot quicker if new guys are not going to be right for me. I'm content with being single right now, but I cannot tell a lie as I do wish I could find someone to love me for me and all of me. Not just the parts they see or pick and choose what they like of me. I want the guy in for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

My friend Stacy is constantly looking for me to find someone. She sees who I am and that's great, but I don't know if I want to be set up. I guess it can't hurt to try as all of the guys I have met through her have been great. I tend to be kind of picky and that's my flaw. I am trying to be less picky because we all have flaws. I'm also very head strong and stand up for what I believe in and if a man has too much baggage then it is not going to work out either. Two recent guys that I had (had being the keyword) been seeing had to many ex issues. I call it "ex"cess baggage. It is too hard to make a relationship work when their ex is a part of the equation. I could care less if she is upset about us going out on a date, but I do care when you pick up that damn cell phone to text her back to calm her down. This is "our" time to be together so if you want to spend time on your cell phone you should have just stayed home.

Dating was so much easier when cell phones weren't involved. I get annoyed with cell phones very easily. If mine is ringing too much I dislike it and seriously hate it when I am on a date. I have the common decency to turn mine off when I am out with a guy, but do they? Of course not. Might miss that all important text from your ex. Most calls and texts can wait. When you are getting to know someone I think it is best to let some rings go.

I don't have a specific type of guy I like. I just want some commonality in the relationship. We do not have to like all the same things because frankly that could get boring, but I do want us to share some passions together whether it would be football, Nascar, music, etc. I don't want us to hang out and his idea of fun is playing video games. Been there, done that. I'm not the jealous type, but if you give me a reason to be jealous then you will hear something out of me. I don't mind if he wants to hang out with his friends and me with mine, but I do want us to combine hanging out with each others friends. I don't want a relationship where all we do is hang out with each other and distant our friends. I have lost a lot of friends to relationships like that. I don't ever want to be a person that does that to my friends. It is rude.

I'm not going to look too hard and if I find someone along the way that's great, but I'm enjoying my summer and having fun. Hopefully Mr. Right doesn't wait too long to grab me and get my attention.

I'm Ready For A New Puppy

It has just been over a year since we had to put our beloved Kibbles down after 15 great years with us. I miss her all the time because she was THE funniest dog ever. There will never be another one like her and she could never be replaced, but talking it over with mom and dad we are ready for a new puppy in the house.

For the longest time I said I would never get another Shih Tzu because that's what breed Kibbles was, but now I have changed my mind. I had my heart set on getting a Puggle, but after researching them and looking at pictures of them as they get bigger well, they are UGLY! They are the cutest little thangs as puppies, but all of the adult pics I have seen I have not cared for. Another thing is Puggles shed and I know my mom would have a serious cow if there was dog hair all over the house. Another breed I was considering were Bichon Frise, but there are already two of those on my street - one next door and one across the street. Need a little variety on the block. I just love the personalities of Shih Tzu's. They are tough little shits with BIG personalities in little bodies. On top of that they have huge hearts. They love their families and practically anyone that comes in the door. I think that's one of the things I miss the most about Kibbles. When I come home she's not there to greet me at the door to see if I have a glove or something to give to her to add to her pile in the middle of the floor. Don't get me wrong there's a million things I miss about her, but far too numerous to list.

Puppies and dogs just bring so much joy to a house. No matter how shitty of a day you have had they can always make you feel better whether they do something funny or if they just want to cuddle up with you - they can make a bad day better.

I've been looking in the classifieds in my area and found four different places that have Shih Tzu's for sale. Only one had a website and they have a cute little boy Shih Tzu that I would love to have, but I don't know if my parents want to shell out $600 bucks for him. His breeder is located in Sioux City and we could possibly stop and take a look at him Saturday when I am coming home from Omaha. I could only find one bad report on this breeder and it was recent so I would insist that we see the puppy first as opposed to them mailing him to us. I wouldn't trust that and it's only an hour and half away. No need to mail the puppy. I'm getting ahead of myself because mom or dad haven't said yes, but I'm going to be optimistic about it.

We'll see how eager my parents are to get a new puppy. They keep watching dog shows and commenting - that has to be a good sign. We all know it is going to be just as spoiled as Kibbles because my family can't say no to cute little faces. I know with the new puppy he will go to obedience school which is something we didn't do with Kibbles. I want the new puppy gate trained for when we go on trips. That's the main thing I want done with the new puppy whoever that puppy may be. We didn't do that with Kibbles and we couldn't leave her in a kennel in fear she would not eat or drink while in there. We almost her when we went away for four days and the kennel didn't bother to see if she ate or drank. Never again was she left without a babysitter for the house. Yep, that's right. We hired a babysitter for Kibbles. The other thing would be groomer trained since Shih Tzu's need to have their hair trimmed up ever so often. Kibbles was a pain in the ass about it. New puppy will be more calm about it I hope.

Well, if I don't get that cute little guy in Sioux City I hope to have a cute little puppy within a month or so. I'll be puppy shopping that's for sure.

O Romo, Romo! wherefore art thou Romo?

Mr. Adorable Tony Romo - you are starting to hit a major nerve with me in the off season. I have read that he had a killer mini camp, but it's what he is doing off the field that has me worried. Yes, he is the starter of the Dallas Cowboys, but he is running around like he is the next big thing. He very well could be, but he hasn't proved that yet and until he does I think it is best for Romo to keep a low profile because if he doesn't it is going to bite him in the ass hard.

Will Romo be able to keep it on the down low? Probably not. We didn't have this problem with the previous starting QB's since Troy Aikman. I know Aikman went through his trials and tribulations with who he was dating or who he wasn't, etc. but that wasn't until he was an established QB. Romo has only played eleven games - eight of those he played great. With Aikman though it didn't explode to what a lot of people are calling Romomania. Romo's choice in women and public appearances isn't helping him stay under the radar either. When you walk the red carpet with Carrie Underwood at the Country Music Awards and hold her purse when she wins an award that's pretty damn huge. I don't know country music well, but she's one of the biggest things in country music right now.

Now the National Enquire has reported that Romo has benched the relationship to concentrate on football. There's a great idea. Concentrating on football - who would have thought. I'm not going to buy into what the National Enquire says - until Romo says it I won't believe it. The guy can have a social life outside of football - I just don't want it getting in the way of football like it did last year. Romo's personal life is just that - HIS personal life, but ALL this drama of who he is dating true or not is/was effecting his playing last year and I see that it could be a potential problem this year. I so wish I had the power to scream things through the TV and he could hear me. Numerous people heard me say keep it in your pants until the season is over last year - I don't want to be repeating myself this year. The whole team looked like shit the last five games and we shouldn't have been in the playoffs. With that being said the botched field goal is an example of him not thinking clearly. I do not blame the loss of the Seattle game on him as I know many people do - I'm just trying to state his head wasn't totally on football.

We see him at the CMA's and his next public appearance is at the Miss Universe Pageant in Mexico City as a celebrity judge. When did Tony Romo launch into Dan Marino and Brett Favre status? I'm not liking that he is be bopping everywhere like he is a celebrity. Sure, having the title of being the Starting Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys has a lot of power behind it, but right now he shouldn't have this "celebrity" status. You are NOT that celebrity yet and even if you get there - Marino and Favre had the class to keep it on the down low and not bounce from once celebrity to the next. Last year at this time no one knew who Romo was unless they were related to him, followed the Dallas Cowboys, or attend(ed) his alma mater Eastern Illinois University. There is no reason he can't have a social life in the off season and during the season, but there is no need to be a man whore either.

I have all the confidence in the world that Romo has what it takes to be a great QB for the Cowboys, but I think he will fall short if he doesn't get his head out of the damn clouds. T.O. used to be the one that is/was in the news ALL the time, but I have yet to hear a whisper out of him which is music to my ears. I adore Romo and am glad he is our QB, but he needs to grow up and shape up and get his butt on the field. This isn't a time to play musical chairs with the ditsy blond women of the music world. It is time to take MY Cowboys to a Superbowl. I truly hope he really is going to concentrate on football. Teams are going to be ready for him this year - there is a lot more tape on him and with all the hype on him they will be gunning for him that much more. With that he has to be extra sharp on the field or we could be in for a long season. It is WAY too soon to tell on what kind of season we are going to have, but hopefully our QB will be prepared and have all the lovey dovey stuff straightened out before putting on the uniform.

The World I Know

Hello Hello. My name is Kristi and I'm here to blog my thoughts of what is going on. I have a huge passion for football, Nascar, and music so a majority of my blogs will be about those topics. I will also tie my life in here too.

I'm a T1 paraplegic and have been paralyzed since March 7th, 2005. My paralysis was caused by the disease Lupus which I have had since I was 10. When I was 15 it relapsed and attacked my brain and spinal cord causing the virus Transverse Myelitis. Yeah, I bet you hear that one everyday. I'm 27 now and I have had many bumps in the road with my Lupus and paralysis, but am happy to report I have been in total remission since December of 2003. I live as a normal life as possible. I'm still me, just do things a little differently.

My favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys and I like to review their games, but since we are in the off season right now, I'll be writing about what is going on in spring training, etc. You might be calling me Coach Kristi because I can get pretty intense discussing my Boys. I really like to give MY opinion good or bad about how they play. I never miss a game and try to get to Dallas once a year for a live home game. This year I'm going to try and see them play the Patriots in the middle of October. I will also be headed up to Minnesota in August to see them play the Vikings for their last preseason game. I also play fantasy football. I've been playing for three years and it is very addicting. When it comes time I'll post the players I'm shooting to get. I won't just write about the Cowboys. I love ALL football so don't be surprised if I am praising or cursing out another team.

My other love is Nascar and my driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr. I don't know as much about Nascar as I do football, but I am learning. I am happy and sad that Dale Jr. left DEI. He obviously wasn't happy being there and I can tell a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders when he made the decision to leave - now I and the rest of the Nascar Nation wait to see what team he signs to. I'm not going to say who he is going to because it changes daily on who the front runner is. I do hope he stays with Budweiser - I just can't see him not driving that car and I just love the sea of red in the stands. It's bad enough we'll see him with a different number, but a new sponsor would be too many changes in my opinion. I'll support him in whatever decisions he makes.

Last, but not least I will talk about music. I have been to hundreds of concerts in my 27 years on this earth and plan on going to a lot more. I'll review and post pictures of the shows I go to. I've met quite a few bands and some I consider friends. One of my favorite things to do is take a drive in my truck on a sunny day with the windows down and my iPod coming through the speakers. It's very peaceful and relaxing.

So that's a bit a bout me. Feel free to leave comments or ask me questions.