Adventure Time: Norfolk, VA Edition (Round 6 – An Evening with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox)

Al and I discovered Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) on YouTube within the last year. When we found out they were touring and coming to Norfolk, we bought tickets in April!

Sadly, Al wasn’t able to go because the concert date conflicted with his recent work trip to Mexico. So, we invited our 13-year-old niece, Mia, to be my date. It was awesome!!

The ensemble told everyone up front that photos and videos were definitely allowed, which was amazing!

This was the set before the concert started. The curtain was gorgeous!

There was such a vintage theme. I took pictures mainly because of all of the costume changes!

This woman. Holy cow! So soulful, and beautiful. She reminded me so much of Aretha Franklin!

All of the different dresses!

One of the singers, and the resident tap dancer!

The beginning of their rendition of “Africa.”

The whole band! Every single one of them was awesome!

They were singing and dancing to “Umbrella.” So colorful!

The trombonist’s last night on tour was in Norfolk. He was awesome!

The tap dancer! I love this action shot!

She sang a fabulous version of “Time After Time.” It brought the house down!

It was such a wonderful experience! If they come to your city/town, it’s completely worth the money!

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For more information, check out these links and videos:

• Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
• Africa (’50s Style Toto Cover)
• All About That Bass
• Creep
• Thriller (1930s Jazz Cover) ft. Wayne Brady
• Who Wants To Live Forever (“West Side Story” Style Cover)

There’s so many more on YouTube!

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Have you heard of Postmodern Jukebox?

If you have, do you have a favorite version / rendition of theirs?

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Tag #53: OMG That Song Book Tag

Image Credit: YouTube

The Book Nut did another awesome book tag!

Here’s the link to their original post:

• OMG That Song Book Tag

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The Basics:

For each question I will be giving both song and book that go with the question. They don’t have to go together, but sometimes they may.

Let us begin!

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My Jam: A song you have to listen to no matter how many times you’ve heard it and a book that you’ll never get sick of…

Song: I agree with The Book Nut – “Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy. I almost instantly recognize it when it comes on the radio or a streaming playlist. And then I sing along. Badly, but I sing along every single time.

Book: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I re-read it every year.

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Throwback: A song that reminds you of the cringeiest time in your life and a book you read that you would wouldn’t like if you read it now…

Song: “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada. It was one of my ex-boyfriend’s favorite songs. Considering we were together from 2006-2010, I listened to it A LOT. I can hardly listen to it now.

Book: Ugh. I agree with The Book Nut again – Allegiant by Veronica Roth takes the cake!

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Replay: A recent song that you have on repeat and a recent favorite book…

Song: I think The Book Nut and I are on the same wavelength. I love “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana. The whole soundtrack is great, but I love the message in this particular song.

Book: The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware.

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Gets Me: A song that is literally me and a book that is me in book form…

Song: “Mine” by Taylor Swift. It describes my feelings for my husband almost perfectly. I knew I wanted to incorporate this song into our wedding, somehow. I ended up singing it to him during our rehearsal dinner, complete with our bridal party holding handmade posters that spelled out “You are the best thing that’s ever been mine.”

Book: Ugh. This one. So unbelievably difficult.

If I had to pick just one, I’d pick Amelia’s Notebook, by Marissa Moss. I devoured these books as a kid. Amelia reminded me of me – She even looked like me. Totally 90s. Plus, it inspired me to keep journaling and writing, off and on, for years.

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WUT: A weird song that you liked anyways and a unique book that stuck out to you for some reason…

Song: “Gangnam Style” by Psy. I love it!

Book: Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, by Patrice Banks. I wanted to buy this book right after listening to her interview on NPR’s Fresh Air podcast. It’s packed full of information, true stories, and inspiration! As a woman, I sincerely appreciate her dedication to teaching women about their cars (and men, too) and making everyone feel more confident.

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Let’s Go: Pick your best pump up song and a book that inspires you…

Song: “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars.

Book: Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond, by Lilly Ledbetter. I love memoirs. But, this one was eye-opening to me. It will stay on my bookshelf forever.

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Chill: Your best chill or relaxing song and a book you’d curl up with on a rainy day…

Song: “Someone Like You” by Adele. Her voice is so soothing!

Book: Anything by John Grisham.

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Addicting: A guilty pleasure song and a light, trashy read you can’t help but love…

Song: “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.

Book: I hate to call any type of book trashy. But, guilty pleasure? Definitely Nicholas Sparks.

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Nostalgia: A throwback song you look back on fondly and a book you read and loved when you were young…

Song: “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. I spent many a time in front of my mirrored closet doors with my hairbrush as a microphone.

Book: The entire Baby-Sitters Club and Baby-Sitters Little Sister series, by Ann M. Martin. I read and re-read them between the library and my own collection.

 

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Tag – You’re It!

• Jenna – Bookmark Your Thoughts
• Kristian – Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table
• Laurie – Work, Play and Chardonnay

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Tag #52: Disney Song Book Tag

The Book Nut is awesome!

Here’s the link to their original post:

• Disney Song Book Tag

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Part of Your World – What book world would you change yourself for so you could be a part of that world? 

 Harry Potter. I like to think that Hermione would be my best friend.

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Let It Go – What book did you not want to finish because you loved it so much?

 Wow. This is a hard one! I think it was either The Notebook or Nights in Rodanthe, from Nicholas Sparks.

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Beauty and the Beast – What book do you think is/will be timeless? 

Since I already answered Harry Potter, my next answer would be The Hunger Games.

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So This is Love – What book were you hesitant to read at first but ended up loving?

Probably Divergent. I was skeptical at first, but I really enjoyed it.

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Friend Like Me – Which character would you like to be your best friend?

Hermione Granger.

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Reflection – What book really made you think/changed the way you viewed things?

I have to agree with The Book Nut here – Looking for Alaska by John Green. It was assigned reading for my Young Adult Literature class during my last semester of college, and it changed me. I’ve adored Green and his books ever since.

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Colors of the Wind – Who do you tag?

I tag anyone!

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Book Review #61: “Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide”

Image Credit: Amazon

I first heard about this book when Patrice Banks was interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air podcast!

Here’s the link from the NPR archives:

• Girls Auto Clinic Owner: ‘I Couldn’t Find A Female Mechanic, So I Had To Learn’

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I wanted to buy this book the minute I saw the podcast episode in my library.

I’m a bit biased, I think. Being the only child, my dad made sure that I was comfortable around cars from a very early age. Since he was an engineer, he wanted me to be as confident as possible with math and science, and anything related to it. Cars are complicated, don’t get me wrong, but being naturally curious, I learned quickly.

My dad taught me how to change the oil in our Volvo station wagon before I entered middle school. I also learned the essence of a gas and maintenance log, checking tire pressures, and having an emergency kit ready to go.

I also learned that my parents keep their cars for as long as possible. Our family only had/went through five cars by the time I graduated from college in 2011.

• White Volvo 240 station wagon, 1988-2016
• Gold/beige Saturn SL sedan, early 1990s
• Forest green Volvo S70 sedan, 1998-2011
• Gold/beige Ford Ranger truck, 2005-present
• Gold/beige Toyota Camry sedan, 2010-present

The only new cars my parents ever purchased, in my lifetime, were the Volvo station wagon, and possibly the Saturn sedan. Everything else was/has been used. I learned how to drive stick on the Ford Ranger when I was in high school, although the Saturn sedan was also a manual transmission. The Camry is my baby, whom I call “Sandy.”

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I really appreciate Banks writing this type of guide. It’s important for everyone to know the basics about the car you drive, but especially women. Banks has said this book arose out of her own experiences, and shame, with being incredibly intimidated by mechanics, car repairs, dealerships, and more.

Although I was fortunate to have a wonderful dad who taught me many things about cars early on, I know many women aren’t so lucky. Even some men I know aren’t handy with their cars, and trust their mechanics to fix whatever is wrong.

Banks does a great job with breaking a car down into its basic components, and making everything less intimidating right off the bat. She founded Girls Auto Clinic as a series of workshops, where women were encouraged to bring their cars and be prepared to get their hands dirty. She’s learned from her mistakes, and tries hard to educate others. When she was younger, Banks found she was getting a new car every three-four years, dropping a ton of extra money on repairs because she was ignoring or was intimidated by routine maintenance, and zoning out when mechanics were explaining the work that was being done.

She encourages, implores women (and men) to learn the basics first, then to become very intimate with your vehicle, and to continue a similar relationship with every vehicle after that. Once you’re armed with knowledge, everything becomes easier.

Here are a few basics Banks encourages everyone to learn:

• How to pop and raise your vehicle’s hood
• What the lights on your dashboard or instrument panel mean
• How to check your tire pressure
• How to add air to your tires
• How to measure your tire tread
• How to check your fluids under the hood
• How to change a tire
• Finding and keeping a great PCT

Banks doesn’t encourage the common driver to change their own oil, although Al and I do that with our own cars. We know how, and the amount of money spent is a little less than the traditional oil change services.

The biggest tip to keep in mind: Beware of cheap car services. Oil changes aren’t normally $5.00 flat. Your car is a big part of your life – Don’t automatically spring for something cheap to save money.

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Now that I’ve read the book, I plan to keep this in my glove box. It’s chock-full of valuable tips, tricks, diagrams, and recommendations.

I hope that she expands the Girls Auto Clinic across the country, too. It’s a valuable organization that empowers women in a male-dominated profession.

For more information, check out https://girlsautoclinic.com/.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #114: “The A to Z Writing Challenge: Favorite Songs/Music/Bands” (Letter Z)

Image Credit: www.a-to-zchallenge.com

Welcome back! Today is the final day of The A to Z Writing Challenge!

April 30th – Z

Zero to Hero, Hercules Soundtrack (1997)

The letter Z was an easier pick than I thought!

I’ve loved Disney and Disney movies ever since I can remember. In 1997, we went to see Hercules at the Movies 10 theater in Chesapeake. I loved the movie, but the music was great, too!

• Zero to Hero – Hercules Soundtrack

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What are your favorite songs/music/bands that start with Z?

Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear about it!

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And, this is the final day of The A to Z Writing Challenge! Thank you so much to everyone who followed along with my nearly-daily posts during the month of April. I discovered many new songs, artists, and bands along the way!

I loved this challenge so much, that I think I will do it next year, too!

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #113: “The A to Z Writing Challenge: Favorite Songs/Music/Bands” (Letter Y)

Image Credit: www.a-to-zchallenge.com

Welcome back!

April 28th – Y

Yeah, Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson is one of my favorite artists. I remember watching her perform on American Idol, way back in the very first, debut season!

This particular song comes from her My December album, which was released in 2007. It’s not her most popular album. But, I’ve enjoyed listening to most of her music throughout her career!

• Yeah – Kelly Clarkson

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What are your favorite songs/music/bands that start with Y?

Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear about it!

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #112: “The A to Z Writing Challenge: Favorite Songs/Music/Bands” (Letter X)

Image Credit: www.a-to-zchallenge.com

Welcome back!

April 27th – X

Xanadu, Olivia Newton-John

The letter X was the hardest of them all!

I love Olivia Newton-John. I remember seeing Grease years ago, and then seeking out more of her music!

• Xanadu – Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)

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What are your favorite songs/music/bands that start with X?

Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear about it!

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Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂