iHeart 1D

September 20, 2014

We got lucky.

I honestly can't remember where Jason was, but the kids and I had just been to a family party. The plan was to just head home, then we figured what the heck, lets see if we can get in! We wandered through the MGM and next thing you know we are watching the show! (a lady never reveals her secrets) We did miss a few of the earlier acts- one of which was One Direction, but we did catch some amazing performances by Weezer, Paramore, Meghan Trainor, Iggy Azalea, Train, Eric Church, Lorde, 50 Cent, Lil Jon, and Calvin Harris. It was pretty amazing to say the least. Even Jace, who went in as a skeptic, enjoyed it and had fun.

         

Weezer

5 Seconds of Summer made an appearance in the audience

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September 12-13, 2014

When you love a band that forgets your hometown on their tour date schedule, it becomes necessary to travel. Just because they forgot about you doesn't mean that you forget about them. Concessions must be made. Such was the case with Lauren and One Direction's 'Where We Are' Tour. After much scheming, begging, and negotiating Lauren and her friend Sydney talked Liz (Sydney's mom) and I into chaperoning them on this adventure.

....and what an adventure it was!! 

Pasadena, California was our destination. We left early Friday morning and figured we'd have plenty of time to spare before the concert to get cute and procure some tickets. The plan failed miserably as we crested the Cajon Pass and saw a long line of cars draped down the highway like a caterpillar. With defeat admitted we crawled along side the others until finally, two hours later, we sprang free and flew the rest of the way. With no time on our hands we made alternate plans. Instead of beautifying ourselves in the hotel room (which was a half hour away from the venue)we got gussied up in the Target restroom. There was a bit of a commotion while we were in there though- a short story, if you will.....

{An invisible cloud of stench begins to fill the already mildly smelly restroom. Sydney has a stuffy nose and is oblivious, I catch a whiff of dead tuna a la sewer and look towards Liz and we both scrunch up our noses in disgust. A sound then permeates through the cloud of stench and our eyes are drawn to the floor under the furthest stall. What we saw and heard made us spill over with laughter as we satisfied our uncomfortable curiosity; groans befit for a dying bear mingled with her shuffling a wod of toilet seat covers between her feet and the floor. I think her feet were moving about 15mph! Odd and strange for sure! Eventually the stall opened and she escaped her death cloud without visiting the sink for a wash. Soon after the clean up crew was called in for a little overflow problem, which was quickly resolved. Never a dull moment at Target!}

The concert was at The Rose Bowl and can you believe they wanted $40 to park? Crazy! Well we didn't even have tickets yet so we didn't want to pay to park until we did. We made a plan and I took Lauren and Sydney and start heading to the venue while Liz circled in the van. We talked to a few people who are selling tickets and eventually end up with some pretty good ones for the girls (still paid under ticket value) and a set of even cheaper ones for Liz and I. The concert was AMAZING!! Lauren and Sydney loved it!! I have to admit that I'm a pretty big One Direction fan too. After the concert we waited for the crowds to die down and headed to our hotel in Los Angeles, stopping only for some Wendy's along the way since we were starving. The next morning we checked out and spent the day strolling through the shops at Santa Monica, having lunch, and checking out some rides on the pier before heading back home. I think we all had a great time and I enjoyed spending some time with Lauren. 

Niall

That one time Harry waved at you....

Riding the ferris wheel on Santa Monica pier