When I saw that a Battle of the Bands was happening in nearby Ogden, Utah, I jumped at the chance to take a car full of young, impressionable boys. What I found was so much cooler than what I expected. For one, the uber talented Craig Bielik was emceeing. Also, there was food: pizza, breadsticks, popcorn, and Chick-fil-A--always a plus. Tables were set up where local businesses had give-aways and drawings. One of the boys I brought won a $10 gift card to use at Newgae Mall, and we also won free bumper card rides, eyebrow waxes, hair cuts, etc. We all (except my youngest) had brightly colored hair extensions put in by Cherry Bomb Salon. Not only did we get to eat and look like rock stars, we got to listen to bands representing 13 Ogden-area high schools.
Most of the bands were what I'd call hard(er) rock, as well as old school metal, blues, and punk. I have to admit I had to leave early, so I missed the last few bands, but if what I heard is indicative of our future music, then we have a lot to look forward to!
This video shows Tribe, the band representing Weber High School of Pleasant View, Utah.
Have you ever been to or competed in a Battle of the Bands? If not, you should definitely consider it. It's a lot of fun and it's a great way to show support for local talent.
It's been a great weekend to live in Northern Utah.
The Dew Tour is here at
Snowbasin Mountain Resort (where the 2002 Winter Olympics took place). So we gathered our family and friends and headed there, excited to see some of the best skiers and boarders in the world do their stuff. (That's me in the reddish coat, standing in front of the half-pipe they built especially for the event.)
We found a little nook behind a radio station's tent, laid out some pads, and enjoyed a little winter picnic while
watching all the action. Here I am with my good friend Yira, who's from Spain. She was excited because one of the snowboarders, Queralt Castellet, is from Spain. At one point, Yira asked me if I could do that, meaning the snowboard superpipe. I was flattered that she'd even ask, but um, no. No.
No. (I wish, though!) Apparently, 14,000 fans came out to root for the women's snowboard superpipe.
In addition to the action on the hill, the city of Ogden threw parties for all the locals and Dew Tour enthusiasts, including a FREE concert to see
Dashboard Confessional! (For those of you who've read
The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, you might remember that when Roxy is at the modeling agency, Dashboard Confessional is the music being played.) Local musician Codi Jordan did a great job opening for them, but then it started getting really cold and one of my boys felt sick so we had to leave before they even started. Sigh.
So anyway, that's the Buzz around here! And I'd like to take a moment to say that while I feel very blessed to live where I do, my heart goes out to those in Haiti. Also, our very own Buzz Girl Tina might have to leave her home because of a storm predicted to hit S. California. I wish them all the very best.
Holidays seem to play havoc with my ability to post. You would think I'd have more time, but I don't have any less work, and then I have to add family obligations on top. I'm at my in-laws watching my 15 month-old nephew destroy the house. My 5 year-old nephew relunctantly went to church with his Nana. I'm enjoying adult conversation with my sister-in-law, and I'm attempting to get this post up. I have much to say, and I'm worried that this week I won't have time to say it all. You see we go to TLA this week. For those not up on industry conferences, TLA is the Texas Library Association. It's the only conference that Blooming Tree exhibits at. I'll also go to BEA and Frankfurt this year, but not as an exhibitor - more a lurker.
But I plan to try to post and even take some video from our booth. Also, if anyone is going to be attending, come by and say hi. We like to have folks to talk to. We'll be at booth 1940. And if you come by you'll get a free reader of Bad Girls Club, our debut YA novel. And that right there, should be incentive enough to visit.
Sounds so fun, Wendy! I wish I could have come with you guys. I love that you got hair extensions clipped in. I just saw Marley's at RT and they were supercool.
Wish you could've been with us, too, Heather!
Mine hair extension is bright red. I like the looks of it but I never asked if there's a way to get it out w/o having to cut it out. Does anyone know?