Forever in Blue Jeans

Well, I am finally coming off my concert high enough to write about it. What a perfect evening! Even the weather cooperated for the most part.
After a fun ride to SLC, singing along to Neil the whole way, we made it to the Energy Solutions Arena. We got our fabulous T-shirts. Yes, Neil Diamond does ROCK! Did you know that Neil has been donating 100% of the proceeds from his souvenir sales to Hurricane Ike relief in Texas? What a great guy.



Neil treated us to a great variety of old and new songs. He started out with "Holly, Holy" and a few other goodies before singing some songs from his new album like "Pretty Amazing Grace". He even sang directly to the people seated behind the stage, joking with them about their terrible seats.


I was so happy he played all of my favorites like, "Love On The Rocks", "I Am I Said", "Cracklin Rosie", "I'm a Belivier", and"America"(I seriously adore this song and had a little patriotic moment during it). The best moment of the night was when he sang, back to back, "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "Sweet Caroline". He even sang "Caroline" twice!! Needless to say we were going crazy.


What a fun night! I made it to bed around 2AM with sore hands and a raw throat. Neil's songs will surely be in my head for weeks to come.


Thanks Shawn for a awesome Christmas present!

Saving Silverman

Neil Diamond is kidnapped in the name of love in Saving Silverman. Go here to see the clip from the movie. Good job Bart.

So tonight think of me while you are sitting wrapped up in your blankies in front of the TV. I will be driving home from the concert, hopefully surviving the crazy weather here in Utah.

Tomorrow, hopefully I have some pictures to share with you.

Neil Leslie Diamond

Leslie is also my mom's first name. She is a big Neil Diamond fan.

SOOLAIMON

"Originally written for an extended piece(The African Trilogy) , "Soolaimon" took on a life of its own when it was presented to a live audience. The title is meant to be a variation of the word" Salamah", meaning "Hello" and "Welcome" as well as "Good-bye" and "peace be with you", in many languages." Information taken from the website Song By Song with Neil Diamond




What more can I say?

Caroline Kennedy, plus Syd's new look

In a 2007 interview, Diamond revealed the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline" was President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, who was eleven years old at the time.^[2][3] Diamond sang the song to her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007.^[4]
Sweet Caroline is popular at sporting events, and is most notably played at every Boston Red Sox home game at Fenway Park during the middle of the eighth inning. While the song is being played, the lyrics are shown on the stadium's video system and fans are encouraged to sing along. The song has become an iconic part of Red Sox lore, even having been featured in the movie Fever Pitch. Sherrie Levy, Neil Diamond's press agent, remarked, "I'm not sure how it happened, but we're very pleased that it happened".


On a different note: Syd got glasses yesterday! Isn't she so cute! She is loving the fact that she can now not only see the board at school, but also the TV! Of course we had to go with pink frames with tiny flowers on the side of them. If she had to be cursed with my bad eyes, at least she can still look great.

What about Bob

One point for Bart. I will have to watch this movie again very soon.



Oh, and all I can say to certain family members. . . just remember that very soon you have to spend a week with me and ALL of my Neil Diamond CD's! :)

"There are two types of people in this world. . .

I am going to see Neil Diamond in concert!!!!!!

Shawn got me an early Christmas present. A ticket to the Neil Diamond concert in Salt Lake this weekend. And my oh so happy companion? My sis-in-law, Shanna. Who knew our husbands were so tricky? The real reason they gave us the tickets and told us to go together is so that they don't have to go.
But anyway I am over-the-top excited. Shanna and are are looking forward to eating dinner out, getting T-shirts with Neil's face plastered on them, singing along with all the middle-aged women who will be there, and basically acting like 15-year-olds.

So in honor of the upcoming event, I have dubbed this Neil Diamond Week on our blog. Check back each day for what I am sure will be exciting facts, pictures, and videos of Neil doing what he does best. Also look for trivia in the label of each post. Whoever answers the most questions wins my undying devotion!!!

Now you all have been warned-you might want to keep your distance from my excitement on Friday, unless of course you are also a Neil fan then by all mean, turn up your music and sing "Sweet Caroline" at the top of your lungs. I will be doing just that all week long!