Jessie's Girls

Rick Springfield was my very first concert. 

It was July 26, 1985 and I was just about to turn 12.  We went as a family, which also made it my 7 year old brother's first concert too.  

You're welcome.

I don't really remember what I wore, but I know my mom dressed him in a button down, khakis and loafers like he was going to an insurance convention.  

We piled into our gray Chrysler LeBarron on a sweaty summer day, and cruised on down Route 3 toward Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. This venue changed names a few times over the years, to Continental Airlines to Izod to Meadowlands, and now I think is closed, but it used to be a pretty happening place.  It was also the spot where I saw my first concert with my friends at age 15 (on a school night!).

It was Bon Jovi. Yes, I am the quintessential 80s Jersey Girl and had the hair to prove it.

Anyway, back to my first love, Rick, aka dreamy Dr. Noah Drake on GH. 

As a pre-bday treat, we had floor seats a few rows from the stage. I don't think I understood how special that was at the time, but I know now. I do remember the excitement in the air when the lights dimmed as 'Til Tuesday opened and sang their one-hit-wonder, Voices Carry. 

Hush, hush! You might say ol' Richard's a one-hit-wonder too, but you'd be wrong. Sure, Jessie's Girl was #1 on the charts and in my heart in August 1981 (which, incicentally, is also when MTV was born), but no doubt if you were alive and had ears in the 80s, you've heard most of these catchy ditties:

• Jessie's Girl
• Love Somebody
• Love Is Alright Tonite
• I've Done Everything for You
• Don't Talk to Strangers
• Don't Walk Away
• Bop 'Til You Drop
• I Get Excited

So, imagine MY excitement when I heard he was coming to Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Nearly 40 years later, my mom and I were able to come full circle and relive an awesome memory from a lifetime ago.

As a treat this go round, I came thisclose to buying an autographed guitar for a cool $1K just to get to go backstage and meet him. But alas, cooler heads prevailed (aka my mom) and I settled for a t-shirt and an autographed Working Class Dog CD (which I can't actually play bc I don't have a CD player anymore, but is still befitting this trip down memory lane).

And at 74 years old (whaaaat?), Rick put on a helluva show. 

Singing and strumming and dancing and prancing across the arm rests in the audience to the tune of Human Touch. Iconic. He belted out all the songs above (which he also wrote), plus a few more including a surprise rendition of 867-5309/Jenny -- which is NOT his song, but it is MY theme song.

It's like he knew I was there...

So here's to you, Rick Springfield, for letting us feel like teenagers again, making us all wish we were Jessie's Girl and teaching millions the meaning of the word "moot."

New Years Wishes

I've spent every Christmas for over a decade in the Sunshine State visiting my parents. Mele Kalikimaka and all that.  

It was always nice to be on vacation for the holidays (especially when it was freezing at home).  But I've never really gotten used to a tropical yule, as evidenced by the fact that I'm wearing a sweater and it is 72 degrees...

This year hit a bit different, as I'm a Florida resident now!

Obviously there are many things I miss from home, but I have to say, I'm enjoying this new chapter too. And honestly, I wouldn't trade anything for this time with my mom.

As I type this, we're hours away from 2022 so I have a few wishes for my family and yours...

🌞 May the sun shine on you every day.

🥂 May your glass always be half full.

🧡 May you be surrounded by people you love.

Here's to a picture-perfect new year! 

Two Truths and a Lie

Can you spot the lie?

I moved to a retirement community in Florida.

I play golf now.

I turned 48 today.

If you read this blog as irregularly as I write it, you may not know that I moved to FL, but I did.  

I moved in with my 76-year-old parents to help them with some health stuff. So not only do I live in a retirement community now, I work in one too!  And while my life did a total 180, I've got to say, I like it. 

So, that one is true.

And there are nearly 700 holes of golf in this massive town, so you might think I took up the sport.  Is it a sport?  Or game?  Or match?  Whatever.  

But I haven't done this.  Yet.  I'm not very sporty.  Though I reserve my right to play -- especially if I suddenly develop an overwhelming attraction to octogenarians in plaid pants.

So that's the lie.

Which means the other truth is that I'm 48.  WHAT??  Yes.  Forty.  Eight. 

Barf.

That means I'm just TWO YEARS away from 50.  FIFTY!  Good Lord.  How can this BE? 

I look so youthful (thank God for filters). And my hair is so long and fluffy and brown (don't zoom in, you'll see my grays). And I don't have many wrinkles (plump is the new Botox).

Well, I guess if Madonna's about to be 63, we've officially entered an alternate universe where age has ceased to have any meaning at all.

Here's what I do know: Life is short. If the past year taught us anything, it's that simple truth.  

As we get older, we tend to look backwards more than forward. Remember the time when...?  But I think a key to staying young (at heart) is trying new things and making new memories.  So go for that promotion, ask him out, cut bangs, buy the handbag, try to speak Italian, eat the cannoli, let the kids stay up late, learn to swim, go back to school, get the sportscar, or... move to a new city!

Just live your best life and next year, we can play three truths.

PS: If you ever want to feel instantly younger, move to a retirement community.  I'm easily the youngest person on our block by 20 years, and I'm constantly inspired by the energetic Seniors in this town.  If a fountain of youth exists, no doubt it's in Central Florida!