Flashback Music Series...Maroon 5

Flashback Music Series, the Grand Finale.


March 2005. Maroon 5 at the Gwinnett Arena.

We close out the Flashback Music Series on #AnitaWrites concerts from 2005 with my personal favorite, Maroon 5 (Adam Levine and his fine self!😜😜)

When I got the tickets I was so excited that I'd finally get to see Adam Levine perform live. I had resisted for the longest time becoming a Maroon 5 fan. I thought they were overrated and just plain overplayed on the radio. You couldn't put the radio on for a steady 5 song stream without your ears being abused by, "This Love" or "She Will be Loved." They were thought to be the next best thing to pop music group scene after the boy band phase had died down, and America could not get enough of them. It also helped that their lead singer Adam Levine was like ravenous sex on a swivel stick and their videos were so sexually charged, they knew just the right buttons to press to keep fans, ahem, young girls, intrinsically tweaked.  

Normally, this type of music is classified under "white people" music. No offense, that's just what it is, even when I listen to it with my friends, they wonder, who are these "white people" musicians you are listening to. So, I tried and tried not to get into Maroon 5. It wasn't the first single, "Harder to Breathe" that was played to death by VH1, under "artists to watch" and it was not the second one, "This Love" that was loved and then hated, once my radio station put it on some kind of constant spin. It was not the sexy video for "She will be Loved". Actually, it was the 4th single, "Sunday Morning" and hearing it played live by Maroon 5 at the American Music Awards that did me in, that was it and the rest, as they say, is history. I just fell, hopelessly. I got their acoustic EP, which rocked and it kept me warm through the winter of December 2004.Adam Levine sure does sound awesome over acoustic guitar, he actually has a lot of soul too (for a white man), you could tell he's been influenced by Stevie Wonder and the old school R&B acts and it didn't hurt that he looked so intense, like an intense younger version of Keanu. Phew!!

 

Sunday Morning is one of those songs that puts me in a good mood all the time. I've liked it ever since and I have heard (and own) several different versions of that same song: acoustic, live band arrangement, demo version, remastered, album arrangement, I still love the song. Something about it just makes me feel like it's going to be okay. I am glad I got into their music. Sometimes when I'm contemplative, I think of some part of their music, as Adam Levine says, "Things just gets so crazy, Living life gets hard to do," and I think, you know what, it's gonna be alright, cos I'm not the only one feeling this way. 

Here I am. March 2005. Itching to finally get to see Adam and the music that had gotten me through that winter live. When I got the tickets I was incredibly excited thinking, this is so awesome. Unfortunately, when the concert eventually happened I was unemployed and going through the “senseless” phase - you know, the phase where you can't understand why life is dealing you this bitter blow, yea, that phase. I was hopelessly immersed in this phase and then, it was time for my much-awaited highly anticipated Maroon 5 concert, all I could think was, "How could life be so mean, what is the point in looking forward to anything anymore? What is the frigging point?" Really, it makes no sense. I just really didn’t have the time and heart to take in the awesomeness of the concert.

I went to the concert only after I confirmed from the reviews that Sunday Morning would be featured and indeed it was. It sounded the same, they didn't rework it. But hearing it live is just like this piece of happiness you wish you could bottle up and play over and over when that sad mood hits to lift you up. It's just phenomenal. Their set pieces were very simple. No frills, no pyro, just lights that match the mood of the music, and no banter between the songs. And they didn't sing many songs. But the good thing is they sang "Sunday Morning." 

Live music has that exhilarating escapism, like a release, every time you hear the artists say, "everybody scream," you just scream at the top of your lungs and let go of all your worries/anxiety/stupidities/adulties, it's better than any yoga class or sex! But there I was almost afraid to scream because I knew at the back of my mind, that my unemployed problem still existed and at the time hurt more than I thought was possible. I remember sitting in the parking lot waiting for the parking lot to clear up, watching all the campers, food trucks, radio station trucks, cars with groups - mothers with their precocious teenage daughters, college students, sorority sisters - just filled with excited, squealing group of people, teenagers, parents, fans alike and there I was...sitting in my car alone, so alone, never felt more alone, encased with my thoughts and my unemployed state. 

Sob story aside. The good news is I got to see Maroon 5 again in a couple of years and it felt a lot better. And, I got a job a couple of months later. Even better news, is I have learned that I would live life regardless of the existing set of circumstances because in the end, all these problems eventually blow over and if you don't enjoy them then you would have missed out on a great life experience you may not get to relive. 

Wish Upon an Adult Star...

I woke up today wishing for certain things. 

Sometimes, we work so hard towards chasing everything that makes sense that maybe we forget to wish, long for, or simply summarize our wants, our dreams, the ones that don’t particularly make sense. Sometimes, when I want to pray and put my prayer into words, like “Hey Lord this is what I want,” I find it hard to put my finger on what exactly it is that I want. 

The other day at my interview—to this very boring job, I swear some of these interviews I often wonder but for the thrill of a paycheck why else would I be here —the lady asked what my dream for the next 3 years would be,  what do I want to achieve professionally and personally. To this, I really do not know. The interview tips rule books advise that you say that your goal is to keep working at said company, and doing a good job, so I said that, but the personal part. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. For one, she doesn’t know me like that so I can’t be telling her what I want in my life personally. The other, and the most important one is I don’t know what it is myself. I told her, "get married and have 5 kids." Something nice and simple. She chuckled. I mentioned this to a friend of mine, and she replied, you know that’s not your dream. 

Why she thought that I don’t know. Maybe it is. I told her I should have said it was to marry Keanu and have a dozen of his babies. I said next time someone asks me that that would be my answer, to marry Keanu, can you help me achieve that? Can this company and the boring tasks you have lined up for this position possibly help me achieve this dream? Sadly, that is not the answer to the thrill of the endless search that burns within us, as humans. Or maybe not, I hate to sit idle, so maybe not.

It’s just stupid, the way our mind wanders sometimes, especially in the morning, Sunday Mornings. I swear it's the best time to map out your life plan. There's the peaceful calm of Sunday service, God being summoned from all the different religious denominations so it makes Him ever present in our thoughts that day even though we may not have participated in Sunday worship just yet, He is there more than we ever presumed and then there's the dread of Monday (new work week!) looming over us, knowing that this is the last day we get to lazily wake up to our rambunctious thoughts and our casual adulthood.

That being said, what do you wish for on a Sunday Morning? What are the dreams you allow your mind to meander through on a Sunday Morning or any morning as you angrily beat down that alarm clock for its intrusion into your day dreams? These are mine... 

Flashback Music Series...Backstreet Boys Concerts

Our Music Series continues with not one but two Backstreet Boys Concerts. 

2005. 

I was an ardent music lover, and concerts were really my thing. It also helped that I lived a stone throw from the Gwinnett Center Arena in Duluth, GA. Every day I drove past it on my way to work there was a new banner announcing the next major act that would be gracing the stage in a few months, that gave me something to look forward to, to work towards. If I couldn't get tickets online, I could buy them at the venue. It all seemed so easy that I indulged, the #AnitaWrites way. 

To continue the Flashback Music Series, here's a fresh (hot off the press!) take from yours truly....

One thing that is not captured below which didn't really seem like such a big deal at that time. For the Christmas concert, Rihanna performed Christmas songs at the Centennial Olympic Park for a few fans who braved the cold to catch the pre-shows. I remember walking briskly (so briskly cos' it was biting cold) past the small crowd wondering how sweet her voice sounded as she serenaded the mini-gathering, belting those Rudolph songs. There it was. Missed my one chance to see Rihanna perform because of the cold while rushing to catch BSB! Then, the Pussycat Dolls opened for BSB/Will Smith. And yes, Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith. Can you imagine that scenario now? Who would be the opening act in 2017? 


Backstreet Boys (BSB) Concert at the Gwinnett Arena

July 24, 2005

My concert was GREAT!!! 

Super fun, lots of energy, very mature set up, remixes of all the old classics, and a different feel to the guys than before. No pyrotechnics unless it was absolutely necessary, no funky shoulder pad outfits, it felt like a farewell tour with the screen playing recaps of the last 12 years of their career, and their camaraderie was just superb. I loved it. I loved it more because I was not expecting to like it. I don't particularly dig all the new songs, but hearing them live, with them expressing how much they love the songs, made me like them. The dancing didn't feel forced, it felt like something they had to do to keep you watching, and it was more visual this time because you got to see it without all the pyro blocking your way. It was just superb. Those guys know how to throw it down, I hope they stick around for much longer. Seeing them together is always a thrill. Sometimes you think. one of them is okay, but nope, they should all be together, one without the other is just not having it. 

The bad: The stage was set up so funky that this big ole light switch was blocking the monitor right where I was sitting. I felt so sorry for the people sitting a little more to the right, I was at an angle and yet it was blocking my way. Then, the organizers, Star 94 FM, the hugest dickheads you've ever seen. They didn't allow cameras. Who doesn't allow cameras and searches bags in this day and age? That is so 90's. People do have camera cellphones. Then, they made us wait for about two hours before the guys showed up and in buying the tickets they never mentioned the opening acts (some inconsequential artists I really shouldn't have been available for and the lights shouldn't have been turned down for them). They said 7:00 and made us think it would start just around that time, not 8:50. The acoustics were bad, very bad, the synthesizer was set way too sharp, it kept cutting into my ears. The sound quality could have been better and they could have put up two side by side monitors like they did at Maroon 5's concert and the organizers could have stopped thinking it was all about merchandising (they sold everything down to Noodles at the venue) and about the music and organized a much friendlier atmosphere. Apart from that it was great. Every time Nick took the mic we screamed. Just like the old days.

The Will Smith/BSB concert. December 8, 2005 at the Philips Arena

BSB was great as always, something about the way they perform that always gets me. Not necessarily their harmonies, but just the way they put their passion into singing. The key thing for me was having JC Chasez introduce them. Not many people understood the history behind that and I did, so to put it in his words it was all fitting that he'd be the one to introduce them. The seats for the concert were amazing. Because with all my concerts this year I haven't exactly been blessed with the best seating arrangement, I just didn't go into it with that much enthusiasm as my sister, who hasn't been to a concert in such a long time. I knew they were floor seats, but the thing with floor seats is this, if they are not elevated, you end up having to crane your neck the entire concert. No one wants to do that. So I failed to take my camera along. Ho-hum, I thought, risk the chance of releasing awful pictures again, I don't think so.

Will Smith was okay! It was a different kind of concert. Not the regular kind where everyone is jumping up and down, and dancing aimlessly, this one seemed like it had a focus. The only snag was that it was so short, it ended just as soon as you got into it. I got into it. After we bought a one-time use camera at the local Philips arena convenience store, I took a whole bunch of pictures before I realized that I forgot to press the flash button, let alone the wind button. So there were several pictures, but they were all imprinted on one another. Hmmm...

Flashback Friday - Rob Thomas Solo

Flashback Music Series...Anita Writes...2005

Episode 1

Great Flashback from my #ATL days.

10-24-2005

Rob Thomas at the Tabernacle. His first solo tour right after the release of Something to Be (his debut solo album)...biggest single was Lonely No More.

I went to see Rob Thomas last night. His voice is...amazing, sounds the same live as it does on the CD. He sings with just as much passion for this song as the next song. The only problem is he decided to sing every single song he's ever written and then some that he wished he had written, and before you know it the pace of the show had weakened, and a lot of people, including myself were tired. Most of all, it was a freaking Monday night. "I know this is what you do for a living Rob but some of us have real lives, and jobs, that we have to be at on Tuesday."

Notwithstanding, it was a good show. Powerhouse voice with a powerhouse band. This was my second time hearing live instruments performed with no explosions, or pyrotechnics, or dance steps or extra frills to distract from the concert - just sheer performance magic, and it changes everything. The music was right on the money, sounded perfect not a single note off key. He interacted with the audience too. He didn't seem to have an ego about him towards anything. People tend to be that way on stage and you can kinda guess it. It was wonderful, even though he chose to sing my favorite song--This is How a Heart Breaks--last. I think it worked better with the pace of the show to have the fastest paced song played last. But all those boring songs in between. Golly! "Rob, couldn't you tell we were standing?" I also like it when he cursed, something about how we were all little fuckers. He said "fuck" a couple of times, which was cool, sometimes you forget what it's like to have people curse freely at a concert. He even threw in a David Bowie song in there for good measure. Dancing and head bopping with that sexy skinny body of his. Very good adult play of music.

Work and Other Things (Series 3)

I've learnt a lot about myself, professionally and otherwise so far this 2017.
I've learnt that, professionally, you should believe, even when everyone tells you not to, do the work, take out the time, perfect your craft and watch your belief take flight.
And, most importantly, that "No's" exist in Nigeria just as much as they do in America.
And it's not because you don't have the coveted JD or none of your degrees read "obtained in the USA".
It's just a No.
For no fundamental reason whatsoever except probably maybe
Because instead of spending a great deal of your career toiling in (y)our country,
you chose the path of least resistance
And for that we no longer want you.
This last one was rather disappointing.

....
💜

Unfortunate Lunch Date

A couple of weeks ago I found myself recounting to someone what it meant to date in Atlanta.

When you tell Nigerians that you lived in Atlanta for some odd years they expect you to have returned to Lagos with Usher or an Usher equivalent in your arm. Not so much. I recalled this incident below, one of my "unfortunate" dating escapades in that lovely city of Atlanta. Maybe I just ended up with the short end of the stick in my ATL dating life, or maybe I wasn't open enough to what the Universe had to offer, as open as I am now, either way, Sista had it rough as you can tell from the account below. Can't imagine any Lagos girl in all her glow-up glory having the patience to endure the below.

I went for an unfortunate lunch date this afternoon (February 5, 2009).

Unfortunate, because there are some dates you really shouldn't go on, but for the sake of all things humane, also known as trying not to congeal on the shelf, you try to let yourself out a bit. Not good. Because then you get put in situations that are pitiful and you're sitting there in all your despair wondering, surely I can do better. Can't I? 

I bumped into this guy, much older guy on Sunday. He forced me to give him my number (yes, there is such a thing as being forced to divulge your digits, Naija men have mastered this trick) and I did. Should not have! Promised not to give strange men on the street my number. Since then, he's been hounding me to be his girlfriend. From the first phone call, believe it or not. He doesn't even know who I am. He is a much older guy who's retired and lives on his pension with "grown kids". When did it come to this Lord? I am now "dating" men with grown children. Am I that old?

So back to the unfortunate date. I give the guy a chance to take me to lunch and he offers me Chick Fil A. Right then and there I should have known that was a bad idea. But, I went. He arrived. Not hungry. I am. I order the No. 1 meal. He pays for it and proceeds to count the exact change to the cashier. I just remember that vividly as I stood there thinking, has it come to this? Because he is a lot older, everyone stared at us. Like I was lunching with my daddy. I had to tell him point blank. I cannot date you because of your age. He was visibly upset. Why would he be visibly upset?

I enjoy the finer things of life. I love fine dining restaurants. When I am really in a good mood, or in the mood to put myself in a good mood, I dine in a 5 star restaurant. I actually have a list of them that I go to for different things: some for their wine selection, another for the delectable dessert, another just for the ambiance (just want to be enveloped by their opulence), food not so great but scenery is so extra, and then, some for the appetizer (maybe their calamari or crab cakes and only that, are to die for). Why, such a high flying, high taste having person like myself would meet someone that would want to take her to Chick Fil A, beats me. I simply do not know. And to think he would feel offended that I am not impressed or interested in him in any way whatsoever is beyond me.

If you need me I shall be on the shelf, congealing or dining at the nearest 5 star restaurant.

The 53rd Year...

The 53rd Year:

"From Keanu:
in romance, being with someone and saying,
"Let's go. Let's get out of here."
Impromptu acts, or letters, or phone calls, or paying attention to what they like or love… and surprises, all those kinds of things to me are, if you're in that situation, are quite fun to not only give, not only to receive, but also to give, you know."

To Keanu,

Xoxo.

The Lesser Life

"Absolutely my dear.
I will not.
Have not.
But.
Will the abundance.
Choose me?"


Image and words by #NayirrahWaheed


Response by #AnitaWrites.

To September...With Love

September.

Shun Hate. Profess Peace. Let Love Win. In fact, Let. It. Take. Over.

Invite Fairness and Kindness to Dinner, Serve Generosity doused with Justice. Embrace Passion.

Entertain them all with…Love 💝.