It’ll certainly be hard to beat. This post is likely to be long-winded, somewhat incoherant at points or similar to a teen-aged journal entry…bear with me.  The Hotel Cafe has an annual holiday show to benefit little one’s by taking the proceeds and loading up on toys for a bunch of kids who might not get much, otherwise. Pretty cool all on it’s own. Add to that a bunch of amazing musicians, a venue with incredible sound and a cool but laid-back vibe and it’s even better. I love The Hotel, it’s truly a place I love to be anytime, but last night was just the best I could have ever asked for. We (my husband and I) went to see Butch Walker, whose shows I try to see every single time I can. He’s truly amazing in every sense of the word. His music is genius and chances are he’s probably written your favorite song. Seeing Butch live makes me genuinely happy, it brings me true joy and it’s my opinion that everyone should see him play music live at least one time, you’ll be a happier person for it. He’s real on stage, his music comes from a place of real emotion and it makes you feel alive and he never fails to bring an abundance of good old fashioned fun. People who know Butch know that he happens to be dear friends with P!nk and it’s not too unusual for her to show up at his shows and take the stage with him for a few songs. She’s just amazing like that.

So there I was, sipping a tasty beverage in my own world while the stage manager arranged gear on stage when my husband kicked me and told me I should be more aware of my surroundings. Before I had a chance to get my bearings and look around she was about 1 maybe 2 inches from me with her husband, getting situated in a seat. I’ve always wondered what I’d do if I met her, figuring I’d probably act a fool or just loose my nerve and clam up (and always regret it). I didn’t do that. I did experience a moment of physical bizzarreness, where my brain and body sort of detached and I was left slightly dumbfounded. Before my brain knew what my body was doing my emotions jumped into action. I bent down (she was seated on her husband Carey’s lap and I was standing directly beside her) and sort of whispered to her that I was having a heart-attack. She turned to face me, fully, and in such a sweet voice, told me to please not do that, she and I both said something else then maybe because she could see some overwhelming emotion on my face, she hugged me. We hugged for what felt like a very long time and I told her several times how I adore her (I may have said a four letter word a few times). She must be one of those people that friends love to hug because it honestly felt like one of the best hugs I’ve ever had, even she commented on it’s sweetness. After, she turned to face the stage as did I (as well as try to put my heart back in my chest) and the show went on. A few minutes later she took her seat on the floor right in front of me so that when the time came, she could join Butch on stage and my night just got better and better with each song.

Butch. He just looks like he’s happy to be up there, making people happy.

Doin’ what they do. My husband was ready with his iPhone to get a little video footage. Go check out “Synthesizers” here. This is such a rad version of the song. I didn’t pick up the camera much during any of Butch’s set, with or without P!nk. Photography is clearly a huge part of me but music is bigger. Notice the screaming in the video…that’s me (and several other very awesome people).

I like the iPad in this shot. Thanks, Apple, for all the amazing things we’re capable of these days. 

You may recognize P!nk’s tattooed arm handing up a drink to Butch. It was that kind of party.

She’s taking a picture of the audience. How super cute is that? Before she hopped up on stage I noticed her snapping pics of Butch with her phone, even superstars do it. 

They also forget song lyrics like the rest of us. They did a killer cover of Patsy Cline’s “Walking after Midnight”. Check it out here, my husband was so awesome to get this one on his iPhone too. I’ll watch it somewhere around a million times, I’m sure. At the time I’m writing this, over 2000 people from around the world have seen it too!

I’m just so in love with this night. Really wishing it were endless.

I must sound like a broken record spinning at my house, I have repeated over and over the sentiment that last night was literally a dream come true for me. Those two people at that particular venue on stage together doing what they love to do and me doing what I love, seeing the art of music being made and photographing. Some days life just seems so dull. And others, I can’t even believe how exciting it can be…  if you get off the couch, get yourself downtown and shake it all out.

My blogging frequency may be sluggish but the pictures are still be taken. Pictures like this one of my teeny tiny baby (I may be in denial that she’s not actually an infant and hasn’t been for a long while.).

I may be exhausted but I didn’t want to let the day end without posting a sneaky glimpse of some beach sessions from today.

A few more smiley faces. Again, my cheeks are aching.

I’m throwing a teeny tiny peek up here from some of the Holiday Photo Party mini sessions. Basically, it was a giant giggle-fest and my cheeks hurt from all the smiling, so I’m off to bed.