Our favorite holidays:

Our favorite holidays:  The twice-yearly, in-home terrorizations. 🙄

Wow.

Wow. Done fucked around and found the ocean.

Gross. 😂

How are agaves living out here?!

Tired and gross, but happy. 💙

Tired and gross, but happy. 💙

I wear entirely too much clothing in Houston.

Maybe the third time will be the charm. 😂

I'm disgusting from singing and dancing in this heat.

I'm disgusting from singing and dancing in this heat.

BUT I TOUCHED CA7RIEL. Does it count as consent if he came off the stage right up to us with our hands outstretched?

I had grabby baby hands and I feel a little rude.

Paco didn't jump down, but put down his mic like he was gonna. I don't know how many times I felt like I was gonna pass out. This was great.

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso put on an amazing show, again. I would drive 13 hours to see them any day. Hopefully again next year!

So Colorado is really pretty.

So Colorado is really pretty. I didn't know; this was my first time there. The mountains are really nice and the landscape is interesting. I love that there are lava dikes and mounds. It's so cool to see geological features like that right in your face.  (That's one reason why I love New Mexico so much!)  It's also interesting to see preserved dinosaur tracks!

Our 2nd day, we went to Dinosaur Ridge and did the bus tour and checked out the museum.  It was really crazy to see actual dinosaur footprints.  I don't think our photos are going to do it justice; it's not as easy to see the tracks in bright sun in person, much less via photo. But it was a really fun experience and I'd love to take the kids one day.

They let me dig in the sandbox for fossils - they said I was short enough. 😂  Shaun found one from afar (it wasn't even buried) and I found my own by digging. They let us keep them. Of course, they are just molds of real fossils, but it was still really cool.  I always want to do all of the things. 😁

Overall, it was a very neat experience.  It really put into perspective how small we all are; just here for a blip in time.  Earth has changed so much and continues to change, even though it happens so slowly we can't perceive it.  It blows my mind to think about it.  It made me feel insignificant and grateful at the same time.

I'm scheduling 2 posts for while I'm on the road...

I'm scheduling 2 posts for while I'm on the road so y'all won't miss me too much. As if I've been on here being sociable at all in the last month. 🫠

On the way to Colorado, Google had my back and took Shaun a different route than he'd planned to go, which took us right by the Colorado Gator Farm.  OF COURSE we had to stop.  Shaun said "This looks like a trap." because it was in the middle of nowhere, but I was like "They'd have gotten me!  Let's go!" 😂

Literally, feed me to alligators. I don't care. That would be an awesome way to go.

Anyway, they operate as a rescue / education center for reptiles.  They had all sorts of lizards and tortoises and snakes and we got to interact with quite a few of them.  They had a BUNCH of Sulcata tortoises that they had taken in because they're not easy pets. Everyone always thinks that turtles and/or tortoises will be easy, but then they find out the hard way that's not true. Even our hamburger-sized little Tort Baby is a bossy/sassy little butt.

We also got to hold a baby alligator and they gave us a certificate that they notarized with the baby gator's teeth.  It seemed a little rude to use his snout like a stapler, but I know it didn't hurt him.  I laughed when they did that because it caught me off guard. Who even thought to do that? 😂

Overall, they seemed really knowledgeable and like they took great care of the animals there. I would love to visit again when we have more time.

Confession:

Confession:

I bought tickets to see Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso at Red Rocks.  That is why me and Shaun went away for a couple of days.

That is not all I did.  I also bought tickets to see them in Houston - which is why I am leaving on Friday to trek 13 hours through the desert to my friend's house.  I did it last year and they were worth it, so I'm doing it again!

If I had a job and could've afforded to see them in Phoenix, I would've done that, too.  Not that I had money for either of the shows I bought tickets for, but my mental health has been shit and they are just about the only things that have sparked joy for me in the past year, so YOLO and all that.

I am very tired and have a lot to do before I head out on Friday morning, but this is how that went:

Red Rocks was beautiful.  The weather was amazing.  While we were in line waiting to get in for the concert, deer were just crossing next to the worker in front of us.  It was surreal!

I'd bought General Admission tickets, but the lady who let us in told us to sit in the planter... So we did! We had a much better view than we would have otherwise. We also were near the concession stand and not too far from the restrooms, so it was perfect!

There was supposed to be DJ PeeWee (Anderson Paak), but he wasn't there for some reason.  Thundercat was also an opener.  I don't really care for jazzy stuff and honestly I felt like "Just because you can play super fast doesn't mean it's good."  😂  His keyboard player looked really sad. Like really, really sad. Maybe he was just concentrating, but like, I was worried about him. His drummer was insane, though. Just a BEAST. I'm not thrilled about sitting through his set again, but I'll do it for Ca7riel y Paco.

Speaking of Ca7riel y Paco, they were amazing!  Red Rocks was the first stop of their North America tour, so they were relatively fresh compared to when I saw them last year.  The show did not disappoint.  They played their new songs, plus some older ones.  I was so happy and sang basically the whole time.  Ca7riel cried at least once; I love his soft heart.  Paco is looking fit and I hope he's feeling great, too.  I've only known about them for a little over a year at this point, but I'm so happy to see their dreams coming true.  Looking back at all the music they've made over the years, they've worked hard to get where they are and I am so, so happy for them.

If y'all didn't know, the new album has collabs with Anderson Paak (Ay Ay Ay), Sting (Hasta Jesús Tuvo un Mal Día), and Jack Black (Goo Goo Ga Ga).  They've also been featured on one of Robyn's new songs (Blow My Mind).

At the hotel

Deer Crossing!  There were 3, but I didn't catch the first on video.

In the planter

It's Thursday. I'm in a funky [negative] mood.

It's Thursday.  I'm in a funky [negative] mood.

How are y'all?  Did you fall for a prank yesterday?

I didn't, but Shaun got got, which is hilarious because he's so skeptical.  One of the local animal businesses posted that they were now offering helicopter rides for pets to the daycare.  I was like "You know what day it is, right?"  😆

Albuquerque friends, check this out!

Albuquerque friends, check this out!

https://rparra23.github.io/halloweentrick

Today, my favorite person turned 43.

Today, my favorite person turned 43. I think his day went okay. I was not feeling well last night and some of today, but I did his nails and we'll have a date tomorrow.

We're not doing gifts because I think it would just stress him out (that's what he said, anyway). I'm never on time with stuff like that, regardless. But things will ease up soon. Maybe he'll get a surprise once I'm working again. He definitely wouldn't expect it. 😂

Tl;dr: The show was great, Janet was great...

Tl;dr:  The show was great, Janet was great, the city was interesting but smelled like pee and I needed all the help navigating it.

I have to write about going to Houston.

Ok, so first of all, since I'm unemployed, one of the only reasons I was able to see Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso was because my friends, Janet and Jajuan, said I could stay with them.  I consider them both to be my friends, even though Jajuan insists that Janet stole me from him.  😅

They live in a suburb of Houston, so that's nice.  I like suburbs.  I grew up in the woods, so suburbs are a comfortable medium for me in that things are close, but you still have space.  I am NOT a city person.  I don't think I could live in an actual big city, but I can go to them if I need to.

I invited Janet to the concert with me because I didn't want to go alone and Shaun wasn't coming.  She's like me in that she's often up for whatever.  I think we both like experiences.

One thing to know about Janet, though, is that she is a planner.  I do not mean that in a casual sense.  😆  She even out-plans Shaun, which is saying a lot since he was an Eagle Scout and taught to always be prepared.  Me, on the other hand... I didn't often have a lot of choices in life, so I'm good at rolling with whatever happens.  So a Blu + Shaun combo or a Blu + Janet combo is a really great thing.

Days before I even headed to her house, Janet had scoured the parking situation at the venue, made travel plans, and also back-up travel plans.  She had the train all figured out and everything.  I am so grateful to her, because otherwise I would have just tried driving to the venue in my car (which turns out it would have been ok, but you never know).  We ended up taking the train and that was pretty cool.

But let me tell you, I was LOST AS FUCK tryna get to that train.  I was out there in the streets accidentally jaywalking and shit.  I was a whole mess.  She probably should've held my hand like a little kid.  😂  She was thoughtfully looking at the crossings and figuring things out and I was just melting in the heat AND INESCAPABLE HUMIDITY, trying not to die.  She was a lifesaver for that city stuff.

So we got to the venue and found the line and the wait began.  Then we got put into corrals and we could see the side of the stage.  I could hear them doing soundcheck.  I almost cried when I heard Paco's voice in real life, OMG.  Ca7riel came out the back of the stage and took pictures or videos of us.  We all started cheering and waving.  I love how playful he is.  I was so emotional, and the show hadn't even started!

When we were finally let in, I somehow made it to the front, which is fortunate because I'm short.  We were there pretty early, so that helped.  I've seen some pictures and I look like a puppy with my paws over a fence and only my head poking up.  😂  Janet was feeling uncomfortable in the crowd, so she went to the back and that was ok.  I was paying attention to nothing but the guys once they got on stage.  It's stupid because I feel like I only remember bits and pieces.  From the heat and excitement, I was basically on another planet.

The show was great.  I'd definitely see them again.  I think Phoenix was rescheduled, and I'd totally take Shaun to that one if I could find tickets (it's sold out).  I haven't been that lucky, though.

Anyway, before we headed to the show, we met up with Carla and Samuel for lunch.  Me and Carla had nail stuff and animal stuff in common on Facebook, so when she found out I was coming near, we decided to meet up for realz.  It was really fun!  We all got along well and it made me super happy to be able to know more people in real life.  We'll definitely have to get together again the next time I'm in town.  I also got to stay a night with my friend Meia.  I hadn't been able to spend much time with her since we both left Alabama and I missed her greatly, so that was nice.

There were a couple of other people that it would have been great to see, but the timing didn't work out.  That's ok.  I'll definitely be back.  Me and Janet used to hang out frequently when we both lived in Alabama back in the day.  She's been my friend for like, 20 years now!  Then life happened and she moved a few times and then I moved, but we always kept in touch.  Now that she's just a little 13-hour drive away, I can do that in one day.  We're not going to go years without spending time together in real life anymore.

Actual footage of us walking back to the train after the show:

😂😂😂

Full video here.  It's great.  Watch it:

My Concert Videos from seeing Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso.

My Concert Videos from seeing Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso.

I'll get around to posting a little bit of my video from the concert eventually, but first:

I'll get around to posting a little bit of my video from the concert eventually, but first:  

Look at me in these stills from a video the venue posted. I look like a goblin that wanted to steal Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso's souls. 😂😂😂

I never know wtf my face is doing. Ever. I had no idea that I looked so crazy.

They probably saw me because I was right up front. If so:  Sorry, guys. 😂💙

Just now going through my concert video...

Just now going through my concert video. Apparently, I recorded more songs than I thought... From my back pocket. It's music, and a bunch of knees and crotches. 😂

Today was a comedown/take a migraine pill kind of day.

Today was a comedown/take a migraine pill kind of day. Me and Janet pushed ourselves yesterday in the heat. For me, a major part of the exhaustion was just from pure excitement. I enjoy concerts, but I've rarely been the one to choose/suggest one. This one I REALLY wanted to attend; I chose it, and I put in the work to make it happen. I was going with or without a buddy.

I had a wonderful time. I did get separated from Janet; I'd managed to get right up front when she'd gone to get water or go to the bathroom or something. But I was fine with that. I wanted to sing and dance and enjoy myself and not be self-conscious about it around people I know. And I did sing and dance through the whole show. I didn't record much - I was too busy enjoying myself.

I was so close to Paco. I could see his eyes. I tried hard not to stare him down like a creep, but I probably failed. At one point I had closed my eyes and was just grooving, and he said "Close your eyes and feel the music." I don't know if he saw me or if it was coincidence, but DAMN. They also did a really sensual and sexy version of Cosas Ricas. 🔥

So anyway, this is the most fun I've ever had at a show. Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso did not disappoint. A lot of times, live shows just don't sound as good, but the energy was great, their voices were amazing, the band was on point... I just can't say enough good things.

I got some Starburst that the band threw. I made some friends. I saw Ca7riel and Paco live. It was a wonderful (albeit hot and sweaty) time. I am happy. 😊

It was a great show.

It was a great show. The excitement/heat won and I threw up in the merch line afterwards. But I lived. And I also did not pass out, so it's all good. 😂

If I die (of heatstroke), I died happy. 😂

If I die (of heatstroke), I died happy. 😂

CA&RIEL & Paco Amoroso

SWEATY.

SWEATY.

You nasty, Houston. 😂

I'm so excited I could die.

I'm so excited I could die.

Going into a city.

Meeting a friend.

Seeing Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso live.

I'm literally vibrating with excitement.

I made it to Houston around 11 last night.

I made it to Houston around 11 last night. Thirteen hours on the road, 2 bathroom/fuel breaks, but otherwise a straight shot.

I didn't sleep at all on Tuesday night before I left. I definitely wanted to, but the excitement was too much. But I wasn't tired on the road. I listened to Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso the whole way and I was awake and happy. I crashed hard and slept like a rock when I got to Janet and Jajuan's house last night. I'm currently so excited it's causing a headache. I'm a whole mess. I've never been this excited for a show before. How am I in my 40s being more of a fangirl than I ever have in my whole life?

These guys are magical. They've been a daily staple for me since I first saw them on TV back in May. I can't get enough. They're creative, talented, beautiful, funny, bold (not afraid to go against norms)... I could go on and on. But I'm gonna try to chill down and level out so I'll be ready for the show tomorrow. I plan to match their energy.

❤️❤️❤️