To give some background to those that may not know, Cities97
is a radio station in the metro area. For the past 25 years they have been
putting out a cd, called the Cities Sampler, of music from artists that have
come to the area and played in their studio. This is a very popular cd throughout
the metro and many outstate areas of MN and sells out within the day. What’s even
cooler is that all of the proceeds from the cd's go back to the community to help area
non-profits. I have been getting the Sampler cd for the past 5 years, waking up
at what I like to call “the butt-crack of dawn” and waiting in a line outside
of Target store doors in some pretty freaking cold and undesirable elements.
But I love it. This year I called in and was their sought out 17th
caller (17 is obviously my new lucky number by the way ;) ) and won a cd and two
tickets to the stations Sampler Release Party the night before the release date PLUS back stage passes to meet
the band Delta Rae – AWESOME! The party was last night and I am still on a high
from it. Pictures from the party are below:
After getting a cd the first couple of years, I started to
notice how important this day was to me so last year and this year I have taken
the day off…plus it offers me a chance to warm up, take some naps and have some
me time at Starbucks (where I am writing this now!). I made the decision last
night after the party to not wake up at “the butt-crack of dawn” and instead sleep in since I
had scored myself the Sampler already. However, I woke up around 6:30am feeling
bummed that I was not out there with my fellow fans and taking that time for
me. I am incredibly sentimental and a creature of habit – I missed doing what I
would normally do! I decided to take an early morning walk to see if the cold
breeze would satisfy my need {this will be explained below} though it left me
still feeling empty. So, my wonderful husband (who took half the day off to
spend with me!) and I beebopped over to Target at 7:50am to make me happy and at least try to get a cd and try an experiment:
do I really need to wake up at “the butt-crack of dawn” to get a cd? Answer:
no, they were still available even with me getting in line at 3 minutes to 8am.
Reality: I will totally still wake up early and stand in line to guarantee I get one.
You see, today (the release date) is about so much more for
me than getting the cd. You’d be surprised by how waiting on the side of a
Target building hours before the sun rises, bundled up in all of the warm
weather gear that you own can offer time for reflection and peace. Each year I
use that time to think about the past year(s), what I am thankful for, my
family (particularly my cousin Allison who passed away in November of 2010) and
the upcoming holiday(s). It is a time of peaceful reflection for me. I do not
shy away from thinking about the tough times and instead face them and reflect
on how they have changed me. It sometimes feels like the sting of the cold breeze
on my face is cleansing me and giving me an opportunity to start new – my own
personal new years! I think a lot about my cousin Allison today and what a
blessing she was in my life. One of the best compliments I have ever received
is from family who said that she and I resembled each other with our fair skin
and dark brown hair. I told her this the last time I saw her in the hospital –
I am forever thankful that God gave me the strength to tell her through all my
emotions. As you may know, I sometimes like to order my coffees (ok, by coffee
I really mean mochas) in honor of my strong, feisty, courageous, independent
female family members that have passed away. Today I am Allison.
Even without the hours of sitting outside on a crisp November
morning in MN (which sounds crazy) - it’s been a good day! Just hear all I did!
I went for a walk, successful experiment with Eric to get a cd for my Dad, went
out to breakfast with Eric for some 49er Flapjacks at OPH (seriously, so
flippin’ good – pun intended! Ha!), took a nap after said breakfast, cleaned
out our entry way closet, picked up the house some, mailed a package to my good
friend who just had her baby yesterday (love you Monika!), picked up the free
Sampler cd I won from the radio station, spent some quality time at my favorite
store – Target (yes, I am the kind of person that will go to Target multiple
times a day…don’t judge!), and am now relaxing at Starbucks with some coffee
(ok, a mocha!) waiting until it’s time to head over to the salon to get my
hurrrrr did. A cut and color is in order…man it needs it!
What a wonderful day my own personal holiday has been!
Until next time…
