mates of state [the Deluxe Edition (complete with Special Features!)]

monday night i had the privilege/opportunity/delight to see one of my all-time favorite bands in the whole wide world in the hottest [temperature-wise], lamest venue in all of utah.

my sister, kirsten, and i were supposed to go together and we were both so excited we could hardly stand it. she even made a cool shirt for the occasion.

but then she got sick.

with pneumonia.

and decided that she shouldn't go.

i was heartbroken.

and even though i had fun, i felt guilty all night because i knew she was supposed to be standing next to me, jumping up and down and screaming along to all the songs they played.

did i mention that she bought our tickets?

it was a [for lack of a better word] sucky situation.

luckily my friend and old roommate, brenda, was able to come with me!

we had a great time watching a crazy/ill-tempered magician do tricks

and a band called free energy [with a seriously adorable bassist (what is it with me and bassists??)] perform

and then

kori gardner and jason hammel took the stage

and it was

Pure

Magic.

they started out the show with "the re-arranger" [one of my all-time faves] and it took everything i had in me not to scream along because i had my camera in one hand filming the song and my phone in the other hand with kirsten on the other end [there's nothing worse than my off-key sing-screaming--believe me].

the rest of the show is kind of a blur to me now, but my favorite song of the night [hands down] was "for the actor". i don't know if it's because a married couple who got engaged onstage during last summer's mates of state tour announced their presence right before the song was performed or if it's just a magical song in general. but i have never smiled so much because of music.

unfortunately, due to lack of food/water/cool air, my friend brenda fainted and we had to leave early, but i didn't care because i saw them in person playing my favorite songs and for the first time in a very long time, i was deliriously happy.

if they come to a city near you, GO. it is well worth it!