Friends in Not-So-Low Places

Here's a major life revelation: friends are worth it! I've been swapping babysitting with my neighbor for a few months now. She takes my two kids one day a week, I take her two another with random, "could ya help for a few minutes" scattered in between. I have to admit, changing other kids' poopy diapers isn't really my thing, but as I discovered today, there are fringe benefits.

I was laying on the couch tonight eating cookie dough and watching some Mario Lopez movie on the Oxygen channel. Phone rings. I tried to ignore it, Mario was breakdancing on the lawn of a country club and I didn't want to miss any of the "plot." But I couldn't hear the show over the ringer so I finally caught it on the last ring. "Hello?"
"Hi Hollywood. Do you like Garth Brooks?"
"Uh, yeah. Why?"
"I have tickets."
"Tickets?" I was confused. The guy retired in 2001, much to the horror of us Texans. I was 20 but my life may as well have ended that day.
"For tomorrow night at Staples Center. Box seats. Do you want to come?"
"But how? He's - YES! But I thought - what time? I love you - BOX SEATS?"

I spent all day today chasing her crying kids around my apartment and suddenly the laws of karma are very clear. Her husband had gotten three tickets for free at work but he isn't a fan so he passed on his ticket. Instead, my friend invited her mother and 13 year old sister. "Great," said her little sister. "Now who's Garth Brooks?" She was instantly uninvited and I got the call.

I moved to Texas when I was 12 from Connecticut. It was a strange, terrible place. People were friendly, teenagers wore makeup, and everybody went to church on Sunday. To a pureblood Yankee, it was worse than hell. But Garth held out his chubby hand and helped me find my way. In less than a month I had bought my first pair of cowboy boots and had made a karaoke tape of myself singing, "Friends in Low Places" at Six Flags. I cried as if I knew what love was whenever I heard his song, "The Dance" Though I didn't start shaving my legs or calling people "honey," Garth made me want to be a Texan.

In 2001 Garth paused his music career to enjoy his kids' childhood. He promised he'd return to music when his daughter turned 18 (that's 10 years from now, people). But after the California fires this summer, Garth felt a call to duty and put together 5 charity concerts at the Los Angeles Staples Center this weekend to benefit the Southern California 2008 Fire Intervention Relief Effort.* All the tickets were sold out in under an hour.

So yes. Although changing another baby's dirty diaper and handling two overtired three year olds may not sound like fun, trust me, it's worth it. More poopy diapers, please. Mmm mmm good! I LOVE YOU GARTH!


*The money will go to agencies helping victims and first responders and provide financial assistance to state firefighting departments.

Comments

Anonymous said…
My envy is palpable. I *love* Garth and was so sad when I heard he wasn't going to tour anymore.
Karen said…
Babysitting swaps are worth their weight in gold. Good for you! Go let the Texan out in you.
flip flop mama said…
Babysitting swaps are the best thing ever but you seriously made out with those Garth tickets! I'm so envious!
Jessica said…
We love babysitting swaps. So much cheaper! Have fun at the concert, that would be so much fun!
Erin Marie said…
I might start crying here. Just ignore me. Now I know TWO people going... I'm so jealous. Have fun!!
Michael M. said…
Goodwill always pays off, sometime somwhere, somehow.

It's good to have "friend's in low places", eh? :)
The Wiz said…
The jealousy.....it's palpable.
Anonymous said…
Awesome! Way to go. :)

Hope you have Tons O' Fun!
tracy m said…
Garth Brooks was one of the single best shows I've ever seen. Really.

Have a great time!!
Kerri said…
Hey, we were there last night! We were at the 6:00 showing and it was AWESOME! I am jealous of your free box seats, but we had pretty good ones near the floor.
Nancy Sabina said…
Funny the things that Texas makes you love. I'm not a huge fan of Garth - but I do get all nostalgic at the sight of a cowboy hat (you don't see many of those in D.C.) and I do admit a skipped heart beat or two when those tight jeans walk by (I refuse to admit that there is a PERSON in those jeans - I don't have a thing for the person - just the jeans).
Memarie Lane said…
You don't shave your legs?
Sarah said…
Not when I was twelve. I'm pretty sure they don't let you live in Southern California if you don't shave your legs though so I'm a silky seal these days.
Shiloh said…
I could've missed the pain,... I am sick with jealousy. Enjoy my friend!
Heffalump said…
I hope you post about how the concert was when you get back.
What a great perk from the babysitting exchange!
Zarsky Family said…
I went to the theater to see a broadcast of a live show back in November, so I am insanely jealous of your real live concert!!!

P.S. I also got my ugly mouse ornament in the mail today. Thanks :)
Jessica G. said…
I moved to Texas when I was 13. My baby brother thought we were leaving America. He didn't know how right he was...but for me it was Trisha Yearwood's "She's In Love With The Boy" that made a Texan out of me. I still have the tight jeans, boots, and mad line-dancing skills to prove it.
RoeH said…
I remember that. Why is changing your own kids poopy diapers okay (well sorta okay) and other kids poopy diapers gaggy. Not even 'sorta' gaggy. Real. :)
Heather O. said…
Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man!!! I saw Garth about 10 years ago--he ROCKS! I'm so jealous, I can't even see straight! If you're friend dies, can I have the ticket?
Ok, that was totally macabre, but, um, seriously, can I?
Unknown said…
What, all this love for Garth (who's from Oklahoma, BTW) and no waxing eloquent for Willie Nelson??? I mean, come on! The braids! The tax evasion!

In related news, I've taken to telling the Hoosiers that I'm the product of a clandestine affair between Nelson and the late governor Ann Richards during her drinkin' years. A surprising number believe it, too.
Anonymous said…
He did some concerts in Kansas City a few months ago, but he was able to fly home everyday. They were all sold out as well. Not my fav, but a good guy over all. Have fun!!
Allie said…
I too am extremely jealous! That would be the only concert my very CHEAP self would pay to go to anymore. I went 10 years ago and it was the best concert I've ever been to.
angela michelle said…
Hollywood, you have to check out these http://www.boredstop.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=94&Itemid=32
stuffed toys. They make yours look positively cutesy and smarmy.
Suzie Petunia said…
I moved from Boston to Houston when I was 17. It was just a year, but I learned to like country music and go 2-steppin' with a guy that wore a cowboy hat and boots. Good times.

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