Disney Vacation Day 3: Hollywood Studios

I don't need to tell you why I was so excited about heading to Hollywood Studios, but here's a reminder:

Um, there's only a roller coaster featuring the bad boys of Boston!  And as a tremendous Aerosmith fan...um, I love it.

I'm probably the most annoying person in line because I sing the songs and dance the entire time.  And then I scream when they show Steven Tyler in the pre-ride video.  And then I sing along with the music that plays with the ride.  But I so don't care.  When we rode the Rockin' Roller Coaster for the first time, Alli and I got front row seats (not shown in the picture above).  I told Alli it was because I was with the band...

But our day didn't start with the Rockin' Roller Coaster - it started with using the 8AM Extra Magic Hour to get in line to sign Alli up for the Jedi Training Academy later that day.  They only take 12 kids per show so it fills up really quickly.  We were successful, and then we ran to Toy Story Mania because we couldn't get a Fast Pass for it and we knew it would fill up quickly.  It was a great ride really similar to Buzz Lightyear in Magic Kingdom, but newer.  We also ran into some friends in the Pixar section.

After that it was the Rockin' Roller Coaster followed by the Tower of Terror.

Then we went to a few other attractions like the Star Tours motion simulator and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.  We also happened upon Lightning McQueen and Mater.

We ate dinner at the Sci Fi Dine-In Theater, and then we hit up a few more rides and shows including The Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones.  Then it was time for Alli to train to become a Jedi.  She was presented with a robe and a practice lightsaber and did some training with a Jedi Master on stage.

It was all fun and games until training was interrupted...

Fortunately Alli's training paid off and she and her fellow trainees dueled Darth Vader until he fled.

Once Alli graduated from the Jedi Training Academy, we went to Tatooine to build a light saber and then we went on the Muppets 3D ride, met Phineas and Ferb, and did a second (or third) round of the Star Tours, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror rides.

And so concludes yet another magical day in Walt Disney World!  Alli's favorite ride and park changes with each new park we go to, but I am happy to report the Rockin' Roller Coaster is tied with Expedition Everest for now.

Catching Up - Part Deux: Walk This Way

After we got back from Nashville, Fayetteville was undergoing its annual transformation into Wal-Mart Shareholders World Headquarters, an event people travel from all over to come to, and one that always brings in a lot of traffic and some great music acts.  We've had Jimmy Buffett and Carrie Underwood.  But this year, it was just a little different.

Aerosmith came to town.

As you might know, I am a bit of an Aerosmith fan.  Ryan and I had tickets to go see them a few years ago for my first ever Aerosmith concert, but Steven decided to be an idiot and fall off the stage before we could see him.  So this time, Mr. Tyler came to me via Wal-Mart shareholders.

I couldn't believe my luck.  The only issue was that I am not actually a Wal-Mart shareholder.  I had a job offer from Wal-Mart right after college, but I turned them down.  I had not once regretted that decision until the day I found out ST and company were coming to town.  I was a pouty mess the entire day of the concert, and then I decided to work late just to dull the pain.  I got a phone call from Ryan that went something like this:

Ryan:  "How late are you going to work?"

Moi:  "I don't know, Ryan, as long as it takes."

Ryan:  "Well, I guess I'll take some other girl to see Aerosmith tonight."

Moi:  Silence.

Ryan:  "Hello?"

Moi:  "Are you being serious?"

Ryan:  "Yeah."

Moi:  "I'll be right there."

How happy is that face?

Cheap Trick opened, which was an okay show.  I only knew 3 or 4 of the songs, but I think I enjoyed it.  I don't really remember.  I was just too nervous for Aerosmith.  Finally, at around 9pm, the stage rotated.

And not long after that, out he came.

They only played for about an hour and a half, but it was the most entertaining concert I've ever been to.  I sang every song at the top of my lungs (sorry neighbors) and screamed at pretty much everything Steven said.  I wish they had played longer, I wish our seats had been closer, and I wish that I were on tour with ST right now, but all things considered, it was a near-perfect night.  I finally got to see Aerosmith in concert and it was in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

I just have to think he knew he owed me.

Steven and Lauren: A Short History

Well, I'm one purchase away from declaring the master bathroom done.  Scream at Ryan to let me go buy one more measly thing, and then you'll get to see it.  Until then...

I have to tell you I'm now addicted to American Idol.  I've never really been a huge Idol person.  I've always watched the auditions for a little humor and then moved on with my life.  And then...

Image via www.sexysteventyler.com.  And no, I'm not kidding, it's a real site.

Oh yes.  My longtime one-sided love interest joined the show.  Gawd.  Please excuse me while I drool.  Is there anything hotter than a grungy, androgynous mega-rockstar?  Eyeliner?  Leopard print?  Leather?  Count me in.

I've been an Aerosmith fan since I was far too young to be one.  My dad had the red Greatest Hits album in his truck and I listened to Sweet Emotion and Walk This Way like it was my job.  However, at thirteen, I picked up the Nine Lives album, saw this man on the back cover, and never looked back.

Image found here

Oh how I love me some Steven Tyler.  And I don't mean love him like you do - like oh he's so great, blah blah.  I mean LOVE.  Like watched Wayne's World 2 more than I care to admit just to see him in 2 minutes of it. Like buy every song he's ever done backup vocals in on iTunes.  Like he has a place of honor in my closet in the form of a framed picture.  Like considered spending $1200 for a backstage pass to meet him.  

We've had our rough patches.  His recent fall from the stage and subsequent rehab stay did not sit well with me.  I even stopped listening to Aerosmith for a few months.  But I think it's safe to say it's back on.

I was a little worried that he was too kooky and off the wall to translate well to national TV on a mostly pop music, family-friendly show.  But early reviews are in, and the public seems to appreciate him.  You can't deny how insanely talented he is.  The man has music in his bones.  His father was actually a classical musician, and in the early days of Aerosmith, he tuned all of the instruments and gave his bandmates lessons on their instruments.  (Source - the Aerosmith autobiography, Walk This Way, which I've read about 5 times).

I so enjoy watching him truly appreciate the music on Idol.  It's refreshing that they finally have a true blue musician critiquing people.  You can tell he feels the music.  I could go on about the man, but I've probably already told you more than you ever want to know.  I am going to put one more pic in though.  Because it's my blog and I can if I want.

Judge if you must. Stone. Cold. Fox.