My Best and Worst Bands to See Live

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about concerts I've gone to and have been itching to see another show. I think that's mostly because I'm antsy for Rock Fest all year round. Also, because it's cold and I'm sick of winter already and I'd just rather it be summer. I think I can safely say I've been to a lot of shows, and that's almost entirely because of summer music festivals like Rock Fest or Summerfest.

Festivals are the easiest and best way to get your concert fill in. You can see tons of bands play for the flat rate of your festival admission. Seeing each band individually would be astronomical in price. Also, with festivals like Summerfest, you can try all kinds of different foods and do lots of shopping as well.

I've decided to share some of my favorite and least favorite shows with you. I haven't been to that many concerts that I really didn't enjoy, so luckily for you and me alike, that list will be much shorter.

Top bands live (not necessarily in this order):

• Shinedown
• Five Finger Death Punch
• Iron Maiden
• Rob Zombie
• Skillet
• Halestorm 
• Green Day
• Theory of a Deadman
• Avenged Sevenfold
• Goo Goo Dolls
• Three Days Grace

Worst bands live (not necessarily in this order):

Before I begin my list, I'd like to clarify that these bands are not on this list because I think they're poor musicians. They're actually on my list because I enjoy them enough to see them and was disappointed in their live performance.

• Buckcherry
• Godsmack
• Lita Ford
• Collective Soul
• New Found Glory (Are they even still relevant? I don't know.)

WPS Garden of Lights

On Saturday, Man Friend and I went to the WPS Garden of Lights at the Botanical Gardens. It was my first time going, though I had been wanting to go for years. It was one of those things where I said I wanted to go, but plans were never made, and by the time I finally had a free weekend, the holidays had passed. This year, I was determined to go, and set aside a Saturday night to go. I'm so glad we did; I enjoyed it so much that I've already decided that we're going next year too.

We picked the perfect time to go. It was chilly out, and enough so as a gentle reminder that it is the holidays, but luckily for my anti-cold ways, was not frigid. I was afraid I had under-dressed (though Man Friend thought I had too many layers on), but as soon as we started walking instead of standing in place, it was more bearable.

We got there, and to our surprise, there were significantly more people there than we had expected. We ended up parking about a block or so away and walking so we could avoid the crowds in the parking lot. As we drove past the parking lot, I saw the line stretched out pretty long. Man Friend would say this is where I became worried and stressed. I say I'm just realistic. I was upset that the line was so long and wondered if we'd even be able to get in. If we did, would we have to rush through all the displays to be out by the time they closed? Luckily for us, Man Friend was right (I hate that). The line moved surprisingly quick and we were out to start the walking tour within about 20 minutes. Once inside the building, I found it was because they had so many different people taking money for the tickets that the line was able to move smoothly and effectively.

While we were waiting in line, we started noticing how many babies were there. I'm not talking toddlers, or even babies in the walking or crawling stages. I was actually appalled at how many parents were carrying infants. None of these parents (that I saw at least) were there with an older child as well. It was just the parents and the baby. First of all, even though it wasn't frigid, it was definitely too cold to have a tiny little baby outside. Second of all, by the time we got into the tour, it was close to 7:45-8. Let your poor child go to bed. Finally, a child so young will get nothing out of the tour. If you want to go so badly with your spouse, pawn your child off on a babysitter, or wait until your child is old enough to appreciate the lights and displays. End rant.

The tour was shorter than I expected it to be, and I was actually hoping it would have been a little longer because I was enjoying it so much. As we were nearing the end, I was a little disappointed we couldn't see more, but remembered that typically this time of year, it's way more freezing out. Had it been any colder, I would have started growing miserable and cranky and wanted to leave. So, all things considered, it was actually a decent length.

One of my favorite things to do around Christmas time is drive around looking at lights and decorations. I think that's why I enjoyed this so much. The light displays were so beautiful, and there were so many different kinds of displays to enjoy. The brightness and variety of colors was just amazing. One of my favorite displays was a spider. I actually cannot stand the little bastards, but spiders remind me of Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. There was also a display of a flower bed, which was probably the best one. It was one of the bigger displays and had the most colors. Of the displays without much color, my favorite was of "icicles" hanging down. It was so simple, but so elegant.

The tour was a great place for a date, whether you've been together for a long time or have just gotten together. It keeps you talking the whole time, and isn't the typical dinner and/or movie that can get a little repetitive. I'm anxious to see what's in store next year.

Beaux's Incredibowl

About six months ago, some of you dear readers may remember a post I wrote about a friend who had passed away a year prior. If you don't remember, it's here for your reading pleasure. Anyway, after his death, his family started a charity in his name, the Beaux Mettler Foundation. Last Saturday was the Foundation's most recent fundraising event.

The BMF is rapidly growing: each fundraiser they host seems bigger and more successful than it's prior. Saturday was the first Incredibowl, four hours of cosmic bowling and fun. Bowling has never really been my thing, so I had opted out of participating, but decided to still go to show my support and spend time with friends. My sister's team and Man Friend's teams were playing in lanes right next to each other, so I was easily able to chat and catch up with everyone I wanted to see. In addition to the bowling games, and the many raffle items and prizes (the number of prizes definitely seems to go up as well. Maybe I'm making that up, but it's what I like to think anyway), there was also a photo booth, complete with ridiculous props and costumes. It was so much fun going in the booth, making silly faces, and signing the book of prints for his parents, or for whoever the book was for. I've got a few different prints and I can't wait to frame them in my new apartment with Man Friend.

The fundraisers that the BMF are such incredible events, not just for the charity work they provide, but for the support they offer. These events are a wonderful way to get Beaux's friends and family together and seem to be such a positive outlet for everyone to cope with their loss. I don't think I've been to an event yet that was not filled with laughter and reminiscing. Not to mention, if creating a charity in honor of someone isn't the best damn way to let someone's memory and name live on, I don't know what is.

Saturday I learned more about the BMF than I had in the last year, and after hearing his sister talk about the work the organization is doing, I couldn't be more excited to be a part of it. No matter how small my part is, I know I'm contributing to a fantastic cause: one that I would willingly donate to, even if I didn't know who Beaux Mettler was. I learned that they are raising money for iPads and iPad (chargers? carts?) for children at the Milwaukee Children's Hospital, where Beaux had stayed when he first became ill. The kids can then use the iPads to Skype with friends and family at home as well as keep in contact with their teachers to avoid falling terribly behind.

This idea is so fantastic to me for a few reasons. 1) People never really think of donating iPads or technology to sick kids. The number one concern is always making sure they're well, or research, or paying bills. But making sure the children have a strong support system, can communicate with friends so they don't feel like they're missing out on their lives, and can keep up with their education carry just as much significance. 2) According to Man Friend, Skyping was one thing that Beaux loved to do with his friends while he was away in Milwaukee, and I think it's pretty damn cool that his family is carrying on his interests in such a profound manner.

I also learned how successful the charity has been. The previous fundraiser, a golf outing, raised approximately $30,000. Talk about an accomplishment! I couldn't even believe Sister when she told me that.    She also told me that she contacted an NFL player whose wife is pregnant and one of their twins is going to have the same heart condition Beaux had. The NFL player was apparently really interested, and called the organization looking for a way to become involved. Even though the NFL player is not from our home team of the Packers, I think that would be absolutely incredible to have a person of such high influence be a part of the organization.

I'm excited to see what else the BMF has in store. The fundraisers have made such an impact already, and I am eager to learn more about the difference it's making in kids' lives.

Watch for the Zumba and Tennis event on Facebook!