I can’t begin to rave enough about how truly awesome the first Reopen Phoenix was last night at Gangplank. I have had such an exhausting past two weeks that the last thing I wanted to do this Friday was go out. I had planned on skipping the various friday night activities around the valley, going home to a run, some take out, and a movie while working on some side tasks. After hearing about a collaborative jam session at Gangplank, I thought I’d swing by to at least check it out for a short while.

The result?

I ended up staying until it ended which was shortly after 9:30. I was able to get get a great head start on my side tasks for the weekend and got to chat with some incredible people.

Reopen Phoenix was truly spectactular. Had I had a better voice this week, I would’ve been singing. I think I have been asked to do that next time.

There were so many different people there and the blending of their different styles and genres was amazingly inspiring. There was some Johnny Cash, a great cello solo, acoustic and electric guitar, country, rock, rap/rock infusion, and more. I pulled out my macbook and some chocolate covered almonds and went at it while dancing in my chair and singing half the time. I would also like to thank Bully for eating some of them with me so I didn’t finish them off myself

I don’t quite have the time for a band, nor can I seem to find the right one, so things like this are perfect for me. It’s higher on my list than rockaroke I think.

I think everyone that was there, and not specifically for the event, was impressed. I know several people, myself included, would like to see this on a frequent basis. I think this combined with bringing a barista in might make me move to Gangplank. Wait, I stopped drinking coffee. Okay so a barista in case I might want some tea.

Let’s do this again. Soon.

Love,
Tonia (Lil Ms T if you’re nasty)

I had such a fabulous weekend. It’s sad that it’s already Sunday again.

Yesterday Kayla and I got all dolled up for a charity event, Taste of the Nation. It was going to be a night of food, fun, music, and getting all dolled up, which is never bad.

Earlier in the week we had gone dress shopping. I realized I would rather wear one of my dresses I had stuffed back away in my closet instead, a very 50′s looking black dress with white polka dots that buttoned all the way down the back. With Kayla’s suggestion of borrowing her pearls, it ended up becoming almost a costume party for me. The goal, June Cleaver with a bit of a twist.

It ended up working out quite well. I found some matching pearl accessories, a red headband and some tempting red and silver sandals I couldn’t resist.

We decided to cab it to Scottsdale, and I’m glad we did. As we arrived things were already starting to get into full swing. Music was playing and people were starting to hit the many bars and gather around the silent auction items.

There were a million amazing dishes there. It was delicious. And, not only did I try baby octopus for the first time, but I had a cup of tomato soup that completely made me forget I hate tomatoes. And anyone that knows me, knows that I truly hate tomatoes.

Cathy’s Rum Cakes had a fabulous peach amaretto cake that was to die for.

A restaurant in Scottsdale Taggia, made this incredible potato gnocchi with veal and mushrooms that I *have* to have again, especially since the owner was nice and personable.

I believe we managed to hit all but maybe 4 or 5 stations. The wine and drinks were amazing as were the bartenders. One of them actually made a drink so strong I couldn’t stomach it without another splash of coke, which is a rarity. When I went back for another splash, she informed me her goal was to get everyone drunk.

The Chadwicks were the band playing, and they weren’t bad. Great selection of music.

The festivities ended at 10, but we weren’t done. Afterward, we grabbed a cab and headed to Martini Ranch, which is always a great place to see a live band, and who doesn’t like a live band? Ends up Rock Lobster was playing, which has all the same band members as the Chadwicks aside from the lead singer. It was way too surreal. My favorite part was when the female vocalist broke out the violin and played The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

I crossed something off my list last night – going out by myself. One thing that is so great about Phoenix is all the things that go on and how there is such a sense of small community in such a large metropolitan area. Every Friday there is a gathering after work in the East Valley called EVFN. This week I decided to go and see what happened. It started out at the Blue Adobe Grille in Mesa, which ended up being a disaster. We retreated for another bar shortly later, which ended up having karaoke. I also was able to put faces to some twitter folk, never a bad thing!

I planned two things for Friday night so I had to leave early to head back to Tempe to go to Last Exit. I was headed there to meet another twitter gal. Her boyfriend’s band, Sawcello was playing, and I love live music and we both have realized we are going to be BFF’s soon… and we were right. The band was great but I was tired by the time the night was over.

I’m sure part of this will sound odd. Especially since although I am very much very involved in new and emerging technology and social media blah blah blah, I am not one to do the friends online that I don’t really know thing. With that being said, Twitter has become a great networking tool since I’ve moved and it’s really helped me connect, find things to do, and find others in the area with common interests. Yay to twitter helping the transplant.