Who Ordered the Restraining Order?

I've not wanted to say anything, for fear of jinxing it, but there is a a tour. A Summer 2007 Tour.

And we're going.

When?

Well.

Here.

Here.

Here too.

This one and this one.

And this one.

Oh. And this one.

I'm sorry, one hundred feet of what? Must stay back who?

Some people like to spend their money on things like homes, cars, college funds, kidney transplants... The Hubba and I feel the wise investments are DMB tee shirts and Live Trax albums. (Funny story: The Hubba insisted the next DMB concert released to CD would be the Las Vegas shows and he's been right. So when Dave sings Sweet Caroline that'll be us you hear shouting "Bumbumbum!" and "So good! So good!" Us and 11,996 others. Just for you, Knitty Yoda. Bumbumbum!)

The first concert is in Chicago and we'll be going with the Hajeks. Much in the way CSI was so popular a show it couldn't be kept only in Las Vegas, so goes the way of the Bryant to Hajek Connection. BHC: Chicago.

The rest of the tour we'll be doing on our own (this might not be entirely true: The Hajek bought tickets for Renee and he to join us for the Raleigh and Charlotte concerts in September. There are a few small hiccups to this plan, only that they live in Charleston, she will be almost eight months pregnant at this point and he hasn't told her. I think this is the place where The Hajek would say *cough*). I've got a few nerves about the Hollywood Bowl, but, as long as Jack Bauer is on the scene, we'll be fine. We're going to have to trust him.

Some (a little over a billion people, in fact) call this year of 2007 the Year of the Pig. The Hubba and I are calling it The Year of the DMB. Who have a song called "Pig." If ever there was a path ordained by God...

Good Times in Vegas- Step Three

The third and final step to a Fantastical Time in Vegas?

Get married where the celebrities do.



The final surprise by The Mighty, Mighty Husbands was a wedding. Each of us will be celebrating five years of wedded bliss this year (to our spouses mind you, not to each other, that would be weird and probably illegal). In honor of that fact, The Hubba and The Hajek, in complete secrecy, planned a surprise ceremony to renew our vows. In Vegas. At Chapel of the Bells. Where Kelly Ripa got married.

For once, I'm left without words.

So, on the last part of our Vegas Wild Ride

say "hello!" to the best man in the world,


(The Hubba and I at Chapel of the Bells)

enjoy a little limo time with the adorable couple,


(The Hajeks after their *second* wedding).

and finish with a grand dinner in Paris.



Thanks for coming along on the blog-by-blog Bryant to Hajek Connection!

Good Times in Vegas- Step Two

Step Two to a Fantastical Time in Vegas?

Live like a celebrity (even if you can't behave like one).

For instance, have a limo, secretly arranged by two fabulous, extra-sneaky husbands, pick you up from the hotel.



Perhaps, though, it is best to travel with someone other than myself, who might have a tendency to say things like "I've never been in a limo before!" and "what do all these buttons do?" (as spiritual rock blares into the car) and "I bet everyone thinks we're famous-hahahaha-snort" (cue hand clapped to mouth moment).

At said hotel,



don't be shy. The Hajeks walk straight up to the hotel clerk, tell him their names and ask, cheerfully, "So what kind of upgrades can we get?" Seriously. I could never do this. Ever. I'm nearly in floods over just asking for a room. "A room? Well, I mean, yes I booked one, but, you know, I'm not stuck on it or anything. Just any old room will do. Broom closet? Why not?! I don't have enough chances to sleep standing up!" Not Dave and Renee. After only a few minutes we had all been bumped up (for a nominal fee) to a suite. They are the adults I want to be when I grow up.



It was shocking. Sure the decor was total Vegas, but the size of the place! The fact we weren't tripping over suitcases in an attempt to walk from the bed to the bathroom was shocking. I left without a single toe-rammed-into-bedframe induced injury.

Speaking of bathrooms



Ours had light sensors. Again, I say, seriously. The "why" I cannot explain, but when you walked within about two feet of the open-floor bathroom lights came on! Which was cool at first. And a bit tricky when those of us with small bladders had to pee at three in the morning and those of us with hibernating bear like tendencies jerked awake, growling, "What? WHAT?"

Not to mention



the bidet.

The Hubba was unconvinced.



Yet even while surrounded by these nifty treats and amenities, I'll show you the reason The Hubba and I are not, now or ever, surrounded by paparrazi.



The extended-arm camera shot. Can you say CHEESE?

Stay tuned for the final Step to Vegas- The Bryant to Hajek Connection! Livin' like Paris, Britney, and Lindsay, but with underwear!

Good Times in Vegas- Step One

Step One to A Fantastical Trip to Vegas?

Hang with celebrities.

I'll start by saying I've never met anyone mega famous. Really. Especially not of movie or rock star caliber. And I've always asked myself the question "Will I be cool when I meet a celebrity?" The answer it seems is no, no I will not.

Now. Does anyone remember the specific reason we went to Las Vegas? For a little group called Dave Matthews Band. Uh-huh. Well. We met someone famous. Someone SO famous. Someone who might- oh God, how can this be true?- mean jack to you, but... well...



That girl there with the weirdly smushed face? That's me. That cute fella in the green shirt? That's The Hubba. That six foot four Sex God in the middle? That's Boyd Tinsley.

BOYD TINSLEY Y'ALL. As in Boyd Tinsley on the violin. As in Boyd Tinsley OF the DAVE MATTHEWS BAND.

We met him . The Bryants (that's us ) and the Hajeks (below)- we met him.



WE MET HIM. IT was AWESOME. I can't quite describe it. We were in Bally's (our hotel) in front of the Bally's Spa (whole 'nother day's post) and Renee looks over and says, face frozen "OhmyGodthat'sBoydTinsley."

At which point, all four of us calmly walked over, introduced ourselves, shook hands, and said intelligent, witty things about the band in general and Boyd specifically.

That's such a lie. We went crazy. Matt and Dave had big stupid grins, Renee's eyes were as big as her face, and I, I'm sad to say, might have jumped up and down and clapped my hands.

But y'all, this is Boyd Tinsley. The man who rocks it out on the violin with DMB. He's AMAZING. And gorgoeous and, it turns out, the nicest person ever. As foolishly as we behaved, he just smiled and spoke nicely and shook our hands and when Renee asked if we could get picutres he said "yes." HE SAID YES. Did you see them? Did you see the pictures?





And for the rest of the weekend we were insufferable. Such as a the concert that night every time Boyd stepped up to jam it out we shouted a variety of things like "Hey Boyd, we're over here!" and "He's just playing to impress us!" and "That's Boyd- my brother from another mother!"

It was- just- it was- wow. We were all shocked and thrilled and mushy brained after. And Boyd, calm as could be, thanked us, told us to enjoy the night's show, and walked into Bally's work-out facility and got on the treadmill.

It took all the power we had not press our faces to the glass and stare.

Also, if anyone wants to play a little quiz, I ask you:

Who said the dumbest thing to Boyd?
A. Dave Hajek "We've seen you in concert 67 times" ?
B. Renee Hajek "We've traveled all over the country to see you more than 60 times"?
(to both these statements he said "really?" and smiled nicely)
C. Matthew Bryant, aka The Hubba, "You were really good last night"?
(to which Boyd said "thanks" and smiled nicely)
D. Em Bryant, aka neighborknitter, aka me "You look even taller on stage"?
(he laughed)
Bonus point if you pick "E- all of the above"

Look out for Step Two tomorrow....