Lt. Dan Band Concert at Mandalay Bay

Being a Gary Sinise fan, I've always wanted to see his band (Lt. Dan Band) in concert.

In August I told my aunt (who passed away later that month) and uncle I would love to go see Gary Sinise and his band in concert. My aunt told me how Gary goes out to the 29 Palms Marine Corps base and plays for the troops and how she and my uncle had seen him perform.

Winning the Twitter contest on November 9th was ... divine intervention I believe. As I was driving over to the hotel/casino, I couldn't believe I was there. My mom was excited and I have to admit, I was too. While we waited for about 90 minutes before heading in, it wasn't too bad.

In all the time the Mandalay Bay has been open, I have only set foot in there roughly three times and never for a concert. In fact, to date, I have only been to three concerts--Lee Greenwood @ The Orleans (2008), Kenny G @ Buffalo Bill's Star of the Desert Arena (2009) and now the Lt. Dan Band at the Mandalay Bay Beach (2011). And I've only gone because the concerts were free. Either I won the tickets or traded in points from the radio stations to get the tickets.

Anyway...

I was expecting a fake beach and fake sand. And while it was "fake", there was something quite beautiful about it:

That was my view of the beach, originally. 

Despite it being November, I saw some people going into the wave pool, so I asked event security and the gentleman said "come right on in, you can even view the concert from the water". WOW! So, I waded into the wave pool, and the water was warm. 

Warm water, and a nice view. I couldn't ask for more. I could, but I'd have been greedy at that point. 

All in all, the concert was wonderful.You can look back on my photos [https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2359548580863.2126520.1014730276&type=1&l=5d00c6f218] to see a list of pictures with the songs to know what kind of music the band performed. They were amazing. It was a wonderful two hours, which yes, I spent all in the beach with mom safely on shore, lol.

There are no words that can accurately describe the feelings or fun I had there. I know mom was thrilled despite the fact we spent the concert only within eye-shot of each other. 

At the end, I felt incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity. Right now, it was a "once in a lifetime". But, I wouldn't rule out going again though :)

Meeting...Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise)

After taking in CSI: The Experience at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, my mom and I got in line for the Gary Sinise meet and greet. An experience I thought was quite surreal as it was happening.

I had heard about the meet and greet and had originally opted not to go. We were low on gas money, I had a ton of NaNoWriMo writing to catch up on, and I had a paper to write for school with about 10 more hours of research left to do.

However when I won the tickets, my weekend was decided for me. And I was grateful it was. Sometimes, you just have to roll with it. 

As I was saying...

My mom and I got in line, and were the first ones in line. Rather, I was the first and she was the second. I had HOPED she would have gone first. After all, this was Mac Taylor from CSI: NY. I know, Mac Taylor isn't a real person. He's a character, but for me and this being a CSI related experience...that is the image I had in mind. And, a positive role model as well :) 

Needless to say, my mom pushed me ahead of her. I had brought my CSI: NY CD-ROM game and mom had one of my CSI: NY DVD sets. While we didn't mind getting the two items signed, we were hoping for a picture to put in an album. 

It was a little after 2pm when Gary arrived. And as anyone would imagine, the "paparazzi" were there. Well, it seemed like it, let me put it like that.

There were quite a few photographers and several light flashes going off. I made a remark, which garnered a funny face and a laugh :) I wish I had a picture of the face he made though, it was quite amusing I will say that. He is a great person, and very patient. I got to see the man behind the face of "Mac Taylor" and it gave me insight as to why he was chosen to represent this character. 

After the photos, it was down to business. One of his "people" asked how we were all doing. Most everyone was excited, I said nervous. Yeah, more laughs there, a funny face from someone, and I giggled. Can I just say one thing....if I can make someone smile or laugh, I feel pretty darn good :) 

And, my mom never yielded, she served me up first. THANKS MOM!!! 

Gary was kind, sweet, out-going, friendly. He reminded me of the guy next door who'd offer to help you shovel snow out of your driveway. He made the first gesture and shook my hand. It was a warm, and reassuring handshake which definitely put me at ease. You have to understand, this man has a tremendous movie career and a very successful TV series, that can make make anyone slightly nervous. For me and my "shyness", I was overcoming a MAJOR hurdle by being there, let alone being the first one in line to meet him. Gary must have sensed it, and asked me questions, rather than expecting questions from me. Thank you, Gary for that :) 

We had a short conversation, before getting down to business. As I thought, there were publicity photos from CSI: NY and I opted for that, well he asked if I wanted him to sign one of the pictures and I said yes. He took his time and personalized the picture for me:

That was all I needed or wanted right there. Sure, having an item signed is great. But for me, a picture is what life is all about. Pictures capture life and moments that will never be repeated. I will be able to look at this for years to come and recall the event with fondness and a smile. It is a tangible part of history I can pass on to my children when I have them.

Next, it was mom's turn and she had a brief conversation with Gary as well. She is less shy than I am, so I bet her experience was more animated than mine. Then, he signed a picture for her. As mom walked away, Gary asked if we were going to the concert and we replied that we were going since we had tickets.

He smiled and we left. On the way home I couldn't believe how truly blessed I was to meet this remarkable man, who despite all his success, has a down-to-earth personality and still finds ways to take care of our wounded warriors ... which is what his concert the next day was going to benefit :)

CSI: Experience

To me, life is about everything around us. Since I can't "freeze" a moment in time, I usually take a picture to remember it by. And that is the point of "Project: 365". Take one picture a day to capture life.

That isn't the only time to take a picture though.

Life's experiences, places we go and the people we're with are all reasons to take pictures.

When I gave blood two months ago on September 9th, as one of my "gifts", I got a V.I.P ticket to go to the CSI: The Experience exhibit. And, I am still waiting to use that ticket. While I don't really like the original CSI show, I dearly LOVE CSI: NY and Miami. Of course, those who know me, know I LOVE NCIS more.

On November 9th, two months to the date of the blood drive, I won a Twitter package from the CSI: Experience. I got two V.I.P meet and greet passes to see CSI: NY's Gary Sinise, two experience tickets and two tickets to Gary's concert.

Needless to say I felt incredibly blessed. Of course I was nervous, excited, scared and giddy. Had it been NCIS related, I would have passed out to be honest.

So, Friday afternoon my mom and I headed to the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino and to the experience. There was a line already, but being a V.I.P, I was able to go in ahead of everyone there. I picked up my goodies and since there was about 90 minutes before Gary arrived, my mom and I took in the experience.

I am actually taking courses to get my bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice (focusing in Forensic Psychology and Homeland Security), so this was the experience of a lifetime, and to share the first one with my mom--PRICELESS. We had the same case which made it a team effort. We got to compare notes like the other CSIs and solve the case.

Due to the nature of the exhibit, I wasn't able to take pictures. If I had been able to, they would have told a great story.  Not only did I have fun, but I learned from the experience. I feel as though I chose the right college major and am on the right path.

As of note, because I have my other "ticket", I will definitely be going back, probably before Christmas. And that was just the beginning of the weekend...