The Last Hurrah

Thursday and Friday were very chill. I read a lot, I took naps, I watched Jane the Virgin, did a lot of nothing. Which is my favorite! I enjoyed the little moments in my backyard — airplanes flying overhead, 

Saturday was going to be a good one. My mom and I were going to LA to see Sara Bareilles, who has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember. 

We didn't want to go down there too early, so we left later in the afternoon, had a late lunch/early dinner at Bob's Big Boy. Of course we always finish so much earlier than I think we will, so we went across the street to the Garry Marshall Theatre that was hosting a sale. 

I'd never been in the theater or the garden area, so we spent some time perusing all the incredible movie posters, costumes, purses, Playbills, books, magazines and other things that would make you say, "only in LA." It was great! 

Then, we drove in closer to the Hollywood Bowl. We parked at Hollywood & Highland, walked around the shops and down Hollywood BLVD. for a bit before heading over to the Hollywood Bowl. It's a pretty smooth process to get in to the venue, just a bit of an uphill climb...Literally. We bought waters, went to the restroom, then got settled in for the evening. It felt like the waiting passed off pretty quickly. It's always fun because they have the trivia about the Hollywood Bowl and artists that have appeared there on the screen. 

I’ve always been a Sara Bareilles fan, but I’d say, around 2016/2017 is when her music came alive for me. I’d be that anxious mess sitting at my desk, wondering where the day was going to take me, at the beginning of each morning. I’d eat my oatmeal, turn on Spotify, pop my earbuds in and listen to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sara Bareilles, Carole King and Kelly Clarkson, who all managed to ease the anxiety tearing through my stomach and chest. 

A few summers later, I decided to dedicate a blog by the same title as this, “Always Chasing the Sun” to my summer adventures. It was a title and song that always just popped out at me. We aren’t meant to waste this life or sit around, there’s always something to go for. I feel like that’s how I’ve always tried to live my life.

The themes and messages of Sarah’s work has always just spoken to me, and played a big role at key times of my life, especially after reading her memoir and learning more about her. I’ve always wanted to see her live, but it hadn’t worked out in the past. 

I guess, all of this to say that, finally, this summer, I was able to see her with my mom at the Hollywood Bowl. It was her first time performing with an orchestra, and it was exactly the kind of magical night I’d hoped it would be. 

Sara was every bit the genius I thought she’d be. Her voice, her artistry; She was hilarious in her conversations with the audience and it was just a feel good show. She also brought out some of her UCLA friends from her college ensemble days, and spoke on the importance of friendships, especially as one of their friends had passed away. 

Sara’s music came at such an important and scary time in my life. When everything was relatively unknown. I was figuring out who I was outside of the walls of the education system and identities I’d wrapped myself up in throughout that time. It was so full circle to see her sing many songs I’d sung at the top of my lungs on my solo drives out of town and anxiously sitting at my desk, live. There’s just absolutely nothing like it. 

Her voice and her music came at another perfect time, recently, after learning of the passing of a family friend. It was a complete shock, and wrapping my mind around our mortality hit me hard, as it usually does when I hear of someone going too soon.

Near the end of Sara’s show, as she brought all her friends out on stage, she talked about how we have this, “one precious life” and we can’t waste that time. I didn’t expect to tear up so much, but I was full of all the feels. I’m so glad I was able to share this moment with my mom and witness the incredible show, period.

I want this theme to carry through the series of writings. I want to always be chasing the sun. I want to stay learning, stay growing, staying chasing the goals and dreams I have, for there’s always something to go for in this life.

Let’s not wait for the ideas of mortality to creep up on us and make us do something drastic after. Let’s always live with the idea that this life on earth is short and we don’t have forever. Love hard, buy the concert tickets, take the trip, tell someone how you feel about them and go where God is taking you.

That's all for now, 

Shelby