My New Unpaid Job

My brilliant husband helped me come up with this blog- an outlet to share the best of what I've watched, read or listened to lately. I'm adding it to the list of other unpaid jobs that I currently hold: Room Mom, PSR teacher, entertainer, DJ (though occasionally this is a paid job), social coordinator, admin to Phil, matchmaker, house elf, children's stylist, short order cook (cannot call myself a chef while I am still fixing chicken nuggets) carpool driver, personal shopper, party planner, camp administrator, personal trainer, overall bon vivant and now blogger. I like it.

Last week I went to see who I consider to be the Madonna of our time, Lady Gaga. I went into the concert with high expectations and the show did not disappoint. I love that this somewhat homely girl from NJ fashioned herself into this worldwide pop icon. But where she differs from Madge is two ways- first, that she is actually very talented musically. When she slowed down "Born This Way" on the piano, her voice and playing were pretty amazing. Second, where Madonna is ice-queen untouchable, Gaga is a little more vulnerable. She credits her fans for making her brave and strong.

Her sets were pretty extravagant- felt very broadway and that's a good thing. She had 12-15 dancers on stage with her for most songs. Though she didn't have an outfit change for every song (as my friend Becky said she did for her last tour), she did have at least 5 different costume changes, mostly outrageously perfect. The fans, called "Little Monsters", kept their paws up in awe of the Mother Monster. People-watching was at an all-time high. There was a short 40-something asian man sitting next to us who arrived alone but sang every word to her songs. Something tells me he had practiced in a Buford Highway karaoke bar. Lots of youngsters and lots of queens. I felt at home.

She sang all of the hits, with appropriate drama. Overall message of the night was to believe in your dreams, believe in yourself, don't let people bully you or call you a freak, because in Gaga's World, you have a home.

Tix for this were purchased almost a YEAR in advance and were about $200. Ouch. But- I would do it again, and I won't miss her again if she comes back through the ATL. Some shows are just worth it.