Wednesday, January 20, 2010

NAMM
Anaheim, California
January 15-17, 2010
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Over the weekend, I went to Anaheim, CA with my wonderful friend Sarah for the NAMM Convention. [A brief history on this acronym - NAMM used to stand for the National Association of Music Merchants, but now has expanded globally, and so therefore has changed to the International Music Products Association. The acronym, NAMM, was kept, however]. This essentially invite-only convention features the latest instruments, music hardware, software and other related items for people in the music industry to check out. While at this event, it is expected to see so many of music's most talented performers checking things out, signing a few autographs, and taking some pictures at random.

After the convention hours, it's party time! Sarah and I had a LOT of fun with this part of the day, and spent some time with some of the industry's well known people - we had dinner with a few of them, took some pictures with them and others along the way, and of course threw in the random shot of tequilla to solidify the good time being had (OUCH!!! My esophagus STILL hurts just thinking about that!).

Anyway, here's a peak at our weekend of music and networking.

Sarah, THANK YOU again! Much love to you, my dear friend :)

xoxo

~amy





Ahhhh... beautiful California weather!! A far cry from snowy Chicago!





Guitars EVERYWHERE!!! :)





Everywhere you turned, there were people ready to sign autographs





Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains just checking out some new gear





Sarah LOVES KISS, so we just had to meet Gene Simmons!!!





When it was my turn, Gene twirled me around like a ballerina ;)





Trying to be a rock star ;)









Skulls at the fender room!! Doesn't get much more rock than that!





Sarah hanging out with some of her VERY talented musician friends that she introduced me to





Sarah and her guitar making friend :)





TINIEST drum set ever! :)



Random gatherings like this were very common AND fun to walk by!









yeah.. it was kind of a circus like that...





A paraplegic drum set creation - VERY cool!! :)





Me and Sarah with some new musician friends... VERY awesome people who were so kind to us - thanks so much again boys (and girl!!) :D





Sarah and her friend Rachel - what a nice guy!! (And a very talented musician!)





Me and my new friends, Matt and Ryan... AWESOME guys (Ryan lent me his merino hoodie and also bought us tequilla shots; Matt showered us in compliments and hugs, and BOTH made us laugh hysterically!!) and, VERY talented musicians





And suddenly, we were on a plane back home.... but the view was beautiful!







For more pictures, visit my facebook photo album:


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51157&id=1138585006&l=c3cbfd6540
Baby Mitchel
January 12, 2010
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I can't quite take enough pictures of this little guy (remember, his parents are my former pilot and my current hair stylist/nutritionist/personal trainer)!!! You'll surely be seeing a lot more of this little cutie as he grows, especially because of how special Cheryl and Jim's friendship has become to me

See you all again soon!!! :)

~amy
























Jennifer and Family
January 11, 2010
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My second cousin is just plain awesome! She's incredibly sweet, very funny, and a wonderful mother of three beautiful children (who have the cutest itty bitty voices!). Jennifer had me come by her home to hang out with everyone for a little while, and snap a few pictures. We played with some play-doh, had a bit of a dress up session, and even had the kids take a picture with their dad when he came home from work.

My cousin Jennifer is also a Lia Sophia jewelry consultant, in case anyone is interested! She has lots of special events and offers going on all the time, so feel free to contact her!!

http://www.liasophia.com/sites/jennifermccarte

Can't wait to see you again (which will of course be for my mother's party!!) :)

xoxo

~amy














































Thursday, January 14, 2010

A Musician's Gathering
January 14, 2010
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Chopin used to have gatherings held at his house. Invited were musicians, poets, writers, artists and all kinds of other artistic types of people. I decided to try just the musician part of this for the first gathering, and invited some of my dearest friends (and their friends) over for a night of music, food and drink.

Many smiles were had, great music was played and listened to, and hugs were endless. Thank you EVERYONE for coming out. You made me SO happy!!!

Can't wait til next time!

xoxo

~amy










































More photos from our little gathering can be seen on my facebook album:

GYMNASTICS
NIU vs LaCrosse
January 10,2010
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I went to DeKalb on Sunday to shoot the gymnastics meet for fun with my friend Percy. He was INCREDIBLY kind to allow me to fiddle around with some really stellar lenses - MANY thanks to you my friend!! Let's do this again soon!!

WONDERFUL job to all the girls who competed. Made me REALLY miss the sport!!!

xoxo

~amy























































There are LOTS more pictures from the meet!! Visit my facebook page's photo album to see them!