Going Bananas with 100 Monkeys in Anaheim

Our second 100 Monkeys show of the Monkey Mania Marathon weekend was at the House of Blues in Anaheim, located right in the heart of Downtown Disney. It was kind of odd being right next to Disneyland and not going into the park, so I bought myself a pair of Mickey Mouse earrings and that made me feel a whole lot better.

At the time we orignially bought our tickets, we were overcome with a weak moment of unexpected logic and declined to buy the VIP package that included watching the sound check and early admission into the venue. However, we did buy overpriced HoB merchandise and food to qualify for the “pass the line” line and get in ahead of the rest of the general admission ticket holders. It worked out fairly well and we ended up in the 3rd "row" of standing people from the stage.

Here we are! Twi-daughter Nicole, ZAnyMouse, Twi-daughter Megan, me (TwiloveSue), and Twifixx

It was a super tall stage (granted, I am short and everything looks tall from my perspective), making it pretty easy to see the show above everyone’s head. We were crowded so closely together, though, that I could only take a picture of whatever was directly in front of me as long as nobody was bumping me or holding their camera up into the air. I ended up with many very funny shots of well-focused hands holding cameras, heads cut off, and a whole lot of things I can't identify at all. Perhaps I shall make a coffee table book from them someday to finance my Monkey travels. People around us pushed like crazy when Jackson hopped off the stage a few times, but it was still a fun group. Well, except for the drunk dirty dancing wannabe lesbians… but I'm thinking that's a story best left untold.

Jackson Rathbone

Ben Graupner

Jared Anderson (aka Mohawtie)

The Monkeys maintained the same high energetic pace as from a few nights before and played many favorites, including “Orson Brawl” and “Ugly Girl” (love it when they get to the “funkified” part!). They also played “Keep Awake,” which we hadn’t heard in awhile and it was a huge hit with the audience. The improv song was named Hurricane and Jackson’s trademark song dancing did not disappoint (go search it on youtube!).

Towards the end of the show, I was so surprised when Ben G. threw a guitar pick into the crowd and it landed right into my hands without me even trying to catch it. I gave it to Nicole, who promptly gave it to Megan because she knew Megan would really like it. I thought that was so sweet and a great example of how much our little group has come to care for one another. And in a wonderful stroke of karma, Jared threw his guitar pick into the crowd to Nicole!

Jared, Uncle Larry, Ben Johnson

Yup, I do believe he is looking at me

At the autograph signing afterwards, I chatted with Jared and Jackson about what they were going to do after the tour was over (“what’s a vacation?”), Ben G. shook my hand and Ben J. gave me a high five when I said I would see him the next day. Uncle Larry hugged me and called me baby. Obviously that means he wants me to marry Jackson and go on tour with them to Europe.

Jackson is always so heartfelt with his emotions during the "Thank You" song

We wrapped up the late night with a BookClub slumber party at my house, but we were too tired to eat the snacks, drink the wine, or do much more than go to sleep. I know… I’m so ashamed.

I think this is my favorite picture of the evening

TwiloveSue XOXO

P.S. Our Rob picture of the day is this fabulous new Water for Elephants still. Don't you just love it?!