(This shit’s long, so get ready!) 😉

 After countless failed attempts at getting tickets to last night’s opening night show for The 2020 Experience World Tour, at none other than Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, I finally pulled a Monica (“friends” reference); the good kind that is, and bought tickets yesterday afternoon, just in the knick of time. Just in enough time to get ready and head to the show!

I realized that the overpriced sucky side stage seats I ended up buying didn’t even compare to the sadness I’d feel by not being there. I had two choices; to sit home and dwell on the fact that I wasn’t there, knowing I would see him tweet Thank you’s to Brooklyn for a great night, and later see footage of all the amazing things he sang and did, and not have been a part of J.T. history, or put that graduation money I had been saving to good use. Obviously I chose the latter. 😉

And boy am I glad I did! I still can’t even fathom that I was there. I had seen him back in July at Yankee Stadium for the Legends Tour with Jay-z and I thought that was amazing, but this…this was something on another level all together. And it was what I like to call All Things Justin! (Sorry Jay Z you put on a good show, but Justin’s my man!) 😉

There were so many key moments where I thought to myself, I can’t believe this is even happening right now, Am I really here??? Did I really just buy these tickets today and I’m sitting here, rocking out to my favorite artist of all time. I mean it was surreal.

The set list was an amazing blend of all his greatest hits (sadly excluding any *NSYNC), but he also did a fair amount of songs from each of his albums. But the bulk of the material was from the most recent “2020 Experience” album, of course, and as it should be! I mean this is his new stuff and it is the 2020 tour! Duh? But Justin also knew he wouldn’t be able to get away with not singing some of that old greatness!

However, I have to say even though I feel as though I have this weird cosmic connection with the star himself, where I feel I’ve been a fan for so long that I have this way of knowing what he’s gonna say, or what he’s gonna do, or what he’s gonna sing, I have to say there were some definite surprises in last night’s show…beautiful beautiful surprises. He sang songs, I didn’t even think he would, and he also sang almost every song I was hoping he would! With the exception of my latest obsession “You Got It On” but there’s a whole year for that! MSG show I may just have to see about you too! 😉

In fact my girl Lauren,… (god bless her for dealing with my crazy insanity and frantic texts! ) was so surprised at the diversity of his set list and his music, she was like “It’s like he performed every song he ever made!” hahaha I am proud to say after last night she is a J.T. believer! Hollaaaa!

Right before Justin took the stage at around 9:45 (sucks to have to wait for a main act, but my god was it worth it!) with “Pusher lover Girl” there was a countdown, and I love a good countdown…it just gets the adrenaline flowin! And as he did he gave a big Brooklyn shout out! In fact keeping with the Brooklyn theme throughout the night he kept sayings things like “Did you come to have a good time tonight, Brooklyn!” “Are we having a block party?” and “You want some more, Brooklyn we’re not done yet!” Super cute!

Last Night’s Set list included… a 32ish song set (give it up for the man!)

And I’ve elaborated on the tracks to show you just how many key Justin moments there were throughout the night. That’s the thing about Justin he may not have had a big heart to heart with the audience like he’s done in the past where he makes little speeches in his concerts, but it was his first show, and I think he just wanted it to be a big party and let everyone have a good time. But even so, Justin is a people person and even when he’s cursing at the audience (you’ll see what I mean haha) he’s joking along and making you feel like he’s your hometown homie. Cracking jokes like “Hey I see you on facetime” waving to someone in the audience, and “Hey Jackie, Hey Jackie… I see you up in the back, you look beautiful tonight” lol. So… let me take you through this unbelievable set list…here we go!!!! (Wait STOP, if you weren’t there last night, and plan to be at one of his future shows….don’t spoil it for yourself…DON’T DO IT…

JUST DON’T! (LOL)

Ok I warned you…

Justin Timberlake The 2020 Experience World Tour

Barclays Set List

November 6, 2013

1.) Pusher Love Girl (Holy shit, its Justin Timberlake…everyone’s initial reaction, lol)

2.) Rock Your Body

3.) Don’t Hold the Wall

4.) Future Sex Love Sound

5.) Like I Love You (I gotta say he’s come a longgg way from dancing in front of a seven 11 in a beanie and a leather jacket!)

6.) My Love (brought it in acapella and slow jazzed it and soon belted out “now drop that shit right-” and turned it up having Brooklyn singing it out as he danced it out…he’s seriously still got it, boy can movvvveeee)

7.) TKO

8.) Strawberry Bubblegum (“can we mellow tonight Brooklyn…” Omg this song!)

9.) Summer Love (“So summer’s over for the both us, but…it doesn’t have to be over for us in this room!!!”)

10.) Lovestoned

11.) Until the End of Time (“If you brought someone you love with you tonight pull them close, guys grab a girl, girls grab a guy, girls grab a girl, guys grab a guy…” He had me wishing I was in love with this tender piano moment! …There’s always one in a J.T. concert!)

12.) Holy Grail

13.) Cry Me a River (always a crowd favorite and worked nicely with the tie into Holy Grail! And had the entire crowd bouncing with him, yea my inner thug comes out big time whenever “Cry Me a River” comes on! Haha)

—–Short Intermission—–

**Second Countdown “Amnesia” Soundtrack and lead into…

14.) Only When I Walk Away

15.) True Blood

16.) Drink You Away (He brought the Tennessee kids up for this one “Hey baby…that’s what we say in Memphis…Hey baby” …Oh great I guess I gotta go to Memphis, find me a nice southern boy, haha… “What day is today…hump day… yea that’s right I just quoted a Geico ad, Fuck you.” Oh Justin you are just killing us over here!)

17.) Tunnel Vision

18.) Senorita (had the fellas and the ladies singing their given parts and clapping along)

19.) Let the Groove Get In—- (MAJOR HIGHLIGHT; the stage lifted and traveled across the audience setting Justin across the room to another smaller stage where he performed his next few songs. He added a little “Oh eh oh eh, oh eh oh oh ah, to Spanish inspired “Let the Groove Get In,” as the crowd sang along happily to the Gloria Estefan “Rhythm is gonna get you” intro… I swear it was like I was in Rio! He had us two steppin and clappin’ in no time, going onto say “I told you I’d see you, in the back!” That was seriously a G move! Props J.T., Props!)

20.) That Girl

21.) Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover) (I was like aw shit!)

22.) Not a Bad Thing

23.) Human Nature (Michael Jackson cover) “Put two fingers up for Michael Jackson!” (peace sign lovin…this I swear melted my heart and I was like Holy shit!)

24.) What Goes Around…Comes Around (acoustic) (walked over to the bar to grab a tequila shot and in typical J.T. fashion asked if he could drink with us and toasted to  New York “the greatest city in the world!” holllaaaa also went on to poke fun at his hashtag skit as he said #wasted #doyouworktomorrow #ihopenot hahaha)

25.) Cabaret

26.) Take Back the Night (another crowd favorite and can I just say thank the lord that Barclays’ sound system got better! (it sucked when I saw Justin Bieber last year and sucked on the mtv vma’s as well!) But when the “and the horns say…” part came on I was like OMG this is my jam!)

—Here he headed back to the main stage to close the show out—

27.) Murder

28.) Poison (Bell Biv DeVoe cover) (ummm can I just say I freaked the F out! The cover song choices just escalated in greatness, And he’s still got them moves!)

29.) Suit & Tie (“Oh fuck it.. sing it Brooklyn,” as he puts the mic to the audience)

30.) SexyBack (“Do you want it, Brooklyn do you want it?” “Let me see what you’re twerkin’ with….2006!” “Let me see what you’re twerking wit… I still run this bitch” And probably a few other Miley Cyrus Jokes as well as a “Fuck wit me you know I got it” —Jay z snippet)

31.) Mirrors (He freakin’ through his towel at the end…like whattt???? Whoever caught that Omggg you better treasure that shit!)

32.) ***And there was even a bit of a Kool & the Gang’s “Jungle Boogie” dance session somewhere in all of that! Haha, and an Earth Wind and Fire’s “Shining Star” snippet thrown at the end of “Let the Groove Get in” if I’m not mistaken (could have been another song, but after over 2 hours of Justin (as the show didn’t close out until midnight!) you get kind of  Justin drunk and he had me feeling good!!! So yea, lol.)

He didn’t do his typical say goodnight and then come back for his big finale bit he usually does, but having the night end with a huge crowd sing and dance along clapping like their hearts depended on it, sent us off with an image that will forever be remembered, as he shouted “you sound so beautiful!” as the crowd sang along to his hit single “Mirrors”. I think J.T. made everyone a believer last night, and as he exited the stage “Thank you Brooklyn, I love you, Thank you so much!” blew a kiss to the crowd… I had yet another mind blowing Justin Timberlake experience to add to my concert resume. I think it’s safe to say he’s going to be around for a long long time, he’s a one man show…a renaissance man at that, and their isn’t anything he can’t do and be great at. He sang (and sounded unbelievable! Might I add) he danced (danced his ass off, and looked good doing it), and joked around with the Brooklyn crowd… all in all he did make it a block party! There is just something about the moment when he puts the mic to the audience, and you hear everyone sing back to him, it’s an unbelievable experience as a fan, and I am sure for him as well.

So over two hours later…I was a thoroughly satisfied fangirl haha, sorry I’m still J.T. drunk from last night, pardon me 😉

So in a nut shell it was just that… an experience…opening night of his first world tour in 7 years, in Brooklyn, and I can say I was part of amazing Justin Timberlake history… so on behalf of Brooklyn… we thank you, Justin! Hats off…

So I didn’t take two many pictures this time, because A.) my phone ran out of space! ughhh B.) I just wanted to worry about enjoying this one! But here are just a few I did take!

And now for just a few shots Justin Posted…

Well that’s all folks!

If you were there last night, tell me what you thought!

If you weren’t, get on it! He’s on tour until July!

#Nightnighty 😉

So I had this cool idea to make an inspiration board for my room, kind of like a Pinterest type thing, but more tangible. I’m not fully into the whole Pinterest thing yet. So I wanted to make my own so I can have it in my room all the time, something that I can see everyday and be reminded to be inspired! So here’s my board full of just a few quotes, lyrics, photos and people that I find inspiring.

AND HERE WE GO…….

Ok so these are lyrics from The Fray’s “You Found Me,” and I love them. They are my favorite band, and I love this song, it’s got this spiritual religious heir to it, and it’s just so beautiful. The Fray produces the kind of music that, if you are having a bad day or dealing with something, they can be instantly relatable. Their new single “Love Don’t Die” is out and their new album is due in mid January 2014!

LISTEN to “You Found Me” 

Quote about Music-

“Some people only like the kind of music they hear on the radio or at parties. What about classical? What about jazz? What about the sound of leaves blowing across the road? Music is everywhere. But hey, that’s me.”

I found this in a box of random stuff. I must have kept it because it resonated with me, and it still does.  I truly believe that music is everywhere, it’s all around us. It’s the rain that trickles down a windowpane outside your home, it’s the sound wine makes when it’s being poured from a wine bottle into a glass ( i can totally say that because I’m of age! 😉 ), it’s the sound of a child’s laugh. It’s all around us, everyday. And I love my music, no matter how it comes along!

I love this I just think we all go through those moments where we just feel like we want to crawl into a hole and be left alone, and not do anything. And this is just telling you to keep on going…

Demi Lovato…oh Demi, if you follow this blog, or if you know me personally, you know how I love my girl Demi! She is such an inspiration, with everything that she’s had to go through in her life, dealing with more in her young life, then most people older then her have had to go through. And she still managed to come out on top, and has done so with such grace. And let’s not forget how obsessed I am with how she dresses, I mean come on, look at her outfit, she looks like a total rockstar! and the blue hair OMG! I love it, every time she changes her hair, I’m just like ahhhhhhh love love love it! (still i don’t know how her hair hasn’t fallen out by now though, lol) But she’s so courageous and so amazing and she is on my board to resemble staying strong in the face of obstacles and to be courageous.

Gotta have my T-swift…. “Feeling 22”, I saw this caricature and just had to include it. I loveee that video and the song, and I’m actually 22 now, and all my friends are 22 or turning 22 and it’s just been like our anthem! It’s here to remind me to love life and enjoy my 20’s!     Watch the video HERE

Quote-

“Sometimes I wish I could stand out without really standing out. You know what I mean?”

Again, I found this randomly in some of my old things, and I loved it. I must have kept it for so long because it fit me. I think we can all agree with this quote, at times. Sometimes you want to be noticed for something you’ve done, you want to be noticed on your own merit, but at the same time you want to still remain humble, and an underdog. I’m not one to want to be made a fuss over, I don’t love the idea of attention falling on me.  But it is nice every once in a while to be recognized for a job well done, or just noticed for being a kind heart-ed person. Getting that validation, isn’t about the validation itself it’s just nice to know that what you do matters to people, and affects them in a positive way.

Lea Michele Quote-

“Believing in who I am and not changing myself got me to where I am now”

I love this quote. This just reminds me that in life a lot of people will try to tell you to be a certain way and act a certain way, and they will try and change you to fit a certain mold. And if you listen to those people, then it is really easy to lose yourself, and who you are, and what makes you, you. Lea has been such a beacon of grace and beauty, in light of losing her boyfriend and Glee co-star Cory Monteith, she has dealt with it in such a strong way. Which makes me think that no matter what the situation, no matter how tragic, there will be a time where the sun will shine again. It may not shine as bright, and it may take some time, but you can and will get there.  And although this quote was released long before Cory’s recent passing, I still hold her words up high, because I think she’s someone we all can really learn from.

Fortune Quote-

“Your greatest asset is your earning ability. Your greatest resource is your time”

I love fortune cookies, and I really believe in them! This one I got recently and I just really liked it. It rings true if you think about it. I am no stranger to feeling like I wish things would just come to me, without working for them. I think the lazy in us all goes through that from time to time. But when I think back on being in school all those years, I realize that I always worked to the best of my ability and I earned every grade….good or bad. Thankfully, for the most part my abilities were enough to mostly gain the good. But I think that what this fortune is trying to say is that you get what you put into it. And to use your time wisely and put all you can into everything you do, this way if it doesn’t go as planned, you know you can say you tried, that you did all you could. And right now this needs to be a part of my inspiration board, because being out of school for good, has left me feeling a little aimless.

More Music… The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars are made up of Joy Williams & John-Paul White. They are an amazingly harmonious duo. Their voices are just made to sing with each other’s. I fell in love with them, when they opened up for Adele, and their song Poison & Wine got stuck in my head, and wouldn’t let me rest until I knew more about them. I just recently found out that even through the current release of their latest self titled album…the duo have broken up. It pains my heart actually. Because the album is a work of art and needs to be toured! So here’s to a peaceful and sooner (rather than later) reunion for these two song birds. They are on my board because the mixture of talent and emotion within the blend of their voices can make any one feel inspired on cue! (actually listening to their new album as I write!)

This image is on my board, to encourage me to “Think Positive.” It is very easy for me to think negatively, and worry about irrational things. And so I chose this image, because I feel like it’s of this little shy kitten and it’s reflection is of this big bold majestic creature. And I think if I am daily seeing this image, maybe it can transfer over into my life. And show me that maybe the shy ones can morph into a force to be reckoned with, that no struggle is too big for me to overcome.

This is up there for one reason and one reason only…let’s face it girls are CRAZY and Beautiful. Every girl, no matter what your shape, your size, your skin color, your eye color, your hair color, your background, your ethnicity, your race, your imperfections, no matter what… beauty lies within. It’s a lot like life…life has it’s craziness, but within those crazy moments, lies beautiful ones.

Ok so these lyrics are from a Lady Antebellum song called “I Was Here.” And write now I just feel like this really resonates with my current situation and I can really relate to them. The song is about wanting to make a mark on the world, and prove that you were here, that you’re presence made a difference.

LISTEN to “I Was Here”

Here we have Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams in “The Notebook,” one of my favorite movies! I just love this photo, because it was the scene where they go to the movies when he is trying to “woo” her. And look at him just staring at her. I just can’t! I love the idea of love, I think it is the most amazing thing and worth fighting for, it’s what living life is all about. What can I say I’m a sucker for a romantic comedy, or just a romantic film in general. And love is depicted right there in this photo, and they were a couple in real life, so boom!

I love this, I am a catholic and I believe in the idea that God has a plan for each of us. I think when we rush things, we end up not getting out of it what we expect, so I think it’s important to know that you should go about life at your own pace and leave the major things up to God, because he will lead you through to your destiny in a timely fashion.

I love this quote, because as a writer you really are putting your heart on the line for others to read and I think sometimes that can be pretty scary. But at the same time, I feel if you feel the urge to write then what you’re writing must have meaning to you, and if it has meaning to you maybe if will have meaning to someone else too.

While we’re on a writer’s kick, I also included this quote too. This quote rings extremely true in my life. I feel like for the longest time I would hide my writing, because I didn’t want others reading it. But it’s gotten a lot better, I started this blog to share my writing on a greater scale, and I’ve been encouraged by several professors to continue writing, because they’ve read some of my scripts and poetry and it resonated with them. But I just think this quote is so true, because even if you write and you never let anyone read it, doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy. It just means you aren’t ready to share yet. I don’t think good writing can be judged upon the amount of attention it gets. Because as long as you believe in your writing that’s all that matters. If writing makes you happy, write! And when you’re ready to share, you’ll know it.

I really love this. See I’m the type of person who likes to see all her cards laid out before making her next move in the card game of life. But I’m waiting for myself to understand the idea of taking a leap even if it is by taking it one step at a time. Giving yourself a goal, each day or even each week, and accomplishing it, no matter how big or small, should be enough to make you proud of yourself. Self doubt and hate can be paralyzing and encouraging yourself to just focus on the now, the task at hand, the first step , may help to guide you through and know that you can do it, no matter what obstacles that staircase may entail.

This is the Rosie the Riveter poster…and this is just up there because I support feminism. I think woman are just as capable as men. And anyone who thinks otherwise is just ignorant. Now I have spoken about class and chivalry not being dead. And when it comes to feminism, I don’t think that supporting the movement, or being a feminist is excluding these ideas of class and chivalry. Those things are still relevant, and respected, I just think that a woman should be seen as independent and her own person, and not just some man’s wife. That doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t be courted!

Speaking of feminism… haha I loveeee this comic. I think it puts a humorous spin on a serious issue. I am SO SICK of cooking and cleaning and overall house work being deemed as a woman’s work. Yes, that is how it was back in the day, but wake up, we’re in the 21st century assholes! Women can work and be a mom and a wife! If they choose to. Pick up the bread yourself! Woman have come a long way, and they deserve to be treated as equals. Just think about your future daughter, would you want some guy telling her, her place? No, so remember that next time you ask a woman to make you a sandwich…

Erica Dasher in “Jane by Design”

So this is Erica Dasher depicted as Jane, from abc family’s Jane by Design. It sadly got cancelled after it’s first season, but it has stuck with me. The show is about a young high school girl who due to an office mix up is given her dream job (with a hefty paycheck) at a fashion empire. So as she needs the job to help pay bills, she lies about her age and forges documents to maintain the job. She tries to balance her double life as a regular high school student with life in the fashion fast lane. It just shows her being a kick-ass, independent, determined young woman going after what she wants, and not being afraid of it! The term “Work Bitch” comes to mind. 😉

My Girl Power Cluster

This is Kimberly McCullough, best known for her acting role as Dr. Robin Scorpio on soap opera, General Hospital. I love my soaps! She had left for about a year and a half, to further her directing (and writing) career. She is such a powerhouse, I love that she’s going for her dream to become a director! She actually had a short film entitled “Nice Guys Finish Last” in the Coney Island Film Festival and so I went to see it and got to meet her. It was brief but I did get a picture!

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Next up is Sophia Bush, best known for her acting role as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill. She’s directed several episodes of One Tree Hill as well. And is also known for being an activist. It is really inspiring to see someone so dedicated to helping others. During a One Tree Hill meet and greet, I got to meet her too!

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And last but not least we have Bethany Joy Lenz, probably my #1 inspiration. She is best known for her acting role as Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. She too directed an episode as well. She is also a fellow soap opera star, and a songwriter and singer. Her music is so spiritual and full of heart. She is also in talks to make the notebook into a musical! She has a blog entitled “Wish you were here” which inspired this blog of mine! I only wish she would update more! She also released the following online rotating novel “Diamond Gothic,” on hellogiggles.com. It was so mysterious and I was so hooked and now it’s on a hiatus so I hope she decides to finish it!

*So I’ve met 2/3 of these powerful women of writing and film! Next up Bethany…we need to meet!

That’s all for my inspiration board, hope you guys get encouraged to make your own!

-<3-