So push rewind, just in time, I wanna do it again.

Last week I was in Chicago attending the auto show as a guest of General Motors Corporation. It was an excellent adventure and all will be revealed as to the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How in a future post because currently at Chez Renner we are going through major kitchen renovations so my time is limited on my computer due to construction dust. Additionally, I am unable to locate the cable which we use to connect camera to computer in order to download pictures. When I post about it all, I want the pics to go with it. I know, I am such a stickler for protocol is hurts, but I think the result will be well worth the wait.

So, given our kitchen chaos, I am going to begin at the end and work my way back. But please stay tuned for the beginning of the story which might get written and posted towards the end of the week. But it could very well be at the beginning of the week after or even later than that. Confused? All I can say is, "Welcome to my world!"

Now, back to the end of the story...

The final night of my visit to Chicago included a private party at the House of Blues. Hands down, one of the best concert venues ever! Who performed for us?

Smash Mouth.

Chicago has smartly banned smoking in eating establishments,the air was totally clear and the drinks were flowing. GM was our designated driver and all was right with the world. Not that we got hammered, we didn't. I actually get fairly uptight about even having one drink if I know I will be driving. For me, knowing none of us had to be behind the wheel was just one less thing I needed to think about during the course of the evening. Mmmmmm, San Pellegrino Jack & Coke!

Kim (who also blogs here , here,and here) and I were hanging out in the specially reserved GM balcony, dancing around to the music and joking around about yelling out from the balcony, "Shrek Songs! Play the Shrek Songs!" instead of the standard "Freeeeee Birrrrrrrd." After determining we would not be trampled in a mosh pit, we decided to head downstairs and get closer to the stage. This is not to be confused with us "rushing the stage" because this wasn't a crowded event and a couple of 40-something women running full force across the dance floor heading right for the stage would have definitely gotten a look or two. And not in a good way.

Arriving at our destination, we hear, "Now all the ladies, up on the stage, come dance!" All it took was a knowing look exchanged with Kim, and a boost up by one of the security guys. He did an outstanding job of helping us,(it's PC to say we are VC), although I landed on the stage with all the grace of Bambi on ice. Not a surprise, believe me. Tuesday's child full of grace? Ha! Me being born on a Tuesday was someone's idea of a really bad joke.

Once we were up on the stage, the big fun began. Not only were we shaking our tail feathers, after all that is what one does at a Blues club, we were shaking em with the band!

Note: Kim with her guitar hero on the left, Devra the dancing fool on the right. Pictures courtesy of Kim's sobriety camera.

I believe I have found the perfect fantasy man in lead singer Steve Harwell. After all Smash Mouth has been a fixture in our house way before Shrek was even a twinkle in Dreamwork's eye. The Huz, Son One and Son Two are already big fans. Would The Huz even be bothered if I've got Steve H all to myself in my bed head? Hell no.

I can even prove it. I've been brazenly humming "Then the morning comes" all week and no one has said squat to me about it.

But...

If fantasy ever wins over reality, and I go on tour with Smash Mouth, at least I am confident I'll have one roadie and a couple of willing groupies with me and our family will have a delicious distraction from our kitchen renovation.

Cross-posted at DC Metro Moms Blog