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[caption id="attachment_11704" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11704" rel="attachment wp-att-11704"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11704" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210008-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> Is this a dream venue or what?![/caption]

A few weeks ago I announced a very special reunion.  If you missed it, you can read about it <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/10/24/playdate-42-m-m-are-back/" target="_blank"><strong>here.</strong></a>

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I am pleased to announce that M &amp; M have officially kicked off their World Tour.  First stop:  Tempe, Arizona.  Next stop: Somewhere else in the world.  Australia perhaps?

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A heartfelt thank you to Walt Richardson for his support and encouragement.  He is the Open Mic Night Host with the Most. AND . . . . He is arguably the grooviest dude in AZ.  Please check out <a href="http://walterrichardsonii.wix.com/walter-richardson-music" target="_blank"><strong>Walt's music.</strong></a>

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'Twas the night before Thanksgiving

And all through Tempe

Not a creature was stirring

Except those who sing.

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I'll stop now with my attempt at a poem and spare you the cornball humor that I inherited from my father.

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Here's the run-down on The Big Night:

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Fortuitous line-up!  M &amp; M secured the #11 spot!  You may (or may not) recall that 11 is my lucky number. <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/11/day-356-my-very-first-concussion-italian-style/" target="_blank"> <strong>In fact, my helmet (numbered 11 on the front!) saved my life in Italia.</strong></a>

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Believe it or not?  (Cue <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR-QjtpZQ0" target="_blank">Ripley's theme music</a> </strong>for dramatic effect.)

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11705" rel="attachment wp-att-11705"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11705" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210016-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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Speaking of groovy dudes, whoa.  These guys were unbelievable.  I'm wondering if the guy on the right is a Grammy winner, and he showed up only to escape turkey duties back at the house.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11700" rel="attachment wp-att-11700"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-11700" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210018-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>

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"Winter, spring, summer of fall

All you got to do is call

And I'll be there

Oh, yes I will

You've got a friend."

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(The Carole King version.  Naturally.)

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11701" rel="attachment wp-att-11701"><img class="alignnone  wp-image-11701" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/PB210021-768x1024.jpg" alt="" width="461" height="614" /></a>

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Yes, yes, yes.  We should have recorded this with an iPhone or similar techie gadget so that you could actually <em>hear</em> us, but we didn't.  Next time!  I promise.

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If you live in my fair city and would like to perform at THE best open mic night in town, then please check out the info at the Tempe Center for the Arts <a href="http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=725" target="_blank"><strong>website.  </strong></a>

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>Oh.  I almost forgot.  One last thing.  I wasn't always this brave.</strong></span>

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Let me let you in on a dirty little secret from my past.  I used to have stage fright.  Not your average and ordinary garden variety stage fright, but the debilitating kind.  Meaning that I would break out into a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out, and completely and utterly blow an audition or a performance.  Kind of a nuisance for a Musical Theatre major, wouldn't you say?

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<strong><span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;">I call that period of my life The Babs and Carly Years.  </span> </strong>

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I'm not exactly sure how Barbra Streisand and Carly Simon overcame their incapacitation, but I know how I emerged from mine.  It was through the gentle encouragement of my friend pictured above.

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She was there

Oh, yes she was

I've got a friend.

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<span style="color: #008000; font-size: medium;"><strong>Questions to ponder and answer in the comments section below.  Pick one or all!  </strong></span>

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1.  Care to express gratitude for a friend who has brightened up even your darkest night?

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2.  Have you experienced stage fright or similar terrifying fear?  Did you conquer it?  How?

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3.  Where should Melanie and I go next on our World Tour?  :-)

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