Sooooo last month I got to go to a concert that I have been excited about all summer.
That’s right ladies…I got to see the one and only…
*Neil Diamond*
WAAAHOOOOOO!!!
No I’m not kidding.
Yes I really went.
Yes I really wanted to.
And no, this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen him in concert.
There are three things I want to say about this and then I have 2 questions to ask:
#1. The point of this post: Most people who thrift have some sort of Holy Grail they are searching for—that one item that they would just die to have. I’ve never been like that. Ever. I just love to rummage and be pleasantly surprised by some vintage item that I never knew existed but now must take home. And I’m still like that mostly…but now I have a quest…The Diamond Girl T-shirt.
When I saw Neil years ago they were selling black T-shirts that said “Diamond Girl” written in rhinestones at the concert. But I didn’t buy one because they cost $30 and I was a poor college student.
I’ve regretted it ever since…come on…a bejeweled Neil Diamond concert T-shirt…I should have begged for money!
This time I was determined to score me one of those shirts…NO MATTER WHAT.
We even arrived at the concert more than an hour early, visited every vendor but sadly they don’t make that shirt anymore.
AGGGHHHH!!!!
Now I have a quest…a mission…to find me one of those shirts…and one day I’ll be able to post a photo of me wearing that delightfully tacky t-shirt! And that will be awesome! (The skirt, not the photo of me wearing it.)
#2. A side note: I really do love Neil Diamond. He was one of the staples at our house growing up….I was raised listening to him. I think I know all the lyrics to all his songs…and his Christmas album??? Forget about it! It wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
Am I ashamed about my love for Neil? No way. In fact, you want to know who else I love? Let’s see…how about Jon Denver…total love (listened to him today in fact), oh and then there is Kenny Rogers. Don’t even get me started…which makes me think…how cool would a 1980’s Kenny concert t-shirt be? Especially one with his feathered hair and full beard! Man that would be like the best shirt ever!!!! Now my quest is a two part mission.
(My wacky music list goes on…but now I’m too distracted thinking about my mythical Kenny Rogers T-shirt.)
#3. Something I noticed: Did you know Neil Diamond is 71 years old? He has been on tour since before I was born. And he is still the man. You can tell that guy LOVES what he does. I mean he really is into his music. When he played and sang he didn’t seem like he was 71. I think when you do what you love you stay young.
****
Now for the questions:
#1. Do you have a thrifted holy grail that you are searching for?
(If so, what is it?)
#2. Do you have any guilty pleasure musicians that you listen to?
(I know you do…MC Hammer?… The Pointer Sisters?…Rod Stewart?…come on…do tell…we’re all friends here!)
PS: Did you notice that polyester shirt I was wearing at the concert flapping in the breeze? Thrifted. $2. It’s no Diamond girl shirt but I wear it…
PS Again: Thank you Jake and Stacy for taking us to the concert. We had so much fun. The only way I can describe the kind of time we had is as “SO GOOD SO GOOD SO GOOD”. (And yes I know that you two are the only ones who will get that so I’ll end this post by saying BAHM BAHM BAHM.)
***One last thing the governor was there at the concert and he declared July 28th Neil Diamond day in Utah. You better believe that I’ll be celebrating that next year.
-liZ
Char from Crap I’ve Made made her own Diamond Girl T-shirts using her Silhouette machine when she saw him in concert recently. I know it’s not an original but maybe you could try that.
I am a rummage thru and be pleasantly surprised type of gal.
Neil was a staple in our household. I remember dancing to him with my Dad on a Saturday night probably about 40 years ago. Best memories ever. Neil came to Australia last year and I am soooo kicking myself for not seeing him live. Possibly a missed opportunity because he may not come back again. Well done you for enjoying the moment. If the T-shirt eventuates, so be it but heck, the experience is all that really matters. Love the post.
Hahaha, that’s awesome!! I love Neil Diamond, too! Same reason – I was raised on his music.
I don’t have a holy grail of thrifting, but once at a thrift store I found a T-shirt with a caricature of Mike Dukakis on the front and it said “The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Brookmont (or something like that) High” and then “Mike Dukakis for President” on the back. I stupidly loaned that T-shirt to my SIL when she had an 80s party to attend and I never got it back. Grumble, grumble.
I am an unashamed ND fan, I hope you find your t-shirt and wear it with pride! My parents bought a John Denver & The Muppets Christmas album when I was a child in the 70s. Us kids, and grandchildren, are scattered across the globe and we’ve moved from vinyl to CD but every one of us plays that album daily from Dec 1st each year. It’s become quite a good litmus test for potential partners – love me, love Jd & The Muppets!
Funny post! I can’t stand Neil Diamond; mom played him incessantly when we were little, and we whined so much that she stopped when we got older – unless we were misbehaving in the car – then it was, “Hellooooo again…” until we stopped.
I don’t have any particular item I’m searching for when I go to yard sales or thrift shops either. Usually just whatever catches my eye is what I buy.
As far as my guilty pleasure music, there are a couple: Queen (because my older brother used to listen to it when I was a kid) and The Statler Brothers Christmas (because my mom literally wore out three cassette tapes of this from overuse when I was a kid).
Now, I was curious what the Diamond Girl shirt looked like, and when I did a search, I came across this post. If you can’t find one to buy, maybe you can make your own!
http://www.lesscakemorefrosting.com/2012/07/diamonds-are-a-girls-best-friend.html
You should check out this post http://www.crapivemade.com/2012/07/neil-diamond-shirts-for-everyone.html
If I had only known!
I made 8 shirts (my 4 cousins were there as well) and I’ve got 2 more I need to make and mail. I could add you to the list…just say the word.
SWEEEEET CAROLINE! I was TOTALLY THERE at the concert! Had to leave early and it about broke my heart! Give me a Barry Manilow concert, and I’m in heaven! No holy grail I’m searching for, but nothing beats a “Hot August Night” “Forever in Blue Jeans.” 🙂
What a fun post to see! We are big Neil Diamond fans here too! Really wanted to see him here in Boston in June, but couldn’t figure out child care. My son has already written 2 fan letters to Neil and he’s only 5. We play his songs all the time!! I hope you find that shirt – have you checked ebay?? good luck! 🙂
OOOHHH What fun!! My holy grail is to attend one of his concerts….need to do that SOON! So glad you had a great time…will watch for the shirt for you!
Also a ND fan, and Kenny Rogers – he just keeps getting better looking as he gets older and that just isn’t fair!!! And I’m a rock ‘n roll girl, so my husband does tease me about these oldies but goodies That I like but I don’t care.
Holy Grail of thrifting? I don’t think so, I just love the challenge of the hunt, and the ‘finds’ that just happen to be there when I am. Although, I would love to find some real silverware for my kitchen table. Not sure why, just would. And linens – always linens!!
I saw a tutorial on Crap Ive Made for a Diamond Girl T on the Silhouette machine Ibought one but can’t figure the darn thing out! I found some beautiful Wiss pinking shears at an estate sale for 3 dollars yesteday! However my gAs costs getting there offset my great deal.
Just Googled (I don’t know if that is a word or not) but I did and I put in the search Neil Diamondgirl T Shirt. I found quite a few sites that sell them for $25.00, including the Neil Diamond Music Store Website. It was a long sleeved black t shirt from the ’05 tour that says diamond girl on it. I think it looks pretty cool, although if you could make one for cheaper than that, it would be awesome. Love Neil Diamond. I grew up listening to his music. Pretty jealous that you went to his concert. Good luck.
HA! This is hysterical!
My sister and I saw Neil this summer (I’m 35 she’s 29) and it was so much fun! We were about 30 years younger than the average attendee but he puts on a great show! Definitely a bucket list event! Ohh sweet Caroline…