I love my job.

Last night, this was my office.

Photo credit: Dale Reince

I've loved the Flaming Lips since I was about, oh, 13 years old. They had a song called "Bad Days" on the Batman Forever soundtrack (yes, really) and I found it to be totally different than any music I've ever heard before. Totally inspired, I choreographed a dance for my middle school's recital... sadly it did not make it past the auditions phase. However, the Flaming Lips' music and that audition helped me to realize a confidence in myself... and I would not be the person I am today without it!

Photo credit: CJ Foeckler

So anyway... last night... the show was incredible. You have probably heard about the Lips' colorful live shows, their constant use of confetti canons, smoke machines, ridiculous stage props, the whole bit. The energy was sky-high for the entire show and it never wavered. The set was musically sound, adventurous and exceeded any expectation a fan could have.

Photo credit: CJ Foeckler

Sh*t has been stressful at work lately, but this concert validated all of the time and effort. The whole time I watched the show, I just kept thinking... I love my job!

The Flaming Lips have a whole bunch of tour dates through July... find your city here and go see them for yourself.

Photo credit: Dale Reince

Huffington Post: The only four chords needed for every pop song

This video is hilarious, linking nearly every feel-good pop song to the same four chord progression. Check it out!

Winner winner, chicken dinner

Well - no chicken dinners won (I don't even eat chicken, LOL), but someone did score an awesome Celestial Seasonings Wellness Kit which will include all of the following:

· Four wellness teas to ease symptoms associated with the cold and flu including Sleepytime Extra, Echinacea Complete Care and Tummy Mint

· Two green teas to support a healthy immune system year round - Authentic Green Tea and Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea

· Mug, soothing lip balm, honey sticks and Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Bear and the book “Herbs for Health and Happiness” by Celestial Seasonings founder Mo Siegel and Nancy Burke

How sweet is that?

Drumroll please... and the winner is...

Using the random number generator, the winner is commenter #1...

Yvonne!

Congrats Yvonne, please send me your shipping address - email me at laura.r.mueller at gmail dot com.

A special thanks to Lauren at Celestial Seasonings for providing the Wellness Kit for this giveaway!

Celestial Seasonings Tea giveaway!

Happy April everyone!

Let's get right to it, the lovely Lauren at Celestial Seasonings reached out to me and thought you folks might enjoy an awesome giveaway!

When she offered to send me some teas to review on Backstage Pass... I couldn't have been more delighted. Zak and I have enjoyed Celestial Seasonings teas for years. We count on the Green Tea for a healthy shot of antioxidants and to keep us hydrated, and love the Decaf version for nighttime.

Well, it goes beyond Green Tea... Celestial Seasonings has an entire line of wellness teas that cover practically every ailment, from tummy aches to cold care. Check out the 'Tea for Health 101' chart which matches their teas to your symptoms.

I tried out the Detox A.M. tea and love its refreshing, creamy vanilla flavor.

One lucky reader will win a Celestial Seasonings Natural Wellness Kit, which will include:

· Four wellness teas to ease symptoms associated with the cold and flu including Sleepytime Extra, Echinacea Complete Care and Tummy Mint

· Two green teas to support a healthy immune system year round - Authentic Green Tea and Honey Lemon Ginseng Green Tea

· Mug, soothing lip balm, honey sticks and Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Bear and the book “Herbs for Health and Happiness” by Celestial Seasonings founder Mo Siegel and Nancy Burke

There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me which Wellness Tea you'd like to try

2. Post a link to this post on your own blog, announcing the giveaway

3. Tweet @lauramke20 and link to this post, announcing the giveaway

Don't be shy - and enter as many times as you'd like. I will randomly select the winner next Wednesday, April 14th. Good luck! :-)