I'm a connoisseur of leisurely things.
Theories, Predictions, Opinions, & Other Nonsense
I’d be fibbing if we said we had no laughs in the last year, but I sure miss the man. Rickles was the finest, funniest “stand-up” comedian I’ve had the honor to see. His career speaks for itself. His quick wit, his ability to maintain and entertain and audience, often all of the time at peak levels, is just astounding. A kind and loving man off-stage, the world is surely less funny without him in it. I miss him so much.
I was fortunate enough to get tickets for both Billy Joel shows at Shea Stadium, on 7/16 and 7/18. In his entire career and throughout my entire life, I had only seen him once before, in 2006 when he did those 12 shows. I came away extremely impressed after that 2006 show. The last two shows at Shea really made me appreciate what an outstanding musician and performer he really is.
Prior to July 16th, my last visit to Shea stadium was in July of 2000. Merengue night at Shea. Oh, what a lovely evening that was. Terrible parking, and the whole place looked like Tijuana on a Saturday night. As I tried to watch the game that night, a large, portly Spanish guy insisted on banging drums through most of the game. I decided that night that it would be one of my last trips to Shea for a while.
So, I decided to return. This time not for a ball game, but for two Billy Joel sold out shows. I played it a little smarter this time. Patty and I drove to Manhasset where we boarded a LIRR train for the direct trip to Shea.
On Wednesday night, our seats were really, really good. First row in the mezzanene, almost dead center. Joel started around 8:30, playing 2 dozen of his hits until about 11:30. That night, he was accompanied by a few special guests that were a real treat for me. Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Don Henley, and John Mellencamp. Aside from the $8 beers, it was a great concert. He played all of the hits; Angry Young Man, Entertainer, Captain Jack, Scenes, and Piano Man just to name a few.
On Friday night, our seats were still very good. This time, we had field-level boxes on the first base line. Aside from a few young kids (19 or so) that finally were escorted out of the stadium around the 5th song, this night was also really amazing. Tony Bennett came out again for “New York State of Mind”, and then the other guests tonight were as spectacular as Wednesday. Both Steven Tyler and Garth Brooks arrived to sing, and then the special treat at the end…Paul McCartney came on to sing “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Let It Be”. For me, that was probably one of the highlights of my life. To see one of the surviving members of The Beatles come back to the stadium in it’s last year to the place The Beatles played when they got to the United States was truly an amazing sight.
Eh, to top this concert, John, Elvis, and Buddy would have to rise from the dead and sing Yankee Doodle Dandy on my doorstep.
Thanks Billy for a wonderful two days at Shea. You really made 60,000 people happy for 2 nights. And, don’t worry–I won’t take shit from anybody. 😉
So, me and the girlfriend got tickets to see the Dave Matthews Band in Hershey Park, Pennsylvania. We went there in 2005 and loved it, so when we heard he was coming back there, we decided to get tickets. So, off we went–route 78 West to Harrisburg, and then after checking into the Marriott, off to Hershey Park Stadium for the concert.
This concert was fantastic. It was like 3 acts in one. Why, you ask? Well for one, we were lucky enough to have The Black Crowes open up for Dave Matthews. We love them, so having them open on the same ticket was like a bonus. The Black Crowes played from about 7:05 until 8, and then Dave and company came on around 8:30 and played until nearly 11:45pm.
In addition, Time Reynolds played the entire show with the band, and for me, that’s a huge treat and something I hadn’t experienced before. The “Dave and Tim” shows are some of the best accoustic rock/folk around.
All in all, it was one of the better shows we have seen. We’re not die-hards….we have jobs and responsibilities and funds that are not unlimited, so we’re lucky if we can see two to three shows a year, much less two to three shows per week like some people. This being said, aside from thinking my car was stolen since we couldn’t find it after the show – and neither of us had a drop of alcohol mind you – and taking over an hour to get out of the parking lot, the show was fantastic.
And to boot, www.dreamingtree.org lets you download the show from the people that recorded it, as DMB is one of the bands that encourage the recording of their live shows.
The world has lost one of its best comedians. George Carlin, the satirical and wonderfully entertaining individual is gone. Entertaining millions for five decades, George Carlin was my favorite comedian. His way of enlightening people and entertaining at the same time, was truly amazing. He made you think. He made you laugh. And he made you think again. From his rants on Corporate America to Religion, to the simple phrases and words we all used every day, George was entertaining from start to finish.
George Carlin was the king of one-liner thoughts that really made you think! Here, check out this list. Amazing stuff!!
I had seen Carlin 6 or 7 times in the last 10 years, the most recent in May of 2007. He looked noticeably more frail than the year before, and I knew his time was limited. I didn’t think he would have gone this quick, though. None the less, Heaven – if it exists – and Carlin would say it doesn’t, is now a funnier place.
For now, and hopefully not forever, bye George. You were not one of the greatest—you were the greatest. Enjoy the ride.
So by now you have heard that John Schneider’s 1969 Dodge Charger – one of the many “General Lee’s” out there – was up for sale on eBay. Bids were coming in at several million dollars, until one guy bid $10 million for it. There’s a funny thing about bidding. You can sort of just yell out whatever the hell it is you want, and then you win, assuming no one out bids you. That’s what this guy did, and now according to TMZ, he can’t pay.
First of all, even as a huge fan of the Dukes of Hazzard, a 1969 Dodge Charger – even with the 440 and signed by John Schneider isn’t even worth a million, in my opinion. This is what you do. Go on eBay, and spend $30,000 for a 1969 Dodge Charger in excellent condition. Then, repaint the fucker, spend another $10,000 for a great engine, and boom, you have yourself a General Lee for less than $50,000. Then, you can drive it to the annual Hazzard event in Georgia, and get it signed by the cast. Problem solved. Saved just under $10 million.
I don’t care if you like her or don’t like her, you’ve heard by now that she’s going to jail. I think this will be a good dose of reality for her. To see what the rest of society is like. To see what a jail cell might be like. To see just how far that holier-than-tho attitude of hers will get her. Damn, it’s going to be an interesting 45 days, isn’t it? Sadly, this is going to make her even more popular – isn’t that just the best irony? I’m sure some of you might want to write to her, so now is your chance! Send all correspondence to:
Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF)
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate name and Booking Number: Paris Hilton, 9424185
11705 S. Alameda St.
Lynwood, Ca. 90262
Note: This information provided by Sqwable, one of my favorite things to read lately.
Sorry for all of the video posts lately, but they have been necessary. I planned to take a little break from that, until I found this little rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps by Tom Petty and Prince, inducting George Harrison into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I’ve never been a big fan of Prince’s (or the Artist Formally Known as Prince for that matter) music, however, I also didn’t realize he could play guitar this well. Perhaps it’s time I rethink my opinions.
Ok, by now you have heard that he left his daughter some god-awful voicemail message. I ignored the news for a few days, until finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and I had to listen.
Well, what I heard was rather astounding. Granted, we don’t know the truth to both sides of the story. At this point, either his daughter is an evil little bitch, or boy did he over-react as a father. I’m not even sure what she could have possibly done to warrant the language he used to her, calling her names. To me, it sounds like he’s ultimately concerned about his public/private image, and no so much her well-being, and for that, he should be spanked.
Ah, the debate between Evolution and the Church, explained by Mr. Griffin.
And we all remember those visits in high school by the Army, don’t we? 😉