Happy Memorial Day

We had a bunch of Amish on the beach this morning. That was unusual and funny. We’re trying to figure out how they got here. I didn’t see any horse and buggies running around. There were 6 of them on a multi-person bicycle trying to race me in my work truck. Hilarious. We’ve been enjoying the beautiful weather and I’ve been enjoying barbequed soy burgers and dogs. I’m a veteran – so you can give me a hug today. Still hoping and praying for peace in the world. This would be a good website to check out on a day like today VeteransForPeace.org. I have to work tonight, of course. So more later.

Bob Geldof Confirms Plans For Concert

LONDON (AP) – Live Aid founders Bob Geldof and Midge Ure confirmed Thursday they are planning a star-studded concert to fight poverty in Africa – but insisted it wouldn’t be Live Aid II. Rumors have swirled for weeks that a Live Aid sequel featuring megastars like Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney and a reunited Spice Girls will be held in Hyde Park in early July, days before leaders of the world’s richest nations meet for a G8 summit in Scotland. “There’s never going to be a Live Aid II,” Geldof said Thursday at the Ivor Novello songwriting awards ceremony in London, “but there’s something brewing.” Full Story.

Sarah McLachlan In Atlantic City

Ronee and I just got back from seeing Sarah McLachlan at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Wow, she sings so incredibly well. A sort of mellow – at times bordering on boring – show for the first part. But the music was always perfect. Things picked up as she started pulling songs from Fumbling Toward Ecstasy which is my favorite CD by her. A nice surprise was a cover of the Peter Gabriel song “Solsbury Hill” during the encore. Cool. Nice stage set-up and visuals in the background too. We had to pass through the smoke filled chamber of death known as the lobby to get in. But other than that it was great. Beforehand we went to The Quarter at The Tropicana and ate at a cool Irish pub / eatery called Ri Ra. The food was very good despite the fact that we had to wait about 40 minutes. I forgot it was Memorial Day weekend. Silly me. All in all a great date night. And the company was nice too.

Matt Skiba Says "Satanism Is Fun" !

VH1 – Matt Skiba, lead singer and guitarist for Chicago punk purists Alkaline Trio, feels that there are a lot of misconceptions out there regarding Satanism, and, as a longtime member of Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan, can tell you that it’s not all fire, brimstone and threats of eternal damnation. Really, the faith’s simply about theatrics, how to comport yourself when you’re out and about (for instance, one of the church’s Ten Commandment-like mandates forbids followers from bothering others in open territory, but “if someone bothers you, ask him to stop ó if he does not stop, destroy him”) and maintaining a cool, sinister image. And, doggonit, it’s “really fun,” Skiba explained. Full Story

Star Wars Episode III : Revenge Of The Sith

Ronee and I just got back from seeing Star Wars, “Revenge Of The Sith”. We both thought it was great. Definitely my favorite of the first three movies. Lots of great action sequences and no goofy cartoon characters. You should definitely check it out!

Back In The Saddle

It’s been a crazy few days. I’m not going to bore you with details. Just be happy the site is back up. Or don’t. I guess I’ve realized that I’m past the point of no return with this thing. It’s taken on a life of it’s own. So, with a few modifications here and there I’m back. On the agenda for this week? Jay, Ronee and I are going to take in the new Star Wars movie on Thursday. Ronee and I will venture north on Saturday to enjoy Sarah McLachlan in Atlantic City. Should be fun.

U2

Photo by Buddy Fulginiti at U2Tours.com.

I went to see U2 in Philadelphia at The Wachovia Center last night. In a word – INCREDIBLE. However, early on there was a problem. After Kings Of Leon played somebody came to sit in my seat. I discovered I was sitting in the wrong row. I turned behind me and somebody was sitting in my seat. We compared tickets, only to find that they were IDENTICAL. A few moments later two more people came who had the EXACT SAME seats as the guy who was in my seat and his date. Yikes. I went down to talk to one of the ushers. She told me we would have to go down to guest services and sort it all out. Mind you – U2 was getting ready to take the stage. While we were standing at the desk and they were checking our tickets on the computer the opening music started. I tried to remain friendly, calm and not freak out. The other people started to get upset with the customer service rep. But I was just patiently waiting. As divine providence (my faith-filled version of luck) would have it my ticket was kosher and I left the couples with conflicting tickets battle it out. The nice man at the desk (an angel, I’m sure) said he was switching my ticket to general admission so I could go down on the FLOOR!!! Another lady walked me over to gate personnel who gave me a wristband and off I went. I was in the middle of the floor in front of the stage! I went from being 4 rows from the ceiling BEHIND the stage to standing about 20 feet from Bono himself. I could not believe it. I did miss the entire first song – which unfortunately was “City Of Blinding Lights” which is my favorite from the new CD. But I could not complain. What could have been a really BAD situation remedied itself in the most amazing way. I took a bunch of pictures with my cell phone. I’ll see if I can figure out how to transfer them to my computer. They played an incredible set for nearly two hours. The sound and lighting was fantastic. Just a wonderful experience. I hope I can see them again. And if you can – definitely go. They are better than ever live. Just amazing!