August Concerts

August 6, 2011

Where the turf meets the surf
down at old Del Mar
take a plane
take a train
take a car.
There is a smile on every face
and a winner in each race
where the turf meets the surf
at Del Mar.
             Bing

We went to the Del Mar Racetrack.  The first post is a 2pm and they usually have 10 races.  We weren't really feeling it today.  We tried every possible way to pick the winners, but...  Nothing to add to our retirement fund. 



But after the races there was a concert with Weezer.

hip hip
hip hip
hip hip
hip hip
When you’re on a holiday
You can’t find the words to say
All the things that come to you
And I wanna feel it too
On an island in the sun
We’ll be playing and having fun
And it makes me feel so fine
I can’t control my brain
                      Weezer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDLUmF7laSc&feature=player_detailpage
really starts about 45 seconds in.

Really like Weezer, especially Isalnd in the Sun & Hash Pipe.  Heard both so I went home happy.  Ate In-N-Out for dinner so all in all it was a great day.

August 12, 2011

Singing hey mama, don't want no drama
Just a kiss before I leave
Hey lady, don't say maybe
You're the one that I can believe
Hey lover, don't want no other
finger for my ring
Hey mama, hey hey mama
Hey mama, hey hey mama
Hey mama, hey hey mama
Hey mama, hey hey mama
                          Mat Kearney

Bridget got tickets to see Mat Kearney at a private listener concert for a local radio station.  This concert was held at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad.

I met Bridget there and we had great seats.  He was personable and talked to the crowd.  He kept breaking his guitar strings and was joking he was on steriods.  Pretty skinny for steriods.  Had a cold so was on some kind of medication.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmED7yd0XCk&feature=player_detailpage


Come on and we'll sing, like we were free
Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us
Come on and we'll try, one last time
I'm off the floor one more time to find you
And here we go there's nothing left to choose
And here we go there's nothing left to lose
                                  Mat Kearney

Two concerts in a week.  Now to rest up for our trip.

Comic Con Part Deux

Sunday July 21, 2011

We got up early and headed to Comic Con.  They were going to sell next year's passes to those that had badges for today.  Since we were earlier, we parked by Petco Park (San Diego Padres Ball Park) which is right by the convention center.  We started looking for the hotel banquet room that was set up to process the sales of next year's badges.  I knew the name of the room but was confused.  We were searching all over the Marriott and it was at the Hyatt.  Finally found the place and got in.  It was a good thing that the ticket person on Thursday gave us our badges for Sunday.  They turned you away if you didn't have your badge.  Standing in line to get your badge and then trying to get tickets would not have worked.  As it was we were in line for 2 hours to buy badges for next year.  They sold out the 4 day plus preview night badges before we got up there. 

Bridget thought she had a smart idea so she brought her Ringer stool gift from Thursday.  It opens as a three legged stool with a cloth seat.  It was held together by a plastic ring that allowed it to fold up and then open.  There were several other people who brought theirs too.  I didn't want to carry it so I stood.  About an hour into the line with no movement I felt something brush my leg and a little noise.  I turned around and Bridget was on her back.  I helped her up and told the startled crowd the show was over.  She was fidgeting in the stool and put additional stress on the plastic ring which broke. Now she had to stand and got a bruise in the the process.  

Finally made it there and I bought 2 -4 day badges, one for me and one for Chris.  Bridget bought 2 -4 day badges for her and Betsy.  Next year is going to be fun!!

We walked around in the main hall that has all the vendor booths.  It was really crowded.  On top of that they have set up panels that do autographs to those that waited in line for a wrist bracelet and then another line to get the autograph.  You can walk by and take pictures, but the security people yell keep moving the whole time.  The Glee one was crazy.  Bridget went over there but I stayed away.  Every now and then a different vendor passed out some free stuff,  Fox- sharpies,         - buttons.

We finally made it to Hall H.  It held 6,500 people and has screens set up in the room in case you are in the back.  The first panel we saw was The Cleveland Show.  The Cleveland Show is Seth MacFarlane’s third animation endeavor and is well on its way to a fourth season. We found out that  Kanye West and Will.i.am. are confirmed to be revisiting The Cleveland Show soon. Also,  Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Questlove and Fergie will all be showing up at some point in the future as the show is hoping to bring in more musical numbers. They also stated that there were plans for a few cover songs that the main cast will be set to perform just for added fun.   We also saw a short  preview of an upcoming episodic spoof on the blockbuster movie Die Hard, titled “Die Semi-Hard”.  It was funny and we were excited because we got a ticket.

Next up "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"  They screened an episode from the upcoming season (entitled "Frank's Pretty Woman"), so there wasn't much time for the panel to talk.  Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olsen and Danny DeVito all came out dressed in their respective characters' costumes from "The Nightman Cometh", the show's "musical" episode.  The panel was pretty much like the show freewheeling and crude humor.  When asked of their favorite moment from the show eveyone mentioned Danny crawling nude from a couch during "A Very Sunny Christmas" special with appropriate comments about anatomy.  Maybe they were unappropriate but they got a lot of laughs.

On to "The Sons of Anarchy".  We only knew the premise of the show since neither one of us had ever watched it before.  We knew the actors from other shows.  The panel began with a 4 minute clip from Season 4, which showed where everyone is after Season 3 ended. The men getting on their bikes and riding away from the correctional facility I guess tells you what they were doing.  There is going to be a new sheriff, racial conflict, Russians and Mexican crime organizations.  May have to check this one out on DVD.

The last event of the day in Hall H was "Buffy- The Musical.  They screened the Buffy episode where everyone breaks into a song.  The crowd seemed to like it, but we were exhausted.  We went to the Fullfilment room to get our free gift from the Cleveland show.  They gave us a button.  Never so disappointed.  But, I did get to exchange Bridget's broken stool for a new one.  Can't wait till she uses it again!

We were hungry so on the way home we stopped at Fillippi's and had some good old fashion comfort food.  Can't wait until next year.

Gavin DeGraw, Maroon 5 & Train

July 22, 2011

Bridget wanted to go to this concert at Cricket so she ordered the tickets.  She found a link on Train's facebook page and ordered them through Artist Arena.  They were great seats in the center section 9 rows back.  We stoppped at KFC and ate dinner at Cricket. 

If you ask me how I'm doing
I would say I'm doing just fine
I would lie and say that you're not on my mind
But I go out and I sit down at a table set for two
And finally I'm forced to face the truth,
No matter what I say I'm - not over you (not over you)
                                          Gavin DeGraw

Gavin DeGraw was first up.  Played some of his new stuff getting ready to come out and some old songs.  Pretty good, I liked I Don't Want to Be.  Good piano player too.

I am in misery
There ain't nobody who can comfort me
(Oh yeah)
Why won't you answer me
The silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
I'm gonna get you back
Gonna get you back
                         Maroon 5

Maroon 5 was up next.  Bridget saw them with Jen a few years ago.  She said they put on a great show so I kinda expecting what happened next.  Their show was very high energy and Adam was all over the place.  They dressed in all white and said that on this tour every Friday was going to be white outfits.

I been high
I been low
I been yes, and I been oh hell no
I been rock 'n roll and disco
Won't you save me San Francisco
                                     Train

Train was up next.  If I thought Adam was all over the place, Patrick Monahan did not stay still.  Bridget tried to take pictures and he would move before the camera clicked.

It was a great concert and I think Maroon 5 stole the show.

Comic Con 2011 Part1

July 21, 2011

Okay last year was our first time going to Comic Con.  Everytime the website said tickets would be on sale, the server blew up.  Happened several times.  Finally they kinda fixed the server and we were able to buy tickets for only 2 days.  Thursday and Sunday.  We bought the tickets in February.  Last time we bought them in December.  You have to get them right away of they sell out.  You can't buy them from scalpers because the badge is linked to your name and it needs to match your ID.

We got going pretty quickly on Thursday.  Last year we had a great parking spot, but it was a good walk to the convention center.  We tried to park closer but needed to get there earlier, so we were back to our old spot.

We walked to the convention center and then walked up the stairs to get our badges.  I went up first because Bridget didn't want to climb those stairs if that wasn't the way.  I motioned for her to come up and got in line.  The line started moving before she made it up the stairs.  I got my badge first and then went back to her.  "Thanks for waiting"  She got in line to get her badge and the person noticed we had tickets for Sunday also.  She gave Bridget badges for both days and then she gave me mine for Sunday.  That was great luck as you will hear the story on Sunday.

In we went.  There were a lot people in costumes and just a lot of people milling around.  You get a great big bag to put your purchases and freebies in.  We knew from last year if you really want to see something you try and get in the panel before.  Last year we were only able to get in the smaller rooms so this year we were better prepared.  We got in line for Ballroom 20.  Twilight was in Hall H (capacity 6500) and people were camping out days in advance to get in.  The line was starting to move, but it was deceiving just like Disneyland.  We were outside and Bridget had to go to the bathroom.  She went inside and asked a security guy if she could get back out there. No.  The line did go back inside so she got back in there.  We were in line a couple of hours before we got in.  The Ballroom holds about 4200  people.  Comic Con does not clear the room, so once in, its great.


We made it in for the Pysch panel.  USA network show staring James Roday and Dule Hill.  http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/
We had not ever saw the show but the panel 7 actors, the creator and 2 executive producers were funny.  And we saw a preview from the coming season.  They gave us tickets to take to the fulfillment room.  We didn't get that last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iWlFgoIrCo
Next up in Ballroom 20 was the panel from Ringer.  A new show staring Sarah Michelle Geller.  Bridget wanted to see that one.  It's a new triller about a woman who witnesses a murder and assumes the life of her identical twin.  There were 3 other cast members and the co-executive producers there.  Sarah was funny (answering a question not really direct at her and then worrying about the next questions) and they showed scenes from the upcoming season.
http://cwtv.com/shows/ringer

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/21/sarah-michelle-gellar-talks-ringer-comic-con/#more-51383

We got another ticket.  Whoo hoo.

I wanted to see the next panel even though I had not seen any episode from this show.  Game of Thrones, the HBO series.  The series is based on the books from George R R Martin and he was the moderator.  They showed scenes from the series and now it made sense why the one lady had a dragon sewed to her dress.  The fan base was very loud and supported the actors and the writer.  They almost seemed fanatical.  Jasom Momoa was there (the new Conan too) and he was quite in character.  Peter Dinklage was using dry humor and body language.  Emilia Clarke looked pretty, but her hair was brunette not the platinum blonde.  Got another ticket.  Yes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmQzGKIEV2I 


 We decided we should eat something finally.  We had been in line since about 10:15 and got out of there at 4:00pm.  Only had snacks and water.  We walked over to the Hilton and ate at the Fox Sports Grill. 

The exhibits closed at 7 pm so we walked over to the Marriott and entered the Fulfillment Room.  Turned in our ticket for Psych and got a free T-shirt.  Went over to the Ringer area and we got a stool (3 legged one).  The Game of Thrones was the best with a backpack, T-Shirt, paperback book by George RR Martin, Games of Thrones, a map and a mouse pad.

We walked back to the car.  Bridget was so tired I had to carry her bag too.  We need to rest up for tomorrow.

Neon Trees

July 13, 2011

I got close To your skin
While you were sleeping
I taste the
Salt on Your hands
I reached out
To touch you
The morning light disarms you
Won't you let me In?
Ohh
How long till your surrender?
Ohh
How long till your surrender?
It's a long way
For heart break
Let your heart wait and bleed
Ohh
How long till your surrender to me?
                             Neon Trees

Bridget got private listener concert tickets from a local radio station to see Neon Trees.  They were going to be at Airr Supper Club.  It's new place that just opened downtown.  We were early and they were just forming a line.  Being hungry we were unsure how we would be able to eat there during the concert so we went next door to Ciro's.

http://www.cirossd.com/

We grabbed some pizza by the slice and relaxed.

We got in line and went upstairs.  The restaurant has a white room and the lounge is red.


http://airr.us/

We got seats pretty close to the front, over by the cameraman (standing on the left side of one of the pitures below).  The band played for 30-45 minutes and then did a meet and greet in another room.  The sound was really good and it was good time.  We left after they played.

                                               From our seats.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7Hlg75Mlo&feature=player_detailpage

Here we go again
I kinda wanna be more than friends
So take it easy on me
I'm afraid
You're never satisfied
Here we go again
We're sick like animals
We play pretend
You're just
A cannibal
And I'm afraid
I won't get out alive
I won't sleep tonight
Oh oh
I want some more
Oh oh
What are you waiting for
Take a bite of
My heart tonight
                   Neon Trees

Private Listener Concert

6/29/11

Bridget got access to another private listener concert at Escondido Lexus.  See post published on 5/8/11 for information on the dealership and concert setup.

Warren Haynes a rock and blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter of Gov't Mule, a long time member of The Allman Brothers Band and a recurring member of The Dead.  He has a new album coming out, Man in Motion and was in town to play at the House of Blues on 6/30/11.  He did not play too long since he had a concert the next night.  A lot of people had T shirts from his previous concerts.

Great guitar player and interesting music.  You can listen to songs on the link below and get free downloads too.

http://www.warrenhaynes.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0mb1KW6198

Uno, dos, tres, Catorce!

June 18, 2011

It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
A beautiful day
Touch me, take me to that other place
Reach me, I know I'm not a hopeless case
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
Don’t need it now
It was a beautiful day
                       U2


'Thank you Orange County for your patience, some of you are two years older than you were when you bought your tickets for tonight's show..." said Bono.

Yeah I bought the tickets in November 2009 for June 7, 2010, then Bono hurt his back.  The concert was pushed back a year.  I had bought 4 tickets.  Jen had moved back to California so we originally thought Jen and Brian.  Then they set their wedding date (June 5, 2010) and would be on their honeymoon.  Court and David were coming for the wedding, so it looked like they would go.  Bono hurts his back.  Concert date was reset so it looked like Jen and Brian again.  They moved to Texas.  See Jen and Brian's blog for details on that.  http://jenandbrianingram.blogspot.com/  So my niece Christine and Betsy benefited from the postponement.

  We were going to meet Chris and Betsy for dinner before the concert.  Since it was at Angel Stadium in Orange County we had to drive what is usually about 75 minutes.  This day we had trouble getting out of San Diego County.  Traffic was horrible and it took over 2 hours.  We met at The Lazy Dog .  Chris and Betsy were waiting.  We all had parked at the Honda Center (sports arena) within walking distance to the restaurant and stadium. 
http://www.lazydogcafe.com/

After dinner we walked to the stadium and got in a huge line to get in.  We were there right on time, but the show started late.

Here is a picture Betsy took from our seats.

Lenny Kravitz was the opening act.  U2 had several different ones on the tour.  This is not someone I would have gone to, but he was good and I knew more songs than I thought.  He is not in my itunes, but he did rock it.

Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly
I'd fly above the trees
Over the seas in all degrees
To anywhere I please
Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah
              Lenny Kravitz

Setlist
1.Come On Get It
2.It Ain't Over Till It's Over
3.Always on the Run 
4.American Woman 
5.Fly Away
6.Let Love Rule
7.Are You Gonna Go My Way 
8.I wish that I could fly

I am thinking of using this look.

Then it was time for U2 - Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen.  They walked out to the music of David Bowie's Space Oddity.  The whole stadium came alive.  It was a fantastic show.  Hard to say what was the highlight.  Loved the Achtung Baby start.  I love the snippets of other songs like It's Only Rock and Roll, but I Like It at the end of Vertigo.  Also loved Amazing Grace snippet beforeWhere The Streets Have No Name.

Johnny take a walk
With your sister the moon
Let her pale light in
To fill up your room
You've been living underground
Eating from a can
You've been running away
From what you don't understand...
Love
She's slipping
You’re sliding down
She'll be there
When you
hit the ground
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
It's all right, it's all right, it's all right
She moves in mysterious ways
O-o-oh
                 U2


'Saturday night in Anaheim, hope you like our big ol' rock show,' says Bono. 'Now I know this is Angels territory and miracles abound, but there's a magic trick that we'd really like to try tonight. It's called 'Shrink This Stadium, Turn It Into A Club...'

Last song of the night.  'I want you to think about the beautiful symphonic sounds that came out of a saxophone...' says Bono, referencing Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. 'This man carried music and music carried him until this day...'  Moment of Surrender is dedicated to Clarence Clemons, who passed away today.  Snippet of Jungleland at the end.  A great tribute to the Big Man.  Clearly a great concert and would see them again.  Fabulous.  Absolutely fabulous.

Where does this concert rank in ones I've seen?  I'll need to judge that later, I've seen a lot of the big ones so I hate to rush to judgement.  I guess I'll end with "Even Better Than the Real Thing" 

Set List

Even Better Than The Real Thing
The Fly
Mysterious Ways
Until The End Of The World
One
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Will Follow
Get On Your Boots
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Beautiful Day
Elevation
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Miss Sarajevo
Zooropa
City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
I'll Go Crazy / Discotheque
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Scarlet
Walk On
Encore
Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
With Or Without You
Moment Of Surrender

Someone you tubed (Daniel Raymond) the entire concert on 6/18/11.  Check out the link below.  Not sure how long it will be active.  Good video.  You can watch the whole concert or just the songs you like.  If you watch the whole thing, look at the set list and start with Even Better Than the Real Thing and it will keep going.  Fantastic.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLE1D379E50252CEB9