Luke's First Visit to SoCal Part 1

July 3, 2012

Well I'm going out west where I belong
Where the days are short and the nights are long
And I'll walk a little walk I'll twist a little twist
I'll shimmy a little shimmy I'll fly a little fly
Yea we're out there having fun in the warm California sun
                                 The Ramones



Jen, Brian and Luke arrived late today,  Unfortunately their luggage did not.  At least the car seat and the stroller made it.  We got home and since it was so late for our central time visitors we crashed.

July 4, 2012

 

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea

We woke up and had breakfast.  Jen wanted Brian to see Webb Park.  RB has a little celebration for the 4th there.  We walked around with Luke in his stroller.  Not too much to see.

 

 

We had a bar-b-que with hot dogs and burgers. Tradition, even if it is just Bridget and I.

                                                            Dessert



You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the fourth of July
Katy Perry

The fireworks are held at the high school and we know a park to sit at and watch them without getting involved in all the people and traffic.  Luke had a great time watching them.  Of course he looked fantastic in his USC track suit.


July 5, 2012

ZOO! 

San Diego has the best zoo ever.  Why else do they call it the World Famous San Diego Zoo.  We used to go there alot with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor before we moved back to San Diego.  Once back in San Diego we would all go.  Our kids loved it. It was exciting to take the next generation to this great place.

Tonight we ordered mexican food at our local taco shop.  Every time all three kids visit we always go there.

Check out Jen's blog.
http://jenandbrianingram.blogspot.com/2012/08/trip-to-san-diego-part-1.html

Keane

Friday June 29, 2012

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of
Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?



This was the concert we both wanted to see and when we found out they were going on tour to support their new album we jumped at the chance to see them in LA.  Jen first got us hooked on them and she has seen them in Salt Lake City and LA.  We of course were jealous.   We went up early and went to The Grove.  A shopping and entertainment center in LA.  It is located next to the Farmer's Market in the Fairfax section of LA.  We ate lunch right away because we knew we needed to eat early for the concert. We ate at the Marmelade Restaurant which technically is in the Farmer's Market right across the street from The Grove.    http://www.marmaladecafe.com/home/  

After lunch we did some shopping.  They had a huge American Girl Place.  Everything girls love. Featuring American Girl historical dolls, books, clothing accessories and furniture and a Cafe to take your dolls to lunch.  Jen and Court both had the American Girl dolls. It was crazy to see how  much stuff they have for the dolls now. 
http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/static/home.jsp

http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_la.php#dining

When leaving The Grove we were in the left hand turn lane when the traffic light turned yellow.  I stopped but the car coming out of a strip mall did not.  We were in the Passat and he had a Jetta.  Bridget was not sure what happened but I knew right away he hit me.  I hopped out and could not find any mark on our bumper.  The other driver told me in a German accent that these bumpers are made to withstand an impact like that and not cause any damage.  LA still thinks you go on yellow and sometimes on red.

We were spending the night so we went to our hotel in WeHo.  West Hollywood for those not from LA.  We stayed at the Ramada Plaza Hotel Suites. We had looked at our choice of restaurans for dinner and decided on Kitchen 24 right next to the hotel.

http://www.kitchen24.info/

We finished our dinner and then headed  to downtown LA.  It was less than 10 miles away and Bridget asked why we were leaving at 6pm for a 8pm concert.  It was Friday night and we were in LA, enough said. 

We got downtown and found a perfect place to park right by the theatre.  The concert was at The Orpheum Theatre.  A gorgous place.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktnAH1dl8g&featureplayer_detailpage

 http://www.laorpheum.com/

 Our seats were in Row K (10 th row, no I) .  Excellent seats.

 Kiev was the opening act.  Indie rock band fron the OC.  Not bad but everyone was waiting for Keane.   http://www.kievband.com/

SETLIST
1.You Are Young
2.Bend and Break
3.Day Will Come
4.Nothing in My Way 
5.Strangeland
6.On the Road
7.We Might as Well Be Strangers 
8.Perfect Symmetry
9.Silenced by the Night 
10.A Bad Dream
11.Disconnected 
12.This Is the Last Time
13.The Starting Line
14.Everybody's Changing 
15.Somewhere Only We Know 
16.Is It Any Wonder? 
17.Bedshaped
18.Sovereign Light Café
Encore:
19.Sea Fog 
20.Leaving So Soon? 
21.Crystal Ball 
Encore 2:
22.My Shadow

This is the last time
That I will say these words
I remember the first time
The first of many lies
Sweep it into the corner
Or hide it under the bed
Say these things they go away
But they never do
Something I wasn't sure of
But I was in the middle of
Something I forget now
But I've seen too little of

The last time
You fall on me for anything you like
Your one last line
You fall on me for anything you like
And years make everything alright
You fall on me for anything you like
And I no I don't mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qm0vbZnnoGQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLEDEF65B8874398C0&v=nCgzt3Q5vfA&feature=player_detailpage

I dreamed I was watching
The young lovers dance
I reached out to touch your hair
But I was watching from a distance

We cling to love like a skidding car
Clings to a corner
I tried to hold onto what we are
The more I squeeze, the quicker we're over

You take the pieces of the dreams that you have
Cos you don't like the way they seem to be going
You cut them up and spread them out on the floor
You're full of hope as you begin rearranging
Put it all back together
But any way you look at this
Looks like
The lovers are losing

In a city like mine, there's no point in fighting
I close my eyes, see you and me driving
If I am a river, you are the ocean
Got the radio on, got the wheels in motion


We were silenced by the night
But you and I, we're gonna rise again
Divided from the light
I wanna love the way we used to then

I don't know your face no more
Or feel your touch that I adore
I don't know your face no more
It's just a place I'm looking for
We might as well be strangers in another town
We might as well be living in a different world
We might as well
We might as well
We might as well

Downstairs a bar and sitting area.


I don't know your thoughts these days
We're strangers in an empty space
I don't understand your heart
It's easier to be apart

We might as well be strangers in another town
We might as well be living in a another time
We might as well
We might as well
We might as well be strangers
Be strangers
For all I know of you now
For all I know of you now
For all I know of you now
For all I know

I don't know where I am
And I don't really care
I look myself in the eye
There's no-one there
I fall upon the earth
I call upon the air
But all I get is the same old vacant stare

Oh, crystal ball, crystal ball
Save us all, tell me life is beautiful
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Oh, crystal ball, hear my song
I'm fading out, everything I know is wrong
So put me where I belong

When you, when you forget your name
When old faces all look the same
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up

If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake

Bitter and hardened heart
Aching waiting for life to start
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up

If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktnAH1dl8g&feature=player_detailpage


Many's the time I ran with you down
The rainy roads of our old town
Many the lives we lived in each day
And buried altogether
Don't laugh at me
Don't look away

You'll follow me back
With the sun in your eyes
And on your own
Bedshaped
And legs of stone
You'll knock on my door
And up we'll go
In white light
I don't think so
But what do I know?
What do I know?
I know!

Morrissey

May 22, 2012 Tuesday

Nobody knows what human life is.
Why we come, why we go.
So why then do I know
I will see you,
I will see you in far off places?
The heart knows why I grieve
And yes one day I will close my eyes forever
But I will see you
I will see you in far off places.
                            Morrissey

Bridget sent me an email and said Morrissey was coming to San Diego.  I didn't know.  I was undecided  about buying tickets.  You see we saw him in concert on June 3, 2007.  We didn't have tickets but it was at the Embarcadero. They put up a stage by the bay and put chain link fences around and set up folding chairs.  We went down after dinner and watched from the outside and listened.  It was not a very good show.
Here is what the local paper said.  Morrissey Viejas Concerts at Bayside/Embarcadero Marina Park South June 3, 2007 The cheers turned to jeers for English singer Morrissey, pop music's fabled "Pope of Mope," when he cut his set short last night and refused to return for an encore.  He complained repeatedly about the concert's audio quality. "That was horrible, but thank you anyway," he said after his fourth number.
 
That night on the way home it was like I don't know if I want to pay to see that.  He has been back to San Diego many times since and I have always said no, but this time I just had to go.  The last concert was Bridget's choice so this was mine.
 
I ordered the tickets and was a little confused about the seats.  It said Section GA but the seating chart had A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.  It was floor level.  It was right up to the day before the concert that I figured out it was General Admission AKA Standing Room. 
 
It was at the Valley View Casino Center (SD Sports Arena).  We had dinner at Noodles and Company.  Jen first took us there in Utah.  They have one about 15 miles from the house and last month when we went to Kelly Clarkson we noticed the new restaurant.
 
 http://www.noodles.com/
 
As I live and breathe
You have killed me
You have killed me
Yes I walk around somehow
But you have killed me
You have killed me
And there is no point saying this again
there is no point saying this again
But I forgive you, I forgive you
Always I do forgive you
                     M

Kristeen Young was his opening act.  We knew we didn't want to stand all concert so we went up to the cheap seats and sat and watched her show.  About half way throught I went down to get a closer look.  She was an interesting artist.  She played the keyboards and sometimes just set the music there and walked around the stage singing.  After her show Bridget came down.

http://kristeenyoung.com/

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

Set List:

How Soon Is Now? / You Have Killed Me / Alma Matters / You're The One For Me, Fatty / Shoplifters Of The World Unite / I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris / When Last I Spoke To Carol / Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me / Everyday Is Like Sunday / To Give (The Reason I Live) / Ouija Board, Ouija Board / Meat Is Murder / Let Me Kiss You / People Are The Same Everywhere / I Will See You In Far Off Places / Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want / Scandinavia / I Know It's Over / Speedway // Still Ill

Morrissey took the stage.  It was his 53rd birthday.  "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to..."  so it begins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENb1o33ssus&feature=related


I am the son
and the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular
You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am Human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does
                        M

He talked about San Diego being his first solo appearance in the USA (5/30/1991).  He engaged the audience and got a ton of cards etc... Spontaneous Happy Birthday songs from the crowd were throughout the night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M0a_oXmdKk&feature=relmfu

You're The One For Me, Fatty!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFOY7vsq0h0

Good balance between The Smiths and the solo career.  Since he is a vegan during Meat Is Murder, he showed a video of cruelty to animals at slaughterhouses.  Also no meat products were suppose to be sold during the concert. Also a few band member wore a Sea World Sucks PETA T-shirts.  One band member dressed in drag too.  If you see her, the reason she isn't pretty is because she is a he.

Wardrobe change as he throws a shirt into the crowd

From our camera.
There are a lot of videos on you tube if you search Morrissey San Diego 2012.

From my iphone.

I remember being in London in 1987 and buying Stangeways, Here We Come, the final studio album of The Smiths.  The band had split up when I bought it at Tower Records.  I guess things are always changing.  The kids grew up hearing The Smiths in cassette players then CD player.  Always a good choice to listen too.

Learn to love me
Assemble the ways
Now, today, tomorrow and always
My only weakness is a listed crime
My only weakness is ... well, never mind, never mind

Oh, shoplifters of the world
Unite and take over
Shoplifters of the world
Hand it over
Hand it over
Hand it over
Not what you are thinking.  Morrissey explained the meaning of the song as follows: "It's more or less spiritual shoplifting, cultural shoplifting, taking things and using them to your own advantage."

Favorite lyrics from songs he didn't sing:

Ask
So, if there's something you'd like to try
If there's something you'd like to try
Ask me I wont say no, how could I?
Spending warm Summer days indoors
Writing frightening verse
To a buck toothed girl in Luxembourg
Ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me

There is a Light that Never Goes Out
Take me out tonight
Oh take me anywhere, I don't care
I don't care, I don't care
Driving in your car
I never never want to go home
Because I haven't got one
No, I haven't got one

And if a double-decker bus
Crashes in to us
To die by your side
Is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck
Kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well the pleasure, the privilege is mine
There is a light that never goes out

A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours
They said :
"There's too much caffeine
In your bloodstream
And a lack of real spice
In your life"
I said :
"Leave me alone



It was a great show and I was so glad we went.  Especially now.

Morrissey has been a malcontent for as long as anyone can remember. The former Smiths singer is famously cantankerous (and litigious), but despite all his grousing, we’d never guess that he’d actually give up performing.
According to an interview that Moz gave to something called LAMC Productions, though, he plans to call it quits come 2014. The 53-year-old singer told the site he was ready to kick back after what he called “aging a lot recently.”
“I am slightly shocked to have gone as far as I have,” he said. “This is my 30th year, and I’ve aged a lot recently, which is bit distressing for me, as it must be for everyone. The body changes shape and there’s nothing you can do about it.  Morrissey indicated he was unsure whether or not he could endure as an aging pop vocalist. "Do I continue as a modern day Andy Williams? I take one hour at a time," he said. "We will all probably be blown up by the Syrian government soon, anyway, so it hardly matters in the great scheme of things."

http://www.blackbookmag.com/music/morrissey-claims-he-ll-retire-but-so-have-these-stars-1.49409

Texas in April

April 18, 2012  Thursday

Cute. Cute. As a button.
Don't you wanna make him. Stay up late.
And we're having fun. With no money.
Little smile. On his face.
Don't cha' love. The little baby.
Don't you want to make him. Stay up late.
                                       Talking Heads

We are off to Texas.  Our flight is later than we normally take.  It gets us into Love Field in Dallas at 3pm.  First time we have not rented a car.  Jen and Luke picked us up.  Luke was sleeping and there is no truth to the rumer that I woke him up when Jen stopped.  We got caught in a little traffic on the way to Jen and Brian's house.

The high chair that Jen and Brian ordered came today.  Brian put it together and Luke got to sit in it. 

Luke didn't much care for the food but seemed happy sitting in the high chair.  Jen fixed her famous pot roast and then we went on a walk and had Blue Bell Ice Cream for dessert.


April 19, 2012 Friday

We were up and were just chillin' at the house.  Did a little shopping and ate lunch.

We got our food at Whataburger.  Not too bad.  Started around the same time as In-N-Out.  We got to babysit.  Jen and Brian went to the Texas Roadhouse Grille.

Yes he is wearing his Team Grandpa onesie.

April 20, 2012 Saturday

We woke up and did some errands, shopping ate luuch and then went to Court and David's house for some burgers.  Courtney and David are great hosts.  They are also fixing breakfast tomorrow.

April 21, 2012 Sunday

We woke up and went to David and Courtney's house.  David was in charge of breakfast.  Each person could order their own breakfast. 

Bridget had an omelet and I ordered the breakfast tacos.  I was too busy to take a
picture.

Hello Bruiser.  What a good doggie.

That's what I had!

We then went back to Jen and Bria's place.  Jen and Brian fixed Broken Tacos for dinner.  We would not see Courtney and David after tonight so it was sad.  Looking forward to the next time. 


 Bath time.  Towel Grandma got him.

April 21, 2012

Our last full day in Texas.We got up and played with Luke.  Took a walk later in the day.

Love this picture!

Everyone knows I am a Trojan for life.  The fact is all my family are Trojans for life.  We are not an exclusive club but inclusive.  If you have Trojan blood, you are a Trojan for life.  FIGHT ON!

April 24, 2012 Tuesday

Time to go back to San Diego.  We are leaving early so we can do laundry etc...

Luke fell asleep on the way to the airport.  Jen said he woke up later looking for us.  It's great to be a Grandparent.

Jen'sversion:

http://jenandbrianingram.blogspot.com/2012/05/april-part-2.html