It's a new year!!!

WOW!!! IT's been a while since last getting on! Sorry about that. But all is well here! We've started off into the new year! I went to see my mother and grandmother. I flew up there this time instead of driving like I do normally. IT was only $200 to go round trip! I figured that I would have spent that much just driving up and back and getting meals. Plus It ment that I wouldn't have to get up super early to try to get to Missouri. I left here at 8am and drove to Houston. A three hour drive. Got there with plenty of time. I ate some pizza at the airport. Went and sat down and listened to Coldplay on my ipod and read an entertainment weekly until it was time to board. The flight was alright. Had to share my row with a little woman. There was supposed to be some man sitting next to me, but when he got on the plane and saw he had to sit next to me, he began complaining to the stewardess. So she switched some seats. I like flying on the three seat planes. The left side of the plane only has one seat. I like that. I get a window to look out of and no one bothers me. It was only a two hour flight. I got to KC by 3:30pm. And Mom was there! AND IT WAS COLD!!! The high was only 23 degrees. Just two hours ago it was in the 50's in Texas. I brought my "winter" coat with me. It helped.
It was good to see family. Spent some time with my grandmother. Spent lots of time with my mother and her cats. We also celebrated my father's birthday. I flew up just as his birthday would have been. It was fun to sit and think and miss him.
I also got to see some of my friends from home. Josh and I had lunch together one afternoon. And I also saw some of my co-workers from my last job. It was good to see them.
I had some Casey's Pizza. I never miss out on a trip up here for that. We all think it's the best pizza out there. Really cheesy and delicious!
It even snowed while I was there!! It stayed on the ground for a whole day before it began to disapear the next day with better temps.
I flew back home on Sunday. Once again, it was really nice to just get up and not have to really rush. Said bye to my Grandmother, and Mom and I had some waffle house for breakfast. I broke a shoe lace and had to go to walmart to get another. Then Mom dropped me off at the airport. It's kind of pointless now a days to stay and wait at the airport now. They cut you off as soon as you walk through the gate. I remember when we all could just sit there and wait for a plane to come in or leave. They didn't have all these gates and check points. It's sad.
So Mom and I said our bye for nows and I checked in. We took off a little before 12:30 and got to Houston ahead of time. I got to sit in that single seat. I like that seat much better.
Made it to Houston and then got in my truck that I had parked in a park and pay lot, and drove home. I did find a really nice Chinese Buffet in Humble. East Cafe!!! It's really good. And has a great selection.
So I made it home in three hours!!! What a way to travel. I really like doing that. It's a really relaxing way to travel. When I drive what ends up being over 13 hours, it's a very hard thing to do alone. So I think I may do this more often than drive on my own to Missouri. It was a neat experiment that really turned out to be good.
Enough of this. IT's late. But I do want to leave you with this video!!! It's really funny and it's from one of MY favorite bands, that I just happend to see LIVE in November! See YA!!!

PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR MIND BLOWN AWAY!!!

This was way way too strange to not show you! We endured this for like forty minutes and lived to tell. Mind was blown away. Wish it hadn't been but Sleepercar warned us Jon Hopkins would "blow your mind away."

But Seriously. Doesn't this sound like CSI music when they process a crime scene or go to the lab to do some DNA testing?

November 18, 2008 Coldplay in Houston

Tuesday Night, 7:30pm, The Toyota Center, Downtown Houston Texas...

COLDPLAY

I was very lucky to have a chance to see Coldplay in Houston tonight! Dawn and I were able to go and spend the evening with 8000 fans in the Toyota Center and witness one of the GREATEST concerts I've ever seen.

But in order to get to the great stuff we had to endure alittle of the not so great but okay, to the downright boring and pretty lame.

The alright was a group that first opened at 7:30pm called SleeperCar. Now I didn't mind them too much. It wasn't anything really great. We really got a kick out of their guitar/keyboard player. He was constantly looking to the side as he would play and look out to the crowd like he was something hot. It got really stupid. And Dawn didn't really like the lead singer. The band was solid. They sounded good but the singer wasn't anything to jump up and down for. At one point, he spoke about a song that he wrote for his cousin that died like two weeks after the two had a fight. He never got to say goodbye and more than that, he didn't ever get to say he was sorry. "Wow, this will be good," I thought. Then it was the dullest and unemotional song I'd heard. It actually sounded like a ripoff of a U2 song called Kite. But Kite was a way better song. That you didn't have to have Bono tell you what it was about or why. You know it.

This was Dawn's first concert. When Sleeper Car came on, it was really really loud. She ended up going to the restroom and getting some paper to put in her ears. Then she was fine. I went without and suffered for about three hours after the show. And alittle the next day.

Well they took up a half hour. Then at the end the lead singer tells us, Jon Hopkins is coming up and he's gonna, "BLOW YOUR MIND!" Alright, let's get our minds blown and it will hype us up for COLDPLAY! He comes out and proceeds to play on two Mac Books and a keyboard and synthisizer. And it turns into a 40 minute CSI background music number with Animated pictures shown on a screen that we can't see and we're only fourteen rows back from the stage. You know the music that they play on CSI where they are processing a crime scene or testing evidence in the uber labs. It was like that but just drawn out even longer. I like my atmosphere music faster than 120 beats per minute. This was dull. And it seemed like it never ended. I looked around the crowd. No one was into it. I didn't see anyone bouncing their head or anything. I said to Dawn, "NO ONE IS INTO THIS." This DJ guy was more into it, flaying his arms around and hitting his keyboard and constantly typing away on his laptops and stuff. It just wasn't that good to me. Or Dawn. Or at least 70% of the audience.

We were very very glad when it was over. It was about 8:45pm when he left the stage. Then we just had to wait about 20 minutes and in that time all the prep was going on. One of the craziest things we saw were these small guys had to climb up into the light set up above and out away from the stage and then climbed on the scafolding to these suspended chairs that turned out to be spotlights suspended about the crowd. WOW! I'd never seen anything like that. It was awesome.

Then they began pounding JAY-Z and the crew was dancing and flashing lights at eachother. Something was up. Then in a very very loud way, they began playing The Blue Danube (forgive my spelling) through the speakers. And these curtains began lowering on the stage. And it got louder and louder until the end with it thundering, the lights went out all at once!!!

And the crowd went NUTS!!!

Setlist:
Life In Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks

In My Place
Speed Of Sound
Cemeteries Of London
Chinese Sleep Chant
42
Fix You
Strawberry Swing
-The Group walks out to a little stage lit from below

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face (Electronic Mix)
Talk
-Chris talks to a little girl with awesome seats and sings alone

The Hardest Part
Postcards From Far Away
-Chris runs back to the stage

Viva La Vida
Lost!
The Scientist

-The Group Runs out to the back of the Toyota Center

Death Will Never Conquer (Will plays guitar and sings the song!!!)

The Group runs back to the stage and we wait

Interlude:
Viva La Vida (Thin White Duke Remix)
-They get back to the stage

Politik
Lovers In Japan (The Butterflies fill the Toyota Center!!!)
Death And All His Friends

Encore:
Yellow
The Escapist

What I felt that was really great about the whole set list was that every song, even the not so well known ones were full of energy and excitement! One song would end and then they would go into the next one and everyone would cheer because it was THAT song!!! Yes! They're playing that one!!! Not once did I ever feel like they were doing a song that I didn't want to hear. Everytime a new song would start, I'd throw my hands up and say, "YES!!!"

There were some really great moments throughout. But a really memorable moment from Houston, was during the part when the band played Death Will Never Conquer accoustic, Chris pulled out his harmonica and began playing and moving around. He accidently pulled the plug on Will's guitar as he was singing. The sound cut immediately. He stopped and looked right a Chris and he had to appologize and they all began laughing. A human moment! Chris had to tell him to finish it all the time while trying to keep it all together. Will got the sound back and finished the song. Also, Chris said that they do that (walking through the crowd to get to the back of the center) everynight, but Houston was the hardest city to get through. Everyone loved that!


Of course the show stopper was "Lovers in Japan." The butterflies drop from the ceiling and fill the Center. It's amazing to watch and they dropped them at least three times. We lucked out and walked down to the floor after the show and a guard gave us a hatfull of butterflies! They're die cut out of thin paper. But they do the effect perfectly. So we got something a little extra from the show.

For me, Lovers may have been the show stopper, but of all things, the interlude while waiting for the band to come back to the front stage was the defining moment of the concert for me. Why? Because during the wait, they began playing this remix of Viva La Vida at full blast. It was one of the best remixes I've heard of the song. I know now that it is called "The Thin White Duke Remix." It took three days to figure it out. It was awesome to me. I felt that it was something special that you don't hear anywhere except the show. And it kept the energy going at full blast. I loved it. I did find it and now it's going into my playlist so that I can relive the whole show on my ipod.

After the show, we walked to our hotel. We were only one block away from the Toyota Center. That was really good. Before the show, we just walked over to this awesome little chinese resturaunt. They had really good food. Then we walked a block to the center. It was all right there with in a block of our hotel. So we saved at least $15 in parking. That was crazy to charge that much for parking.

I watched Dawn and her reactions to her first concert. I know that she's liked Coldplay and some of their songs. Some she's thought were weird. But when it all started and the lights went out and slowly came on, I saw her. Her hands were up to her mouth. Her eyes were bright and bewildered. She was in DISBELIEF. She couldn't believe that fourteen rows away, Chris Martin and the band that she'd heard of through radio and cd's was actually standing there. Singing for real. I grabbed her arm and shook her and yelled it's really them!

At one point it even looked like Chris was looking at ME! I know, I know, "sure he was." But it really seemed like it. He looked up towards us and I slowly raised my arms up and waved at him, and it looked like he was taken by my wave! It felt like he saw me. Mabey he did, and mabey he didn't, but it was a cool feeling for a second to think that. I do kind of stand out in a crowd. But that's what makes a concert feel personable. That moment when just mabey that band saw you and connected. I felt that and it was awesome.

It's been several days now, and I keep thinking about that show and how truely incredible it was. We saw one of today's Super Bands! Coldplay! Seeing someone in concert like that makes them even more real. We hear music, we buy CD's, watch videos. They are making this music for you to hear. But they are at a distance. But when we walk into that auditorium or stadium, they are really there. In front of you. They are real people. It's amazing. I want to see them again. I miss it. I miss the feelings I had during that show. I was happy as could be. It was one of the best birthday presents I've had. Hopefully, in a few years we'll be able to do this again with Coldplay.

Thank you Coldplay, for coming to Houston, Texas, and sharing your music and show with all of us that were able to attend. I feel very lucky and privilaged to have seen you and experience your music first hand.

Alright. Now, where's U2?

It's Here It's Here It's Here!!!

This is it! Today is the day!!! November 18th, 2008! I've waited patiently for almost six months for this day! Tonight at 7:30pm Dawn and I will be fourteen rows away from Chris Martin and the Band. For those who don't know, COLDPLAY! I remember when I got the tickets in the mail four months ago, I was all excited but had to say, " Well it's still a while to go." I put them in my dresser and they've been sitting in there since. Until just a little while ago. I opened the drawer and pulled out the envelope. I gazed at them and I am finally allowing myself to get really excited about this. Dawn is really excited too. This is her first REAL concert that she's ever gone to. So it'll be neat to see her reactions and how she will be to all of this. I'm so excited to spend these two days with her. If this wasn't awesome enough, tomorrow night we are eating at our favorite swanky place, NELORE!!! Brazilian barbeque!!! It's worth it. Well, I'll try to get some pics and tell you all about it when we get back!!! YES!!! IT'S TIME TO GO!!!

It's almost HERE!!!

I've been waiting patiently for this for almost six months! NEXT TUESDAY I WILL BE IN HOUSTON TEXAS SEEING COLDPLAY LIVE!!! Remember that I bought these tickets way back in June. They went on sale all the way back then and literally sold out with in hours of going on sale. I was luck to get them when I did. But I really had to put that behind me after I bought them. I would have gone crazy if I had thought about this every day for six months. But it's finally here and I have to say, wow, It's finally here. We even got luck enough to get a hotel room right across from the TOYOTA Center so we can just walk over there and back when it's over and not have to fight the traffic. Who knows, mabey we can see them after the show. I'm not holding my breath for that one though. And of course you know that I will be telling you all about it when it's over. I'll try to get some pics with my cell phone. They aren't allowing cameras inside the show unlike Garth Brooks. But this is going to be a great show. I am really looking forward to hearing Lovers In Japan and FIX YOU. Lovers is really awesome because they release these paper butterflies and it looks awesome! So I'll be talking again soon. Oh, and I'll be 35 on Wednesday!!! YES!!! and YIKES!!!

Can you feel it?

Here's some music for you all to munch on... Have a listen...



WOW!!! Are you feeling the love? Me neither. But it says it's "Christian." How? I have no earthly clue. Try arguing about this one.

We had a really good weekend...

This weekend turned out to be a really great weekend. I was able to come home on Thursday fairly early in the day. I was up in Shreveport, Still doing my AMTP training. I had taken my test and scored 45 out of 50. I was pretty happy with the results. And asked my supervisor if I could come home. Of course she said it was okay and I was on my way.
Thursday was my daughter's 8th birthday. So I was able to come home and Dawn and I went and picked up a couple of things and got her presents wrapped up and ready for her to open later. I also ran out and picked up a ice cream cake from marble slab creamery. It was strawberry and sweetcream. It was delicious. She enjoyed her presents from everyone.
Friday, I had my interview with Perry, my manager, at Lowe's. I am trying to get a position as the Administrative Manager at my store. I was able to spend some time with Perry and I think it went well. Dawn and I went out to have lunch. Something we don't do all that often. It's always nice to have some time with my wife. I miss her when I'm here in Shreveport. Oh and we also did some much needed cleaning in the living room. It was really messy and dusty. We cleaned until the dust was too much to handle. It turned out really good.
Saturday was the day that we as a family went to Lafyette to go to the Build-A-Bear Workshop. That was what my daughter wanted to do for her birthday this year. So all of the girls got to have a bear. It was cute and they all made them their own. But I have to day that I really don't like the Lafyette mall. It was way way WAY too crowded for my taste. The bathrooms were awful. I was glad to get out of there.
We then went to this place called The Incredible Pizza Company. It was a pizza buffet and Family Fun Center. We once went to a place similar in Kansas City and Dawn hated it. I was concerned that she would feel the same for this place. But she was really impressed with it. The food was VERY good. Not the run of the mill CiCi's pizza type food. They had full salad bar, baked potato bar, soup, Pizza, and some fancy dishes too. There was plenty and it was clean. Then we went to the games portion and had three hours of fun. The girls played miniature galactic golf. They loved it. Then spend a ton of time playing Skeet Ball. They also really enjoyed this little game where they took some guns and shot at animated targets that gave them a score and tickets. Nat really took off and was a markswoman!!! She amazed us with how good she was. They really had fun there and so did we. It is a great place and I recommend it to all.
We then went to Aunt Jessica's and Uncle Daniel's home. She made a cake for her and Nat. The both celebrate their birthdays at the end of this October. We also got to see the improvements that they've made to their home they bought earlier this year. Then we went home after a little while.
Sunday came and this was the most important day of this weekend. This Sunday is the day that I was able to Baptize my Daughter. She also had a primary program for sacrament meeting. Dawn did an excellent job directing the music and the spirit was there in great abundance. You could really hear Nat sing too. It made me happy to hear her so loud. She used to, what I call, "belt" as a little girl in Primary, but over time she stopped. I missed hearing that distinct little voice and it was so good to hear it again. Nat and Rach and Kim all had parts in the program and they all did an excellent job. Rach had a line to say and she did it perfect and Kim had a talk that she had prepared with Dawn and did great.
I am very greatful that I was able to baptize my own daughter today. We had an excellent program for her baptism. Jessica and Jonathan both gave talks and The family sang. I was able to do the actual ordinance of baptism and also comfirmed her a member of the church and bestowed upon her the gift of the Holy Ghost. I was so proud of her and her decision. I will remember this day. Along with the day that I did the same for Kim. It's just such a big thing for such a tiny little person to do. I sometimes forget just how little they are until I'm there doing this ordinance. I am so humbled to be the one doing this for them. I love them very very much. So I guess that's two down. One left to go and that will be three years from now.
I guess the only real bummer of the whole weekend is that it had to end and I had to run home and get myself ready to come back to Shreveport, where I am now. But I only have one more week to go. Then I get to come home and hopefully have a job as the AM of Leesville. This week should be really fun and I hope to learn a great deal and on top of that, I have my final. Which I really want to pass and do well on.
This has been a great weekend that I am very greatful to have been home for. I am very tired and it's time for bed. Goodnight everyone. I'll be back again to say more and share.