Back in November of 2008, I went to my second Brian Wilson concert. The first time I saw him was back when he premiered "Smile" in Minneapolis. Well, OK, the US premiere.
I have been lucky to take both of my kids to see Brian Wilson now. My older daughter went to Smile, and my younger one came to the "That Lucky Old Sun" show. Wife and an old friend from Ann Arbor were there, too, which made it even more fun (both had missed the "Smile" show).
Oh, and I bought a ticket for my sister to go see the show in Ann Arbor, just a few nights before the show we saw here in Minnesota. I felt really happy to send her to the show!
So here's the set list:
Set One:
Marcella
I Get Around
Wouldn't It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
"That Lucky Old Sun," in its entirety.
Set Two:
California Girls
Surfer Girl
All Summer Long*
Please Let Me Wonder
Add Some Music to Your Day*
She's Not the Little Girl I Once Knew*
Do You Wanna Dance
Do It Again
Sail On, Sailor
Encore:
Johnny B Goode*
Help Me, Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin' USA
Fun Fun Fun
Love & Mercy
*songs I was pleasantly surprised to hear included in the set list
It was a terrific show. If I have one complaint about Brian's band, it's that they get pretty loud and tend to stay there...and then turn up to eleven to finish the songs. I mean, come on, you don't have to have EVERYONE in the band hit the last note of each song. But what they lack in pastel subtlety they make up in proficiency...not to mention making Brian feel good enough to record a great new project like TLOS!
I see he's scheduled some dates for this summer & fall, so if you get a chance, go hear this music! You are lucky to be alive at the same time as Brian Wilson and have the chance to experience his music!
http://www.brianwilson.com/tour/
18 April 2009
17 February 2009
Rockstar Doll, Baby
Hi, imaginary readers. I'm hoping that you will become imaginary listeners, too.
I'm putting up some original music here.
I hope you find it entertaining.
I'm putting up some original music here.
I hope you find it entertaining.
01 October 2008
What's New, Pussycat?
Well, a good old friend of mine had the misfortune of reading my blog today, and it reminded me of my iron-clad guarantee to post on here at least once every six months.
Summer is drawing to a close, although I am sticking to my clothing rule of "summer is not over until it snows." I persist in wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
I bought and played the new-ish computer game, Spore. It was cute, but overall it was a big letdown for a "serious" gamer like me. #1 Daughter loves it, though. We're both excited about the potential for "The Sims 3," as if I needed any additional incentive to sit on my ass in front of a computer.
I took the kids to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, where they (after hours of trudging around searching for her) got to hang out with Twig the fairy:
Cute kids. I was really dreading taking the kids that day...I am not the world's most patient parent, and the 45-minutes-each-way drive along with the have-SCA-nerds-accost-me were really weighing heavy on my mind. But it turned out to be just fine...my kids are really well-behaved (in spite of how often it seems to me like they're totally out of control) and we enjoyed walking around the grounds, commenting on various anachronisms or which costumes we really liked.
Note to select Renaissance Fest attendees: I highly doubt that The Renaissance (or whatever time period you are imagining between, say, 1100 and 1700) was as skanky as you think. I didn't know there was such a thing as a Daisy Duke kilt. Maybe you are thinking of Renaissance Bratz (TM) dolls, or Sexy Milk Maid.
...and frog.
Now that I've worked up a good lather of curmudgeonliness, why stop? Here's something I just don't dig: Facebook. You get on there to find some old friend from college, and suddenly everyone in your high school yearbook is your "friend." Of course, I made the mistake of accepting the friend requests of a bunch of people that, as stated, merely passed the was-in-my-graduating-class test of "friendship." I guess this kind of bitchy attitude is what made me so popular back then.
Looks like we may be skipping Mexico this winter...which makes me sad. Still, this is supposed to be our year of reducing debt, and I just don't see how to swing it this time around. Especially with all the extra time I've had to spend filling sandbags and pouring bullet molds to prepare for the upcoming collapse of the social order (note to FBI/NSA/ATF/etc: THESE ARE THE JOKES!).
Which reminds me of one last rant: I didn't think it was possible, but I'm even more pissed at W! He (and of course I mean this in the Harry S. Truman "the buck stops here" sense, since I don't think he's really capable of succeeding at anything) has successfully run Our Great Nation into the ground. Mark my words: if McCain wins, we are outta here. "It was a nice Democratic Experiment while it lasted, but adios, mofos! See you at the apocalypse!"
Garumph!
Summer is drawing to a close, although I am sticking to my clothing rule of "summer is not over until it snows." I persist in wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
I bought and played the new-ish computer game, Spore. It was cute, but overall it was a big letdown for a "serious" gamer like me. #1 Daughter loves it, though. We're both excited about the potential for "The Sims 3," as if I needed any additional incentive to sit on my ass in front of a computer.
I took the kids to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, where they (after hours of trudging around searching for her) got to hang out with Twig the fairy:
Cute kids. I was really dreading taking the kids that day...I am not the world's most patient parent, and the 45-minutes-each-way drive along with the have-SCA-nerds-accost-me were really weighing heavy on my mind. But it turned out to be just fine...my kids are really well-behaved (in spite of how often it seems to me like they're totally out of control) and we enjoyed walking around the grounds, commenting on various anachronisms or which costumes we really liked.
Note to select Renaissance Fest attendees: I highly doubt that The Renaissance (or whatever time period you are imagining between, say, 1100 and 1700) was as skanky as you think. I didn't know there was such a thing as a Daisy Duke kilt. Maybe you are thinking of Renaissance Bratz (TM) dolls, or Sexy Milk Maid.
...and frog.
Now that I've worked up a good lather of curmudgeonliness, why stop? Here's something I just don't dig: Facebook. You get on there to find some old friend from college, and suddenly everyone in your high school yearbook is your "friend." Of course, I made the mistake of accepting the friend requests of a bunch of people that, as stated, merely passed the was-in-my-graduating-class test of "friendship." I guess this kind of bitchy attitude is what made me so popular back then.
Looks like we may be skipping Mexico this winter...which makes me sad. Still, this is supposed to be our year of reducing debt, and I just don't see how to swing it this time around. Especially with all the extra time I've had to spend filling sandbags and pouring bullet molds to prepare for the upcoming collapse of the social order (note to FBI/NSA/ATF/etc: THESE ARE THE JOKES!).
Which reminds me of one last rant: I didn't think it was possible, but I'm even more pissed at W! He (and of course I mean this in the Harry S. Truman "the buck stops here" sense, since I don't think he's really capable of succeeding at anything) has successfully run Our Great Nation into the ground. Mark my words: if McCain wins, we are outta here. "It was a nice Democratic Experiment while it lasted, but adios, mofos! See you at the apocalypse!"
Garumph!
30 April 2008
The Establishment Clause
Two observations from the fallout over "Reverend" Wright.
First, this is why politicians should *not* discuss their faith (or the lack thereof). And why, perhaps, they should attend church services in disguise.
Second, why (apart from the fact that the good Mr. Wright seems to want more than just 15 minutes of fame) are John McCain's controversial religious associations (read: endorsements) not getting similar traction in the American Zeitgeist-du-jour?
Personally, I would prefer an atheist/agnostic candidate (or at least one that would admit to it), but since that doesn't seem to be an option in America, the candidates' religious predilections matter to me about as much as whether they like to be on top or bottom.
First, this is why politicians should *not* discuss their faith (or the lack thereof). And why, perhaps, they should attend church services in disguise.
Second, why (apart from the fact that the good Mr. Wright seems to want more than just 15 minutes of fame) are John McCain's controversial religious associations (read: endorsements) not getting similar traction in the American Zeitgeist-du-jour?
Personally, I would prefer an atheist/agnostic candidate (or at least one that would admit to it), but since that doesn't seem to be an option in America, the candidates' religious predilections matter to me about as much as whether they like to be on top or bottom.
20 December 2007
Eeek!
A mouse. Mice.
They scurry to and fro, and make merriment. Dust lover. Waste dweller.
One little bastard has just run in and out of my basement office in plain view.
I search the beams and boards in my basement ceiling, searching for their routes...where are they making their ingress and egress to my kitchen? Are these cobwebs 83 years old, or 83 minutes old?
I plug every crack and crevice with steel wool...I don't intend to give them any free shortcuts as they ramble throughout my home, the world of humans, a place where they are most unwelcome indeed. Do they eat the poisonous biscuits when two little girls (and two messy adults) scatter crumbs everywhere?
Sophie and I just finished reading, as our bedtime story of late, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." Do I feel remorse when I see the half-eaten Tomcat brand bait block? No.
Lo, I am become Death, the destroyer of mouse worlds.
They scurry to and fro, and make merriment. Dust lover. Waste dweller.
One little bastard has just run in and out of my basement office in plain view.
I search the beams and boards in my basement ceiling, searching for their routes...where are they making their ingress and egress to my kitchen? Are these cobwebs 83 years old, or 83 minutes old?
I plug every crack and crevice with steel wool...I don't intend to give them any free shortcuts as they ramble throughout my home, the world of humans, a place where they are most unwelcome indeed. Do they eat the poisonous biscuits when two little girls (and two messy adults) scatter crumbs everywhere?
Sophie and I just finished reading, as our bedtime story of late, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." Do I feel remorse when I see the half-eaten Tomcat brand bait block? No.
Lo, I am become Death, the destroyer of mouse worlds.
18 December 2007
Nearing Solstice
Hi.
Not much happening here these days, except for the constant frenzy of activity involved with working at a mail order place during the holiday season and the usual zillion tasks surrounding the upbringing of two children.
I'm only a few short days away from the winter solstice...then things should really get ugly. Just as the seasonal climate shift lags behind the apogee and perigee (i.e., the hottest months of summer happen well after the summer solstice), so does my typical seasonal pattern of depression. I've been seeing a pretty good therapist (who is also helping me with job related issues, as in considering possibilities other than my current somewhat dissatisfying position), so I'm optimistic that this year will be less traumatic than others have been.
Usually by February/March I am more than slightly off-kilter.
I am debating taking the RHCE exam in early January. I can't decide whether I prefer the thrill ride of system administration or the caffeinated buzz of programming. We're also planning a midwinter sojourn to Isla Mujeres (see previous post), and so I'm trying to decide how much grief I want to receive from my employer...as in, do I really think I deserve two weeks off in January?
RHCE is expensive, but it's pretty well-respected as certifications go, and part of me really craves some credentials.
Since I have been reading about the link between sleep deprivation and obesity (check), diabetes (not yet), etc. etc. (we'll see!), I think I'm going to go up and get into my bed and drift away into the sweet dreamscape.
Ta ta for now.
Not much happening here these days, except for the constant frenzy of activity involved with working at a mail order place during the holiday season and the usual zillion tasks surrounding the upbringing of two children.
I'm only a few short days away from the winter solstice...then things should really get ugly. Just as the seasonal climate shift lags behind the apogee and perigee (i.e., the hottest months of summer happen well after the summer solstice), so does my typical seasonal pattern of depression. I've been seeing a pretty good therapist (who is also helping me with job related issues, as in considering possibilities other than my current somewhat dissatisfying position), so I'm optimistic that this year will be less traumatic than others have been.
Usually by February/March I am more than slightly off-kilter.
I am debating taking the RHCE exam in early January. I can't decide whether I prefer the thrill ride of system administration or the caffeinated buzz of programming. We're also planning a midwinter sojourn to Isla Mujeres (see previous post), and so I'm trying to decide how much grief I want to receive from my employer...as in, do I really think I deserve two weeks off in January?
RHCE is expensive, but it's pretty well-respected as certifications go, and part of me really craves some credentials.
Since I have been reading about the link between sleep deprivation and obesity (check), diabetes (not yet), etc. etc. (we'll see!), I think I'm going to go up and get into my bed and drift away into the sweet dreamscape.
Ta ta for now.
14 November 2007
Faith Hope and Love
Which reminds me of a Meatloaf classic: "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"
Maybe one and a half on a bad day. Can you guess which one I'm missing?
I stumbled across my wife's blog about Catholicism today. My first reaction was "Oh wow, she's really into this stuff" followed by "Where's she getting all this extra time to run TWO blogs?" Then I noticed she hadn't posted anything on the Catholic blog between March and a few days ago.
I have a standard remark about my wife's conversion to Catholicism. "I spend all my adolescent years trying to get away from Catholic women, and what happens? My wife converts."
But seriously folks...
Something she wrote here made me think about responding on her blog, but since it would clash with the curtains over there I thought I'd just write it on my own blog.
She writes:
I am, however, offended deeply at the notion that God gave me depression to teach me these lessons. I can’t bear to hear people say that God gave a child cancer for the purpose of building character or correcting a fault. The verse is “God turns all things to good,” not “God does all things for good.” This may seem like a minor adjustment to the notion of how God works in the world, but it is a crucial one.
For me, the best thing about abandoning my faith in the supernatural is being set free from questions like these. Because I no longer worry about why God lets one baby die from malaria and another live, or how that might be turned to good, or that maybe S/He could have chosen a kinder lesson for the moral improvement of the parents or whatever. Things happen and I don't have to try to make sense of a supreme being who lets bad things happen to good people, or good things happen to bad people, or lets anything happen, really.
I'm not trying to dispute anything my wife describes in her post. In fact, I could really relate to her description of giving things over to God via accepting them into her heart, or however she eloquently phrased it. I feel the same kind of peace when I accept reality for what it is instead of trying either to push it away from me or to consider myself as separate from it in the first place. I think we work through a lot of things in similar ways, but I don't see any "God" in any of it, and she does.
No, the thing that struck me was just a profound sense of relief. These theodicean sort of questions really used to bug me. I can't really claim to be totally free, but thank God I'm free from this!
The worst thing about deciding I'm done with faith is the gulf it creates between me and the missus, and the difficulty it poses in raising our kids. But hey, if James Carville and Darth Matalin can get over their differences, what's a little religious disagreement between friends?
Maybe one and a half on a bad day. Can you guess which one I'm missing?
I stumbled across my wife's blog about Catholicism today. My first reaction was "Oh wow, she's really into this stuff" followed by "Where's she getting all this extra time to run TWO blogs?" Then I noticed she hadn't posted anything on the Catholic blog between March and a few days ago.
I have a standard remark about my wife's conversion to Catholicism. "I spend all my adolescent years trying to get away from Catholic women, and what happens? My wife converts."
But seriously folks...
Something she wrote here made me think about responding on her blog, but since it would clash with the curtains over there I thought I'd just write it on my own blog.
She writes:
I am, however, offended deeply at the notion that God gave me depression to teach me these lessons. I can’t bear to hear people say that God gave a child cancer for the purpose of building character or correcting a fault. The verse is “God turns all things to good,” not “God does all things for good.” This may seem like a minor adjustment to the notion of how God works in the world, but it is a crucial one.
For me, the best thing about abandoning my faith in the supernatural is being set free from questions like these. Because I no longer worry about why God lets one baby die from malaria and another live, or how that might be turned to good, or that maybe S/He could have chosen a kinder lesson for the moral improvement of the parents or whatever. Things happen and I don't have to try to make sense of a supreme being who lets bad things happen to good people, or good things happen to bad people, or lets anything happen, really.
I'm not trying to dispute anything my wife describes in her post. In fact, I could really relate to her description of giving things over to God via accepting them into her heart, or however she eloquently phrased it. I feel the same kind of peace when I accept reality for what it is instead of trying either to push it away from me or to consider myself as separate from it in the first place. I think we work through a lot of things in similar ways, but I don't see any "God" in any of it, and she does.
No, the thing that struck me was just a profound sense of relief. These theodicean sort of questions really used to bug me. I can't really claim to be totally free, but thank God I'm free from this!
The worst thing about deciding I'm done with faith is the gulf it creates between me and the missus, and the difficulty it poses in raising our kids. But hey, if James Carville and Darth Matalin can get over their differences, what's a little religious disagreement between friends?
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