HUGE WEEK: Goths, Geeks, Dolls, Idols, Rockers, the Past & Tuna Steak. Goths & Geeks After living in ATL for 5 years, I actually did the DragonCon thing this year. Odd, yet fitting way to get reacquainted(?) with one's past. Bloody Maries, babes in black, costumed characters, gamer geeks, gaudy goths, and fetish freaks. Odd crowd to assemble. Fanatics love fanatics, I suppose. There's a social psychology thing going on there... must be examined closer at another time... far too interesting to leave alone. hehe GooGoo Bleh. Never liked them much, but damn, was able to secure some boxseats at Lakewood(simply can't call it "HiFiBuys Ampitheater" in prose). Sitting right behind the general admission area, bar stools, a waitress, and table to rest your weary beer hand. Must land a boxseat for a decent band. I've always enjoyed the grass, but I could handle boxseats for some shows... as long as I could smoke. Zup with annoying baby-booming, anti-smoking, beer-chugging, doctor-wannabe-looking, complainer guy? I think I kind of scared him. Get over it dude, it's rock and roll. Idol: Kelly Whew. Unbelievable voice... and as for the producers of the Idol show... YOU SUCK. What about a REMIX of those classic hits? I am embarrassed for the kids, and I will *not* buy the CD/DVD or see the show if it sucks that bad. Top songwriters, producers and session musicians around the nation cringed at the sight. Cheesy crap just ruined it for me. Where did they get the creative force to put together that sugary-sweet crap of a medley? You could tell those kids worked their asses off learning that musical array of sugar-coated Simon-Cowell CRAP. The accompaniment lacked any creativity. With all the fantastic technology, and talent in the music industry today, why?... TELL ME WHY the producers of that show pasted together a mediochre medley of karaoke hits with BradyKids Revue choreography? What should we expect from the people that brough us the SpiceGirls? Wait... I take that back. At least the SpiceGirls had decent production behind them! We move on. New Family Addition. Martin-DCX1E. Excellent low-end for me to bang my all-important E-minors. And it plugs-in too! Now... run it thru the chorus pedal and distortion... simply awesome. Two-year dream coming to fruition. WonderTwin powers activate. TESLA! FACT: if your favorite band is playing at Earthlink Live! in ATL. Go to the show. Theatre. Small Floor area. No security "moat". Amazing show. Bring your earplugs tho. After a long hiatus (6 years?) Tesla hit the stage hardcore. Packed-house of 30somethings... hehe. Although always rolled into the "hairband" collective, they were *never* that at all. They were the anti-glam rock sound of the late 80s. Refreshing twin guitar power and energy of ROCK that hadn't been heard since prolly... Bad Company? Simply amazing songs, musicianship, and love of the music. God bless Tesla. Intimate show of sweaty boobs and power rock. Didn't miss a beat. Some random jackass once said: "Time heals all wounds". Dunno about that, but time does allow us all the opportunity to learn and move forward if we see fit to do so. Over the past few years, I've felt for the first time that I really enjoy being the age that I am. With a rich enough past to compare events and enough "statistically-preceived" future to re-encounter and create more personal history. If my life is indeed long, and continues to bestow such love and caring upon me, I expect I'll enjoy the latter part as much as this era of "re-encounterment" I'm enjoying at this time. Realistically, it was seamless, with an easiness and solid familiarity... like an extended scene lifted from the early '90s film: "Sean!". Not sure how many people get to take a deep breathe, let go, and allow such reconnections occur. Important for me: relax and live... and don't try to set-up expectations. Although a certain level of "slackerism" involved, I believe that everything will lay into proper place if you allow them to land. I want to only own what I should. Today, I'm the proud owner of a really special, cool, longtime friend that should be around for a long while. Lesson to Self. Where we all land in this life, is up to uncontrollable to us. What we can do is ensure that every important moment is treated with care, and more importantly... remember how cool it was, so we can create new worthwhile moments. peace- seanrox