LED August 28, 2007

Written on October 26th, 1999. Boy, This can still and does apply today.
LED
Who would have thought it would happen?
Well, you did didn't you?
What a fool I was and still am, but still laughing.
We were Led down that fun and wild road.
I loved it and still do.
Once the glorified invinsible one. Now just another toad.
Yes, you said it would end like this.
Why didn't I listen? I was one of them, in bliss.
Is it sad if one knows the truth?
I could have listened more, I know.
Now, I will never be Led like that, even if I fall from time to time.
Hah, what a joke isn't it? A sad pathetic joke!
God! Where were my eyes? Looking like a swine!
Were they too foggy to see? Or was I too busy to care?
I claim to be the same man as before all this. But, please do not stare!
After all, the strong just grow, and the weak must just be LED.

Happy New Year!

The Happiest place on Earth was truly grand on December 30th. Disneyland was decked out in an array of seasonal lights and decorations that made for beautiful photo shots. It sure was crowded though and I am glad the family let me take them for lunch to The ESPN Zone and watch a little NFL football. Thank you sooo much! I really needed that. Family is great and work seems to be holding a steady pace through this first part of this year.
Upcoming concerts: Foo Fighters at The Forum in Inglewood in March and Kid Rock with the little woman when dates are released for Southern California. I'll keep my ear to the ground!
New favorite CD is the "Into The Wild" soundtrack from Eddie Vedder. Gotta see the movie!
My New Years Resolutions:
1. Have more fun and quality time with my children and wife.
2. Ride Ride Ride! ( My mountain Bike that is!)
3. Play Play Play ( I'm getting the band together MAN!)
Anyway, Healthy New Year, and Concert updates will follow.

HANNA MONTANA AT THE MGM GARDEN 1-20-08

No still picture for this one. See www.youtube.com/cota2007 for the song I downloaded. What a blast! First time I have seen a show at the Garden Arena. For a 15 year old, Miley Cyrus sure is the real deal!
It was my beautiful daughter's 8th b-day and we suprised her by taking her to Las Vegas for the time and to witness her first ever concert! How are we to top this?
We were excited to see this show because of all the hype. Miley did a cover of the Kiss song, "Rock N Roll All Night, Party Every Night". She belted it out with the show opener, Ali & AJ. They sure are talented also!
Foo Fighters coming to town on March 5th! Review will follow!

Joshua Tree & Indian Canyons January 25th 2008

I have never been to this National Park, but I definately intend to return. The mountain bike riding is not all that great because you must only stay on the fire roads. But, if you are daring, there are single track trails that look like fun. The one i missed was the one by Eureka Peak. This is at about 5,500 ft. Yes it was cold and there was a few patches of snow on the ground. I'm sure glad I bought those leg warmers!
Indian Canyons is sureal! What an oasis. I've gotta take this girls up there! I know they will dig the Indian history there! What a great place to spend a few hours to hike around. My cousin sure did charge up that mountain! Dude, I'm impressed!
I'm so glad I went with my Uncle/Boss on this trip. Gotta do it again!

Foo Fighters at The Forum March 5th, 2008

The Fabulous Forum welcomed home The Foo Fighters on Wednesday night. The idiot at the OC Register gave the Cox Arena show only 3 stars. How can you be bored at a Foo Fighters show? Get off the pipe sir! Anyway, yes they did their usual set of hits and orchestrated the acoustic set very well and methodically. It is the power of the music that gets fans going. And also how well these musicians can execute these songs. Well, Ben from the OC, these guys sure have suprised me yet again. It is always a party atmosphere at these shows, with a few suprises. The "Valley" is Dave's home now and I think I can sum up the Foos sound. Seasoned Alternative LA Beach Rock! That is the best I can come up with after only 4 hours sleep and still feeling WEAK! Dave can sure Jam the guitar blues like on "This Is a Call" Check out my video on You Tube>> http://www.youtube.com/cota2007 Yes, video quality sucks, but at least you can hear the guitars okay. When Stuart Copeland from The Police came out and kicked Taylor off the skins to play "Next To You", I was floored. With Taylor on the mic, you can bet Dave was even impressed! The slowed down version of "Big Me" was one of the other highlights for me. No complaints here, except for my throbbing HEAD and the fact Dave likes Coors light. Oh well.

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY, 2008

Mentryville in Santa Clarita witnessed another gathering of festive runners for a 5k run. I came in second for my age division with a time of 23:59. That is 17 seconds slower than last year. I better cut back on the Patron, AGAIN! St Paddy's day on Monday was a crazy start to the week, but I'll survive. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. But, as the famous Robert Plant said, "To trip is to only fall." Photo on http://www.flickr.com/photos/9649499@N02/2349759831.
On the concert front, Eddie Vedder at The Wiltern coming on April 12th. Still gotta score tix! The Police are coming to The Hollywood Bowl on June 10th? Robert Plant and Allison Krauss will be together for two shows at The Greek in June.
Have a Happy Easter and Good Friday!

Opening Day Dodger Stadium 2008

Yeah, life is rough on a Monday! Joe Torre and the Blue Crew spanked the S.F. Giants 5 to ZIP! Fun day, and lots of beautiful sunshine.

Eddie Vedder Live at The Wiltern Theater April 12, 2008

The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles is an art deco throw back that seemed truly fitting for the likes of Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. The show started with "Tuolumne" and closed with the get off your ass and sing your heart out "Hard Sun". Everything in between was pure magic, inspirational and memorable! The tribute song, "No More" from the movie "Body of War" was equally vibrant and uplifting. Church never felt good as it did last night as it does this morning. I was very fortunate to get a glimpse of Eddie exiting his tour bus waving and smiling to his fans. Even more special was that my lovely better half was able to witness one of my passions in this crazy world, attending important performances that truly have meaning and purpose. I don't want to sound like a pompous conceited jerk but I felt like I was amongst a special group of people who witnessed this generation's John Lennon. Be that as it may....... at least the OC Register got it right this time!

Cheers!

RUSH NOKIA LIVE THEATER, TUESDAY MAY 6TH, 2008

Another stellar performance by the Canadian trio on Tuesday night in Los Angeles at The Nokia Theater. I do have to comment that The O.C. Register review of the show got it right twice in a row. Ben W., I believe you are a true rock critic. Yes, I agree the sound was a little loud and not balanced well at this theater. Needless to say, my hearing came back by Friday!
The set list was basically identical to The Hollywood Bowl show back on July 23rd, 2007. No real surprises. I just wish I could have been in the Heineken line sooner so that I would have caught "Limelight", the show opener. "Red Barchetta" one of my many favorites was impeccable. Getty just started warming up vocally as one could tell on the video I was lucky to get. A real treat was to have sat right behind George Lopez! He obviously has good taste in music! Among the old songs were; "2112-Temples of The Syrinx", "Passage to Bangkok", "Witch Hunt", "Natural Science", "YYZ", and G. Lo's favorite "Trees".
The new songs off "Snakes And Arrows" went off really well. "Hope" & "Monkey Business" are the new classics. All in all The Nokia Theater is a fabulous place to see a show. The layout for this intimate venue is not so great if you are in the mezzanine section or lodge areas. It just seemed like the seats are positioned with not enough incline. Magnificent show regardless, I just wish they could have played "Xanadu" & "Closer to the Heart". Oh well, maybe next time!

Set List:
LimelightDigital ManGhost Of A ChanceMissionFreewillMain Monkey BusinessThe Larger BowlRed BarchettaTreesBetween The WheelsDreamlineIntermissionFar CryWorkin' Them AngelsArmor And SwordSpindriftThe Way The Wind BlowsSubdivisionsNatural ScienceWitch HuntMalignant Narcissism ->Drum soloHopeThe Spirit Of Radio2112Tom sawyerEncoreOne Small VictoryPassage To BangkokYYZ

The Police Live At The Hollywood Bowl May 27th, 2008

Let me first gather my thoughts... Okay, now I'm ready! This was the first of two nights at the famous Hollywood Bowl. This was the second time this tour that I've seen The Police. This show was definately better than the Staples Center show last year. Elvis Costello opened the show and I was able to catch at least half of his set. Sting joined him on "Alison" and it was weird to see them together, but the crowd enjoyed it. He did close with "Whats so funny about Peace, Love, and Understanding" which was outstanding! I wasn't a big fan until this show.
The Police highlights for me was the groovin' "Demolition Man", the political "Invisable Sun" (with chilling images on the jumbo screens of children), and "Next to You" (the show closer). We got right up there because the crowd had thinned out by that time. Ramp seats sec H were the payoff that I was lucky to score. Thanks Ed T. ! Steve U. , my driver was suprisingly impressed. Thank you sir for getting us out of the real Police encounter at 12:30 a.m.! Wow, what a funny story that was! It was a very mellow crowd (hint, hint, knudge, knudge!) and they were very responsive to all the songs, even the not so good "Don't Stand So Close To Me". That tune was just altered too much and slowed down a bit. No concerts coming up yet, but I'll keep abreast of what is going on! Maybe, Robert Plant with Allison Krausse at The Greek Theater on June 23rd/24th? Yosemite with the family in July is next and I'm sure I'll be posting a summary & pix of that fun trip! Bye y'all!
Set List (From Ben W. OC Register)
Main set:
Bring on the Night
Message in a Bottle
Walking on the Moon
Demolition Man
Voices Inside My Head
When the World Is Running Down (You Make the Best of What’s Still Around)
Don’t Stand So Close to Me
Driven to Tears
Hole in My Life
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da
Insivible Sun
Can’t Stand Losing You (with bits of Regatta de Blanc)
Encore 1: Roxanne / King of Pain / So Lonely / Every Breath You Take
Encore 2: Next to You!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We all hope that the hand of God will take my father-in-law soon! Mike Byrne is slowly dying of terminal cancer and hasn't had much food and no water for four days. The end is very near and it is very hard on his family to see this disease take another family member. It just wears on us all. Even my five year old daughter just sat on the couch in front of his bed, just staring. With her favorite T.V. show on, she paid no attention. When asked by her mother what she was doing, she just replied, "I'm just sad Mommy, to know that grandpa is going to die soon" Frail, weak and not at all conscious, is not what I would want such an intelligent and caring man to be seen. But, do you walk away? No, of course not. Should the childern see such a sight? Yes, they should. But, they should also be comforted by their parents that life must go on. We cannot dwell in our own sad emotions. Nor try to dilute our emotions with the usual... That would be selfish and cowardly. Yes, I said it before when I lost Grandpa Julio, we must be strong in order to survive. Yes, we should be thankful for what we have in these trying times. It just makes it more difficult when someone you love cannot say "Thank You" for being by the bedside.

Happy Paige

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