Updates
I just paid for my tux. Notch lapels, black-in-silver cufflinks/studs, silver vest with both long and bow-ties, etc. The entire package, including shipping, cost $160. Might have it been cheaper to go to Portland? Maybe. But once you factor in gas, probably not. This way, they deliver it to me. All I have to do is have the final touches made (meaning the hem of the pants) and have it drycleaned. Bingo-bango, I'm all set.
Speaking of gas, an interesting thing happened to me on Saturday. BB King was in concert at Maryhill Winery (more about that in a bit), so I made sure to get gas in Biggs, as it's considerably cheaper than in town (turned out to be 20 cents cheaper!). Problem was that I couldn't get much, only $10 -- payday wasn't until today.
So after the concert (again, more about that later), I pulled into a station in Biggs and told the attendant "$10." I know I said $10. So when I was getting out of my car to go pay inside, and just happened to look at the screen, I was surprised to see it say "Stop at $20".
I only had $10. Hence the reason I asked for $10 worth.
By the time I noticed it, it was too late. The attendant probably thought I was running a scam, and the gal at the register might have, too. But she told me to pay what I asked for (I felt really bad), so I wound up with some free gas.
And now, for the concert:
I had read on-line (on the venue's official site) that NO cameras are allowed. I get there (sans camera) to find out that only video cameras and "professional" cameras (ie. cameras with extended lenses) are verboten; point-and-shoot cameras are fine. Dangit. Also allowed are small coolers, food, and unopened non-alcoholic beverages. I'd also read this, and had a case of generic coke in my collapsable cooler.
Got into the venue and who should I run into but Paul Allen and Daniel, two of my students from the youth group. They invited me to sit in the grass with them, but I declined -- I had a reserved seat up front. However, before the concert started I went back up and talked with them a while. Turns out their parents dropped them off and were going to pick them up when they called. That required them to leave half an hour early (in order for the parents to not have to deal with the insanity that is post-concert traffic).
Me, having recently cleaned out my car, considered that to be stupid: why drive twenty miles, wasting the gas, and leave the concert early when I can give them a ride? As I offered this alternative, a woman next to us (that we didn't know) asked: "Are you sure you're a safe person to be giving them a ride?" Daniel explained I was one of their youth pastors, I thanked her for being concerned, and that was the end of it.
And now, for the concert:
The opening group was Jimi Lund Band, a blues band out of Portland. The band was pretty good, but the vocalist wasn't the best. Oh, well; they're not why I was there. I listened to them for a while, and then they left.
And then BB came on.
Okay, the guy is 82 years old. For the entire concert he sat on a chair onstage. But that's okay. Why? He's BB King; he can do whatever he wants. He still sounds like himself. He can still sing, and with more power behind the vocals than most younger bands I've seen. He can still play. And he can talk. Man, can he talk. And when he talked, I found out something I didn't know before:
BB King's a perv. Even by my standards.
It's rather amusing to listen to an 82 year old talk about Drs. Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and hitting on women. For example:
He shared a story about how he went into an office and a young woman said her husband should probably see Dr. Viagra.
"Well, how old's your husband?"
"35."
"And how old are you?"
"23."
"Tell ya what. How 'bout you leave your husband where he is and come have some fun with BB?" *insert audience laughter and hooting here* "And she didn't come!"
That's what she said.
Anyway, he puts on a very good show. He's a good musician, has a great band, is funny, and a major perv. What's not to like?
After the gig I met with Paul and Daniel and we headed to the car. Where we sat for at least half an hour until 99% of the traffic was gone. I don't like traffic, and I didn't see the point of starting the engine, burning the gas, and not moving at all.
When we finally left, I got some gas in Biggs (see above), and drove them home. All in all, a pretty cool evening. And I can now say I've seen a legend, and I would recommend seeing BB King to anyone.
Speaking of gas, an interesting thing happened to me on Saturday. BB King was in concert at Maryhill Winery (more about that in a bit), so I made sure to get gas in Biggs, as it's considerably cheaper than in town (turned out to be 20 cents cheaper!). Problem was that I couldn't get much, only $10 -- payday wasn't until today.
So after the concert (again, more about that later), I pulled into a station in Biggs and told the attendant "$10." I know I said $10. So when I was getting out of my car to go pay inside, and just happened to look at the screen, I was surprised to see it say "Stop at $20".
I only had $10. Hence the reason I asked for $10 worth.
By the time I noticed it, it was too late. The attendant probably thought I was running a scam, and the gal at the register might have, too. But she told me to pay what I asked for (I felt really bad), so I wound up with some free gas.
And now, for the concert:
I had read on-line (on the venue's official site) that NO cameras are allowed. I get there (sans camera) to find out that only video cameras and "professional" cameras (ie. cameras with extended lenses) are verboten; point-and-shoot cameras are fine. Dangit. Also allowed are small coolers, food, and unopened non-alcoholic beverages. I'd also read this, and had a case of generic coke in my collapsable cooler.
Got into the venue and who should I run into but Paul Allen and Daniel, two of my students from the youth group. They invited me to sit in the grass with them, but I declined -- I had a reserved seat up front. However, before the concert started I went back up and talked with them a while. Turns out their parents dropped them off and were going to pick them up when they called. That required them to leave half an hour early (in order for the parents to not have to deal with the insanity that is post-concert traffic).
Me, having recently cleaned out my car, considered that to be stupid: why drive twenty miles, wasting the gas, and leave the concert early when I can give them a ride? As I offered this alternative, a woman next to us (that we didn't know) asked: "Are you sure you're a safe person to be giving them a ride?" Daniel explained I was one of their youth pastors, I thanked her for being concerned, and that was the end of it.
And now, for the concert:
The opening group was Jimi Lund Band, a blues band out of Portland. The band was pretty good, but the vocalist wasn't the best. Oh, well; they're not why I was there. I listened to them for a while, and then they left.
And then BB came on.
Okay, the guy is 82 years old. For the entire concert he sat on a chair onstage. But that's okay. Why? He's BB King; he can do whatever he wants. He still sounds like himself. He can still sing, and with more power behind the vocals than most younger bands I've seen. He can still play. And he can talk. Man, can he talk. And when he talked, I found out something I didn't know before:
BB King's a perv. Even by my standards.
It's rather amusing to listen to an 82 year old talk about Drs. Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and hitting on women. For example:
He shared a story about how he went into an office and a young woman said her husband should probably see Dr. Viagra.
"Well, how old's your husband?"
"35."
"And how old are you?"
"23."
"Tell ya what. How 'bout you leave your husband where he is and come have some fun with BB?" *insert audience laughter and hooting here* "And she didn't come!"
That's what she said.
Anyway, he puts on a very good show. He's a good musician, has a great band, is funny, and a major perv. What's not to like?
After the gig I met with Paul and Daniel and we headed to the car. Where we sat for at least half an hour until 99% of the traffic was gone. I don't like traffic, and I didn't see the point of starting the engine, burning the gas, and not moving at all.
When we finally left, I got some gas in Biggs (see above), and drove them home. All in all, a pretty cool evening. And I can now say I've seen a legend, and I would recommend seeing BB King to anyone.