...Are Running Deep...
Making a status update on The Facebook is really no substitute for writing an LJ entry, and I need to stop treating doing so as such. I'm sorry Future Rich - Present Rich is a lazy ass. I'm sure you understand.
Back in August (I have no idea if I chronicled it here) I went to St. Louis with Blake, Sky, and Shom to Incubus, and a good time was had by all. The previous August the four of us went to the same venue to see Rush, so we're all excited (or maybe just me) to find out what band we'll be going to see Next August. Maybe NIN will reform for another tour, or maybe the Peppers will play there or something...probably couldn't get them to go for something like Paramore. Soon those will be the last of my "favorite bands" that I will not have seen live.
I'm probably forgetting someone Really Important in that statement, so...well, to whoever I'm failing to recall right now, I am very sorry and assure you that you deserve a place of honor on one of my CD racks.
Anyway, Incubus was rockin', they played a pretty bitchin' set (not enough SCIENCE for Blake, but at least it was represented in the show). We ate Thai food and endured an opening act that was literally Painful to listen to. I covered my ears to make the sound more bearable.
I don't think September had any shows in it. Booooo.
This month Blake and I drove (in comfortable silence, aside from the soundtrack) up to Chicago to see Dream Theater, and they (and their new drummer) did not dissapoint. The setlist was nearly-all-album inclusive, we got what I'd classify as the "better" set/encore (Pull Me Under instead of Under a Glass Moon), and they made my jaw drop by playing Wait For Sleep, which was #2 on the list of "Top Songs Rich Wants To Hear" (top honors go to Take the Time, while Misunderstood makes the podium at #3) and #1 on the list of "Songs Rich Doesn't Think Dream Theater Will Ever Play Live". But they did it, and I was one smilin' mofo.
The opening band for Dream Theater was not my cup of tea, but it wasn't physically painful to listen to them, so they earned at least that point.
On the way out of the theater that night I rear-ended a fellow DT fan while standing on my brake pedal. Thankfully his car had a hitch sticking out the back end, which was apparently the only point I actually made contact with, and he was chill about the whole thing. Both vehicles were fine (bit of cosmetic "characted" added to mine) and we parted with "Have a good night!"s. I'd really like to get my brakes looked at...think I need to apply more pressure on Dad about that.
I've been watching Hajime No Ippo again, and I cannot say enough good things about this series. The music is awesome, the characters are rich and dynamic, the writing is funny and engaging, and the animation is right-on. If you have the means, I highly suggest giving it your attention. Speaking of that, Blake gave me a boxing speed bag last Christmas, and I finally built up the innitiative to mount the thing on the wall a few weeks ago. It's a delight to wrap ones hands (safety first!), go out into the garage, and hit away.
I solved a Rubix Cube for a talent show at church a while back. So far, no potential suitors have come forward in response.
Last weekend Blake and I drove over to B-Norm for a gig Sky's new band The Misfetts (I'm wearing their T-shirt right now) were playing. It was far outside my comfort zone to visit a bar in a strange city to watch a band, but a good time was had. Things improved greatly when we spotted Sarah and knew we were in the right bar, and later Toph showed up. The band played great and with real energy and passion and a sense of good fun, but more importantly their band has a Fantastic Concept - They cover/parady songs by the band The Misfits but with Star-Wars-themed lyrics. Even if they sucked I'd support that concept, because, damn. Right on, guys!
This week I am Super Excited: I'm going to see The Smashing Pumpkins on Thursday, and then on Friday I'm going to see...The Smashing Pumpkins! w00t! And now, a list - One Song Per Album That Rich Wants To Hear Real Bad. Ready and set and go!
Gish - Tristessa : Siamese - Geek U.S.A. : Pisces - Whir : Mellon Collie - Fuck You and X.Y.U. (double album gets two picks, 'cuz it's my list, suckas) : Aeroplane - Pennies OR Ugly (too close to call!) : Adore - For Martha : Machina - Raindrops & Sunshowers : Machina 2 - Glass' Theme and Cash Car Star : Judas 0 - Rock On : Zeitgeist - United States (the only one I've actually heard live already) : Teargarden - Tom Tom : Oceania (based soley on titles, as I've heard none of them yet because the album's not out yet) - Panopticon.
I'm eager to hear any of the unreleased material, really, so whichever songs they wanna give I'll be happy to receive. Hopefully sometime next week I'll have the energy to publish a recount of my SP adventures and report if I got any of that bucket list of tracks. Some of them are, like, "No Chance" tracks (ie. Whir and Rock On), but some are real possibilities, I think. I'm abstaining from looking at the setlists for the shows they started playing last week, though I know they were rehearsing Geek U.S.A. a month ago (they got this Tweeter thing-a-ma-jig), so that one better appear at least once. So excited!
In other, far-less-exciting news, I've played Carcassonne online with people from 10 different countries in the past week - A feat that may not have a huge "WOW" factor for us, but imagine the reaction of our grandparents. I bet my grandfathers would have been Fascinated...and probably would have been out there on their headsets askin' questions. Good kids.
...
That'll do.