The Notorious B.S.G.

^^ Thinks I'm a girl, despite ample evidence to the contrary.

^^ Stumbled in here thinking this was the site dedicated to Mr. Limbaugh.

Never seen it, but I understand Danielle was a MAJOR hottie. (Pics, goob?)

^^ Drinks skunky beer, and actually LIKES it.

^^ Oughta come up with a new way to abuse my user-name.

^^ Well, just LOOK at the guy............. (What's up, Gary?)

^^^ Shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die. (see "Johnny Cash") <game off> This thread is pretty cool. Much more sporting to mock people in an open forum. <game on, Garth!>

^^ Really needs to stop hanging around down by the loading docks, picking up longshoreman.

^^ Needs a diagram to remove his head from his a$$.

^^ Schizophrenic, which is how he justifies playing with himself.

Here's a few more pics from this show. First, Victor, my new bestest buddy and I: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/bsg2112/VictorandScott.jpg And some cutie pie (never caught her name) and Victor: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/bsg2112/CutiePieAndVictor.jpg And, for the record, here's what they played: 01. City Of Blinding Lights 02. Vertigo 03. Elevation 04. Mysterious Ways 05. Until The End Of The World 06. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For/In A Little While 07. Beautiful Day 08. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own 09. Love And Peace Or Else 10. Sunday Bloody Sunday 11. Bullet The Blue Sky 12. Miss Sarajevo 13. Pride (In The Name Of Love) 14. Where The Streets Have No Name 15. One Encore: 16. The First Time 17. Stuck in a Moment 18. With or Without You 19. All Because Of You 20. Yahweh 21. 40

U2 Tampa, Florida November 16, 2005 Well, I'm sitting here trying to describe this show without using predictable, cliched words like "awesome", "amazing" or "incredible". Then, it occurs to me that sometimes these words are perfectly appropriate. It's "amazing" to see how something like a group of musicians playing for money, a scenario we've all experienced many times, and quite frankly, something which I've become particularly jaded about, can be made to feel like something else entirely. Something, dare I say it......... transcendant? Kinda cool also, that this experience always seems to produce for me several newest-bestest-buddies-for-life-I'll-never-see-again. (Pictures to follow.) There's just something about a concert, especially a general admission scenario, that brings this out in people. ("Oh, you like 'Until the End of the World', too? I LOVE that song!") It's "incredible" to believe that this group of guys, led by this charismatic, bleeding-heart, idealistic, outspoken lead singer can make die-hard Republicans share beer, good conversation, and laughs with ultra-leftists. But, I was there. I experienced it. I was the "right" half of these equations, and I here I am, finding myself wanting to research African debt-relief some more. Can it be morally, economically feasible? Does it seem to offer the best long-term chances for prosperity, freedom, and free enterprise for this benighted continent? Does it make sense from the point of view of a die-hard capitalist? I'm not ready to proclaim a final opinion. Not just yet. And, I suppose "awesome" is as good a word as any to describe the sheer power of great rock. These guys know how to craft a tune, and sling those guitars around! Of course, the history of these concert reviews has always been as much about the people one meets, as about the show. I see no need to break tradition. I met up with my sister-in-law, with whom I was very gratified to share my good fortune at getting General Admission (GA) tickets (the Holy Grail of U2 tickets this year). This is especially true since she recently got some bad family news. I had "instructed" her to acquire some good Irish whisky (or Jim Beam, whatever LOL), as I was determined to take the "edge" (pun intended) off my work-a-day worries. So, we went to the arena, got a number written on our hands, (we were fan-club GA line members 501 and 502, by the way), then returned to my parked mini-van to have a brief sip. I felt like a high-schooler all over again, stealing furtive glances this way and that, but whatchagunnado? It's either that, or pay $8 a beer at the venue. (To paraphrase Miss Sarajevo, "Is there a time........ to be cheap?") Yes, there is. We returned to the GA line outside the venue, which by this point, was easily several thousand. They were actually lined up in 2 rows, those with fanclub GA's, and those with regular GA's. So, we found our proper place in line, and I decided to just see if I could spot some friends I had met last year at the Tampa Rush show. I walked not more than 20 feet when I spotted them! And this was among a group of thousands! How "incredible" is that? Had a nice chat with Jeremiah and Gary (known to some here as "Xana Dew" and "Bruthr Presto", respectively). Here's the three of us, feeling little to no pain. (L to R, Jeremiah, Gary, me.) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/bsg2112/JeremiahGaryAndScott.jpg Soon enough, the line began moving. As the tickets were scanned, there was a system to randomly select tickets to go inside the "ellipse", the area directly in front of the stage, which holds 300-400 people, and is enclosed by catwalks. If the GA ticket is a Holy Grail, the ellipse is umm.......... really neat. An employee of the venue told me that the general admission area held about 5000 people. So, considering that each selected ticket-holder also brings in one companion, there were about 175 times that the buzzer went off. So, between the 2 of us, we had about a 1 in 14 chance to make it. (Please post corrections to my math at ibarelypassedcalculusanddontcare.com.) Well......... if I thought I was lucky to spot my friends in that crush of people outdoors, my luck was about to become, umm.......... "incredible". It happened so fast, but the next thing I know, someone is telling my sister "congratulations!" What? No way! Shut up! Get outta town! So, we got ourselves a blue wristband, and proceeded like we were part of the road crew or somesuch, all the way to a spot about 20 feet from Adam's side of the stage. By the way, apologies to J & G if my excited reaction seemed a bit, oh, I don't know, exuberant. Suffice it to say, no one in the immediate area failed to realize I was a happy dude. Highlights of the show? Bono introduced "Sometimes you can't Make It On Your Own" by talking about his father (as usual). He said when he'd talk to him, his Dad would say "take off those fu*king sunglasses!" During "Love and Peace or Else" Bono whacks on a drum at the far side of the catwalk. Very dramatic dude, that Bono. And the moment when Bono asks the audience to take out their cell phones and send a text message to a particular number, showing support for his "One" campaign, was quite moving. The arena lit up with literally thousands of flickers of light. Beautiful to see, really. Songs I was ecstatic to hear: "Mysterious Ways" "Until the End of the World" "Original of the Species" (a beautiful love song from HTDAAB) "Stuck in a Moment" "With or Without You" "40" Songs I loved to hear, and enjoyed immensely: Everything else. And, of course, there were many songs I wished to hear. Probably most notable by its absence was "Miracle Drug", a song which they've pretty consistently played this tour, and which was greatly missed. My only wish is that they had adopted an "evening with" format, as Rush did several years ago. I know the argument for exposing new bands, etc. but frankly, I'd rather see more U2. It doesn't seem likely that will ever happen, though. So, I'll just need to be content with what there was to experience. Other concert experiences? Wow! Where to begin? There was my new best-friend-for-life Victor, from Mexico City. Victor dude, send me those pics you took with your REAL camera, with the telephoto, please. Victor managed to elicit the interest of security, who came by looking for someone with a real camera, and even asked to see my crappy disposable thingie. Luckily, Victor was away at the time they came by. Then there were other folks. The girl with the punk, "hello kitty" look. The cutie pie who befriended Victor and me, just because we were 2 "wild and crazy guys"!!! One more here, proving how crappy my camera was, Mr. Adam Clayton: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/bsg2112/04.jpg And a closeup, crop of the same: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/bsg2112/BonoAndAdam.jpg Just WAIT until my pal Victor comes through with some REAL pics. I can just FEEL he's gonna do it. And, judging by my recent luck, you ought not bet against me, eh? "It's a beautiful day. Don't let it get away."

QUOTE (paganoman @ Nov 17 2005, 02:58 PM) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v502/paganoman/01.jpg <YAWN>..... FEED ME! Dang, Pags, Princess looks like she's sportin' a Mohawk! Or at least an Elvis-pompadour. Nice!

QUOTE (madra sneachta @ Nov 8 2005, 04:16 PM) Everybody worship Barney, don't ever let your faith falter. He's obviously reached the rank of a God, 'coz now he's got an altar. Altar/Alter.................... Dammit! It's art!!!! Umm............... who gives a fart? <Startled realization that I'm in the poetry thread.> Better start using my head.

Fargo is pure genius. One of the best movies I've ever seen.

Just finished "I am Charlotte Simmons" by Tom Wolfe, easily one of the best writers in America. Now starting "Trace", a Scarpetta novel.

Nice shootin', Riv. I've had the of firing a .357 revolver once or twice, (sorry, don't know the make). I'm not up on makes and models, but fully support our Second Amendment rights, as it is the one which guarantees all the rest. And thanks for the videos, guys.

I don't care if I catch flak for this, but I absolutely LOATH System of a Down. "BYOB" is easily the most repugnant, obnoxious, unlistenable song I've ever heard, and the rest of what I've heard turns my stomach to an equal degree. So take THAT, you young whipper-snappers! <Shaking my cane at you.>

One of MY personal favorites. Yup.

QUOTE (Cygnus @ Aug 18 2005, 11:41 AM) Dude you need to get here more often. check previous posts Hey Cyg! Wassup, dude? I promise next time before I post to read EVERY SINGLE POST in all forums. Oy! < Let's do this soon, eh?

This seems an apropro place...................... _________________________________________ The Male Commandments 1. Thou shalt not rent Sleepless in Seattle. 2. When on a fishing trip with the guys, never, no matter how sunburned you and your buds may be....is it appropriate to rub sunscreen on each other's backs. 3. When queried by a buddy's wife, girlfriend, mother, father, priest, shrink, dentist, accountant, or dog walker, you need not and should not provide any useful information whatsoever as to his whereabouts. You are permitted to deny his very existence. 4. If a man's zipper is down, that's his problem--you didn't see nothin'. 5. Any man who brings a camera to a bachelor party may be legally killed and eaten by his fellow partygoers. 6. When in need to go pee, there is a minimum of one empty urinal between you and another man. If this is not possible, you're out of luck----hold it 'til later. 7. You may exaggerate any anecdote told in a bar by 50% without recrimination; beyond that, anyone within earshot is allowed to call you on it. (Exception: When trying to pick-up a girl, the allowable exaggeration rate rises to 400%). 8. Under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella. 9. If you've known a guy for more than 24 hours, his sister is off-limits forever, unless you actually marry her. 10. The minimum amount of time you have to wait for another guy who's running late: five minutes. Maximum waiting time: six minutes. For a girl, you are required to wait 10 minutes for every point of hotness she scores on the classic 1-10 scale. 11. Things that you can always cheat on: your taxes, the SAT's, and your resume. Things you can never cheat on: golf, darts, poker. 12. A friend must be permitted to borrow anything you own----weed whacker, car, firstborn child----within 12 hours' notice. If he damages the item, he must repair it within seven days, even if it means selling his plasma. Exception: If you don't notice the damage at the hand-off, he gets away scot-free. 13. It is OK to cry only during the following situations: When a heroic dog tries to save his master; The moment Angelina Jolie starts unbottoning her blouse; After wrecking your boss' Ferrari; One hour, 12 minutes, and 37 seconds into The Crying Game; When you accidentally slice off your head in a bandsaw. 14. You cannot rat out a coworker who shows up at work with a massive hangover. You may, however, hide the aspirin, smear his chair with Limburger cheese, turn the brightness dial all the way down so he thinks his monitor's broken, and have him paged over the loudspeaker every seven minutes. 15. Do not torpedo single friends: If you're married and a pal drops by with a date, do not, even after your sixth vodka, blurt out, "So when are you two gonna walk the plank?" Punishment: Following the assembly instructions for your rugrat's toys for two years. 16. On a road trip, the strongest bladder determines the pit stops, not the weakest. 17. Unless you're in prison, never fight naked. 18. Women who claim they "love to watch sports" must be treated as spies until they demonstrate knowledge of the game and the ability to pick a Buffalo wing clean. 19. Unless he murdered someone in your immediate family, you must bail out a friend within 12 hours. 20. No man shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another man. (In fact even remembering your best buddy's birthday is strictly optional). 21. The universal compensation for buddies who help you move is beer. The reward formula is as follows: (hours of labor) x (number of boxes) x (flight of stairs) divided by dollars, in hundreds, of damage to belongings = beers owed. Bonus for the friend who owns the truck: first crack at the hot new neighbor chick. 22. You must offer heartfelt and public condolences over the death of a girlfriend's cat, even if you secretly set it on fire and threw it into a ceiling fan. 23. If you compliment a guy on his six-pack, you'd better be talking about his choice of beer. 24. Unless you have signed a lucrative endorsement contract, do not appear in public wearing more than one Nike swoosh. 25. When stumbling upon other guys watching a sporting event, you may always ask the score of the game in progress; but you may never ask who's playing. 26. When your girlfriend/wife expresses a desire to fix her whiny, loser friend up with your pal, you may give her the go-ahead only if you'll be able to warn your buddy and give him time to prepare his excuse about joining the priesthood. 27. Phrases that may not be uttered to another man while lifting weights: "Yeah, baby, push it!"; "C'mon, give me one more! Harder!"; "Another set and we can hit the showers."; "Nice ass. Are you a Sagittarius?" 28. It is permissible to order a fruity chick drink only when you're sunning on a tropical beach....and it's delivered by a topless model....and it's free. 29. When in a bar with a ratio of more than five waiting customers per bartender, limit orders to beer and straight liquor. (No, your girlfriend doesn't need a frozen flying grasshopper with a twist of grapefruit). 30. Only in a situation of mortal peril are you allowed to kick another member of the male species in the "family jewels." 31. Never talk to a man in the bathroom unless you're on equal footing: both urinating, both waiting in line, etc. For all other situations, an almost imperceptible "I recognize you" nod is all the conversation you need. 32. A man in the company of a hot, suggestively dressed woman must remain sober enough to fight. 33. The third, fourth, and fifth rules of Fight Club: If your buddy is outnumbered, outmanned, or too drunk to defend himself, you must jump into the fight. Exception: If during the past 24 hours his actions have caused you to think "What this guy need is a good butt-whipping." You may then stand back and enjoy. 34. Friends don't let friends wear Speedos. Ever. Issue closed. 35. Never hesitate to reach for the last beer or the last slice of pizza, but not both. That's just plain mean. 36. If one guy is already singing along with a song on the car radio, you may not chime in, even if it's the chorus to "Wooly Bully." 37. Never join your girlfriend or wife in dissing a buddy of yours, except when she's withholding sex pending your response.

Lemme at 'em! (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!)

Foo Fighters - In Your Honor (LOVE the "hard" CD, starting to get into the "soft" CD.) 3 Coldplay CD's (Parachutes, A Rush of Blood to the Head, X & Y) - Why waste time? I just went ahead and got them all at once. I like the latter two better than the first. Abba - Greatest Hits or somesuch. (My first time I broke down and bought anything by these Swedish popsters.) Why are you looking at me like that? C'mon! You NEVER sang along to "Dancing Queen"?..................... Liar!)

QUOTE (sullysue @ Jul 12 2005, 05:29 PM) Nothing more annoying than the girls at full attention for no apparent reason. Poe-tay-toe, pah-tah-toe! You say "annoying", I say "wonderful".