Comfortably Numb

Its a bit delayed that I write about it now, but last Saturday I went to Dublin to watch Pink Floyd in concert. What? Now before Adam drops his purse and pees his panties, it was Australian Pink Floyd; tribute band. Wierd I know. I paid good money, 40 euros in fact, to watch a tribute band. Thats something I never thought Id ever do especially for that kind of money. Tribute bands by definition are really only just specialized cover bands, so normally there would be no sense in investing yourself in an act thats not even the real thing. People are strange though, and it was somewhat of a surreal experience. Before you pass judgement... hear me through.

Two of my coworkers are Pink Floyd freaks. They grew up in the 70s, so fair enough. And for as long as I could remember (which is about two years, the time I joined the office), they have been raving about this Aussie Pink Floyd tribute band. "Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!" They repeated the facts over and over: only tribute band with 6 semi-trucks for equipment, since they had purchased the stage sets from the last Pink Floyd Division Bell Tour in 1994, making the whole production sorta "blessed by the pope" in a way. They are the only tribute band to play for a real member of Pink Floyd , hired to play by David Gilmour to play at his 50th Birthday, and regularly endorsed by David Gilmour himself. Also they are very very very good at playing Pink Floyd songs, which is kinda essential to the whole thing. And last Saturday they were coming to Dublin again. Unknownst to me, this was kinda of a big deal.

It was such a big deal that Cyril bought his tickets 5 months ago. 16 of them. This completely blew me away, that people would go so crazy for a show that was essentially fake and bring everyone along with. But at the same time, it really intrigued me, and when one of Cyrils tickets became available last minute, I wanted to see what this was all about. I had to.

The concert itself, It had a wierd feel to it, like I was entering a girls bathroom by mistake for the first time; everything looks kinda the same, all the essentials are there, but you know there is something not quite right. It was packed house first of all, completely full at the Point Theatre, the premier performance venue in Dublin, seating some 8,500 or so, every single one had an ass in it. And with big crowds there was a definite buzz, a buzz that I was sort of rejecting because, again, for the millionth time, its only a tribute band. The buzz is that feeling of anxiety and excitement a crowd gets right before a big performance, a shared collective that produces a palitable energy and audible frequency, you feel it and hear it. The best example would be like the thousands of people entering a Canucks playoff game or an England vs Argentina World Cup match or a massive U2 concert or even the world premiere of "Deuce Bigalow 2: European Gigalo"; everyone has the exact same butterflies and goosebumps, knowing something big is about to happen, live right it front of you, and cant stand the anticipation. Thats the buzz, and I was rejecting it because I didnt think it belonged here. The stage, too, was looking all impressive; lights lazers, 40 ft circular projection screens, and a 35 foot inflatable blow up pig with glowing red eyes. Hmm, these guys know what they are doing. And when the gig started, with the lights and the screens and the music synced Pink Floyd patented lazers (the LAZERS!!), and the thousands of fans going crazy, youd actually think it was Pink Floyd playing. They were that good. They played every big song letter perfect, and with the lights and lazers blinding you and distracting you, you easily get lulled into an actual Pink Floyd experience.

This is what I figured out though... the best way I could describe it, is that much like wrestling, its sort of self delusional entertainment. You pretend whats going on is authentic, and everything is created to make it seem as authentic as possible even though in the back of your mind you know it isnt, and Paul "Mr. 1nderful" Orndorf is not really driving Tito Santanas head into the canvas. But you dont give a shit and enjoy it anyway. Thats what these Irish fans, and I guess Pink Floyd fans around the world are left with as the only option. Because if you blurred your eyes, especially during Wish You Were Here, then I swear its the closest to the real thing, youll ever get, which for me is good enough. Especially considering when there is absolutely no chance that the real Pink Floyd would ever stand up and play again together because they hate each other so much (Not including Live 8, which was an exception because that was for charity, and Bob Geldof pulled a Tony Soprano on them)

And I was surprised to say, even going in with so much skepticalism (not a spelling mistake), that I really enjoyed myself. Not 40 euros enjoyed myself, mind you, but hey whatever. Everyone loves a good live cover band.

Standard of Living

There have been three momentus changes in my life recently. All three have had an enormous impact on my well being. I am now better.

1) AirTunes. I have combined the excellent pairing of Bose Companion 3 Speakers with Airport Express to give me true wireless music via iTunes in my household. True, the technology has existed for almost two years, but I havent had the opportunity to scratch that itch until a recent visit to the Bose candy store made it undeniable for me (Damn you Bose and your sweet sounds audio products!). So now I have merged two things that Eric and I have been talking about for ages... Wireless music + Bose Speakers. Its crotch grabbingly exciting.

2) The George Foreman Grill. Who would of thunk? Sure its the punch line to most jokes, but this infomercial gadget is brilliant. My roommate brought it back home from his parents place, and we have been racking up the mileage ever since. Whats not to like? Its an indoor grill, it makes cooking healthy by draining all the goodness away, its quick cooking by grilling on the top AND the bottom, its quick cleaning, it makes a mean-ass Panini, and it gives your food those ultra cool looking grill lines. All that from a sandwich maker tilted on a slight angle.

3) Abercrombie & Fitch Boxers. I recently bought a handful of this ginch and have been thoroughly impressed. I say its the most exciting underwear Ive personally experienced since the "slightly exposed G-String" revolution amongst able females. Great material, excellent thread count, good absorbtion and breathability, no chafing, its just such good quality! Its even a cut above my Burberry boxers, which is saying quite alot. It might well be on its way to joining Satin boxers in the Holy Mosque of Boxer Worship. (clarification, not AS exciting as the G-String, because quite frankly thats impossible, but most exciting SINCE... there is a difference)

St. Patricks Day #2

-Last weekend my friend from Vancouver, Kathryn, came to visit with her mate Julie, an unexpected out of the blue last minute visit, the kind that surprise you and energize you at the same time. I was still in the Oklahoma / Texas/ Arkansas triangle at the time when I found out, but it was awesome that schedules worked out, so she came over to Dublin just when I got back. It was some savage craic, but it was just too bad the the Six Nations Rugby match between Ireland and Scotland was on that weekend, because when these things happen in Dublin, accomodations disappear quickly and treble in price (I like that word, treble... it amuses me) And as a result there were thousands of men in plaid burberry skirts in Dublin that weekend. And as Julie and Kathryn found out, not so much underneath either.. yucks. Just disgusting. Im dry heaving now.

-Second St Patricks Day in Ireland in a row yesterday. This is going to wreck all future St. Patricks Days for me from now on, after I move away from here. The craic is insane mighty and since Im in Ireland its actually a Stat Holiday. No work, bitches. It was brutally cold though, all the more reason to stay inside in the pub. And it seems there are no health codes or fire regulations in Ireland because they just freakin pack you into the pubs, like sardines, especially on St. Pats. Literally, its like a mosh pit. Good when you are beside pretty girls with skant clothing. Bad when you are beside a Kilt wearing Scottish guy with no underwear.

- Got a new Video iPod. Now I can watch Karate Kid anytime I want. I rule so much its mind blowing.

- On a related note, I just heard there is a new Video iPod coming out soon, with a fuller size screen. Typical. Whenever I feel better about myself with something new, Karma kicks me in the nuts.

- On thursday and today, Saturday, I got saved by the best thing ever (Didnt include Friday, cuz its St. Pats Day). Its called March Madness on Demand live video streaming, on ncaasports.com. (Duke all the Way) All this time I thought I had no chance to watch the College Basketball Tourney, but then I found this out and went crazy ape shit, like Chuck Norris whenever he sees Steven Segal. And its FREE! (Duke all the way) and I get to watch whatever freakin game I want. Like right now for example Im watching Yannick Noahs kid dominate in the Florida / Wisc. Milwaukee game. Im so excited to know he has dreadlocks too... and a gap toothed smile. I guess you can have everything that your dad has, except the shortcut tennis shorts. (Duke all the Way)

Dont Mess with Texas

Quickly chiming in from Debbie Does Dallas. Im here for the weekend instead of Oklahoma cuz Oklahoma sucks. Pardon my cajun french, but its true. Stupid Hornets arent even playing whilst I was there.

Now Ive only been in Dallas once before, very briefly, but now that Im staying a whole weekend, I can judge it better. And after just one nite so far, this is what I think: I have to say that Dallas must be the California of Texas. My analogy, dont steal. I figured this because: theres actually not that many accents here or not as bad or exaggerated as other places, theres very westcoast-ish feel in they way they do things, girls dress westcoast style, good diverse base of restaurants, representation in every major sport league, and I dont know... it just gives me that vibe. Dallas, it aint shabby. Of course now, Ive havent ventured much further than the Deep Ellis and Addison areas, (which are kinda hip/posh)... but I like to leave with that impression, and generalize. Its so much easier that way. PLUS... girls here are Gorgeous. OMG. Maybe that has something to do with it too.. maybe... just a little bit. And you know how you stare at cute girls when they pass nearby? Well here they stare back. And smile. And say, "Hi how ya doin?" which then leads me to then respond, very cooly... "baaaa.. arahgh phhhft bffftt"

BTW... got a Inifinity FX45 for a rental car, which is easily the sexiest, tea-baggin vehicle I have ever driven. I actually feel like a better person. I do. And I will continue to, until it comes time to fill out my rental car expense report.