You can't go back so keep moving forward

12/31/13 3:29 PM Home

I know it’s been some time since I posted anything substantial.  Last year, there were more posts, but there were more concerts and this blog for the most part has been a running review of my concerts.  Recently, I went through some of my old things and I found ticket stubs when I saw Bad Brains (1989) Butthole Surfers (91), Fleshtones (86) and numerous games.  One ticket stands out for me was seeing The Who at Shea  Stadium, the price for the ticket was…$16.00.  It was more than thirty years ago (82)   Come to think of it my high school reunion is next year.  Maybe I will attend and see how we aged and how we use Facebook to keep tabs on those we are curious about.  I still collect the tickets, but I have curtailed on the concerts.  Paying for Amanda to attend college is a huge expense and living like a teenager when you’re past 45…well it gets old.  Not to suggest I’m waving off the concerts.  Next year I plan on seeing Cracker in NYC at the Highline Ballroom and We Were Promised Jetpacks who are playing at Irving Plaza and in Boston.  Maybe I will see them in Boston with Amanda?  I bought three tickets, but I seriously doubt Amanda wants me to see them with her friends. That’s stepping over the abyss from cool Dad to...Ya Fatha's a....weirdo.  Anyway this post is to look back on the past year.  In November Ali celebrated one year free from cancer.  Joe performed in the high school production, The Sound of Music as well as the Junior High production (he was asked to fill in for a co-lead and had less than two weeks to memorize the lines and songs)  I am very proud of him.  He is becoming a gentleman.  His artwork is amazing and he is so close to his sisters.  But let it be known he is still 12 and can get under all of our skins… Emma won a congressional award for her photography and Bella starred in a production at the elementary school as well as talent show.  Amanda was offered an internship at Strong Women and Strong girls and she’s tutoring Simmons students taking economics.  Ali started a job for Suffolk County.  I wrote a radio play for church which was presented this past Sunday.  I think it went well and Ma thinks it was wonderful though she was not one of the two who were giving the production a standing ovation.  I’ve been working on a novel which is consuming my spare time.  I am not complaining since the story is very different from Killer Commute or Acid Tree Park and I am enjoying creating it.  That’s enough for now.  Thank you for reading this.

I found this old picture of me was back in ’88 or there about…

The Who and Elvis Costello play for charity at MSG theatre

3/01/13 10:13 Home

I took the day off since I knew I would not be in the right frame of mind to drag my ass out of bed and make it into work.  On a few hours of sleep, I was up early anyway.  I can use more rest but want to share some highlights from last night.  It was the first time in years I hung out with Jim Marcino.   There was a period in our lives when I’d consider him a close friend, but with his marriage and both of us having children, we drifted apart.  Please cue in the violins.  Jim and I saw The Who at the garden back in 2002.  It was one of their first shows after their incredible and historic performance they had at the 9/11 concert months before.  The energy in the garden that night was heightened to a peak that is tough to repeat.  In the past Jim and I have seen Ringo Starr’s All Star Band as well as the Old 97’s, but music and sports are stables of our conversations.  Hanging out with him last night brought back warm memories of why I like and respect him for the man is he and the life he is leading.  His life revolves around his children.  Everything he does is for his family.  Jim doesn’t hold back - he tells you what’s on his mind and it can be brutally frank.   Eric met us outside the entrance to the theatre.  It is a small venue compared to the garden where the Rangers played last night.  We saw their intoxicated obese fans on the train heading into the game with their $400 dollar jerseys and shorts on although it’s still winter and they are men.  I love their passion.  They clutch onto the blue shirts as if their lives depended on it.   Back to the show….Elvis Costello and The Impostors opened.  It was the first time for us seeing the legend.  Now, just a second as I digress to the ancient past; sleeping in tents in Dan Madigan’s back yard, say 1978 and hearing Pump It UP on the radio and thinking this song is powerful.  I loved it.  But never have seen a single performance.  Elvis came out and high fived some fans in front of the stage and cranked out his hits.  What’s so funny about Peace Love and Understanding, Radio Radio, Pump It UP.  Allison,   Everyday, I write the Book.  Each song smacked into the next, no holding back for the green Costello with his thick black glasses and white wired head set looking like a freaked out Irish alien from outer space.  His band was incredible.  This is one act I would love to see again instead of an opener, although New York loves the Costello alien.  Watching the Detectives….Elvis can play the guitars with the best of them.   This was the third time seeing The Who.  The second I described earlier, but the first was at Shea Stadium.  The Clash opened up and I was excited for seeing two of my favorite bands.  I stood in the outfield at Shea thinking of all of the players whose cleats ripped up the grass which was covered with a plastic sheet.  This was the same place The Beatles played and as I normally do, I made my way as close as possible to the stage. Paid for it days later; with ringing ears, and permanent hearing damage to my right ear.  I did the same last night when The Who was on.  Our seats were in the way back, although there is not a bad seat in the house.   I walked down steps and was about to set foot on the lower level just yards from the stage when I was stopped.  Told the usher I just want to take one picture…you can take it there.  From where I was and I should have been content till I saw another sneaking expert slip in and got in close to the stage. Bastard!  There was some commotion and it was my opportunity.  I made my way in.  Then even closer when two ushers were talking and I walked past them and got in in front of the stage.   The Who played a couple of songs off Quadrophenia  since they are on tour playing the whole album as well as a best of set.  Love Reign over me, Pin Ball Wizard, The Kids Are Alright, Who Are You.  Baba O Reilly, You Better You Bet! Were some of the highlights from their set.  Pete had more energy than I recall the last time we saw him as the garden, he was leaner and bounced around windmills of course and played the whole set with electric guitars.  Roger was in great shape and swung the microphone like no one else can.  His voice was shaky at times but what can you expect for someone who is nearing seventy.  Last night’s concert was a benefit for Teen Cancer Fund.  Both bands played for free.  Roger was eloquent as he described the hurdles teens encounter with cancer research and the extreme struggles for the health care providers who have a high burn out rate.   And just before the clock struck 11 PM, the show was over since Pete explained - we don’t want to pay the union anything more than what we need to!  Good night.

Thank you for reading this