Filter /Hard Rock

This was freaking awesome. One of the best experiences of my life. My friend Matt and I got to go to the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Cleveland for the restaurants 10th anniversary and to see Filter play there on November 1st. My wife hooked us up with the tickets, which included meet and greets.

We got VIP passes and it was cool. We first hung out at the sectioned off bar with a couple of other guys, and got some free alcohol. Then the band just came out and just started hanging out and talking with us. It was really cool. I had them all sign my CD cover to their latest album. Then the Hard Rock gave us all free T shirts, which the band wrote Filter on and signed. It sucked that I brought a camera, but the batteries were dead. Hard Rock did get a picture of me and Matt, and I took some with my phone, but again they suck. Back to the concert. We went and sat in a booth after the band left, waiting for the set up and show. The way it was, Hard Rock just closed the restaurant that night, and just removed all of the tables and put in a small stage. That meant we had prime seating. It was more impressive because we weren't suppose to have the booth. They were all suppose to be reserved. They didn't make us move though, and we wound up having it for the whole show. Once it started, we just stood up or sat on the back of the booth, and had the band playing about 10 feet away. Anytime, we wanted, we could just leave the booth, and with a little bit of work, pretty much get right to the front of the stage. It was awesome. As for music, they pretty much played most of the songs from Title of Record, which you wont hear me complain since it is one of my favorite albums of all time. The opening act, which I cant think of the name of at the moment, was also very good. We met another guy there too who hung out with us and was pretty cool named Bill. An awesome experience, and one that I doubt I will get close to ever duplicating again.

Coldplay

I went to see Coldplay tonight at the Q and it was a great show. That is one of my favorite groups. My friend Abs and I sat on the left side of the stage and had a great view. We had a bad time seeing though when they went to the far side of the stage and played on the piano to the fans there. It wasn't so much a distance problem, but they had these artsy balls with colors and video hanging and spinning around right in our line of site. I have to say, it really impressed me when the band disappeared off stage and showed up in the aisles in the back of the stadium and played for a couple of songs. They really seem to be cool to the fans. I picked up a T shirt and cant wait to get a chance to see them again.

I went up to the radio station today, and got to meet Jessica Simpson. My interaction with her was very short, but she was really nice, and I got to take a picture with her. I put it up on MySpace. Anyway, she had several people with her and her dog, which was interesting. We waited while she talked on the air with the morning show, and when she was done with them and some fans that had won the right to meet her, we got to mingle in the hallway for a few minutes. I told her it was nice to meet her, and it was nice to see a fellow Texan. I also mentioned rooting for Romo. She made the appropriate nice acknowledgments, but I am sure it wasn't anything she really was too worried about. She was nice though. She didn't looked like she put some makeup and so on on beforehand, but not all decked out for Hollywood. Of course, I guess I wouldn't expect that for a trip to a radio station. It was cool to meet her though, and when I think about it, she is probably the celebrity that I have met that most people would have the most interest in in one way or another. Its also cool to have to brag to the guys about...

Went to see Carrie Underwood with my wife. It was a nice show, but rather low key for the most part. Carrie is everything you expect. Sweet, beautiful voice, very pretty. It was nice, and though I wasn't jumping out of my skin to go when previously hearing about it, I am glad I did.

Video Games

Downtime at work again today, so I decided to create a video games page with links to images of my collection of games. As I am typing this, I am thinking about how pathetic and nerdy it sounds, but I have to do something besides twiddle my thumbs. Besides, it could be useful in the future....

An actual Transformers update today.... I spent a lot of time and really updated my Transformers IDW cover checklist. I added books I was missing for pretty much every IDW series I have on there. I also updated my Grimm checklist.

American Idol Tour

Last night went with my wife to the American Idol Tour concert. I have to admit, I really wasn't looking forward to it. I have watched the show with my wife the last few years, but have always felt that the show has a little too much drama, and that most of the time the people at the end won more a popularity contest than talent contest. Last year I did think was better though, and it did translate to me actually enjoying the concert to a certain degree. My favorites were Carly and Cook. I liked them both the best at the concert as well. I guess the best thing is, that there was not anyone in the top 10 I really hated with this group. So for the concert, even the artist that I didn't care for as much still were okay to watch. Cook was awesome at the end with his version of Billy Jean. I actually will probably buy the CD for this winner for the first time. My wife did have fun, and we got her some cool souvenirs for her studio such as a group poster, a program, and photos of Carly and Cook. of course, while she enjoyed it, I do think she is overly infatuated with New Kids right now.......