DON'T Get Your Money Back at the Door

I've only been talking about it for ever, and even more since I found out they would be going on tour. Seeing the Counting Crows live in concert has been at the top of my list of things to do for as long as I can remember. Well, I can check it off the list now, and wait to put the next checkmark by it sometime in the future cause you can be certain I will be seeing them again.

The concert was everything I hope it would be plus so much more. On July 12, Kiernan, Andy, Justin, and I went to Riverbend in Cincinati to see them and the Goo Goo Dolls in concert. The drive up was the usual chatting about everyone who was not with us on the trip, recent occurances, and some usually good gossip. Once in the Cincinatti area we stopped for food at Frisch's. A delicious meal to hold us over for the concert.

Our seats were very good, about 30 rows back with a clear view of the stage. The first band, Augustana, was a nice opening act, but it was even better that Adam Durtiz himself came out to introduce the band. The crowd began to grow as Augustana performed in anticpatio of the co-headlining Goo Goo Dolls.

The Goo Goo Dolls performance was fairly good, but it definently could have been better. It was a high energy show that entertained that casual fans such as myself. They played all their classics including Iris, Black Balloon, Slide, Broadway, and Name. Those were all very good, but their new songs and all songs sung by the bassist left something to be desired. Note: The Bassist's voice sounds like he constantly has a huge loogie to hock up. Not sweet sounding at all.

After the Goo Goo Dolls performed, the moment I had been waiting for all summer had arrived. Adam Duritz and the Counting Crows took the stage. The set began with an awesome performance of Anna Begins, which has grown on me lately. An AMAZING performance of Mrs. Potter's Lullaby with story included, and a heartfelt and purely magical peformance of Round Here were included. Omaha, Big Yellow Taxi, Time and Time Again, Black and Blue, and Four White Stallions finished out the set..that is until Adam moved to the piano for an extended version of LONG DECEMBER! It was a truly amazing moment that I love very second of. To cap off the night, the hour and fifteen minute set was encored with Hangin' Around with all the members of Augustana and Goo Goo Dolls included.

It was an awesome night.

High School No Longer Lingers

Today, I can officially say the last strings attaching me to my high school days have evaporated. As I opened the trusty old mailbox today I was surprised to find my AP scores had arrived. And I'm proud to say I beat those damn AP tests. Also, my belief that studying doesnt really help stood true again. I scored 4's on Modern Euro, English, and Gov, while getting a 3 on Calc after studying for 2 weeks.

Oh well, farewell highshool. I'm done with you.

O 69....BINGO!

Every age brings new exciting adventures for one to test the waters. Sixteen brings the responsibilites of driving and jobs, and seventeen signals the last year of high school for many. Then there is the all important age of 18 that brings voting, signing up for the draft, and most importantly the ability to waste my money on the belief that it will bring me more money. And we all know this as gambling.

Most eighteen year olds gamble first by buying that lottery ticket or scratch-off. Here in Louisville a good portion of the rest make a trip to Churchill Downs to bet on the ponies. For me, and many of my friends, the first taste of gambling involved a smoke filled room of old ladies and balls with a number and letter on them. Yes, you guessed correctly, last night my friends and I played the thrill inducing game of BINGO.

I'm sorry to say that none of us came out as winners, but did we ever get into something we had no clue about. I'm pretty sure the lady on the microphone was talking in a foreign languauge and who knew the "lollipop" was a way to win in BINGO? But there were helpful ladies in front of us, and being the newcomers gets you alot of fans. For three hours last night, the balls were all I cared about and they did not fall my way. But now, I can say I gambled legally for the first time and who wouldn't want a nice dabber as a keepsake? By the way, its in my car so I'm prepared the next time we go hit up the local BINGO hall.