Copeland in Concert

House of Blues

Yesterday we drove to Anaheim to see four bands in concert at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. Lovedrug and Copeland were playing with Acceptance and Eager Seas. Eager Seas opened. They're new. They stood up at the end of their set and said, "Our stuff is out there with the rest of them. We're new. We're poor."

Lovedrug was second. I really liked them. A lot. They looked smart -- all in jeans, brown dress shirts and ties. Even their movements were coordinated (but not choreographed), and the lead singer switched back from guitar to keyboard. They played a lot of songs I knew from listening to CD's while co-piloting -- even my two favorites.

Acceptance was good too. I'd like to get their CD. And find out if they are a Christian band or not. Aaron thinks that all four might have been, but only one was definite. But with a name like Acceptance, and lyrics like "you took the fall" it kind of sounded like it. Adam asked, "Was he singing about God or a girl." The question I ask about a LOT of praise and worship music. But that's another rant for another time. One audience member tried to crowd surf, but the bouncers got him right away. A guy from the band who appeared to have no purpose but sit with a laptop also surfed. He made it a little farther into the audience.

And finally Copeland. They were good. I thought I knew their songs better than that, but I didn't. They played the "fireflies in a jar" song, which I sang the line I knew with them. The crowd sang along the whole concert. I could see other people like me taking videos and pictures with their cameraphones. They didn't move as much as the other three bands, but I enjoyed watching it. Lovedrug was my favorite all night.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Yelling my head off on the X

Monday morning the whole crew minus two got up at the crack of dawn and drove to Six Flags Magic Mountain to spend the day. (We got a discount)

The second ride we went on was one that dangled your feet, took you up a tower and dropped you into a loop, then you repeated it all backwards. Deja Vu. So we did the first half of the ride, raced back to the top, prepared for the big drop, and started inching slowly back down. A voice over the intercom told those waiting in line that we were experiencing "technical difficulties" and those wishing to leave the line now could exit. Those of us on the ride wanted to know why we weren't being given that option. We hung there for a few minutes. Tasha began offering salvation to the masses. A few rows back Jonathan was preaching "If any of you don't know Jesus, now would be a good time!"

The ride started up again, and instead of backing us back to the loading area, it took us up to the top and dropped us into the ride. I could have done without being the guinea pig. From the next ride we saw them run it empty a few times with the maintenance man looking worried.

But after that we rode every coaster. We went on the Riddler -- my favorite ride that morning -- and the Batman ride, which was much better than the one in Dallas. Mainly because I didn't have to wait in line for three hours to get on it.

For lunch we went back to the vehicles. Two guys in front of us didn't want to spend oodles of money on food either, so had gone to Burger King and spread the feast on the trunk of their car. About halfway through lunch he dropped some fries. We noticed, and began taking bets on whether or not he would eat them off the ground. That's when we saw it. A seagull had noticed, and was moving in to check things out. And he brought friends. Lots of them. They began inching closer, taking over neighboring cars. The ones flying overhead began circling closer. Soon they were within inches of his head. The guys finally noticed and threw their shirts over their heads and ran.

So, the married couple were by themselves in the truck, and someone got the bright idea to run over, sprinkle a bran muffin on the hood, and watch the seagulls swarm. Aaron was the brave one who ran through the flock with the muffin. And the whole truck was covered. From underneath we heard the horn honk. Then we decided that such a great photo opportunity shouldn't be passed up, so we put one on our own hood. And Jonathan threw out half a sandwich. One grabbed the whole thing and flew off with others in pursuit. "Mine!"

So really, the best entertainment that day was free.

After lunch I rode the Goliath twice in a row. And we went up the hill to the Superman ride -- overrated except that if you hold a penny in your hand at the top it hovers. And then we hit The X. Suspended in the air on a track that throws you around as you loop and twist. The people behind you are suddenly in front. And you go backwards over the first drop. I went on it twice.

We rode a few more rides before the park closed. Then Austen and I got in the front car on Goliath. That was a great way to end the day.

Thinkgs to blog about

I have several things to blog about, none of which I'll have time to do today. But to give you a little taste:

1. Stuff. How to use it. And how much to have.
2. Going to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
3.Tomorrow's Lovedrug/Copeland Concert.
4.After Tour.
5.And other various musings.

So that's what I'm thinking. Only time is lacking.

Moving Back

Moving Back

Does moving back to one's hometown constitute moving home? Because it looks like that may be what I'm doing. There seems to be a job in the works with housing, my cats welcome, and a place to park my car. The job itself involves decorating, setting up displays, and working the till. And as a side job, they might want me to start an eBay selling site, which I used to do in college. So we'll see what happens with this one, but it seems like the best plan.

How Can a Cow be holy Except in India?

How Can a Cow be Holy Except in India?

Important thing learned this week: NEVER say 'holy cow' to someone from India.

What to do, what to do.

I'm in Solvang for now, but will be in Santa Maria for the next two days before coming back.

The end of tour is approaching. Everyone is trying to figure out on the fly what to do next. I have four or five possibilities, and am waiting to see which one pans out. Right now, working in Yakima for a while looks probable, but there's still half a chance of Tucson, Solvang, or Seattle. And Portland would be lovely sometime. Eergh. Hopefully this sill all sort itself out in due time. Until them, I'm still living out of a suitcase and dreaming of my featherbed. And loveseat.

St. Augustine is kicking my butt

St. Augustine is kicking my butt

And, for the record, is it supposed to be 'ah-gus-teen' or 'uh-gus-tin.'

I read one page a day if I'm lucky, mouthing along the words, repeating everything at least twice, and running my finger along every line.

Quite a change from my four-books-in-a-day summers. It's driving me up the wall. My favorite sentences aren't those that are the most profound, just those I understand on first reading.

Eating like Kings

Eating Like Kings

Yesterday I ate lunch at Pasguccis Italian on State Street. For dinner I had Galanga Thai. And this morning for breakfast our homestay took us to the Brown Pelican on the coast. It was perfectly sunny, with waves lapping on the beach, and a little breeze.

A few days off and fresh orange juice

My homestay was so awesome. A former Wycliffe missionary. She served with her husband. And she has an orange tree in her front yard. So this morning she let us pick oranges and take fresh juice with us to the show. So Vicky and I squeezed a half-gallon ourselves. It was so good. I hate pulp. But in fresh juice it isn't a problem. It was yummy.

I can tell I'm tired. I'm typing about juice.

If you've seen the need

"If you've seen the need, you've heard the call."

A friend told me that once, and I wrote it in my quotebook. My general wonderment for the day is: Is that always true. Is seeing a need enough divine mandate to start working on a project?