GUITARGASM!

My Monday culminated into the Jack White concert.

To say that I was psyched about seeing him would have been an understatement.

We arrived at the Columbus Lifestyles Pavilion (http://lifestylecommunities.com/lcpavilion/) quite early, as we had no idea where it was or how it operated.  We were able to park close by and joined the long line of people waiting to get in.

As we waited, we were lined up in front of the gate that lead into the parking lot for the artist’s buses, trucks, etc.

At one point, they began to have the line separate to allow the gate to open.   Soon after, not 10 feet in front of me, we saw Jack White arrive via an SUV!  I suppose that will be as close as I ever get to him, until he marries me, of course.

The Lifestyles Pavilion is like a really small Riverbend, without any visual obstructions of the stage.  It’s really nice, I was impressed.

We stood in the t-shirt line for about 45 minutes.  Generally I never buy t-shirts at concerts because they are so ridiculously expensive, $40 is way too much to pay for a t-shirt.  But, for Jack, I was totally prepared to pay it.

But, Jack, being the wonderful and gregarious artist that he is, sells his t-shirts for $25!  So with the $40 I had budgeted, I was also able to buy a Third Man Records tote bag! 

J bought a t-shirt too; we each had a Guinness, then found our way to the lawn and staked out a really great spot.

At the beginning of the show, we were standing next to a couple that we were also next to in the t-shirt line, they seemed cool and we chatted them up.

The opening act was a duo called Shovels and Rope, they were a man and woman only, they played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keys, drums, maraca, tambourine, etc… switching back and forth.  They were really entertaining and unusual.  I was really digging on them; they really seem like someone that would tour with Jack.  However, it doesn’t look like they are on his label. 

He has varied artists on his label, but the one that I don’t understand at all is Insane Clown Posse, I mean, what the actual fuck?  http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1670126/insane-clown-posse-jack-white-lech-mich-im-arsch.jhtml 

I haven’t heard the “Lick My Arse” song, but I fully intend to listen to it… I think ICP are a couple of talentless fucktards, but if Jack sees something, who am I to say that they have no relevance? Jack is the musical genius, and he appreciates some shock factor… I will let you know what I think, when I get the time to take it all in.

So… after the opening act, it was announced to the crowd that Jack preferred that people not take video or photograph during the show.  They had a professional photographer there that would take photos during the show and post them on his website for free download.  That was pretty cool I thought.  I wanted absorb every second of the concert, through my own eyes, not through the screen of my iPhone.

Once Jack took the stage, the entire crowd just lost their shit, me included!

Back to the couple that was standing near us.  The girl had a cigarette in her hand during the entire concert.  I don’t care about smoking, it doesn’t bother me, hell sometimes I smoke when I drink.

BUT…… she kept waving her arms around like a seizing scarecrow… that alone doesn’t bother me either.

The cigarette kept getting closer and closer to my head every time she raised the roof… so during most of the concert, I had to keep one eye on her cigarette hand and I especially got nervous when she accidentally launched one forward on to the sidewalk… I could just imagine my hair bursting into flames and it didn’t please me.

So I used my best defensive concert dance moves and successfully avoided being lit afire.

The concert was the BEST CONCERT I’ve ever seen, he played favorites, some covers, a little of everything, except Death Letter, which was ok, even though it’s my favorite song.

Jack’s enthusiasm on stage is so contagious… I love it when musicians obviously love what they’re doing and Jack does….

GUITARGASM, what more can I say???

I was not ready for the show to be over… He could have played into the next day and I would have stayed right there, bobbing my head, singing along and dodging potential smoldering projectiles.

But, it ended, like all good things do.  I left with the satisfaction that I had just seen my favorite artist, and he totally lived up to my extremely high expectations.  He was worth every penny I paid, and more!

Some footage from the show..... prepare for your mind to be blown!!!

All Wrapped Up in a Sushi Roll...

I blinked…

Now it’s Monday, sigh…

I, however, had a great weekend.  Super busy, and my ass is super kicked!

Friday night, as I alluded to earlier, was the ZZ Top/Lynyrd Skynyrd concert at Riverbend (http://www.riverbend.org/).

The show started off with the band The Cadillac Black (http://thecadillacblack.com/), I’d never heard of them before, but I really liked them, they threw down some really good southern rock.  TrippyBeth likes some southern rock! 

Long haired country boys

After The Cadillac Black, Skynyrd took the stage, and tore it down!  The last time I saw them, with Kid Rock, it seemed like they were just phoning it in. But, Friday, they brought it!  I danced my ass off, sang at the top of my lungs and had a GREAT time!

And it was a great night for a hat!!!

Finally, ZZ Top came on… I was so looking forward to them; I’ve loved them for 100 years.  Friday night, ZZ Top were the ones phoning it in.  To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement.  However, they did play “Jesus Just Left Chicago”, I can’t say it was my favorite version, but it was all I really WANTED.  I shouldn’t complain.  I do think that maybe…just maybe The Reverend Willy G should stick with acting at this time in his career.  He is still the embodiment of cool, no doubt.  But I did not feel compelled to shake what my mama gave me while they played.

All and all, it was a fun night anyway… I had a couple of Yuengling Lagers, not too bad, I’m still not sure they completely live up to the hype that surrounded the release a year or so ago, not bad nonetheless.

One of the best things I heard all night was a woman proclaiming “I think I smell some mari-ja-wanna!!”  She must not have a very good smeller; the weed was burning from the minute I arrived until I left! It was Skynyrd and ZZ Top, Lady, what do you expect? Sheesh….

Saturday I slept late, did a little decorating around the apartment, I should have done laundry, but I really hate laundry.

Saturday evening I headed down to the Newport on the Levee to meet a friend for dinner.  The Hat had previously decided that we would dine at the new-ish Naked Tchopstix, a pan-Asian sushi restaurant (www.tchopstix.com/).

All that I can say is AWESOME!!!!! 

But I will say more than that, of course!

Our waiter was fantastic, sadly, I don’t recall his name. 

I started out with the sake/plum wine cocktail (yummy) and L had an IPA that they had on tap.

At our waiter’s suggestion, we tried the Playboy sushi roll…. And I hate to say this but OMG!!

It was DELISH!!  It has a bonus of being served, thanks to some everclear, by being lit afire at your tableside! The fire fuses the sauce with the roll.  The roll stuffed with shrimp and asparagus and tuna (?), the sauce….sigh….the sauce, I could have drank it!! Spicy, but not too spicy.  I want more, NOW!

The bibimbap as it was mixed together...

Then we had the more traditional dolsot bibimbap, which are veggies, beef, rice and an egg served in a sizzling stone bowl.  It is served with a smokey, spicy sauce which is quite tasty as well. 

It is a great dining experience, if you enjoy sushi or just trying new food…. GO…NOW!!!

Sunday, I went for late lunchtime beer at Haufbrauhaus with AW. 

I do not have one drop of German blood, but damn I love German beer!!  I, of course, had the Dunkel and enjoyed a nice visit sitting outside under the shade of an umbrella.  The weather was absolutely PERFECT!

Sunday TrippyBeth...

Sunday evening, I headed back to the Taft Theater to see Kenny Wayne Shepherd!!  He is soooooo pretty and so talented.  He is the ultimate SRV fan, plays Stevie’s licks to perfection.

Robert Cray (http://robertcray.com/) opened for KWS, and WOW… unique blues guitar style, and, holy hell, can that man sing!  I’m definitely a new fan.

As I sat there watching Mr. Cray, I saw people walking up and down the aisles of the theater.  It distracts me, maybe it doesn’t distract everyone, but it does me.  I decided that it would be much better if people were required to, as they travel up and down the aisles, to traverse them dance-dare style!! Shaking their money makers as they go up and down!  It would be an adjunct to the entertainment! So, as I watched the people make their way to and from their seats, I imagined them dancing… should be state law.  I have danced my way out of bars before, with C, it’s pretty fun, even though I am not a good  dancer, and I try!

Kenny Wayne on the right, Noah Hunt on the right... Yummy squared!!

When The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band took the stage, the whole place went cccrrrazy!  With Kenny Wayne playing some sick guitar and Noah Hunt (a Cinci boy!) killing some blues vocals, it was a great show!  I’ve seen them before and they do not disappoint!!

They ended the show with “Blue on Black”, “Oh Well” and “Voodoo Chile”… the whole place was on their feet, rockin and singing… great time!!

I get home last night, not too late, around 11:30 and I’m tired, yet sleep would not come! I was awake until around 6a, the alarm goes off at 6:30a… I may not look my best today, but I’m actually in a good mood, I know… weird.

My new Kindle Fire HD just arrived!!

I’m psyched!  I am a book lover, the feel the smell, the whole experience, but reading in bed had become difficult as I’m having trouble with my eyes (probably chemo related) so I broke down and bought the Kindle, I can’t wait to play with it!!

I HATE ICE CREAM TRUCKS.  It had to be said. 

Their creepy music just sends a shiver up my spine.  It could be due, in part, to never really being exposed to them until I was an adult.  There weren’t ice cream trucks where I grew up.

And, in part, to the ice cream’s association to clowns.  I don’t think I’ve mentioned my aversion to clowns before.  I know it’s not a rare aversion, who can forget Pennywise?? Dammit, I just creeped myself out.

J was telling me the other night that he had ordered a new “awesome” clown mask, as if such a thing could ever exist!

He asked if I wanted to see it “NO” I replied.

“Not even a photo of it?” he asked.

“NO” I replied again.

“Not even a picture?” he asked again.

“NO, and I don’t even like talking about it, honestly” I replied AGAIN.

“OH” he said “You’re one of THOSE.”

Sigh, I am one of THOSE…  it’s ok though, I’m good with it.