Sunday, November 12, 2006

BNL concert

BARENAKED LADIES ROCK!

We had a really good time at their concert in Austin at The Backyard last night (11/11/06). Sherry, Rick, Julie and I were rather cold though, as it is November. But, it had been in the 90s the day before. Coldness aside, I really enjoyed myself.

The opening act was a band called "The Mike Doughty Band". I really didn't care for their music too much. I like odd music...some of it you might even call strange...but this just wasn't my cup of tea.

One of the things I like about bands like BNL, TMBG, and Guster is their interaction with the audience. BNL incorporated a lot of material based on the fact they were in Austin. Such as in the encore, "If I Had $1,000,000", they started off with "I would buy you a big Backyard". They also talked about and incorporated into some impromptu songs, places such as the Chevron across the street, the mall next door, The Alamo movie theater, and some local haunted hotel, to name a few.

Julie was very happy that the final encore was one of her favorite songs, "Call and Answer". I was familiar with all the songs they sang. (I think). Anyway, they did a good job on playing a lot of songs from their new album "Barenaked Ladies Are Me", as well as songs from most of their past albums.

I would love to go to more of their concerts. This was my first one...first of many to come. It would be incredible if three of my favorite bands: BNL, Guster, and TMBG came together in one all-day concert. I would be ecstatic.
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Saturday, November 11, 2006

Amy's ice creams

Silly me. I actually thought either Cold Stone or Marble Slab were the first of the ice cream pounding, mix-in smashing ice cream parlors. My first night in Austin, we went out for ice cream at Amy's. This is when I found out that Amy's has been around for something like twenty-five years. I had been to one of the Amy's in Houston before, but thought it was a Marble Slab rip-off. I did like the ice cream more at Amy's though.



Anyway, last night is when I also found out that Amy's doesn't use artificial colors. This discovery was as a result of wondering aloud as to why the "Dreamsicle" ice cream wasn't more orange colored than the slightly off-white mass of ice cream being pummelled before my eyes.



I like how they have a movie quote up on the menu board, which, if you correctly guess the movie the quote is from, you get a free mix-in. I recognized right away that "Ocean's Eleven" is where the line "Look, we all go way back and uh, I owe you from the thing with the guy in the place and I'll never forget it " was from. And let me tell you, the rare waffle cone mix-in goes very well with Dreamsicle.



Normally waffle cone is not a mix-in. But when the waffle cones get delivered, having been thoroughly jostled around in the van, you have make the best of what you have.



Oh, and even Sherry and Rick's dog, Baxter, got a free doggie treat, for being so cute.



I just have to say...Amy's Ice Creams...me likey.

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Thursday, November 09, 2006

Barenaked Ladies

This Saturday, I will be going to a Barenaked Ladies concert for the first time. I'm pretty excited. From what I have heard from some of the live recordings, it seems like they had a really great time.

I'm going with my wife, sister-in-law, and soon to be brother-in-law-in-law. AND, this will be my first time travelling to Austin. An exciting weekend, I know. Oh, AND we'll be at a church conference where one of the Apostles (Elder Bednar, for those of you who know what I'm talking about) will be speaking.

Good times...good times
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Elite

Well, I have to say I am enjoying travelling more. Now that I have reached "Elite" status on Continental, I don't have to wait so long to have my ID checked at the security checkpoint, and I get to board w/the first boarding group. :). I could get used to this. Oh, and I guess I should mention.that I get a free upgrade to first class, if a seat is available.
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Wednesday, November 08, 2006

First post

Well, this should be an interesting venture. I have never blogged before, so please bear with me as I get into the swing of things.