The Bot Line

It occurred to me recently that it had been a long time since I had updated this thing and so I decided that I needed to have something worth talking about to get me back into the game.  Last night was worth talking about.

The wife and I made our way down to the Puyallup to see Carrie Underwood.  She was sensational!  As many of you know, I am a big fan since her career was set in motion thanks to American Idol.

We had a nice view of the show and she did not disappoint.  There was no opening act which is something that I like because it usually means the artist plays a longer show and covers more of their catalog.  With Carrie only having one album, there were no mysteries around the setlist, but much to my surprise she sang every single song off of her 14 track, triple platinum debut album "Some Hearts".  She was able to pull this off because the album is really that good.  I must mention that this CD is only one of a few in my 500+ collection that I can listen to from start to finish without skipping tracks. (Depending on my mood of course)

Carrie was backed by a 6 piece band with two backup singers.  She had a nice accoustical set in the middle show, and also showed some of her other musical interests with a few Guns N Roses cuts, including a loud and rocking cover of Sweet Child of Mine.  She was much more appealing to watch than Axl Rose as well.

Being an artist who has the potential to excel cross-genres, the fiddle and steel guitar were only present in about half of her songs.  The best song of the night, (which is not one of my favorites) had to be "Before He Cheats".  It was kind of amusing to hear thousands of little girls screaming and thinking they were Carrie in their singing along when she launched into this one.

On an unrelated topic, a few weeks ago April and I got to see Sara Evans from the front row.  A rare opportunity and one that presents a chance for some good pictures.  April "conveniently" asked me about the camera half way there.  (I was suspicious on the timing of the reminder because Sara Evans is not a sight for sore eyes)  I made sure that mistake wasn't made twice and had the camera in hand last night.

Anyway, all in all we had a great time.  Her vocals were awesome which is often a knock on the concert experience.  I attribute that to her weekly live performances and scrunity faced on Idol.  So many artists born from the CD leave you disappointed when you hear them live for the first time, but not this one.  I'm sure we'll see her again on the next trip and her show will have even more sparkle.

http://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Underwood

Tell me if this sounds familiar to you..

It’s 2:45 PM and after digesting your lunch, you hit the mid afternoon drag and it is time for the afternoon pick me up.  That nice 1-2 punch of sugar and more sugar.  My personal “high” of choice: 1 cold dew and the vending machine chocolate of the day.  This takes us to the 2nd floor vending machine..

Now two days after XMAS I was confident there were no more surprises in store for me this holiday season, but to what would my sugar craving eyes should appear, but a price hike to the KitKat and certainly not mere.  Now, I have never been a guy to quibble over a buck, but let me say that I think a .15 increase is a little aggressive.  So for starters, who said this was Ok?  Maybe I got too complacent with the current rate but I just don’t see the need for change here.  Anyway, as the story goes, tell me if I have this situation right…

“70 cents!?!  Are you kidding me?  These vending machines are a rip off.”  <As you are sorting through your change to make 70 cents or flattening a dollar to slide into the machine, while still grumbling>

Or how about this one…  It’s the 3rd inning at Safeco Field.  You realize you are in for a long game and could sure go for a hotdog.  Again, as the story goes you get up, go to the refreshment stand and....

“4.50 for a hotdog!!!  What a rip off.  That is ridiculous!”  <You continue this charade quietly with the person you are in line with for the next few minutes, only to end up asking for one of those sweaty, reheated, and stubby bad boys when get to the front of the line.  Why?  Because you craved it from the time you were in your seat, imagining how luscious and savory it will be with a dash of catsup and hint of relish.>

People, what is wrong with us??  Why do we continue to support this legal thievery?  Have we no will power?  Furthermore, has a man ever been arrested for sneaking in a bag of cracker jacks in his coat pocket or taking some pop tarts to work?  So why do we continue to get ripped?  Do we not see what is going on here or do we honestly think it will stop?

I don't have many of those answers, but I do know this...  These money grubbing capitalist pigs will continue to jack us at every corner, nudging that price up cause they know we will pay it.  Am I right?  And one more thing… I am all for every man making a dollar in this world, but to roll 4 KitKat sticks into one fat one, repackage it, and then call it “Big KitKat” for a few cents more is where I draw the line! 

(I may have stumbled upon a future business venture here…)