Star Wars In Concert: Impressive. Most Impressive!

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a huge Star Wars fan. I've been hooked on George Lucas' science-fiction saga ever since 1980. I remember that Christmas I received my first Star Wars action figures: the Wookiee named Chewbacca, a small, green Jedi Master named Yoda, and a golden droid named C-3PO. In my childhood, I probably had about 50 Star Wars action figures, my cousin Paul's hand-me-down TIE Fighter and Han Solo blaster pistol, and used to pore over the Marvel Star Wars comics in great detail. Although I have seen the prequel movies several times over, and admit there are good sequences in each of them, in my mind they still pale to the original trilogy that I grew to love as a kid. Of course, a big part of the Star Wars movies is the music. I remember getting chills listening to the Imperial March when I saw The Empire Strikes Back for the first time as a kid, and although my music collection is mostly filled with rock (and some comedy), I also have a few of my favorite John Williams compositions too.

When I learned that Star Wars In Concert was coming to St. Paul, and that Mr. C-3PO himself, Anthony Daniels, would be narrating the show, I decided I had to go to this show! I promised myself I wouldn't pay the top tier ticket price unless I got a premium seat - fortunately, I scored a seat in the left corner of the first row on the floor!

I took the drive last Sunday morning to St. Paul, heading down the same Rice Street I'd traveled down many times growing up to see my relatives on my way to the show. After parking in a nearby ramp and enjoying a tasty lunch at the Eagle Street Grille, I wandered over to the Xcel Energy Center for the first time, patiently waiting in line for the gates to open.

At 1:30 p.m., the gates opened, and myself and the rest of the non-VIP crowd sauntered in. We were greeted to the sights of several authentic props and matte paintings from the Star Wars films. I stopped to pore over the Darth Vader, C-3PO, and Ewok costumes, and stare at the Han Solo in carbonite displays before the sight of stormtroopers walking behind me caught my eye. I walked further around the arena, admiring the storm troopers, TIE fighter pilots, a remote-controlled R2-D2 and Jango Fett before pausing to take a photo with Darth Vader. I admit I let my inner child get the best of me at that time, but you have to give me a little slack here- I mean, it's Darth FRIGGIN' Vader, one of the best movie villains of all time! I then stopped again as Boba Fett posed for a photo for me before deciding to head into the arena for the show.

I walked down the rows of seats to find my chair on the left corner of the first row, atop several black plywood planks covering the hockey arena floor. For several minutes, all I could hear around me were people talking and the background Star Wars sounds of pod racers, Wookiee growls, and the snap-hiss of lightsabers as the crowd and orchestra members began to fill in the Xcel Energy Center. Soon, the lights dimmed, and the 20th Century Fox theme began to play - a roar erupted from the crowd, as we all new what would be happening next!

After a raucous rendition of A New Hope's opening theme, the voice of James Earl Jones introduced our emcee, Mr. Anthony Daniels. I was ecstatic - I was sitting about 8 feet away from C-3PO himself! Daniels did a great job narrating the show, as the first half took us from the old Republic to the rise of the Galactic Empire. He even slipped into his old C-3PO character a couple of times, particularly during the Han Solo/Millenium Falcon section, where he reminded the audience that the "odds of successfuly navigating an asteriod field were 3,720 to 1."

Throughout the show, I focused my energy on listening to the amazing music, watching the film clips on the 100-foot LED screen behind the musicians, and watching the conductor, Daniels, and the musicians themselves. As the first half ended with the Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme), I felt very lucky to be watching this memorable performance.

After a 20-minute intermission, the show resumed, as Daniels took the audience on a journey from the birth of the Rebellion to the final defeat of the Empire at Endor. At different times during the show, the camera operator to the left of me deftly navigated the remote camera on a boom over the stage so that we could see the different musicians in the ensemble. While it did briefly obstruct my view at times, I liked getting to see the different artists perform their parts to perfection, from the violinists, french horn players and cellists, to the xylophonist and even the woman playing the triangle, who got a rousing cheer during the encore's performance of the Imperial March. Daniels, the conductor and the orchestra received a couple of well-deserved standing ovations after the encore.

Sunday afternoon's show was sold-out, and everyone I saw leaving the show had huge smiles on their faces. This was a terrific performance of classical music, and I think it had plenty of things for people of all ages to enjoy. I'm optimistic that this show will come out on DVD for those who missed this show and people who want to re-live this show to enjoy. If you missed out on this show, or yearn to hear the music again, many of the songs from this show are on the bonus DVD of the Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith soundtrack, narrated by Ian McDiarmid, who played Senator-turned-Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious in several of the Star Wars movies.

Taking in Target Field

I've been a Twins fan for about 25 years now, although it's been a while since I've been to a Twins game. I think the last time I was at the Dome for a ballgame, Kirby Puckett was still playing. My brother and his friend are season ticket holders to Twins games, so when the opportunity arose for me to buy a few games from them, I jumped at the chance. My first game at the brand-new Target Field was this past Sunday, and even though we lost to the Atlanta Braves 7-3, I enjoyed the experience.

I invited my dad to the game as an early birthday/Father's day present, and as we looked at the light rail schedule, we realized that this was one of 12 games where we could take a bus from St. Cloud to the Big Lake light rail station, so we took advantage of the cheap ride which got us to the light rail station in plenty of time. Attendants at the light rail station were very helpful, and after buying a family roundtrip pass for the day, we boarded the train and were on our way!

After a quick trip on the train, we were soon at the Target Field light rail terminal. Dad and I followed the crowd upstairs to gate 6, where we had our tickets scanned and finally entered the ballpark. We had a ways to walk because our seats in section 103 were on the opposite side of the stadium, but were just in time to hear the day's starting lineup. When we got to our seats, I was amazed how close we were to the field. We were in row 7, in prime foul ball territory!

Unfortunately for the fans, Twins starting pitcher Kevin Slowey dug himself a hole in the first inning, and the Braves had scored 4 runs before the Twins even got to bat. I was looking forward to seeing Braves rookie right fielder Jason Heyward play, because he's been dubbed the next Hank Aaron. Heyward didn't disappoint, as he had 2 hits on the day, scoring the first run on a broken-bat double to right.

Every Braves player except left fielder Melky Cabrera had a hit on Sunday, and after Slowey had allowed solo homers to Braves second baseman Martin Prado and first baseman Troy Glaus, Slowey was done for the night. I was surprised Twins manager Ron Gardenhire used so many reserves in his starting lineup, because shortstop Trevor Plouffe, third baseman Brendan Harris, catcher Drew Butera and second baseman Nick Punto were all hitting under .225. These "heavy hitters" went a combined 0-for-13 on the day with a walk and a fielding error.

It was a tough day on the field for the Twins, as they could only muster four hits off Braves starter Kris Medlen. If it wasn't for left fielder Delmon Young's three-run homer in the seventh, the Twins would've been shut out.

Right before the bottom of the ninth, Dad and I made our way up the stairs of our section to catch the end of the game from the standing area by gate 29 in right field, and then decided to circle back around to gate 6 to beat the crowd leaving the stadium.

It turned out to be a long day, but even though the home team lost, I still had a good time. I got to see my first interleague game, see Joe Mauer bat and get a hit for the first time, and experienced my first major league game in an outdoor stadium. I'm coming back for games next month against the Rays and White Sox, so I'm hoping for a win and a healthy lineup on the field next time. If you haven't been to Target Field yet, I would highly recommend it, although take some time to soak it all in first, because it's easy to get caught up in your surroundings. Play ball!

Slash in concert

As a huge rock n' roll fan, there are certain guitarists that define generations for me. For the 60's, it's Jimi Hendrix. For the 70's, it's Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. For the 80's and 90's, it's Slash. While I've never gotten to see Slash play in Guns N' Roses or any of his other bands, I was fortunate to catch him with his latest band touring for his new solo CD last night at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN.

On his new CD, Slash has a bevy of guest artists, ranging from Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmeister of Motorhead to Ian Astbury of the Cult and even Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. One guest on two songs on the album is also the singer on Slash's tour, namely Myles Kennedy from the band Alter Bridge. Myles did a great job of channeling Axl Rose on Guns N' Roses classics like "Civil War," "Night Train," "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City." The band also played the songs "Back From Cali," "Ghost," "Starlight" and the current single "By The Sword" from Slash's new album. Myles even strapped on a guitar as he led the band in playing the Alter Bridge song "Rise Today."

While the other touring musicians (who you probably won't recognize unless you've seen them as part of tour bands for Green Day, Alice Cooper and other bands) were great and brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the show, they pale in comparison to lead guitarist Slash. During one song in the middle of the show, Slash's right hand was moving so fast playing his guitar that it almost seemed like a blur. I stood silently in awe in the second row, realizing I was watching one of the best guitarists in rock today. Fans cheered loudly as he played his familiar solos on songs like "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Civil War" and the Velvet Revolver single "Slither." I was impressed by his strong solo performance in the second half of the show which morphed into a great band instrumental cover of the "Godfather" movie theme, before leading into Slash's often-imitated, but never duplicated into to "Sweet Child O' Mine."

For the first show on their summer tour, I have to say that Slash and his band did a great job - they covered songs from pretty much all of Slash's career, from Guns N' Roses and Slash's Snakepit, to Velvet Revolver and the latest CD. Just another great concert experience at Northern Lights Casino in Walker!

People whose 15 minutes of fame are over

I think we all know Andy Warhol's famous quote about everyone being famous for at least 15 minutes. With that in mind, here's a few "celebrities" who I think need to disappear from the public limelight:

1. Heidi Montag and pretty much any other reality show "celebrity." I use the term "celebrity" here very loosely, because I feel that anyone whose sole motivation in life is to flaunt the fact that they should be famous because they were on a reality TV show really needs to rethink their focus in life.

2. Elizabeth Hasselbeck - another former reality show "celebrity" who parlayed her stint on "Survivor" into a hosting gig on "The View," a show which I think was best portrayed in the "Family Guy" cutaway scene where all the hosts were shown as clucking chickens.

3. Jon & Kate from "Jon & Kate plus 8." I get really tired of hearing about this dysfunctional family. I think they should really focus on their 8 kids than being in the public limelight.

4. "Bombshell" McGee and any of the alleged mistresses of Jesse James, Tiger Woods, and any other celebrities. Does anyone really care what these attention-starved people think?

Those are all the ones that immediately come to mind. If any others come to mind, I'll be sure to add them to this list. Feel free to let me know who you think should be added to this list too. Thanks & have a great weekend!

Dude, Where's My Country?

Okay, I admit I ripped off the title for this blog from a Michael Moore book, but I thought this line best described the way I feel about a few things that have been going on in this country lately. Here's my rant - keep in mind that this is just my opinion!

- I can't believe the death threats on South Park co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone weren't taken as seriously as they should have been, right after the radical Muslim group threatened them if they dared to show Mohammed on their show. What they fail to realize is that Mohammed was already shown in a 2001 episode, to little or no public outcry. They also don't realize that South Park is an "equal opportunity offender" - they rip on people of many different religions (Catholicism, Judaism, Scientology - anyone remember the "Trapped In The Closet" episode?) and idealisms. I'm a South Park fan, and while I don't agree with everything they say, I take it for what it is - a cartoon satire. It gives me a few laughs in the middle of the week, and then I forget about it until the next episode. If something offends you that deeply, then acknowledge that you don't have to watch or support it. We do have a First Amendment right to free speech and free expression, and I feel that Comedy Central's censoring of this week's episode seriously violated this free speech right. It seems like we get too worried about being politically correct and not wanting to offend anybody that we end up offending MORE people.

- OK, I'm a little biased here after watching the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?" but it seems more and more like we're forgoing common sense for the furthering of big business' profit margins. The documentary I just watched details the efforts by GM, Big Oil, and CA government to first produce and then destroy the electric car industry, all because they were a threat to profits! I see this trend repeating in our current economy - we bail out big businesses, and how do some of these big banks repay their customers? Be cutting services, raising fees, and making it more difficult to do business with them. I hear reports about banks that were bailed out with millions of taxpayer dollars who reward their employees with lavish bonuses while raising customers' interest rates and cutting credit limits, and it just makes me want to scream. Whatever happened to treating customers with dignity and respect? Doesn't the value of customer loyalty mean anything anymore? (OK, I admit this one peeves me a bit, as I got a letter this month from one credit card taken over by a new bank that suddenly decided to reduce the credit limit drastically. I don't use the card much, but now I have even less reason to use it!) Update: I resolved the issue with my credit card company, and got the limit restored, but it had to take a Better Business Bureau complaint to get anything done.

- There's been a lot of discussion lately about immigration, especially with Arizona's new law that passed this week. I understand we're a nation of immigrants (my family has a lot of German/Austrian heritage, and my Grandpa Haider emigrated to MN in the 1920's), and I know I've been blessed to have so many ethnic backgrounds in my family. On the other hand, I see the drain on our economic, health, and education systems that our ever-increasing population growth is having on our country. I have no problem with people wanting to emigrate to our country as long as they:
1. do it legally (which includes tips like educating yourself, and taking the citizenship test),
2. learn and adhere to the laws and customs of the country you're emigrating to, and finally
3. learn the language of your new country.
I think about the situation this way: if I was going to move to Germany, I would take the time to learn the language, laws and customs before even thinking of making the move. I would NEVER expect to just move to a new country and expect everything to be handed to me! Sorry to say this, but it seems like I keep about hearing about more and more people who want handouts - life isn't given to us on a silver platter, we have to work hard for the just rewards.

- I still don't understand the uproar over why certain people are vehemently against gay marriage and/or civil unions. It doesn't matter to me if gay people want to get married, and I don't think it's really anyone else's business either. I have a few gay friends and relatives, and if they want to get married, I'd support their decision 100 percent. While I don't understand the same sex attraction, I don't think that gay or lesbian couples getting married isn't going to harm the so-called "sanctity" of marriage.

Ok, that's all I can rant about for now - sorry, but I just had to vent! I'm an American citizen born and raised, and it really irks me sometimes how the ideals of integrity and honesty that I grew up with feel like they're being eroded sometimes. It really makes me question the focus of this nation that I still love and its leaders.

Take care, and enjoy this nice weekend, everyone!

CD Review - Cold Day Memory by Sevendust

I've been a Sevendust fan for almost a decade now, so I was happy to receive their eighth studio album, Cold Day Memory, in the mail this weekend. I'd only heard the first single "Unraveling" three times on the radio, and I thought that if the rest of this album was anything like this awesome single, I'd be in for a treat. Turns out I would not be disappointed!

The CD begins with the heavy track "Splinter." A great song full of layered guitar, some terrific lead vocals by Lajon Witherspoon, and the customary backup growls/vocals by drummer Morgan Rose. I soon had the chorus from the next track "Forever" stuck in my head - I think we've all known a "selfish condescending" person that we've wished would "go play God in someone else's life." The third track "Unraveling" has been one of Sevendust's best received singles ever, and it's one that I keep hitting "repeat" on my CD player to enjoy more and more. It's a very catchy single, one that you can't help cranking up the volume for on your car stereo as soon as the pounding guitar and drums begin the song.

This album marked the return of original guitarist Clint Lowery to the band after a five year absence. All the band members were involved in the production of this album, and it was terrific to hear Clint's crunchy guitars and vocals (which are a bit darker and deeper than his previous efforts) in the mix.

The limited-edition of this CD also includes an interesting 50-minute long "making-of" the album mini-documentary. It's worth a view - I liked the fact that they focused on each member of the band as they recorded the album in a converted warehouse in Chicago, plus the fact that they continued their reputation as one of the hardest-working rock bands in the business by continuing to tour while in the middle of recording this record.

If you're a Sevendust fan, or just a fan of hard rock, I'd recommend picking this album up. It's a great group effort, and ranks up there with "Animosity" and "Hope and Sorrow" as one of Sevendust's best albums ever.

Recommended Tracks: "Splinter," "Forever," "Unraveling," "Last Breath," "Ride Insane" & "Strong Arm Broken."

Gone Too Soon

Earlier today, I attended a memorial service for a classmate of mine who lost a long, arduous battle with a brain tumor. I had first heard of my friend Duane's cancer last year, and the last time I saw him was at a well-attended benefit back in October. While we weren't close friends, I was glad to donate to such a worthy cause.

The memorial was very well-done, and I think hardly anyone wasn't choked up at one time or another during it. It also made me think of my old ad director JR and my uncles Jack and Ray, two other recent casualties to cancer. Cancer really is a nasty damn disease - it affects the lives of so many of us, and it doesn't discriminate by age, sex or race.

I think another classmate died in a farm accident in Wyoming or Montana several years back, so Duane was only the 2nd classmate who had passed away in our class of over 160. With our 20-year high school reunion coming up this summer, I know that plenty of us will be thinking of our lost classmate. I'm sure he'll be there with us in spirit, though, smiling down at us from heaven.

Duane was only 38 when he died, a few months older than me. Thinking about this fact over the weekend made me realize how precious life is, and how it can be taken away at any moment. 38's too young to die of a brain tumor in my opinion, but like I said before: cancer doesn't discriminate. Take some time to enjoy the company of your loved ones this Easter weekend - I know I will too. Until later, take care and be well!