Greetings.
Hope your holidays went well. Mine was great!
So, after recently watching his HBO stand-up special "Out of England" I'm become a wee bit obsessed with British comedian Ricky Gervais. For those who don't know, he and Steven Merchant created the English version of "The Office" which spawned the American sit-com of the same name. He also had a show on HBO called "Extras." Brilliant!
He's a master of deadpan British comedy. You either get it or you don't........much like "The Office." Anyway, I love him! Here's a few clips:
This one is from last year's Emmy Awards:
"Out of England"
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Congratulations Sam Bradford!
Heisman winner Sam Bradford. I like the sound of that! Way to go Sam!
I thought all the candidates were very deserving. I'm just hoping we can break the Heisman curse!
Thought this was interesting:
Schools with the most Heisman winners: Notre Dame - 7
USC - 7
Ohio State - 7
University of Oklahoma - 5
Oh, and someone needs to tell Billy Sims to shut the hell up!!!! While watching the broadcast on ESPN Saturday night I didn't notice this because we were all cheering for Sam but they played it back on the Sports Animal this morning and I couldn't believe it! That idiot yelled out "BOOMER" a total of 11 times after they announced Sam's name! 11 TIMES!!!! Are you kidding me??!!?? Show a little more class and a little less redneck! Geez.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
OU to play for the National Title!!
BCS Bowl Schedule:
Holiday Bowl
December 30 @ 7pm
San Diego, CA
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
ESPN
Rose Bowl
Jan. 1 @ 3:30 p.m.
Pasadena, CA
Penn State vs. USC
ABC
FedEx Orange Bowl
Jan. 1 @ 7:30 p.m.
Miami, FL
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
FOX
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Jan. 2 @ 1 p.m.
Dallas, TX
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
FOX
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Jan. 2 @ 7 p.m.
New Orleans, LA
Utah vs. Alabama
FOX
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 5 @ 7 p.m.
Glendale, AZ
Texas vs. Ohio State
FOX
GMAC
Jan. 6 @ 7 p.m.
Mobile, AL
Tulsa vs. Ball State
ESPN
FedEx BCS National Championship
Jan. 8 @ 7 p.m.
Miami, FL
Oklahoma vs. Florida
FOX
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
President Obama!
Wow. All I can say is WOW!! We really did it! We elected Barack Obama President of the United States! What a great night!
Not such a great night in Oklahoma. Republicans took control away from the Dems and Austin Green lost the race for sheriff here in Grady County but nothing can bring me down today! I am happy beyond words.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Eve of the Election.
Well, here we are.......on the eve of the most important election in recent memory.
I'm so ready for it to all be over with but I can't lie, I'm gonna be crushed if Obama doesn't win. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts!!!!!!!
I'm fully prepared for Oklahoma to go for McCain. Hell, this state hasn't carried a Democrat presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson! I just pray that Obama can pick up some of the swing states and stick it to the Republican bastards!!!
I'm also ready for the fucking emails to stop!!!!! I have not received ONE negative email about McLame but I can't count the number of negative Obama emails I've gotten.
It's a travesty and I'm sick of it. I'm sick of my friends and family members, who know damn good and well where I stand, continuing to send negative "fact sheets" and jokes about MY candidate! I'm disappointed that people I respect and hold in high regard insist on forwarding these stupid fucking emails without even bothering to do a little fact checking and find out if it's true or not!! You know, don't just assume I think the same way you do or that you're going to change my mind with some bullshit, forwarded 5,000 times email!! Vote your VALUES!!!! I do!! And here's a news flash: my values may not be the same as yours! What a concept!!! An independent, free-thinking individual!!!! Imagine that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People, just go vote tomorrow. I imagine I'll either be drinking in defeat or celebration tomorrow night. Let's just pray it's the latter.
BARACK THE VOTE!
Peace.
I'm so ready for it to all be over with but I can't lie, I'm gonna be crushed if Obama doesn't win. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts!!!!!!!
I'm fully prepared for Oklahoma to go for McCain. Hell, this state hasn't carried a Democrat presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson! I just pray that Obama can pick up some of the swing states and stick it to the Republican bastards!!!
I'm also ready for the fucking emails to stop!!!!! I have not received ONE negative email about McLame but I can't count the number of negative Obama emails I've gotten.
It's a travesty and I'm sick of it. I'm sick of my friends and family members, who know damn good and well where I stand, continuing to send negative "fact sheets" and jokes about MY candidate! I'm disappointed that people I respect and hold in high regard insist on forwarding these stupid fucking emails without even bothering to do a little fact checking and find out if it's true or not!! You know, don't just assume I think the same way you do or that you're going to change my mind with some bullshit, forwarded 5,000 times email!! Vote your VALUES!!!! I do!! And here's a news flash: my values may not be the same as yours! What a concept!!! An independent, free-thinking individual!!!! Imagine that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People, just go vote tomorrow. I imagine I'll either be drinking in defeat or celebration tomorrow night. Let's just pray it's the latter.
BARACK THE VOTE!
Peace.
Friday, October 31, 2008
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Enjoy the ending of the best Halloween special of all time: "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!"
Thursday, October 30, 2008
we've been.......Thunderstruck!!
So the NBA finally rolled into OKC last night with the inaugural season opener of our very own franchise, the Thunder! Jimmy and I signed up for season tickets as soon as the decision was final and the former Seattle SuperSonics were officially on their way. Jimmy is on the road with the band right now so he will miss the first several games. I had to twist Sister Shayla's arm and force her to come to the games with me (wink, wink). What an exciting time we had last night! Although the Thunder came out on the losing end (98-87) it was such an experience to see the city come together with such eagerness, excitement, and anticipation for what our fair city is embarking on. Chills ran up and down my spine when the lights went down and our OKC Thunder entered the Ford Center arena and were introduced to us for the first time. The roar of the crowd made my heart pound! There is just something about that feeling....kind of like when you go to a big concert when the lights go down and you see the artist for the first time. I love it!! I couldn't be more happy about the Thunder being here but Jimmy and I were discussing one evening about how this exactly came to be. Our downtown OKC area has had many improvements for the better over the years and one can't help but realize that this stems from the bombing in 1995 and the increase of tourism due to people visiting the memorial. We got the Ford Center several years ago which has brought in many more big name concerts. When hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in '05, their NBA franchise, the Hornets, we temporarily displaced to OKC. If we didn't have the nice Ford Center facility, we may not have got the privilege to host them during their time of need. It was those 2 seasons of having the Hornets that proved to everyone that OKC could and would support a pro-sports team should we ever have the chance to get one. Enter Clay Bennett; fast forward three years, and there Shayla and I are sitting proudly in section 328 and screaming at the top of our lungs for OUR THUNDER!! We have a pretty awesome community of fans that came out to support the team and hopefully that enthusiasm will continue for years to come. Now, if we could just get everyone to quit leaving early when they assume the game has been decided! Stay til the final buzzer, people! You're not going to get out of Bricktown any sooner by leaving early!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Another lying-ass Republican.
WASHINGTON – Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that threatened to end the 40-year career of Alaska's political patriarch in disgrace. The verdict, coming barely a week before Election Day, increased Stevens' difficulty in winning what already was a difficult race against Democratic challenger Mark Begich. Democrats hope to seize the once reliably Republican seat as part of their bid for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
Stevens, 84, was convicted of all the felony charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating last week.
Visibly shaken after the verdicts were read — the jury foreman declaring "guilty" seven times — Stevens tried to intertwine his fingers but quickly put his hands down to his side after noticing they were trembling. As he left the courtroom, Stevens got a quick kiss on the cheek from his wife, Catherine, who testified on his behalf during the trial. He declined to talk to reporters waiting outside.
Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced, but under federal guidelines he is likely to receive much less prison time, if any. The judge originally scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26 but then changed his mind and did not immediately set a date.
The monthlong trial revealed that employees for VECO Corp., an oil services company, transformed Stevens' modest mountain cabin into a modern, two-story home with wraparound porches, a sauna and a wine cellar.
The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens said he had no idea he was getting freebies. He said he paid $160,000 for the project and believed that covered everything.
He had asked for an unusually speedy trial, hoping he'd be exonerated in time to return to Alaska and win re-election. He kept his campaign going and gave no indication that he had a contingency plan in case of conviction.
Despite being a convicted felon, he is not required to drop out of the race or resign from the Senate. If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress. The Senate could vote to expel him on a two-thirds vote.
"Put this down: That will never happen — ever, OK?" Stevens said in the weeks leading up to his trial. "I am not stepping down. I'm going to run through, and I'm going to win this election."
Democrats have invested heavily in the race, running television advertisements starring fictional FBI agents and featuring excerpts from wiretaps.
Stevens' conviction hinged on the testimony of Bill Allen, the senator's longtime drinking and fishing buddy. Allen, the founder of VECO, testified that he never billed his friend for the work on the house and that Stevens knew he was getting a special deal.
Stevens spent three days on the witness stand, vehemently denying that allegation. He said his wife, Catherine, paid every bill they received.
Living in Washington, thousands of miles away, made it impossible to monitor the project every day, he said. Stevens relied on Allen to oversee the renovations, he said, and his friend deceived him by not forwarding all the bills.
Prosecutors used a barrage of witnesses to question how Stevens could have been in the dark about VECO's work on the project. VECO employees testified to seeing Stevens at the house. One left him a company business card. Stevens sent thank you notes to others.
Stevens' conviction is the highlight of a lengthy FBI investigation into Alaska corruption, but prosecutors noted that it is not the end. Stevens' longtime Republican colleague, Rep. Don Young, remains under investigation for his ties to VECO. Stevens' son, Ben, a former Alaska lawmaker, is also under investigation.
Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since before statehood. His knack for steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state has drawn praise from his constituents and consternation from budget hawks.
There was no immediate word on Stevens' campaign plans. His spokesman, Aaron Saunders, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on whether Stevens would stay in the race.
In Alaska, the Democratic Party issued a statement calling for Stevens to resign immediately. "He knew what he was doing was wrong," the party said. "But he did it anyway and lied to Alaskans about it."
Stevens is the sixth senator convicted of criminal charges. The last previous one was Republican David Durenberger of Minnesota, who was indicted in 1993 on charges of conspiring to make fraudulent claims for Senate reimbursement of $3,825 in lodging expenses. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.
The jurors left the court without comment.
Said U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan: "The jurors have unanimously told me that no one has any desire to speak to any member of the media. They have asked to go home and they are en route home."
The jurors had been shuttled to and from the proceedings each day by court officials.
**************************************************************************
Call me crazy, but don't you think if you're convicted of a crime you should have to give up your publically appointed office???? Holy shit!!!!
Stevens, 84, was convicted of all the felony charges he faced of lying about free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor. Jurors began deliberating last week.
Visibly shaken after the verdicts were read — the jury foreman declaring "guilty" seven times — Stevens tried to intertwine his fingers but quickly put his hands down to his side after noticing they were trembling. As he left the courtroom, Stevens got a quick kiss on the cheek from his wife, Catherine, who testified on his behalf during the trial. He declined to talk to reporters waiting outside.
Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced, but under federal guidelines he is likely to receive much less prison time, if any. The judge originally scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26 but then changed his mind and did not immediately set a date.
The monthlong trial revealed that employees for VECO Corp., an oil services company, transformed Stevens' modest mountain cabin into a modern, two-story home with wraparound porches, a sauna and a wine cellar.
The Senate's longest-serving Republican, Stevens said he had no idea he was getting freebies. He said he paid $160,000 for the project and believed that covered everything.
He had asked for an unusually speedy trial, hoping he'd be exonerated in time to return to Alaska and win re-election. He kept his campaign going and gave no indication that he had a contingency plan in case of conviction.
Despite being a convicted felon, he is not required to drop out of the race or resign from the Senate. If he wins re-election, he can continue to hold his seat because there is no rule barring felons from serving in Congress. The Senate could vote to expel him on a two-thirds vote.
"Put this down: That will never happen — ever, OK?" Stevens said in the weeks leading up to his trial. "I am not stepping down. I'm going to run through, and I'm going to win this election."
Democrats have invested heavily in the race, running television advertisements starring fictional FBI agents and featuring excerpts from wiretaps.
Stevens' conviction hinged on the testimony of Bill Allen, the senator's longtime drinking and fishing buddy. Allen, the founder of VECO, testified that he never billed his friend for the work on the house and that Stevens knew he was getting a special deal.
Stevens spent three days on the witness stand, vehemently denying that allegation. He said his wife, Catherine, paid every bill they received.
Living in Washington, thousands of miles away, made it impossible to monitor the project every day, he said. Stevens relied on Allen to oversee the renovations, he said, and his friend deceived him by not forwarding all the bills.
Prosecutors used a barrage of witnesses to question how Stevens could have been in the dark about VECO's work on the project. VECO employees testified to seeing Stevens at the house. One left him a company business card. Stevens sent thank you notes to others.
Stevens' conviction is the highlight of a lengthy FBI investigation into Alaska corruption, but prosecutors noted that it is not the end. Stevens' longtime Republican colleague, Rep. Don Young, remains under investigation for his ties to VECO. Stevens' son, Ben, a former Alaska lawmaker, is also under investigation.
Stevens is a legendary figure in Alaska, where he has wielded political influence since before statehood. His knack for steering billions of dollars in federal money to his home state has drawn praise from his constituents and consternation from budget hawks.
There was no immediate word on Stevens' campaign plans. His spokesman, Aaron Saunders, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on whether Stevens would stay in the race.
In Alaska, the Democratic Party issued a statement calling for Stevens to resign immediately. "He knew what he was doing was wrong," the party said. "But he did it anyway and lied to Alaskans about it."
Stevens is the sixth senator convicted of criminal charges. The last previous one was Republican David Durenberger of Minnesota, who was indicted in 1993 on charges of conspiring to make fraudulent claims for Senate reimbursement of $3,825 in lodging expenses. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.
The jurors left the court without comment.
Said U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan: "The jurors have unanimously told me that no one has any desire to speak to any member of the media. They have asked to go home and they are en route home."
The jurors had been shuttled to and from the proceedings each day by court officials.
**************************************************************************
Call me crazy, but don't you think if you're convicted of a crime you should have to give up your publically appointed office???? Holy shit!!!!
What is this world coming to????
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Law enforcement arrested two men in Tennessee who had plans to rob a gun dealer to shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and "as many non-Caucasians" as possible, an official said on Monday.
An official from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said police found the men in the Jackson, Tennessee area with a number of guns, including a sawed-off shotgun, in their car.
"They wanted to go to a place where they could shoot as many non-Caucasian as they could," the official said, noting that the men first planned to rob a gun dealer. "They also had a plot to assassinate Sen. Obama."
Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, is leading Republican John McCain in opinion polls ahead of the November 4 election.
*******************************************************************
Anyone who thinks racism doesn't exist anymore is a complete fool. He hasn't even been elected yet and they're already trying to kill him? What a sad state of affairs.
An official from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said police found the men in the Jackson, Tennessee area with a number of guns, including a sawed-off shotgun, in their car.
"They wanted to go to a place where they could shoot as many non-Caucasian as they could," the official said, noting that the men first planned to rob a gun dealer. "They also had a plot to assassinate Sen. Obama."
Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, is leading Republican John McCain in opinion polls ahead of the November 4 election.
*******************************************************************
Anyone who thinks racism doesn't exist anymore is a complete fool. He hasn't even been elected yet and they're already trying to kill him? What a sad state of affairs.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Could Palin Lose the Election for McLame?
From Yahoo News:
(Today Show/NBC News graphic)
Old conventional political wisdom dictates that vice presidential picks don't change the outcome of a race. When Sarah Palin received larger fanfare than John McCain a month ago, the pundits cautioned, "people vote for President, not for Vice President."
Well, vice presidential candidates may not win elections, but this year it's looking increasingly likely that Sarah Palin may help lose one.
In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released last night, the number one concern about McCain was Palin's perceived lack of qualifications.
This morning, NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd explained McCain's "Palin problem":
"Speaking of Palin, her numbers have plummeted in our poll. For the first time, she has a net-negative fav/unfav rating (38%-47%), the only principal [candidate] to carry that distinction. What's more, 55% think she's unqualified to serve as president if the need arises, which is a troublesome number given McCain's age. (Have worries about McCain's age risen because of Palin? Seems to be the case)."
(Today Show/NBC News graphic)
Old conventional political wisdom dictates that vice presidential picks don't change the outcome of a race. When Sarah Palin received larger fanfare than John McCain a month ago, the pundits cautioned, "people vote for President, not for Vice President."
Well, vice presidential candidates may not win elections, but this year it's looking increasingly likely that Sarah Palin may help lose one.
In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released last night, the number one concern about McCain was Palin's perceived lack of qualifications.
This morning, NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd explained McCain's "Palin problem":
"Speaking of Palin, her numbers have plummeted in our poll. For the first time, she has a net-negative fav/unfav rating (38%-47%), the only principal [candidate] to carry that distinction. What's more, 55% think she's unqualified to serve as president if the need arises, which is a troublesome number given McCain's age. (Have worries about McCain's age risen because of Palin? Seems to be the case)."
Obama Opens Up 10 Point Lead On McSame!
From Yahoo News:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrat Barack Obama has expanded his national lead over Republican John McCain in the presidential race to 10 points, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
Obama leads McCain 52 percent to 42 percent among likely U.S. voters in the latest three-day tracking poll, up from an 8-point advantage for Obama on Tuesday. The telephone poll has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.
It was the third consecutive day Obama gained ground on McCain as the two begin the final sprint to the November 4 election.
"Obama just keeps growing, he has expanded his lead among almost every major voting group," said pollster John Zogby. "McCain seems to be out of steam for the moment."
The 10-point lead was the first time Obama's advantage over McCain, an Arizona senator, reached double-digits in the poll. Obama's lead had floated between 2 and 6 points in the more than two weeks of polling until stretching to 8 points on Tuesday.
Obama made gains with two key swing voting blocs. His advantage with independent voters grew to a whopping 27 points from 15 points and his edge with women voters grew to 16 points from 13.
Obama, an Illinois senator, led among all age groups and in every income group except for the most wealthy voters. He now has the support of 21 percent of self-described conservatives -- his best showing with those voters.
McCain narrowly trails Obama by 2 percentage points among men and saw his lead among whites drop to 6 points from 9 points, 50 percent to 44 percent.
The poll, taken Sunday through Tuesday, showed independent Ralph Nader, Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney and Libertarian Bob Barr each registering 1 percent support.
Three percent of voters remain undecided.
The rolling tracking poll surveyed 1,208 likely voters in the presidential election. In a tracking poll, the most recent day's results are added while the oldest day's results are dropped to monitor changing momentum.
The president is determined by who wins the Electoral College, which has 538 members apportioned by population in each state and the District of Columbia. Electoral votes are allotted on a winner-take-all basis in all but two states, which divide them by congressional district.
*********************************************************************
So, the rich bastards aren't going to vote for Obama.........go figure!
Go Barack!!!!!
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrat Barack Obama has expanded his national lead over Republican John McCain in the presidential race to 10 points, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
Obama leads McCain 52 percent to 42 percent among likely U.S. voters in the latest three-day tracking poll, up from an 8-point advantage for Obama on Tuesday. The telephone poll has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.
It was the third consecutive day Obama gained ground on McCain as the two begin the final sprint to the November 4 election.
"Obama just keeps growing, he has expanded his lead among almost every major voting group," said pollster John Zogby. "McCain seems to be out of steam for the moment."
The 10-point lead was the first time Obama's advantage over McCain, an Arizona senator, reached double-digits in the poll. Obama's lead had floated between 2 and 6 points in the more than two weeks of polling until stretching to 8 points on Tuesday.
Obama made gains with two key swing voting blocs. His advantage with independent voters grew to a whopping 27 points from 15 points and his edge with women voters grew to 16 points from 13.
Obama, an Illinois senator, led among all age groups and in every income group except for the most wealthy voters. He now has the support of 21 percent of self-described conservatives -- his best showing with those voters.
McCain narrowly trails Obama by 2 percentage points among men and saw his lead among whites drop to 6 points from 9 points, 50 percent to 44 percent.
The poll, taken Sunday through Tuesday, showed independent Ralph Nader, Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney and Libertarian Bob Barr each registering 1 percent support.
Three percent of voters remain undecided.
The rolling tracking poll surveyed 1,208 likely voters in the presidential election. In a tracking poll, the most recent day's results are added while the oldest day's results are dropped to monitor changing momentum.
The president is determined by who wins the Electoral College, which has 538 members apportioned by population in each state and the District of Columbia. Electoral votes are allotted on a winner-take-all basis in all but two states, which divide them by congressional district.
*********************************************************************
So, the rich bastards aren't going to vote for Obama.........go figure!
Go Barack!!!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Birth control anyone??????
Is anyone else totally creeped out by the Dugger family??? They have 17 kids with #18 on the way. And check out their names: Joshua, Jana & John-David (twins), Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah & Jeremiah (twins), Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer. Holy shit!
Come on Jim Bob.......a condom please!
Monday, October 20, 2008
well hello
hello out there. first, i would like to thank shayla for inviting me to be a part of this blog. i don't know if i have many interesting opinions, observations, or smart ass remarks, but i will do my best to contribute to what i can only assume will be a very funny and witty piece of work. i know what i would like to talk about in my first blog post, but it is all jumbled in my head so once i organize my cluster of thoughts, i will share. i just wanted to take this opportunity to say hello, and that i am excited to be a part of this!
coming soon: some thoughts on my struggles with indecision, procrastination, and changing my mind as often as i change my knickers!
stay tuned.......
coming soon: some thoughts on my struggles with indecision, procrastination, and changing my mind as often as i change my knickers!
stay tuned.......
Neil Diamond Concert (10/19/08)
From Newsok.com:
As expected, Neil Diamond whipped his Oklahoma City audience into a frenzy Sunday night with a two-hour set of old favorites, new ballads and autobiographical pieces from his more than 30-year career.
Diamond needed no opener. Instead, his 14-member band built the opening music into a crescendo on a purple and turquoise-lit stage until the man himself appeared in the spotlight dressed completely in black and holding his black, white and silver guitar. The crowd went wild for the first of many times throughout the night as he shouted “Hello Oklahoma City,” before launching into “Holly Holy.” His voice sounded as deep and smooth as it has since the 1970s.
Diamond, 67, spent the evening serenading his long list of ladies of verse, from the aforementioned Holly to the nameless “Kentucky Woman” to “Cherry, Cherry” who’s got the way to move him, to the all-time top crowd favorite “Sweet Caroline.” For the latter, the crowd stayed on its feet, singing along at the top of its collective lungs, dancing wildly and applauding for such an extended period, Diamond treated them to an extra verse, insisting there were several audience members who didn’t sing along the first time through. He saved his store-bought love “Cracklin’ Rosie” for one of three encore songs.
Save for a few small sections, the Ford Center was packed to the rafters with Diamond fans. Diamond took the crowd from high energy to melancholy with songs such as “Love on the Rocks” and “Solitary Man.” He turned to romance for “Play Me,” with an audience member caught in the spotlight acting out the lyrics as Diamond sang.
Diamond also turned autobiographical. He asked his audience if they’d mind if he shared his story with them though he’s told it “at least a thousand times before.” Of course, no one minded, so he sang “Brooklyn Roads” while pictures and videos of his childhood and family played out on drop-down screens. He continued his story with “I am I said,” before bringing the crowd back to its feet with “Forever in Blue Jeans.”
Diamond sang several songs from his latest album, “Home Before Dark.” The title song shows Diamond’s shift in focus with lyrics that talk about traveling light, needing to be home to sleep and being afraid if he lost his way he wouldn’t be saved before dark.
Diamond was accompanied by a band he said he’s traveled the world with — three backup singers, four horn players, three guitarists, a congo player, a drummer, a man on synthesizer and another on keyboards. One of his guitarists he said was born and raised in Oklahoma City — Hadley Hockensmith.
He also spoke directly to his Oklahoma City audience, saying they understood hurt and asking them to give to hurricane relief in the Houston area. He said 100 percent of the proceeds from the night's merchandise sales would go to relief efforts.
"Buy all your Christmas presents," he urged. "I don't care if (your relatives) aren't Neil Diamond fans, stick it to them."
Of course there’s a good deal of schmaltz to go around at a Neil Diamond concert — one younger audience member even calling the evening “baby boomer hell,” but one man on the way out the door told his companion he only came for her sake but was leaving impressed. “He’s a true pro,” the man admitted.
Diamond sent the crowd home with three encore songs — “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “America” and “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.” The latter proved Diamond’s massive appeal. The audience waved their hands in the air and sang along just as if they were touched by the spirit of true revival.
*********************************************************************************
This was my second Neil concert. My Mom, sister and I went to the 2005 tour in Dallas. That show was great but our seats weren't too good. This time we had awesome seats (Sec 106)! This time we went with Louise, Tracey and Elesha. Had a blast!!!! Some may think you're pretty lame for going to a Neil Diamond but that just shows how little they know. Dude has been around for a LONG time and continues to put out great albums and top notch concert performances! It was a great night out with family and friends that I'll remember for a long time!
S
Friday, October 17, 2008
McCain - Palin Tradition
I really thought Hank Jr. had sunk to his lowest level when he whored out "All My Rowdy Friends" to Monday Night Football but this shit takes the cake! What a douchebag!
Good God that is TERRIBLE!!!!! Jr should just quit writing songs all together. He's totally lost his touch!
Good God that is TERRIBLE!!!!! Jr should just quit writing songs all together. He's totally lost his touch!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Oh? What, you mean now?
I didn't really get far enough to actually think of the first real entry. I'll sleep on it and get back to ya.
T.
T.
POP THE CHERRY!!!
This is my 1st blog ever! So I guess I'm shedding my blogging virginity. Funny, I'm more nervous about this than the actual "first time". I suppose it's because (i hope to god) no one else would ever see or critique my performance of that "first time". I'm fairly comfortable with the fact that no one could possibly have Internet video of my very first 12 minutes of heaven. That was back in the mid-eighties when cell phones were the size of small suitcases. They certainly didn't have cameras. If someone was holding a Polaroid up to the window of that sweet, sweet El Camino of love snapping off shots, good luck! Those windows were foggy. Ahh memories! Anyway, I'm very excited about this little endeavor with my good friend Shay-Shay. I'm sure we may have some embarrassing stories to share, possibly some advice that may help you lead a fuller life, or just some dumb-ass stuff to say that may make you laugh. So, please to enjoy....Opinions,Observations and Other Smart-Ass Remarks!!!!!!
Love ya!
Tlynn
Love ya!
Tlynn
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