Van Halen (3rd Times the Charm)

VAN HALEN
11.13.07 @ MSG, NYC

Yes I saw the Van Halen tour again for a third time. once, twice, three times a lady...
OK, so the they played the same set, but it was better, and there are some serious differences in the way Eddie plays and improvises, and what Roth says, and when and how we kicks and schticks...

This time around my dear friend Angie hooked my good friends Ron, JT, John & Lisa Izzo, and Lori and I with some truly wicked seats. Dead center of the floor, right in front of the loop of the extended stage, and even better, directly in front of Valerie "I used to be Eddie Van Halens Wife" Bertinelli. Beat that! Bertinelli, who is also the current spokeperson for Jenny Craig (seems to be working) was with her friend Rachel Ray, who is ironically the current spokesperson for Dunkin' Donuts & Triscuits. Way to support your fat friend Rach...We also spotted Val Kilmer in the crowd, who is rumored to be playing David Lee Roth in the also rumored film version of "The Dirt" the Motley Crue book. He is also fat. So is Fat Vince Neil from Motley. Buncha' Fat Fatty Fatso's. I thought they all did tons of blow? You think they'd be tiny or is that crack? anyways....

Also worth noting is that this show was in NYC at the Garden. Thats the real test, and they passed with flying colors. Its been weeks since the show now, and I swear that I am still reading reviews pour in (including a rare glowing review from Bob Lefsetz) as well as just in conversation on the street. That doesn't happen any more. If so, please tell me when and who, cus I want to see that band too...

For those of you have yet to witness this grand spectacle in person or via YouTube, You can still catch the tour when it comes your way. Note: they just added a ton of new dates for 2008 including a return to NYC!

For those of you still not sure or to cheap, or lame , or whatever, heres this from the MSG show:



Enjoy.

Mountain Biking, 3D Movies, and Corned Beef!

MOUNTAIN BIKING NYC
I recently bought a pretty sweet Mountain Bike from some dude on craigslist. I love it very much, and Id much rather be on it right now than sitting at my desk typing this blog. The bike is a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo Ee Koo, which apparently is worth a crap load more than I paid for it which for me makes it even better knowing that I got a great deal. Anyways, recently Ive been exploring NYC by nike, which is really the only way to truly discover the hidden gems of this great city. NYC is so diverse in terrain, style, and history. Its amazing how much goes unseen unless you take the time to search it out. One minute you are dodging cars in the heart of the city, the next you are alone on trail in the park, and yet a minute later you are dodging crackheads and prostitutes under a bridge in the Bronx (true story).

I will be uploading pictures from some of my trips through the 5 borroughs soon, but for now heres a few decent shots of the George Washington Bridge and the hidden "Little Red Lighthouse" that lives just below the NYC side. Most people probably have never heard about this historic landmark since you cant see it from the bridge or the roads leading up to it.


THREE DEEEEEE!
Lori loves Halloween more than any holiday of the year. She literally starts planning her costume a year in advance. This year was probably the first year in her life she didnt dress up. Thats a looooong story, that Im not going to tell you, but we did sort of salvage the holiday by going to see "Tim Burtons The Nightmare Before Christmas" in 3D. I havent seen a 3D movie since I was like 10 and saw "SpaceHunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone" (why do these 3d movies have suck long titles?). Anyways, Spacehunter was a peice of crap and probably had like 10 miuntes of actual 3D, but it did feature a younge (pre sixteen candles) Molly Ringwald, so I'll take it easy on bashing it too bad. I think I also saw "JAWS 3D & Friday the 13th Part 3D" around that time with those crappy cardboard Red & Blue Glasses and the headaches from the old 3D technology.
The good news here is that the new 3D experience is awesome. The Glasses are normal looking and feeling sunglasses with special lenses and the modern 3D technology is truly amazing. From the second they starting rolling some of the previews in 3D I was glued to the screen. The images really appeared to be either comin right out you or adding additional depth to the main shots on the screen. Ive heard that George Lucas is already starting to remake the Stars Wars series in 3D for re release. Unfortunetly, it looks like Hollywood will also blow this opportunity by using the technology to lead horrible films like the god awful Brendon Frasure (the mummy) preview they showed us. Sure its visually awesome, but Id be about as interested in seeing that guy in 3D as I would be in sitting through another year of algebra...


CORNED BEEF HASH & EGGS
How do I love thee, let me count the ways....I am obsessed with corned beef hash, and eggs. I order it at least once a week for brunch (usually sundays at a diner), but I finally decided to buy some in a can and make it myself. Ive made with scrambled eggs, but sunny side up with the yolks running all over it, plus some A1 Steaksauce (Dave Liles taught me that), ketchup, or green tobasco, is really the only way to roll. Last weekend I made some and rolled it up inside a tortilla like a white trash burrito. Dang that was tasty. Im consider getting a truckload of it and fillig my bathtub with it and just soaking it up....Get some for yourself. I promise you wil not be let down.

Van Halen (Round 2)

VAN HALEN
11.03.07 @ Izod Center E Rutherford, NJ

I was lucky enough to be given tickets to see Van Halen again over the weekend. The show was waaaaay better this time for a number of reasons. First off, the tckets were free (thank you Blatter!). Also, the seats were WAAAY better. 4th row, dead center, inside the circle of the stage loop. The band was definitely improved since the Philly show over a month ago, and aside from Eddie Van Halen experiencing some serious technical problems, they blew me away. Thats the closest Ive ever watched a full major concert from. Its another level of entertainment you simply cannot get from anything outside of the first 10 rows at a stadium or arena. David Lee Roth really emotes and accents every note and lyric, roundhouse kicks and all, and Eddie still really puts on a serious exhibition of guitar skill and showmanship.

I took a bunch of pictures with my camera phone. Heres two of the best pix.


Diamond Dave in full effect!


The Master at work

Im going once again this coming tuesday (3rd times the charm?) and will of course be posting by review shortly thereafter.