like a banshee...

THAT'S what my niece sounded like when satriani came out. it was like we dropped in on a beatles concert ;)

guess she liked her present. and boy, was she surprised!

picked her up at 6:00...took her downtown to "hang out on the mall"...stopped at the Sonic there...had a fantabulous banana pudding shake (it was 680 calories of sheer bliss)...and strolled back towards the paramount (she had NO idea).

when we reached the corner of 16th & Glenarm, i mentioned that i had to go back to the car to retrieve some eye drops...we hung a left and headed straight to the theatre...en route, i asked her to hold on to the tix (which i magically pulled out of my jacket pocket)...surprisingly, she didn't even look at them, instead pocketing them herself.

even while we were at the house, she mentioned that G3 was in town and some kid kept flaunting his tix in front of her that entire week...luckily, she's 15...and is somewhat oblivious to her surroundings...so when i told her to look at what i just handed her, the stunned and incredulous reaction was enough thanks :)

some of the things she said (in rapid succession):

omgomg...you can't be serious...omgomg...i havetocallmyfriendsarah...omgomg...i don't know if i should scream, cry, or jump on that group of people in front of us!!!!!!!!!

once we got in, we had about fifteen minutes to spare, so i told her to check out the shirts while i went to the bathroom. upon returning, i was introduced to the kid that had taunted her all week, his name was Jeff. he and his dad had just walked in the doors. guess he and my niece are having banner birthdays.

she ends up buying a large black t-shirt w/ the poster emblazoned on it...for $30. sheesh...and to think that i used to complain about $14 shirts when i was her age ;)

anyway, we found our seats (Orchestra Left, Row T, Seats 1 & 2) and took it all in. the paramount seems brighter and in better shape than the last time i was there (2003?). while we were settling in the new red velvet cushions, we saw Jeff, who was in the same section...but behind us and ten seats down! HAHA (but say it like Nelson would). guess you can rub it in HIS face tomorrow at school, eh?

the show started a little before 8:00. each artist played for about 50 minutes, culminating in a four song jam (w/ all three) for an encore. the concert didn't let out until midnight. it was the best $47 concert seat i've had in a long time.

speaking of concert costs, i am fed up w/ ticketmaster charges. i HATE having to pay an extra $10 in charges (for each ticket sometimes) when i can just go to the box office and skip those damn fees. granted, you gotta suck it up for red rocks shows (unless you live in morrison or golden), but if there's something at the paramount or pepsi center, i'm gonna drive down there and save $20...dammit!

now, does someone have an extra $225 for a seat for the Police (june 10th at pepsi)? i just looked at the $90 ones...and they're BEHIND the stage! ugh. mebbe i'll just spring for the $50 seats and bring a telescope.

sigh