That time of the year

I lost last year's resolution list- but i'm pretty certain i accomplished a few but not all. Here's next on my list for 2008

1) Get into pilates!
2) Buy a motorcycle (don't know whether possible)
3) Start SCUBA certification
4) Attempt to bake awesome cupcakes (didn't pan out this year- but i now have a hand mixer from Walgreens! no less)
5) Loose 10 lbs (never works but, one should always have goals)
6) Go to London (this is easy, :) just how many times will i get to go!)
7) Save $10,000 (never works again, but- you know- set your goal concept)

Anyways- Happy New Year! To all my close friends and true friends. May the coming new year bring true happiness for us all.

<3 br="br">
Len

*Picture fliched from http://www.krisatomic.com/blog/

35... The End

Well, a year has gone by and what have i accomplished? 35 shows, 2 continents, 5 cities, 3 countries. Not too shabby eh?


2007
2/4 Young Love- Bottom of the Hill, SF, CA
2/27 Joshua Radin- The Independent, SF, CA
3/1 Snow Patrol- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, SF, CA
3/7 Razorlight- Slim's, SF, CA
3/23 James Morrison- Swedish American Hall, SF, CA
4/6 Whitey- Mezzanine, SF, CA
4/9 Muse- Bill Graham, SF, CA
4/27-4/29 Coachella- Empire Polo Field, Indio, CA
---4/27 Silversun Pickups, Arctic Monkeys, Jesus and Mary Chain, Jarvis Cocker, Interpol, Bjork
---4/28 Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Good, the Bad and The Queen
---4/29 Kaiser Chiefs, Klaxons, Junior Boys, Lily Allen, Damien Rice, Rage Against the Machine
5/1 Arctic Monkeys- Warfield, SF, CA
5/6 Anathallo- Café Du Nord, SF, CA
6/8 LCD Soundsystem, Mezzanine, SF, CA
6/16 O2 Festival, Hyde Park, London
---Calvin Harris, Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, CSS, LCD Soundsystem, Klaxons, Daft Punk
6/17 Muse, Wembley Stadium, London
6/23 Muse, Parc des Princes, Paris
6/26 Feist, Fillmore, SF, CA
7/11 Klaxons, Great American Music Hall, SF, CA
7/26 Maximo Park, 330 Ritch (Popscene), SF, CA
8/6 Muse, Madison Square Garden, NY, NY
8/17 UB40, Saratoga Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
8/26 Madeline Peyroux, Saratoga Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
9/6 Bebel Gilberto, Fillmore, SF, CA
9/13 Hot Hot Heat, 330 Ritch (Popscene), SF, CA
9/20 The Editors, Fillmore, SF, CA
9/23 Now and Zen Fest, Golden Gate Park, SF, CA
---Joss Stone, James Blunt
9/27 Arctic Monkeys, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, SF, CA
9/28 Klaxons, Fillmore, SF, CA
10/6 Download Festival 2007, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
---The Cure
10/19 Silversun Pickups, Fillmore, SF, CA
10/20 Interpol, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, SF, CA
10/27 21st Annual Bridge School Benefit,
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
--John Mayer, Neil Young
11/2 Matt Nathanson, Fillmore, SF, CA
11/9 The Swell Season, The Grand At the Regency Center, SF, CA
11/19 Rilo Kiley, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
11/22 The Pigeon Detectives, The Forum, London
12/1 Vhs or Beta, Slim's, SF, CA

The Forum, Kentish Town

Laa- here i go again. Another infamous London gig spot- Kentish Town's Forum. You can definitely smell the booze that has been thrown about here. I was pretty fortunate with this show- one of the bands that opened for 'pigeon' was "One Night Only" which i knew of one song! Apparently they're all good mates. I didn't really get a glimpse on how it looked like on the main floor. I tried to take a pic from the balcony rails but I could actually feel the floor vibrate as everyone was jumping up and down to the beats of The Pigeon Detectives. Madness, it's been awhile since i've been to a gig where people were throwing beer, water, cans all over the mosh pit and stage. Matt even got smacked with a beer can right on his face. He took it all in good stride with his mic swinging moves.

Sheperds Bush Empire, London

Fortunately, with the help of the A-Z and a fella at the station, I found my way to the Empire. Whoppee! Another London gig venue under my belt. Sometimes i wonder which one i enjoy more, the gig or the gig venue. Venue wise, I was surprised it was extremely clean and didn't smell of rank alcohol. I even sat on the dance floor while waiting for the first act to start. Jenny Lewis was of course wonderful! in her sexy hot shorts telling us to "do the smoke detector"- so cute! She definitely has a fan base in london- the first few beats of Smoke Detector had these two boys doing her signature move for the song. Rilo Kiley is definitely an eclectic and talented band to go see. I'm glad i bought tickets to watch a US band in the UK.

When Fate Intervenes

I was suppose to attend this show on Thursday night with my BFF Rage. But United fooled him into thinking he had more time and he arrived at the airport in time to watch the flight leave. I was feeling tired as well that night decided against going stag and managed to sell my tickets at the very last minute. There was a second show on Friday but i was committed to a date that night and it is not me to flake.

On waking up Friday morn. I received an email from my date- flaking! "A rare situation," he said. Disappointed of course for my lack of plans on a Friday night- my mind quickly shifted to checking for tickets for The Swell Seasons' Friday show. And score! I got them. So me and Rage was on again. I'm glad the date flaked (though i'm still struggling with emotional repercussions on that part), coz i would file this show as one of my highlights of the year.

It's quite odd when the set list is all from a soundtrack! But Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are truly gifted musicians and sound even more amazing live. A true entertainer is one who can engage everyone in the audience, make them sing, make them stay quite, make them talk. Glen is one of those entertainers.