So, two nights of Pearl Jam in a row is not too much! Eddie and the boys have really perfected their shows, packed full of favorites and new tunes, there was something for everybody. A couple of suprises, Jeremy for one, and Man of the Hour, and a bunch of real treats, including Baba O'Reilly before they finished off night one with Yellow Ledbetter. And the pre-show tune they'd been listing on their web play lists, which confused me, turned out to be Ed with an acoustic at the very start doing a tune, then introducing Sonic Youth. So all those late arrivers were clueless what they'd missed. And Sonic Youth were thoroughly enjoyable too. Each night had it's own personality, both nights had Tim Robbins who can almost sing. But it was nice seeing him anyway. Being a member does have it's privledges, seats were good both nights. The give and take between the band and audience reminded me of U2 shows, Eddie letting the audience sing the first verse of one Better Man, and it was sweet to hear it again on night two. The crowd was mostly civilized, a younger group than when they play in Montana, but we didn't see any famous faces in the audience like I thought we would, being in LA and all. The Forum has a good set up, no overhangs or balconies, just a big swooping bowl. PJ is at the Gorge this weekend, I'm trying not to think about it as I can't run over to Seattle, but I downloaded the two LA shows, and it's been fun reliving the moments. These special times are definitely worth the time, cash and effort it takes to follow through and make it happen.
Side notes: Saw the worst car crash scene I've ever seen about 7 minutes after leaving the parking lot on the 405 - three cars very mangled, a bloody man laying beside one with a woman attending to him, but otherwise it seemed the other occupants had escaped. If there had been back seat occupants I don't think they would've made it. Very eery sight, it had just occurred only moments before we came up on it, auto debris and glass strewn across the highway lanes. We tried dialing 9-1-1 but lines were busy, as every other car slowly creeping by was probably doing the same.
Visited Universal Theme Park and though most rides were okay, or pretty good, Back to the Future was a blast. They seat you in a Delorian which remains stationary but tilts and pitches so the effect of speeding through the wide open landscape whizzing by all around you gives you an amazing sensation. I laughed and screamed the whole time (and lost my car keys, which thankfully were retreived a little while after) and was ready to jump back in line, except two of the four with us got car sick...oh well.
Did view the new Pirates at Universal which has some charming, funny parts but in general doesn't really add up to the first one. Still worth it to see however.
