Iron Maiden

Attended Iron Maiden’s “The Final Frontier” Tour at Auburn’s White River Amphitheater last night. Setlist was pretty straight forward but it was a bit heavy on their recent songs. I admit, I’m not too familiar with these songs.

1. The Wicker Man ‘Brave New World’ 2000
2. Ghost Of The Navigator ‘Brave New World’ 2000
3. Wrathchild ‘Killers’ 1981
4. El Dorado ‘Final Frontier’ 2010
5. Paschendale ‘Dance of Death’ 2003
6. The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ 2006
7. These Colours Don’t Run ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ 2006
8. Blood Brothers ‘Brave New World‘ 2000
9. Wildest Dreams ‘Dance of Death’ 2003
10. No More Lies ‘Dance of Death’ 2003
11. Brave New World ‘Brave New World’ 2000
12. Fear Of The Dark ‘Fear of the Dark’ 1992
13. Iron Maiden ‘Iron Maiden’ 1980

As for the encore, well, if you haven’t heard these songs then you’ve got some problems.

1. The Number of the Beast ‘The Number of the Beast’ 1982
2. Hallowed Be Thy Name ‘The Number of the Beast’ 1982
3. Running Free ‘Iron Maiden’ 1980

So, overall, this was a good show. At times Bruce Dickenson’s age (51) betrayed his enthusiasm as his voice was lacking at times. Nicko McBrain did (as usual) a great job on the drums. Dave Murray’s face was continually on the big video screen during the concert. I’ve never really paid much attention to his guitar style but it really struck me more like a blues-rock player than Janick Gers who is a straight-up heavy metal guitarist. Gers just acts like a heavy metal rocker on stage. Of course Adrian Smith and Steve Harris were their typical great selves. Can’t go wrong with Steve Harris galloping through the notes on his bass.

San Francisco

Arrived in San Francisco last Thursday morning. Drove over to the waterfront and ate an early lunch at Red’s Java House. Took in the sea lions at Pier 39 and ignored its sugary-sweet tourist bull. Rode across the water to Alcatraz and did the tour. Finished up the day with sushi with our friend Laura.

Friday was a walk at Baker Beach. Saw great views of Golden Gate Bridge and awful views of middle-aged nudists. Then it was off to Outside Lands Festival where we saw Silversun Pickups, Incubus and two hours of Pearl Jam.

Saturday we walked around Golden Gate Park to the other side of the Festival. We enjoyed great weather and heard Mastodon, Portugal the Man, Street Sweeper Social Club, some of The Mars Volta and ended with Dave Matthews.

Sunday was a lot colder and smaller crowds. Started the day with Cage the Elephant then it was Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Followed by Modest Mouse, M.I.A. and ended with some Tenancious D. Would have been better to end with the original Sunday headliner, Beastie Boys, but not too bad without them.

Finally today drove up to San Anselmo to meet our friends. Went to two wineries, Saintsbury in Carneros District then Robert Sinskey in Stag’s Leap District. Had a great time.

Flat Top

Beautiful summer day so left work and went for a hike with KD and the wife. Couldn’t ask for better weather. Mid-60s with a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky.

Fourth of July

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July. This date was my grandfather’s birthday and for many many years we celebrated it with a great parade through the home town followed-up with a huge party with friends and family at the grandparents’ house. So much fun in all those decades of fun at their house on the lake.

Fishing

We are in Ninilchik ready for ocean fishing tomorrow.

Still Addicted to Fallout 3

So, after taking several months off from playing the incredibly freaking awesome Fallout 3, I’ve come back to it to play the latest expansion pack, “Broken Steel”, which raises the player cap and adds several new quests plus changes the ending. That rocks. Now I can visit even more parts of the Fallout 3 “world” and add to my character at the same time. This is how the game should have been designed in the first place. But, at least they took the criticism and used it to further develop and refine what is one of the greatest games ever made.

It’s still no Tie Fighter but, hey, what is? Well, Fallout 3 is damn close.