Countdown...

Been a while since I updated the blog. I still need to add some of the stories that have transpired in the last few months. I've just been so busy, with among other things... geocaching, working, going out, geocaching, working! Sigh, I am actually exhausted these days, on top of everything I have been ill for the last couple of weeks.

All that aside, these days I am losing some sleep, because... well, I AM SO DARN EXCITED ABOUT SEEING BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN!!! Finally, after all this time. And I've been tracking the set lists of the shows that have gone by since the tour kicked off... and I am feeling the good old Born in the USA days. I was just a little young and nowhere near a part of the world when that tour rocked the world, and ever since I have been a serious fan, I always wished there would be another BitUSA tour. Nay, I always knew there would be a day when Bruce would do it again!

And it has finally happened! The setlists are all rocking. A lot of Born in the USA tracks, all the best rock songs Bruce ever made:

• Born To Run
• Born in the USA
• Badlands
• Radio Nowhere
• Dancing in the Dark
• an unbelievably cool version of Reason to Believe
• Cadillac Ranch
• Working on a Highway
• all the great Magic songs

... ah man, I could carry on for hours. I am just so excited!

It's even so bad that I am now planning a holiday to the US early next year to follow Bruce on a couple of shows when the tour resumes back in the States next year!!!!

18 days and counting...

Shine

Yay! Can't wait to see Shine tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight!!! They've been gone too long, and thankfully they start it up again tonight! Sweet!

Going to be a little broken tomorrow! Just know it... need to remember to buy Panado!

Magic!

I was browsing iLike through Facebook today, and did the obligatory search for Bruce Springsteen, and for a change he popped as being on tour!!! Of course, a little premature as the tour kicks off on the 2nd of October, which is conveniently also the release date of the album "Magic".

Reading the comments of users about this pending massive event, I discovered that a few people already had the album, and I was wondering... "How can that be?". Well, I immediately started searching and well, I managed to get hold of a copy.

As I am typing this blog entry, I am listening to "Magic" and it is AWESOME!

Now for all you legit people, don't you worry. I have over the years bought several copies of every album, and as soon as I can in this part of the world, I will be acquiring my very own copy. When I think back over the years, it really is a little silly how many copies of all the albums I have bought. First everything on tape, then... after "Born in the USA" - being the first ever printed CD ever, which is a fact by the way - buying em all on CD. Then all the VHS videos, then, sigh, DVD came out - remastered and all - so I had to buy all those in DVD format. Then, of course, I have moved a lot over the years, and with each move, things get lost or left behind... currently, my entire collection is with my ex in South Africa... and I am Dubai, in the UAE!

I placed an order with Amazon UK to replace a whole bunch of stuff here, but that order never arrived, and is lost in transit.

If I think back, I have had multiple copies of everything ever released of Bruce, and I must be averaging about 3 of each... with the exception of The Seeger Sessions... uhm, yeah, uhm... while there are a couple of cool songs on their... it just isn't the Bruce I know and love!

Anyway, back to the songs... so far the winners are Radio Nowhere, You'll Be Comin' Down, Livin' in the Future, Girls in Their Summer Clothes, Devil's Arcade.

Well, I just can't wait to see the man himself, LIVE!

Did I mention yet...

that I have tickets to go see BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN in Arhem, The Netherlands, on November 30th, 2007!!!!

Just thought I would put that out there again! I am sooo excited, after having seeing 13 concerts, and not being able to see him for the last 10 years... I am sooooo happy!

Remembering The Innocent

Six years ago today, I was attending Microsoft TechEd when I heard about the World Trade Center disaster. I was horrified and was glued to CNN from shortly after the first tower was hit. It was one of those moments that will stick with me for the rest of my life. The only word that comes to mind is "shocking". Forget all the BS about politics, religious and cultural sensitivity and/or opinion. Been there, seen it, experienced it (politics, religion, culture, race). This was just plain wrong.

Targeting the innocent to make a statement should never be condoned. Ever! Most of the people affected by this attack probably never even had an opinion on the subject. So many lives were destroyed or so brutally effected, for what?

Regardless of all this, I just wanted to take a moment in my life to remember all those who lost their lives 6 years ago, and a special thought to all those who tried so hard to save so many lives and ultimately lost their own.

I remember. I hope you do to.

Tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE TICKETS TO SEE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E-STREET BAND IN ARHEM, HOLLAND!!!!!

Sorry for you all, but after not being able to see the greatest rock act of all time (by far), for nearly 10 years... and having recently learned about the upcoming "Magic" world tour and... and... well, my mom managed to get tickets!!! She lives in Holland. So I have to fly half way round the world to see my hero... small price to pay!

So on November 30th, I will be in Arhem, to seem my name sake! In case you are wondering, Bruce Springstone was once the topic of an episode of the Flintstones... as well as Bruce Springrock... regardless, Springstone stuck with me, and hence it became my alias. He is my hero, his songs have kept me company in the worst times of my live, and at times he was my only friend (without ever meeting him).

Anyway, I am going to see him... Yippie!!! (If I knew how to describe the sound you make when you stick your tongue out and make that sound... kindda blowing)... I would!!!

Rock on Bruce, you are my hero! And I will see you in Arhem on the 3oth of November.... one day I hope to see you in Dubai, UAE.

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (Live and acoustic)

Simply the best version of Born To Run there is... WOW

Shine in Muscat

I finally arrived in Muscat at around 8 PM, not too shabby, just over 4 hours drive. I did take some liberties with the speed limit though :) in order to make up the time lost at the border.

All the previous "plans" were out the door on arrival, as the band was still trying to organise rooms for them to stay in. Seems all was not as well organised as was hoped, so a lot of last minute things happening at the Grand Hyatt. The band had their first night on Monday, and have been "camping" at various other hotels, places, homes, etc. while waiting for the hotel to setup their accomodations. Anyway, turns out I was gonna be camping with Holli, which wasn't too bad, as she was just moved into one of the nice rooms in the hotel.

Anyway, rush rush, the band starts playing at 10 PM, so we had to hurry already.

And, all is good at the Safari Bar at the Grand Hyatt. The sound is really good, even though some of the equipment is from shortly after when Edison got the light bulb going. The venue is much smaller than the Hard Rock, and the layout is a little odd, but that doesn't stop Shine!!

Excuse the not-so-great photos, taken with my pocket camera :)

Shine on stage!! (Claire, Adrian, Ben, Holli and Myles)

Musical instruments!!! These guys are just too funny :) Yep, they're all playing different instruments, and you really couldn't tell that it isn't their normal instruments.

Claire (playing bass here) is normally on keys and vocals.

Adrian (on the drums) is the lead guitarist.

Holli (playing the acoustic guitar) is actually the drummer.

Bennie (on the keyboard) is the bassist.

And last but definately not least, Myles (also answers to Shaun, on the guitar here) is the male vocalist/guitarist. Myles is the new addition to the band. With all the chaos with relocating to Oman, the band didn't have any time to rehearse together, and the first time they all played together was on Monday night (their first show). He is the baby of the band, coming in at a whopping 21 years of life experience, and an excellent fit for the band, and what an awesome dude.

I was really blown away at how good the sound was. Much clearer than at the Hard Rock Dubai, and the show was great fun.

Road Trip

Woohoo, road trip to Muscat, Oman! Decided, well actually, was persistently nudged/encouraged that it was time to visit the band, Shine, at their new gig, the Grand Hyatt in Muscat. The band had just started their new contract in Muscat on Monday, and needed a friendly face as they've had their fair share of challenges starting their new contract.

So, "Hi ho, hi ho, its off to Muscat I go, with a ..." you know the rest. Its not too bad, only about 400 km away, and a little more than 4 hours drive. The only hiccup is the negotiating the Oman border. Wow, what a pain!

That's the main VISA application building at the border, one of 3 buildings and checkpoints you have to navigate spread over a distance of 10 km. All in all, took nearly an hour to get through the checkpoint, and really put a dent in my agenda.

Once the border has been cleared, we're officially in Oman, and need to do the remaining 240 odd kilometers to Muscat.

Getting started...

Well, its been a while since this space has been used for anything, so this is a fresh start. I had an extended existing blog that is no longer available for various reasons, but like I said this is a new beginning.

I've become increasingly interested in photography, so I will try share experiences through photos and descriptions.