Hey, it's a rare Friday update!  That can only mean one thing: It's Friday, and I'm insanely bored!   Okay, technically that's two things, but either way, everybody wins!

     I took Wednesday off to surprise the wife with a trip to her first-ever rock concert.  Being as we live in the middle of nowhere, it was a short two and a half hour commute to the Big City™ to see Daughtry, Staind, and Nickelback perform.  The weather was calling for a 90% chance of rolling thunderstorms and we were going to an open stadium.  Daughtry be praised, the skys held their moisture for a less- rocking night.

     Truth be told, this really was a concert for my wife, as none of the bands are really on my A-list.  I'd just assume go see Metallica again, or Slipknot.  But, I root for Chris Daughtry only because I think he got shafted on American Idol, and I'm glad to see him make such an amazing success out of his singing.  He's got that whole underdog quality to him, and he and his band put on a great show.  Nothing spectacular, but definitely a great time.

     Staind I could take or leave.  There was no real stage presence, no bantering with the audience, and nothing really extraordinary here.  It was very much a get on stage, play the popular radio songs, then get off the stage.

     Nickelback, on the other hand, is exactly the way a rock show is supposed to be.  Speakers cranked to 11, fucking pyrotechniques, and t-shirt cannons.  Good times.  In fact, it's because I saw this concert that the band went from a 3-start band in my mind to a 5-star band.  They talked to the audience, made jokes, told stories, and generally put on an amazing show.  I think what hooked me was the fact that these guys can really fucking jam.  Some bands can only play in studios that help clean up their vocals or buzzing guitars, but not Nickelback.  Hell, when they were firing t-shirts into the crowd they filled the time by playing Seek and Destroy and Cowboys From Hell.  You see what I'm saying?  Cowboys From Fucking Hell, man.   That's what I'm talking about.  I like a band that makes you feel like you're right there.