Lakers vs. Pistons

I went to the Lakers game at Staples Center last night. It was a good experience. The seats I had were near center court, but they were really high up (next to last row). I still thought they were good seats.

It was interesting to watch a basketball game and not hear commentary the entire game. I also liked watching the Laker Girls do their routines. I miss cheerleading a lot, and I miss dancing. I'd like to say I can appreciate watching a well-executed dance routine.

Lakers won 103-91 and it was a close game the whole night.

I'm not a sports fan per say, but I enjoy watching live sports. I enjoy the experience of going to the stadium or arena and watching a game.

I also like the experience of identifying with a team. I'd like to say I can identify with living in Los Angeles, and that real feeling of "I support the team that hails from my town" is a good one.

Josh Groban at the Honda Center

I saw Josh Groban at the Honda Center Saturday night. It was a good show, although I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the Michael Buble concert. The OC Register reviewed both the Josh Groban and the Michael Buble show.

I think the problem I have with Josh Groban isn't something that Josh Groban can solve. I have a strong adversion for anything I feel is overly popular or substance lacking (if you go to Disneyland, you will feel what I mean). Or maybe I have a hard time with soft, romantic music that doesn't really convince me the singer is any more than a voice. Maybe that's it. I'm not attracted to soft, sappy, romantic types (although I myself am fairly sappy), or their accompanying music. I'm still in my "self-described bad ass" stage.

Regardless, the concert was enjoyable. He's developing a very eclectic style that I'm not sure I really like, although I can see his appeal to others. I think my favorite song he sang from the concert was "In Her Eyes", during which he wandered throughout the crowd. Other songs I enjoyed from the concert were: Aléjate, Un Dia Llegara, You Are Loved (Don't Give Up), You Raise Me Up, and Remember When It Rained.

Is it awful that my favorite performance from the concert was when violinist Lucia Micarelli led the band in a classically-infused cover of Led Zepplin's Kashmir? I also thought cellist Colette Alexander was fantastic.

Michael Buble at the Greek Theater

When I moved here almost a year ago, I knew that if I was going to pay for overpriced concert tickets to see someone sing, it would be for Michael Buble. I had no idea it would only take a year for that to happen.

Last night I saw Michael Buble at the Greek Theater. He was promoting his new CD, Call Me Irresponsible (it's really good, go out and buy a copy!).

Wow. Talk about a showman. He's funny, unpretentious, and slightly profane. He knows all his band members by name (first and last - I don't know why I found that impressive), and it's obvious that they get along. He doesn't lip sync.

If you've never been to the Greek Theater, it's awesome. It's a 5,700 seat outdoor amphitheater in Griffith Park (one of the largest urban parks in the United States). It's modeled after a Greek temple, hence the name. I think I would prefer seeing concerts there than in an enclosed theater space. Something to do with both acoustics and stuffiness.

The concert itself was very well produced - there was a continuous flow from beginning to end, and even when Buble introduced his bandmates or talked to the audience, it seemed naturally placed and appropriate. He opened with "I'm Your Man" and closed with "A Song For You". During the last lines of "A Song For You", he pulled the microphone away and just let his voice carry. While I bought good tickets, they weren't great tickets, and I could hear his voice just fine from where I was sitting (near the front of section C, if you want to get technical). Talk about a set of lungs combined with great acoustics.

I definitely didn't feel that I wasted my money on this show. It was an incredible experience and one that cemeted my love for living in Los Angeles. I honestly can't imagine living somewhere else and feeling as comfortable or as at home as I do here (even though I struggle with feeling at home anywhere).

Fireworks at Angels Stadium

I went to the Dodgers-Angels game on Friday night in Anaheim. Angels Stadium is much cleaner than Dodger Stadium, and the seating doesn't go all away around the field like Dodger Stadium. they do, however, have a nice rock waterfall that sits out behind centerfield.

The Dodgers lost 9-1. Oh well; next time I suppose. It was a fairly lackluster game.

It was a "Fireworks Friday" night, so they turned down the stadium lights after the game and we were treated to a nice fireworks show, choreographed to a few 80's standards and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. I thought it was a pretty show, brilliantly choreographed and with fancy fireworks. Maybe I'm blind or forgetful, but I don't think I've seen fireworks with multiple colors in the starbursts. I really am getting spoiled living in SoCal.

Here are some tips for going to an Angels' game:
-Get there early; we were about an hour early and were able to get $5 parking across the street from the stadium (as opposed to paying $8 at the stadium)
-Hot dogs are a delicious baseball game necessity. The "300" level has a place where you can get savory garlic fries to accompany your beer and hot dog. They're nothing like a Dodger Dog, though. (I'm not even a big sports fan! What's wrong with me?) Grab extra "moist towelettes"; I saw some from Hooters with witty sayings on the back of the wrappers.
-The wandering food vendors (the ones with the cotton candy, ice cream, etc) are not very bright. If you have a question, it's best to seek out one of the nice people in striped shirts and straw hats. They're the ones in the know.
-Wear Dodger Blue. Gotta Represent, you know!