Flamin’ Family Fun

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra performed at Texas Tech’s United Spirit Arena last night, and I took my family.

I haven’t been to many concerts in recent years, and was amazed at how far the lighting and pyrotechnics have come. TSO had colored flame jets shooting into the air, mobile revolving lighting rigs that made me feel like I was Richard Dreyfus in the shadow of Devil’s Tower, and a mini-stage that floated at least twenty feet into the air carrying a couple of musicians. Overall, it was as far beyond the light shows of my youth as my MacBook is beyond an Atari 2600.

As for the music, it was TSO. I really enjoy their rock versions of classical tunes and Christmas carols, but I’m not as big a fan of the numbers that don’t have recognizable ties to something else. The ballads seemed overwrought at times. But, when they stuck to their forte, they rocked the house.

The first part of the show was drawn largely from the album Christmas Eve and Other Stories. After about 90 minutes, the lights went down and the “Encore” chants started. I was hoping for “Wizards in Winter” or “Christmas Canon”, both popular tunes that I assumed they saved for the big finish. I thought we had been treated to a good show.

I was wrong. We had seen about half of a great show. The band came back out, introduced the members, and announced it was time to “blow stuff up”. The next hour was an eye-dazzling orgy of fire, lasers, and great songs. They played “Wizards in Winter”, “Christmas Canon”, “The Wish Liszt”, and took me to heaven and hell at the same time with Grieg’s “The Hall of the Mountain King”, a song I love dearly. The reference to hell was in the staging, with flames everywhere, banks of red light giving everything an eerie glow – just a perfect performance.

One of the most impressive things about the band is that, after the show ended, they went and cleaned up then came out into the hall of the arena and sat at a table to talk to fans and sign souvenirs. This kind of outreach to the fans is rare, and I applaud TSO for taking the time to do it.

If you get a chance to see the band during the holidays, jump at it!

This & That

Nice week, all in all. I’ve got to finish up a project at the office by Thursday, then it’s time for Thanksgiving.

There’s a wise message from the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Dr. George Wood, here. Dr. Wood isn’t a flashy speaker, but his words are worth pondering in these times. The message was recorded before the results of the election were known, and serves as a reminder of what the Christian response to these things should be.

My own advice? Chill, calm down, regardless of which side you’re on. Our country has problems that need solutions. Pray that someone comes up with some good ones. I’m an old Reaganite who thinks government helps best by doing least; still, there may be things the government can do without trashing the Constitution to make things better. Pray for our leaders, whether you voted for them or not.

Oklahoma State rebounded from its loss to Texas Tech by beating Colorado 30 – 17. Colorado forced them to kick field goals a couple of times after the Cowboys got the ball well within the 10-yard-line. Kendall Hunter left the game with a jammed knee; I’m hoping the trainers were just being cautious with him. In any event, two weeks until the Bedlam football game in Stillwater. I normally root for OU except when they play OSU, but I’m kind of hoping Texas Tech wins next week. OU blew their shot at a national title when they went to sleep against Texas.

Dallas beat Washington on Sunday. Apparently Romo gives the team a spark they can’t generate without him. Doesn’t say much about the depth of their bench at quarterback.

I don’t wish bad on anyone, and I’ve got at least one relative in the UAW, but Detroit has to change and somebody has to give some compensation back or they’ll never, ever, be competitive. A bailout will occur, but it’ll just postpone the inevitable.

To Watch or Not to Watch?

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Tonight on ABC at 7 CST my alma mater, Oklahoma State University (8-1, 4-1 in the Big 12 South), will be in a football free-for-all at Texas Tech (9-0, 5-0 in the Big 12 South). I have very mixed emotions about this, somewhat like watching Keith Olbermann drive over a cliff in my SUV. (Was last week’s SNL skit supposed to be hyperbole? Looked like standard Olbermann to me.)

Texas Tech plays some of the most exciting football you’ll see anywhere. Coach Mike Leach has energized the program and, as evidenced in their win last week against the Texas Longhorns, the Red Raiders should be feared by every team. Likewise, Mike Gundy’s Cowboys have been as powerful as they’ve been since Gundy was our quarterback and Barry Sanders was our running back exactly 20 years ago.

To protect my nerves, I’ll probably TiVo the game and watch it after the fact. I hope my Cowboys can pull it out. Either way, it’s been a great year for both teams.

UPDATED: Well, that was depressing. Wish I had chosen “not to watch.” I was hoping for a close game, at least, and got a 56 – 20 blow-out. Still, OSU can finish the season 9 – 3 or even 10 – 2, though the latter requires an unlikely win against Oklahoma.

Never Thought I’d Call Gene Simmons Classy, But…

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Just watched, “Are You Smarter than A Fifth Grader?” with my family. I’m not a Kiss fan, in fact, my favorite Kiss moment is from the Band Candy episode of Buffy. Upon seeing graffiti spray-painted on the lockers at Sunnydale High saying, “Kiss Rocks!”, Willow Rosenberg looks at it confusedly and asks, “Kiss rocks? Why would anyone want to kiss rocks?”

Tonight, Mr. Simmons won $500,000 for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The next level was $1,000,000, but a wrong answer would have dropped him back to $25,000. When given the opportunity to go for the big prize, he announced he was a gambler with his own money but he wasn’t going to risk what he had won for this cause.

Mr. Simmons, you may not be smarter than a fifth grader, but great job, sir! Now, marry the woman you spent the last 25 years with, okay?

A Personal Note and a Test of the Zemanta Add-in

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This is really a test of the Zemanta add-in for Firefox. I’m looking for something to help me with my blogging.

I’m wondering whether to jump into Zelda – Twilight Princess. I didn’t get very far the first time, as it’s muy time-consuming.

Need a Palate Cleanser after Congratulating our Democrat Overlords?

I laughed till I cried, then couldn’t seeem to stop crying.

Once again, Iowahawk rocks!

Yes, I know there are probably other African-Americans much better qualified and prepared for the presidency. Much, much better qualified. Hundreds, easily, if not thousands, and without any troubling ties to radical lunatics and Chicago mobsters. Gary Coleman comes to mind.

Not to mention Lynn Swann, Michael Steele, or J. C. Watts.

I Really Like Bill Whittle’s Writing

He’s got a good post today at National Review Online.

When he is inaugurated, President Obama will be my president. He cannot be otherwise. I will disagree with him at just about every turn, in all likelihood, and that is my right and duty as an American. However, in an emergency he will have my unqualified support, and I will always wish him wisdom and hope that he may do what is best for this great country of ours. I do not wish — I do not ever wish — to see my country suffer so that I may gain political leverage. If at this same time four years from now, President Obama has acted in such a way as to make us safer, and more prosperous and free, it will be my greatest pleasure to admit I was wrong about the man. I look forward to that day. I hope to see it come to pass.

The full article also is available at Bill’s website, www.Eject!Eject!Eject!.com.  I’ve ordered his book, Silent America, and look forward to its arrival.

History

Well, America has elected a black president. I’m glad to see that milestone reached, although I would have preferred Michael Steele, Lynn Swann, or J. C. Watts to have broken the color barrier.

I have no doubt that God is in control. What He wills for us to learn from this administration remains to seen. Obama will do both good & bad things to our nation like every one of his predecessors. I’ll be praying that the good outweighs the bad.

May God grant wisdom to all Americans, & may we always be on His side.

This is the Day

It’s almost over. In about 18 hours we should be done with this election. Then comes dealing with the results.

I voted about ten days ago. I know there are some who think early voting is an abomination, but it certainly is convenient. I think requiring a valid photo ID to vote would stop more fraud than limiting Americans to one day in which to cast their ballots.

I plan to try to avoid as much election news as I can until Wednesday morning. Why? Well, for one thing, exit poll data never did anything but suppress voter turn-out and depress those whose candidate is reported to be losing. It serves no useful purpose that I can see; it simply gives those who obsess over these things something to do until the only results that matter (counted votes, if you were wondering) come in. And that is not a useful purpose. Let the talking heads discuss the Monday Night Football results or, better yet, stay off camera until the vote counts start coming in.

My prediction (and remember, I’m not a professional) is that the exit polls, turnout, bones, crystal balls, runes, and chicken entrails will be interpreted by the media to signal an Obama landslide. Reporters want to report history, and an Obama win would be historic. Like them, I’d like to see a person of color win someday; just not someone with Mr. Obama’s lack of experience, disdain for the unborn, and socialist rhetorical flourishes.

Regardless of who your candidate is, if you haven’t voted please do so. Yeah, there’s a part of me that would rather you didn’t if you’re supporting Obama, but it’s not the best part of me. If your candidate is reported to be behind, vote anyway. The media isn’t fair and balanced, whether it’s the MSM, talk radio, or bloggers on the Internet, so don’t let them suppress you! This is your last chance to vote for the Presidency this decade, at least. Just do it, and do it prayerfully.

And remember, “All things work together for good for them that love the Lord.” Romans 8:28

A Very Good Prayer for the Election

John Piper, minister of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Great White Northland of Minnesota and writer of the Desiring God blog, had an excellent prayer posted. This is an excerpt:

That we would know and live the meaning of

* being in the world, but not of it,
* doing politics as though not doing them,
* being on the earth, yet having our lives hidden with Christ in God,
* rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s;

Whatever happens tomorrow, God will remain Sovereign in the life of the Christian. Let people see that you possess the “peace that passes understanding” and marvel, and be ready to give a testimony to those who ask why you’re not running around like Chicken Little.