Wow, did you see Ap's first was 3DN too?

Jelly I was trying to give you an easy one, as I can see you are having trouble lately.

triplets separated at birth <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Faith - the B52's rocked in concert in Dallas!

The Pretenders was awesome...Iggy Pop opened for them....too cool fer skool!

'Nother bad one: Beach Boys...right after their drummer died. It was too sad for words....I dunno how those guys did it.

gc:

Tipping one for Schluter? Oh no... I hope I'm not interpreting gloom where it's not here.

I'm amazed that I'm still reeling in many ways over my friend's recent suicide. This Monday, I gave his widow some cash for his telescope and a lathe he used. I didn't sleep well the next 2 nights.

But it's clear and comfy out 2day, and I'm going 2 get that scope out and wish on a few million stars and DSOs in his name.

-ol' 2long

2Long - Suicide is only hard on those left behind.

I'm so sorry. This place helped me:

http://www.survivingsuicide.com/

I've been 2 a few live concerts in my time, though I don't generally like them - 2noisy and smokey.

Moody Blues about 3 times in the early 70's. Then again when they played with the orchestra (also at Irvine Meadows) about 10 or 15 years ago (by far the best live concert, rock or classical, that I've ever, ever seen). Then again at The Greek about 6 or 7 years ago (awful, due 2 some constant yackers sitting right behind us).

King Crimson in 1974. Bought regular tickets and wound up in the 10th row center. Fairport Convention opened for them, and it was a toss which band did the best performance. Very memorable.

The Who around 1972. Noisy and smokey. I had a "date" go with me, only she was my date when I bought the tickets but dumped me before the concert. I sucked up my broken spirit and offered 2 take her anyway. We were with about a dozen other people, so it 2rned out well. Most everybody was stoned out of their minds by the time we left. They did an amazing performance of "Magic Bus" and smashed their guitars in2 kindling at the end of the concert.

The Oingo Boingo concert about 11 or 12 years ago. Even then, the keyboardist was using a Mac Plus for his midi. I would've thought it was 2 archaic, but I had one up until the fire 4,5 years ago that booted a lot faster than my newer machines - very little overhead in the operating system in those days 2 slow them down, I guess.

Last concert I went 2 was Peter Gabriel at the Staples Center. W and kids went 2. All I can say is that I hope I'm half as spritely when I get his age as he was then. The music was awesome, 2.

-ol' 2long

Oh yeah. One of the early 70's Moody Blues concerts was opened by Spirit. Very good performance.

-ol' 2long

I don't know Kimmy, over the years especially this last one I have come to realize that things are never quite so black and white.

With my dad's suicide (facing a debilitating/painful cancer, the recent loss of my mother and his inability to conquer his alcoholism) I think it was hard on him to make the decision, but obviously crippled with pain both emotional and physical he saw no other way and felt it was the best for all concerned.

Similar to 2long's friend in some aspects, but minus the alcoholism.

Who knows though. Sure is sad anyway.

I used to get so angry at suicides, but now everything has changed in my thinking I guess.

I will forever remember the kind and amusing things my friend did for all his friends. I heard this story from a friend at the memorial service last weekend.

This other friend is in2 Model A Fords. Some years ago, he was working on it on a Sa2rday when my friend dropped by for a visit. He asked what he was doing, and the OF told him he needed 2 dismantle the leaf spring, but didn't have a spring spreader (and folks, *I* dismantled mine when I was 19, using a bunch of big C-clamps, and though I had no problems, I look back on that as one of the dumbest, most dangerous things I did as a teenager). MF asked him what that was, and he showed him a pic2re from a Model A Service bulletin. 4 days later MF showed up again with a spring spreader he'd made in his garage from memory of the picture, complete with the OF's initials welded in2 it.

He did stuff like that.

-ol' 2long

I've never been to a memorable concert, aside from the first one with my parents, oh and of course Donny Osmond when I was 13.

Well, was quite taken with John Cougar preceded by John Fogarty, but still I can't say it was really memorable...except it was out-doors, we had front row, it was the fourth and there were fireworks in the sky above us, also a beautiful sunny day with the strangest light bouts of rain.

I'd give my eye teeth to see Jethro Tull in concert though.

There is a part of me that is stuck at 11 years old that will never grow up. Part of her still feels responsible for a grown up's decision to take his own life....because the grown up that she became can see the signs that were there pointing to his demise. Try 'splaining it to the 11 year old, tho...try telling her it's not her fault.

Logically, I understand....but the me that I was will never stop hurting and hasn't yet given up the anger at what she perceives to have been a huge responsibility foisted on her...a responsibility that she failed miserably in.

To me, it's the worst thing you can do to your loved ones...

I can't go in2 much detail here, but I believe that - taken as a whole - my friend was about as selfless with his choice as he was likely able 2 be in the condition and state of mind he was in.

I'm sure some will agonize over whether they could have said or done something differently such that he'd still be here. I know I did, and I haven't seen him myself more than a couple dozen times in the past year (he'd retired 5 years ago, but was working part time up until a year or so ago).

I sure wish I could see him again and spend time swapping stories with him, but the truth is that he wasn't likely 2 be around much longer, and the quality of his life (and his finances) would have deteriorated rapidly with time. And the fact is that he's gone now.

-ol' 2long

I think your friend and Weav's dad were in a "different place" than my dad was in, 2Long.

There is no commonality between the circumstances other than the ultimate outcome.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

I think so too Kimmy, they also didn't leave their little children with their "mess".

Huge difference.

I'm sorry Kimmy, I can't imagine how awful it must have been.

I was 39 when my dad did it, and if I were him I probably would have done the same thing.

I just don't want my dad to suffer anymore, so I pray that he is at peace.

I know, that is the hard part...they are so irreplaceble, and missed so much.

I was 39 when my dad did it..........

Weaver, I thought you were only 32 now.
What's the deal? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

SS

And BTW, I don't mean to make light of that, it's just that you are so fun to tease.

SS

Oh too funny SS...I feel 32 though, if that counts.

I know better than to make references to my age on this thread. LOL

I notice none of you other old farts ever do. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So here I am with a late night post. But this is no half-drunk griping.

I did some work on the house, and planned to do some music. But long story short, my house smelled like VOCs and I needed to get out. I'd been invited somewhere, so I went.

Yadda yadda yadda...

I wound up with a group of people, one of whom I knew, based on a prior conversation with a friend of his, was an OM. I didn't know any of the details. I barely know him. But he's a musician, and he started talking to me about that. I asked him about his band situation. He said it was complicated.

I was not baiting him. Actually I thought his affair was unrelated to the music. I had the impression it was outside all that.

Sorry weaver.

So he said his band situation was complicated, and so I asked him to give me the 30-second version. He bellyached about how hard that was, and I waited. Finally he explained, and included the fact that one of the other musicians in his band is a woman, and she's divorcing her husband to be with him.

As the inside of my body reached a nice rolling boil, I exhaled and looked at him and tried my best to look calm and not like I wanted to KILL him. I'm telling you, my pulse was 170.

I think I was successful. Maybe he thought that as a groovy creative musician-type I might be understanding (he was right).

He asked, "What do you think?"

I tried not to stop breathing. Here was a guy, admitting to me that he is the OM, asking for my opinion.

I said, "What I think is that this is one of the most unethical and destructive things a man can do in his life. You've made a terrible choice."

I said that. And he did not run away. We talked for quite a while. Now, I do not fancy myself a great giver of advice. There are many here, for instance, who have abilities that exceed mine. That's no fake humility. It's a fact.

I reminded myself early on that if this affair was a romance, there was nothing I could say that would convince OM to change what he was doing. All I could do, I figured, was plant seeds.

I can tell you, having a conversation with an OM is a peculiar experience. To hear these worn-out phrases coming out of a person five feet away is... peculiar.

I'm glad. There was only that early moment when I saw red. After that, I felt sad for him. He's obviously in conflict.

I'm sure I said some things that went too far. I didn't bat 1000. But I showed him real compassion. I didn't patronize him or lecture him, but I spoke honestly.

I might have been overconfident, and too sure of myself.

Somewhere towards the end, he said, "I guess we'll agree to disagree."

That's one of the lamest things you can say when you're in a disagreement, if you ask me.

I said, "No, I'm right, and you're wrong, and you know it, and someday you'll realize that you actually agree with me."

I wanted to offer him more. I wanted to tell him, if he ever needs someone to talk to, I offer him my friendship. But he went out to smoke, and he never came back.

Tomorrow I'm having dinner with his friend who is also my friend, and I guess I'll give her the message that he should feel like he can reach out if he needs to. Though I doubt that would ever happen.

I didn't save anyone, but I did my best, and I was kind to the OM. I told him things that were very judgemental and confrontational, and I did it without being nasty, and I didn't intimidate him or scare him away.

I don't think a golden tongue can do much in a situation like this. You can tell someone what you think, and try to be kind. You can count yourself among those who say that this is a cruel and destructive act. You can possibly give him something that may help when the whole thing begins to fall apart. But to cast a brilliant spell that will end everyone's suffering right now... That would be a special skill, and I don't have it.

I wish, but not a chance.

And so instead of feeling proud or doubtful... I gave a nice girl a ride home, and now I just feel sentimental.

Time it was
And what a time it was
It was
A time of innocence
A time of confidences
Long ago it must be
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They're all that's left you

GC

Weaver - I was a big Donny Osmond fan too. My first concert I went to was Fleetwood Mac, Wembley Arena circa 1978. But the best, and I mean big best was Dire Straits, Wembley, sometime around 1984.

After the concert, my friend and I who both were crazy about them, stayed behind to try and get their autographs. We waited and waited until about almost midnight. Mark Knopfler drove out with his wife, then in the next car was John Ilsley. Then some guys who were light technicians challenged us. They said if we could get to Abbey Road studios on public transport before they got there (they had to go and change at their hotels first), they would get us into the End of Tour Party being held there. Cut a long story short, we got in. I met them all, got a signed album cover, drank champagne (I was wearing a tracksuit!). They knew we weren't meant to be there but nobody cared. One of the best nights of my life. And yesterday on the radio they played Sultans of Swing and made my day. TT