ASNN

so lazy

Sorry, but I'm just cutting and pasting again...

So somehow, through turning 30, attending a Maroon 5 concert, and becoming an uncle, I've failed to post. As you can tell, it's not for lack of things to talk about, but rather time in which to talk about them. So I'll try to work it all in here, sometime after 1AM on a school night...

I'm an uncle! Taiel James Ramirez was born around 5:45PM on March 9; he was 6 lb. 15 oz. and 21 inches. Mom and baby are doing very well, and are home after a slightly extended hospital stay. I've had the privilege of holding my nephew, and he promptly fell asleep in my arms. It's still an adjustment to think of having a nephew that I will one day ruin with junk food and Monty Python. But it's a good thing.

I turned 30 last Thursday (March 10). I had a very pleasant birthday, getting to see Taiel and my sister, and having the joy of taking Vanessa out to Chilean food down in LA. No fanfare, no annoying singing waiters... just pastel de choclo, Chilean sea bass, pan fresco con aji, and a little Gato Blanco. At this point in my life, a nearly perfect birthday.

Finally, we went to see Maroon 5 at the Universal Amphitheatre on Friday (March 11). Vanessa and I met a couple from church, and got seated just before Phantom Planet came on to open for them. I won't speak of "other people" who weren't as happy with them (since she will almost CERTAINLY speak for herself!), but I kinda liked Phantom Planet. But when Maroon 5 came on, it was a noticeable difference in quality.

Every musician played his butt off, each with his own flair. Singer playing guitar, guitarist playing lead or rhythm, pianist playing guitar, drummer singing, singer drumming. The flexibility within the band was astounding. The set was also astounding, as it included all 12 songs from Songs About Jane, two new songs, and two covers ("Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes, and "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC). The covers were sung by the band drummer, who had given up the drumming responsibilities for the main show due to injury. But he sure didn't have a problem strapping on a guitar and taking vocal duties for those two songs, all while Adam (lead singer) played a surprisingly mean drums. Other highlights were opening with "Shiver", Adam singing the first verse of "This Love" a capella (with only the crowd as a (capable) backup), the crazy energy of "Harder to Breathe", the tenderness of "Sunday Morning". The whole show was a highlight; I will definitely be attempting to secure tickets for their May show in Anaheim.

Yes, I just wrote more than twice as much about Maroon 5 as I did my birthday and nephew combined. Don't read too much into that...