In summary, they have been a very welcome part of our relationship for as long as it has existed.

Dawn and I have been to tons of concerts over the years. It was something we enjoyed throughout our lives, growing up together, moving between the phases of our relationship from boyfriend/girlfriend to husband/wife to mom/dad of our little man. She has always had her favorites and I mine, but for most of them we have shared the experience.

And then there is this weekend.

You see, ever since becoming a Momma she has wanted to be able to take the little man to see Depeche Mode.  On Saturday, September 28th 2013 we realized that dream. And I’ll tell you this… it is now the most memorable, significant concert moment I’ve ever been witness to. Being able to see the love of my life overcome with an absolute, pure joy, well, there are just no words for things like that.

I will tell you this though, I haven’t felt so alive, in years…..

(set on Flickr)

Dawn and I had a blast. Small place, good opening bands, and Datarock put on a great show

Buddhist monks did a “Three Steps and One Bow” pilgrimage from San Francisco to Seattle, which last almost one year. Objective of bowing was for world peace. Slide show is accompanied by the famous Temple Bell Drum Chant which praises the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the Dharma. Chant is from a moving poem which contains many vows and aspirations of a vigorous Buddhist cultivator.

Three Steps and One Bow is an experience that has lasting impact on those who go through it with sincerity.

Though I’ve seen and read about the pilgrimage from San Francisco to Seattle before, it is always a reminder of how my own practice can improve.

Once you are done with the video, I recommend visiting this link and listening to “Three Steps One Bow” by Fabrizio Alberico.  A beautiful song the captures the practice wonderfully.

One day I’ll walk without touching the ground
I’ll speak without making a sound
I won’t seek, just walk in a different time
Three steps and one bow
Three steps and one bow

…joining palms

IMG_2900.JPG, originally uploaded by mindonly.

Ethan and I went and saw Underworld at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend. We’ve been Underworld fans for quite some time now so it was great to go see them. The show was fantastic! The show just kept getting better and better and better as they went on. Another great thing was seeing how much fun they were having onstage. Karl was jumping for joy like a school boy and yelling fantastic – seeing him truly enjoy himself just adds to the performance.

Here is a link to the full set of pics. I’ll hopefully have the video I took up on YouTube soon. Watch this space.

Still one of the best xmas songs ever done. IMHO

Wishing you a time of peace…. We could all use it.

I remember seeing something on ‘Hifana’ a while back, but now find that I should have looked into it more. This is quite interesting. The video/sound/art placed together is great (though, the website automagically maximized itself to as wide as you screen will go – something I utterly despise.) Check out the profile – great stuff (found via jeansnow.net)

Luckily iTunes at least has the Hifana / Channel H audio for sale, I poked around trying to find the mixed CD/DVD release and saw it for no less that 50 bucks. Oi!

Blixa is still a complete genius.

Then the Yeah Yeah Yeahs came on. It was great. I’ve been saying it since I first heard them – Karen really reminds me of early Siouxsie. Good stage presence, similar moves, similar (at times) voice, above all else – an intensity like Siouxsie. (consider that a massive compliment, I LOVE Siouxsie… I even proposed to her over the phone once)

I really enjoyed the show. For me, Maps really stole the night. Karen began the song, then stopped the band because she felt that the acoustic version was really needed. (thank you Karen – that was seriously perfect.)

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Ethan and Moody too. We NEVER get to do that anymore.

Liz Fraser was even there with them; whom I’ve loved for many years. The gift of seeing her perform in person was outstanding. Such a wondrous voice. Daddy G couldn’t make it though. When 3D came out to give that news I was a little bummed at first, but then he explained that Daddy G was on paternity leave! Ya!!! Best wishes to Daddy G, baby g, and family. Mr. Horace Andy also graced us with his presence! Oi what a night of music it was.

Everything they played sounded great. The full band behind them sounded spot on – perfect.

TV on the Radio opened – which made Ethan quite happy. He’s quite into them currently so I was happy he got to see them. And a band named Gang Gang Dance started off the night; wish I got to hear more of them – interesting sound as well.

Hollywood Bowl is weird. Frigin weird. Everyone is allowed to bring in picnic baskets. (wish we knew this before) You’d think I had been there before, but nope, I’ll know for next time. Here’s the weirdest part; not only do they allow people to bring in alcohol, they sell full glass bottles of wine and allow people to bring them back to their seats. WTH? Not that it matters since I don’t drink, but that just struck me as strange.