I was reading an interview with Jon Stewart of The Daily Show and he had some interesting things to say.

On the current politics: "It feels like the right is trying to take us back to a sort of nostalgic world that actually never existed in the first place. It's sort of this dream that they had of what the world was like, and they're trying to make everyone go back there, not realizing that--when was that? The Forties, when we dropped an atomic bomb? The Fifties, McCarthy? They forget. There was no golden age. People were still gay in the Forties and Fifties. And the left is trying to take us to sort of this utopian world that would be not only impossible to live in but unbearable."

Hmmm...interesting point of view. I think he might be onto something.

On cable news channels: "Pundits should no longer be allowed on these stations. People who have an advocacy group should be cut out of the loop. Because they are not advancing the discussion, they're advancing their cause. News organizations should be discriminating enough to go, 'No, lady from Pro-Families for Working America Flag Tasty Food Group, you're not coming on our show because you don't think. You're dogma. You're a knee-jerk whatever-it-is to your cause, and you are not important to this discourse 'cause you're not about understanding, you're just about getting your way.'"

I shy away from absolutes, but in general I agree that pundits should be left out of political round-table type discussions. I mean, have you ever listened to these people? Well, you shouldn't because they'd never bother to listen to you.

On leadership in face of adversity: "In many respects, it's easier, because you're dealing with an issue you care so deeply about and is much more relevant to the rest of the country. I once got to interview Giuliani after the 9/11 thing, and I said, 'As horrible as that was, was it easier to be mayor then?' And he said, 'Yeah.' And I completely believe it. I'll have to give it to Bush, the speech he gave to Congress after 9/11--it was the only thing I've ever seen him do where I couldn't see the politics behind it. Where you couldn't see the stagecraft... 'Cause he dropped all the bulls**t. You realize what happens when people drop the bulls**t? Drop the politics and you drop the bulls**t and you know what's left? Leadership! ...What page is that in the Churchill biography? 214? Whatever people think of in Giuliani's mayoralty, he handled that event magnificently. Politics went out the window, and he just led. It was great. Why is that so hard? In a non-vomiting situation? Why is it that we need a bomb?"

I share his frustration. Leadership without all the posturing is so refreshing and so rare. However, over the years, my optimism has gone hiding in the closet and I'm afraid that "just leadership" is a near impossibility is today's political world. But I guess that doesn't mean we can't dream that one day it might be a possibility.

On stridency: "I think it's too easy to shout your outrage, because what happens is everybody who even mildly disagrees with you goes away."

Amen! This is why I have respect for people who can quietly present their views and carefully explain them. The shouting matches CNN/FoxNews call discussions are meaningless and only demonstrate how little people know about what they're speaking of. They speak in such a manner to drive off all but the most ardent supporters so that there's no one left to make them logically defend what they're saying.

On the United States of America: "With all that, this is still the greatest government that has ever been tried. In sum total, the good that this government has brought to the world far outweighs the bad. The accomplishment merits great amazement. If any place can hack it, it's this one."

'Nuff said.

The Olympics are killing me...and I'm loving every minute of it.

I only a few short days, I've become an Olympics junkie. It's really starting to get out of control. And what with coverage running until midnight, it's getting tough to get up on time in the morning. Swimming, diving, gymnastics. I watch it all. Okay, so I don't really care about boxing or canoeing. And don't GET me started on the the "Dream Team" (barf). But I'm quite into the rest of it. Watching these athletes push themselves to their mental and physical limits--while I sit on the couch with my pint of Haagen Dazs--is absolutely inspirational.

The blogging gods are not looking kindly on me. Once again, I started a post and this time we had a power outtage before I could finish and save. Grrrr....

An experience at the Bob Dylan concert last Friday has shown me that in the interest of the common good, I need to write some sort of informative piece to educate the public on common practices and etiquette for general admission seating and offer some guidance to those who are considering trying it out for the first time.

So you're thinking about picking up general admission tickets to that hot summer concert. Before you make that investment, please keep in mind that general admission is not for you if:

1. You want to be able to sit and see the stage. Many people Friday night made this mistake. They got there early, spread out blankets 50 feet from the stage, and expected to be able to sit there with their picnic basket and enjoy the concert. They could not have been more wrong. It doesn't matter whether you're seeing Metallica or Barry Manilow. "General Admission Seating" does not mean you will be sitting. You will be standing or you will be completely surrounded by people who are standing if you are anywhere within 100 yards of the stage. This is a fact and accepting it is key to your enjoyment of the concert. If you cannot do so, you will spend the entire show internally fuming and shooting dirty looks and you have just wasted your $40 for an evening of misery.

As a sidebar, if you're a short person, unfortunately, you're going to want to think twice about general admission as well. I never really thought about this until I went to see U2 with my friend Jenny who is just under 5 feet tall. She was not only unable to see, but got shoved around quite a bit as no one was able to see her. Us tall people do our best to stay out of the way, but I'm not about to go stand in the back just because I happen to have been born with long legs.

2. You have serious personal space issues. This really goes without saying, but now and then I hear complaints of toes being stepped on or an elbow in the back. If you cannot handle being shoulder to shoulder with other people for a couple of hours, you should consider reserved seats.

3. You have a Burberry coat and are planning on spreading it out on the ground to save a spot for someone. Obviously, I am referring to a specific incident here, but the intent is clear. First off, do not bring/wear anything that you really care about because there's a good chance it's going to get stepped or spilled on. Secondly, when it's standing room only, you can't expect to claim a spot for someone in this manner. Saving a space for someone in general admission is not for the faint of heart. A sweatshirt on the ground and a few dirty looks aren't going to keep people away for more than 30 seconds.

Now after all this, you maybe wondering, "Well, why on earth would I want to be in general admission?" I'm glad you asked. There's really only one reason. Sitting in comfortable seats leaves one with the feeling of being entertained whereas standing down front with a bunch of other rabid fans is an experience. The difference between these two is striking, believe me. An experience is standing close to hundreds of other fans who know and appreciate the artist as much as you do. It's being close enough to watch the sweat pour down the guitarist's forehead as he struggles to give the audience everything he's got. It's seeing the gratitude on the artist's face as the fans show their appreciation.

Its something I don't see myself giving up anytime soon.

Argh. Three paragraphs into my concert review, I had an internet failure and lost it all. I want to cry. I will nonetheless soldier on and attempt to recreate the masterpiece I started. So here goes...

Friday night was the stuff dreams are made of. Beth and I saw Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY and it was everything we dreamed. Since Beth and I are both big fans of both Bob and baseball, this trip was a hajj, of sorts, for us. (FYI: For the uninformed, Cooperstown is the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.)

It was a picturesque setting for a concert. Doubleday Field (the supposed location where General Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball) is located smack-dab in the middle of Cooperstown, an adorable little town nestled in the rolling hills of the rural Oneonta region of New York state. The field is bordered on two sides by homes, so there were several backyard barbecue parties going on where people were gathered to listen to the concert from the comfort of their own backyard. The generous concert promoters (obviously not Clear Channel) have also, for this tour, permitted children under 12 to attend for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult, so the concert had a decidedly more "family" feel to it than usual Bob outings. Now when I say it had a "family" air, I mean that it was an alcohol-free show with a cross-generational crowd. I do NOT mean that it was lovely evening spent sitting on a blanket in the grass like some sort of symphony-in-the-park event, much to the chagrin of several groups near us. But more about that in a later post I intend to title "Dos and Don'ts of General Admission: Discovering Whether General Admission Is Right for You".

Opening act Hot Club of Cowtown turned out to be an excellent choice to warm up the crowd. Every member of the country-tinged, gypsy jazz/swing trio was grinning like they were filming a Crest White Strips commercial. I found their saccharine presence rather grating at first until I reminded myself that I'd be grinning ear-to-ear too if I was opening for Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Heck, I'd be grinning ear-to-ear if I was coiling microphone cords for Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Anyway, HCC was a talented crew with enthusiasm to spare (see above) which was just what was needed to get the crowd up and moving.

Willie Nelson and band followed soon after with setlist packed full of hits. Even though he wasn't able to show off on the guitar much due to his difficulties with carpal tunnel, Willie's voice sounded amazing and his interpretations were well-rendered. I must admit that my ability to enjoy much of this set was hampered by the fact that one of my contact lenses rolled up and planted itself under my eyelid. The discomfort got to be a little distracting at times. However I do remember being especially moved by Nelson's interpretation of "Me and Bobby McGee".

But I was really there to see Bob. And as always, I was not disappointed.

This was my ninth Dylan show and easily one of my favorites. It's been my experience that Dylan performs much better when he's got a good general admission crew right in front of the stage and Friday night's performance provided more supporting evidence for my theory. Dylan and band ripped and roared through a stellar setlist that included several surprises, not the least of which was a rocked-out version of "Drifter's Escape" so powerful I didn't even recognize it. Dylan's performances seem to slowly be taking on more of an edge, gradually getting heavier and darker and it suits his gravely, cantankerous, road-warrior persona quite well. I'm wondering if he's got another album in the works because I'd love to see what kinds of songs this stylistic turn is inspiring.

A reworking of "Girl from the North Country" was unexpected, and absolutely gorgeous. It was followed immediately by a sizzling rendition of "Cold Irons Bound", a song I love more every time I hear it. Dylan's new guitarist, Stu Kimball, was a great addition to the group, which seemed to be the strongest I've seen it yet. I know Beth misses looking at Charlie Sexton, but I'd have to say that Kimball and his playing style work better with the increasingly impressive Larry Campbell than anyone I've seen previously in the spot.

I could go on all day about this show, but I'll cut the chase. Concert highlight: I loved the way Dylan and band tore through "All Along the Watchtower" but I'm going to have to give it to "I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)" for totally knocking my socks off by appearing in the setlist in the first place and then rocking like nobody's business. Second place: The guy from Albany standing next to me who tried to impress me with his Bob Dylan knowledge. Dude, you're way out of your league, but I'll give you an A for effort and a few bonus points for having seen Don't Look Back. But for future reference, I'd advise a different strategy for trying to get my phone number. Worst part: whining general admission amateurs. But again, I intend to cover this in another post.

I'm thinking about trying to catch another show on this tour. I've half a mind to run off and try to catch the guys in Altoona tomorrow night, but I have a feeling responsibility will win over. I hate being a grown-up.

Do you ever wish you could push the "mute" button for your internal monologue? It seems like mine runs almost constantly. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just make it shut up for an hour or two.

Last night I had a dream that I desperately wanted to remember and post about today. But now I can't remember. Isn't that always the way?

So today I went to a sales rep presentation by an unnamed furniture company in West Michigan for laboratory benches and furniture. About 20 minutes into his powerpoint presentation, he elected to use a quote from some general I had never heard of but he prefaced it with, "Now, not that I'm into the whole 'war' thing, but..." The quote really had nothing to do with war or battle or fighting or world domination, but after he said it, he again said, "But I'm not into the 'war' thing." I found this to be rather perplexing. Why would he say this? And what did he mean by it? What is he "not into", exactly? The war in Iraq? War, in general? And what does he mean when he says he's "not into" it? Is he against it? Or not against it, just not a fan? Or is this just a wimpy way of saying he's anti-war? And why say it at all....twice? Did he think we were a rabid anti-war crowd that would string him up out in Diamond Square if he expressed respect for a general? As you can see, I spent the rest of hour zoned out and contemplating this rather inconsequential issue and didn't hear another word the guy had to say.

Sales representatives are a curious thing, though. You'd expect them to be rather proper and PC since they're trying to sell something and wouldn't want to take the risk of offending someone. Maybe it's just the geographic location, but I find that's often not the case. I expect it somewhat with engineering reps because the field is well-populated with "good ol' boys" types. (I nearly laughed out loud when a straight-faced rep once claimed his control system could hold a temperature "dead to nuts".) But I've also encountered it with your more artsy-fartsy architectural products reps. I was completely shocked when a landscape lighting sales rep made a comment about Mexican migrant workers installing his project.

Now I'm not offended by any of this. I'm just wondering what's running through people's heads when they say this stuff to a room full of people they don't know. Then again, people probably wonder the same thing about me. I've said some pretty crazy things myself.

Friday I had yet another change-counting incident. This time I was at the drive-thru at the Taco Bell/Pizza Hut. My total was $5.29. I had no quarters, but I did have plenty of pennies and three dimes so I gave the attendant $5.34. She put her hand on her hip and said, "You gave me $5.34. Your total is $5.29." Before I could protest, she handed me back my four pennies, dumped the remainder in the register and then gave me a fifth penny. Sigh. I don't know why I even bother.