September 29, 2004
Dear Zach:
Much to your father’s chagrin, I figured out a way to get to the Canyon Club shows in Agoura Hills, CA! You were very amiable with the goodbyes this morning. Unlike the last time I left to see a CT show. Not that I blame you. I’m sure it’s kind of awkward explaining where mom is to your teachers and friends at school.
I know, I know. You’re only 2 and half, so your attention span is short. Skip to the show now iffin’ you like. However, if you wanna hear mom blather about her favorite band, read on.
It was a beauteous day in LA. Perfect for rolling down the windows (hair style be damned).
Oops. Sorry... Please oh please oh please, don’t cuss like mom.
Anyway, there were great views of the ocean and hills as I headed north from LAX towards the valley. (There are towns much bigger than where we live. So big that they have wacky things like traffic jams and different names like "the valley" for different sections of town.)
As per usual, The Osbornes beat me to the club. ;) Lucky for us, there were lots of comfy chairs to relax in during the stupid long wait. Mom Osborne asked me when I would bring you to a show. I’m thinkin’ 5 sounds about right.
Can you wait that long?
Mom saw a lot other CT friends, too. They came from near (Caryn and her kiddos who live a mere 20 minutes from the Canyon Club) and far (several US states, Scotland, the UK and Japan).
Speaking of Japan… Remember Junko? She flew all the way from Japan just so she could see Cheap Trick on her birthday today. Her friends Hiromi and Mutsumi were there, too!
Most of my friends thought I couldn’t make it, so I had fun surprising them. Sorta like one of your favorite games: peekaboo. Kim G. did a huge double take (if you wanna be an actor like mom, I’ll teach you how to do that).
When the doors opened we ran to the front of the stage. Knowing how much you like to run, I couldn’t help but think of you.
Sometimes CT fans would rather stand in front of a stage than eat dinner. Given the frequency with which you eat dinner, I thought you would relate.
However, tonight I decided to eat. (FYI - $30 for grilled chicken is NOT a very good deal. And if you ever pierce your lip like that server, you’re out of the family!)
Mom’s friends were very nice to let her get away to do that. They were very nice again when they let me go surprise my other friends.
Yes, Danny F. Saint was there. And no, I can’t tell you what the F stands for.
The best reaction was from Felicity (you can call her Flis for short). The look on her face was priceless!
Back to the front of the stage in my favorite spot: smack dab between RN & RZ. I was surrounded by lots of very funny people… Tony, Randy, Dia, Shar – they all had me doubled over with laughter on more than one occasion.
During the opener Pam C. showed up. I’m sure that some day I’ll have to explain the photos Shar took of us…
Sorry. Mom talked all the way through the opener, so I can’t even tell you what the name of their band is.
The guys took the stage WAY past your bed time.
I know you really want to know what the guys were wearing so here it is…
FASHION REPORT
| Bun | I don’t know for sure, but I’m fairly certain it involved jeans and a t shirt |
| Rick | black suit with the wavy pin stripes and some black t shirt I couldn’t read |
| Robin | brown ‘n black stripey suit, white shirt, black tie and the Bing Crosby monstrosity some call a hat |
| Tom | black suit and green shirt – one of my faves! |
SET LIST
I think I got this right. Mom’s friend Kim will know for sure…
| Hello There | The first few strains of this song live always makes mom happy. The only time I’m happier is when I’m with you and your dad. ;) |
| Big Eyes | |
| IYWML | This is the song that made your mom a fan. |
| My Obsession | Another jammin' song of CT's latest studio release. |
| Best Friend | Zach,
can you say "Kick ass"? No wait. Don’t. |
| IWYTWM | |
| Tonight It's You | If you ever decide to play bass, try to sound as fabulous as Tom does on this one. :) |
| Voices | This is one of mom’s favorite ballads. It makes her squeal like a little girl. Especially when she gets a pick tossed her way after the solo. The letter "i" is on the back of this one. What begins with i? |
| IKWIW | Junko’s bday request! |
| Never Had A Lot To Lose | Rick played one of his new guitars on this one – a black Hamer Explorer body (although the head stock doesn’t say "Hamer") with pink edging. Chris Osborne got to hold it afterwards! I was right next to him so I got a good look at it before Dean came to collect it. |
| The Flame | Did you know Robin is Rick’s favorite lead singer in the whole wide world? That’s what he told us before this one. |
| That 70s Song | I’ll tell you what a number is when you’re older. |
| Surrender | The first time you smiled was when I sang this chorus to you. The letter "k" is on the pick that got caught in mom’s hair during this one. Rick looked pained at one point and I made a sympathetic "poor Rick" face for his benefit. He nodded and rubbed his shoulder. That 5 neck much be a bitch to carry around. Oops. Don’t say "bitch" Zach. |
| Dream Police | |
| Scent of a Woman | Zach, for whatever reason, your mom dances like an idiot during this song. |
| Goodnight Now |
As usual, Rick had lots of funny things to say.
After receiving roses from Candice Osborne, he altered his usual intro… "Four great guys, four great roses and three great chords…"
There were three people in the audience with birthdays – including Junko – and he acknowledged all of them. He acknowledged other fans in the crowd too – poking fun at Danny’s sobriety (or lack thereof)!
There was a little boy named Max at the show. He had face paint that looked like a checkerboard that Rick liked a lot. He invited Max onstage and said he looked like Gene Simons. He asked him his favorite band. Max said, "All of them." [Later on he got another shot at the question and answered right. :)] Max’s dad told Rick that Max "wants to be just like you!" Rick suggested therapy.
Rick mentioned that Scott Hamilton was in the house and I instantly thought of my friend Stephanie in Boston. You've not met her, but she sends you presents all the time. She's wicked cool.
In other notes...
Shhhh! Don’t tell your dad, but tonight I blew Robin a kiss and HE BLEW ONE RIGHT BACK TO ME!
It was a really fun show. I had just as much fun with the fans afterwards. Some of us waited to say goodbye to Rick before he drove off in his sporty white Roadster. He had all of us sing "Happy Birthday" to Junko.
A post show dinner at Jerry’s Diner was the perfect capper for the evening. Brenton and I goofed on the complimentary pickles. We almost had to be separated, he had me in hysterics on more than one occasion. His directions to Flis’ place were perfect, too – right down to the proper gate opening technique. ;)
Well, you’ve probably had enough of this letter. I’d bet a lot of money that you’re off playing with your cars or begging dad to let you watch Toy Story.
Again.
I’ve got one more show before I’m home again.
Be good! Give Adelaide and dad a big hug and kiss for me. OK?
Love,
Mom
AKA: Lisa J.
"I prefer to listen to Cheap Trick."
-Homer Simpson
© Lisa Jebsen, 2004