October 1, 2004
Dear Zach:
I’m on my way home - I can’t wait to see you! It’s funny how many things I see that remind me of you… Right now it’s all those airplanes at the El Paso airport.
I’ve got the layover from hell, so this will probably be a long letter. Just skip to the show if you like. Or practice saying “hell” over and over again.
Hell. Hell! Hell, hell, hell!!!
Flis was such a good sport about letting me stay at her place on short notice. Before she left for work yesterday morning, I followed her around her apartment as she got ready so we could talk.
Somehow Dawn managed to sleep through most of our chattering.
Poor Flis. She’s so busy that she doesn’t have time to put sheets on her bed. “Why am I living like a hobo?!” she asked me. I assured her that Chez Jebsen wasn’t gonna beat her out for any Good Housekeeping™ awards. ;)
I won’t say how early I got to the venue. Suffice it to say that by the time you’d be eating lunch, I was already there.
Here’s a shocker: the Osbornes beat me again! It’s kinda scary that there’s a whole family inflicted with CCTD (Compulsive CT Disorder). I wonder if it’s genetic? Be afraid, Zach!
Later that afternoon, Santa (AKA: Phil) showed up with presents for all. Thanks to him for that! He wore a checkerboard shirt and told us funny stories about running off his bus when he saw it in a store window.
Before the doors opened, there was a healthy line of the CT faithful. Daria and her sister Clare asked about you. You’re a very famous toddler in CT fan circles! When I finally get you to a show, you’re going to have a lot of folks wanting to meet you!
You’ll be happy to know that I got in front again. Mom was more food frugal today, too. (“Frugal” is a fancy word for “cheap.”) A late lunch at Pollo Loco allowed me to avoid the overpriced entrees served by people with hooks in their mouths.
With all that time in front of the stage, mom took at look at the lighting equipment.
Zachary, can you say “crap”?
That’s the most polite word for their lighting rig at ye olde Canyon Club. OSHA would NOT approve. Household extension cords and power surge protectors used to provide electricity to the lighting instruments.
Yipes!
Danny F. Saint had a copy of yet another incriminating photo of your mother, Zach. “Incriminating” means you don’t get to see it.
Before the openers, I paid Kim G a visit at the merch table. The poor guy had to loan me money so I could by my blue CT shirt. (Yes, mom paid him back!)
TRASH DADDY
I actually paid attention to the openers tonight! They were very funny and politically incorrect.
Although your mother was really, REALLY hoping Wayne Kramer might show up at these shows, TD was a fun substitute. I had a good time during their set. The lead singer had a bottle opener on one guitar and another guitar shaped like a double wide trailer.
LMAO!
Sorry. I can’t tell you what the “a” stands for.
After their set, I got the drumsticks and a CD. Yee haw!
It took a looooooooooong time for CT to take the stage. Rick told us why later on. Remember the traffic jams I told you about in my last letter? Well, they got stuck in one on their way in.
At least, some of them did. I know Rick was there during the opener because he waved at us from stage left during Trash Daddy’s set.
During the final set up, when Colin taped down Robin’s set list, there was an audible groan when he crossed out “He’s a Whore” and wrote in “Big Eyes.”
FASHION REPORT
| BEC | Blue jeans, black t shirt and base ball cap |
| RZ | Looked fabulous in white... except for that bloody hat. We were given a hat reprieve for the encores AND he took off his shirt under the jacket. :D |
| RN | Maroon? Or black suit that looked maroon under the lights with a Beatles t shirt underneath. I bet you’d really like his tennis shoes |
| TP | Purple and blue western shirt (complete with fringe), black pants |
SET LIST
| On Top of the World | This is a great opener! Love the song! Rick made an inappropriate gesture at your mother just before he whacked the crap out of his hand. Mom laughed pretty hard at that one. |
| Big Eyes | It rocks but I’m still bitter that “Whore” got dropped. Don’t call your teacher a “whore” Zach. |
| I Can’t Take It | In this video, Robin dressed up like a deranged chicken. |
| Taxman, Mr. Thief | |
| Pop Drone | Yeah!!! Track #4 off S1, baby! I. LOVE. THIS. SONG!!!! Just as they started, I placed my hand on my heart and mouthed that to Rick. He nodded, smiled and put his hand over his heart too. |
| IWYTWM | |
| Day Tripper | Rick said, “We haven’t played this one in California in… 4 days.” Doh! It still rocked! |
| Tonight It’s You | |
| Fan Club | We all had fun singing along to this one. |
| CA Man | How apropos. |
| The Flame | No offense, but these are two songs they’d played the night before that, while well done, I coulda done without. |
| That 70’s Song | |
| Surrender | Phil got to strum Rick’s guitar during this one. He’s still talking about it. :) Robin let me sing one of the “Aaaaaaaa-aaaaaaays” into his mic! Woo hoo! |
| Dream Police | Oh my, Zach. You’re too young to understand this, but your mom and every other woman at the Canyon Club went crazy for Robin during this song. He emerged with no shirt under his jacket and really played it up. When he was doing it for Jeri Ryan, it was dorky. When he was doing it for us, it was cool. ;) |
| Scent of a Woman | Mom danced like a goof. Again. |
| Auffie | A classic CT jam to bring my last CT fix for awhile *sniff* to an end. |
Since you’re so good at identifying Rick in photos, I'm sure you’ll want to hear some of his quips of the evening...
RN SEZ
He greeted lots of fans who’d traveled for the shows (including your mother. Woo hoo!) … The Osbornes corrected him – yelling out “CHEAP TRICK FAMILY” after he introduced them as the Osborne family. Chris Osborne got another guitar hand off tonight! Lucky guy!
Junko was another topic of discussion. He told everyone that last night was her birthday, tonight was her 126th show, she was at Budokan and they “still can’t get rid of her!” Bwahahahahaha!
He also made a big deal over one of his techs for the evening… Scott Hamilton.
Mom and dad went to the same college as Scott! In fact, mom used to walk down Scott Hamilton Ave. on her way to classes. Uphill. Both ways! And there was snow up to my knees!
Oops. Sorry. Those are phrases that slip out when you become a parent.
Anyway… Mr. Hamilton delivered a guitar to Rick and bowed to him several times as he left the stage. It was very sweet. Rick tried to goad him into doing a flip, but no luck.
After that it was a parade of guest techs. Including Todd Trent, Frankie Banali from Quiet Riot and our own Kim G!
Rick looked really confused when he pointed out the merch table. He didn’t recognize the guy back there. “Do you work for us?!?!”
As I mentioned earlier, he blamed traffic on the late start. One of the hazards of big city life, Zach!
Rick also talked about all the places they were going the rest of this year… Puerto Rico, Florida… Then I shouted out “Canada!” He didn’t believe me so he asked, “Where?” putting the mic in front of me.. “Edmonton.” Still disbelieving… “When?!?!” There’s that mic again… “End of October.”
Taking my word for it, he told everyone “Talk to Lisa if you have any questions. She knows everything!”
Doh!
Zach, has Rick been talking to your father?!
Boom cha!
MISC. STUFF
It’s set lists like these that make mom do crazy things like cross the country to see Cheap Trick. What a fun night!
Mike Graham (official CT photographer) was there both nights. At the end of the set, he took shots from backstage. I’ll be the one with my jaw on the floor. Particularly during DP. Robin was on fire and I was goin’ crazy.
Before the encores, Rick gave me his water bottle, telling me it was gin. I was so thirsty at that point, I’d’ve taken a swig if it was formaldehyde. Thankfully it was just water. ;)
It was a good couple shows for pick acquisitions. I’ll have 5 new ones for you to check out when I get home. They’re very handy tools for teaching letters, counting and colors!
A bunch of us decided to wait by the stage door again. Pam C. gave me your own Cheap Chick shirt before we went over to say “hi” to Rick. He told Pam that he loves them and they play “great material.” :)
Once again a group of us ended up at Jerry’s Deli. I’ve never been to a place that has complimentary pickles on the table and champagne on the menu. Brenton was up to his usual silliness, asking if he could order a Lisa PB & J sandwich.
Back at Auntie Flis’ place, it was time to watch CT and CT-related videos. Our hostess, Dawn and I probably kept the neighbors up with our talking and laughing. :D
This morning the three of us had a nice breakfast at IHOP before it was time for me to head to LAX. For future reference, if you’re ever eating with Dawn and she calls something “supergrub” that means it’s really tasty.
The drive down I-405 wasn’t too bad. I got to the airport in plenty of time to drop off my car and get those coveted “A” boarding passes for my flights on Southwest.
Mom’s really lucky to see her favorite band so much. I’m also lucky to have a friend like Flis who opened her home to me and Dawn. Most of all, I’m lucky that you and your dad are so great about letting me have some time to blow off steam. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it many times in the years to come and I’ll say it now – I’m lucky to have two great guys in my life.
See you soon!
Love,
Mom
AKA: Lisa J.
<insert Homer quote here>
© 2004, Lisa Jebsen