What the HELL was I thinking?

[ragboy]

OK, so I am a real involved Dad, as many as you know, and I love experiencing things with my kids. I am more likely to take my kids to a good rock concert, and other crazy stuff then to drop them off. And I am pretty fortunate, that they love going with me.

One of my favorite memories was taking the kids to see NO DOUBT on their last tour, and BLINK 182 opened for 'em. It was great. Some people think I am crazy, RJ was 10 then, and there was the many BLINK F-Bombs and stuff, but my kids don't talk like that, and neither do I. I love alternative music, and I let them listen, they can separate it from reality. (I do ask them to not listen to most RAP, or anything that is completely sexual, or degrading to woman, and they respect that)

They all have ipods, and I buy all the music and they use my computer once in a while to update their ipods, and we have Apple TVs playing the music in all our major rooms.

This summer, there was a new band I found, new to us, that I liked, called Tegan and Sara. Back in Your Head, The Con, etc. They have a good balance of alternative rock, and acoustic tracks. The thing is, they are a couple of vegan, politically hardcore, angry lesbos. That's ok, not my bag, but whatever, I like the music, and so do my kids.

Ashley comes in this AM and says "Dad, Tegan and Sara are playing at the Senator". The Senator is this cool refurbished theatre in downtown chico, next to the college, a GREAT small place to see anybody. So Amy bought the tickets, and we are going on Wednesday.

So I go on the website and look at fan pics and stuff, dude, its like nothing but women. Looks like a lot of leg and armpit hair type women, you know?

So there me and RJ are going to be, trying to hide behind his sisters Ashley and Whitney. I am sure he will have a decent time, being 12 and full of hormones.

Here is their myspace page, and you can see what I am in for, when you look at all the friends on their.

Anyway, I am sure it will be fun, but I hope I don't see anyone I know on the way out!

[chpthril]

That's almost as bad as when my dad took my sister and her friends to see David Cassidy

[ragboy]

Sheesh, I hope its not that bad. At least T&S are indie alternative.

[dogbert]

Hey, you're a cool dad! My dad used to take me to some killer clubs in NYC when I was growing up. I got to see the likes of Blondie and the Talking Heads before they were famous. We also went to a lot of symphonies, the Metropolitan Opera and jazz clubs like the Bottom Line.

BTW, I took my kids to see the Projekt Revolution tour this summer. We had a blast. Only downside was the language, but my kids are 13 and 15. Not sure I would have taken their friends and we only play the clean stuff on the boat.

[bk3104]

It takes a lot more than a few concerts to shape children these days. If your involved and know who your kids are hanging out with and what activities they are involved in your doing great. I remember taking my daughter to see the Rolling Stones in Dallas in 1997. She was 12 at the time and wanted to see The Dave Matthews Band and Smashing Pumpkins. I'll never forget the look on her face after those bands finished and the Stones came out and used the entire stage. She's 22, just graduated from college, has a job and is doing OK. We still talk and laugh about her first concert experience.

[ragboy]

I did this with other kids, before my own. We used to volunteer at our church, for over 10 years, working with JR High and HS kids. I got a reputation for being able to handle the tougher kids the first summer camp I counseled at, so I always had the troubled kids. I loved music, and one of them was especially a gifted guitarist, with dreams to start his own punk band.

I taught him and a few other kids to help me learn the music from some good christian rock groups at the time. We learned them, and took over music for the youth group. Instead of just campy sing-a-longs, we replaced most of the music with our own versions of good alternative christian rock bands. After the first year, every kid wanted to join, and we even had auditions. My kids were very little, my oldest, ash, was only 3 or so. We had our house open to these kids all the time, and would take them to concerts. Some christian, some not. Load them up in a couple of vans. They all just hung out at our house, playing video games, playing pool and stuff. It was great to help and influence these kids.

Recently, we got a warehouse for all of our stuff, so I converted our garage into a gameroom, much like it was when we hosted these kids. We got a 9' pool table, big sofa, foosball, and the Apple TV as a jukebox. So the other night, we were hanging out with our kids, the 6 of them, and they were playing pool and foosball, with the music going. My wife and I both looked at each other and knew what the other was thinking. It was just like with the kids from the youth group, only it was our own kids. It was very cool. And it is the same thing now when I take my kids to things like concerts.

His band has released an EP, and a few other things. Songs on iTunes and stuff. Here is their myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/fromdustmusic

I still keep up with some of those kids from the youth group. Some are doing well, some not so well. But one kid, the gifted guitarist... I had a great guitar, a Taylor 510 that I loved, and he got to play it when we were in front of the youth group. He loved it, and even helped me pick it out when I bought it. I played the bass. He was so affected by the experience, he stopped playing clubs, and started training to be a missionary. He took over the music for the church college group and went off to be a missionary. It was extremely cool. I was as proud as if it was my own kid. Before he left, I had him over to the house, and I gave him the Taylor 510. Kid balled his eyes out. He sends me pictures some times, of him and the taylor, ministering to other people. A lot of memories with that guitar.

[Ruune]

I got to see the likes of Blondie and the Talking Heads before they were famous.

huh?

[ragboy]

ok, we had a great time. Those angry lesbos can ROCK. They write all their songs and play several instruments. There was definitely almost no guys, but since most of the girls were hot, and a few making out with each other, it kinda made up for it. ;-)

But here is the thing, they were all tiny, T&S are petite, all these girls were petit in the audience. Average height, was maybe 5'2". Even the guys, it was VERY weird. I felt like a GIANT that just invaded the keebler elf city or something. When everyone stood up, I felt like a freak. I was at least a foot taller than everyone around me. That was strange. One time the bouncers came by me, I wanted to stay with them and feel normal.

[Domsz06]

ha ha ha!! great one ragboy!! girls making out, always a Plus!

[G-MONEY]

I felt like a GIANT that just invaded the keebler elf city or something. When everyone stood up, I felt like a freak. I was at least a foot taller than everyone around me. That was strange. One time the bouncers came by me, I wanted to stay with them and feel normal.

Thats how I feel everyday....

[Domsz06]

well it's cuz you are one g!!

[G-MONEY]

thanks

[Domsz06]

anytime

[dogbert]

I felt like a GIANT that just invaded the keebler elf city or something.

Dude, you are a giant

[maximus2003]

Hot, small girls making out? Sounds much better than the KISS concert I went to, where i had six extremely middle-aged woman standing behind me topless. These were definately not MILFs either! We're talking hanging like sweat socks with softballs in them.