AlphabetSoup

So it begins.

My third annual trip to the Phoenix area for baseball, beers, and brats.

Eric and I started this little tradition three years ago. We usually average 4 games in 4-5 days.

Since we started this, the Indians have moved from Florida to Phoenix, and have plans to add the Cincinnati Reds to their complex in 2010.

Eric is from Cincinnati.

Reds or Indians everyday. One park. 2010 will be fun.

We expect to have visited every Phoenix area stadium at the end of this trip, and that includes a trip to Tucson.

More updates to come.

Play Ball!

Eric, my old college friend, my best man in our wedding, and Coldplay’s Merchandise Manager, called me on Monday and asked if I would be interested in working on the tour again (I went out for 2 months in the summer of 2005 for the X&Y Tour). I’ll only be working the first 3-week leg.

After checking with the wife, and the boss, I am free to go, and all set, aside from some final paperwork, to hit the road for three weeks.

Their tour’s first leg kicks off in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 14 at the Forum and ends on Monday, August 4 in Boston at the Banknorth Garden.

Here is the complete schedule:

July 14 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
July 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
July 18 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion
July 19 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
July 23 – Chicago, IL – United Center
July 25 – Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia Center
July 27 – Pemberton Festival
July 29 – Montreal, QB – Bell Centre
July 30 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
August 02 – Hartford, CT – XL Center
August 03 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
August 04 – Boston, MA – TD Banknorth Arena

I look forward to seeing all the friends I made when I went out in 2005. If I am going to be in your neck of the woods, give me a call.

I will be posting photos and updates to this blog from my journey around the country (and Canada).

A final note, yes, I am aware, I have the best wife, and the best boss in the world. Getting both of them to “let” me leave Cleveland for three weeks to work for a rock band wasn’t hard, but I appreciate their “permission” and understanding.

Meghan and I are heading to Europe in May. A couple of days in Paris, and a couple of days in Brussels.

Why Brussels, you ask?

Zane Lamprey and his show Three Sheets (now available on Hulu.com) on the Mojo Network.

Long and short of, there is a scene in the Brussels episode (watch here) where he visits the Delirium Cafe and is treated to many of the 2000+ beers on the menu. At one point, he is shown, not allowed to drink, share the name, or show the label of one local Abbey’s beer.

Our goal was to find that beer (And, who wouldn’t want to visit a place where the local hang-over cure is Belgium chocolate?).
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I realized I never updated my travel with the iPhone.

I did ditch the laptop for just the iPhone on my trip to Spring Training in Phoenix.

I loaded my 8GB iPhone with 3 movie rentals from iTunes (Blades of Glory, Harry Potter #5, Michael Clayton). 2 audiobooks. All my podcasts. And a slimmed down music library.

I bought 2 sets of test headphones (Bose In-ear and Shure in-ear). The Shure headphones never made the trip, the wouldn’t fit the iPhone without an adapter.

I bought an iPod airplane charger because www.seatguru.com told me that there was a power outlet on the plane I was flying on, and at the seat where I was sitting. I couldn’t find it. And I didn’t need it, with the plane in airplane mode, there is plenty of juice to watch a 2 hour movie.

I also bought a hard case for the iPhone that has an easel back, so I could prop it up on the tray table. The angle was a little off, but better than holding it for 2 hours.

All-in-all, I never missed my laptop.

Email: checked.
Podcasts: listened to.
Movies: watched (2 out of 3).
Audiobooks: never got to.
Music. Enjoyed while waiting for my ride.
Directions: thanks Google Maps.
Photos: taken (check out my web galley).

I think I may have found the perfect replacement for my laptop. Next test: Europe.

Well I made it to Chicago to visit my brother with no problem. Did the drive in about 5 hours. Checked out Mike’s place, nice small little basement apartment. His roommate is currently out of town, so I get a bed, which will be nice. Just played Madden ’08. Jets (me) vs Texans (him). 42-26, I think the score was. I kicked his a$$. ha ha! take that.

Off to get some food and more drink. Then Cubs v. Cardinals tomorrow, if it doesn’t get rained out.