Archive for March, 2012
I consider myself a pretty reasonable person when it comes to spending money. I try not to spend money I don’t have and I try to be careful with what I do spend – basically I want to make sure it’s worth it. So, when things I want to do or stuff I want to buy is a complete rip-off and there is no way around it I get annoyed. Am I alone? I doubt it.
Here is a list of the Top Four Biggest Rip Offs I Can’t Find A Way To Avoid:
Concert tickets – Don’t even get me started on how much money I’ve spent on summer concert tickets. I’ve written about how Ticketmaster is ruining lives (see posts on April 11, July 8 and December 4, 2011) and how the whole system sucks but it seems to be getting worse. Record stores are already almost extinct – you’re more likely to see a snow leopard walking around downtown Denver than an independent record store – so why are Ticketmaster and AEG Live trying to make it impossible to see live music?
Ink Cartridges – One ink cartridge in my office costs close to $125 per color which seems crazy to me since you could arguably purchase a new printer for the same price or less than it would cost to refill the cartridge. But what’s the alternative? Documents, photos, etc. need to be printed and the only way for that to happen is to either spend money at Kinko’s or spend money on more ink.
Lift tickets – It’s the end of the season and the snow sucks but Beaver Creek has the balls to charge $105 for a lift ticket. Are you kidding me? In 2010 a lift ticket was $97 and the snow was better that year. What the hell is going on? Buying a snowboard and gear is expensive enough – please don’t make the sport more inaccessible than it already is. Also, what is the justification for the price hike? Are these mountains offering something new? Do the lifts now come equipped with cup holders and hand warmers? Give me a break!
Razor Blades – Why are they so expensive? They last for a few days and then you have to toss them. So why is a pack of right razors $22? I don’t get it but again, what’s the alternative? Shaving with a sword?
If anyone has any ideas on how to avoid these ridiculous costs please let me know. This concludes today’s rant. Thank you!
Yesterday the official announcement was made about Whitney Houston’s cause of death and the toxicology results will come as a shock to no one.
According to an initial report from the L.A. County Coroner, Houston’s official cause of death was accidental drowning, but a heart condition and cocaine use were also contributing factors.
The autopsy report revealed that Houston suffered from atherosclerotic heart disease, or a hardening of the arteries. The amount of cocaine found in her system will not be made public until the coroner’s final report is released in two weeks.
Although Marijuana, Xanax, Benadryl and the muscle relaxant Flexeril were also found in Houston’s system the report states that those drugs did not contribute to her death.
“We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure,” said Patricia Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and former manager.
I don’t need to go into how many talented entertainers have lost their lives to addiction (Chris Farley, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Amy Winehouse, etc.) but it feel likes it’s happening more and more these days. It’s almost getting to the point where we expect this from singers and actors which is a shame because the tragedies end up overshadowing the arsenal of talent.
I’m over the Behind the Music/True Hollywood Story endings. Stop wasting your gifts and get some help – we can’t afford to be losing any more of the people who are so good at what they do.
As far as I’m concerned there is no better time of year than summer in Colorado. Everyone is out and about playing volleyball at Wash Park, riding bikes, drinking on patios, running with their pups (especially with my little Sedona) and best of all its concert season!
Summer 2012 is going to be epic because some of my favorite 80s metal bands are headed Rock Mountain way!
My summer concert schedule so far:
May 24 – Van Halen
June 25 – Def Leppard/Posion
August 8 – KISS/Motley Crue
I saw Van Halen in 2008 and they blew the roof off the Pepsi Center! This time around things are going to be different because Van Halen has a new album and it’s good. Really good. If the set lists they played so far this year is any indication this show is going to feature a great mix of the old stuff I love and the new songs that have become instant classics such as “She’s the Woman,” “The Trouble with Never,” and “Stay Frosty.”
The summer after I graduated from college I saw Def Leppard (with Journey) and they put on a great show. Clearly I can’t hear “Hysteria,” “Foolin’” or “Photograph” enough times so I’m looking forward to seeing them again but the real reason I bought these tickets is to see Poison for the first time! When the band was here a few years ago I had to give my tickets away so I’m glad to be getting a second chance. It’s time for some cowboy hat-wearing Bret Michaels and some guitar shredding C.C. DeVille!
To round out my trio of rock & roll awesomeness is what I consider the grand finale of summer 2012 – KISS and Motley Crue! Two bands I’ve never seen but always wanted to see! I can’t even imagine what those stages are going to be like! Between the pyrotechnics, makeup and this-one-goes-to-11 guitars I expect this show to be over the top in the best way possible. Good thing the venue is an outdoor amphitheatre because it’s gonna get loud!
Bring on the 80s metal and the summer of rock & roll! I’m ready!