Rescheduled Rihanna concert or full refund? I'll take the refund.

I decided to skip Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour on April 24 in Baltimore.  It was a rescheduled date, since she had laryngitis earlier.  Originally I looked forward to the concert, but as the date approached I had a change of heart.

I'd seen/heard Rihanna perform before.  I heard her when she opened for Kanye West on his Glow in the Dark Tour in 2008.  She also performed (i.e. a year or so ago) during an NBA All-Star weekend, and I thought it was great.

However, last week I just couldn't motivate myself to go and see her again.  Maybe it is/was all the entertainment news about her and Chris Brown.  With their make ups and break ups on display for everyone with internet access and entertainment television, all that on and off and on and off again, turned me off.  When given the opportunity to receive a full refund from Ticketmaster, I pounced.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm just not a Rihanna fan anymore.  I enjoyed her early material (e.g. "If it's Lovin' That You Want", "Umbrella") but in hindsight I had buyer's remorse and wasn't willing to pay approximately $140 to see and hear her newer material.  Yes, there are are couple of her newer songs I enjoy, but there aren't ten.  There may not even be 5.

Further, with all the Chris Brown nonsense, Rihanna just seems so "emotionally heavy" and drama filled that I didn't think I would've enjoyed the show.  Different strokes for different folks, but personally I think all of that mess sends a bad, mixed message to girls.

I'm sure if you're true Rihanna fan, you enjoyed the concert.  You may have even had the time of your life.  I was happy I was able to stay home, and I can't wait to see the full refund appear on my credit card statement.  I can watch the light-hearted, happy Rihanna anytime I want on youtube.




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Babyface at the Howard Theatre - Love song 90s flashback

I'm a sucker for 90s R&B and I love a good love song.  When I saw that Babyface was at The Howard Theatre, I knew I had to grab a ticket and go.  I picked up my ticket on StubHub, where I found it for 50% off the Ticketmaster price. 

Sure enough, as soon as I bought the ticket, I was reminded that the Denver Broncos were playing Thursday night football.  Oh well.  I hadn't seen Babyface since the mid 90s and I wanted to go.  Every time I've noticed that he was performing near me in the past, his schedule never coincided with mine, so I had to seize the opportunity.

I'd never been to the Howard Theatre before.  I knew it had "recently" been redone.  I went in not knowing what to expect and wow, was I surprised!  It's great in there.  They don't pack people in and there was seating for everyone from what I could tell.  The tickets were general admission, but you may have been able to reserve a table.  I'm not really sure.  The venue serves a full menu, so next time I'm definitely getting there early to dine.  I was able to pull right in front of the theatre and valet my car for $20.  Retrieving the car only took about 20 minutes.

Babyface opened the show with "For the Cool in You" and played songs that he's known for singing and those that he wrote for Bobby Brown, Tevin Campbell, etc.  The show only lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes, but easily could've ran 3 hours with his extensive catalog.  Personally, I would've preferred that he sang longer, but that's always the case with artists that I love.

The crowd and I sang along through most of the show and Babyface told stories of his youth and how he enjoyed being in love.  To be a successful writer, you need to write about what you know and I'm a firm believer that Babyface is an expert when it comes to writing a love song.  He has the formula down to a science.  Granted he's not the most charismatic artist to ever take the stage, but as he tells his stories you can see he has a sense of humor.

The new year is almost upon us, and then there's Valentine's Day.  Babyface's show was an early Valentine's Day present to myself!

And best of all Peyton Manning led the Broncos to victory later that night.


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2011 NBA Draft brings hope to Cleveland Cavs fans ~ Tickets still available

One of these days I'm going to go watch the NBA Draft in person.  ****  Interestingly enough, I've actually been introduced to the "hat lady" a year or so ago.  If you've watched the draft in previous years or are in the know, you know who I'm talking about. 

For those of you that are in the area or are interested in attending tonight's draft at the Prudential Center, tickets are still available on Ticketmaster.  Here's the link:  http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/020046A9A1CE6DD0?artistid=1597990&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=7

I just did a quick check and one ticket in section 1, row 17 is going for $40.60 (i.e. not including fees, etc.).

It's no secret that tonight's draft is a weak one.  As an Ohioan who spent most of my young adult life "close to" the Cleveland Cavaliers, I'm excited to see them make their picks.  I'm predicting that the Cleveland Cavaliers take Kyrie Irving and Enes Kanter.  I know Irving has had foot problems, and I know the "agony of the feet" that Cleveland Cavs fans have experienced.  I've seen them, and I know them all too well. 

There are a few stories about tonight's draft (e.g. foot problems, International players, and 7 foot centers from Lithuania)..  Hmm...  For kicks, let's flashback to the 1996 draft and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.  Remember this clip? 



The NBA Draft can bring hope to a city, franchise, and fans and along with a couple of smart selections ~ the Cavs need hope.  ****  Incidentally, 1996 was the year when guard, Allen Iverson,  went #1. 

I will be watching the draft on TV and following it on Twitter.  If you're not on Twitter and following the draft, you're missing out on some extremely comedic tweets!  Don't say that I didn't give you a "head's up".  I usually laugh all night long!


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Mosley v Pacquiao ~ I've got my tickets and Philippines watches

Today, I received notification that one of the tickets I have for the Shane Moseley v Manny Pacquiao sold on StubHub.  About a week ago, I saw a commercial for the upcoming shows on Showtime about the fight (i.e. that is less than a month away on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena).  Yes, folks...  The boxing match is quickly approaching.

I can't believe the fight is less than a month away.  Today, I saw on Twitter that Bob Arum said the fight is a sell-out.  I'm not sure how that's true though, since I went on Ticketmaster to check if I could pull another ticket (i.e. and I could).

At any rate, I'm ready to go.  I have my tickets.  Further, in anticipation of the event, I even bought some Unisilver watches that feature the Philippines on the face.  I'm not familiar with the brand, but when I saw the rubber watches posted on Emma Camacho (i.e a family member's page), I had to have a couple for the fight.  ****  She's on Facebook, if you want to check out what she's selling.  She ships internationally.

I like my new watches, but I like money too.  I may even re-sell the fun timepieces in Las Vegas.  You never know! 

If you want to show your Philippine pride and you're interested in any of the watches, please let me know.  Maybe we can do some business!

Aren't the watches fun?  I can't wait to sport one at the fight.  If you've never been to a Pacquiao fight it definitely is a cultural event.

Go, Manny Pacquiao!


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Don't miss Janet Jackson's #1s Up Close and Personal Tour ~ DC review

Monday night I was asked if I wanted to see Janet Jackson at Radio City Music Hall.  I was asked around 6PM and I presume her show was at 8.  I would've gone, had I been in New York ~ but I wasn't. 

Actually, earlier that day I was looking at Ticketmaster and Stubhub trying to find a GOOD ticket to see Janet Jackson on Tuesday night at DAR Constitution Hall.  Janet had 2 shows scheduled in Washington DC.  One was Tuesday night and the other is Thursday night.

Seeing as though, I'm a huge sports fan, Thursday's concert date isn't going to work (i.e. since the 2011 NCAA Tournament resumes).  As a result, I had to get my game plan together for last night's show.  Since Ticketmaster told me that her Tuesday night show was sold out, and I didn't want to pay any mark-up fees from a ticket re-seller, I thought I'd have to take my chances with a scalper. 

Regardless, I wasn't going to miss Janet's #1s Up Close and Personal Tour. I arrived at Constitution Hall around 9:15PM and after running by the scalpers and asking them about their inventory, I walked towards the box office.  "It's sold out," was what the guys kept saying as they tried to sell me their upper level tickets or tickets towards the back on the floor (i.e. for face value).  Suuuuuuuuure.  Sold out.  Little did these guys know, that I knew better.

As I talked to the guy at the box office and asked for a ticket, he told me he only had 2 left.  Row AA on the floor (i.e. the first floor in the 2nd group of seats on the floor ~ which translates to the 14th row).  He then also said that he wasn't allowed to split the pair.  That's when the negotiation took place.  I asked him to ask his manager to split the pair.  It was close to 9:30 and Janet was going to come out soon.  We all knew that.  Sure enough, permission was granted and I hustled to my seat!  With an extra seat next to me I was able to spread out and I had plenty of dancing room.  ****  I bought the 2nd to last ticket to the show and I had one of the best seats.  The last ticket was left unsold.  That's how I roll...

Janet looks so much like Michael here

I'm Janet's #1 fan and I'm probably one of her largest critics.  I expect to be "wow'd" when she perform and with her latest tour's title, my expectations might have been even higher.

Janet...  Janet...  Janet...  She killed it last night!  I danced and sang my heart out for the 2.25 hours you were on stage.  I enjoyed watching the clips from Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes, Poetic Justice, etc. and seeing the photo montages from her extensive career.  ****  Janet even put on the screen a picture of Michael and her when they were kids, and the crowd went wild. 

Throughout the show, I scanned the crowd and was thrilled to see that people in the crowd still knew how to do the Rhythm Nation dance and some of Janet's other signature moves.  I thoroughly enjoyed the show and strolled down memory lane as she performed her older hits (i.e. Miss you Much and Alright).  Alright is still one of my all-time favorites and she performed the entire song!  ****  She did not perform Black Cat.  That omission made me happy, since I'm not a fan of that track.

I'm used to Janet performing at larger arenas (e.g. Verizon Center, Izod Center), but I like the feel of the smaller venue.  If Janet was standing, the crowd was standing.  The crowd only sat when she sat and sang her ballads.  Gone was the huge set and stage backgrounds.  Instead, the crowd had a more "Up Close and Personal" experience complete with her signature choreography.  ****  I didn't count, but I think she had about 6 back up dancers.

Janet exiting the stage.  Show's over.

As someone who's seen Janet in concert at least 5 other times and wasn't overly impressed with her last tour, I have to say that last night was an excellent show.  The concert was definitely worth the price of admission.  Actually, I'm thinking about going on Thursday or Saturday in Atlantic City at the Borgata (i.e. in between the 2011 NCAA Tournament sessions).  I told you I was a fan!!!  If you want to get your ticket(s) to see Janet, here's the link:  http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&q=janet+jackson

For a taste of what you'll see at the show, here's some video I shot... 

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Janet Jackson Dateline NBC interview ~ She looks great and sounds happy

I'm annoyed, and I'm switching gears to music...  Who was supposed to tell me that Janet Jackson was going to be on Dateline NBC tonight?!?!  I caught the last 20 minutes of her interview, and I'm uber-annoyed I missed the balance.  I'm a huge Janet Jackson fan... 

As the inteview ended, I am left with these thoughts.

• She looks FANTASTIC.  She cut her hair, lost some weight, and looks happy.
• She has a book coming out.  I'm going to need to look into this...
• I am more interested in seeing her upcoming tour.  I saw her last tour at least twice and was disappointed.  Ouch.  It hurts me to type that, but at least it's honest.  I need to look at her tour schedule and mesh it up against mine.  ****  Evidently, I'm not the only one excited about this upcoming tour.  Apparently, ticket sales have been strong, according the following Sound Spike article.
• If you want to see her perform on her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour, here's a link to Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Janet-Jackson-tickets/artist/735353

I hope her interview will be posted online, so I can watch the entire interview later.

Go Janet!!!  Your fans, "Miss you Much".


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Clippers visit the Timberwolves tomorrow night ~ Griffin visits Beasley and Love

The last time I saw the Los Angeles Clippers play, I was in Las Vegas and it was during NBA Summer League.  Baron Davis and Blake Griffin didn't play and the NBDL All-Stars won the final game over the Los Angeles Clippers on a last second, buzzer beater.

Just like in Las Vegas, Baron Davis, won't be playing tomorrow night.  However, there are at least two key differences.  For one, the competition for the Clippers will be the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The Timberwolves' Michael Beasley and Kevin Love have been playing TOUGH.  ****  If you haven't heard about Beasley's scoring (42 one night, followed by 35 the next) and Love's 31-31 performance, then you're not a true basketball sports fan. 

Another difference is that Blake Griffin will be playing, and I'm curious to see him on the court.  It's his rookie season, and I plan to take advantage of the game tomorrow in Minneapolis to see if anything special happens.  Hopefully, the folks at the Target Center are treated to a show.  Personally, I'm tired of missing the Timberwolves highlights and having to watch them on TV.

No street clothes for Blake Griffin tomorrow

The "good" news is that tickets for Timberwolves' games aren't that difficult to get.  I just did a Stubhub search and Row 1 on the sidelines is $140. Face value is $200.  Therefore, I'd be willing to bet I can get a scalper to sell it to me for less than $100.  Now that I think about it, I might be able to get a free one...  Regardless, I'm not too concerned about where my seat is for the game.  I looked at the Ticketmaster seating chart of available seats and it looks like the 11th hour of a game of Battleship with my brother (i.e. plenty of seats available).  ****  Yes, I used to cheat and move my ships.  I could do that because I tracked his hits and misses.  Whatever.  We were young.

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Dallas bound ~ Margarito v Pacquiao fight tomorrow!

I'm going to Dallas to see friends and family AND for the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight!!!  I cannot wait...  It's going to be a great time at the new Cowboys Stadium :-P

I'm watching the HBO 24/7 Pacquiao-Margarito episodes now, since they're being replayed in preparation for the fight tomorrow.  Speaking of preparation, it's time to charge my camera batteries... 

Lastly, yes, it's also time to channel my "Filipina" side...  Go Manny!!!

It's too bad Kelly Pavlik isn't fighting on the undercard.  It would've been good to see the Youngstown, Ohio native battle live.

This will be my first boxing event.  I might even have a Tecate, for the first time.  The possibilities are endless.  One thing's for sure, the pictures are going to be RIDICULOUS.  I can feel it...

For those of you wondering where you can watch the fight, I recommend (i.e. if you're in the Dallas area) that you ante up and hit Ticketmaster.  Great seats are still available.

Ok, lastly, what to wear?  Maybe I'll wear my SF Giants hat.  What?!?!  Too soon?!?!  Haha, OK.  Maybe I'll wear my new Texas Rangers hat.  Guess, we'll have to wait and see...

Mama Said Knock You Out ~ LL Cool J



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Boston Celtics Ticketmaster Interactive Seat Map ~ Get your tickets now!

I'm not a fan of the Boston Celtics, but I am a fan of the interactive map they use for their Ticketmaster ticket sales! Finally ~ someone has it right! Guess who's all set for games 3 and 4 (thanks, Tom) in Boston :-P 

You can "select" your seats now, without having to pay the Stubhub or scalper mark-up costs/fees. 
http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/805903?brand=celtics

Now, I'm ready to check out a new venue, TD Garden.  Who else is going to be in the arena for these games? 

Go Cavs!!!

****  Oh, and for you real diehards out there, you probably already knew that the Yankees were in town to play the Red Sox on Saturday.  So, see you at Fenway!


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Ticketmaster and the NBA's "Steal a Seat" Promotion ~ ends at 1PM EST today

For any of you that care and are usually "priced out" of a great lower level seat ~ certain teams are giving you until 1PM eastern for select games to "steal a seat" for $25 plus fees (i.e. comes out to about $30).

Is favorite NBA team is on the list below?
Boston Celtics
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Jersey Nets

If you answered "Yes", what are you waiting for?

Click the link, and see if there's a game that works with your schedule.  Time is running out!

http://www.ticketmaster.com/stealaseat

Use promo code: TMSTEAL


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