Death Cab Last Night

I got to see Death Cab For Cutie last night at the Agganis Arena. The lovely goat joined me. We had dinner down the street at Brown Sugar and a chance to chat and catch up, then will full tummies went over to the arena.

I hate to sound like a fan grrl, but Death Cab was so wonderful. This was my first opportunity to see them live, with tickets bought through a special advance offer on Myspace. We had great seats, right on the floor and not too far back at all. A big tall guy was right in front of us, but that happens to me at every concert I ever go to, so I just take it in stride. The band sounded fantastic, they chose a great line-up, they were humorous and warm, and I love them with all my heart. I can't believe I never bothered listening to them in their earlier years simply because I didn't like their name.

The Cribs and Franz Ferdinand also played. I like Franz but am only familiar with their big radio hits, so most of their songs were new to me. I'm actually glad they went on 3rd because we were able to slip out before the encore and beat the teeming crowds. If it had been Death Cab closing I wouldn't have skipped the encore.

So good to get out and hear a favorite. Thank you goat for being my partner in crime!

Now I'm at work and have umpteen squirrely little things to do. I'd rather be home napping on this cloudily perfect nap day.

A Rainbow Easter

From CNN. This is awesome, and it's an exemplary way to peacefully trample on intolerance:

Gay, lesbian parents to line up for Easter Egg Roll tickets.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Hundreds of gay and lesbian parents hoping to take their families to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll plan to start lining up Friday evening to make sure they get tickets for the Monday event.

Thousands of tickets -- an estimated 16,000 last year -- are given away on a first-come-first-come basis beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

National Park Service officials said Wednesday that children of all ages may attend as long as there is at least one child 7 years old or younger, and no more than two adults per group.

First lady Laura Bush's office issued a statement saying all families are welcome to attend.

"I don't think this is a protest," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition. "Showing up, participating fully in an American tradition, showing Americans that we do exist, that in our minds isn't a protest."

Some say the gay and lesbian parents are playing politics.

"I think it's inappropriate to use a children's event to make a political statement," said Mark D. Tooley, of the Institute on Religion and Democracy.

The gay and lesbian parents say they won't carry signs or chant slogans, but will wear rainbow-colored leis as a unifying symbol.

"The message is that gay and lesbian families are everywhere in this country," said Chrisler. "We care about the same things that all parents care about: providing our children with every opportunity and every experience possible."

The egg roll has been a Washington tradition since the mid-19th century. Children use spoons to push colored eggs through the grass in a race. Past events have included petting zoos and White House staff members in bunny costumes.

The president sometimes makes a brief appearance, and the first lady often reads a story. The White House has not announced plans for this year.

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Rock on!

Now I'm just hoping it doesn't get rained out, as sometimes happens. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what lengths The Bush White House would go to to keep the G/L families off their grass....