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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Reds prevent being swept by the Nats on Barry Larkin's birthday

Today is Barry Larkin's birthday.  If you don't know who Barry Larkin is, you don't know anything about baseball.  I'm from Ohio, and the Cincinnati Reds play an hour away from where I grew up.  My "first team" was the Reds.

Today the Reds wrapped up their series against the Washington Nationals, and today the Reds won (i.e. preventing a sweep).

It wasn't the most exciting baseball game.  I was late to Nationals Park and by the time I left the Diamond Lounge (i.e. with a full plate of food) the Reds were up 2-0.  Ummm, ok.  Hoping that the Nats would rally back I sat through the rain and some horrible Nats pitching.  Ross Detwiler (i.e. who usually comes through for the squad) wasn't able to get it done.  Don't even start me about Henry Rodriguez's speed and complete lack of accuracy...  At least, I didn't have to see Tyler Clippard on the mound today...  Ugh...

The Nats are off to battle the Atlanta Braves on Monday, and Stephen Strasburg will be on the mound.


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Mike Tyson's Undisputed Truth ~ Up Close and Personal in DC

Friday night I went to see Mike Tyson perform his Undisputed Truth show.  I was there, front row, dead center...  When I heard Mike was coming to DC, I bought my ticket right away.  I wasn't going to miss it.

I don't remember when it was, but a year or so ago, my dad told me that a casino offered him a chance to meet and greet Mike Tyson.  My dad isn't like me.  He couldn't have cared less.  I, on the other hand, looked at flights and tried to determine whether I had the energy to rearrange my schedule and go.  Needless to say, the trip didn't happen.

Friday night, I took one of my pink boxing gloves to the Warner Theatre and hoped that Mike would sign it. When I got to the show, I noticed on the memorabilia table, that there was an autographed Mike Tyson boxing glove.  I asked the guy and he said that Mike autographed a bunch and they were give aways at a previous show.  That was the last one left.  Yes, I grabbed it.  The glove is MINE and if you want to make an offer (i.e. which I will refuse, because it's my newest "precious thing"), feel free to reach out.

 

When I was younger, I played Mike Tyson's Punch Out.  I could only beat Glass Joe and maybe the guy after him.  My brother loved the game.

I watched Holyfield v Tyson.  I remember the ear.  When I saw Evander trying to get into the Georgia Dome (i.e. without a ticket, so he was denied) at a Falcons game, I'll admit I tried to get a good look at his ear.

I've stayed at the Canterbury Hotel in Indianapolis.  I didn't think he was guilty.

I never really watched Mike Tyson fight.  "Pay-per-view" never happened at my house, and I remember Mike's fights not lasting very long at all anyway.  He dominated.  It was basically a no brainer.  Mike Tyson would win. 

Shoot to Friday...  When the curtain raised, I had Mike Tyson sitting on a stool, staring right at me.  WOW.  Look at his face.  That is intense.  The former heavy-weight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, was right in front of me, and I was ready to hear what he had to say.

Mike's Undisputed Truth isn't all about his career.  He shares his feelings about his mom, dad, Cus D'Amato, Muhammad Ali, Robin Givens, Don King, Evander Holyfield, and his kids.  He covers a lot of ground in 90 minutes.  I'm not going to spoil the show for you by telling his jokes.  If you want to know what he has to say, go to his show. 

In front of a packed house (i.e. I turned around and looked), Mike performed the cliff notes version of his life.  As he talked about the various stages of his life, slides flashed on the screen.  The images added color to the well thought out script.  The tough times were made lighter with some self-deprecating humor and I get a sense that Mike really is happy now.  Mike Tyson is entertaining.

At the meet and greet after the show, I found him to be very gracious and polite.  I told him I was a fan, that I used to play Mike Tyson's Punch Out -- but that I wasn't very good.  He smiled and said, "Thank you."

Photo credit: Kevin Hulse

He's obviously not ready to fight, but he looks fit.  He looks happy.  He reached his hand out for a handshake and although he looks intimidating, it was like I was reconnecting with an old friend.  As I walked away he asked, "Who are you here with, ma'am?"

I simply replied, "Myself.  Just me."  I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 


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