The Blog of EN

This past Wednesday the President decided to stop by in town to do a speech. Well I didn't go see him. I'm not so fond of Obama, I didn't vote for him (well I can't vote, next time I can), and I wouldn't have either if I could.

Anyway the President came in through the Long Beach Airport instead of coming though the massive LAX. On that Wednesday my mom decided that we would go see the Air Force come in, as we were reminded when we saw the news vans all parked up ready for him to come hours later.

Just so you all know we did go to see Obama or support him, like the other people there,but we went to see Air Force One and maybe the President(not by the name Obama). When we got at the Airport we actually parked behind a Verizon building nearby to get a better view when it came in. It appeared that they had landed every other plane but they didn't. About 5 minutes before Air Force One came in, another plane came in with small writing on it and a flag on the back. Everyone started taking pictures of this plane, thinking that it was the Presidents, but it was a United Airways Express plane. =). Air Force One did come in though and we did not see the President.

After we got in the car we were waiting for the other cars to leave so I turned on the radio. On the radio they were talking about how the President had just arrived in Long Beach and would be going to his meeting via helicopter (Marine One) immediately. The next second the parking structure we were on started shaking and we heard the loud engines starting up as the 5 helicopters lifted off.

On Thursday I heard that the President was to leave around 6pm. As I was asking if we could hear or see the Marine One from our house I heard a loud sound that sounded like a motorcycle coming from the front yard. I looked at the clock and realized that it was almost 6pm and went outside and saw in the distance the 5 helicopters lifting off and heading towards the Airport.

IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

A few weeks ago I found out about the "Welcome to the Family Tour" from a few websites but I didn't see any concert listings in my area for it. About a week later I found that another date was added to a location that was about 30 minutes from my house. I thought that this was pretty cool, since Christian concerts usually don't come out to California, and if they do then are usually at expensive festivals, theme parks, or else in Northern California. Not only did I find this awesome concert with Kutless, Stellar Kart, Disciple, and Esterlyn, but I found out that this listing at a Calvary Chapel church was FREE! I had to double check it. Yep, I was right. Free.

Knowing that most of the concerts so far had been sold-out, my dad, Annabel and Vince all got to the concert like 3 hours before it started to get in line to get good seats, or at least make it in the place.(Later on we figured out that the church had pulled out all of the chairs in the concert room in order to make more room. That was a very good idea.) When we arrived at the place we were behind about the 14th person in line! We stood in line for about 2 1/2 hours until they let us in the room. While we were waiting in line I went over to look at the booths that were put out selling band merchandise.

As I walked up to the Stellar Kart booth I looked at the shirts and pins they had set out, but I thought that the guy setting out the stuff looked familiar. I went back in line and Vince went to look around. When he came back he said that he heard the same guy I had seen earlier talking to someone, saying that he was one of the singers and bass player of Stellar Kart. I looked at my CD I brought to get autographed and then at the guy. Yeah, it was him! I immediately grabbed my camera and asked the guy (named Brian I found out) if I could get a picture with him. Both Vincent and I got a photo with him. He was pretty nice and I bought a Stellar Kart hoodie from the booth.

With still about a 1/2 an hour to go, I went to go see about how long the line had gotten behind us because I couldn't see the end of it around the building. The line in front of us had grown also because people know other people and let tham go in line. However, this fact did not matter too much because as soon as I saw how far the line went, I relized that we were pretty close the front of the line compared to the people in the back of the line. Later when we were inside waiting for the concert to start I saw through the window that the line was still wrapped around several parking lot lines while the room was full. I think I heard that the room could hold near 4,000 people and I am pretty sure it was that many. It was very hard to move in there but worth it.

The time finally came and it started with Esterlyn opening for the event. They were good but not my favorite. They had kind of a acoustic worship type of sound that you might hear in a Starbucks.

Next came Stellar Kart! The spot we had in the room was excellent! We were right in front of the bass player I met earlier and you could have a clear view of the band. Stellar Kart played a whole bunch of songs and even did their cover of the Bon Jovi song "Livin on a Prayer". This fit appropriately enough because Stellar Kart dresses like they are form the 80s and some of their music fits that.

The hardcore band Disciple came up next. They were very cool but live they were a little hard to hear the lyrics but "After the World" and "Whatever Reason" as well as "Game On" were the best by them live. Very jumpy energetic and that guitar player can move his hand crazy fast.

Last but not least came Kutless. Kutless did all of their famous songs and even their new ones. At one point they did an acoustic set with a piano, small drum, and acoustic guitars of song such as "Take Me in", "Promise of a Lifetime" and Strong Tower". At the end they closed with my favorite and the most effects of the show with "The Feeling". At the end I took my CD and got it autographed by Stellar Kart. Vince even caught a drumstick that was being used by Stellar Kart at one point in the show. I am not sure if Kutless or Stellar Kart was my favorite. I think the show has great for being free. The church even got some new Christians at the show and they passed out bibles. Next up I get to go to Fish Fest 09 for my birthday. I am going to see Jars of Clay, Mercy Me, RED, and also Hawk Nelson.

I will try to get some pictures of the event up later.