Lines, Language, Leno and an Earthquake… Our Third Day, Day

I had anticipated this day for a awhile. As Kari and I were getting ready to leave for the Tonight Show a 5.4 earthquake hit about 30 east of Los Angeles. Strong enough to get your attention. Having lived in Southern California my whole life, I’ve ridden through many quakes and never really feared them. That is until the Northridge quake. I lived in Santa Monica for that one and since then just a little movement brings back the fear of that night. According to Guitarist Mark Lee, the earthquake occurred during their sound check. Way to rock So Cal guys!

So after my chest stopped pounding Kari and I left Long Beach for Burbank. We arrived and got in line for the show. There were a lot of Third Day fans there. We ended being in about the middle of the line and had some fun talking with the other fans. The couple in front of us had just decided to come to the show that day and when the show’s pages started asking for tickets I saw that they were stressed about something. Turns out they only had standby tickets and were very disappointed that they were not going to get in. Just as they were about be made to move to the very end of the line I whipped out an extra pair of tickets and gave it to them. Needless to say, they were very grateful.

We finally were seated and had fairly good seats. At least they were directly in line with were Third Day was going to play. I was happy. Jay’s monologue was ok. I’ve heard better and I’ve heard worse. He does come out to meet the audience and take pictures with the folks before the show starts which was pretty cool. As for the guests, well let me just say it was painful. To be subjected to the foulest language that made this former Marine blush was a shame. I am not a prude by any means but it was bad, real bad. Especially when the majority of the audience was there to see the band. If you saw it on TV, believe me, it was much worse in person. The other guests on the show really drive home the idea of us being salt and light.

Thankfully, Third Day brought the presence of the Almighty when they played. I just felt His spirit throughout and it took away the worldliness of the other guests. They played their number one hit “Call My Name” and were awesome. I’ve seen them play it live three times in the last few months and this was definitely the best performance. But what really struck me was how they reacted after the show. They were hugging one another and it really seemed that this opportunity was special for them. They just seemed profoundly humbled by the entire experience.

After the show, Kari and I went over to Universal Walk and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was just nice to sit and talk with her—just the two of us. Especially after a very stressful last few days that the both of us have been experiencing. Its important to spend time alone with each other and I always look forward to it.

We’ll be seeing our favorite band again in September. I have some great seats and a very special surprise for Kari. She’ll need to be ready to have her picture taken, with… Well its a surprise!