Check. Check. 311 In LA. (9/27/06)

travelling over 3000kms (3490 to be exact)...from Pearson Intl to LAX started off as quite an ordeal with "new" security measures...i had to check my 25L trekking pak or discard of my mascara, MAC illumination foundation AND my vast array of lip glosses (and if you know me, you know the latter is close to impossible to part with)...not gonna happen...luckily it all worked itself out and this small and irritating peg did not stop the wheel of elation from spinnin' round...not to mislead so early in my prose...so let's get back on track...this whole CALIFORNIA experience was not solely headed up by the 311 concert @ The Greek BUT that was the nucleus and definite highlight....to check out the west coast :lifestyle" was always something i wanted to witness (you know like entering the gates of babylon to check out your enemy...LOL)...but the 311 show was the piece-de-resistance...after a 2 day stint on the cold and overcast beaches of San Diego (which i found out translates to "a whales vagina")  where much to my dismay and endless sobbing, i didn't go surfing....i made it back to the smoggy and muggy streets of downtown LA and checked into the Ramada on Vermont Ave....the beds were lush and lovely and there was a balcony to light those deliciously toxic American cigarettes...5 stars from me!!!!!...it was a good start to the Friday....indeed....walking south on Vermont Ave. there was nothing of grandeur to gawk at besides yet another L.Ron Hubbard Institution on Sunset, a Starbucks, a couple of gas stations and a few closed bars so taking a cab up the hill for a hot minute wasn't as much of a cop-out than it usually is for me ( i LOVE walking ANYWHERE i can)....DESTINATION: Griffith Park...an upward tree-lined street twitching and weaving south into what seemed like endless hills...as i got closer to the venue, the traffic grew thicker and thicker.....so i hopped out and decided to connect with the growing anticipation on foot...one thing about the force known as 311 is that their fans seem to be the same no matter what city you're in....energetic (bordering on insane), fun-loving (bordering on maniacal), easy (extremely stoned) bunch of sapiens...people start sharing and conversing as soon as initial contact is made with a smile...par example...one of the characters i met was a girl from Malibu wearing a self-made T-shirt with phelt letters spelling out "I heart 311" that was a tad bit sauced telling me that she will be driving home after the show...DISCLAIMER: most 311 fans are responsible with alcohol and do not drink & drive.....like a true fan , she in fact did have the sense to profess to having to sober up with water before heading back to the pristine town of Malibu...and like a true 311 supporter i encouraged that notion immensely....we conversed about what 311 shows we've seen and where we've seen them...she seemed to be quite impressed that i have travelled to NYC and LA to take in  the continental vibes 311 had to offer....that made me feel lucky and blessed...then there was another dude...i encountered after purchasing a gigantor beer and settled into a nice nook where i could see the lads up close and cozy-like....out of nowhere...he stepped up to me and called for a toast to 311 and proceeded to give me a mini-lecture on "toasting etiquette"...then took off....now that guy was truly my favorite....such a good vibe about him...a flash in the pan....completely random encounter...then out.....those experiences are the zest of life and to that guy...wherever you are...CHEERS!!!(again)....as for the show....no infamous "Are You Ready" intro...but the crowd was certainly ready due to the sweet sounds of the Wailers playing non-stop trailblazing classics a la Bob Marley and The Wailers...you could sense that this was the end of a very long tenure on the road and it seemed like 311 were close to being spent....however...big HOWEVER...they still managed to generate positive energy and deliver the "chunes" a.k.a. tunes.....with as much enthusiasm as the first time....

311. Guaranteed Fresh. Everytime.

(Ka)Nish