It's morning? It's 2008?

I didn't go to bed last night until a bit after 3:30, so sleeping until 9:30 doesn't seem that indulgent. Still, the sun is shining, the family's definitely up downstairs, and yet I don't really feel like getting out of bed. I should, but...just a few more minutes. That's what I said when my clock went off an hour ago, anyway.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was amazing. I hadn't realized it when I got the tickets, but our seats were on the side of the stage, in the first occupied row. We could not only see everyone exiting and entering (and the roadies), but we could make eye contact with the band. One of the guitarists and I had a moment - this happens when you smile at people - but not before he jumped onto the platform and, quite solemnly, flashed rock horns at the side bank. This was widely reciprocated, because come on, how often do you get to give rock horns non-ironically to a guy in a tux with tails? And the violinist had a pink electric violin. How cool is that?

One of my favorite parts of the show was during the second half, when they asked if we'd like to see everything turned on at once. By "everything", they meant the crazy overhead lights ("Welcome to the Starship Enterprise," the host told us during introductions), the lights behind those, the curtain lights, the laser cannons, and - yes - the multi-colored flares behind the band. Sitting where Anna and I did, you could feel the heat from the fire, and she and I donned sunglasses for the piece.

After the balloon and confetti drop at midnight, the guitarist who'd been hanging out on our side all night came down and said something to the effect of "So...you've all seen the video of the guy in Ohio who timed his Christmas lights to our song? Here's our version." They launched into "Wizards in Winter," complete with running lights like those on the guy's house, only they used lasers and the flares as well. Top that, Ohio guy with mad A/V skills.

The nice thing about the TSO is that they're...well, nice. We had a moment of applause for the soldiers ("who couldn't be with their families this holiday, and couldn't come to a TSO concert"), for the roadies, and for the firemen and police stationed around the place ("because they're celebrating New Year's in the hallway"). TSO also gives a few dollars from every ticket to charity, and since they started that initiative, they've raised a few million. Not bad for what can best be described as Christmas-themed symphonic rock/metal, eh?

To avoid the traffic jam of thousands of people attempting to exit the deck simultaneously, Anna and I escaped a bit early, then headed to my place, where Mom had laid out a lovely breakfast. And mimosas. Yum...

Okay, it's 2008 now. I should probably get up some time today. Happy New Year!