Played 2 1/2 Hours and Not Boring!

Jimmy Carter in Los Angeles

It's been a wild week that's included a few days in Las Vegas ... a stop at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield ... a night in Pismo Beach and several nights in Beverly Hills. A wide variety of sights and sounds ... and food. Gas prices are terrible but the weather and sights have been worth the price. (Until I get my bills!)

$243.00 -- I think without going to check -- to get a retail-priced seat for Garth Brooks' one-man show at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Earlier that evening I was able to buy a last-minute ticket to see the band Chicago. They still have it! I know Jay of Rascal Flatts loves them as much as I do ... "25 or 6 to 4" is still a rush! Then it was a chance impulse to try for a Garth ticket. It was a no-show so I took it. $243 a seat ... whewwwwwww ...

Garth is the pied piper of music. I looked at my watch twice during the show. (I was on Central Time; the show started at 10:40p.) He was amazing ... Can't explain how he pulls it off but he does and has for all these years ... in a stadium with a band or just with a guitar ... amazing!

Buck's place in Bakersfield. Never been there ... glad I did!! The showroom known as the Crystal Palace is unique and personable. Still has a show every night -- and big names on some of those nights. A Cadillac hangs above the bar. The museum aspect of the showroom is interesting. I loved it and hope to return.

That drive from Bakersfield to the coast was a one of a kind ... If it had been night or bad weather, I would have just slept in the car. Amazing beauty of California Hwy 58 through mountains and oil patch. Scary two-lane driving! Pismo Beach was quiet and the drive to Santa Monica beautiful.

California really is a special place of beauty. If you could just remove a lot of the people ... jeez ... the traffic...

Went by CBS, where they do "Idol." That complex has sure grown over the years. "Idol" kicked off Paul this week ... yawn ... Lauren and Scotty are being groomed to win, but who knows this crazy year.

Rascal Flatts getting sued by their former managers ... what a load! I'll leave it at that ... Court will decide ... crazy! Heard the Bieber/Flatts song; sounded like a pop radio hit to me.

The horrible story of Country artist Whitney Duncan's cousin and the kidnapping has been an international news story ... Google Holly Lynn Bobo and get the latest ... horrible scary story for everyone!

Taylor Swift getting big Billboard nominations should surprise no one. Buying a home for herself and her parents no big shock either. Her new L.A. residence is a common extension. Tim & Faith, Keith and Nicole, Ms. Rimes, lots of people have put Hollywood on their career menu and they need something other than $600-a-night hotel rooms...

Trump and the presidency? Maybe Trace and John Rich get ambassador appointments in the Trump White House?

Blake Shelton and The Voice gang on dozens of billboards all over Los Angeles ... a big one outside Paramount Studios on Melrose ... Blake's big head is everywhere!