Fresno Famous

I work in a entomology lab, which can get pretty tedious during the peak harvest season (hello sample, hello treatment, how do you respond?, etc.). To keep us lab rats entertained while we look at bugs we have a revolving selection of CDs ranging from the newest obscure hottracks (my fave: LCD Soundsystem) to old school jams (the Thriller *tape* was a mainstay). Everyone contributes something during their summer internship: French stuff I can't describe (Jean-Louis), Mana (Francisco), Lagwagon (Daryl), Depeche Mode (Sam), Molly Hatchett and Mott the Hoople (okay these were jokes),; always something new got added to the music drawer.
But two summers ago we had: Evan. Evan was a country boy from Rodeo, Ca with a love for the Mexican culture and a slide guitar. Outstanding Screeching Weasel tattoo as well. One of those tats you could barely hide with a t-shirt sleeve. He told stories of being attacked by guerrilas in Argentina and seeing original Green Day shows on the finest of psychoactive drugs during his undergrad years. He met a fine girl at a boot store in Clovis and I believe they are parents at this point. His loves tended toward that old-county station that is no longer on the air (RIP). Nevertheless, his addition to the CD collection was One Wild Night:Live 1985-2001, by Bon Jovi. I had nver fully experienced Bon Jovi until my 24th year and I will never be the same. Their live rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer", in front of a German (I think) audience who recited the chorus lyrics sans instruments - in a language not their own - is absolutely awe inspiring. I will never listen to a Bon Jovi song if it is not live or recorded so. And for the love of Evan I should get those tickets, but the lady whose daughter knows the words to all those songs deserves it more.