Okay, I'll try . . .

The technology associated with the show was absolutely, totally, completely AMAZING. I'm not even sure I can properly describe all of the things the screens can do. At one point, it truly looked like it was raining on the stage. At another point, there was a sea of black & white static at the front of the stage that would clear in patches when Trent Reznor got close to the screen from behind. Later, the static was "erased" with what looked like a flashlight. There was also a second round of static that had color mixed in. I went to this show because of what I'd heard and read about the lights and screens, and they did not disappoint.

I loved the Ghosts music live. I wasn't sure that I would, but it was beautifully done. Haunting music performed on unexpected instruments. Trent played the marimba, for example.

Those were the highlights for me. I'm not really a NIN fan, and I don't know most of their music all that well. I've listened to a lot of it . . . but not necessarily the lyrics. My friends who are big fans LOVED the show and thought the setlist was brilliant, so I was glad for them. Two friends were on the rail in front of Trent for the whole show and lived to tell about it. They were a bit battered and bruised and had close calls with a couple of surfers, but they had a great time.

Unfortunately, to use a phrase I've heard Kathleen use, the "asshole factor" was pretty high at this show. I was in the seats, 2 rows from the floor, right on an aisle that did not open to the floor. The people around me were great. Unfortunately, all night long, we had people who didn't have floor tickets piled up at the bottom of the aisle waiting for the perfect moment to jump over the wall. That would have been fine if they'd actually gone over the wall. But no -- they kept standing there debating the issue. Seriously -- grow some balls and go for it or go back to the seat you paid for. Either way, get out of my way and shut up! I figured it wasn't my place to make a scene since it wasn't "my" band. I left that to the diehards. I only really stood my ground when the same stupid drunk fell down the stairs twice and landed on me both times.

Oh, one other thing. I don't know how they're making any money on this tour. (Of course, with what I know about Trent Reznor, maybe that isn't the point.) They are only selling about half of the lower level of seats and the floor, and the lower level wasn't even close to full. I'm sure they need the big arenas because of the massive stage, but I can't imagine that the economics are good.