Under a Chilly Landover Sky

It was 22 years ago today ... well close enough ... when I first saw U2 perform at RFK Stadium during the Joshua Tree tour. And Joshua Tree is right up there with Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds as one of the best albums of all time. In fact, I think it may have been the first CD I ever purchased.

U2, by far, is the pop and rock band of my generation. A generation growing up with MTV -- one of the first videos I remember seeing was New Year's Day. And as one of the 80,000 plus fans at Fedex Field last night, I was fortunate enough to see them play that old school song. Words cannot describe how great that show was last night. A great mix of the new album and their last several albums with some early to mid-80's songs thrown in, including the gut-wrenching Sunday Bloody Sunday, which I first heard on the live Under a Blood Red Sky album way back when -- the album (yes album and not CD) that first introduced me to the band.

U2, great show last night. Come back any time you'd like.

Any Given Sunday: Ravens Broadcasts in DC

I would enjoy nothing more than to watch the Ravens/Browns today at home. However, Channel 9, the local affiliate is showing the Philly/KC game. I'm really getting tired of the "hit and miss" of whether or not Ravens games are televised on any given Sunday.

When Baltimore got another franchise more than 10 years ago, I remember thinking: Okay, the Redskins are NFC; the Ravens are AFC -- so there would be no conflicts. However, I quickly learned that if the Redskins are home, and on Fox channel 5, that the CBS affiliate (in this case, 9) cannot show another game).

However, today is different. The Redskins are playing the Lions in Detroit. So why is Channel 9 showing the Philly/KC game when they can show the Ravens/Browns? Don't they realize there are many transplanted Baltimore natives in the area? Another solution would be if the cable company would offer the Baltimore affiliates on the DC area cable systems. Seems like a simple solution to me.

Introducing Mitch's Beltway Banter

Hello all:

I've talked about doing a blog for quite some time. It has taken me awhile as I am someone who tends to remain behind the scenes. Plus, I wanted to ensure anything I posted would be worthwhile, intriguing and/or full of possible insights. Or just plain funny!

Anyway, the intent of the title, "Mitch's Beltway Banter," is really a play on the fact that I grew up in Baltimore and have spent the majority of my post-college life in the DC area (I have lived on both sides of the Potomac). So any of my banter (really dialogue) will likely be related to musings, happenings, thoughts, etc., taking place and affecting lives in between and around 495 and 695. Then again, my postings may not. Anyway, I hope to begin posting things as frequently as I can. Please know that I am more about quality than quantity.

Anyway, enjoy! Thoughtful feedback is encouraged.

Mitch