We have tickets to the Bruce Springsteen concert this Thursday evening. The show starts at 7:30 at Oakland Coliseum -- where the A's, Raiders, and Warriors play. Well, actually, the Warriors play in the Coliseum proper, the A's and Raiders play at the stadium. They're next to each other. They're also called ORACLE Arena.

Anyway, I'm excited about the show. I've been listening to the new CD for about a week now. It's classic Bruce, really good. I've never seen Bruce and the E Street Band play before. And if Bruce is anything, he's a showman and a born performer.

Mary is suggesting we leave early. I should explain that she usually goes to bed before 10pm, and she's usually tired by 9:30pm. Even at concerts, she reaches the point of ... "I've had enough."

Now, anyone who has been to see Bruce knows he usually plays three or four hours. And anyone who knows me, knows I will still be standing as the last encore fades. And I refuse to leave before the lights come up. I don't care if I sit in traffic for two hours. I paid to see a show, and I wanna see it all.

One more aside ... when the idea first came up and Mary granted the purchase of the tickets, I said then, as I am saying now, that if she wants to go with me, she agrees to go the distance. She agreed. Now she's waffling. She hasn't relinquished her ticket. But I am not backing down.

Also add, we've got supposedly great seats -- perhaps in the first sixteen rows -- through a connected work friend.

So here's the question. Should we stay or should we go (early)? I'm standing firm, no matter what, but I'm interested to hear your opinions. Thanks!