If there's one thing I can do, I can go to a concert. If concert-going was a skill, I would be one of the most revered people in all the land. Too bad it's really not valued that highly, (except by my peeps who are already down ; )), but I guess I can keep my vanity tucked away in a small corner of my heart and mind for moments when I'm down and blue.

That said, there are moments in life - as few and fucking far between as they may be - where we believe that we are absolutely where we are supposed to be. Since I unwittingly lost my center in the great weird emotional storm of '05, I haven't had many of them. I don't know so much where I am sometimes, because mostly I stay in motion. Thinking sucks, and I do whatever I can to avoid it, unless I need to produce something at work, which is often. It's sad to admit this, but I'm so alarmingly self aware, and actually pretty frightfully honest too, so it must be said. I'm kinda fucked up (and swearing alot! Look!Go me! Can you believe I have a high-level vocabulary that occasionally makes people stare at me quizzically? Me either!!!!) most days, more often than not, in spite of a hard-won ability to function at a pretty high level regardless of this general state of disarray. So when I can find moments of joy...contentment, even...maybe even pure entertainment...I'm so, so good, and so, so happy.

I had several of those moments while attending what was not for me just a high-priced all-day rock concert on Saturday, and herewith I will categorize them for you:

*Watching The Raconteurs covering "Bang Bang (my baby shot me down)" was one of the best single-song concert experiences I've ever had. I completely dug their show in general, as they're a group of really talented musicians who also have a badass rock-n-roll vibe, and what more can I ask than that, really? Jack White is a powerful performer and not to mention for some reason he's become this hot man - everything cliche that somehow made sense, and crystallized for me why a guy with a guitar and an attitude of some sort was my drug of choice (and oh shut up! still would be if I let it!) for so, so long. I don't know enough about the other guys, yet, but I bought the cd and I want to see them live again, now. I felt like...I don't know...not quite Soundgarden at Lollapalooza because that kind of thing - and Chris Cornell, and Lollapalooza 1993, clearly - only happens once in THIS lifetime, but maybe close? Maybe. A walked out behind these dudes who were yelling, "THAT WAS WORTH MY HUNDRED DOLLARS, right THERE," and I had to admit that was so.

*Running into my old friend Bruno on his way out of the Raconteurs crowd while I was still totally into it. He kissed me on the cheek and moved along, and I was no longer the oldest person I knew at the show.; )

*Calling my friend and leaving a message while I was putting vinegar on my French fries right before trekking over to see The Who: "Hello. I'm calling you because I'm tempted to do something potentially self-destructive regarding a man and you exist in my life to prevent these things from happening." And a girl probably about my age, who was also tossing Old Bay on her fries, looked at me and after a moment of hesitation said, "DO IT! Just DO IT! Have some FUN, girl. Have FUN!" I love those exchanges.

*Squishing my way up almost to the front to watch the Killers - who I lovelovelove in an embarrassing way, and whose album I never get sick of, and who you should go listen to with the windows down on these nice fall days RIGHT NOW - and ending up smack in the middle of a pretty chill, pretty nice group of people. I saw them play in Las Vegas last year, at the Hard Rock Cafe/Casino/Hotel, and they put on an awesome show. I'm serious about this whole day Saturday - there was not a shitty show in the bunch, and I managed to see a bit of most of them, which was nice.

Anyway, I was hanging out with my big grandma purse (need space even for disposable cameras, yes?) and I was actually in a place where some crowd-surfing was happening, when a sweet girl who reminded me of my ex's sister looked at me and said, "Oh wow! Are you going up?" And I laughed, cause she really thought I was...And I actually think I may have if I didn't have the big old tote bag, because it was that kind of day. So I said, "No, really...have you ever?" And she said, "NO! I haven't!" And I said, "You have to, because I wish I had, and I still plan to before I get too old." And she looked me dead in the face, in the middle of this packed crowd of people, with one of my favorite bands playing in the background, and said, "You! My! Friend! Are! A! Spring! Chicken! and WE are BOTH going up!."

I got jostled away minutes later, probably during "All These Things That I've Done," which functions as a de facto anthem in my life, truth be told...and I didn't see her again. But in that moment, we were there. Totally there. I hope she went up.

*Realizing I may not have looked much worse with my shirt off than the skinny girl who whipped out her boobs during "Won't Get Fooled Again." The only - and profoundly - sad part of that song was realizing that indeed, we had been.

*I made it way down front for the Chilis. Anthony Kiedis, as had been mentioned in this space previously, is my pretend boyfriend. I can't believe how amazing they still are live, but considering Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend still sounded pretty good, I guess 15-20 years ain't so bad. They're probably in my top-5 bands of all time, and right up there with Metallica, Elton John, the Indigo Girls, and Barenaked Ladies (welcome to MY musical schizophrenia! It all makes sense to ME!) for my favorite live shows, all for distinctly different reasons, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Here are my favorite quotes that I wrote down:

* A young guy to his female companion: "When you walk in, it's like we're gonna have a more...fun...night, because...well, just cause you're there."

Walking by, I stopped myself from saying, "MARRY HER! ARE YOU 17? I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!! BECAUSE  THAT'S THE KEY! DON'T OVERTHINK IT!" But that's why the term "crazies" exist.

*"I'm the most odd mother fucker I know. Seriously."

*"I don't know, dude, it's just too MUCH! There's like all these BANDS." "Shut up. It's good exercise." 

Any my favorite tshirt of the day, besides "I don't smoke crack; I lick it"?:  "It ain't gonna lick ITSELF!" A-MEN!

Pictures to follow, cause I'm all obedient and didn't bring my digital Rebel, although I should have. I had an amazing time. And I heart the Chili Peppers. And also the Killers. And also Jack White. The end, for now.

Comments

[Karen]

I'm gonna make Luke read this post before he goes to the Yellowcard concert tonight--you really described the ULTIMATE fan concert experience. I love your way with words!

[Killer B]

There's all these BANDS...