We almost did not make it to the concert. The car wasn’t out of the shop yet since it had continuously rainethe past days they could not get the paint job done. So Bolo and I had to take the taxi. But then it rained so hard so it was difficult to hail one. We came to a point that we decided to take a jeep instead up until we get to an area where it’s easier to get a cab. And so that’s what we did. All of a sudden the jeep broke down. So Bolo texted a friend who offered us a ride earlier but whom we turned down since we wanted to make it to the concert on time. We had to wait a bit and I was growing anxious by the minute.
And we thought that was the end of our worries. When we got to the venue, guess what happened to us? They held us out at the entrance. We were refused entry since they said, the venue was already overloaded. I know I should have felt annoyed but I was really finding the whole thing very funny. It seems to me that I have again become the subject of amusement for the fates. If they think the whole thing would make me grow mad and irritated well, they are wrong. I’ve gone past feeling that when some mishaps occur. Even from way, way back.
One thing I learned, no amount of irritation, filling your head with negative thoughts, could change how things are. If anything, they could only drag you down. From early on, I already learned the value of “not” crying over spilled milk. Tears would be pretty useless anyway. They wouldn’t replace the milk that was spilled, for sure. So every time something like this happens, I would usually find the whole thing amusing. I’m picturing God laughing over me with a naughty glint in His eye and so I would return the gesture and that is by seeing the humor behind all of it.
Anyway, so there we were. It was quite an experience really. Since there were a lot of us refused entry, there was much commotion. Some feigned irritation at the guards. Some pretended to be really angry just to scare the guards to let us in. And we were running late already. I was relaxed though, awaiting how the entire experience would unfold. But finally we were allowed in.
Bolo and I raced towards the venue’s gates. Upon entrance, guess what was the first thing I heard? Russel Hitchcock’s voice crooning, “There’s a chance you will be there, please be there alone. Let me speak of love… The chances are too strong. The chance you will be there….” I was definitely floored and disappointed all at the same time. Air Supply singing that song in the concert was what I was looking forward to. It was my “favoritist” among all of their songs. I was disappointed because I had pictured so many times in my head that I will be seated there in the dark, having goosebumps all over me the instant I would recognize the intro of the song. That’s what happened to me when JFC sang, “Gone Too Far” during his recent concert here.
But the rest of the night sure made it up for me. We were awfully late. I was downhearted upon finding out that the concert started on time. They usually don’t and so I did not worry much about the delay we’ve encountered. But as it is, it seemed that the fates finally favored me. There were no more available seats but lo and behold, Bolo managed to secure us a spot directly opposite the stage. We weren’t that near but the visuals was really great, we were at almost the same level as the stage so it was pretty awesome. When both artists went down to the audience singing one of my favorites – “Here I Am,” I nearly fainted. I could not imagine for the love of me, how that could possibly happen. There they were, artists you listened to while growing up, you loved their songs, you played them all day long in your guitar, you buy their tapes and CDs and you love them, period. And there they were, and the possibility of touching them. Hah! What more could one ask?!
But of course I wasn’t able to touch them hehehe. Not Russel nor Graham but the thought of them giving such once in a lifetime experience to the number of fans out there who were lucky enough to touch them firsthand, was enough to overwhelm me. I was grateful for them and their experience. I could only imagine how they were feeling but I empathized so much I felt then that it was also happening to me. I was really kicking myself for not wanting such an experience for myself. I turned to Bolo and told him, it did not happen to me because I did not ask for it. But who would anyway? Who would have thought that an international artist such as them would be brave enough to go down to the audience and let them touch them? I’ve been to a number of concerts but that was the first time I witnessed an international artist do so.
The music was great. The concert was great. It was fun seeing persons of all ages filling the venue to the brim. Some were dressed to the nines, others very casually. At one point, Bolo and I were even surprised when a mother and her baby of about 1 year old joined us in our little nook. I mean, a baby, really?! She was on her socks still. Hehehe
I knew all songs by heart that at the end of the concert, I was hoarse from singing out loud. It was a great night. There was something dreamlike about seeing a band -- you only listened to in the past and was a great part of your life – first-hand. I can’t wait to have more of the same : )
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