For Calvin’s 13th birthday, Josh and I got him tickets to the Snow Patrol concert. Not because any of us are particular fans of Snow Patrol, but the kid loves music and concerts and in living in Muscat, it’s not like Coldplay is going to make an appearance. We’ll take what we can get.
Usually Josh does concert/music type outings because I don’t really like music. I mean, music is fine and all, but Josh loves it and I could take it or leave it. But in a surprising departure from the norm, it was my idea to take Calvin to the concert even though I knew Josh was going to be gone to Saudi. After looking them up on YouTube I thought: Sure, I can listen to this for an hour and a half.
This is the song that put me over the edge. Pretty catchy and funny video too.
Of course one of the reasons I don’t like concerts is because they are too loud. I’m already on my way to being officially “hearing impaired” and I don’t need any extra help to get there faster. To make sure I could enjoy myself I went out and bought earplugs. Of course, the only kind they had at the pharmacy were labeled: Not intended for excessive noise. What else would you possibly need earplugs for?
I figured using them for an off-label purpose was OK in this situation and they had to be better than nothing. I bought 2 pairs hoping that my son would be a good sport and wear them to humor me. I’ve got to make sure he does what he can to protect them, since genetics is not on his side.
The following are the things I would have said to you if you were with me at the concert (if you could hear me above the beat of the drums. Calvin and I were both failing in the lipreading department so we started using my phone to type messages to each other):
When did 21 year olds start looking like babies? How do those little kids have wristbands and beer? There must be a huge number of teens with fake IDs here tonight because I can’t possibly be that old.
I wonder what it feels like to have people scream your name as you walk out on stage? Do you think he feels like a regular guy or has he become used to celebrity status?
Good grief. $7.50 cents for a can of Budweiser? That’s a waste of money. $2.60 for a can of coke? Also a waste of money, but at least it tastes good.
That middle aged lady looks funny dancing to the music like she’s one of the kids. Oh my gosh, that’s totally what I look like, isn’t it?
Hmm, somebody’s got some weed going . . .
Look at all these poor people ruining their hearing right now. I may look ridiculous with orange foam sticking out of my ears, but that’s one less day that I won’t have to wear hearing aids. I wonder if by the time we’re old if everyone will have lost their hearing from all the loud music/ipods/etc?
What are all these people going to do with these videos they are taking with their phones? Are they really going to sit down and watch them again? I hope they slap on a seasick patch first because jumping and videotaping do not mix.
How odd that so many people are focused on recording the moment instead of being in the moment. I wonder if they’re all posting these videos to Facebook or tweeting that they’re at the Snow Patrol concert while missing the actual concert?
The people in front of us (swaying, jumping, and doing the Saturday Night Fever moves) are proof that you don’t need alcohol to act stupid.
Ooh! This is the song that I recognize from YouTube! Hmm, where is the line between fun enthusiasm and freaky? Cause I want to make sure I don’t cross it . . .