Friday, February 20, 2009

Surf's Up

Ya' know that little filter that's supposed to make you stop and ask, "Am I getting too old to do this?" I think mine's broken. I had a moment today where it probably should have kicked in, but it didn't, and now I'm wondering what I may have gotten myself into.

Over the years, I've taken Teen Angel to a few concerts. We've seen Matchbox Twenty and Ricky Martin together. And may I say that is one hot Puerto Rican. It was fun because we both enjoyed their music. In the last year or so, our musical tastes have started to split somewhat. Right now, Teen Angel's favorite musical group in the whole wide world is the alternative group Blue October. For months, she's been following their tour dates, hoping they would come near our corner of Kentucky. And for months she's had no luck. They tour only small venues and stick to a few big cities, mostly in California, New York and Texas. Then, out of the blue I got an email today from Ticketmaster, alerting me to the latest shows in St. Louis, and right there in the middle of the page was Blue October. Only the show was Sunday, April 5th at 8pm. A school night. And I'm not a cool enough mom to take her out of school the next day just to go to a concert. I need that kid to earn some scholarships for Pete's sake. But then it occurred to me to check their spring break schedule, and sure enough, the show is right on the front end of spring break. I said to myself, "Self, you can do some alternative music. You're not THAT old." So after much scrutiny, because the concert hall is kind of a large bar where minors are allowed only in certain sections, I excitedly bought three tickets, enough for me, Teen Angel and one of her buddies. She was over the moon when I told her about it.

Only now that my excitement has worn off a little, I'm starting to think about the reality of this event. It's standing room only-on and next to the dance floor, which is right in front of the stage. That means no sitting, which I can deal with. We've done that several times at Buffett. The thing that made me pause when I read the rules for the venue was this:

STAGE DIVING / CROWD SURFING Stage diving and/or crowd surfing will result in immediate ejection from a concert.

Okay, if you have to tell people not to stage dive, that's means there's a real possibility it could happen. I don't know what the cut-off age is for that kind of thing, but I know I'm waaay too old to be crowd surfing. I figure there are a handful of ways to know you're a mature adult. 1. You like to take naps again. 2. You eat your vegetables. 3. You wear ear protection around loud noises and hats in cold weather without being asked to and 4. You don't want strange people touching you concerts.

This should be an interesting experience. Here's hoping I don't end up on YouTube in a few weeks, passing over the heads of a bunch of alternative rockers. Teen Angel would be mortified, much more than when I danced a little rumba at the Ricky Martin concert. And I'm not sure I'm flexible enough anymore to do it without breaking something. Speaking of broken, I've got to fix that filter.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I found you through a "Blue October" Google alert. Not sure if you listen to the band, but your daughter has great taste is this is her favorite band. My wife and I have seem them live three times and plan to drive six hours to see them in either New Orleans or St. Louis (we're in Huntsville, AL) since that's the closest we can get.

You're gonna have fun at the concert, I guarantee it. If you don't leave a HUGE Blue October fan, I don't know what to say. :)

oreneta said...

Should be good blog fodder anyway!

karisma said...

Now I will have to give you my Nana's advice that she gave me when she was 80 years old (May she rest in peace)

YOU ARE ONLY AS OLD AS YOU THINK YOU ARE, You are always capable of doing anything you put your mind to.

And dh's advice to all....If you don't use it....you lose it!

You totally surf that crowd, get kicked out and embarrass the girl, afterall, what are cool mama's for? Besides I totally would love to see that on U-tube! LOL!

Mia said...

You are the coolest mama ever!!! Music is such a great way to connect with your Teen Angel.
I like two of their songs "Uglyside" and "Congratulations"

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read that blog. You will have a great time, your still young enough to go an crowd surf. This will be something Teen angel will remember for a long time.

Trailboss said...

You are brave o' concert goer you. I haven't been to a concert since I saw David Bowie in Houston back in 1979.

Anonymous said...

The good news is that there isn't any crowd surfing at Blue October concerts. ;) You won't have to fret over that one. They aren't that hard rock of a band. I got your comment on my blog. I'll send you a video I took from the last concert so you have an idea what to expect. Again, have fun and listen to Karisma, "You're only as old as you think you are" or "until you break yourself" as I say.

Rink's Ramblings said...

Hula, I faced a similar dilemma about 14 years ago when I took my niece to an Everclear concert. I hid out in the upper seats and left her and the friend she brought to the hell that is the floor. BTW... it was a great show. The opening act was a band nobody had ever heard of called No Doubt... they were pretty damn good. So enjoy yourself!

J.G. said...

If you aren't embarrassing your kids, you're not doing your job as a parent. :-)

I predict you'll have a great time!

The Girl Next Door said...

Going up a few points on the Teen Angel scale is worth all th hell we put ourselves through. Awesome mom oh yes you are. And she'll remember it forever just hopefully not through the technology of YouTube or a permanent criminal record...

Cruise Mom said...

I'll send you some ear plugs just in case... I took my Diva to the Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers last year - it wasn't the music that was so bad, it was those screaming tweens.

I agree with J.G. - an embarrassed kid is the sign of a good parent...

Jason, as himself said...

I can hardly wait for the post about you crowd surfing!!! Please, make sure your daughter has a camera.

You are a super cool mom.

Mia said...

Correction, my daughter says that "Calling You" is a better song by Blue October!