This is the first in a series of blog posts about the BNL concert, since it is the only thing of note that I have done in a month.
So, my sister and brother-in-law not only scored us VIP seats at the concert; the package included free parking, a backstage area with huge cooling fans, snacks, and drinks.
Gary, Rachel, her dad and I were sitting in the seats when I excused myself to use the VIP bathroom. I had peeked in earlier and really, it looked like an actual office building bathroom in there. The “bathroom” line looked long until I realized they all had tags marked “Meet and Greet.” Those people weren’t in line for the bathroom, they were on their way to meet the band. Still, I’d already decided against the bathroom and committed to the bar line instead.
In line, I passed a table of well-dressed young people who were taking about the long line.
Of course I forced myself into their conversation. (The tent constitutes an introduction.) I turned to them and said, “Those people have tickets for the Meet and Greet. I suppose they bought them.”
“I have Meet and Greet tickets,” one of the women said.
I said. “Oh! Well then you should get in line!”
Then I excused myself from their conversation. I assumed they were drunk. They had tickets to meet the band, and they didn’t know how to use them? Really?
I turned back to the bar line, away from the stupid, clearly drunk people, when one of the women opened a folder filled with stacks of Meet and Greet tickets. “I have Meet and Greet tickets,” she said, more slowly, “Would-you-like-one?”
I airily waved her away with, “Oh, I’ve met them,” and began to turn back to the line when two neurons connected. I whirled back and said, “But my friend Rachel would love one!”
Eventually Rachel came back from the Meet and Greet and reported that Ed asked “Now, is this where you actually live?” because he recognized her from previous regional concerts. The most recent concert was Louisville, and no doubt he’d seen her on the cruise. She also came back with the scoop on where Kevin was: touring Italy with Lou Reed. (Yeah. read that link above for the irony.)
So she made noises about thanking me and I almost made some sappy pay it forward noises, not knowing that soon she would do me an enormous favor that would wipe the slate clean.
It was almost the end of the concert, and Rachel, Gary and I were standing three rows back, watching the sweat spread make patterns on the band’s shirts. It was hot, but there had been several lovely cold breezes, and some kind person brought a super soaker or something and sprayed it once. I was doing okay, trading the Frogg Togg cooling towel on and off with Rachel.
Rachel leaned over and said, “I feel sick.”
I said, “Are you clammy?” (And I thought, Disoriented? Having heatsroke?)
“I have to sit down.” She looked at the crowd.”I can’t make it out.” Then she said,”I have to make it out,” and weaved into the mob.
“Where did she go?” asked Gary.
“She got too hot …” (And my silence added, “Whereas I am fine.” I didn’t say it, but I thought it, and Gary mentally heard it.)
“You are an Ironwoman!” Gary said admiringly.
So, Rachel has done the impossible, make my husband shut up about me and the heat. I can take it! Lots of water, breeze, fans in the VIP tent, and a cooling cloth. And a friend who gets dramatically faint at opportune moments.
Rachel looked better when we found her at her seat after the concert. I only had a little dehydration headache today, I hope she feels better.
14 responses to “Rachel and Ed”
OK, now I’m getting super excited for Saturday. Thanks, Ellen!
I would think by now that bnl would have.the QM throne set up for every concert in every venue. Don’t these people know your by name now? Invite you over for dinner? Name their children after you?
Tami – BNL / Balloon Festival – what’s not to love? You wont get Maury, though.I don’t know who’s filling in for Kevin.Becs – Absolutely not. They might have been able to recognize me, only I throw them off by gaining 20-30 pounds a year.
Supposedly Kevin’s back this weekend, or so I thought… right, found the letter:
“Now, the bad news: unfortunately this means I will not be present at a few of the upcoming BNL shows, namely the shows between July 1 & July 27th.”
I’m assuming he’ll be there. If not, well, I guess I’ll just do without.
I expect that they’ll recognize me this year, if they see me. Once you’ve seen me sing Led Zeppelin in an evening gown, it’s hard to forget.
I’m so glad to hear the back story of that pass : ) It all went down so fast that from my point of view you are just able to magically produce life-changing stickers out of thin air!And I didn’t think the heat/humidity could break me like that- I’m from St. Louis for crying out loud. I felt like a huge wimp, but I’ve never felt that close to fainting in my life. There was no air up there. I didn’t want to leave our prime spots with only 3 songs to go, but I knew it was bad when I said to myself- you can either stay here and have them pick you up off the ground or you can live.I didn’t even know if I was going to make it to the car. I drank so much water after that and felt better by the next afternoon.But all that being said: Best. Night. Ever. <3Oh and we converted 3 BNL neutral people to BNL fans- so yeah us! Thanks again : )
Tami – What Led song did you sing? How did I miss that? Rachel from the Cruise – Converts! Cool!
I sang The Immigrant Song, while completely hammered, wearing a silver evening gown. I got to see Tyler head-band to a song I was singing, which pretty much made my cruise experience magic.
The next night I sang a Jewel song while spanking Johnny Z with a pair of nun-chucks. That totally sounds more entertaining than it was. I should have hit him harder.
Tami- you rule.
The best part is that now that we’ve finally seen each other in person, you can really accurately picture the whole thing. 🙂
I miss Rachel.
I miss Christy : )
Tami – I can! I bet you looked spectacular.Christy / Rachel – I dont want to intrude.
Ed shouted out to us on Saturday night, “Like my new guitar? Well… it’s not new, but it’s new to *me*.”
Tami – Did he play “Old Apartment” on it?