When I was young and Stupid

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So I've been battling this flu thing all week, and I am pretty sure that it's winning. And just when I think it's passing away, it bites me in the throat for another round. The thought of work, sigh. The thought of going out, sigh. The thought of doing anything except laying in my bed crying out for respite--big sigh. Mostly, of course, because I am a responsible adult now, and no longer do stupid things to jeopardize my health and ability to work and accomplish life--like running to the border with a car full of friends for a long journey to sit in an ice rink full of smoke and 14 year olds for a concert. But there was this one time, though, where I think I let youth get the better of me.

Friday, amidst my viral battle week, I remembered our friends Aaron and Kayla had bought us tickets to see The Arcade Fire, in Canada. We fretted back and forth last minute about whether we should go, as Kayla had just gotten the same flu. To go, and feel terrible, without sleep all night, to get sicker, more miserable, and ultimately to face more time amongst the clammy sheets, tangled blankets, and dull walls grayed by the even duller clouds outside my bedroom seemed a heavy consequence for a short night of all-ages revelry. ( A once warm room, longed for after weary days, becomes a prison when you are unable to escape because your body is too weak.)

But, we decided to do it. We piled in the car, and headed out in a great rush of Seattle to Everett traffic to reach Vancouver. Immediately, pressure got the better of my head (and my sanity), sealing up my ears, and my head, with glorious flu virus. I regretted fully my decision not to stay home and feel sorry for myself. Besides, what good is a concert if you can't hear anything?! But, within and hour or so, my ears cleared a little, and I actually realized there were other people in the car, and I could even hear them! From then on, when I remembered my friends surrounding me, instead of my own pain, I had a wonderful time. They even let me keep the windows rolled down.

With a lot of crazy driving, we finally managed to get there, and snag a cheap parking spot in a tiny, shuffling Asian woman's driveway. And thus marked the first trip to Vancouver in which I have not had the car broken into to steal loose change. Hooray for cute Asian ladies, and down with Canuck Heroin junkies.

We piled into the old ice rink in time to push up against the back of the growing crowd of underage and over-priveleged youth. Belle Orcheste played first, which is the instrumental version of Arcade Fire, with one extra guy or something. Nice, I hear, but I didn't notice. I was too irritated by the preteen couple making out in front of me the whole time. Then Wolf Parade played, which was great, I think. It was hard to tell, with the mid-teen couple pushing in front of me, then yelling on their cell phones to all their friends in the Universe. I couldn't hear the band because I was yelling back at them too loud to to shut up while indian burning the one kid's arm. But I think the band sorta sounded like David Bowie with a funny keyboard thing.

Matt and I tried to contemplate about why it is that I can be so preoccupied with people around me all the time, especially at a concert. Why can't I just enjoy the music? Why does it bring out my rage so? I contemplated deeper meanings, and mused about issues of anger and rage and a detest for population en masse that I should probably deal with. But instead, I decided on a better explanation. Well, first of all, did I mention I was sick? oh ya, cuz I was. But I was feeling a bit better, so we decided instead that it's because I'm a girl. I'm too short to see a thing in an ice rink! I can hear the music, but only amidst kissy noises and "hey mother-f-er, pass the blunt back this way!" But I can't really see the band. Matt, being 6'4" and all, has a great time seeing the whole fabulous show. "Hey, look at that guy up there on the couch! That's hilarious! Oh, look, they're drumming on bike helmets!" Ya, no, actually, can't see a thing. But hey, look at how that kid is pinching that other kid's butt down here. That's hilarious, yep.

Imagine first your average road rage, especially at those 16 years olds who are smokin' and blasting blink 182 and being generally awesome because they're swerving all over and throwing half eaten PB&J's that their mommies packed them at your car and then flipping you off while they cut you off. Then imagine being stuck at the bottom of a mosh pit with those same kids who are smokin' and makin' out, but this time they are molesting you while shoving you out of their way. Or more like punching you out of their way.

That is when Aaron invented the "shorty stoop"--bring this little stool to all your favorite shows and put your shorty right up on there so she can enjoy the concert too! Brilliant, I say.

Or...maybe I just have an anger problem--who knows.

But all that aside, The Arcade Fire was fantastic. Their energy is amazing. They are completely passionate about their music, and especially about performing. They put all of their energy into it, and do so many creative and amazing things. Like...drumming on bike helmets. Sparkly ones. It is very inspiring, in all artistic senses. It makes you want to create, and to be a part of something. Not to mention, they have cute outfits (what? I'm a girl.) They did several encores, and then did one with wolf parade as well. After they were all out on stage, they parade down off the stage and into the crowd with their instruments. Everyone crowds around them and vies for a better position to touch them. They did a Violent Femmes song. Though, we didn't get quite close enough to lick them. But, it was still cool.

And hey, I figured out that if I tilted my head to the left, my ears stayed open the entire car ride home. And so I stayed in bed all day Saturday, and got Matt sick. But beyond all my preoccupation and obsession with the state of my body, I had a great time. It was well worth it, and I'd do it again. And, as Jensen says, I'm and old lady now and should get out more. So I'm willing to admit it wasn't stupid. It was a great idea to get out of myself and go do something I love, (even if you can't tell I love it).

One of these days I'm going to win the fight against my body and mind. Or maybe i'll let it go.