You make being a fan worth my while

Fan art from DannyFanthomFreek

It is back. Well it never really went away with the creator posting weekly videos. I dwell on it year round. At the moment I am fangirling so hard that I'm finding it difficult to get coherent sentences together. Basically big rush of emotions.

Except for tears. No crying. Crying is lame. That is when I do it, anyway.

Platoon of Power Squadron

YouTube has given me many great things. From the ability to find the nomads to showing me other people get as excited about things I do, all of it has been gifted to me and for that I am grateful. My favorite is hands down PoPS.

Of the creators, Jake Jarvi is a man that I feel I can look up to. It seems silly as I've never met this man in person. In my eyes he is incredibly good at seeing what it is that he wants out of his life and finding ways to get to it. When he takes on projects I find myself rooting for him as though he were related to me. I can't even remember the last time I've wanted something for a family member as much as I want things to come together for him.

PoPS is this funny, quirky nugget of happiness that I came across over a year ago. It's a show about modern day vicenarians who are trying to live their lives. Oh, and they have super powers. It's hilarious and dark with plot twists and crazy special effect. It even manages to tell two stories, one of the characters and one of the creators. But why am I gushing?

I don't know what it is. I guess I'm speaking from the part of me that seeks acknowledgement. It could just be that I finally feel appreciated, but even that doesn't sound quite right. Tonight was a live show put on by the for main characters of the show. I made sure I didn't miss it. I've mentioned before that a reason I love YouTube is that it allows me to interact with the content creators. I've been having conversations in the comments of videos with Jarvi for months now. I've sought him out on Facebook to get a question answered, not been replied to only to get what I was looking for when I thought I was forgotten. He's taken time out of his day to throw words of encouragement and understanding my way when, simply put, he didn't have to.

I've tried to send him encouragement when he feels that his work is going unnoticed. While I feel that any message I send is a drop in the bucket, it feels good to know that some of it is being seen. For some reason I seem to doubt people's deductive reasoning abilities. I've messaged this guy on his YouTube page, on Facebook and had conversations with him on Twitter. I don't have consistent branding so every profile is different. Although all of the profiles have pictures of my face, it never occurred to be that he'd know it was the same me coming at him from all the different mediums. Tonight let me know that he did know. In the live show he made note of my participation in his fan base. Eliza, his wife, let me know that I wasn't this obscure nothing. Sitting there and having her talk as though my name is ubiquitous throughout the fans of PoPS has me smiling from ear to ear.

From being told that my reaction to the possible cessation of the updates saved the updates to being remembered when I requested the buttons during the fundraiser, I've been given little snippets of how he notices I'm here. Tonight's show made me feel as though I am actually having a conversation with him. I'm not just throwing things out into the void of the internet. He's on the other end of the signal and he and his wife are actually paying attention. I am so thankful.

I'll be sad for it to end but I am so glad I'm getting to experience it now.

Oh yeah, did I do a concert or two?

I said I'd elaborate on why the Monumentour wasn't a complete waste of money. Well it's wasn't a waste of money at all. It was freaking awesome and even with things seeming to only work against my enjoyment, enjoyment was had.

I went to the show, showing up before it began despite coming from the other side of the metroplex in rush hour. Fortunately, living here allowed for me to root out a way that avoided all of the show traffic. I had easy comings and goings. So I get there and, well... let's talk about the goings on surrounding as well as this show.

I drove in not facing any traffic. Looking off to the distance I could see a hell of a storm rolling in. Being the pluviophile, it only added to the electric energy I was feeling about the show. I got to the venue and was happy to realize that I'd missed the memo that parking was included with the price of the ticket. Upon getting into the venue I find the news of Paramore cancelling their set. Complete honesty I was so bummed I was a bit angry. They were, after all, the reason I bought the tickets to the show. Fortunately I had decided to familiarize myself with Fall Out Boy's latest album. At this point my love for live music had me completely stoked to see them as well.

My preoccupation with Paramore cancelling and my seat under the overhang allowed me to forget about that beautiful storm that was rolling in. Guess what? It rolled on in. Before either of the sets began a cheer started from the left side of the covered seating. I, sitting on the right, was clueless as to what was going on for a moment. The cheering got louder. I turn around to see a curtain of rain sweeping over everyone with lawn seats.

Look at those clouds.

It was in pretty intense. A good chunk of the lawn audience flooded the aisles seeking cover, where they stayed through the New Politics set. The rain didn't completely let up until well into FOB set. With the rain came lightning which caused the surge that cut the audio from the wolfers. New Politics, realizing that their set wasn't reaching much of the crowd, stopped and apologetically left the stage. For thirty minutes we waited for them to reboot. Reboot they did and NP came back and finished their set. Then the wait began again.

An additional thirty minutes of wandering...

what's behind the curtain?

It did eventually fall and boy was it sweet. These men came to play.

They took up the slack left by the poor disease ridden Hayley. The set up was quite elaborate. There were five monitors the were flying in and out as the songs changed. A platform set up with hydraulics for entrances. The four guys took the stage coming out of the platform and took no time jumping straight into the set.

Enter my ability to gush. The show was extraordinary. There was a so much chemistry between the guys. Every part of the stage gave you a little nugget to feast your eyes on. I looked up at one point and Pete and Joe had their heads together feeding off each other while they played. Patrick has this wonderful habit of rocking back and forth when he sings. There was even a point when Patrick totally missed a note just as the footage of Andy drumming was streaming. The look on Andy's face as he assessed what was going on was great. As was his expression when he decided to dismiss it and get on with his drumming. Not that he missed a beat.

Not being a die hard fan of Fall Out Boy allowed for me to be surprised by the artistry of the band. Listening to Pete play a part that showcased what can be done with a bass guitar was excited. (Good thing he's a song writer and all that.) Watching Andy play the drums as though the set was an extension of his body was dope. Patrick did not disappoint. He sang both his and Elton John's part of Save Rock and Roll. Which for some reason I thought would be done in the same key he seemed to be singing everything else. I was wrong.

I found that he can play guitar, piano, and (most surprising) the drums.

What's that? The best shot I was willing to get without forgetting to experience the show I was attending IRL. Andy and Pete feature the rhythm section.

Musicians that don't stop always give me butterflies. These guys aren't content with a desultory job.

My favorite moment came when the lights were cut low and the audience was reminded that we all had cell phones. Without any further prompting needed we pulled them out and had a moment from the 70s using our modern lighters to show participation and light the stage. Fall Out Boy performed the song to the light of our cell phone flashbulbs while we waved them back and forth. It was incredible.

I know I went to that show expecting to hear The Only Exception and Ain't it Fun but I can't imagine it being a better show. Fall Out Boy came and played an awe inspiring show. They had flash, pyrotechnics and the usual smoke to catch the light beams. They even threw a little distraction and managed to walk through the crowd while I was being told to look elsewhere. That show had me leaving the venue only to play their CD in the car on the way home. I would go see them again in a heartbeat. I am so happy I got to see that show.

Keep the music coming.

Long weekends that aren't long seem to be a staple in my life. C'est le vie.

I am planning on going to another two concerts over the next few months. I finally gave in to my desire to see Arctic Monkeys and the Black Keys live. I'm excited about this. Instead of a summer of live music I've extended it to include the fall and winter. I'm still getting butterflies. Only down side is that going with people, which I am for both of these, I'll have to deal with them not being quite as excited as I am. The plus side is that I'll be going to see Arctic Monkeys and the Black Keys.

So. Stoked.

Monumentour

I bought Paramore by Paramore and got extra excited to see them live. I bought a ticket for their stop in my town on Monumentour. I had a panic attack thinking I missed the show. Then I worked a full day on the day of the show.

Then the show happened.

Paramore cancelled their set.

I got rained on.

There was lightning.

The power went out.

New Politics had to vacate the stage mid-set.

Things were on a downward spiral.


And then they weren't. Fall Out Boy took the stage and well... More on that later.

Deep breath in, exhale. Don't cry. It really is okay.

An E-mail sent was sent to me letting me know that I concert I was looking forward to was about to happen. A run of the mill get-your-ticket-before-it's-too-late message. I, thinking it's a reminder for Monumentour, clicked on it expecting to see details for Tuesday night. Instead I saw details for Aug 2. As in a day that has passed. As in I sat in my bed while this concert happened. Hands shaking I start looking at every bit of information I thought I had. I finally find my ticket and see that it does say Aug 5th, the day I had on my calendar. I go back to the E-mail and finally see it. It's for a city I do not live in. Oh man. That scared me. My heart started racing and even though I haven't missed this concert I feel tears threatening.

This little incident played to my fears. I have had long days that have caused me to forget my evening commitments. With the way work has been going it feels like a very real possibility for me to have a long day and just go home forgetting the concert. Only realizing my folly upon waking up the next day. In fact, I just did such a thing on Friday. I was planning on going to a friend's birthday celebration but forgot after a co-worker kept me at work an extra hour. The thought that I'll just forget about this concert fits so well with my dingbat antics that I am so scared I'll actually forget.

Despite being so excited for this concert. Despite playing the music I can't wait to see repeatedly. Despite it not being the 5th and still having the chance to attend, I deeply shaken by what I thought was an actualization of my fears. This may be a mixture of my love for music and my need for sleep and exercise.

This is what I get for not checking my E-mails regularly.

Rat a Tat

Here we are again. Sitting in excitement about what is to come.

Monumentour is two days away. It's a little surprising to me how excited I am. I remember when I got it into my head that I wanted to go to a Paramore concert. I remember when I told myself to stop being silly about the fact that they were coming with Fall Out Boy. I even remember when the game changer happened.

A friend of mine had me watch the video Fall Out Boy made for their album. The entire album. While it was a bit much, it did what it was made to do. It gave me a reason to sit and listen to the album. A decision that lead to me purchasing it for further research.

My only opinion is it's so good. When I listen to Paramore, I want to see them live. I had it in my mind that I needed to make this happen. So I purchased a ticket to Monumentour. Now, listening to Save Rock and Roll, it's getting to the point that I get butterflies in my stomach thinking about the greatness of this concert. To say I am excited... Butterflies. I literally want to jump for joy when I think about it. I can hardly wait to be present for this showcase of... Of what I feels speaks to and resonates in my soul. A bit much. I don't care.

Music that I love is going to happen in live in a venue and I will be there. I will see the music as it unfolds from their hands and throats. I will ride the highs and lows of the energy put off by those surrounding me who also feel the love I feel. Why would I want to be anywhere else?

Whoa. I am riling myself up. I shall stop talking about this until a later date.

Maybe my greatest love despite what you think

There seem to be a lot of requirements surrounding a person's ability to be passionate. I will admit that I have been guilty of criticizing the love and passion of others. I have mixed up one's love with one's ability to be a FAQs page. I'll admit to being wrong about that here: I am wrong. This realization came when someone called into question my love of music.

Two-fold situation: First, recently I have been told by several people that I know it all when it comes to music. I sing along to just about everything when I am familiar enough. Basically give me two days of the radio and I'll know enough Top 40* to be able to cancel it's irritation by singing along. I refute the accusation of musical omniscience because it just isn't true. My most accurate response is that I listen to a lot of music. Which, while I feel represents me well, also feels inaccurate in the grand scheme of things. I mean, on a global scale of music out there versus what I've heard... Astronomical difference.
Second, someone told me I didn't know music because I wasn't knowledgeable with every lyric that fell from the mouth of Ozzy Osbourne. I know who he is and I understand he is a pillar in the music industry. However, the genre he represents isn't my go to. Similar to rap.

I'm speaking out against people who crap on other people's passions just because their requirements aren't met. I refuse to allow someone's outside view tell me how I feel about music. My music collection represents a lot of different genres but by no means all of them and certainly not equally.

Though this little high horse has my thinking. This just may be a well timed experiment to promote self-awareness. Knowing that there are times where I am far too sensitive should prepare me for dealing with my own reactions. Instead of getting irritated I should just remind myself that I don't know everything there is to know about music. Plus it isn't bad to remember that other opinions do not take away what music is to me. Now I understand how it feels to impose my requirements on the passions of others. No one asked me and I need to never stop shutting up.

For some people being passionate is knowing everything. I have been obsessed with that line of thinking in the past. Life just recently taught me that wasn't always necessary. Music being one example. I am not stuck in the music that happened three decades ago. It is great, but not everything. There is so much new stuff to find and explore. There are so many artist coming out and showing new ways to use music for expression. I'd say I'm stuck in the now, yet it's really just what's brought to my attention. An album sounds great and will be released next week, I want it. An album has a great rhythm and was dropped ten years ago, I want it.

I just want to continue my romance with music.


*No offense meant to Top 40, I just find it annoying that radio doesn't seem to diversify. Ever.