I had two options for Friday night: 1. spend the evening at The Pyramid where Matt and his band Tele were performing or, 2. check out Vancouver rock quintet
State of Shock at The Zoo. I knew that if I chose option 2 I'd be going alone, which I don't ever do. Feeling it was time to stop missing out just because I couldn't get someone else to go with me, I decided to buy a single ticket to The Zoo.
State of Shock's single,
Money Honey, was a Canadian summer hit on the rock and top 40 stations.
If I had more money honey
Would you love me love me love
If I wasn't just somebody like me
I've made mistakes that I can't erase. I've made mistakes
State of Shock - Money Honey
The ticket said doors would open at 8pm and warned to expect lineups at 9:30. I headed to the village for nine and grabbed a Starbucks on the walk to the venue.
There was no line up at 9:30. I went inside anyway and took a position against the wall. It was tacky from a recent coat of black paint. I'll admit, I felt a bit odd standing there by myself. When the self-consciousness reached a particular level I pulled out my cell phone and pretended to be involved in a very important text-message conversation. Really, I was just taking notes for this blog.
9:35 stand against the wall
10:18--I noted a song playing in the bar that I hadn't heard in awhile and had forgotten that I loved. (Puddle of Mudd - She Hates Me)
10:30 opening band sucks.
11:39 next band sucks.
At this point I was tired of standing around so I headed out and went for a walk down Osborne. The only thing open at that time was the 24hrs Shopper's Drug Mart so I walked around there and randomly checked out various merchandise.
Upon my return to The Zoo I found an empty table in the far corner and sat myself down. My feet were hurting on account of wearing my worn out boots that I just can't bear to retire. Again, I did my best to look bored but occupied. A guy in an oversized t-shirt sat down at the table beside me to have a chat on his cell phone. When he finished his conversation he said to me something about looking lonely. I assured him I was fine. He was too young looking anyway.
Around 12:15 I reclaimed my spot along the wall and watched the roadies or whoever set up for the next band. The drum kit had the State of Shock logo on it so I figured it was safe to assume that the performance I had been waiting for was coming soon. As I stood there, just minding my own business, a girl who had barely aged past 17 approached me and asked if I was there to see State of Shock. I replied affirmatively. She then asked if I was with the band. I smiled and shook my head. Then she asked if, once the band took the stage, I would come up and dance with her and her friends. I declined. She persisted.
"Just say yes," she said. I could tell this was the only way I was going to get rid of her, so I gave her my worthless word and indeed she did finally leave me be.
12:25 SoS
The performance was everything I had hoped for. The lead singer was attractive and charismatic in the usual way--longish dark hair, white t-shirt, jeans, and a black cuff watch on his left arm. He told the crowd how great they were and in return they told him how great he was. On two occasions he requested for people not to waste beer by throwing it on stage. He sang mostly about love and struck me as having some qualities of a Jane Austen hero. If State of Shock were a food, they would be a high calorie guilty pleasure like rocky road cheesecake. It was just what I wanted.
After the show (I forgot to document the time, I think it was about 1:15) the band assembled behind a table and took requests for autographs and CDs. Cameron, the lead singer, greeted me with a firm handshake (I hate the limp ones; I believe strongly in the importance of a good handshake) and thanked me for coming out. For being a typical hard rocking and dirty talking rock star on stage, he had a definite softness and genuineness off of it. I requested a CD and handed over my 10 bucks. He opened one for me, requested my name, signed the inside cover and passed it along to the other band members. Simon, the other guitarist and vocalist asked me if I was having a good night. He seemed to be glowing with satisfaction about the evening. Or maybe it was just the sweat.
So I not only survived but I also managed to enjoy my night on my own. Case study closed.
Last night I carved a pumpkin and hung a few decorations in the window. My dad was over and I could see he was getting excited about it all. I got my candy ready--175 pieces. I have no idea how many kids I will get. I just had my first one a few minutes ago--a little girl. I gave her some Twizzlers and milk duds. Will she even like those? Oh, here's another one. Not much for costumes--it's hovering around 2 degrees outside with a bit of a wind--mostly warm jackets, hats and a mask or face paint.
To research the details of her outfit, I found the old cartoons on YouTube. I've been watching the episodes everyday while eating breakfast. She was a woman before her time. Not long ago on The Hour George named her in the top 5 list of female rockers. As I watched Jem/Jerrica struggle with her relationship with her true love, Rio, I realised that everything I believe in about love and friendship I learned from watching Jem and The Princess Bride. I was four years old.
