Twilight Sunrise

What. A. Night.

A few months back I got word that there was a concert coming to town. A bucket list concert that I never thought I’d be able to go to. One of those “I will regret this with all my being if I don’t see this artist” type situations.

But I haven’t been to a concert in well over 20 years. Concerts just weren’t my thing, y’know?

Music? Music is absolutely my thing! Music is my soul. Music moves me, inspires me, drives me. Music pushes every emotional button that I have. But concerts? Just not my thing.

That said – I still think back to the concert that came to town 30 years ago and how I wasn’t able to go. How the artists, while still around, don’t really tour anymore. How I missed the opportunity to see one of my top all-time bands.

I wasn’t going to let that happen again.

My health is in a much better place. I’m out and about doing things, living life, actually living life. Let’s go to this concert! But then the next draw back – when I get signed in to buy tickets they’re over $200 a piece. My plan was to buy 2 tickets and find someone to come with, but.. not at that price.

Mr. Anxiety since he was a teenager did something ridiculous: I bought a solo ticket.

Now, that concert hasn’t happened yet – that will happen in June of this year, but I share the story because when another bucket list show came up on my feed I didn’t hesitate to pick up a solo ticket to that show. Last night was that show.

I’ve been a Nine Inch Nails fan for over 30 years. The band was immeasurably influential on my late teen and early 20’s – the very formidable years of my life. Their music has meant so much to me over the years for a number of reasons and the opportunity to see them in concert was one I wasn’t ready to pass up.

I did manage to meet up with a friend and his wife before the show and we hit a few locations for food and drinks before heading to the show. The show itself was fantastic! I don’t have much to compare it to but it was a visual and auditory smorgasbord. Lights, lasers, smoke, live cameras on giant makeshift screens. It was more than I could have hoped for.

Now, not everything was fantastic. While my health is better I’m still not your normal, everyday bloke and unfortunately for me the people in front of me were the biggest dancing fools this side of American Bandstand which meant that I spent most of the show standing. My body was not happy with me. It ended up being a long and torturous walk back to my vehicle but that massage chair came in handy on the drive home.

I expected the worst this morning – but things were great. My body recovered spectacularly and I was able to get my normal morning workout in without issue. The immense joy I feel for seeing the show is more than I could have wished for.

It amazes me that I am where I am today. Looking back on who I was just a few short years ago to where I am today is a journey I never thought I would be able to accomplish and yet – here I am.

Here. I. Am.