Ok. I haven’t posted in forever. If forever means many moons, some months and a whole lot of pork lo mein. I hope you’ll forgive me.
I’m breaking out of hibernation for one of the most exciting things I’ve ever reported on. Do you remember when I had that really awesome, cosmically possible trip to see Los Campesinos!? You don’t? Here’s the story to refresh your memory. Please understand that, while that trip was one of the coolest experiences of my life, this one will probably surpass it.
A few days ago (Wednesday, March 5th), The Decemberists sent out a mailing. On May 30th, The Decemberists will be headlining their first show in almost three years at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR. Not just a regular show. Oh no. They’ll be playing the entirety (as in, all of) Castaways and Cutouts. Then they’ll be playing a second set of songs from the rest of their discography. Naturally, reading this made me want to go. But Portland is over two thousand miles away and that’s a lot.
But then I read something else.
A limited number of VIP tickets were available. The VIP tickets came with early entry to the venue, a limited edition poster signed by the band AND A RECEPTION WITH THE BAND. As in, a chance to meet the band.
I read that and…I wanted to go. I absolutely wanted to go. And then I made a decision. I would go. I’ve always wanted to go to Portland, I’ve always wanted to meet my favorite band and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now I just had to wait two days to buy the tickets.
Thursday took a lifetime. I was jumpy, irritable and kept breaking into terrible (but enthusiastic) renditions of “Mariner’s Revenge Song.”
Friday morning took three hundred years. I saw the gods of time and machines of man join forces because how else could you explain how SLOWLY time was passing?
Eventually, it was 11:50AM PST (1:50PM CST). I sat at a computer, pulled up the website and pushed the refresh button like it was my job. At 11:55AM PST, the website put up a 5 minute countdown. I started playing “We Both Go Down Together.”
The website kept counting down. 3…2…1
And I went. I typed as if my life depended on it. Number of VIP tickets, name, address, credit card number, submit…and cross your fingers when the website tries to submit.
“Thank you for your purchase…”
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, come May 30th, I will be in Portland seeing The Decemberists in a reception room and on the stage.
And, you know, I actually felt a little silly for being so intense about buying the tickets when they went on sale. I probably could’ve waited a few hours to buy them…that’s how I felt until I saw that the show sold out in around 15 minutes. I’ve never been more grateful for my paranoia.
Over two thousand miles for a chance to see this show, see this city and meet this band.
Worth it.
