7.06.2009

Hello Goodbye, Hellogoodbye.
Five years ago I fell in love. With a band. Hellogoodbye. A year after that I found out they were going to be playing in Lyndhurst, mere minutes from my humble abode. I waited in excitement for that wonderous night to arrive. Since I was at that point without a license, I went with two friends, one of whom had a car. When we got there we realized Hellogoodbye would be the last band out of about 25 bands to play. About 10 bands in my ride got tired, sleepy, and ready to go home. Since I was without way to get home, I had to leave too. Disappointed and Forrest-less, I went home. Fast forward a couple months to Swarthmore. I was rooming next to a guy (S.) who happened to also enjoy the grooves of Hellogoodbye. Happily, their tour would be taking them to the Electric Factory in Philly later in the semester, so we bought tickets. Tucked away in the back of my mind was the thought of finally seeing HGB. BUUTT, three days before the concert, and during finals, I came down with a nasty case of strep throat. I could barely get out of bed and spent half my day puking up my insides in the garbage can next to my bed. I had little energy to get up to take my finals let alone get on the septa and stand for 4 hours in a crowded and loud room. I sadly gave away my ticket and cried a little inside. Luckily, the HGB gods were on my side, because next year they came around to Philly again. Gathering a larger group of friends to go, on a school night, we bought tickets to attend this oh holy of gatherings. I took extra vitamin C and made sure to get plenty of sleep leading up to the show. I was ready, my immune system was rocking and I had a guaranteed septa ride back. But I was sucker punch. I was ready to go but my friends were tired, bored, and ready to go home. They had a long day of classes and had to be up the next day for more. They stood there, as others around us were jumping in joy and singing along. Their bad moods rubbed off on me and I failed to enjoy myself. I'm too scared to buy anymore tickets to see HGB, I'm afraid I will attract lightening strikes or worse. Until the day I am assured a safe passage I must watch online and listen to cds in order to get my fill.

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