 |
|||||||||
|
Sunday, September 10, 2006
12:12 PM Complex People have their little foibles, and as you get a little older you tend to realise which ones you have. Some people find the prospect of speaking in front of crowds about as pleasant as a visit to the dentist. Others find the idea of going to the dentist about as pleasant as speaking in front of crowds. Although I don't find the idea of these two things as fun, it's not something that sh*ts me up; I remember a certain Why Remewable Evergy Is Bad speech in uni in which came off as confident and convincing as some sort of pyramid scheme salesman, and my dentist is the most chilled out friendly person you could ever meet (even if he does say "Oops, sorry" just a little too often). Of course, despite my immaculate Adonis-like appearance, I can't say I'm one of the flawless people. One of the biggest problems I've had over the years is doing things alone. Childish giggle over? Great, let's continue. So as I was saying, the idea of doing things alone really has not appealled to me. If I ever wanted to go into town to buy something, I've always had to go with a friend. If I'm meant to be meeting someone and they're running late, the prospect of waiting around ALONE and with ALL eyes watching me is gut-wrentching. In a bar with someone and they go to the loos? Out comes the mobile phone to text someone; I mean, only a mentalist would be standing around waiting for someone, wouldn't they? I know I'm not the only one, you see it all the time when you're out in a pub (though it is a good 'in' if a girl gets her phone out and you call her on it, not literally of course). Well as part of my Year Of The Self Improvement, I've been taking steps to remedy this. Spending a day out in London shopping alone? Normally this would have meant a quick run around and getting out as quick as possible before anyone noticed I was there. The last time round is was a much less hasty and much more relaxed affair. Going out for lunch alone? The prospect of sitting in a park alone where loads of other groups of people were sitting and together and laughing at me would have proper freaked me out. But now? A Pret sandwich and a copy of The Illuminatus! Trilogy and I'm happy as Larry. Gains have been made, and I'm even getting to the point where I enjoy myself when out there alone in the big bad world. But I'm not exactly ALL the way there. I mean, I've never been for a meal alone. But then again, I guess not many people do so I can let that slide. Complex 0, me 1. I thought I was winning the battle. That was until the other day, when I got an email from Camera Obscura (my new new new favourite band) saying that they were going to be playing a date in London in October. A quick check on the Scala website and I find out that The Boy Least Likely To are also playing there a couple of days earlier. Fantastic! A possible triple whammy of gigs with the Broken Family Band tickets already purchased for that week. So out goes the mandatory email informing everyone of the dates and asking how many tickets I should buy. Unfortunately, nobody wants to come. I've never been to a gig alone, and once again, the prospect of doing so doesn't seem great. What to do? Is it socially acceptable to gig alone, or is it on par wth going for a meal alone? As far as I'm considered, at 5 foot 7 not only am I too short for this human thing called 'love', but also too short to gig alone. The only people you ever see alone at gigs are: The short, tubby middle-aged rocker drenched in other lager or The taller, more stylish indie types with long hair and a man-bag. Despite the recent wardrobe additions, the short hair and short height make me fall, well, short of number two. So what's it to be? Miss a favourite band, or go alone and face being uncomfortable the whole night? There is a third option; go with a blow-up doll like Rich Decisions decisions... I'll just carry on listening to I Can Only Disappoint U by Mansun on loop and think about it. ----- 9/10 5 Years On Today is the fifth anniversary of that lifechanging moment in my life; the day I met Louise Redknapp! She's no longer the number 1, but she's still got a special place in my heart! In the words of Roots Manuva, "witness the fitness": 
Leave
a comment
::
|
Go on your own but take a large (ish) pad with you. Make notes throughout each performance, stopping every now and then to make 'phone calls' (fake ones of course). People will think you're either an A&R man or a journalist, and it won't worry them that you're alone. They may even try to befriend you, in which case, have lies ready.
Fold your arms, sneer at everyone, and generally look like you're having a really bad time.
A couple of good ideas there. I reckon I can combine the two; pretend to be an A&R guy who shakes his head whilst making notes, looking down on everyone else for actually paying to see these worthless rock stars.
I've been to one gig alone. I'd recommend phoning ahead and getting the stage times, skipping the support bands and waltzing in just before the main act come on.
Yeah I tend to lose people when I go into the pit, but as you say it's the waiting between bands that's killer.
Don't do it. You might die.
Good call, there's a lot to be said for meeting randoms. Worst comes to worse you elbow them in the face and claim the mosh-pit rule; there ARE no rules!
|
||||||||
| a r c h i v e s
|
|||||||||
|
Other contact me
|
|||||||||
| Blogs
somej.net - sparky malarky - iPandah - the world as i see it - strega nona solves it - dinah says nothing - Growing Up Twisted - inexplicable device - |
|||||||||
