Long overdue: Headstones Dec. 8 & 9, 2017, Town Hall Ballroom, Buffalo, NY
So I turned 50 at the end of November.
10+ years ago (14, to be exact), I told myself I'd go back to Amsterdam for my 50th birthday. But a year ago it became obvious that wasn't going to happen. Nor was an island vacation of any kind, which was what I told myself I'd do when it began to seem obvious Amsterdam wouldn't happen, or if it did, I'd be going alone instead of with at least *one* friend who was with the first time.
For a variety of other reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture (including trying to save $$ for a down payment on a home), I kept scaling down my expectations & being super busy & procrastinating until it was really too late to do anything major.
Then the Headstones added two dates to their Little Army tour. Two dates in the US (my passport's expired as well as lost in my apartment). In Buffalo: December 8 & 9.
THIS, I thought, will be my present to myself, my mini celebration for making it to 50. Only problem: no one could go with me, d/t the timing, conflicting stuff, lack of interest among family/friends (except Ride_4ever, who couldn't go this time.
So I flew to Buffalo alone & embarked on my adventure solo... & I met a lot of nice people at the hostel two doors down from the venue (how convenient is that!).
And it was a great present to myself. I, unlike many other Chicagoans (tourists...), LOVE SNOW! And winter! My favorite season after autumn! A winter storm watch & weather advisory was in force almost the entire time I was in Buffalo, it was beautifully snowy, & I tramped all around downtown Buffalo in it. It was cold & I was warmly dressed in layers & It was utterly lovely. It was the way Chicago winters used to be.
But. THE HEADSTONES. LIVE!! It's not like I didn't already love them; I did! I already had the new CD, which I think is one of their best albums. Plus Hugh's solo stuff.
But dear fucking god, what a live show! TWICE!! Hugh coming out into the crowd several times each night! I was so close the second night (I scoped the good spots the first night), he accidentally elbowed me in the breast! I didn't care, perimenopausal tenderness be damned!
His eyes really ARE that icy blue up close; he really IS that intense & charismatic & perpetually in motion (& thus hard to photograph)... But I tried my best!
Out of many photos of other people's phones in the dark with a spotlighted blur of Hugh, I *did* finally get 2 decent pics.
I am totally going to see Headstones next time they're in Buffalo. Or Niagara.
I was already a huge fan. Now I am a CONVERT to their live shows. And next time, I'm taking Ride_4ever with me!!
Also long overdue: recap of my 2017 ficcing... eventually. It was surprisingly productive despite months of PT/OT for lateral epicondylitis & carpal tunnel of the R forearm from Oct. 2016 through June 2017. I even Big Banged in addition to the dSSS. Go, me.
This entry was originally posted at https://verushka70.dreamwidth.org/86151.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
10+ years ago (14, to be exact), I told myself I'd go back to Amsterdam for my 50th birthday. But a year ago it became obvious that wasn't going to happen. Nor was an island vacation of any kind, which was what I told myself I'd do when it began to seem obvious Amsterdam wouldn't happen, or if it did, I'd be going alone instead of with at least *one* friend who was with the first time.
For a variety of other reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture (including trying to save $$ for a down payment on a home), I kept scaling down my expectations & being super busy & procrastinating until it was really too late to do anything major.
Then the Headstones added two dates to their Little Army tour. Two dates in the US (my passport's expired as well as lost in my apartment). In Buffalo: December 8 & 9.
THIS, I thought, will be my present to myself, my mini celebration for making it to 50. Only problem: no one could go with me, d/t the timing, conflicting stuff, lack of interest among family/friends (except Ride_4ever, who couldn't go this time.
So I flew to Buffalo alone & embarked on my adventure solo... & I met a lot of nice people at the hostel two doors down from the venue (how convenient is that!).
And it was a great present to myself. I, unlike many other Chicagoans (tourists...), LOVE SNOW! And winter! My favorite season after autumn! A winter storm watch & weather advisory was in force almost the entire time I was in Buffalo, it was beautifully snowy, & I tramped all around downtown Buffalo in it. It was cold & I was warmly dressed in layers & It was utterly lovely. It was the way Chicago winters used to be.
But. THE HEADSTONES. LIVE!! It's not like I didn't already love them; I did! I already had the new CD, which I think is one of their best albums. Plus Hugh's solo stuff.
But dear fucking god, what a live show! TWICE!! Hugh coming out into the crowd several times each night! I was so close the second night (I scoped the good spots the first night), he accidentally elbowed me in the breast! I didn't care, perimenopausal tenderness be damned!
His eyes really ARE that icy blue up close; he really IS that intense & charismatic & perpetually in motion (& thus hard to photograph)... But I tried my best!
Out of many photos of other people's phones in the dark with a spotlighted blur of Hugh, I *did* finally get 2 decent pics.
I am totally going to see Headstones next time they're in Buffalo. Or Niagara.
I was already a huge fan. Now I am a CONVERT to their live shows. And next time, I'm taking Ride_4ever with me!!
Also long overdue: recap of my 2017 ficcing... eventually. It was surprisingly productive despite months of PT/OT for lateral epicondylitis & carpal tunnel of the R forearm from Oct. 2016 through June 2017. I even Big Banged in addition to the dSSS. Go, me.
This entry was originally posted at https://verushka70.dreamwidth.org/86151.html. Please comment there using OpenID.