Jason loves to surprise me. One day a few weeks ago while I was on a walk with a friend, he busily scurried around to paint the nursery, then he patiently waited for me to go in there and notice, which was about 10 hours of waiting! (I would never have been able to wait that long!) Another morning, after talking the day before about the fact that Coldplay was coming to Chicago, he surprised me by sharing that he got us two tickets. (WOO HOO!) His love of surprises is a very childlike trait! And it’s sure fun to be on the receiving end.
The concert, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida Tour, was this last Tuesday at the United Center and to say it was awesome would be a huge understatement! What a delight to hear their distinctive tunes live… unbelievable! For those of you who’ve downloaded our recent magazine about music, you already know what Jason and I think of live music.
Not a surprise, it was a sold-out show. The crowd was eager. As we waited for the concert to start, Jason and I shared smiles and comments about a very cute couple in front of us to the left. They happened to be baby boomers, showing oodles of anticipation, literally sitting at the edge of their seats. They passed the time with their digital camera, taking turns reaching out an arm to capture both of them in that classic couple pose. Their enthusiasm was oozing.
Meanwhile, of the 24,000 people there, I was lucky enough to sit next to what must’ve been a relative of the Adultitis Guy. He was a Gen-Y’er, half the age of the couple in front of us. He was there with his girlfriend and although he didn’t seem unhappy to be there, his true colors were soon to shine when Chris Martin took the stage.
Here’s how it went down. The concert started with the acoustic tune Life In Technicolor. Everyone screamed… and immediately the woman in front of us jumped anxiously to her feet, screaming and cheering with her hands in the air. She was pumped! (As were we!) This was the moment we all had been waiting for (especially through two very horrific opening acts). Except for a few slow songs, in which everyone around us sat for a rest, the woman ahead of us stood for about 90% of the concert, much to the chagrin of my neighbor to the left. He sulked, sighed, shook his head, shrugged his shoulders, and spent much of his energy being distracted. In his defense, her standing prevented him from seeing the stage, but there was one very simple solution. So badly I wanted to turn to him and say, “Buddy, let it go and stand up, already. You’re at a rock concert for Pete’s sake! Live a little!”
Doesn’t it all come down to your attitude? I’m sure his concert was somewhat, if not totally, ruined because of this childlike woman who seemed to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of each chorus and hook. Such a shame to pay so much money and end up pouting… what a childish display!
In life, circumstances are often out of your control, but wisdom and peace is found when you make the effort to change your attitude. I wish, for his sake, that this 20-something would’ve had the perspective to do so.
This whole display reminded me of how unimportant age really is. It means nothing! It’s all about your attitude and actions, not how many candles cover your cake each year. Ironically, the wisdom to let go and be more childlike often comes with age.
I want to die young at a ripe old age. -Ashley Montagu
I found a clip on YouTube of a song from our concert. Chris (the lead singer) often reminds me of the Charlie Brown dancers. His childlike movements are so much fun to watch! Enjoy…
I’m so jealous (in a good way) you got to see the show! I’ve had Viva la Vida on endless replay since it came out! I totally know what you mean, though. I think nearly every concert I’ve been to has a relative of Adultitis Guy there (scary how big that family might actually be). Most recently it was at R.E.M. in June at the UC. Usually he’s there with his “girlfriend” who is, by the way, enjoying herself just fine in spite of his burdensome presence. It just ends up making me wonder how they got together in the first place!