AS MY NOSE GENTLY BLEEDS

I heard that John Legend's going to be kicking off his Spring North American tour out here in Irvine on April 3rd. Of course by the time I remembered to buy tickets, it was a full 24 hours after they were released to the public. Which means I'll be sitting as far back as physically possible -- not only will I be watching in the last seats of the last row, it looks like I'll be huddled up in a corner as well.

I could have gotten better seats, I suppose, but I would have had to pay at least four times what they are actually worth. There are all these companies (not to mention folks on eBay and the like) who manage to buy tickets the moment they're available and then turn around and sell them for much, much more. But I'm not playing that game, I've decided -- so I purchased my tickets directly and therefore have the crappiest seats available that night.

Fortunately I'm there to listen to Legend, not watch him juggle or strip or breakdance. (Still, I think he's a bit of a cutie and I wouldn't mind seeing him a bit closer up.) All I'm saying is that the Bren Events Center's sound system had better be phenomenal, that's all. Because otherwise I'm going to be tossing my soda cups at all the people in the good seats, the ones who didn't pay actual ticket prices, for keeping this rip-off practice thriving.

What I'm really hoping for is that the folks seated near me are real fans as well, and don't ruin things by chatting away as the man performs. Otherwise there's going to be lots of blood spilled -- and, no, it won't be mine, or a result of my being perched in nosebleed seats either.

Don't think I'm making idle threats here: my friends once had to restrain me from attacking a group of sorority girls with a pen. See, Steely Dan had just gotten back together and this was a can't-miss concert, one we'd anticipated and planned for so long. But the girls, who were seated right behind us, seemed to be oblivious to the weight of the occasion and wouldn't stop gossiping and laughing loudly. Any music fan would have understood my resorting to violence to stop the madness -- especially anyone who's ever been ticked off and also stoned from second-hand smoke (it was like someone set fire to a marijuana plantation over there that night). I'm hoping that this time, I'll be high from the music and nothing else. And, yeah, for sure I'll also be high, high up in the sky as well. Literally.

Comments

[frayed]

I went to see steely dan during one of their reunions in 94. We were way out in the grassy part past the stadium but was happy to be among these hippy families, kids rolling around. It looked more like a Sunday picnic (and believe me, I am a Steely Dan fan - even my HS yearbook saying was from them) but I was fine. I guess that was better than giggly girls who didn't get it.

I remember entering with a thermos of vodka. The ticket guy opened it, took a whiff and said, "smells like water to me" with a wink.

[Dennis]

American Express at Ticketmaster will always get you better seats. You can even get tickets before they become available to the public. John Legend though?

[Gigi]

Frayed - Geez, my friends and I must have been so wholesome compared to the rest of the crowd. All we brought were picnic sandwiches and sodas (allowed at Universal Amphitheater). Everyone else brought weed and rolling paper. And maybe Vodka. :) Which line(s) from which song did you quote in our yearbook?

Dennis - Really? I thought the only way to get advanced tickets was to sign up for the "John Legend Fan Club" at $30/year. I'm a fan all right, but I'm not paying for the privilege, you know? I heard Corinne Bailey Rae was joining him on tour, but I don't know if she's doing so for his CA gigs (but I wish). Too bad I didn't know about the AMEX thing -- I even used mine to pay for the tickets. Thanks for the info -- will check it out next time! (PS: Why not John Legend? :) )

[bugsybee]

I envy you Gigi! Will be waiting for your post about this.

[Julianne]

G-
I wish you had called me. I'd love to see John Legend.
I've got myself signed up for Ticketmaster updates on Corrine Bailey Rae concerts. She's perfoming in LA and San Diego in July.

[Julianne]

BTW I'm going to see "Wicked" this weekend at the Pantages:) My bookclub friends and I are going for sushi and then the show. I'm so excited!
Are we still on for Saturday?

[Gigi]

Julianne - I'm trying to figure out if she will be performing with Legend at UCI. Some sites say she is, others don't mention her at all. By the way, do you want to come with me on the 3rd? The hubby's not into their kind of music and I have two tickets. I'll email you!

[frayed]

"If you're feeling lucky
you best not refuse
It's your game, the rules are your own win or lose"
D.Fagen/W.Becker

from "Your Gold Teeth II" on Katy Lied album.

[petite]

wow, john legend! truth be told, i just heard him sing and play the piano for the first time a few days ago, during "ellen" (which we watch because it's right before the news - haha, defensive). anyway, john legend was singing "where did my baby go?" and i just stopped in my tracks. his voice is amazing! and to think he's only 29!

btw, regarding advanced sales: we were waiting and watching for "the police" concert tickets to come on sale ever since we heard they were doing a reunion tour. we got them through the best buy rewards program pre-sale promo. that was a good thing, because the other seats in our row are now selling for 3 or 4 times the amount we paid for them. so yeah, pre-public-sale promos are a good deal. :-)

[delish]

and to borrow my sister's fave expression: ADIK!

but i can't really fault you, i also adore John Legend! :)

[DatuPanot]

gigi,

nosebleed seats are known for the area where the herb is passed around. sorry to hear about your exposure to second-hand smoke. that was a little rude of them to smoke around people. they should have baked it in brownies instead !!

have you wondered how they came up with the "steely dan" name for the band? hahaha

dp

[Bushido (aka BlueEagle)]

see, "pacifist" doesn't always necessarily refer to one who eschews violence. it could mean someone who's originally from the pacific.

from corny pinoy humor file #3,212,001

[Gigi]

Hi Bugsybee - Sorry I didn't reply to your message -- for some reason I didn't see it until now! Yes, I will definitely post about the concert.

Frayed - Good one! I must be old because I don't remember this. I remember P's was from a Lennon song...also don't remember which one. Was it from "Imagine"? PS: I don't even remember what my quote was...I need to borrow yearbook so I can see if it ended up having any relevance to my life.

Petite - You got Police tickets???? What???? Oh man, the nearest I got to hearing them live was the time Andy Sumners left a voicemail on my former neighbor's answering machine complimenting her on her work. We kept playing it over and over and giggling like mad. Okay, so maybe it's nothing close to watching the group perform live, but it was a thrill nonetheless. :)

Delish - ADIK talaga! Can't wait!

DatuPanot - Didn't they get their name from "Naked Lunch" -- from the, uh (wink wink). :)

BlueEagle - I just bet somewhere out there someone thinks your definition is true. :)

[DatuPanot]

gigi,

i'm so sorry i'm not familiar with "naked lunch". is that a new group(?), if it is,then it shows that i'm really detached from today's music. i'm more in tune with steely dan because that's the music i grew up with. steely dan got its name from ...ehem....
an electronic gadget, contraption,
tool(?), apparatus, well you get the drift.....

dp

[Gigi]

Hi dp - Yep, that's it then! "Naked Lunch" is a book by William Burroughs (adapted into a movie in the '90s, if I remember correctly). So the band was named after a dildo (okay, I decided to call a spade a spade -- or maybe I should say "tool" or "toy" eh?) mentioned in the book.