Good Times

Aaaaaah!  To have internet access again. . .I never realized how co-dependent I was on my computer.  I have a very unhealthy relationship with my Macbook Pro.  Well, I can finally process my night of pure ecstatic pleasure.  Nine Inch Nails played an amazing set at the Toyota Center in Houston on August 16th.  It was indescribably amazing.  I bought by tickets presale, and these tickets were actually pretty.  They had a nice visual piece, not just the Ticketmaster generic look.  My name was also on the ticket--did a lot for my fragile ego.  I was a few rows from the stage initially.  When NIN came out, initially playing "999,999" and then blasting into "1,000,000", I was completely enthralled to be so close.  Then, the mosh pit caved in upon me, practically suffocating me.  These huge, hairy, sweaty mammoths were all over the place.  The multiplied and descended in full-force upon the front of the stage.  I had to fight them off from all ends, like Mortal Kombat.  Of course, I had to dodge the occasional body surfer, attempting to make a statement, flipping the bird at the security dudes in the front.  Finally, after fighting through these enormous, sweaty, stinky monsters, I made it to the front of the stage, and it was all good from there.  The stage set was stunning, with the screens, lights, and arrangement of the band members.  I was in front of Justin Meldel-Johnsen, the bassist for the band.  Trent Reznor and I had a few moments--we made eye contact. . .especially when he sang the chorus to "Closer".  NIN played for 2 hours, showering fans with a variety of songs spanning the twenty-year career.  This was my first real mosh-pit experience, at the ripe old age of 35 years.  It was the most amazing experience for me.  After my obsessive-compulsive inhibitions slowly dropped, I realized that yes, there were gross guys sweating on me and I was touching people/people were touching me inappropriately.  However, it didn't even matter.  I guess I could summarize the experience in the form of a Mastercard commercial:

1.  The NIN ticket through the fan presale: $55.00

2.  The cheese pizza my friend and I ate before, from Star Pizza: $12.00

3.  The parking in the Toyota Center: $10.00

4.  The watch I lost in the mosh-pit, given to me by one of my crazy cousins, purchased in Germany: $50.00 (I'm guessing 25 euros)

5.  The earring I lost in the mosh-pit: $2.00

6.  The bruise on my arm and my sore left shoulder: don't know, but, my shoulder hurt for a couple of days, I guess I really am getting old.

7.  Being in front of the stage while my favorite band and my ultimate rockstar fantasy boyfriend/husband is bringing my favorite songs to life, and being able to sing along: priceless.