Experience(s) of a Lifetime

How do you define an experience of a lifetime?

I suppose there are different categories: weddings, births, landing a career- defining role. There are special events like proms and concerts. Sometimes "experience of a lifetime" is just a phrase. If you checked-in to Bring Back Glam! over the weekend, then you probably know that I was in Philadelphia to see George Michael. That concert was 13 years in the making for me - and yes, it was an experience of a lifetime.

You notice I didn't use the quantifier "the." After all, there is no way any of us can possibly know the single event that will define an entire lifetime. That's decided by someone else, much older, much wiser, much more important.

Thirteen years is a long time to wait for anything, let alone a concert.

My love for George Michael is pretty bizarre considering I spend 99% of my time listening to Glam or Metal. That other 1% is reserved for George. I don't like much pop music and I can't stand rap but I've listened to George for years and years. I can remember listening to his music while writing papers when I was an undergraduate. I did the same when I was a graduate student. I've listened to George through my headphones at each of my frustrating, "real-world" jobs.

Finally seeing George Michael in concert Saturday night was an experience of a lifetime - a truly magical experience. Perhaps one of the best concerts I've ever seen. I was actually *nervous * for George before the concert. Yes, I'm one of the few that still get a stomach flutter when the lights gown down and the band starts to play, signaling the start of the show. All those years of expectations are a lot for anyone to live up to - how could George be as good as I imagined? I don't have an answer, but he was - and that's the point. Sometimes, things we wait the better part of a lifetime for disappoint us - then, in rare instances, our expectations are met - and surpassed.

I love concerts where my expectations are exceeded. Quite frankly, it doesn't happen very often. Van Halen met (but did not exceed) my expectations on the recent reunion tour. Kix more than exceeded my expectations at Rocklahoma. I love that rare moment when the artist and crowd become one.

Now that I've achieved my goal of seeing George Michael in concert, I need to look ahead to other life experiences. Top of the list is (naturally) Sweden Rock Festival as well as catching AC/DC live. I imagine watching AC/DC live is sort of like talking directly into the ear of God - if she exists.

**Tell me: what is the longest you've waited to see an artist/band in concert?

Comments

[Heather]

For those of you who want to dictate what is on this site, maybe you should start your own. This is Allyson's page.. and if she wants to write about George one day, good for her!
If you don't like it, don't read it. But don't ruin it for those who love this site and visit it every day.

[Drumbashing]

I saw The Police in Sydney on 24 Jan 08 after 14 years in waiting (I first heard message in the bottle back in college years on 1994 and fell in love with them instantly)