Tonight was my first and favorite experience! What an adventure lol
I sat in traffic for about 2 hours on the way in, which wasn't too bad because I was so excited bumping tripolar in my car that I didn't really care. I got in and thought I found an awesome parking spot, swiped my debit card in the meter thing and started walking to the venue, only to look at my receipt and realize it was only 1 hour parking! Sprinted back to my car, almost knocked a couple people over, and pulled into the parking garage across from the Fillmore. I was REALLY low on cash at this point, so on my way in I glanced at the sign and saw that parking was $27. Took a quick peek in my wallet, saw I had enough (or so I thought) and gave my key to the attendant. Waited on line at will call with 4 other people who asked me if Flyleaf was playing. I told them no, SP was and the dude said "oh that sucks I wanted to see the flyleaf girl" I told him to just wait and watch for SP's bassist. He asked why and I just said "you'll see"
Got into the venue, got an awesome spot right up front about 3 ft from the barricade on Emma's side and waited. Saw the opening band who I hadn't heard of but was pretty good. The bass player of that band (their name is escaping me right now) had his bass go out mid-song and was noticably upset about it. Being a bassist, I felt really bad for the guy.
SP's crew started setting up and I was practically jumping out of my skin. I had a really rough few weeks and was mentally and physically stressed out and drained, and was really looking forward to seeing them and kind of letting it all out. They had a projection screen playing some stuff to entertain people during the break, but I saw Mark checking his own drums hiding in a hoodie lol. As soon as the band walked on stage I was almost shaking. I've seen a lot of shows, but never this close up and never in such an intimate setting. The bands I like generally play large venues and I've never been so close to a band I love while they performed. It was phenominal. They were just as good as everyone has said, if not better. Great crowd interaction and an amazing sound. I love Emma's bass tone. Very heavy yet still clear. I'm also in awe of her slap skills. I just watched her right hand flying all over the place- it was hypnotizing. I sang (yelled) along to every song and felt extremely connected. It was such a positive vibe and with every song I felt less and less stressed, and more enveloped in the performance.
After the show I squeezed through the crowd to go meet them. I waited online as they came around with the mailing list, I was gonna sign it til I realized I was already on it lol. I was hoping to get my ticket signed by the band and then get emma to sign my bass pick. I wanted to tell each one of them something- Shim how I loved his lyrics and the feeling he sings with, Emma how much she influenced my bass playing, and Mark how much I appreciated his awesome drum sound. I had it all planned out... aaaaaand then I choked
I couldn't get words to come out when I handed shim my ticket and he passed it along. The only words I could manage were to Emma when I meekly asked "Can you sign my bass pick Emma?" I felt like a 4 year old asking for more ice cream
Even though I didn't get to tell them all that i wanted to, I was flying high with my autographed ticket and pick, and headed out of the venue back to the parking garage (I'm not a big chevelle fan so I bounced after SP)
Get to the garage, hand the guy at the desk my ticket, and find out that I forgot to plan on tax in the price to park. I was $4 short in cash, and didn't bring my credit cards with me just in case I lost my wallet or something jumping around. I almost had a nervous breakdown. I asked the guy if I could have someone call in a credit card to him and he said no because it has to be swiped in person. I felt like I was going to cry and have a heart attack at the same time, and I guess the guy noticed, because he actually took $4 out of his own pocket and said "You owe me!" I wanted to hug the guy lol I must've thanked him about 8 times in 30 seconds.
Got my car and headed home. Not a bit of traffic, but it was starting to snow. More like half frozen rain. Got through the tunnel, down 495 and onto the cross island pkwy without the slightest delay, bumping SP and loving life. Then I took the exit ramp from the Cross Island to the Southern state and hit a wet or frozen spot on the ramp. (For those of you who aren't familiar with this road, the exit/entrance ramp onto the southern state parkway is basically a full circle, and it bends really drastically at times. I wasn't even driving fast but I lost control of my Jeep and started skidding toward the concrete barrier that separated the ramp from the woods/other roads. I slammed on my brakes and thought for sure I was about to crash, and came to a screeching halt literally 4-6 inches from the wall. My driver's side mirror was actually positioned over the top of the barrier. Luckily there was no one else on the ramp when this happened or I would've gotten in an accident for sure. I caught my breath and proceeded to drive at about 30 mph the rest of the way home. As if my heart wasn't already pumping I had to go and almost crash and scare the crap outta myself
In the end I got home safe, all is well and now I have a story or 2 to go along with my first SP show!
Here's a few pics. I didn't take too many but I got a couple shots of emma and of course my autographs
I wanna put the pick on my necklace and replace the regular one I have on there now, but I'm scared the autograph will rub off. Then I wanted to glue it to the headstock of my bass, but I'm scared it'll fall off during a show and get lost.
) and she dared me to tell Shim
but it was a good thing I was 17 at the time 
BUT I'm about to be 20 in May and if they come back to Philly (they came twice broke for the first time, 21+ for the second time), the offer still on the table... 
just kidding of course...no i'm not 
