Once a geek, always a geek

OK, anyone that knows me knows I adore one particular band. We're talking crazy obsession here (but of course, not in a stalker way, that would be weird).

Barenaked Ladies have been a part of my life since college. When I was interning at 107.9 The End in Cleveland, one of the morning show co-hosts (wat up Tobin!) introduced me to those wacky Canadians and it's been ear-love ever since. Plus, I've always had this tiny little crush an appreciation for the witty lyrics of Ed Robertson, the lead singer.

BNL have been with me through a few boyfriends, their songs played exclusively as dinner music during my wedding, and they even made an appearance in my delivery room (c/o iTunes of course). Needless to say, they have been an important influence and support system in my life.

Here is me and Ed on August 31^st, 1997. No, I don't have great memory or record keeping, I just know when I got home from the show it was all over the news that Princess Diana was in a car crash.

Yes, I was a HUUUGE geek. I even brought all the band members their very own macaroni necklaces. The necklaces were awful but they were gonna be my way to approach the band members and break the ice to get a conversation started. This is the first time I ran into what I now call 'BNL breakdown'. It seems when I get into a room with these guys, my brain overloads and I wind up a blithering idiot. Instead of asking pertinent questions about themselves or the albums, I always wind up talking about how I'm freaking out in front of them. I literally start to shake and my brain goes numb. The band members are always nice and welcoming, but they have to think I'm a spazz who they should prolly look into a restraining order about. My husband has been with me enough times that he just shakes his head and laughs. He usually has big, funny conversations with the BNL guys and I'm always extremely jealous but as he always explains, they are just guys. For some reason, I cannot compute.

This is my BNL wall. It is comprised of a few BNL items I've collected over the years. I wish I had taken better care of my BNL related paraphernalia…I have such a poor memory I can't even tell you how many shows I've been to. I can tell you the best one was a general admission show in Pittsburgh in '97 and I travelled to NY to watch them usher in the new millennium (but this geek had to take her brother to that show) and there are shows I remember from Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and of course Cleveland that were amazing. But, it all starts to bleed together. I'm pretty sure I saw them in Columbus, Toledo, and in Akron, but I might be lying. Oh well…anytime I have seen them, it's been a good time. And I've been very fortunate to have met them at all.

So, when I heard they were coming to Davenport…a short 1 ½ hour drive…for a Sunday night show, I bought tickets. I was disappointed I could no longer afford to be in their fan club (hey, a stay-at-home-mom's gotta do what a stay-at-home-mom's gotta do) thus goodbye good seating and possible meet and greets and hello regular BNL masses. But I was very excited to be going to a show.

Then an amazing thing happened. When you are known for loving one band, the awesome part is people call you when they hear about that band. Friends I hadn't heard from in eons were texting me to see when the new BNL album dropped and certain radio program directors called me to ask if I wanted tickets. Full disclosure, I have a very nice life and very wonderful friends.

So, I was lucky enough to meet them again, and I had my usual BNL breakdown and life was incredible. I forgot how much I had missed their live shows. I would recommend them to ANYONE.

Oh, one last thing. I knew enough about myself to know that my hysterical-ness is not particularly prone to being able to converse, so I wrote them a small note to thank them for their music. Yes, once a geek, always a geek. In my panicked haze I almost forgot to give it to them, but luckily Ed came around last and my husband nudged me to throw it his way.

And that letter just so happened to include this blog address. So, if you ever happen to read this Ed, Jim, Kevin, or Tyler, thank you. You guys rock…errr…rock on…errr…geez, I really AM a geek!

P.S.  OK, I've spent far too long on the computer this morning but I learned two things:  1) My husband's fav song and my fav song were both played at the BNL show the night before, so we came up a day late and a dollar short on that one...still a great show; and 2) There is photographic evidence of Ed reading (or at least skimming) my letter.  I can die happy.  http://gallery.tourphotographer.com/p/20100516_bnl_davenport/20100516_bnl_davenport_0105_55_35

P.P.S. I heard they do a lot of private and corporate events.  Coincidentally, I am starting a fund, feel free to donate to the charity henceforth known as "Laura's 50th birthday party starring Barenaked Ladies."  The event will be in approximately 15 years so mark your calendar and please donate early and often!  Thank you.