one forty plus: There’s a level of travel that you can achieve wherein you almost...
There’s a level of travel that you can achieve wherein you almost cease to exist as you have been known to yourself. I don’t mean it as in a feeling of meaningless, or emptiness, but a sort of new kind of existence takes place. You become just particles in motion, closer in frequency to a ghost or or something. You might think what I’m writing is crazy, and if you do, I suggest you grab a backpack and hit the road for a while. And when your body says it’s time to go home, don’t. Just keep going. I promise you there’s a high on the other side more memorable and beautiful than you can imagine.
This I think is the 4th time of reblogging, my FAVORITE Blog POST by John. After reading this, I really started thinking about where to visit him next. There was consideration of going to Europe but the decision was to remain state side. Inspired was the Level of Travel Experiment.
Where does it all begin though? Sitting in 30 Rock or somewhere prior? Maybe he’s Jimi and I was there too? My mother recently shared with me that she went to Woodstock when she was 18 years old so it all kind of makes sense. Neither John nor I were born yet. We are old souls who manage to keep re-uniting somehow someway. What else can explain why we move so well together?
When did it become abundantly clear that we have work to do? Glimpses were unveiled at the United Center and that sweet request afterward to anyone who reads the tour website prompted sending the event proposal for Millennium Park. Although I did not know for sure what level of consideration it had been given, the invite to Tumblr challenged me to suspend my disbelief long enough at least for an honest attempt at communicating. After probably two weeks of getting to know Tumblr and getting to know John in the process, there was one of those déjà vu moments from back in 2002. I remember visiting Moby’s Website and thinking that what he created was a safe environment for people who may not otherwise get to know each other pursue a relationship in its infancy. There were these visions of finding someone but having to spend time apart for whatever reason only to be reunited after assessing if a shared vision exists from a distance.
When John posted the photograph of the Sydney Opera House,
I knew he stole my heart. What a tease dangling it in front of my face from so far away like that. The seed was planted for the intention to be at as many shows as I could be starting with Jones Beach. By this time, we had some idea of how to motivate each other. I had started using Twitter and offered a heads up soon after arriving at the beach around 2pm for sound check, just in case he remembered my name. Wheel was touched upon so I had to give a shout out for that. Just before he did the backstage tour on Ustream, he asked tailgaters to turn on the location feature for our tweets. Then not long after out came the Ben & Jerry’s truck. Watching him interact with his fans offered a little picture of what he might encounter in his daily life. I’ve always wondered if people as widely recognized as he can go about typical day to day activities with some normalcy. Just before entering the gates, I cooled down enough to finally have some ice cream. No, John did not hand it to me but it was definitely the gesture on his part that made it taste so good.
Sometimes John plays for Mayer Fans and other times he plays more for Music Fans. Not that a person can’t be both but a continuum of fandom exists and he is well aware of what will appeal to individuals on any level of the spectrum. We were in for a treat when the rain started to come down during the first set. Although Covered in Rain was part of the set back in 2008 at Jones Beach, he chose to play it on this evening as well. That moment alone was worth the drive. During Waiting on the World to Change a young man named Avery was brought on stage after John had seen him dance and did he ever have the moves, so adorable. Being uncertain of how long the wait in the parking lot would be, I brought along some materials to make a sign. One of my favorite live recorded songs of John’s is In Your Atmosphere. On WHERE THE LIGHT IS, he plays an outro from which I chose the words for the sign “where ever you go”. I was able to show John the sign on his last pass by my vehicle in the B&J truck. Later Team JM posted on the Battle Studies Tour Website that the song was planned to be in the set list. I guess we were on the same page.
Jones Beach fell on a Wednesday and they were playing Today Show on Friday morning so I stuck around to visit some of my regular spots. Like many urban centers, there has been more big box development but many of the good elements have remained the same. New Yorkers get a bad rap for being unfriendly. People are people and with so many in one place, law of averages kicks in. Of course we will find more jerks but there are also many lovely individuals as well like the man on the Upper East Side who invited me to enjoy some coffee while he took care of his morning regulars.
Being that hotel rooms in Manhattan were sold out to anyone without a thousand dollars to drop for a bed, I waited until early afternoon on Thursday to check in. Once settled, exhaustion hit hard. Sometime during my nap, @mickmgmt sent out for replies to attend the Today Show. I replied too many times. With my archaic phone, I was uncertain of what was going through so later on my drive home I thanked Mick for tolerating the nervous energy and my unfamiliarity with that which is the Twitterverse. Pulling up to Rockefeller Center was a sight to see with swarms of people everywhere including lines that spanned for blocks. I found the contact in time to enter the main staging area but back by where musical acts are introduced on the South end. Many parents remained there as well because the closer one was to the stage, the more mosh pit like the crowd was. Once the show was over, I started to feel a sense of loss and the temptation to give up that John refers to in LOT.
Plenty of time remained to check out of the hotel and get out of town. While the thought of driving in Manhattan was scary, having the opportunity to do so at one in the morning earlier in the day made contending with taxis a bit easier. What should take ten minutes will likely take closer to thirty in terms of travel even via taxi so this should definitely be considered when attempting to get from point A to point B on the island. Striking me first at the hotel was the fresh fragrance immediately sensed in the lobby. Lilies are brought in weekly to provide this ambiance. I had to take pictures and was so excited about the arrangements, the bell hop cut off a branch and gave it to me upon departure.
On the way out of town I messaged John about heading home and almost convinced myself that I should just go but then You’ve Got to Be Starting Something was played on the radio. Scranton was on the way home practically so the decision was made. Finding a place to stay for the night was much easier. After checking in I got online to see what the ticket situation was and was provided a spot again close enough where a sign could be read from the stage. Of all the venues I have been to, Toyota Center at Montauk Mountain is probably the easiest to approach for someone who is unfamiliar with the area. This is a great spot too for families looking to make a day or a weekend trip. Scranton got one heck of a show as well with emphasis on new material. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room was outstanding, taking on a whole new meaning. Before the song reminded me more of breaking up but now I am feeling a sense of “forget about it, there’s no turning back, we’re falling”. The time came for John to read the signs. Free Fallin was chosen for a young girl in the front named Sarah. This was yet another sweet moment and reminder of how big John’s heart can be. Especially funny was when John was flirting with some young lady up close and her boyfriend vocally told him to back off using the words “that’s MY girlfriend!” Such the Romeo he can be. Many attempts were made to get up close but security was very insistent in keeping us where our tickets said we should be. That’s ok though, John could watch my booty as I walked up the aisle every time they came back to find me.
While the exuberance was astounding after seeing John’s face light up when he saw the sign again, a bit of disappointment was felt as well upon leaving. Every experience it seems lends itself to greater peaks and valleys that I look forward to. The next week was a rough one. Those radio broadcasts really helped though. Seems Body was on John’s mind because he played a flawless version for a radio promotion in Philadelphia and then another at the show in Cincinnati. Years ago, I remember the video being on MTV’s hit list. Had he been playing that song in the coffee shops during that time, he would have for sure had a regular in me. We would have made great study buddies too. Seems we like much of the same obscure metaphysical research.
Chicago was just too long to wait so when the day came for the show in Clarkston, Michigan I decided to check the Ticketmaster one more time around noon. Sure enough, a spot right around the 20th row again. I really like this vantage point because the whole stage can be seen without having to be looking around. Of course if the opportunity presents itself again to be up front, I would most certainly take it but either way is a win. Four hours of driving at that point seemed like child’s play. I brought the sign again. Being there was a whirlwind, arriving at the parking lot while Train was on stage. By this time, I had lost so much sleep that my memory of the show is scant but what stood out was experiencing for the first time War of My Life. John played this with so much passion, I knew he meant business. Tumbleweed Connection wrote one of the best reviews I’ve ever read. Rarely am I in agreement with an entire statement but I concur whole heartedly with this one.
After Michigan, it was back out East for the band. My sights were set on Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Although I did not have much hope for getting out there, my desire to be there must have been stronger. Chicago Winter 2010 encouraged seeking out where the hot spots for John and the band so hours upon hours were spent listening to shows on ARCHIVE, a non-profit library of digital media. SPAC performances stood out the most in shows from last five years. ACL 2003 though might be my favorite show that I did not attend. Momentum was building for SPAC as interpreted through reading the set lists provided by @mickmgmt, to whom I messaged a couple times before Saturday August 7th. That morning, I met a friend for coffee and then a yoga class at our friend Margo’s studio Vessel where the Buddha picture was taken. Relaxed from class, I jumped online from home and found a message via Mick that Stephanie had a front row ticket available. This is one of the only times I have responded for an offer without thinking twice about it. Reality that my bank account was dry surfaced in my mind. First I called my parents who were opposed to me driving to New York again. Then on to friends and family who just didn’t have it either. Finally I called my forever boyfriend. I say this because he has all the qualities of an exemplary boyfriend but just does not see an eternity with me. He is aware of this and with the funds at his discretion set me free. For this, I will always be grateful.
Knowing the city as a taxi driver does certainly helped in getting out of town quickly. Confirmation came that I had the ticket around 3pm. I was on the highway by 9:45pm in time to beat Lollapalooza traffic. LaSalle Street Bridge was in rubble after what looked to be an explosion for a movie production, maybe Transformers. Thankfully the timing of it all worked with me. Once on the road, it hit me that I was driving straight through the night for the second time. That Yaris has been terrific for these trips, especially entering the highway from rest areas East of Ohio. The last rest stop was so clean and quite busy so I did some handstands against my car to get the blood moving the other direction, grabbed a delicious turkey provolone on wheat, and cleaned up knowing that the exit for Saratoga was just about thirty more miles away. A+ on rest stop sandwiches in New York and Pennsylvania. On the way to Scranton I found a pastrami pepper jack on pumpernickel that was the best traditional style sandwich I’ve had in ages.
Upon reaching the exit, the fear of getting extremely lost on an unfamiliar mountain crept in. This is when I started Freaking Out but the road continued on eventually to the venue entrance. Reaching the destination at last was a relief. While waiting on the bench over by will call for Stephanie, @mickmgmt asked who was already in the lot. I responded that by some amazing miracle, the dream had come true but not in so many words. Mick then said SPAC is their favorite venue, more confirmation that following the heart, no matter how crazy it may seem is definitely worth it. We were in for a good show based on love for the environment alone. Stephanie arrived and we introduce ourselves. Panic took over when I saw the ticket was front row center. Going through my mind was being rejected at a most vulnerable time. Knowing that I was not in any place to be communicating with those around me, when my new friend went to wait at the gates, I found a quiet place under a tree to rest. Waiting nearby was a busload of school girls. When they headed toward the gates, I went back to the car to get situated for going inside. Still needing composure, I walked around the grounds and then laid down again on one of the park benches until hearing Train take the stage.
Once inside, I hit the restroom to wash up and put on the raspberry beret. Before heading to the pavilion, I stopped by AKOG to see how everyone was doing. One project being supported is a mission to build a solar powered well in Tanzania. Chris helped me find my way to the pavilion entrance after I made my donation. Finding the front proved to be challenging with the seats so tightly packed in. Train being so energetic and uplifting was thoroughly enjoyed by all around. As the crew turned over the stage, the next level of panic set in. I apologized to Steph for not being the best of concert going companions up to that point. She reassured me that once John and the band started playing, I would perk up. Oh so true indeed was she with that statement.
Our neighbors were fantastic. Stephanie was on her sixth show and the person standing one away to stage right was there for her 25th show. To my right were a dad and three young ladies who had lawn seats but were upgraded by surprise for their 1st John Mayer show. What a performance this was from beginning to end, allowing for the tradition of excellence at SPAC to continue. Four songs into the set, John busted out a rendition of Voodoo Child that reinforced a theory that the spirits of dead musicians live on through bodies whom are willing to absorb their presence for any given moment. This was followed up soon after by John playing In Your Atmosphere acoustically again only this time he was right in front of me to provoke those chills we love and look forward to.
One of the first questions I sent John via Tumblr was asking if he had ever experienced a Dave Matthews show from the lawn with somebody whom he shared a strong chemistry. Although I don’t remember exactly when the monologue took place, John spoke about what he would do if he could have his anonymity back for a day. He pretty much described what I proposed in the question. From this point on, I felt as though I was intoxicatedly floating but without having taken anything to make me that way. While our connection was seeming progressively more real, this exemplified the substance of our relationship. Heartbreak Warfare, Do You Know Me, Raspberry Beret, Good Love Is On the Way, was a stellar progression leading to the encore after which the band gathered for group photos. I can’t wait to see those shots when they surface.
On the drive home I thought about how to raise more money for AKOG through interactive initiatives which will hopefully pan out in some way, shape, or form. From our first communication, I emphasized awareness of knowing when to adapt the plans. Excitement gets the best of me at times and while some ideas presented may be feasible, having them come to fruition, is only as important as the core foundational purpose of simply being together. This whole Experience has been one for the ages from which I have learned that our bodies will do what we tell them to do if we want something bad enough, even if we do not know what that something is for sure at first go with it anyway paying attention to what serendipity presents, and the heart never lies.
