BY KELLY
What a RUSH!
Not a unique title but an accurate one. It all begins, for me, upon arrival at the St. Louis Airport on Friday, June 11th, 2004. The parking lot attendant stops my Big Red Van to search for…who knows what they are really looking for. After an “OK,” he signals for me to proceed. Pulling up to the automatic ticket dispenser I hear “click” as the ticket is produced. This “click,” this single piece of noise, is the snap of my last nerve. Needles at my nerve ends crawl like spiders on my skin
Blood rushes hot throughout my whole body. I begin to think about what I am really doing. I shake. I am picking up a stranger. Not really, but really. I’m having Cliff, a fellow Rush-head, stay at my house AND driving across three states for two RUSH concerts with him. I can’t pretend a stranger is a long awaited friend.
Being a long time RUSH fan with eight previous shows under my belt, I know RUSH fans are one-of-a-kind. We are bonded and bound by a band. We think a certain way having heard the lyrics and felt the rhythms of the Canadian band. Traveling to shows across the country, I have slept in airports, been offered rides, cigarettes, food, and pot by fellow Rushians. I have accepted “cutting in line” because of a Presto t-shirt I was wearing. So there is a certain trust (we will see Cliff’s trust falter later) - a certain je ne sais qua.
I find a parking spot large enough for the Big Red Van. Yet stopping the van does not stop my racing heart. In fact, I now hear it thumping louder than usual in my ears. A deep breath and I check the girl before the mirror appraising my disguise. “No one will know I am scared. After all, I am smiling and looking pretty happy.”
In the airport I see other people greeting family and friends they have not seen in a while. What will it be like for US? The shaking is getting worse. Perspiring! Talking to myself. Thinking again and again I can’t pretend a stranger is a long-awaited friend. Pacing. Finally, the moment! I see him. Yup, it’s him. My feet move without my asking them to (probably part of the shaking). I head toward him because he does not see me yet. He is clenching his lips tight until eye contact. A moment of glory! Smiles. Knowing smiles. Both of us. He grabs me up in his arms and notices my shaking (7.5 on the Richter scale). When he sets me down he asks, “How are you?” I think I said, “How are you?” Who can remember…I was a MESS. What a rush!
Cliff had carried on his entire luggage so we when straight away to the Big Red Van.. I toted his carry-on so we could hold hands. My nerves needed that. You know how complex women are. At the van we decided it best to have a smoke before embarking on a journey just begun. We found some shade where there was a breeze on an otherwise hot day and I had my first Camel cigarette since………..ummmm, like 1985. I stared at him while he told me stories of his morning travel adventures.
Heading to Glen Carbon, the conversation was smooth and friendly. Finally, my Subdivision. Home! A quick tour of the homestead for the new guest who’s told, “Make yourself at home.” After a couple smokes on the back deck we decide we are hungry. Time for Kelly’s Sushi Bar! There he learns to make sushi (he did learn to roll his own California Rolls and really got the hang of it after two or three). I had all the fixin’s: salmon, crab, avocado, cucumber, vinegar powder, wasabi, yaki nori, soy sauce and rice.
While the rice cooked we watched The Matrix: Reloaded and ran downstairs for a couple of games of pool. Yes, Kelly’s Sushi Bar has a pool table! I beat him so many times he almost lost his appetite. Just kidding, Cliff NEVER looses his appetite.
For example, the next morning, he was ready to go to Denny’s for brunch. Good thing it was one mile away. We were starving. The hostess asked, “Smoking or non?” and the Southern Californian’s mouth dropped wide open. He had forgotten about being able to smoke in a restaurant (a privilege he will take advantage of later). So, not only did he enjoy his chicken-something sandwich with fries, but he also finished everything leftover on my plate.
After a brief nap at Kelly’s Casa, we are FINALLY off to the first RUSH concert at the UMB Bank Pavilion in Maryland Heights MO. During the 30 minute drive Cliff is re-reassurring me he will obtain tickets for this concert. You see, he has flown half way across the country for a show that he has no tickets for. He says, “trust to your instincts.”
What a rush! I have warned him repeatedly that this concert is the local radio station’s 36th Anniversary Party. My warnings fell on deaf ears because dreamers learn to steer by the stars. I had tried winning tickets through the radio station and I even called one of the directors at the radio station. I left a pleading, bleeding-heart voicemail message for “Tony”, but no tickets for Kelly the begging RUSH fan.
At the pavilion, Cliff jumps outta the Big Red Van like a ten year old at the Jersey Shore and heads for the ticket office. He stops and talks to some folks who are lying on the grass in front of the ticket office. I am invited to join their conversation and am pleased to be introduced to “S” and “P” AND the two “Rush-girls”. Cliff realizes we forgot to buy film for his camera (the one that he uses during the show). I volunteer to take the Big Red Van and run to the local gas station for his film. His simple request: a four pack of Fuji 200, 35mm, rolls of 24. Simple? HA! He gathers some things outta the van: water, wallet, and his vest
I’m off! Feeling like I shall save the day and return triumphant with the film. I just feel this sense of Mission. Here we go in slo-mo. First stop, the quickie mart right by the amphitheater. I can’t picture in my mind where the film is located in the store. Quick look around. No film. Go ask the clerk and low-and-behold right behind her…. Film! Aw man, only single packs of Kodak. No, that’s not what the man asked for. Think, think, think. Ah, the other gas station across Highway 70! Jump in and drive. Wind in my hair! The smell of hot metal and oil. Jump out. Ask the clerk for film. She shows me they only have …you guessed it…single packs of Kodak. Call his cell phone and ask if it is okay - especially since the film packs are $5 each. Ring, ring, ring. No answer. Okay, buy them but keep looking. Jump in the van. In my mind I am thinking of driving to St. Charles’ Wal-Mart to get the film. “It’s far but Cliff’s with his friends. They’ll be chatting and reminiscing and won’t know I’m not there. It’s 4:30 p.m. and the show doesn’t start for 3 and a half hours. Nah! Oh I know. Walgreen’s on Dorsett Road!!!!!!! YES!!! I am a genius. Won’t take 20 minutes!” Go, go, go! Speeding thru the 25 mph speed zone at Creve Coere Lake with its scented country air. I’m gonna get the man his film! Nobody’s Hero. Jump out at Walgreen’s. Film! A whole wall of film choices! Lady luck is golden! A four pack of Fuji 200, 35mm, rolls of 24. What a rush. I will go back to the gas station and get my money back for the Kodak film. Cliff probably does not even realize I’m still gone. Drive, drive, drive. Jump outta the van. Adrenalin Surge.
“Hey, clerk, thanks for your help before but these are the wrong rolls of film. Can I have my money back?” She says,” Let’s talk to the assistant manager.” Yeah, I got my $25 bucks back. Well, as you can see by the length of this paragraph, a lot of time has gone by. This is the part where Cliff looses his faith in a fellow RUSH fan because at this very moment he is having a near panic-attack and feels I have abandoned him at the concert.
Poor guy. It got worse. I raced back to the UMB Bank Pavilion and could not get into the parking lot because it did not open until 6 p.m. and it was only 5:35. So I got in line with the others who where waiting to get into the parking lot. Wait, wait, wait. During this time I did get to hear the sound check echoing over the amphitheater walls. That got me really pumped up and really hoping Cliff had gotten us good tickets. Gates opened, got a beautiful parking spot right near the exit. Walk all the way up to the box office and…boy did I get it! The drill! Like a dad talking to his daughter who came in late from a date!
“Reer”, “reer”, “reeeeer!” “Where the hell were you?” Blew my heroic, ingenious, film run into oblivion. But she’s Nobody’s Hero. Not a Mood Lifter. What a rush! And you know I don’t want to hurt his feelings. You Bet Your Life.
I had a smoke and a Lemon Propel that I brought from the van. Another hot and sticky evening. That’s when I meet Reynaldo. An ambivalent, aloof, strange sorta fellow. Kept to himself mostly and hung around trash cans. A scruffy, yet not knappy, frazzled, road-tired, CAT. Always looks like he’s stoned or just got outta bed. His face constantly begs, “Why Are We Here?” His moods were hard to negotiate so I waited several minutes before introducing myself. I waited until “S” was petting him and asked to be introduced. He seemed unimpressed with my firm petting. So I left him alone. It seemed he wanted nothing to do with meor any of us. His luck and patience wearing thinner as it neared 8 p.m. Cliff, “S”, Reynaldo and I grabbed some lawn seats at the last minute.
Inside, “S” and Reynaldo took a break and got a beer. Jman2112 and I scrambled to the top of the stairs to find a pretty good view of Alex’s side of the stage. The music had started and Cliff’s body language was screaming, Anywhere, Anywhere But Here.
After unfolding our blanket, I put Cliff down in his lawn seat. I got the impression he was beside himself. I gave him all of my “The Cup is Half Full” speeches. Then I chose to sit quietly and think of a new approach. Food! The guy loves food! We hadn’t eaten since Denny’s. Just then “S” and Reynaldo showed up. They stayed with the blanket while we searched in the dark for sustenance.
We return with Nachos, soda, and a BBQ sandwich for all to share. “S” and I shared nachos. Cliff and Reynaldo shared BBQ. After intermission, “S” mumbled something and rambled off. He unknowingly left Reynaldo with us. Cliff and I let him stay, but he had to turn his back while the band played “Secret Touch”! I HAD to do something to make Cliff less anxious and restless. He was Bound Up and Wound Up So Tight. But I got him loose!!! His snap, zipper and belt too! What a RUSH!
Cliff’s mood was much better after the show (of hands), so we decided to visit a local watering hole back in the Metro East. The margaritas were a splash, literally. The bartender, Suzie, spilled it all over her lap! One drink and we were both ready to go home.
We decided it was okay for Reynaldo to crash at my place and catch a ride with us to Kansas City. En route we enjoyed good food, good laughs, and good driving. Cliff drove us into to the parking lot at Verizon Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, KS. at precisely 6:01 p.m. We eluded the eye of security and snuck Cliff’s camera into the concert. He better! After all…
Walking through the crowd, I was one step behind Jman2112. I was handing out his business cards left and right. Anyone who looked at his vest, Boom. “Here, go check out his website!” Boom. “Here’s one for your friend.” Boom. It was crazy fun.
What happened next was The Revelation. Following Cliff thru the crowd, I looked up to notice we are going closer and closer to the stage. Down, past the ticket checker guy. Down, past many, many rows of people. “Oh yeah! 6th row!” Down, until it feels like there is no one between you and the security barrier. Hang a right down isle F! “HERE? HERE? This is where I’m going to stand when Neil, Alex and Geddy walk out on stage????”
I know my knees buckled (flash back to the airport). Close! This is REEEEEALLY close. I look around apprehensively. Should I be here? This close? Am I a big enough Rush fan to sit right in the lap of the band? I look around. Everyone else seems to be VERY comfortable with their seats. Therefore I should be too. OK = resolve. But when the lights go out for the show, and Rush comes out on stage, I was Losing It!!! They were right there! Like 40 feet from me! No way! Yup, Geddy is looking into the crowd and looking right at us! The drum kit is right there! I can see Neil’s eyes! The videos! The lasers! The quality of sound! The music. The people. The Drum solo-ooooo!! Alex’s rant: when you’re close enough to see him roll his eyes! Reading Geddy’s lips as he talks to the first row. I turned around and viewed all the people behind us. I will never go back. Never! Forget the lawn seats. Forget row NN (my seats at my last Rush show). You know what? Forget row N. YEAH! Because we were row F!! 6th row baby! WHAT A RUSH!!!
After this incredible experience, we leave the amphitheater and float across the parking lot to the Big Red Van. Smiling from ear to ear and humming leftover lines from the encore of the night – Limelight - I turn the van into traffic. Everyone’s car windows are open so you can hear their chosen Rush tunes. A melody in itself, created as cars pass us and as we pass cars. Different songs, different rhythms, different volumes created a blurred song. And maybe it was that song that distracted me because pretty soon we were lost. Reynaldo got us straightened out. The savvy traveler said, “Ask for directions!” Thank God for small felines.
Our ears were still ringing as we made a “midnight drive-thru” at Mickey-D’s. We crashed in a hotel room, not on the floor of an airport. In the morning, Cliff’s endless hunger dictated Kansas City BBQ. You can’t go to KC and not have BBQ! The Arrow on a Moving Target. We found the Smoke Shack Café en route to the airport.
Ah…. the airport. The worst part of the trip. Saying good-bye. I had gotten to know this guy (hours of conversation), this fellow Rush fan (probably one of the top five in the nation), and we had bonded (sushi, at my home, on the lawn, at the hotel, Reynaldo, in the 6th row). A Touch of Grace. Hugging him in the van I could feel my heart strings attach to his and a feeling of Natural Science between us.
But all around me visions of my real world started re-introducing itself. Our RUSH weekend had come to an end – The Bell Tolls For You - with a text message saying he was boarding the plane. That’s how it ended, for me, departing the Kansas City Airport in the Big Red Van on Monday, June 14th.
What a Rush.