My July Day in Lehi...

Thanksgiving Point in Lehi really wasn't where I expected to be on July 17. I was all set to work for People for Christ ministries for the Know Hope Tour with Mark Stuart and Will McGuiness of Audio Adrenaline and company. I even had cases of water loaded into my car (and which are still sitting in my car as a matter of fact.)

I had been really looking forward to finally meeting Mark having heard a lot about him from an online friend, having seen Audio Adrenaline in concert several times, and reading his facebook entries. I have a lot of respect for him and the work he does with the Hands and Feet Project in Haiti.
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Unfortunately, there were not a lot of ticket presales (a common problem here) and the decision was made to cancel the show. I was disappointed to hear it.

On the other hand, I have been following a band called Over It for quite a while now and they had made a few changes and reformed as a band called Runner Runner. They were to open for Secondhand Serenade on July 17 and I was feeling badly about being unable to go. Runner Runner had come once or twice before recently, and the timing wasn't good then either.

So I did the obvious thing, and on hearing about the Know Hope Tour cancellation, I bought a ticket for the Secondhand Serenade show in Lehi. I also bought a ticket to see VOTA on the 18th in Springville. Then I questioned my sanity. Lehi is about 53 miles from my house, and Springville is a little farther down the highway. I figured I was going to be tired by the time the weekend ended.

Thursday night was the James Taylor/Carole King concert, Friday I expected to work, and then be furloughed. (As it turned out, I got a call that I was furloughed Thursday just as I was on my way out the door to work; so I didn't have to work Friday.) Saturday, I expected to leave for Thanksgiving Point early as it was a general admission concert. I had hoped to arrive by about 10 a.m. as I recalled some people arriving early last time Secondhand Serenade played a concert in the Salt Lake City area. As it turned out, I left later than planned and actually arrived at 11:15. When I arrived there was a dad, his two sons, and a girlfriend of one of the sons there already. We were it for a little while. We all had early entry tickets to the show. It would be a long wait, but it was really a beautiful day out and a great day to be outdoors. Last time I was at Thanksgiving Point it was to see Death Cab for Cutie and I had to wait through thunderstorms, and the show as an hour late. LOL The company was interesting, as the dad also has a cooking show, so we talked about that a little, as well as music, etc. It's fun getting to talk to people while waiting; and they kept my spot in line so that I could go to my car, to the restroom or over to take a photo of the sign.




A little bit later on, more people started to arrive. First a couple of gals waiting in the regular line (not early entry), and then a couple of young ladies joined us as well as another small group.

I thought I had come rather prepared camera-wise. I brought a small point and shoot with extra batteries and memory, my larger point and shoot (same), and my pro camera set up. Everything was charged and the memory had plenty of space. I intended to inquire about photography and what was and was not allowed before the show and I was prepared to go with anything from nothing to cell phone pics to point and shoot to pro. I might have left the pro stuff at home if I didn't know a few people involved with the show, so I brought it just in case.

So the day went on, and I probably drove people crazy talking too much. I ate the snack I brought along, put the trash in the car, plugged my phone in the car so that it would be well charged, etc.

I finally was able to ask someone about cameras, and she found out that point and shoots were okay, even my bigger one. So I was happy about that. I never thought to ask about DSLR's as I just didn't expect a pro camera to be allowed unless I saw someone and got a pass. About an hour before the show was to start, I ran into a friend who had a pass and was supposed to do a photo shoot for two of the bands. There was another gal there who was supposed to have a pass to interview Runner Runner for her website. Both of them had trouble getting things squared away and getting in. Neither of them were happy. In the course of conversation, one of the guys happened to seem surprised that I couldn't take my SLR in since he figured the bands were okay with it. So, I waited a little bit and then asked someone about the SLR. It took a while but she checked on it and said it would be okay, just no flash photography. I was totally fine with that. I really did emphasize that I just wanted to know what was okay before the gates opened as it didn't do me any good to pay for an early entry pass and wait all day if I had to go back to my car. Once hearing the good news, I went back to my car and traded out cameras. A little over an hour before the doors were to open, I decided to put the larger point and shoot away and not take in two cameras. I had my keys on a "bracelet" around my wrist, and in the process it fell off my wrist in the car, In other words, I locked my keys in the car. I carry an extra set in my tote, but it was now in the car as well. So I was locked out. I didn't even have my phone, so I had to borrow a phone in order to call someone to come and unlock my car. I was a bit stressed about the doors opening while I was still locked out, but I think God was smiling on me and the tow guy was on the way to tow someone else, my situation was quick and easy and on the way. So, I was able to get my car unlocked in time. Phew!!!

I was a tad frazzled, but safely back in my place in line before the doors opened. :)
One of the gals mentioned that I still had my tote bag (my purse) with me, and I had not planned to take it in, so I thanked her and locked it in the car, being really careful not to repeat the earlier scenario. What I had forgotten is that two of the extra batteries and extra memory were in my tote. I think that is called a Comedy of Errors. I think I could have written the play. But I wasn't aware of that little problem yet. I was beginning to feel relief, and the doors were about to open.

As I approached the table and handed my ticket, I was told I couldn't take my camera in. I wasn't too happy, a bit frazzled, and explained that I had just been told that I could. I asked if I could find my spot on the stage and bring it back. The guy relented. Then I saw the gal that told me it was okay, and she reiterated the fact that I could use it, but if I used flash I'd have to leave. So, I ran for the barricade and found a good spot. I didn't leave.

Again I killed time talking to people around me and waited for the show. I was a little shaky and hoped that would stop before Runner Runner came on stage. About the time Runner Runner was through setting up, I had settled down quite a bit.

Runner Runner's set was a lot of fun. They did a great job on stage, made it fun for everyone, and I know they made a lot of new fans. It was still somewhat light out, although the lighting was interesting and not as easy as I thought it might be.
The first camera battery wasn't fully charged, so I swapped out batteries to find the second that was fully charged wasn't holding a charge. It was then that I remembered where the extra batteries and memory were. So, I'm a bad Girl Scout, and I wasn't so prepared after all. Still, I really enjoyed Runner Runner's performance, and the other photographer with a pass snagged the set list for me. :) (I collect set lists.)





After what seemed an inordinately long set up time, White Tie Affair took the stage.
They hit the ground running. The gals who let me borrow their cell phone to call the auto club earlier, were there to see White Tie Affair, and they let me listen to one of their songs before the concert. I expected to really like them a lot, and I did. The language was a bit much for me at times, but the music was good. Chris (the lead singer) was all over the stage and came off the stage onto the barricade.
I had my camera resting on it and before I could move it he stepped over it. So, I tried to move it really fast so he didn't have to on the way back and smacked myself in the face. I had a little bit of a fat lip. I am soooooo co-ordinated. Then he jumped down before he got there anyway. I had to be a bit judicious with photos since I had little battery power, and not quite enough memory, among other things.
I didn't keep many of the White Tie Affair photos, since they weren't that sharp, and I had to conserve space, but I got a few passable shots.




After White Tie Affair was finished, I waited to see if I could spot a set list that might be available. I watched and waited and asked a stage hand. He actually was kind enough to jump down from the stage and hand it to me. Just as I had it in my hand, the gal next to me grabbed it and yanked hard taking it away. I guess I must have sounded pretty angry and pretty much told her no way and took it back. If I knew she was a huge fan (like that gals that let me borrow the phone) and she really wanted it, she could have asked. As it turns out, she didn't pay for her ticket and was there because her uncle worked for the venue. The security guy got a little on my case about calming down. I guess I sounded really angry, but I felt more incredulous and shocked than angry, really. I'm sure there was a bit of adrenaline involved because of the way she snatched it from my hand. I told him several times I was fine (and he didn't seem to believe me.) I finally explained that I wasn't going to hit anyone or anything, and he said, "You're right because you'd be out of here" or something quite similar to that, which left me feeling kinda weird. He also told me I had a bit of a short fuse. Huh? Was she going to respond to, I'm sorry, but will you please give me back what you just stole from me really nicely? So, I finally told girl who took the setlist from me that I was sorry if I sounded really angry, but I just wanted her to know it wasn't okay. I told her if she had asked I might have even given it to her. So, she said it was okay, and then asked if she could have the paper now. Wrong response. I said, "no." LOL Not too long into the Secondhand's set (or was it just before) she left. I was still not comfortable with that whole thing, but when she left the people around me said unflattering things about her and her behavior. Okay... maybe I have to work on the forgiveness part just a little bit more. LOL I'm getting there. I just didn't like the way I was made to feel awful for not being okay with someone stealing something from me and felt bad if I sounded like I was going to hurt someone because I didn't feel that way. Fortunately, by the time Secondhand Serenade was set up and ready to play, I had settled a bit.

I really did enjoy Secondhand Serenade's performance. It was a bit crowded up front, but mostly calm. I was able to get a few pics, but ran out of battery before it was over with. I wanted to get a few as the couple behind me had asked if about them since they hadn't brought their camera.

The crowd was definitely there for Secondhand Serenade. Everyone was singing along and John seemed to be really happy with the crowd. He was really very personable on stage, and I enjoyed it a great deal. It was my second time seeing Secondhand Serenade, and the atmosphere was a little different, and I the sound was a little better this time, for the most part (except for a few songs where the vocals went a bit low.) After John left the stage, there was a good amount of cheering and calls for more and he came back out for an encore. It was then that I could get an idea of just how many people were there. :) I waited, again, to see if I could spot a set list and was able to finally get one. It was only the second time I'd been able to get a list for all of the bands at a show. (Oh, and I noticed later that the month was listed as 6 instead of 7 on Secondhand's setlist, which was kinda fun and amusing.)



I went back to the merch area and hung about Runner Runner. I spotted Peter, and he didn't realize who I was at first. (Thanks Peter. LOL) It must have been the hat. I looked up and he was like, "Oh, it's you!" Then I talked to Ryan for a little bit, and told him how much I enjoyed the set, and liked the new single. Eventually, I got a few really bad photos with them via my cell phone (actually, they aren't bad for cell phone pics in the dark.) I wished I had my point and shoot with me, but figured I couldn't go get it and re-enter. I ended up buying a few items at the merch table for Runner Runner, chatted some more, went over and had a bad cell photo taken with Chris of White Tie Affair who seemed somewhat awkward around me for some reason, and then back to talk to a the Runner Runner guys. I had my photo taken with James, Runner Runner's drummer at some point, and since I didn't have someone handy to take it for us, he said he'd do it. It only took three tries, which was awesome because it would have taken me at least that many. IT made me feel better. LOL And it was kind of fun. I didn't really think I could delay the inevitable any longer, so I started to leave and realized that people could still come and go from the venue. Instead of leaving, I ran to my car, grabbed my point and shoot and had a photo taken with Nick, John & James of Runner Runner. Peter and Ryan had already left.





Then I psyched myself up to make the long drive home and headed back to my car.

All the way home, I thought about stopping to get something to eat. In fact, my original plan was to stop in Centerville, but then there was a ton of construction and traffic backups in the area. From that point on, there was a running debate in my mind about stopping to eat vs. driving home. In the end, I drove home, fixed myself something to eat and checked out the photos before getting some much needed sleep. Sunday would be another long day

Death Cab for Cutie

My intention was to arise bright and early and head out to Thanksgiving Point and arrive there sometime around 9-10 a.m. on Monday. As it turned out, it was 3 a.m., and I wasn't asleep yet, and I wanted enough rest to make the hour plus drive to Lehi. My daugther was going to take me, but as it turned out, my husband took me to her, and she let me use her car. That probably added a good 1/2 hour to my traveling time altogether. So what started out as trying to make it by 10 a.m. turned into being happy if I could get there by noon. I decided in advance not to stress over time this time around and trust God on that one.

I made it to my daughter's place, spent a few minutes paying attention to her dogs, and chatting, stopped at the gas station down the street to put gas in her car, called her to find out how to open the gas cap cover, filled up and headed down the road. Along the way the street was lined with flags, a visible reminder that it was Memorial Day. I wondered about the etiquette of flags in the rain, but they did appear to be plastic, so I suppose no harm done. LOL It was still quite a site. :)

I finally made it on the freeway, and made pretty good time getting to Thanksgiving Point even if I wasn't really driving all that fast. At one point I hit the emergency flashers and had to figure out what I touched to set them off. I'm quite sure the guy behind me was rather puzzled. LOL At any rate, I made it there in one piece just around noon. There were already a few people waiting, 4 gals who had been there since 5 or 6 a.m., and 4 other gals who were sitting in chairs covered with blankets and an umbrella. AN umbrella would have been smart since we were to be rained on, hailed on and standing in the wind. Thunder and lightening had me a tad concerned at one point as it was the one thing with the potential to cancel the show. And my motto is the show must go on? LOL It was to be a very long wait, on a cool rainy day to see Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan and Sara at an outdoor venue.

As it turned out there were technical difficulties (sound problems we were told) that delayed the opening from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. As a result the opening band, Rogue Wave was cut from the show. There was a 10 p.m. curfew. I really felt rather bad for them even though I'd never heard them before as I know the merch sales after a show are probably their bread and butter. So, unheard, I bought one of their cd's after the show... but I"m getting ahead of myself. LOL

To add insult to injury (if you know me) I had to take my camera back to my car as they said no cameras were allowed. Phones were o.k. Several people did get in with cameras and no one said anything at the stage even in the front row. But I just had to be satisfied with cell phone pics. But it's better than nothing. :)

At any rate, once I was inside the gate I found it was a very long run to the stage. And even though the gals in front of me were inside the venue waiting in the restroom (one of the workers let them in) and I was in the front of the line and was one of only two people who were checked before the gates open, I barely made it to the front row. Me and two of the 6 o'clock gals who were next to me could not figure out where the other people came from. But I was happy... front to the left just in front of Ben. Not too bad, I'd say. :) I was a tad apprehensive about being pushed hard after the accident and prayed about it and two bigger guys were behind me and they pretty much took the brunt of everything, so I had it pretty easy most of the show. I said I probably owed them dinner or something. :)

As for the concert, Tegan and Sara weren't bad, although I wasn't blown away I did like their set just fine. I had heard they were good live and "stand up" comedienne's onstage, but they didn't have a lot of time for banter. They did manage a little, though. After they were through I managed to get a set list.


Finally, it was time for Death Cab for Cutie. I recognized the guy managing the stage from previous shows and noted that he'd been with them for quite a while. He rather reminds me of Ben, too, although they look more alike when they both were wearing frames. LOL I guess one can't get away from noticing the changes band members make when you see them only once a year. Anyway, they apologized for the wait and played quite a long set which, of course, I didn't mind at all. :) They played When Soul Meets Body, I Will Follow You Into the Dark (with audience accompaniment), A Movie Script Ending (Highway), Crooked Teeth, I Will Possess Your Heart (with Intro) and quite a few others. Death Cab's stage presentation has become progressively better since the first time I saw them a few years ago. At one point Ben held up his guitar "rock star style" straight up and said he was just used to playing it I guess the "normal" ?? way? and said he needed to practice it but probably on their time because it looked cooler. Everyone laughed. After the last song the applause and chants started for "encore" and "one more song". Ben came out and said they would have to make it quick because they would all turn into pumpkins or something or other at 10 p.m. due to a curfew. Then they pretty much played right up to the limit. It was really a good set overall.




I tried to get a set list but was told there was none, even though I could have sworn I saw them tape paper down. So, maybe the took them with them? LOL Two of the security guys really tried for me, though, so that was cool.

Anyway, I tried to look for a key someone lost, to no avail, and I left when I didn't see her anymore. Then I headed for the merch table and bought one of DCFC's cd's that I didn't have (Something About Airplanes) and a tee, and the Rogue Wave cd and headed for the car. I took one look at the traffic and decided to wait a bit. I walked over to the farm just to look and saw a llama in the dark, and smelled farm smells, took a phone call from someone and finally headed for home. My daughter decided she had a friend that could bring her to pick up her car in the a.m., so that saved me an extra trip.

So, now I'm home, up way to late, and very tired. I think I'll put the dogs in their crates and catch some sleep.

I still intend to blog about meeting Ernie finally, I'm just waiting til I can get the pics up to accompany it. Hopefully I can do that this week.

And please, don't forget the Chapman family in your prayers. There's also a Prayer for the Chapman's group on facebook. I'll add the link later once I look it up.

Have a great week,
Peace out,
Melanie