Kate wins best birthday of a lifetime. It lasted for two days–1 with
family, 1 with friends, strangers and Incubus. For her birthday, August 9,
we left for San Jose Arena @ 12pm. We arrived home at 12am. It was
one of the best fucking experiences of my life, having shared moments with my
best friends, my girlfriend, and thousands of the most delightful strangers I
have ever been crowded up against. Half of the sweat on my shirt wasn’t
mine. Hell, the makeup and blood on my shirt weren’t mine, but when Sick
Sad Little World attacked the arena, I thought that was it and nothing can
destroy my happiness.
While waiting in line I was talking about how it was be so fuckin bad if they
played "Under the Umbrella" which I thought was very unlikely for them to do so.
I also thought it was unlikely that they play any song from the Enjoy Incubus
and Fungus Amongus CDs. Hit in the head with a curveball, Incubus played
the intro to "Take me To Your Leader" and to my surprise they ended up playing
the whole song. Again, I thought, SHIT! That was it. That was it!
Then boom! *click click click click* and Mike strums the power chords of
"Under the Umbrella" and I think that was the 2nd time I momentarily blacked out.
Sure there was tons of crowd-surfing, almost uncontrollable weight-shifting and
all the typical concert stuff. So, ask me. Ask me the question.
Just how close was I? How close. Let me show you with 2 simple
images.
For 3 straight hours I had my hand gripped tightly on the rail so I don’t drift
within the crowd when people attempt to make their way up to the security rail,
pushing, shoving, nudging elbows and whatnot. I had Kate in my arms
throughout the whole concert, playing guardian with Jhun. I was less than
10 feet away from Brandon and Mike. The only thing between me and the rail
was Kate.
The whole experience is surreal but so real. I know it happened simply
because my body aches and I have a little green pick from Mike Einziger.
What did I get Kate for her birthday? Well nothing, until Mike threw his
pick.
