My Other Paul Shows
Saturday, April 3, 2010. This trip to Miami was just about as last-minute as I get. I didn’t have a plan. I’d been laid off from my job at The Boston Globe only a week after having major surgery during which I almost….well, I almost didn’t make it out of it.
The first good thing about the trip is that I reconnected with an uncle I hadn’t spoken to since I was about seven years old. He lived in Miami–at least he used to–and when I told him (on Facebook) that I would be there to see Paul, he offered to give me pointers, directions, whatever I needed to help me out. Thank you, Uncle Rico. ;o)
Rico asked me where I was staying and laughed a bit when I answered, “Hialeah.”
“How good is your Spanish?” he asked. “Because you’ll be mostly in the Cuban section.”
“I do pretty alright with it. I can use some practice.” I told him.
OH BOY did I get practice! Every single thing was in Spanish–billboards, the drive thru at Taco Bell (which was the only thing I found open after midnight), announcements in stores–it felt like I’d traveled to a foreign country. It TOTALLY rocked!!
Anyway, I left work on Friday at 4:30, got to Logan, checked in and everything was fine until they announced that the flight to Ft. Lauderdale (the package deal I got thru Priceline flew me into FLL instead of Miami) was delayed. Alright, no big deal. I called to let the hotel know that I would be even later than expected, and they were cool. They wouldn’t give away my room. So, I kicked back, opened my new John Holland book and read the entire way–onto the plane, in the air, and didn’t put the book down until we landed.
It was Spring Break. Thank Goodness I didn’t go to the beach (as I originally planned) or stay in FLL at all! Loaded down with college kids. whew!
Picked up my car at Avis and then I was on my way to fight the Miami traffic. Let me tell you, even after midnight, I felt like I was a pace car for the Indy 500! The way these cars weaved in and out of lanes and traffic at speeds in excess of 80 mph boggled my mind. I think I’m officially old! lol Anyway, I’d downloaded the Navigator program onto my cell phone, so I had a mini-GPS on my phone to help me find my way. TOTALLY awesome! I named her Alice. I dunno why, I just did. Lol It was a bit of a haul to the hotel, and I didn’t get there until after midnight. Found some food after I checked in, then I just put my pj’s on and went to bed.
I woke up around 8:30 on Saturday morning, and immediately fell back to sleep. I slept about another hour or so, and then I got up. I took a shower, got dressed, and then made my way to go and hang out with some animals; which was awesome. I ended up staying much, much longer than I’d anticipated–and I forgot sunblock, so I ended up with a pretty nasty burn. I don’t tan–ever. I just simply burn.
There was a K-Mart up the street from my hotel, so I stopped in to buy aloe vera and a new pair of sneakers. I’d done so much walking that the shoes I had on were killing me. After that, went to get ready for the concert. I wore the white Macca shirt I’d gotten at Fenway Park last summer. I was all spiffy in my concert clothes and new shoes.
Alice took me right to the stadium—and I was psyched. On the way, I heard someone else blaring Beatles music—turned out to be the van beside me at the red light. I waived at them, showed them my Paul pass thing that I hung around the rearview mirror. They rolled down the window and we were all like “WOOOO! PAUL!” lol it was awesome. They weren’t from Miami, either, so I said “Well, follow me, I’ve got a navigator thingy!”
So, they got behind me and followed me right into the stadium. They parked in the same row, but a little closer to the place than me. I was closer to the exit. Cost $30 to park; which you had to pay upfront, but I was prepared. I found a parking spot in the grass, fairly close to the exit; which was perfectly ok for me. I didn’t mind walking up to the stadium at all. I parked the car and then I took a pic of the sign near where I parked so I would remember which section I was in.
Ran into the people who followed me in and they thanked me all over the place.
“We were so confused! Thank you”
“No problem. We were headed the same way.”
I got up to the stadium. I love seeing all the Beatle people when I go to shows. I think it’s a riot. But, there were so many folks there who were tailgating in the parking lot; eating “football food” while listening to Beatles music. Awesome. Found a security guard and asked him where the heck I needed to go in at. He told me that there was only one gate to enter for people who have Field Access; which was me. Gate B. I stood at Gate E. So, I had to walk halfway around the stadium to get to the right gate…at which there was a long line to get in.
Not a problem, I can stand in lines with other Macca/Beatles fans. The conversations I’ve had while standing in such lines were awesome, lots of good memories. There were 3 checkpoints to go thru: 1: to make sure you were at the right gate and hole punch your ticket. 2. to go thru bags 3. to scan in your ticket and let you in. Then you were met by a security person who gave you a pink wristband that had “FIELD ACCESS” on it; which you had to don before you could enter on to the field. SO, I did immediately. Duh.
It was like walking out from the locker room out onto the football field…this stadium was huge! But, the first thing that I saw when I emerged out of the long corridor onto the field was Paul’s stage. It was THISCLOSE to me! I almost lost my breath.
I asked the guy who gave me my wristband where the merch booths were because “I have to buy stuff”. He directed me to either side of the field, but then told me that I should try the one in left field first. (and I say ‘left field’ because it’s also where the Marlins play and the infield was all set up and protected) In order to get to this merchandise booth in left field, I had to walk down the front row right in front of the stage! I stopped to take photos and there were a couple of roadies and some crew who kinda snickered…I didn’t mind. I probably would have too if I were them. Lol I think my heart stopped in that moment, seriously.
Anyway, I pulled myself together and went to the booth—but there was one guy working and about 200 people in line. So, I thought I’d try the other one. Cross over center field to the right field merch booth; where I spent a ridiculous amount of money buying things for myself and Joan. She only asked for one thing, but as I stood there, I remembered all that she did for me when I was sick and I thought the very least I could do was buy her some Macca stuff. At least more than one thing! So, I ended up getting us both t-shirts, key chains and photos.
I found my seat, had a conniption and two heart attacks, and called Mom. I was closer in Quebec, I think, BUT I didn’t care. I was just grateful to be there. I forgot to ask Mom when I was on the phone with her if she wanted anything at the show, so I texted her. She said “no. just get home safely.” Liar. I knew she wanted Paul stuff lol I’m not an idiot. I just didn’t know what to get her.
Paul took the stage at 8:30 and, as usual, I freaked right on out. Except one thing…..no crying, no yelling, not even one “PAUL! I LOVE YOU!” All I did was sing and dance. Am I maturing? Evolving? Growing? NOOOOOOOO!
He opened with Venus & Mars/Rockshow. So, I just rocked out, man! I can’t tell you how many songs he sang that I’ve never heard him sing live and in person! There were also about 3 songs in the set that I haven’t heard him sing since about 1990. It was like Old Home Night with Macca songs!
It was a fantastic show. I truly enjoyed it. I was blessed to be able to be there—and I think I truly realized the full impact this first three months of 2010 have had on me. I never really thought about it before, but so far this year sucked! But, near death experiences have a way of changing one’s perspective, I think. And, I truly believe that my trip was designed to both inspire me and remind me that I need to treat myself better, don’t be afraid to be myself, to share myself with others, and to enjoy the pleasures in life—be it, feeding a giraffe, talking to a gorilla, or jamming out to Paul McCartney. Doesn’t matter, it’s all the same—it’s the experiences that matter; that’s how we grow and learn.
This all hit me during Hey Jude. It hit me so hard that I had to sit down in my seat. My mind was racing with all of this information. And, I suddenly became so exhausted that I could hardly stand up. I couldn’t really even put my hands together to clap. But, it wasn’t only physical exhaustion—I truly think the realization of the enormity of the first quarter of this year finally sank in. No more putting things on hold. No more being stagnant. I must go forward.
I waited until after he sang Yesterday and then I made my way out of the stadium. Yes, I left the show before Paul did. I knew how it ended, and besides…I could still hear him all the way out to my car. The show ended right when I got to my car. I stopped and bought a program for Mom on the way out, and then I left. It was 11:15 and I had to get up at 4:30 am to get back to the airport for a 7am flight; which I barely made. Gosh darn Priceline.