The Faint

         Okay, this really is going to be a short post (I know, I know--you've heard that one before, right?).  But here's the thing, it's really quite late, and I have to pack up my room in the morning, check out, and get on a bus en route to Seattle--all by 10 am, a most un-glamorous, un-tour-friendly hour.  But, hey--at least we aren't flying!  Busing is so much easier--no getting to the air port uber early, hoping against hope that each bag doesn't tip the scale of 50lbs, going through security, sitting in a cramped seat with your seat belt firmly on.  None of that hullabaloo.  Just roll onto a bus, curl up and sleep, and voila!  Wake up in Seattle.  Actually, I don't mean to toot my own horn or anything, but since I fly so much now, I have gotten really good at just picking up a suitcase and being able to tell if it's under 50 lbs or over.  I mean, that's like something an engineer can do, right?  

     Anyway, after our second show of the day (I miss the one-show sundays of San Francisco, that's for sure), a group of us went to see a band that I hadn't heard before, The Faint.  First of all, the place was pretty stupidly cool (oh, stupid is something you say when it's really good--like a friend came up to me after my L.A. show and just said, You're stupid, and it was quite the compliment).  It's called the Crystal Ballroom, and the space is huge.  I was expecting to walk into this dingy little bar with a lot of sweaty people clamoring for some elbow room, but no--it was downright spacious.  Also, the floor was something that most dance studios have--though not to this extreme degree--which is a sprung floor.  Basically, it feels a little like there are springs underneath your feet.  And so when you get hundreds of people dancing around, you can't help but bounce a little, just by being there.  By the way, this isn't a new idea; King Louis the fourteenth of France loved ballet so much that he had a special room with springs in the floor built just for him to practice his ballon (jumps).  He also always danced the lead role of Apollo the sun god, making it illegal for any other person in the kingdom to dance that role--anywhere (talk about politics in the dance world, right?).  Oh and his lasting legacy to France?  A national, government-funded ballet company (the Paris Opera Ballet, I think the oldest ballet company in the world).  But enough about ballet, right?  Uh-oh, and this post is quickly becoming more than short.  You guys aren't gonna believe me ever...

     So, like I said, I had never heard the Faint before, and didn't quite know what to expect.  But, I love live music--almost of any kind, I'd say.  Anyway, I instantly liked them.  They remind me a little of Muse--kinda British pop-rock, with a lot of electric funk.  I liked them a lot.  And I know this is so cliche, but I danced the night away.  It was a blast and I am so glad I went.  Oh, and I said British pop-rock, because that is what they sound like.  But, they're from Nebraska and they pay taxes just like you and me.  

    Afterwards, we went to this bar and I had some fun conversations with people in the cast that I haven't had a chance to really get to know yet.  In fact, the group I went out with tonight, I had never been out with before--which is another reason I am so glad I went.  But, can I just say that if you are drunk, a stranger, have nothing of interest to say to me, and are awkward, I'd rather you not sit down next to me and strike up a conversation?  There were three different guys who, respectively, just started talking to me, but the first was the worst.  He didn't seem to have half a brain, and I am sorry if you think I am being judgmental right now--he was drunk and it was awkward.  I would not be the least bit surprised if he is very intelligent once he sobers up, though.  Anyway, one of my friends came up to him and said very pointedly, I can see you are enjoying a conversation with Jessica, our married friend.  Ha! It was brilliant.  

     Then I got into a heated argument over Bono.  Basically, this guy (different from the half-brainer who is probably a full-brainer when not drunk) flat out told me he hated Bono (after With or Without You came on).  Well, I couldn't let this slide...So, I asked him why.  He said because he is effing stupid and so into himself.  I told him that wasn't a good enough reason to hate him, and asked for specifics.  He said he was sick of his self-righteousness and hated him for it.  I asked him if he hated poor, 3rd world nations getting their debt forgiven by richer nations.  I asked him if he hated when people used their wealth and fame to be a voice for the underprivileged and actually do something to help others instead of just buying mansions and shiny cars.  Finally, he was like, I like what he stands for, I guess, I just hate that what he does has to be such a show and in my face.  So, I suggested that maybe he felt guilty by the good works Bono does, cause sometimes when we see others doing a lot of good it reminds us we could be doing more.  He was like, Hey--I do my part, I recycle.  He just kept spewing off more hatred for Bono and all things U2: Bono's sunglasses (a). it might be well, sunny and b). he's a rock star, for goodness sake!), The Edge's name (a nickname, which most people have and again--a rock star!), and he was mad he didn't even know Bono's first name (I was like, Paul--and he was like, Oh).  

   We ended it friendly, though.  I told him Bono was a good example of using fame and image to help the world and that I wish more people were like that.  And then I thanked him for the conversation and we shook hands.  It was all very proper in the end.  And now, I apologize because this really wasn't a short post--not by a long shot.  And I didn't even mention the pita pit pita I had before going home.  In interest of time, though, I'll just leave that delicious 2 am snack to your imagination.  But I was hungry, it was fresh and tasty, and so by those two factors alone you can gather how very good it was.  

    And now, to sleep...