Matchbox Twenty

Flashback to 1996, this band was playing on Video Hits, I was only 16 years old, an innocent, naive school girl. God, I can see someone's interest perking up already. The lead male had a coarse voice, but he could also tone it down to suit the song. A song called 3 am, seemed sad... must be someone he loved. Who is this Matchbox Twenty?

Flash forward to nearly 12 years later, on a chilly autumn night, in the forecourt of the Sydney Entertainment Centre. "Can we go up now", Vay asks, "I'm freezing my ass off." But they said we can't leave once we get in? Ah bugger it. We make our way up the stairs, spotting the merchandise booth. "Should we get our shirts now? What if the concert's not that good?" "Not that good? This is Matchbox Twenty."

And for once, he was actually right. We found ourselves sitting side on, with a crowd of thousands. The stadium was packed with MB20 lovers, of all ages. A guy wanted Rob Thomas to marry him, that was how intense it was. The opening act was Thirsty Merc, an Australian alt rock band, who did a great job of warming us all up, but after a while we were all thinking, show the movie!

The anticipation, people. Out of the blue on the projection screen there's this little picture of a spaceman touching down, and then there they all are... drowned out by the screaming crowds. And all of a sudden they're playing Unwell, Disease and 3am! Next thing you know, we're standing up and dancing along, even though the schmoes next to us were sitting down and couldn't see. Hee hee, take that ya bastards.

I was singing along to songs I didn't even know the words to and moving in my seat, that's how good it was. And it didn't matter, because everyone else was. Ah, I knew those hours in karaoke were for something. During all that heat and excitement, I managed to soak my "Exile" t-shirt. Not enough for a wet t-shirt contest, unfortunately. I'd have taken it off and thrown at Rob if we were close enough.

During the concert they did a flashback of their own, bringing me back to when I was sweet sixteen, playing some songs from their very first album. No wonder they sounded so familiar, after all these years. Who would've thought I could share this moment with Vay, 12 years later?

We were the archetypal fanboy and fangirl, and we loved every minute of it.

We went to the Easter Show

A couple of WEEKS ago. Yes, I'm keeping up to date with my blog.

What do I remember from that little exploit?

Vay was there. It was his idea I think. Him and his crazy ideas. Ah Vay, when will you ever learn?

We walked in temperatures reaching practically 30 degrees celsius. It was unseasonably warm weather. I almost died of thirst. I said almost, so relax. We parked in an oasis, oh about 400 metres, keep going straight, are we there yet? shut up, shut up, shut up, away from the showground. Still, it was a flat rate, so we didn't mind too much.

Vay won me all these cute little stuffed toys, a strange bunch of softies they were: a red snake, a camel, and a caramel coloured pig. Just like my favourite spider pig. He promised he'd win something bigger next time. Aw hun, it's not the size that counts... :)

At the Farmyard Nursery: Aw, would you look at that? It's a baby ox. A whole lot of miniature animals, that I got to pet with my bare hands. I even brushed a calf. They had the ducklings and chicks behind cages though. Damn, and I wanted to smuggle some out.

No carnival experience is complete without the dodgems, it says here. I was feeling hesitant with the whole thing, having flashbacks of being around 10 years old or so, fearful of the electric currents in the roof, and being bumped beyond recognition. It turned out alright actually, I raced everyone around like I was on my Ps. So that's what it feels like. We went on 2 different little rollercoasters, and bought a little photo memento of one of the rides. Get a load of that flapping cheek. And I finally got to slide down that big yellow slippery dip. On a potato sack, mind you. It's the only way to travel. Hmm, slippery dip.

I bought a copy of Max Brenner's famous Hug Mug for only $10, a New Woman showbag for $15 and a free Sun Herald. Heh, take that ya bastards.

We even managed to take the shuttle bus back to base. So yeah, I'm looking forward to doing it all again in a few years or so. Not next year. God, no.