So I survived! Isn't that lovely?

It wasn't so bad... The first hour or so was the ultrasound, and beyond being stabbed with a pen to let the doc know where to jam the knife in me that was painless. Then the doctor comes in, novocaines my side and shoves a Zydrate-looking gun into my ribs. It went off with a loud noise and while the skin was numbed and the liver doesn't actually "feel", my body just knew something was wrong. There was a few minutes of absolute PANIC and HYSTERIA because all of your senses are screaming danger but you're not really in a lot of pain and can't move around too much on the stretcher. The nurses talked me down and got me on my side to help cauterize the wound via pressure. I had to stay on my side, fairly still, for "two hours" afterward, but every time the nurses shifted they reset the counter on me so it was more like six. I got home in time to eat and go to my concert so who am I to complain?

The novocaine wore off by the time I got home and my side started to hurt but I was going to Harper's Ferry unless I'd been about to die. We got there in the middle of Oh No Not Stereo's set list and I was impressed with the tininess of the venue and the sound of the starting band. As I'm getting my wrist bracelet on, (my band) There for Tomorrow's drummer is right there in front of me, getting his ID checked too. I was starstruck. Was that really Chris? Were they really still so small that the guys were just walking around like that?

A) Yeah. I never get to venues this small, I never get to see bands until I've been listening to them long enough for me to kinda kick and scream to see them. My immune system being what it is, I'm not exactly supposed to go barhopping like that. Fuck 'em, this was amazing and I'll follow TfT to the ends of the universe before its over.

Joanie flags down singer Maika and tells him about how I'd been in the hospital that morning. I got three hugs and I will attribute any and all of my getting better from this to that. I don't think he's used to that whole, "Hey are you Maika?" thing yet. He signed my autograph bag, on the same flap with their brother band All Time Low. Ecstasy~

We managed to get a couple of chairs in the back of the hall. Being bar stools, I could see the stage perfectly over everyone's heads! Being bar stools, my legs wanted to fall off a few sets later but its okay. I was seated, Joanie to the side of me that had been gunned earlier. Have I mentioned she's a saint? Anyway, Sparks the Rescue played a great set. I like their music. I'll check them out again sometime. Solo singer Vinnie Caruana was next. The performance was laughable... he played nothing but cover songs of really obscure origin and couldn't carry a tune in a paper bag with handles. Sorry man, go back to I am the Avalanche and take a few lessons while you're at it...

There for Tomorrow. I'd spent the whole morning listening to their new CD. It was playing when the gun went off. It was still playing as I laid there recovering. This was my motivation to get through this procedure with my marbles still somewhat intact. And every ounce of panic was worth it. Their set was the best. Their energy was the highest. Chris is one of the best performance drummers I have ever seen. They played my favorite song (Stories). I chair-danced, sang all the words and did as much clapping and rocking out as I could. Any good concert is indescribable. This is really no exception.

I couldn't sit on that bar stool another minute. The headlining band, Hit the Lights was a band we'd seen a few times before. I didn't feel not watching them was going to be the end of the world. We went into the back near the merch tables to listen to the set, stretch and watch for potential mayhem. An autographed drum head from TfT was placed on the merch table at some point and I snagged it as soon as I saw it.

The Hit the Lights set was as good as always. I found out another band I'd seen before and love so much (The Receiving End of Sirens) had broken up. I guess their last show was with HtL at Harper's Ferry and the guys were feeling a bit melancholy about it. Heh, I shared in their sadness. TREOS was a great band...

After the show, I needed to pee so we went in the back to the bathrooms. At Harper's Ferry, they're located past the stage, behind it, so we had to bypass the frenzy of break down to get there. In the back, Chris was chatting with some fans. I heard one of them ask when they'd be back in Boston, so I shimmied in to hear the answer. I know when and where to look for them coming back now, so yay! And we got to talk with Chris too. He was happy we'd snagged the drum head and signed my bag too. When he heard about my morning, he said that for the people in the audience like me are the people he performs for. I got to tell him how much I loved watching him on stage.

Finally, the bathroom! On the way out we passed by the bassist, Jay. He was wearing these big glasses and I barely recognized him! He's so much the quiet one in the band, doesn't interview much - but so important. The man who named them, I was so happy to have finally found him! All the same stuff about the amazing show, signing my bag... I squealed to Joanie I'd met three of the four and Jay offered to go hunt down guitarist Christian for me. I was in shock. He'd do that? Seriously?

And he did. I can't even describe the amount of kindness in this man. I was starting to fail a bit by now, and chasing Christian down wasn't something I could have done on my own. I can't thank Jay enough... (Thank you thank you!) I got my final autograph and chance to talk to both of them. I had to explain why I was so grateful to them both for coming to me, and again with the surprised reaction of "You're here after what now?" They turned to Joanie and told her explicitly to drive me home safe and put me to bed. Couldn't argue with that now, could I? Time to go home.

We played Dissidia outside the venue waiting for a ride, watching trailers get loaded up and drive away. We were home before midnight. What a whirlwind day!

I try not to push music around here, but if you haven't checked out There for Tomorrow yet, I really hope you do! Here's a link to their latest music video on YouTube - [link]

Another Anime Con is this weekend. I'll be cosplaying Lenna from Final Fantasy V all weekend. Can't wait to see you guys there! Otherwise, thank you all for your well wishes on my biopsy and I'll catch you all really soon!



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Things to do, stupid!
Post 10 Free Sketches
Start kiriban for *LingLKS (Kusuriuri & Kayo)
CHECK ZODI-ACK'S CON SCHEDULE EVERYDAY!

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Club(s)!


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Cosplay Plans!
Another Anime Convention '09 - Lenna (Final Fantasy V)
Anime Boston '10 - ???
Anime Central '10 - ???

/journal