Save Me

Two weeks ago, my brother and I got to see Muse at Mandalay Bay Events Center. It was my brother's 4th time seeing them and my 6th. It has been 11 years since the first time I saw them, and they never fail to astonish.

Here's the setlist:
The 2nd Law: Isolated System
Supremacy
Map of the Problematique
Supermassive Black Hole
Resistance
Panic Station
Knights of Cydonia
Monty Jam
Explorers
Follow Me
United States of Eurasia
Liquid State
Madness
Time is Running Out
Undisclosed Desires
Stockholm Syndrome
The 2nd Law: Unsustainable
Uprising
Starlight
Survival

No Hysteria! I was able to see set lists from other shows online, and it seems they changed up one or two songs in each show. But still the show was fantastic. There were the usual cool video displays and the rotating drum riser so they could move around to each side of the stage, even the back. And this time they added pyro at the end.

During this show we got to see Chris up front and center, singing "Liquid State." That and "Save Me" were both written and sung by Chris for "The 2nd Law" album.  Though Chris's voice is unremarkable, it was nice to hear songs so personal. Not that Matt doesn't ever write personal songs, but the bulk of his, and thereby Muse's, songs are full of big ideas. Conspiracy theories, environmental destruction, outer space, the future of humanity. Standing up to the Powers that Be. The search for "Truth." So to me Muse's appeal has been largely in their kick-ass musicianship, and beautiful soundscapes, including Matt's voice. But really it is all that and more. The more is what is hard to describe.  The live experience is still transcendent, despite the pain.

We were about 20 feet from the stage railing. Sadly our streak of being right up front came to an end thanks to the catastrophe of Ticketmaster's new "paperless" ticketing system. When I ordered the tickets back in October, they gave no choice of tickets by mail, or will call, or print at home. It was paperless or nothing. So when we got there, a bit late because it was a Sunday and George had to work until 6:00, we still had to wait in a line to "resolve" our paperless tickets. This meant showing my ID and credit card to a person with a computer who looked up my order and then printed out our tickets! What was the point of that?! Then we had to have them scanned by this guy with a scanner which had to reboot after each scan! Then we could go inside to get in another line for our wristbands to get on the floor! All the while, there were 6 or 7 empty lines where people were going in with no waiting, either because they'd done the ticket line early, or they actually got tickets ahead of time some other way. I was furious! We got inside and sat on the floor. George was wearing my Absolution Tour 2003 T-shirt, which got him a lot of attention. He started chatting with a few people near us. When the show started, I was just trying to get a spot where I could see. Even with only about 10 rows  ahead of me, being short, I didn't have a great view. We were on Chris's side of the stage and he and Matt did go up on the little platform, but not for very long. They had to move around a lot. There were the screens and other stuff to look at, but still I'd been spoiled by all the other times I'd been right up front. George is about 6 or 7  inches taller than me and he had no problem. He even took some video with his phone. In the meantime, with people pushing, I got pushed forward about 10 feet by the end. We got separated. That was fine though, we found each other when it was done.

I came to a realization though. I think I'm too old for all this finally. The standing, craning my neck. Plus I have my bad elbow, and couldn't do all the fun fist pumping and jumping up and down. George being a couple of years younger, and a cop, he's in better shape, but even he found it taxing. We limped out of there together. Our backs were killing us. It hurt getting back in the car. I said that next time, I wanted to get tickets for those seats behind the stage. That would've been ideal. Now we know.

**********************************


This is Easter weekend. The missionaries were here last night. We have been talking about the temple. Last Sunday, at the Elders' suggestion, I met with the Bishop in his office after church. I talked to him about my journey, how I left the church for years, and now I was trying to come back. There are still issues. We talked about those. I told him about my friends John and Pedro, and how they are like family, that there is a room in their house they call "Jennifer's room." And about how I can not see any way possible that God would not be happy with them, their commitment and love. And that since they are not even members of the church, why should they not have the rights of any other couple? Within a church, any church, marriage is a religious institution. And marriage outside the church, is a civil institution. My problem is that the LDS church is trying to influence the civil institution. They put church resources towards supporting Prop 8 in California and DOMA. And now that these two laws are being examined by the Supreme Court, the church signed on to an Amicus brief supporting both. They doubled down. I disagree with this on two counts. One, the church should not be using resources to participate in a legal/ political process. Two, there are all kinds of other marriages outside the church; marriage of straight couples who live together first; marriages of church members with non-members; marriage of couples who have no plans to or otherwise can't have children, and so on. The church really has no say in these, and shouldn't. The church doctrines are very specific, especially where it comes to being married in the temple. But that does not affect people with different beliefs. So why should the church make a point in speaking out against the unions of gay people? To defend heterosexual marriages against them when they have nothing to do with most of these heterosexual marriages. It's very problematic. The Bishop said he could understand where I was coming from. And how the church was making efforts reach out more to gay members and non members alike. There is that website, gaysandmormons.org which I visited and read some of. But still, it's problematic.

But the temple is not just for marriage. As LDS people, we take our endowments in the temple, usually when we are about to get married or go on a mission. But if neither of those are the case, we all still eventually want to take them. The endowments are important for other reasons. For performing sacred ordinances for others, and for eternal salvation. It's our way of making a commitment to the Lord. I have never taken mine. After 7 years in the church, I still never felt ready. Then when I left the church, it was no longer an issue. Now it's something I have to think about. A goal. It's a good goal to have. But I feel like I shouldn't rush it. I must take it seriously. I must take stock of my life, and my mistakes, which are numerous, and re-establish my relationship with God. But I want to do it my own way. The missionaries and the Bishop have to understand that. Baby steps. I first have to re-establish my own testimony. And it's a fragile thing.

In talking with the Bishop, he was very understanding. He told me what kind of questions I will be asked when I am ready to interview for my temple recommend again. We talked about the word of wisdom, tithing, and other issues of worthiness. I didn't tell him everything. All that I'd done. Afterwords, I felt like I could have. I was just afraid. I left things out. I didn't tell the whole truth. But hopefully there's still time for that. For now it's a step.

Unnatural Selection

Now that the election is finally over, and I can breathe a sigh of relief that President Obama will have another term to finish the work he started, I have a few things I need to get out of my system.

Republicans, conservatives, tea partiers, right wingers, whatever you choose to call yourselves... The American people have spoken and rejected your agenda. An agenda of greed, of callousness, of exclusion and intolerance. You like to equate capitalism with American-ness, with Freedom, with self-sufficiency. You equate government programs with socialism, overreach, entitlement, dependence and subsidized laziness. 

But guess what? You have benefitted from the government and its programs.

If you went to public school or university.

If you ever use the public roads and highways.

If you've ever visited any of the National Parks.

If you use the internet (It was developed on DARPA's dime).

If you use any of the various technologies that were developed by NASA  or have stemmed from NASA inventions (Some of these include LEDs, artificial limbs, scratch-resistant lenses,  memory foam, freeze-drying, water purification, aircraft anti-icing, solar energy, improved mine-, food-, and highway-safety [including highway safety grooves and improved radial tires], invisible braces, ear thermometers, smoke detectors, athletic shoe insoles, and ventricular assistance devices, just to name a few). 

If you have ever required the protection of the police or the service of the fire department.

If you collect social security or use Medicare.

If you enjoy clean air and water it's largely because of regulation by the EPA. 

If you use prescription medications tested for safety by the FDA.

If you lived through a natural disaster like a hurricane, tornado, wildfire, flood, earthquake, etc. FEMA and the National Guard were there before any private business ever thought to help.

You like to equate government employees with useless bureaucrats who receive the benefits of tax dollars without providing any benefit to society. 

Tell that to our teachers, our police and firefighters, our government researchers in medicine, science and technology and anyone who supports them. Tell that to the brave agents of the FBI and CIA and those who support them. Tell that to our troops. All government employees.

But guess what? Even if you don't work directly for any of the many government agencies, you may still work for the government...

If you work for a company that fulfills a government contract. Contractors earn their money, including profits, from the money the government allots to do that work. I work for NSTec, a contractor to the Department of Energy. My ID badge says DOE, Property of the U.S. Government right on it. If the DOE was eliminated, like many republicans propose, I'm pretty sure that NSTec would not continue to run the Test Site out of the goodness of their hearts without that government contract money coming in. After all, it is called the Nevada National Security Site. Most of our clients include other government agencies like the Department of Homeland Security as well as first responders at the city, state and federal level. 

As I said, if you are in the military, you don't just serve your country, you work for the federal government. I know because I served, way back in the early 90s. I'm a veteran. And today is Veteran's Day. Talk about freedom. I can't count the number of posts on Facebook today saying, "Thank you so much Veterans for protecting our freedom." Freedom isn't free. No, it costs us blood and treasure, and it is also paid for by the tax payers.

You hate taxes so much. Everyone hates taxes. Especially when you can't see what the money is being used for. How does that money you pay from your income and investments benefit you? Well look around. Health care, education, public works, transit, public safety, law enforcement, welfare, the legal system, some utilities, etc. 

Back up, you say, welfare? Yes, we have an obligation to provide help to those who need it. Those who are disabled, or otherwise unable to provide for themselves through no fault of their own. How about all those wounded warriors who are coming back from the wars unable to work? Republicans would like to believe these people have the same fair shake the rest of us do if they just work hard. But that's not how it really is. The capitalist system has many benefits. But fairness is not one of them. 

Mitt Romney is a characteristic example of this unfairness. He is a successful businessman, sure. But he was born into the wealthy family of a former Governor. He went to Harvard. He didn't have to scramble for scholarships or other rapidly hard to find student aid. He didn't have to take out loans and start his life out in debt. He famously quipped that students should "shop around" for the best deal and if they could not afford school, to ask their parents to pay. Because we all have parents who can afford to send us to school right? So based on this logic, only rich kids can go to Harvard. Wait a minute, that's how it was before. Before the G.I. Bill and government student aid. He wants to go back to that system where you only have a fair shot if the chips are already stacked in your favor. In this world, President Obama would probably never have gone to college at all, much less Columbia and Harvard. He'd be stuck home taking care of his single mother who couldn't get enough health insurance coverage to take care of her when she got cancer. But I digress.

I could go on about the ways in which Mitt Romney infuriated me throughout this election cycle. His supposed policies, when he wasn't constantly contradicting himself. His hypocrisy. His lack of caring for others, even his dog! His opinions that the 47% of the population who aren't currently paying taxes are lazy and entitled and can't take responsibility for their own lives. Tell that to the retired folks who paid into social security all their working lives and now only have that pittance to live on. Tell that to the troops serving overseas risking their lives in war. None of this is very Christlike behavior.  I can't imagine any LDS person looking to him as an example. And as it happens most of the Mormons I know saw him for the big phony he is.

As for the whole pro-business, small government philosophy... Hey Republicans in congress, if you want to keep government so small, why don't you serve for free, and pay for your own damn health care. You spend so much to get yourselves elected, you can certainly afford it.

Also, if you want to keep government so small, why is it perfectly fine for government to poke its nose into people's bedrooms, to legislate who can love who and what women can do with our own bodies? God knows you throw a big temper tantrum if you think anyone is coming for your guns.

I'm gonna have to cut this short somehow. So I'm just going to go hang out with my parents since I have tomorrow off. Okay, I feel better now.

Space Dementia

Having my own space again...it's great, it really is. But it's weird, it's so quiet. No Miracle to wake me up. No Mom and Dad calling me down to dinner. It's strange how you get used to things. I am still glad I moved out, the commute is so much easier, but it seems like suddenly things started changing at light speed.

Grandma passed away on 7/11. It happened fast. The Tuesday after I came back from New York, she was walking around like normal. Complaining, arguing, making no sense, being her usual self. But she insisted Mom take her to the hospital. After a whole day of tests, she was admitted. She argued, she said, let's make an appointment and come back tomorrow. But no, the doctor said she wasn't going anywhere. We knew she was in Stage 4 of her breast cancer. But no one could tell us what would happen next, or how long it would take. We hurried to try and get her affairs in order. I bought a living will kit, but we never had time to use it. Wednesday night the hospital released her and sent her to a hospice. Mom rode with her in the medical transport. I followed in my car. It was a nice place, she had a big private room. Upon arrival, she was already giving the nurses her demented version of her treatment. She wanted antibiotics, but didn't get them. Or she got them, but they were the wrong ones. Or the doctor tried telling her what her problem was, when she knew it was something else. Just an infection. He was overreacting. She wasn't in her right mind. I felt like apologizing to the nursing staff. She does that, babbles on about stuff that's not true, etc. But it was unnecessary. They knew exactly what was going on. They see it every day.

I took Mom home. It was late by then, so I got to bed. Went to work the next day. When I got home, Mom and Dad said the doctor at the hospice saw her, and finally gave a prognosis. It would be four weeks at most, he said. She could only stay in the hospice for the first 5 days. That's all Medicare would pay for. Mom fretted about what to do next. Where would she go after Tuesday? Would she come home? Go to another home?

The next day was my moving day. I went about it as planned. Dad and I did the heavy lifting until Annette could come with Ryan and Kira. After loading up from the storage and the house, we were on our way. We got to my new place and the five of us made quick work of unloading. I just had them leave everything, with the exception of the more valuable items, in the garage. I could organize and move stuff around later. We headed back home, returned the truck and called it a day. I slept in George's old room, and Saturday got up early to get started on Day 2. I picked up the truck and met George and Heather at their storage. We loaded up the furniture. George and I headed for my place and I had him text/call Nancy and Pedro to see if they could help unload. Me and George actually got most everything off and into the house before anyone else got there. We had to take the couch around through the front door.

Nancy arrived, and then John (Pedro had his violin lesson). They were super helpful in getting stuff upstairs, especially the mattress and box spring. Slowly we took other furniture up, taking dressers and tables without the drawers. We got the dining table put back together. Then we sat down to have some cold drinks and chat. George talked to John about his police work, since John has cops in his family. Then we headed back with the truck. We got caught in a downpour on the freeway and ended up being a bit late returning the truck which annoyed the lady at the storage. But oh well, we were done now. George and I got something to eat and then headed back to Mom & Dad's. I picked up a few more things, including my bed linens, stuffed them in the car and then went off to spend my first night in the new place. Sunday I got up early and cleared out the rest of the storage unit. I didn't look like much was left, but after getting it into the car, we were fully loaded. After unloading and hauling more stuff in from the garage, and starting to unpack the kitchen, Mom called and said she and Dad were on their way. They stopped by for a half hour and then they were off to get back to grandma. I followed a little while later.

When I got to the hospice, Heather and George were there, and we sat there watching Grandma sleep, and sneaking glances at the TV where the Mets were on ESPN. Dad noted she had really gone downhill and it probably wouldn't be much longer.

Monday I meant to go to work, but I was exhausted from the weekend. I called in to let Theresa know, and that things didn't look great with Grandma. Also, I had to wait for the plumber. The toilet had overflowed Sunday night and flooded my bathroom. I had to use every towel I had to soak it up and keep it from seeping into the carpet of my room and the closet. The plumber came quickly though and took care of it. So I used the rest of the day to get some things organized, bring more stuff in, etc. Around 5:30, George called me to tell me Grandma had passed. It happened after Mom had spent the night, and stayed at her side, but had momentarily stepped out of the room. She felt terrible that she wasn't there at the last moment. But Grandma was never alone. Not like when Grandpa died. When I arrived, I told her I was sorry, but that she did everything she could do. Mom, Dad, Heather, George and I sat in the room for a while, waiting for the mortuary guy to come. We each said our goodbyes. Then we headed home.

We ordered a pizza and then George and Heather went home. I slept upstairs with Mom. I had a fitful night and woke up with a weird numbness in my hands. I hadn't been prepared to stay over. I didn't have my meds and I slept in a dress that was still in my closet. After getting up, and watching TV for a while after breakfast, I was still sleepy. Mom and Dad had to go meet the mortuary guy again to make arrangements, but they told me to go back to bed since I was still tired. I think I slept until 2 p.m.

After dinner, I headed back to my place. I needed my meds to sleep and a change of clothes. I took off Wednesday too, but Mom ended up not needing me for anything. I went back to work Thursday.

I'm still slowly unpacking and getting things set up. In the meantime, Mom & Dad are selling the house. They wasted no time, once me and Grandma were gone. They have a realtor and people have already come to look at it. They want to build a new house a few exits away, all on one floor, which is what they've been wanting for a while now.

Next, Miracle will be gone. Dad says he's not ready to lose her yet. And frankly, neither am I. She does have a bunch of health problems. But like Grandma, she's still walking around the house, living like normal. Slower, but just as barky. Whenever I stop by the house, I'm relieved to see she's still there. But sometime soon, she won't be.

And I'll be back at my place. Surrounded by the quietness of space.

Falling Down

Last weekend, aside from haunting the hot spots around Henderson, I made my first forays out into the holiday shopping fray. I went to the Shoppes at the Palazzo to see if there was anything good on sale. I saw a couple of things, but I ended up being good. I managed to get out of there without buying anything, though not for lack of trying. The skull charm bracelet I wanted from Links of London was on sale, but they didn't have the right color. And of course nothing was on sale at Burberry. So I made it out safe. Until the next day.

I hit the outlet stores. It was a long slow winding line up to the roof of the parking structure. But I found a spot where a man was putting his bags in his car and getting ready to leave. I put my blinker on to wait for him. And he had a stroller, and then he had to get back out to look for something in the backseat. And then it looked like he was going to make a phone call, all of which he had a right to do of course. I sat there there thinking, seriously? but reminded myself to be patient. I was rewarded with a good spot that where I thought Rory would be safe.

First off from the stairs was the Burberry outlet. I quickly ducked inside. It was packed. I found a big pile of hats on clearance. And then a beautiful silk scarf for 50% off. And a cute compact umbrella complete with a clam shell case. All of it was on sale, but I still ended up spending almost $400! Woops. And none of it was on gifts.

Then, I hit the Cole Haan outlet where they had their traditional Black Friday weekend deals, 50% off plus an additional 20% with my VIP coupon. How can you go wrong? I realized that I was breaking my Purse embargo. I had made it a whole 5 months. I figured it was okay though, because I spent less than $200, on a bag which I'd been waiting for it to go on sale. So my embargo had new rules, no "expensive" handbags for 6 months. Okay then. Still on track for that. Then I went to Kipling, and of course I had predetermined that Kipling bags don't count.

It was a bit naughty, but not too bad. Me and George had already decided what we were going to get mom and dad so there was no pressure to be figuring out the gifts.

Tuesday once we had internet again, I got a steal in the Hayden-Harnett sale. "Expensive" bag embargo still intact. This weekend I knew I would have to take it easy though. I stayed home Friday, aside from my errand at the bank and a quick stop for red velvet hot cocoa. Man that stuff is good.

I had to get out of the house today though. I needed the exercise. After the weekend with Hina, I've been really noticing that I've been feeling worn out doing regular things that never used to tire me out. And the recent struggle finding jeans has brought home to me the reality that I'm actually putting on a bunch of weight. I can't deny it any longer, or pretend that I don't care.

So I'd walk. I'd walk the mall. I visited Saks and checked out what they had on sale there. A few tempting options. But I made it out empty handed. They had a some good sales on bags at Macy's. Again, I refrained. I went upstairs to the women's dept. I tried on 4 pairs of jeans, and found one that fit as well as I'd probably be able to expect. I called it a victory. I picked up a couple of sweaters too after much debate. This one Lauren Ralph Lauren sweater vest was on sale, but still expensive. I decided to go for it. The lady at the register had me apply for a Macy's card. Again I was declined as I expected, but it got me another 25% off. So not bad.

I went into Neiman's and found some cool shoes on sale. Then in the bag department, I resisted temptation and only bought a pretty Diane Von Furstenberg scarf (on sale). So far, all but the jeans were on sale. But there was another type of damage.

In Macy's I bent over to pick something up, and my back was not happy. I remembered that the same thing had happened to me the last time I was in Macy's. And I'd felt tired after walking the mall for a short time. Just like today. When I was trying on the shoes in Neiman's I had a bit of a hard time bending down to take off my socks. Damn. I headed back to the car to drop off my bags. I waved off a lady who wanted my parking space.

I headed to the food court to get something to eat and drink. Mostly I was way thirsty. I went to Wendy's and got a burger and a big Dr. Pepper. Then I slowly made my way back down the mall. I reminded myself to take it easy. I went into LeSportsac and got a weekender bag (not a purse) which was also on sale. I went into Claire's to check out the Glee trinkets. There was some cute stuff. I thought it was all on sale, but the things I got ended up not being on sale. Only a few dollars though. Finally I went back to Nordstrom and headed up to women's. I got a top, and Ingrid, my favorite sales lady, gave me a really big shopping bag. It came in handy later when I picked up another couple of gifts. A second Burberry umbrella (I know! but it was blue!), and a Marc by Marc scarf with the print I had admired on those nylon totes. So cute! Then, aaahhh, it was time to go home. I left the bags in the car until Mom and Dad went out. Then I realized that I'd go quite a bit of stuff. And I still have to go out with George tomorrow and get Mom's birthday gift. And I have to get his too.

Hopefully I won't feel too wrecked when I get out of bed tomorrow. Hopefully, I can do it without falling down.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Exo-Politics

I cast my ballot on Saturday, the first day of early voting. Now I must wait for the results on November 2nd and am left wondering exactly how many unreasonable people there are in this state and this country.

I hear many of them all around me. Some, in places I expect, like on the bus and at work. And some in places it seems to come out of nowhere. Like certain MINI club cohorts.

I try to stay out of any such discussions I come across. But it gets to me sometimes, how ignorant people can be. I get it; everyone hates Harry Reid. But Sharron Angle? Seriously? This right wing wackjob is just one of a dozen or so tea party/far right Republicans that are evidence of just how crazy things are in this country now. The fact that these candidates can be anywhere near the mainstream....Christine O'Donnell anyone?

Here's how I see it: Conservative is a code word which means, I got mine, so screw you. Conservatives are worried about the deficit, and too much government. Which means, they want less regulation so they can continue finding loopholes with their greedy Wall Street ways, so they can get richer while everyone else gets poorer. They don't want taxes to increase for the rich to help pay down that deficit they are so worried about. They feel like, hey, they earned their money, through "hard work" and shouldn't be charged for being more successful than everyone else. The free market is their answer to fixing the economy and health care. So wait, haven't we been trying that? How has it worked out by the way? Oh yeah, it hasn't.

So Sharron Angle wants to eliminate the Dept. of Education, the VA, Social Security. They think everyday Americans have an attitude of entitlement and are lazy, collecting unemployment or welfare. Meanwhile her husband is living off his government pension from the Bureau of Land Management.

Conservatives want the government to stay out of their lives. Yet, they want the government to keep women from choosing to have an abortion, even in cases of rape or incest! And they want it to tell gay people they can't get married.

They are anti-immigration, anti-gay, anti-health care for children and the poor. Selfish, racist, hypocritical...I could go on, but I'd just get upset. The Fox news distortion of reality, Glenn Beck and his John Birch Society "university."

So people are voting. And we can only hope that enough people see through this rampant craziness and do the right thing. Harry Reid may not be perfect, but he's the only real choice. And if anyone asks me, I'll tell them I voted for him. Response from the wackos may very well follow. But as logic and facts are not enough to convince them, let's hope it doesn't come to those "2nd amendment remedies" Angle suggested.

And that they not drive me around the bend, so much that I want to take a swing at someone out of sheer frustration.

May cooler heads prevail.


-- Post From My iPod Touch

Hysteria

I'm helped out here by my dear friend Skip who has already done a superior job of describing it. I'll add some more thoughts at the end. But for now, here is what happened Saturday night.

(So, let me come to the stage set.

On entering the arena the stage was quickly located by the 3 tall skyscrapers looming above us. They were grey and black and near-silhouettes. During the breath-holding anticipation of the main act, the usual blokeys were lifted in their slings to the rafters. I stood, the atmosphere thickening, my breathing bottoming out, searching for the big screens that would save my neck.

At around 9pm, the lights faded. The cheers burgeoned and the breathing stopped.

One by one, and sometimes two by two, lights came on at the windows of the skyscrapers. Finally all were lit. There was a female commentary as the lights became white silhouettes of people climbing stairs, and then descending, all in lines. I wasn’t really listening to what was being said, only to hear her say “kill number 7” repeatedly. It jogged some sort of memory (Orwell’s 1984?) as one silhouette was shot and fell, knocking all those below him to the floor.

Then the folds of linen covering the towers slowly lowered to reveal reds. And I craned to see the stage as Uprising burst forth. And then, seconds later, with a half-laugh, I saw them. The towers had split horizontally, and there, on platforms in the gaps, were Matt, Dom, and Chris. The upper parts of the towers were now camera screens projecting each man’s image in black and red. And I no longer cared about the tall bloke just ahead of me.

Chris wore black.

Dom wore black.

Matt wore shiny sunglasses and electric blue trousers.

Matt threw his glasses into the crowd.

Uprising slipped neatly and familiarly into Resistance, and then the platforms lowered. I was mildly unsettled as I stretched to see, but not surprised. After all, there’s sliding and strutting and posturing to be done. Can’t do that on a plinth 20 feet in the air.

I don’t know the exact setlist, other than it was glorious. There was no Citizen Erased, but there was New Born, and, to my delight, after a short-but-somehow-long meeting of the band around the drums, MKUltra. Dom said, post-discussion, “Okay, now we can play the song. We’ve not done it before, and it’s a bit tricky, so….anyway….”

To me, faultless.

They played Hysteria, Mappo Problemo, Plug In Baby, Supermassive Blackhole, Starlight….oh, and so many more. Sadly none from Showbiz, happily, all but 3 from The Resistance.

During the show they went up and down on the platforms, Matt at the grand piano for Feeling Good (and yes, he hit that note again), they stood at the end of gantries over the crowd, and swapped sides once. The lighting was amazing, and dominating the reds and greens and yellows and whites and flashes of silver was the electric blue.

They finished with Unnatural Selection which was about as an immaculate performance as could ever be heard.

Frustratingly too soon, for me, they left the stage, only to return, again 20 feet up, playing Exogenesis Part 1. They came down to earth for Stockholm Syndrome and a loud and jolly Knights of Cydonia.

Even more frustratingly too soon, they had gone and the lights were up.)

I'd been spoiled by seeing Muse from the front row of smallish venues. And this time, through stubbornness and with a bit of luck, I ended up in the front row again. With my brother George by my side. My 3-time Muse companion now. This time, intimacy was replaced by a delirious garden of larger than life dreams. The stage set the same as Skip described, the set list just slightly changed. Matt wore a silver suit instead of the electric blue trousers. When he came to play in front of us, we could see his trousers had holes at the knees where Matt slid on the stage. Chris had a suit on too. A light blue shinyish ensemble. It might have been satin. He looked really good. Dom was in black, smiling as always. He and Chris had a rollicking jam session on the rotating drum platform. And I tried to absorb every minute. Towards the end, the big balloons filled with confetti floated down from the ceiling, and were batted around by the crowd popping to release the red and white strips which drifted down on us like a joy filled rain. They played their hearts out, and like Skip said, were gone too soon. But they left us an experience like no other to take with us back to our everyday.