Usually, the day after a major trip or vacation is one in which I try to take it easy. Figuratively catch my breath before returning to the grind, if you will.
However, yesterday was a little different. Despite being the first full day after getting back the day prior, I went ahead and attended an event which I had learned about well before going on the trip. It was neither a concert nor a book signing (much less a sports event of any kind). No, this was singer Sarah McLachlan signing copies of her recently released album - his first in over a decade - at the Barnes & Noble at Union Square in New York City.
As soon as I heard about this event, I was determined to go. Yes, the timing for me, personally, was not ideal. It was the day after returning from Europe, which made for a very long day. I mean that literally at 30 hours, as well as figuratively, since traveling on two flights for a total of over nine hours, plus the extra time waiting at airports, and all that goes with it, tend to be exhausting.
Still, my determination o go had not wavered. After all, Sarah McLachlan ranks as one of my favorite musicians, and likely my favorite female musician. I had seen her, but only once. And that had been a long time ago, from the nosebleed section at a Christmas concert at Madison Square Garden which she was a part of back in December of 1997.
So I went. Made sure that everything was in order to allow me to go.
Going into the city, which is something I rarely do these days, made it feel a little like I was still on vacation. Taking a train, taking in some of the local parks and landmarks during my fairly short stay, all felt almost like an extension of what I had just done in southern France and northeastern Spain for the week and a half or so prior. However, getting there had been annoying. There was just a ton of traffic to the PATH station, and it was just....well, annoying.
However, I got there eventually. Then I went straight to the 14th Street station, which is close to Union Square, and the bookstore where the signing was to be held. Not as early as I had originally planned for or liked to have been, although I still managed to be one hour earlier. That early, I was among the relatively early arrivals, as people were sitting in the first eight or so rows, and even the last three or four rows were hardly full yet. They would fill up fairly quickly, by the time that Sarah McLachlan actually showed, because she is a fairly prominent musician. So I was glad to have gotten there at least as early as I did.
Then, it was a matter of waiting. Kept busy by reading books while sitting, having taken pictures of the books which I was reading. Before long, the time was soon there. She showed up, the conditions of the signing were told, and then it began.
Sitting in the eighth row, I sat a bit and watched while the first seven rows went. Eventually, it was our turn, and so up we went.
Once it was my turn, I said, "It's nice to meet you." I had specifically not wanted to say that, since we were not actually meeting. Not really.
Yet, that is what I said.
She said hi, nice to meet you, and then it was time for the picture. It could have come out better, but what are you going to do?
After that, I told her that I had been there and seen her many years ago, at the Z-100 Christmas concert. Couldn't remember the name.
At first, I didn't think that she had heard.
Then, she said, "Hmm....the Z-100 Jingle Ball?"
"Yes, that was it."
"Wow," she said, considering. "It's been a minute."
Indeed, it had been a long time ago. Nearly 28 years ago.
Then, she told me to keep the two records apart for a minute, as the ink needed to dry.
And that was it. My turn was now done. Indeed, I held the two lp's apart to try and let them dry. Once they were dry, I went downstairs to use the restroom again, and then left the store and into the city.
For a brief while, I thought about that night, nearly 28 years earlier. In December of 1997, a little more than two weeks before Christmas, if memory serves correctly. I had gotten three tickets, and gone with my then girlfriend (now ex-wife) and a friend, who actually had been into Sarah McLachlan. It had been a very huge concert, filled with big names. An exciting night that I had been glad to be a part of at a much younger age, filled with energy.
Now a lot older, I was similarly glad to have come and seen her again. It would be great to see her again in concert. But I am old enough to count my blessings. I was glad to have been there on this night, even though it was very different than the first time. I had been in my twenties (in my younger twenties still, if you can believe it) and it had been a cold December night. Now I am fifty, and it was a hot and humid night. Possibly the last hot and humid night in New York City this year.
Below are some pictures of the Sarah McLachlan signing event. Glad to have gone and been a small part of it. Also, glad to have gotten two copies of her latest record signed by her.
Enjoy the pictures.
My picture with Sarah Palin was not as good as I had hoped. First of all, it is hardly flattering. Also, my face looks partially blurry. Still, it is a cool pic to have, and a nice little memento of this event.
The album cover for Sarah McLachlan's latest release, "Better Broken."
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