Thought of the day
No Regrets?
Well, Maybe Just One.
We all have those moments we wish we could redo, and today I found myself thinking about one of mine. It was September 1992, and I was attending the University of Idaho in Moscow—a small town with a student population of about 12,000. While the university was decent-sized, Moscow wasn’t exactly a hotspot for big-time concerts. The nearest metro area, Spokane, was 90 miles away, so most major acts opted for the logistical ease of performing there.
That said, every now and then, Moscow got lucky. We hit the jackpot in 1992: Alice in Chains, a band on the cusp of global stardom, honored their agreement to play at the University of Idaho. The venue—a modest ballroom—held about 900 people, but somehow they crammed in close to 1,200. Tickets were so oversold that even some paying fans were turned away by police and fire marshals.
But not me. Oh no—I was front row with one of my fraternity brothers, ready to rock my socks off as the crowd buzzed with anticipation. The air was electric, a sweaty mosh pit of humanity waiting for AIC to take the stage.
Then disaster struck: my fraternity brother’s girlfriend showed up. She wasn’t happy and wanted to go home. To make matters worse, she had brought along her equally unhappy friend. My buddy needed backup to deal with the situation and begged me to be his wingman. Initially, I refused—I knew this concert was going to be legendary.
Then he dropped the bombshell: his girlfriend’s friend thought I was cute. Well, that changed things. In a moment of weakness and terrible judgment, I let my little head overrule my big head. Off we went to their apartment, leaving behind what would undoubtedly become one of the most epic concerts of my life.
Spoiler alert: nothing happened at the apartment. I got more action at the mosh pit. Turns out her “cute” comment didn’t translate into actual interest in Mr. Shife. Meanwhile, Alice in Chains rocked the house without me. To this day, when I listen to their songs, I kick myself for missing that show.
After that, I teased my friend for a little bit.
When I would see some girls, I would ask him which one he thought would think I was cute.
When I would see some girls, I would ask him which one he thought would think I was cute.
So that is my story.
What about you?
Do you have a regret you think about every now and then?
What about you?
Do you have a regret you think about every now and then?
Thanks for stopping by, and I will talk to you soon.
I will persevere.
I will keep moving forward.
I will be the stream.
My oldest brother convinced me years ago that regret is a wasted emotion. I try not to think about things I can't undo or I'd be wallowing in regret. Missing the concert would have been a real bummer.
ReplyDeleteYour brother is a smart man. I have a very few regrets but that is one thing I would have changed if I could but I guess things worked out OK for me.
DeleteI’m PO’d for you! I had countless first dates that I regret. Just because someone asks you out doesn’t mean you have to say yes. 🙄
ReplyDeleteI was young and dumb.
DeleteI regret not living in France for a year. It was, unfortunately, due to a relationship that didn't end up working out anyway!
ReplyDeleteQuelle poisse!
DeleteI have probably done many things I regret but I don't live there since I can't change anything of what happened. Cue musical interlude:
ReplyDelete♫ ♪Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way ♪ ♫
Great philosophy, Bob. And thanks for the musical interlude. Where's your tip jar?
DeleteNo matter what part of your anatomy you were thinking with, I hope you had a mullet as magnificent as the one in that hilarious gif!
ReplyDeleteI had the party in the front instead of the back during this time and I had to wear a bandanna or visor to keep it out of my face.
DeleteI was hoping this story was how you met your life partner. Dancing at a concert and you locked eyes and BOOM that was it.
ReplyDeleteA much cooler story, Ami, but that would have to wait about 6 more years.
DeleteDo I have a regret? Well...yes. I can't narrow it down to one though.
ReplyDeleteFine. You can have an extension.
DeleteSimilar story. Many years ago an urban city where I used to live near would shut down a major street for a weekend and there would be all these concerts in vacant lots along the mile long thoroughfare and one could walk between them listening. A group of us decided to attend the even and listen to this new to us group from Seattle that was starting to make waves in the music industry. As we waited for them to start, more and more people kept cramming into the lot and being that it was hot, people were starting to pass out and people started hosing down the crowd to cool them off. We decided it wasn't worth it so using me as a human shield and battering ram, I forced my way through the crowd with the rest in tow hanging onto my belt. We made it safely out and continued onto other less crowded concerts. So to this day, I've never heard Pearl Jam in concert.
ReplyDeleteWow. Cool story, Ed. I have seen them twice. Once at an outdoor venue in Missoula, MT and it was amazing.
Delete