================================================ Subject: Re: NCR - Trip report for hootie and the blowfish in Indianapolis 11.30 (part... From: To: Date: Sun 2 Dec 2001 01:50:54 EST ================================================ Honest is the best policy, right? So HONESTLY, I almost deleted this, cause I'm not really interested in Hootie and the Blowfish, but I read it out of shear 12:45 AM boredness and insomnia. And I have to say that even though I've only read this first part so far, I'm very touched. I've never seen this "softer" side of you. You really opened yourself up, and I'm moved. Can't say I can sympathize with your situation, not being close to anyone in the military myself. But I can empathize (is that a word? form of empathy. Oh well, nevermind not important), as I've had to look at life differently over the last few months as well. So thank you. Jen In a message dated 12/2/2001 12:30:39 AM Central Standard Time, creedlvr@LAFORNARA.COM writes: << I 'm working offline, so bear with me if I'm repeating post or information that Keith's already sent. Yes, it's the long-awaited TRIP REPORT - Hootie and the Blowfish - World Mardi Gras, Indianapolis, IN 11/30 As I sit in this spacious Boeing 757 (yeah, RIGHT) reflecting on the last 30 hours or so. I realize that I really have a lot to be thankful for in my life. It's not often I take the time to think about my fortune and today's been a good day for that. Let me explain.. Last night, Darius told a story about how they were rehearsing beginning Sept. 10 and were scheduled to rehearse on the 11th. Naturally, they didn't but he said it occurred to him on the 12th, that being "at war" has a very different meaning for families of US troops. This is true for active duty families as well as those in reserve units. Keith and I actually got into one of our rare fights around the third week of September over this very issue, but I digress. Anyway, Darius explained that in a literal moment, these men's and women's lives were going to change forever and immediately. They wrote a song about this . having to do with leaving for a war, not knowing exactly where you're going, what you'll be doing, and how long you'll be gone.. And sang it during the show last night. It was a wonderful song - I hope it makes it to the new album or a future release - and anyone standing near me, and probably Dean and Darius as well could tell you I bawled all the way thru it. You see, my husband is in the military. He's not at a high risk for heading to parts unknown, but as with all other active duty families, our lives have indeed changed for the foreseeable future and we're waiting for orders that may or may not come at any moment that will send him to be responsible for boarding foreign ships bound for US ports looking for God knows what. And anyone can tell you, this is considered among the most dangerous law enforcement duties in the military . So when I get to the airport today in Minneapolis and move from one terminal to another to catch my connecting flight, the presence of MPs carrying their automatic rifles combined with the adrenaline letdown from last night's excitement sets the emotions rolling again and leaves me melancholy. Not only because it saddens me that our lives have come to this.having to assure our own domestic security by military force, but that these men and women are probably far from home or they've found themselves with a new full-time job and an unanticipated leave of absence from a job that they presumably liked just fine. At the same time, I'm proud of the fact that we're able to rebound as a culture with such vigor and there really is a sense of normalcy which finally feels good and "right" to me after these three months. I'm happy that I'm in a place in my life that I was able to recognize the impact of the attacks of Sept. 11, was able to make decisions about my life and future based on them and that I'm in a financial position to carry out the whims of those decisions. Naturally, this includes traveling to Indianapolis for one night to catch a concert! >> To unsubscribe or change your preferences for the Creed-Discuss list, visit: http://www.winduplist.com/ls/discuss/form.asp