Feelings

It’s Thursday! I am growing to love this day of the week. While I try to bring a part of myself and my own love of this band into most any post – these are special. This space is where I am just me, and I share whatever I’m feeling that week.

This week, I’ve had a lot of feelings. I don’t know that I would have said that last week. In fact, two weeks ago or so, when I finally decided that no, I wouldn’t make the trip to Birmingham to see the band (and many of you), I was mad. I wasn’t angry at Duran Duran, or other fans, or really anyone. I was just upset by the circumstances. I’d pretty much made up my mind that I’d have to just ignore the posts and comments about the shows.

I was dead wrong. Monday was Daily Duranie’s eleventh anniversary. I couldn’t really help but be involved on that day, just because as each year passes, I’m actually shocked we’re still going strong. Say what you will about Amanda and I, but I know that every single time the calendar turns to September, we both take a second and think, “Holy shit. They haven’t run us off yet!” Then Tuesday hit, and I found myself seeking out the good news online. I loved seeing people I know heading to the show, and waiting for the band to come onstage. Then naturally many of us wondered what would be included in the set.

As envious as part of me was, there was another feeling that grew as the week moved on. I couldn’t help feeling happy. People posted videos, shared set lists, and chatted with many of us throughout the world who simply couldn’t be there. I can’t tell you how many people reached out – wanting to share their joy with me. Duranies contacted me directly on Facebook, sent messages on Twitter, and I even had several texts. I wasn’t jealous at all, I was grateful. Instead of feeling left out and dejected, my heart was full, and yes, JOYFUL.

So, thank you to everyone who reached out! I appreciated every single tweet, post, and message. I’ve loved seeing everything you’ve shared! I can’t help but feel like I was at least there in small part, and the generosity with your time and effort to include Daily Duranie and even me personally didn’t go unnoticed. Once again, I feel very, very lucky to have found my people. As I tweeted earlier in the week, we may not be through this pandemic yet, but I feel like we’ve taken one big step in the right direction towards “normal”. This week felt closer to normal than I’ve felt in 18 months. I hope some of you felt it, or even allowed yourself to feel it, if even just for a minute. We deserve some happy. More joy.

Just watching the videos from the nights in Birmingham make me smile. Looking at the set list, hearing all of that positivity and joy coming from the stage, well, I can’t help but be excited for the band. These were the first shows in two years. As Simon said this week, “You don’t realize you miss it until it’s gone.” They had missed performing, and I know we’ve missed them. Then last night, Simon went one further, expressing some emotion. Check it out below.

Rarely have I seen Simon get emotional, and certainly not over the band’s career or longevity. It has been my experience that in true “rock star” style, at least publicly, Simon tends to simply accept what he feels is due. Forty years of success? But of course….That’s not a slam from me, by the way. It’s not all overinflated ego, it’s just being a rock star, combined with the likely, undeniable, self-observation that yes, they’ve worked damn hard to get here, and deserve the accolades! Lately though, I’ve seen a teensy bit of that humility come through, and I love it. There is something about being able to look your hero in the eyes and see that he too, is grateful for your continued presence (as we are of his). I think it’s pretty cool. Seems like these days, gratitude and joy are contagious; and yeah, I like where this is going.

-R