UK Rehearsal tickets!!

I must admit that under normal circumstances, I am not a jealous person.  I find no joy in being jealous of other people – it serves no purpose other than to be unhappy, and while at one point in my life I may have been “happy” to settle for unhappy, that is no longer the case.  Jealousy has mean feelings at it’s root, and there’s just no room for that in my life. Envy is another case entirely for me, although I find that when I’m envious of someone – I don’t have malicious feelings towards the person.  I simply wish I could do the same!  There’s no ill will from me, because again – that’s just a waste of my energy.  I’m envious of those amongst us that have no real ties to people or things, and can travel at the drop of a hat.  I’m envious of the band in some ways, because they have seen much of the world in a way that I probably can’t imagine, and for those who know me, they wouldn’t be surprised I’m a little envious of the idea of going luxury all the way while doing so.  😉  I have no trouble being envious, yet very realistic and happy within my own set of circumstances.  I’m thrilled for those who can and do travel more than I.  I’m excited that the band is still able to travel the world doing what they love.  There have been many times during the course of my fandom that I’ve had to look away, or focus on something good and positive in my own circumstances here at home because so-and-so has been able to travel for weeks on end to see the band; someone else has been able to do VIP for every single show they’ve done; ….Roger Taylor has gotten to go to Sicily to DJ and posts pictures of his “view” laying by the pool…..but I digress!!  (yes Roger, I’m the one who posted a response that I’d been out school shopping at the mall while you were tanning by the pool, and yes I still sort of think you had the better gig this time!)   The grass is always greener on the other side (or much darker tan anyway!), and I try to remember that.  No one can do it all, and I am absolutely no exception.  I know for certain I’m not alone in that regard, which is why it completely pleases me to no end as well as makes me completely GREEN with envy that Duran Duran announced earlier this week that they were making tickets available for those in the UK to attend some “dress rehearsal” shows (so to speak) prior to the start of their All You Need is Now tour.

I live in the US.  Why on earth would I be pleased?  Well to begin with, I have friends in the UK.  I’m very excited for those people that they have the chance to buy tickets to those shows.  I understand that only those who have been members of DDM have the opportunity to buy those tickets, but to be fair, this is probably one of the only real “perks” I’ve seen in many, many months from DDM.  I may be one of the last Duranies left in the world to have the capacity to be happy for other people beside myself – given what I’ve seen and read lately on the boards – but you know, there’s always room for more.  It might make our little slice of the world a little happier if we can find it within ourselves to be happy for other people for a change.  It wasn’t that long ago that the UK, and all of Europe for that matter, found themselves without a single show for the entire summer.  I know that many of those UK folks were both thrilled to see that the tour had been rescheduled, but also slightly disappointed when the US dates were announced to take place prior to those UK dates.  It just felt a little bit like a knife being stuck into an open wound when the US dates were announced, and that’s coming from someone who lives here….AND has tickets to the UK shows in December.  Some are probably wondering why I would feel that way, and here’s why: the US already had the band here last spring.  It just seems a little, well, unfair to have them back here before they go anywhere else again.  Yes, yes, I know that these dates were likely in planning before the UK dates were rescheduled, and I know that they probably just had to roll with it rather than plan everything all over from square one.  I can chew gum and walk at the same time without tripping much, too!  I think that most people know and understand the circumstances, but still have the capacity to be a little disappointed and maybe even just a little bit weary.  I have to hand it to most of my British friends out there, they handled the announcements with class and kindness.

Flash ahead to this past Monday, when I saw an announcement from the band regarding tickets to UK “dress rehearsals”.  Now, I’m not going to lie here – when I saw the announcement, I yelled.  I believe my words were something along the line of , “You have got to be kidding me!!  Why, WHY don’t I live in England?!?”  Now, before you all burn me at the stake, immediately following my brief rant I said that I was glad the UK people were getting such an opportunity, and that’s the truth.  Hey, I said I wasn’t a jealous person – I never said anything about being a complete saint all of the time.  😉  Sure I’m envious!  I was there in May when Simon told us all there was no way he could the show at the O2.  I can’t even put into words how it felt watching the band arrive and then leave the rehearsal that day.  It was horrible and it’s something I hope I never see again.  Anyone who was there knows exactly what I mean, and if you weren’t there, trust me on this – it wasn’t fun.  I’m both glad and envious for the people who were there outside the rehearsal studio that day that will have the chance to hear Simon before the rest of us.  I wish I could be there right along with them, and I’m not a bit ashamed to say so.  My only hope is that any one of them, or all of them, will take a moment to put my fears to rest and let me know it’s safe to buy an airline ticket for December!   (Of course I’m also hoping to hear that Simon sounds even better than before – he deserves at least that much after all of this.)

At that point, it will be full steam ahead for the 3 B’s:  Brighton, Bournemouth and Birmingham.   What’s more – I have to mention that Amanda and I somehow managed to get seats in the basic location for all three shows.  We’re in either the 3rd or 4th row, right between Simon and Dom. How does that happen?!?  (even better?  The one show I’m attending in Valley Center…I’m in the 3rd row, again right between Simon and Dom.  Is there some sort of seat god out there that has determined that to be my spot then?!?)  No matter, Amanda and I are excited, and will be even more so when we get the good thumbs up from our fellow British Duranies who go to see the rehearsals!

-R