On this date in 2006, I went to the last festival I ever expect to attend. (Never say never, I suppose…but seriously…no freaking way I’m going to anymore of those if I can help it) It was Voodoo, in New Orleans.
The show wasn’t bad, even though I did insist that Duran Duran play more (I didn’t really suggest it that nicely, either). I strongly suspect that standing for ten hours and not having left the crowd to get food or use the facilities even once the entire day might have had a lot to do with my punchy mood and needle-sharp response when Simon asked if we had time for more. (*ahem* I may have cheekily responded, “One more? We’ve been here for twelve hours!! We’ve got time for fifty more! Now sing BITCH!”
Wow. It really does look bad when typed, doesn’t it?) Not one of my finer moments, although I still laugh when I think about it. I was so tired by that time. Sorry Simon.
The truth is, I remember only a few things about that show, and by “show” I mean Duran Duran’s time on stage. The rest of the day is a blur, and it’s probably best that way. While I’d love to recount the whole experience, I’ve done that far too many times on this very site.
What I do remember, is despite arguing with my sister, suffering from what I feel must have been dehydration, and never quite being in the right place at the right time, the trip was still fun. I smile at the memories. I miss the fun that comes with road tripping. It’s been a long time since I’ve traveled across the country with friends to a Duran show. I don’t just mean the driving trips with Amanda, although to be fair it’s been several years since one of those happened, too. I mean those times where a gig gets announced out of nowhere, and she calls me and announces that there’s been a Duranie alert. Then she spends ten minutes explaining why we have to go, and I spend twenty exclaiming all of the reasons why I can’t, but somehow we end up with tickets anyway. Then the day of, we’re traveling from all over, excitedly sending texts and phone calls, and laughing even though we’re not all even in the same place! There’s a giddiness that just takes over, and that shift in energy that seems to happen when enough Duranies are gathered- it’s almost palpable.
A lot has happened since those days, my friends. As much as I miss those times, I know I can’t get them back. I have changed a lot since 2006. So has Amanda. I don’t think either one of us would ever attempt a festival again, and particularly not under the same circumstances. When I think back on how things used to be between the two of us, or how we were when the band would even come up in conversation, I almost think of those times as though I was just a kid. Carefree, not necessarily easy, but somehow, it always seemed to work out. Sometimes a bit immature, but always fun. I’m glad I had those times, and I’m glad I had Amanda to experience all of those crazy moments with me. But things have changed, and not just between Amanda and I, but just in general. 2006 was fifteen delightful years ago. I was about to turn thirty-six. I still had some youthful energy, and a whole lot less wrinkles!
That’s what I mean by not getting those times back. So when I think back on sipping a hurricane with Amanda in New Orleans, or eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches off of silver platters at the Le Pavillon Hotel, walking down Bourbon Street with Halloween revelers dressed as giant penises, or naughty Nintendo Mario-the-Plumbers who liked to flash people, sitting at Club Ampersand watching the Duranie masses attach themselves to Dom and Simon W, or even walking into a very judgy fan crowd at a Duranie get together at the Marriott, I am happy. I’m lucky I have those memories, and I treasure them. Yes, I think about sitting across from Dom and Simon W. on the plane from Chicago to New Orleans, too. What a day that was! I don’t know if I would even survive a trip like that again, but I’m so glad I was given the opportunity once before. They made that part of my life complete.
I really don’t know what a tour for Future Past will look like. I will say though, I’ll be hard pressed to make it any better than the memories held in my heart and head. -R
