Week 41: A First Time for Everything

Week 41: A First Time for Everything is a photo of my very first Dave Matthews Band t-shirt that I purchased last night at my very first DMB live concert...I say "live" concert because I have experienced countless recorded album performances over the years. It's hard to say what part of my adult life doesn't have a little of Dave entwined in its memory.

Last night was a landmark event for me in a few ways. As already mentioned, it was my first live DMB event. And it was the "check-off-that-box" for #5 of my "40 Before 40" list.

And in case anyone is keeping tabs, I've started working at #4 (volunteer regularly) and #9 (see more live music in my 30's than I did in my 20's). And I did #28: (attend a cherry blossom extravaganza) in Seattle just a couple of weekends ago.

Last night was also the anniversary of the first time I moved back to my hometown as an adult. Yep. I moved home on May 5th, 2005...on 5.5.05...on Cinco de Mayo. And last night, on my 4 year anniversary, Dave sang to me live and in person.

The funny thing is, I'm not really satisfied...which is why I titled today's blog as A First Time for Everything. Seeing Dave was awesome; I want to do it again. Volunteering a few times has been great; I feel like I'm just getting started. I've seen more live music; there's more out there. I've gone to Seattle's Cherry Blossom Festival; I'm already dreaming of San Francisco or D.C. or Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not discontent. I'm not dissatisfied. I'm not disappointed. I'm not a been-there-done-it type. And therein lies the problem.

It's one of those things that makes me realize once again how big the world is and how much I love it and how much I want to see it and touch it and feel it and experience it. Not just once. For the first time and a thousand times over. Which is why I think I love photography so much.

And now for a bit of poetry. The first half is my experience. The second half are lyrics I love and heard last night.

Cinco de Mayo
Sunset over sparkling city
Backdrop for a show
Radiating sound
Illuminating the crowd's haze
Sweat and strums and sounds
Irresistible dance and sway
Breeze from over the river
Cools the grass and everyone
Who can hear the music
Swelling and rising
Falling and changing

Life is short but
Sweet for certain
No words exchanged
No time to exchange
Red is the color of the sun
With my eyes closed
I do my best for you
Burning down the house
How could I have been anyone
other than me?
Everyone wanted to be you and me
I want to be too.

© 2009 Sarah Doty