Dead Man’s Bones Concert: Part 1
I don’t even know where to begin to write this post. Last night was so surreal. That is just the best way to describe it.
Let me just start by setting the scene. It was an unusually cold and rainy day. Please keep this detail in mind as I tell you about the next thing that happened.
We arrived in Philly around 4pm and decided to try to go and pick up the tickets (which were on will call) since we had a few hours to spare before the concert began. We pulled up to the church (yes, I wrote church…did I mention they were performing in some rather odd venues?). Anyway, Brad pulled our minivan into the alley so I could leap out and run in to see if we could get the tickets. I just about had my umbrella out and ready to go when we noticed that there was a U-Haul parked there. We saw a bunch of guys unloading things from it.
That was when I first saw him.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Ryan Gosling was about ten feet away from me. Let me repeat that. RYAN GOSLING WAS ABOUT TEN FEET IN FRONT OF ME!!!!!!!!!!
He looked like an angel to me. This is all I can remember for sure. I can’t remember many details from that first sighting because it was then that I experienced my first case of Gos-induced brain mush. It was as though I had entered into a catatonic state. Do you remember the episode of the Brady Bunch when Cindy went on that tv quiz show and looked like this every time the cameras were rolling:
That was how I must have looked, except that I think there may have been some screaming involved as well.
It was though time had stopped and the earth was no longer spinning on its axis. At least that is how it felt to me. If I didn’t hear the muffled sound of Brad screaming, “Get out of the car. Why are you just sitting there?” or feel my heartbeat pounding out of my chest I may have thought I was dead.
Thankfully he went back into the church, so I had a few minutes to clear my head and devise a plan. The plan was to call my friend Kate and ask her what I should do. Unfortunately, she was not home so I screamed a completely incoherent message into her answering machine saying something like “Oh my God, Ryan Gosling is right in front of me. Oh my God, I have no idea what to do. Why aren’t you home? How can you be out at a time like this???? I don’t know what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
It was at this point that Brad was about to kill me. He was so mad at me I could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears. He was like, “Get yourself together, woman. Get the hell out of the car and ask him for a picture!!!”
But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I know, I know….I am a total coward, but I did have my reasons and let me try to explain.
First of all, it was pouring. I didn’t want to ask him to stand in the rain to get a picture with me. Yes, I know, in retrospect I probably should have done it so that I could have had a moment of being in the rain with Ryan Gosling and make this dream come true…
I mean, really?! Ryan in the rain is just like the sexiest thing EVER!!!! However, I remind you that my mind wasn’t completely working that well at this point so I hadn’t thought of this prospect. I continued to convince myself that this was not the right moment.
He just looked super busy lifting heavy things and the last thing I wanted to do was to interrupt him from his important work. I mean what if he was annoyed with me and the one picture I had taken with him ended up with him having a sour look on his face. Call me crazy, but I just wasn’t willing to take that chance. It was a gamble but I just knew in my heart that I’d get another chance after the show.
Plus, I was shaking so hard at this point that I really didn’t think I would be able to walk.
Against my better judgement, Brad convinced me that my legs were not in fact broken and that we should at least get out and go see about picking up the tickets. He said we didn’t have to ask him for a picture but we should at least try to arrange a not-so-chance encounter. Sadly, he must have noticed the crazy girl in the mini-van freaking out because by the time we made it into the church he was no where to be found. I have a theory that he probably hid himself in a closet until we left.
We weren’t able to pick up our tickets yet and the guy at the door told us to come back at 8pm when the doors would open. So we went down the street and had dinner. I proceeded to down two mixed drinks. Obviously, I was in need of some liquid courage.
We made our way back to the church to get in line around 6:30pm. The line was already pretty long and I was kicking myself for wasting so much time at the restaurant. Who needs food at a time like this?!?!?!
We stood in line for what seemed like an eternity. It was FREEZING!! Thankfully, at least the rain had stopped. The band was running late so they didn’t open the doors at 8pm. At around 8:30 or so Ryan and Zach came out to apologize. Once again, it was as though my brain turned to mush because I couldn’t think fast enough to get my camera out and snap a picture. I just stood there in utter disbelief that he was right there looking so beautiful.
Finally, we got to go inside and see the show. I’ll be the first to admit that I was skeptical about their music when I first heard it online. That was until I listened to the cd in its entirety. It is beautiful, romantic, haunting music and I’m not just saying that because Ryan sings the songs. They really have created something magical here with Dead Man’s Bones. I could go on and on about how fantastic the concert was but I feel like no matter what words I used to describe it, I wouldn’t be doing it any justice. It was simply FANTASTIC!
After the show was over, I was on a mission. I was not leaving the grounds of that church without a picture. We waited outside in the cold for over an hour. There were about eight other crazy girls waiting for them too. I felt glad to not being the only stalker.
Zach came out first. Let me just say that I had no idea how cute he was. I guess I was too busy with my Gos-Obsession that I hadn’t even noticed.
And he is just about the nicest person EVER!!! He was so incredibly friendly and was happy to chat with us about the show. This picture isn’t the greatest, but let me tell you–he is ADORABLE!!
I had absolutely no problem forming words and stringing them together to make sentences. In fact, I really enjoyed our conversation.
I tell you this because I once again lost all control of my ability to speak or do just about anything when Ryan came out. Here I was again in a Gos-trance and I had to rely on Brad to ask him to take a picture. I can vaguely remembering him asking my name and I must have answered him because I’m pretty sure he said, “Hi Jen.“ I felt his arm go around me. I tried so hard to stay in the moment and really feel what was happening but I failed miserably at this. Before I knew it, the moment was over and he had moved on to another girl.
Here is our photo:
I walked away because I felt weird standing there after the picture was taken. However, once he was out of my line of vision, all my capacities to think came back and I realized that I wanted to ask him something, so we went back over to the church. Sadly, he was already going back inside. I contemplated running after him and tackling him. Instead I acted like a sane adult and watched him walk away. Zach walked by so we asked him the question instead. Once again, he was incredibly nice and seemed genuinely interested in talking about his music. I’m sure Ryan would have been the same way if I could have gotten my act together sooner. He seemed really sweet when I watched him interact with the other fans.
Aggghhhh!!! Why did I have to freeze up?!?!?!
The night obviously was not a bust, but I really wish that I had been able to have a conversation with him. Luckily, I know myself well enough to have foreseen that this was going to happen. That is why I bought tickets for both shows he was doing in my area. We are headed to DC tonight. I plan to get him to sign my cd case and actually SAY SOMETHING TO HIM!!!!!!!!
Wish me luck!!!!!
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Congratulations on your Gos-meetup! And hope you get another chance tonight.
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couldn’t wait to get up this morning to see what had happened. what can i say??? sick with jealousy!!! really glad the show is so amazing though. how cute is his little smile in that photo. bloody good work jen. hve fun tonight and i look forward to more stories.
krissa´s last blog ..
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can i post your photo on my blog??
krissa´s last blog ..
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Jen… OMG!!!!! this post was amazing… i was on my toes the entire time! Love your pic with RG… you both have matching eye colors (am I right?)… I’m sooo happy for ya…. honestly. I hope you got to do a little touching (groping, rubbing, you name it ) while standing next to him. Looking forward to your next GosWatch!
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OMG Jen,
I have been waiting in anticipation all last night to hear how it went!
I was thinking last night about you and what you must have been feeling being so f___ing close to him! All this time, you’ve dreamed about him, and you’ve finally got to see him. I would have died and my mouth would have stopped working and my legs would have stopped working, too. Wow! I can’t believe that you actually saw him and he touched you!! Hope you get to talk to him tonight. Way to go on your courageous determination. Why must it be that when we’re around guys we don’t care about, it’s so easy to be ourself; Yet, around the dreamy One, we forget our own name?
And how ironic that you happened to be at the church right when he was unloading the equipment!
-Krysta
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I like to think of it as fate that brought us together at the exact same time and place.
I have always been this way around guys that I liked. It is a terrible flaw!
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OMG. OMG. I can’t breathe, OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
Jenn(ifer)´s last blog ..
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Ok, so I’ve gained my composure. I seriously was giddy with pure excitment for you!!!! I swear I just lived vicariously through you and this post. He is soooo scrumdiddlyuptious!! MY LAAAAWDDDD..He is beautiful. I can’t imagine the opportunity to be THAT close to HIM!
Tell me, could you feel his beautiful muscles under that black jacket he was wearing? Did you contemplate just grazing your hand over his backside…and saying “Ooops, my bad” LOL
He is just a vision! I’m sooooooooooooo incredibly happy for you!!!!
Jenn(ifer)´s last blog ..
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Yes, I definitely contemplated grabbing his butt. I had a terrible inner struggle going on the whole time I was near him. One part of me was like carpe diem and the other part was all “don’t make a fool of yourself” and ruin the moment.
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He’s got his sexy face on for the picture, I’m so excited for you!!! And if was raining and you rain over to him and jumped, he’d have HAD to catch you I think. So that’s what you do next time you are that close to him in the rain. You should have called me!!
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I know!! He really does have a cute, playful, sexy look on his face. God, every time I look at this picture I melt all over again. Love that look!!
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How did I know this was going to happen??? It must have been the photo shopped photo you have… all that positivity brought it to you! You are the luckiest person in the world! I sure hope you get to talk to him tonight!!
SueMac in the Psych Ward´s last blog ..Friday Fragments 10/16/09
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I agree! I think it was The Secret in action!
Of course, this pic is sooooo much better because it is the real thing! I do wish my arms were skinnier like they were when my head was on Rachel’s body.
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Next time you see him you need to tell him “Why didn’t you write me? Why!!!! I waited for you.. for ——— (fill in the blank) years! And now it’s too late… I’m married to my gorgeous husband and have a couple adorable kids… !
Oh, hang on… wait…. come to think of it… I need to thank you actually, cuz my life is just perfect and I couldn’t dream of anything else…”
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Love this!! Actually this reminds me of a funny story that I wanted to share and left out of both these posts. I foresee a third post with all the leftover stuff coming soon.
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OMG that picture makes me so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I totally understand freezing up though I wouldn’t be much better. Can’t wait to hear about tonight!
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..Faith ‘n’ Fiction Saturday: Publishers and Branding
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Ahhh…I’m so excited for you and that picture!!!
Amy´s last blog ..Say Cheese – The Results
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OMG! YAH! Awesome photo! I’m so excited for ya.
Kari´s last blog ..Share-A-Smile Saturday!
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I feel like I’ve been on the sidelines of this incredible journey and suddenly there it is, the goal that you’ve worked so hard to make happen- has. You can be a groupy you know. Eventually he’ll start to recognize you. He’ll be all “Hey Jen! How’s Brad?” and you’ll be completely comfortable with him. On the next tour you’ll be answering the questions, hugging him before the show and keeping the crazy girls at bay until he is finished catching up with you…
I mean, it can TOTALLY happen.
I love this story. I love your picture. I’m a fool. As soon as I saw it, I literally cried for you. I did. I’m not lying… You look stunning next to him.
misty´s last blog ..Today…
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thank you, Misty!!! I love that you guys came along for the ride with me. So many of you have been with me from the very first GosWatch and I think it is so fun to be able to share this exciting adventure with all of you.
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I was at the show too and would have loved to get my pic with him, but I had a two hour drive home, and at 11:30, it was just too late to stick around any longer. Congrats on meeting him, you’re a true die-hard fan. BTW, if you were at the head of the line, then I’m sure you were just as annoyed when that gang of groupies jumped the line when the doors opened. Ugh, the nerve. But it’s cool because half of them ended up sitting behind me. Ha!
Lauren´s last blog ..LeTrain: Had planned on a campfire site @robafamilyfarms tonight, but it’s looking like that might not be a possibility…
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Omg! I just knew u were going to meet him! And after all that rainy weather u still look awesome in ur pic!! Thank god! And of course he looks effing hot!
Waiting for the next post. Hope ur luck there was just as good !
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I’m the director of the children’s choir that sang with them in Philly and NYC, and my daughter was the soloist on “Bang, Bang” with him. At 12, she’s still a year or so too young to have been completely star-struck, my teen-age girls certainly were. We worked with Ryan and Zach for two days, and my kids had the time of their lives! Both Zach and Ryan are complete gentlemen, and your encounter with them is just how they are. They love to talk with anyone interested in their music; it’s very different than the movie stalker-types Ryan has to deal with. They spent several extra hours with my kids, not leaving until every photo was taken and autographed signed.
The NYC and Philly performances were filmed for a documentary to be shown through Pitchfork media, should be out in a month or so. Glad you enjoyed the show! They’re very serious about their music.
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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s exactly what I squealed when I finally got to your pic with RG. In fact, it was so loud and the clapping of hands and bouncing around on my couch was so obnoxious, I scared the crap out of my cats.
I’m so happy for you. And I can’t wait to hear about the DC show. I wish they were coming here because I am totally in love with their quirky music.
And OMG you’re right, Zach is adorable!!!
Maggie´s last blog ..Efah’s first Adopt-a-Pet event
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OH.
MY.
STARS.
I can’t believe you FINALLY got a pic with Ryan! YAY!!! So happy for you! I was reading the post… and kept thinking “oh, I hope she got his pic!” The anticipation was killing me!
Shannnon´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to me!
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[...] Dead Man’s Bones Concert: Part 1 [...]
Sorry, I am behind in catching up on posts but I am SOOOOOOO happy for you that you got to meet him in person! I would have been star struck too! Yay for you!!
Shana´s last blog ..King Family Reunion
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so happy!!! I cant just stop thinking about this!
dont feel bad about your reaction, I mean… you didn’t embarassed yourself or anything, he should have thought that you are a very shy woman
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Loved this story! So glad you finally got to meet Ryan and get a picture with him!!
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Me too!
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Jen Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Testing out a new plugin. Ignore.
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I’m beaming for you Jenny, I smile through the whole past and completely plan on linking the post on my Facebook page… If I still had a blog, I’d even write a whole post about it, I’m that exited for you!
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[...] Dead Man’s Bones Concert: Part 1 [...]
I think you were right to not bug him while they were getting ready / it was raining. I can see that going poorly, too. Loved the whole recap and omg a Jen / Ryan for real picture – love it! Heading over to the part 2 post now…
Jen E @ mommablogsalot´s last blog ..WW: Your Weekly Dose Of Awww…
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