Working Concert Merch

Has anyone seen the box office smash "Titanic"? In case you haven't (and I know anyone who said they hadn't was lying so the jig is up), it's about this gigantic ship, which was actually smaller than the "Queen Mary" but they want you to think it's huge, that sank about a million years ago that every now and then makes the news again. You know like when some wacky couple decides to get married on it. Whatev. Anyway, the movie was way too long and if you ask me there were far too many shots of Leonardo DiCaprio, but I digress. The high point (as far as I'm concerned) of the whole movie was a scene where snobby-rich-girl Rose, played by Kate Winslet, meets poor-but-handsome Jack, played by afore-mentioned DiCaprio, in 3rd class (look out folks, she's slumming it!) for what has to be the coolest party on the high seas EVER. Except for that time when that guy pushed his fiancee overboard and then pretended she fell. Yeah right. We're all onto you, dude.

Anyway for those who don't remember (and those of you lame enough to own the movie... like me) there was an Irish band playing the party. This was for a couple of reasons. It was to acknowledge the fact that the boat, though owned by an English luxury line, was actually built in Ireland. It was also to point out the irony that not a single Irish passenger could afford to travel any better than 3rd class, and most of them were actually employees of the White Star Line that owned "Titianic". Sell-outs. Anyway, the Irish band at the party was one called Gaelic Storm. They are fabulous!!!!!!

I have a strange passion for Irish culture and music in particular. Don't laugh, but when I listen to Irish music, I always feel like a little peice of me that was out of sync falls into place. Don't get cosmic, people, it's just a discription. Ever since "Titanic" Gaelic Storm has been my favorite band, Irish or otherwise. And since the movie was their big break, yay for me because it means a new album every year or so.

When the band tours, they ask for local volunteers to work their merchandise booth in exchange for tickets to the show and a free CD or T-shirt. That way they don't have to hire anyone, and a few local fans get to see the show for free. This coming Monday, the 18th, they are playing Pepperdine University and were asking for merch volunteers on their website (more on what a pathetic loser I am for following their website at a later date). Guess who volunteered? Stop looking at each other, it was ME!!!!!! And so far I think I'm working by myself, but whatever. I get to see them for free (a $50 value all by itself), get a free shirt, and meet crazy-goofy lead singer Patrick Murphy.

Words cannot explain how psyched I am about this prospect. I was actively trying to get someone to come with me but since it's a school night and I'm the only one I know who's lame enough to be a Band Aid for these guys, it looks like I will be going alone. It's fine. I will have pictures of my experience to make all of you grown-ups who insist on staying home on weeknights extremely jealous.

At the risk of sounding like a drunken college student: Yay Gaelic Storm! You totally rock! I can't wait to hear "Pina Colada in a Pint Glass" in person! Jessie is a fiddle goddess! Patrick is the coolest dancer in the world! Not really, but he said it once in a concert so it bears repeating. I wish everybody had been "Raised on Black and Tans"! And if Patrick can punch Russell Crowe, why can't we all???

More on my concert experience when I get back.

Can I get a whoop whoop?