My friend Abby and I were going to go down to the Kennedy Center this morning very early to stand in line for Sufjan Stevens tickets, which were completely free - but only if you were the first 1000 people to be in line. So we were watching the second season of The Office last night, when Abby's sister called us to say she was driving by and saw tents already popping up and curling around the center. OH MY. The threat of not getting there in time was clearly an issue, and what would any two reasonable young women/Sufjan enthusiasts do but go pack up a tent and sleeping bag and camp out!!!!
So...Abby and I got all the basics and drove down to find our place in line. The first guy in line had been there since Friday morning - clearly a die hard Sufjan fan, and a college student who had nothing better to do.
The end of the line was not too bad, and so around 11 pm, we pitched our tent to brave the elements. We spoke of Sufjan and that we needed to stay focus on how great the concert would be. We were serenaded by our next door neighbor, a group of guys with a ukulele, a harmonica and a pretty good sense of rhythm.
Of course I had to go use the bathroom several times throughout the night. The security guard was letting people in several individuals at a time, which was sad considering there were about 20 people in line and my basic needs were not being met and they were INCREDIBLY URGENT. And then people were cutting in line which emboldened many to threaten violence.
So did i mention it was really cold??? This was interesting watching others figure out ways to stay warm - some were running around The Kennedy Center, i saw a few people on a tandem bike. There was an intense game of ultimate frisbee going on. And all at 2 in the morning!!! Abby and I passed the time people watching and telling old camping stories and laughing alot when we tried to stumble out of the tent. It's hard to get out of a tent when you can't feel your legs.
8 45 am - We begin to move towards the Kennedy Center in line while madly stuffing our tent in a bag that was way too small.... but things were looking up!!! People around us who had made the sacrifice to come out here in the frigid cold starting to realize that the sacrifice was about to bear some amazing fruit, like some very amazing tickets... In fact, this guy who finally received his tickets, was jumping up and down and screaming, "This is so worth it - Sufjan you are so worth it!!!"
Wow. Well i have to say i am glad i stuck it out in the winter cold for Sufjan and Abby and really to have the experience. We listened to the Michigan album on the way home and knew it would be even better next Monday live...
6 comments:
Will you believe that Rachel was able to get the tent all nicely and neatly zipped up in under ten minutes at home!! She must be a genius or something... :)
Let's face it Abby we are not endowed with the gift of setting up and packing tents... and i am okay with that.
Hey,
My name is Cate Pilgrim, and I'm a college reporter for the Patrick Henry Herald. I'm writning an article on the WE LOVE SUFJAN camp-out that happened this past Fri/Sat. I was wondering if you'd be available for a phone interview - you look like an enthusiastic fan (and an awesome writer). My email is janacpilgrim@gmail.com, if you'd be interested in leaving your phone number or email information.
Thanks,
Cate
Cate Pilgrim - I am laughing because I am talking with my co worker Jeremy and he is saying he worked with your older sister Abby on the Patrick Henry Herald! From one pilgrim to another i say: Let's celebrate Sufjan!!! I'll email you.
how fun! i'm impressed with your fanaticism. please tell how the concert went.
o lordy. . .i am a fan of sufjan. . .but i couldn't bear to drag my poor old body out to the freezing cold. . .especially since i knew GWU was blocks away and there are plenty of crazy college students who would force me to get out at the buttcrack of dawn to compete for tickets. . .
enjoy urself--u earned it!
Post a Comment