Monday, October 17, 2005

Robbie Rivera 'Do You Want More?'

This past Saturday afternoon, me one of our Dick Broadcasting salesmen went out for a couple of drinks. You guessed it. She was there.

After getting all the emails from you readers and the scathing comment from Christine, I decided to press a little. After all, what do I have to lose?

Christine was right. I was coming across as an egotistical player kind of class ‘A’ jerk. It seemed like I was sitting back waiting for her to be graced by my presence. I’m not that way at all. I’m not one of these guys in radio that use my “celebrity” to get into some panties. I don’t come on with “Hi. I’m Eugene from Rock 92. Are those chill bumps, baby?”

Again, who cares? I’m just like anyone else. I’m trying to make a living the best way that I know how.

So while sitting at one of the tables by the bar, I stopped her and asked her to come back when she gets the time. I had a couple of questions that I’d like to ask her.

She said, “Sure.”

She got the time and came up and I said, “This may sound strange. It may be completely nuts to you…” I reached into my pocket and continued. “What time do you get off work?”

Ryan chimed in with, “Eugene is weird and strange. But he’s a good guy.” He was being the wingman that I had never had. I don’t really know how that works, really.

“At four o’ clock,” she answered.

I showed her what I had in my hand and said, “I have two tickets to the Bryan Adams and Def Leppard concert tonight and no one to go with. I’m asking if you would be interested in going with me.”

She wanted to think about it even though she told me that she didn’t really like Def Leppard. She mentioned ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ and I told her that was their WORST song. Okay, ‘Make Love Like A Man’ is probably their worst one… That’s a different blog. Leave your comments about the worst Def Leppard song along with the best.

Time was winding down and I really didn’t want to go alone. I’ve been to a few concerts by myself in my lifetime and they were no fun. The drive is always nice chatting and having someone to talk with during the band changes is always cool. Sitting there alone with a book, that’s no fun. You get the stares and people start treating you like a leper who just dropped an arm in front of them. It’s not very comfortable.

When she came by I handed her a card with my cell number on the back and told her that I need an answer soon. She turned me down as she deposited my card into her apron. She was nice about it and she said, “Maybe next time.”

So, I hit the street with Ryan and my cell phone was against my head trying to find someone to hit the show with me. I tried Clay Howard from Stratocruiser. I gave Danny Fonorow from Stickboy a call. I asked a homeless guy. I was going through the alphabetical listing on my phone. I reached Tim Beeman from Busted Uncle and I suddenly felt stupid.

Why didn’t I think of him sooner?

If Tim wasn’t gigging that night, he’d be totally up for it. He’s very much an “in the moment” kind of guy.

He accepted and started the journey from Winston-Salem to pick me up. Yeah, I weaseled him into driving. I just can’t afford the gas anymore and I wanted to drink some overpriced draft beer. But in my defense, I took care of him at Steak N’ Shake after the show.

When I thought about it, I cannot blame the girl at all for turning me down. There were so many reasons why I wouldn’t want my own daughter (if I had one) to accept an invitation like the one I presented.

1. She doesn’t know me.
2. It may get uncomfortable riding to Raleigh and back with someone you don’t know.
3. If we didn’t hit it off, she would be stuck with me.

There were lots of her “own safety” issues that I didn’t even consider before asking. I don’t blame her one bit and I totally understand. She’s a smart one and that makes her even more attractive.

I’ll write about the Def Leppard/Bryan Adams show tomorrow. It was an eye opening experience for me.

5 comments:

  1. Worst Leppard song: 'Make Love Like A Man' (I guess you read that one)

    Best Leppard song: Let It Go

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:25 PM

    Def Leppard/Bryan Adams. Weirdest ticket ever. Weirder than Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers/Blind Boys of Alabama. Tom frequently has "interesting" opening acts.

    Def Leppard best song for me = Love Bites. And I really like Rock of Ages, too.

    Worst song? Gotta agree with Pour Some Sugar on Me. ick.

    I kinda like a few Bryan Adams songs, too.

    BTW, I got the Chris Whitley CD that you recommended. It's growing on me. There are a couple of tunes on there that I like a lot. And I e-mailed Tracy T and am ordering a copy of Steeling Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10:08 PM

    What's wrong with reading a book at a concert?

    Gotta pass on the Leppard survey. I haven't heard much from the band's catalogue, but what I heard didn't thrill me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11:27 PM

    Mmmm Steak N Shake... Mmmm mounds of meat!

    The show, to me was great! Adams was spot on! His voice was fantabulous. Song selection was good, too. Really liked the acoustic version of "Everything I Do."
    Def Leppard, hmmm... There were moments of weakness, mainly Joe Elliot's voice, but for the most part, I dug it the most. It was my first time seeing them and thought it was still worth being there for and what better way to hang out with one of my best buds?!?
    Best Lep song: "Too Late for Love"
    Worst Lep song: I can't think of anything that would make me say, "God that's awful!" I am TIRED of hearing "Photograph" though, does that count?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:13 PM

    "Christine was right."

    Heh. I just had to see that in print again.

    Seriously, though - "scathing" was not my intention. I was aiming for "Stop shooting yourself in the foot, Eugene."

    ReplyDelete