I got caught up in my own fiction.
When the Rolling
Stones announced four shows to celebrate their 50th anniversary, two in London and two in New Jersey , I knew I
couldn't go. I live in California. I have a job. I can't just pick up and
leave, even for the weekend. But there were the tweets and messages from
adoring fans around the word. They were making the trek. Why couldn't I? Then
reason kicked in. I’ve seen the Stones in concert many times, and besides, I’m not
the type to pack my bag and pull out my credit card, like the characters in my
novel, Satisfaction. When I began writing about two fictional women who
follow the Rolling Stones on tour, I wondered what kind of person would put her
life on hold, not to mention her finances in jeopardy, to follow the Rolling
Stones. Certainly not someone like me. I am grounded, normal and responsible. I
love the Stones but not in a destroy-my-life kind of way. Their music moves me,
but it doesn't push me over the cliff.
So, I participated
from the sidelines as the band and their fans prepared to recognize this grand
achievement. I watched the new documentaries, Crossfire Hurricane and Charlie
is My Darling, listened to their new songs and bought the new album, GRRR! Numerous
events marked the momentous occasion; the Stones publicity machine was in full
throttle, reminding fans of their greatness. I observed from an enthusiastic
distance and figured this had to be great for my novel, currently on submission
to publishers. One of the characters in Satisfaction racks up a hefty credit-card
debt, buying Stones tickets for performances around the country. This was the
very thing I was personally avoiding with the 50th anniversary tour
underway.
I can’t really say
what came over me when the Stones announced an additional show at the Barclays Center Brooklyn . It was still on
the opposite side of the country, and I have responsibilities in California . Perhaps this
final addition to their tour pushed me over the edge, as I imagined endless
concert seats waiting to be filled by the likes of me. I couldn’t resist the
magnetic pull of the Rolling Stones. I found myself helpless as I typed in my
credit card numbers and charged two tickets to see the Stones on December 8th
in New York City . The logical
part of my brain said, “I could always resell the tickets,” but the emotional
side, and let’s face it, the more powerful one, said “You’ve got to go!” I
spent $1000 on two tickets to see the Rolling Stones in a venue nearly 3000 miles from home. I had no plane tickets and not a
lot of extra cash to spare. But I had my undying love for the Stones, years of
dedication to a band whose songs I’ve played over and over again. Wasn’t that
enough?
When the tickets
arrived, I wrestled with the idea of going to New York for the weekend. My husband,
who usually supports my love for the Stones and the eccentricities and expense
that goes along with it, couldn’t go. My best friend wanted to but didn’t have
the money for the flight and hotel room. I even floated the idea of going solo,
much like Ginny does in Satisfaction before meeting her new friend
Bree. Too bad that I’m such a wimp and couldn’t work myself up to it. I
suppose that’s why I created Ginny Martin, my alter ego, a woman both brave and
foolish enough to pursue her dreams.
I
wish this tale ended with me at the concert in New York , shouting “I
love you, Mick!” and having the time of my life. Sadly, it does not, and I wound
up selling the tickets on eBay. I took a financial loss, but I’m happy to report
that the buyer assured me that she was super excited to see the Stones in
concert for the first time in her life. I avoided forfeiting the tickets to a
soulless ticket agency and am content knowing that I gave a new fan the
opportunity to see the Rolling Stones at their best, live and in full glory. Appreciating
music is one thing, but sharing the experience, turning people on to the
Rolling Stones, the greatest rock-and-roll band of all time, is what Satisfaction
is all about.
