The last weekend of May Caradorn and I went to Atlanta to see Jonathan Coulton in concert for the first time. We haven't been fans for all that long - we first discovered him last year because Snoopy was performing "The Future Soon" at the Adventurers Club. We have become huge Coulton fans since then, though, and I was really looking forward to finally seeing him in person. The concert was great! Paul and Storm opened for him, and though I had never listened to them before I really enjoyed hearing them. I would absolutely go see them again if I got the chance. Jonathan himself was wonderful - and was nice enough not to run over me before the show - and I am very anxious to see him perform again as well. 
Then last Friday Cardorn, The Kidd and I went to see Gaelic Storm in Atlanta. They were amazing, as always. We got there early enough to snag spots right by the stage, in front of Pete, which is my favorite spot during their concerts. (Which, upon re-reading this, sounds a bit stalkerish. But I am fascinated by the bagpipes and love to watch Pete play them. I desperately want to learn to play them myself, but the closest instructor is 2 hours away so that isn't an option right now.) After the show was over, I started thinking about when we could possibly see them again. Their shows are my favorite of any concerts I've ever been to. They are so much fun to watch! The more I thought about it, the more I really wanted to go to another show as soon as possible. And conveniently enough, they were scheduled to be in Birmingham the following Tuesday. We managed to get it all worked out, and so on Tuesday Caradorn and I headed down to Birmingham to see them again. This show was even better, and they played many of our favorite songs. We stayed to talk to them a bit after the show, and tried to convince them to schedule a show in Orlando next year since we know they have some fans down there. And of course we took a few pictures, and I finally got a picture with Pete - I've always decided not to ask before this, but since he is my favorite Canadian I decided I would go on and ask. He was very nice. :) As were the other band members. They are a great group of people.Of course once we got home I started wondering when we could see them yet again, and now we are planning to head to North Carolina to see them in October.
Gaelic Storm has an odd effect on me. They inspire this weird lack of self control and temporary obsession that clouds my judgement. I love them, but the longer I go without seeing them the less I think about seeing them. But once I see them again, I can't stop thinking about them - I desperately want to see them again as soon as I can.
(Something else that makes me feel that way is licorice Jelly Bellys. That's one reason I only buy licorice Jelly Bellys very rarely - once I buy them I can't stop eating them until they are gone. I just can not control myself at all if they are available!)
A few weeks ago, the idea of following Gaelic Storm to Ohio or Minnesota would have seemed ridiculous. A few weeks from now it will start to seem ridiculous again. But right this minute, if I could convince Caradorn to go along with it I would follow them anywhere at all. I have no self control about them! I'd like to be like Paul and Storm and sell all our Star Wars figures to buy a van, and then become full time Storm Chasers. (Gaeliic Storm, not Storm of Paul and Storm, though I'm sure he is very nice.) Sadly, Caradorn has informed me that since most of our figures are not "mint in box" they will not bring in enough money to allow us to do such a thing. Which is a shame, but really - how could they possibly be MIB?! I had to take them out of the boxes to play with them!
There are several other things that have this feeling about, but fortunately I can usually count on Caradorn's better judgement to help keep me under control until the temporary obsession passes again. Which is good, I guess. In the long run, I know it's better to have self control. To be a responsible, reasonable adult.
But right this minute, I'd rather be in a van driving toward Texas and the next Gaelic Storm show.
Or heading toward Orlando for Black Ship Sky and a day at Epcot watching some of the excellent performers there.
But for now I will try to be a responsible and rational person and pretend to have some self control until the craziness passes again. Tonight maybe I will settle in for an evening with Caradorn, Licorice Jelly Bellys, and 1 vs. 100 on XBox Live - my newest obsession.
(And then maybe I will grab a Stella and pop in my Gaelic Storm DVD again, and imagine that I am at their show. )
