The case for leaving early

AKA Queen of the Irish Goodbyes

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a concert here in Montreal.

The day before, the girl I was supposed to be going with had a medical emergency and would no longer be able to make it. I was gutted for her ‘cause I knew she really wanted to go (we’d bought the tickets a couple of months ago), but I resigned myself to the fact I’d now be going alone.

It was 32 degrees the day of the concet and as a pasty-skinned Irish girl, I was concerned about being out in that level of heat, despite being doused in Factor 50.

The event was taking place in a park and I was wandering around like I was in a scavenger hunt, trying to figure out where the concert was (shockingly little signage). I saw another girl looking equally confused. She asked me if I was looking for the concert, said she was too and we joined forces in our quest.

We had a nice chat along the way until we found it, she found her friends and we parted ways.

I waited in line and got chatting to a nice couple in front of me, who had travelled from Chicago specifically for this. They regaled me with some pretty hilarious stories of their trip (which truly, had been such a comedy of errors, I fully expect a movie adaptation soon).

They finally opened the gates and as the crowd made its way in. There was a seating area under some trees that was nice and shaded so I went and sat down.

A girl came and sat next to me and we had a nice chat. She was a recent graduate who had just moved to Montreal too. She had a great energy about her and I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to her talk. I remember being in my early 20s, being away from home and family and soaking up any adventure that came my way. After she downed a couple more shots and ate a burger, she went off into the crowd and danced.

I stayed under the shady trees, taking in the the sweet sounds the DJ was spinning, warm sunshine kissing my skin, weed smoke in a haze all around me (because…Canada).

Two and a half hours passed. No sign or mention of the featured artists, but the DJ was spinning like the rent was due. At one point he threw on one of my fave tracks and I could stay seated no longer.