Huckleberry Finn!!

This is how I look when I'm wetting my pants...

이소영 and 이기용 the lead vocalist and leader/guitarist/vocalist for my favorite band in the world, Huckleberry Finn. I'm the dufus in the middle with the old-man E-Mart sweater and goofy smile. In the past, I've mocked those who go crazy at the sight of their musical heroes. After last night, I promise never to do so again. In spite of myself, I was sweating, my heart was pounding, (as can be seen for all time) I was grinning like an idiot, and I lost all articulation of the mouth. I never expected such nervousness. Whenever I've gone to shows in the past, I've always been hit with the realization that musicians are people just people like me...except talented. When I walked into this bar, though, seeing them already playing, I was hit by in instant sense of awe. They seemed larger than life and infinitely cool.

I had originally made plans to go with a friend from school, who had bought the tickets for us. She canceled the day of the show, so I scrambled to find someone to go with me. Even my own wife refused. Eventually, after moping and feeling sorry for myself, at Amy's suggestion, I decided to go alone. It takes an hour to get there, so I gave myself an hour and a half....it took nearly 3 hours. After getting to the area, I walked about 15 minutes in the wrong direction (west or east), asked directions from somebody and returned back to the beginning, walked another 15 minutes in the opposite direction (east or west). Realizing I was in the middle of nowhere, I returned back to the beginning, again. I asked some frightened (then excited) high school girls where a landmark was. They pointed to a sign above my head (with the name of the place on it) pointing north. I walked about 15 north, stopped and returned, realizing I must've walked too far. About halfway back, I saw the name of the bar on a sign.

I was worn out, but instantly energized when I got there. The ticket girl was really nice and spoke English. I had to pick up the tickets will call, but it wasn't a hassle to pick them up, despite them being in someone else's name. She then handed me my complimentary ziploc of snacks (chips and cookies) and a can of coke. She ushered me in to the back (all seats were taken, except in the front), but offered me a child-sized folding chair...I politely refused, opting to stand in the back. The band was already playing. As there was an opening act, I don't know how much I missed, but they played for quite a while. There were, I'd guess, about 40 people at the show, all of whom were Korean. When the show ended, being white and alone, I felt a bit out of place when the lights when on, so I started to leave. The ticket girl, almost apologetically, asked me how it was, probably wondering if I stumbled into the place by accident. I said it was awesome, they are my favorite band! Then, seeing a poster, I started to take a picture of it, she asked why I don't go take a picture with the band. "That's ok?!" "Of course," she said. She took me back inside to the band, then had another girl (who, I think, works for the label) grab them for a photo. They were very gracious, but I was scared to death. Then 이기용 (the dude) shook my hand and thanked me. I don't really remember all that I said, but I remember "gamsahamnida" and "you're my favorite band" spewing out of my mouth at some point. He asked me a few questions about how I came to know them, and, hopefully, I answered them decently. I think I used sentences, but it might have only been isolated words and grunts.

Being in a darkly lit bar, most pictures didn't turn out well, but I'll post them anyway:






Plus, I'm going again tonight.