Heroes

Yesterday, I met my heroes for the second time. Alesana is a band that "originated" from Raleigh, North Carolina, even though, 2 of the original members are from Maryland. They became my heroes the first time I listened to The Emptiness. It is an album with a story told throughout each song. It really made me fascinate on how people make music. Dennis Lee, the singer and my celebrity crush made me get into screaming. I love the way that screaming put enfasis on the line or word they are screaming.





The tickets to see Alesana were my 16th birthday present. I got the e-mail saying that I was supposed to arrive 2 hours in advanced and I would get to go to soundcheck and meet my heroes. I was so nervous! I got there though, only to find out that I missed soundcheck because of false advertising. I called mom and cried and complained. I watched the first band on stage with tears in my eyes the whole time. About halfway through their act though, I relized, "You know, I shouldn't be sad. I should be positive. I should be happy. At least I get to see them play. Maybe something will work out." I did just that. Thank you Shawn for putting all that PMA stuff in my head and in my heart. It really does work wonders.





I sat through Our Last Night, Honor Bright, and Vampires Everywhere, only to jump and sing when Immortal Love came on and Michael Vampire gave a lusty smile. so cute... lol. They were cool. The guitarst asked us if we had gum... Yeah... I don't know.





Next up: Alesana. The were only playing songs from albums from before The Emptiness. Once again, I felt great, amazingly great, that I could get my high and see them again. They are my heroes as I've said about 10 times in this blog now, but I just want to point that out, then show you why. Almost all of the venue was singing. It was great. Like usual, as well, Dennis would scream into the faces of young people in the crowd. One of those faces was mine. I was in the very corner, pushed between a young girl and her boyfriend and the ledge holding the speaker, so yes, when DennyDiablo came to our side and got in the very corner, his hair was literally in my mouth. I was too into it with the singing so I grabed his hand that held the mic and screamed with him a line from The Last Three Letter.



I was upset about not meeting them. I was glad I got to see them preform though. After the encore that all of us in the Lincoln Theater requested, it was time to pack up and head out. There was a drumstick on stage that I wanted though. The kid a few people down from me had gotten 2 or 3 already from previous bands. I would not let him have that one though. lol. I jumped on stage, grabbed it, and jumped off stage. The kid was mad but I didn't care. lol.





I was outside when I called Mom to tell her it was over. There was still one thing I wanted to do before I had to leave. I walked to the backdoor and there was Dennis.... In his underwear.... smoking a ciggerate. hah! I didn't want to talk to him like that.... I might've blushed or something and that would have been embarassing...





So I waited an hour at the backdoor, watching people come in and out the door with big boxes of equitment, and the Vampires were there looking so adorkable and I'd see an Alesana member every now and then. I kept asking a guy who had a pen if I could borrow his so that I could get the guys to sign it. I first got Dennis' signature, after he was dressed and while he was walking his adorable puppy and talking to his mom. I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO nervous to talk to him. I asked the guy with the pen if I could borrow it for a second, went up to Dennis, counted to 10, and tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to sign my drumstick. I told him about missing soundcheck and he was apologetic and after he was finished signing my drumstick, I thanked him and just stood there for a second smiling. I was shocked. I did the only thing I thought was right..... I asked for a hug. xD Best hug of my LIFE!





Next, Shane, then Jeremy, then Shawn, then Pat. Honestly, You would never pick a favorite if you met and talked to each of these guys like I did. They are all SO nice! Pat talked to me and a guy who had an Alesana tattoo for 10-15 minutes. It was weird though cause I didn't know he smoked... >.>





I still had to get Alex Torres to complete the lot. I seen him nowhere though. I got in the car and mom asked if I wanted to complain about not getting to go to meet and greet. I thought it should have been taken care of so that's what we did. We made no progress with the venue manager so we went to find Alesana's tour manager. He was a nice man. He re-told the guys about me missing sound check and meet and greet so Shawn told me to go to the merch trailer and get what I wanted; it was free on them. I got a tee, then the tour manager did something I didn't think he should have though it was pretty cool that he did. While my mom talked to Pat, (LMAO) the tour manager rounded up Alesana and he made them take a picture with me. They didn't' mind one bit but I feel kind of bad that I took up their time.





Dennis had left earlier with his family but I was okay with that because I respect that he isn't one of those rock stars that doesn't care about their family and I had already gotten a hug anyway. Alex Torres came out of nowhere, literally. He was also extremely nice. We lined up for the picture, and to be honest, I am a little afraid of Crump. He just lets off that, "I don't feel dealing with you, eff off!" vibe. So the picture goes, Alex Torres, Me, Pat Thompson, Jeremy Bryan, Shawn Milke, and Shane Crump.





These guy did change my life, and that's why they are my heroes. They encouraged me to not be afraid of criticism, they taught me Positive Mental Attitude, and they made me WANT to do something with my life. I could never say thank you enough to them if I had the chance.