De-Loused In The Bren Events Center

So on Wednesday, I went to Irvine. Normally I would only only head to Irvine to visit a couple of friends or scope out the school I might transfer to. But this time I had an IMPORTANT reason to go (and to my Irvine friends, if you didn't like that joke I'm sorry and love you very much). I saw the Mars Volta live. And I must say, every other concert I've ever been to was immediately nullified in my mind after that performance. The day itself had it's ups and downs. Mostly ups.

My last class of the day kind of conflicted with the trip. Erick and I were supposed to leave by 1....my class ended at 3 and we had a homework assignment due. I decided to simply turn in th assignment and leave. However, at 12:30 I grew impatient for the teachers arrival. So I left. As I was driving I called Erick to see if he was home. Although he wasn't, I figured that "by the time I get to his house, he'll be there"
I was wrong.
At 1:30 ish, after bank problems and hunger, he finally made it and we were on our way. 4/5's of the way there, I realize I have no idea where the place was. I called my Irvine friend, Karen, to see if she knew. And just as I predicted earlier when I was joking around with Erick, she didn't answer her phone. The first thought that came to my head was "we're screwed". However after a second try, she finally answered. Drowsy as fuck, but she answered. I got my information and we we're on our way. Funny thing was, there was a huge sign pointing directly to the Bren Center, so the phone call ended up being completely pointless if I had just waited for five minutes. So we get there and theres a few people in line. Luckily, Erick finds an old buddy and we wait with him in the front of the line. After getting some food and a phone call from my sleepy friend asking if we had made it, we commenced the waiting period. 4 straight hours of simply standing in line. For the sake of wanting to get to the point and laziness, I shall skip to the performance. At 8:40, after hearing a bunch of repetitive dance music for about an hour and a half, the theme to "A Fistfull Of Dollars" begins to play (this being the bands entrance music). The band walked on, and they rocked on.
(FUCK, that was cheesy)
I ended up being at the very front of the audience. In front of me was only a barricade and security guards...no ruthless moshers (unlike the Coheed concert...asses). So I figure, this might be better. Nope. The entire crowd moved forward and crushed my stomach almost completely. I couldn't reach my pockets and when I was trying to sing along I quickly ran out of breath because my lungs couldn't function properly due to the crushing. Crowd surfers also proved to be a problem for the came at a continuous rate, all of them kicking me in the head, and the security guards smothering me with their gelatinous bodies as they were "rescuing" the crowd surfers.
Did I care?
Nope.
The Mars Volta played their asses off and I couldn't have asked for more. Finally they came close to wear I live. Although the surroundings always make me think of something else. People, actually, who I consistently visit whenever I come to the city. As a matter of fact, the only reason I come to the city before I transfer. The only real lasting flaw of the night was the fact I neglected to see them. It's kind of like when you go to Chocolate land for the shakes but you don't get the candy bars you always get when you go there. Or when you go to TJ and don't down a shot of tequila...it doesn't feel right.

It was a fulfilling night....but during the drive back, I couldn't help but feel like I wasn't finished yet.