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photo credit FG
Like I said, I ended up sporting a wristband with the number 15 on it, which is equivalent to my age in ODD years, I think. So when the doors to Pete’s Grill were finally opened, I was (O. M. G. like I am srly spazzing, this made my LIFE!!!!!) among the first to enter. We were led straight to the rear of the restaurant and to a door which opened onto an enclosed courtyard but for now, was locked. We tried it. Just being that close to that door though had definite advantages, as the upper part of the door was glass. To put it bluntly, we could press our noses against it and see into the enclosed courtyard. We had a good view of the stage and just in front of it were assembled several rows of vacant chairs. Not enough to accommodate everyone who had a VIP so there would be a lot of standing room only after these were filled. From our vantage point, we saw Mike and David come out *squeee!* and do a quick sound check and leave. Not long after, the door was opened and we filed into the second row and sat down directly in front of his keyboard. I say we, meaning Tofan and Refnaf, who sat to my left, and Marciami and Funny Girl who sat to my right. There was a place set up in the courtyard to order food and drinks before the performance started. I couldn’t even think about eating, my mouth was so dry from excitement I could barely swallow. Funny Girl went to get some food and I asked her to get me a Diet Dr. Pepper and if they don’t have that, get me a Diet Coke. Of course, she returns with Coke since, for reasons known only to those whose sole purpose for being is to squander their existence on a never-ending quest to ruin my life, Diet Dr. Pepper is not found in most restaurants in this country. ahem. I adjust my wristband marked with the number 15, sip my Diet Coke and enjoy the pause that refreshes. It was a beautiful day, not too hot or cold and the sky above was as blue as the bluest sky that ever was. The courtyard filled up fast with every age and demographic represented. The usual suspects were in attendance, women of all ages and teens, but quite a few guys too. There was music playing from speakers but I didn’t really hear it except as background noise. Just one song following another and all following a predictable formula. Radio muzak.
Mike comes out with his guitar and sits on a stool. We all know what’s coming next and I look to my left and here he comes! He bounds onto the stage smiling radiantly. He is a spectrum of light as real as a sunbeam. He starts talking and it turns into a ramble of epic proportions even for David. His joy is palpable. We listen to him talk about begging for extra credit, his lack of drawing skills, his voice changing, a woman in a window on the second floor is engaged in conversation, who is the youngest? “well thanks for coming out” he tells an 18 month old baby. The oldest? (I guess that’s too rude, he says, lol), on and on. I realize my face is hurting from smiling and laughing so hard. If only he tried to be cool like most every other entertainer, if he tried to impress me, I could resist, but there is no resisting such unaffected, guileless charm.
You have all seen the YouTube videos of his performance that day. It was so fun to be there when he involved the whole audience in Elevator, including the guys and the camera man. His vocals were perfection and more. That more is the difference between art and imitation. He connects so tightly and so genuinely and he makes it look so easy.
After the concert was over we lined up by number for the meet and greet and group picture, eight in each pic. I was in the second group and when it was my turn to go up to him, I wasn’t prepared. It was too soon begun and done. I wasn’t ready to walk up and see him look up at me and smile with recognition in his iridescent eyes, and say, “Hey, how’re YOU doing?” I suddenly became all business-like and extended my hand for him to shake saying, “I’m good, and you?” Then I shoved my liner notes in front of him as if I was getting him to sign a contract. Why? I don’t know. Because he’s David Archuleta and because he looked at me, ma. He scrawled a huge autograph and I took it from him and started to walk away without another word. Then I remembered his gift that I had taken from the breakfast buffet that morning. I reached into my purse and placed 2 boxes of Honey Nut Cherrios in front of him. He looked a little confused and I said, “That’s so you don’t have to pay eight dollars.” We laughed. 😆
photo credit FG
The Voice David Archuleta 