Unexpected Joy

A few years ago my sister and I decided to take a trip up to Austin to see the band Interpol, which were playing at Stubbs BBQ. If you haven't guessed by now my sister and I have a great relationship. We really are best friends! I didn’t know much about the band at the time, but she said she would pay for the tickets and she lent me a CD to check them out. After listening to the CD a couple of times I really started to like them. They have a kind of Joy Division feel to them. So I thought a free concert and a trip to Austin would be a lot of fun. Most of the nation might not realize it, but Austin is a groovy little place. It is an unpretentious friendly city that is filled with musicians, artists, college students and old hippies. Since it is the capitol of Texas there are slimy politicians and lobbyists, but we try to ignore them. 6th Street has an excellent assortment of restaurants, bars, and dance clubs, most of which have, yes you guessed it, live music. The city has a relaxed bohemian atmosphere to it and you can meander down 6th Street and hear anything from blues, jazz, country, rockabilly, folk, indie, to post punk, it is a bastion of live music. Seriously, we’re not all a bunch of inbred rednecks down here. Pardon my language, but that fucktard of a President we have has given Texas a bad name. Sorry I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent. (insert sheepish grin)

When we get to Austin we couldn’t have asked for better weather. It's a clear and balmy night, just splendid for an outdoor concert. I thought it would mostly be a younger crowd and I would feel a bit out of place, but there are people of all ages. We have a couple of beers and mill around waiting for the band to start. And I realize I’m having a good time. Every one becomes quiet as the group is announced and they make their way on to the stage. Suddenly, my job, bills, all of life’s little stresses fall away as the first crystalline notes drift over the audience under that shimmering canopy of stars. A wonderful sense of freedom washes over me and I’m happy, no not merely happy, I’m joyous. I’m filled with joy! For a few magical hours I feel like a teenager with the world at her feet. I’m loving this!

It's funny how something as simple as an outdoor concert can make you realize how good life can be. I’m just wondering what event has given you that unexpected sense of real joy? When it just feels good to be alive!