Another first

[paxo05]

OK it's another first for the new me.

I thing I had missed since my bi was going out to events , more specifically concerts.

Don't get me wrong I wasn't at them every month before but if I wanted to and the chance arose I'd go.

Since my bi thevthought of being in a large crowded room surrounded by loads of screaming fans filled me with dread.

Now a few years ago I went to a small theatre to watch a play. I chose my seat carefully. I know the drill. Close to exit and on an end of a row. Easy escape you see.

OK the first few attempts were a disaster and it took me 3 attempts to see the whole of a play , but eventually I made it.

Well vack to a concert. Not to long after my bi my children started to be involved in young voices concerts ( you may or may not have heard of these). I attended each one , and each one found me in the passageway of the arena.

Now the breakthrough. My wife bought me a Christmas present of tickets to see Robbie Williams in concert ( I know I've no taste). At first I was horrified, A CONCERT....ME.

She the explained it was an outdoor concert and we could just give it a go.

Well last night we attended the gig ( yes I know all the lingo). Yes it rained , yes there were about 30,000 people there. We found a place near the front at the side and lay down a blanket. This was her brainwave as it sort of claimed our space and kept the crowds at bay.

But here's the best bit I had six hours of absolute fun. Sitting ,laying and standing singing my heart out ( OK screaming tunelessly) but I stayed there. I totally loved it my first concert in over 24 years I had managed without fleeing.

Another bonus for my wife I've now lost my voice.

Sorry for long post and it may not seem relevant but I had to share and I wanted to share a triumph ( OK it may not seem much) with the group.

One unashamed Robbie fan

Pax

[randomphantoms]

Be proud of yourself.

Sounds like you're rapidly approaching being Pax and no longer Paxo.

Love to you all 💕💕

Celebrating every win.

Randomphantoms

[cat3]

I'm smiling from ear to ear ! Your post took me back to a tribute gig around 3 years after my Bi. A friend booked tickets for my birthday knowing how I'd loved the Everlys as a kid, but I was horrified at the though of a crowd and the Everly's music being 'murdered' by a tribute act.

They were absolutely amazing ; note/harmony perfect, and even looked like Phil & Don ! And I sang my little heart out (would never have believed I'd 'sing along' and it was something I'll always remember and treasure. Beautiful songs - beautiful voices and I knew every word and note.

Good for you Pax. Your joyousness almost jumped off my screen and lifted my spirits on a grey day ! Good for your wife too for making it happen .... 😃😄🤭 Cat x

[paxo05 in reply to cat3]

I had tried to put the concert out of my mind since Christmas, and was dreading it.

Once there I decided to see if I could last the distance.

Me being me I'd left my phone in the car along with my normal glasses. This left wearing my sunglasses, which to start with was OK but as the light faded left me as though I was trying to be cool ( trying being the word).

This turned out as a god send as suffering light sensitivity the sunglasses helped with the lights.

I normal don't sing ( mainly because I can't) yet that night I sang my voice away.

I'm still on cloud nine and can't wait for the next one.

😊😊😊x

Pax

[gr33nmind in reply to cat3]

Ohh, The Everly Brother! I never got to see them, but a tribute bands can be just as amazing. Keeping my eye out for an EB tribute.

[cat3 in reply to gr33nmind]

👍x

[cat3]

This has obviously given you a new lease of life Pax.

I'm not a great fan of Liam Gallagher but he held a 2 day event this weekend in a local park and it would've been an interesting diversion --especially as there was an interlude of thunder & lightening at 6.30 ! Apparently there was a crowd of 25,000.

Were it not for a long standing, painful knee injury I would've bought tickets just for the novelty of it happening so close to home. The park has never hosted a concert before and I do like Liam Gallagher's music and vocals.

I hope you'll make a habit of attending gigs Pax ; you'll always have something amazing to look forward to .....and to remember...

x

[Dann2]

pleased for you. must’ve felt great

[BaronC]

I feel your pain. It took me about seven year post TBI to attend my first gig, despite numerous opportunities. EXACTLY the same reasons as yourself too. I went to see a band eventually in a small venue, easy to escape, yes, there's the drill again and absolutely loved it. Since then, by myself and with my wife I've been to festivals and so many gigs I've genuinely lost count. We were at a festival at Chepstow Castle only last weekend.

I've had 'issues' now and again but I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. I think I needed those only years to recover enough to be ready, if that makes sense.

See you at Rock City in November

[Leaf100]

This is terrific, Pax!

You kept trying and then you found a way!

👏

Leaf

[Letsrock]

Well done! It us all upstairs retraining of the brain but scary fir the first few attempts.

Try new things and we'll done for the support of your wife!

[Alfie2022]

That's brilliant news. 20 months out for me. I love robbie and saw him years ago at Knebworth! I couldn't imagine doing that at the moment. But hope to in the future. I follow robbie on Instagram to see he's touring. Glad you had a nice time. Think it knocks your confidence too when you've not done things in a while.

[Butterfly28]

Your post really made me smile - well done. It just shows what is possible.

[Nemo24]

What lovely news. So pleased for you. Making me think I need to relook at getting back to theatre again. Thank you 😊

[Alibongo60]

Hi Paxo, I like Robbie too, so no shame there, my girls bought me tickets for Westlife, for the three of us for their come back tour, I have always been a massive fan and my daughter usually buys me tickets and a friend, but since my aneurysm has been life threatening they decided it would be memory making for them too. Spent the night in a very expensive hotel in Manchester, even though we only live seven miles away but it was lovely and westlife too, I enjoyed it anyway. I’m glad you had a fantastic time but I think just as important I bet your wife did too happy memories pax love Alice xx

[paxo05 in reply to Alibongo60]

Westlife is a sore point in our house.

My oldest daughter has always been a huge fan of their's.

Years ago when I first started going out after my bi I was on a visit with a small group.

We had visited the galleries of justice in Nottingham and was waiting to be picked up outside.

Across the road was a group of young lads that seemed familiar. They noticed us staring and chatting( none of us could place where we knew them)

The called across to us asking if we had had a hood time. We talked across the street for about 10 minutes about general things.

Our minibus arrived we said our goodbyes and set off home. Turning the corner we were confronted by huge posters of the lads on the side of a building with the huge word Westlife underneath.

Oops. My daughter has never forgiven me,

Pax

[Alibongo60 in reply to paxo05]

Wow no I bet she hasn’t forgiven you lol xx

[skydivesurvivor]

Well done. Saw Springsteen 3years after mine, not bothered by the other audience , very desperate to find a loo though?! Divorced so u were v lucky she stood by u!! Still find it hard to socialise, make new friends. This is such a brilliant site to socialise on, acquaintance from a distance?! Good luck & keep safe!

[gr33nmind in reply to skydivesurvivor]

I was planning on seeing Springsteen only a couple of weeks ago. He apparently had some sort of illness. I heard that he puts on these incredible shows for 3 hours. How he does it at age 73, I have no idea.

[skydivesurvivor in reply to gr33nmind]

1st time I saw him in the mid 80s it was a 4 hour concert, astonishing!!

[Painting-girl]

So glad for you! What a terrific win!

I've done some theatre visits, sometimes I have to sit with my eyes closed for a bit.

[paxo05 in reply to Painting-girl]

Same here , but whatever works is good.

Keep up the visits . My first outings were the cinema, oh what fun early times they were. Have left many films , sometimes even before they start.

I love going to the theatre but it depends on the size of venue.

I feel the best advice is never give up trying.

Pax

[gr33nmind]

I am so happy for you. Attending live music, isn't a large problem for me, but I can just imagine how that would make you feel. I love live music, and it can be a bit draining though. I go to a music fest every year, and once I opted for all 3 days. The first day was great, and then everything went downhill. By the end I was completely drained, and just wanted to go home. A couple of years ago, I had plans to going to the week long Burning Man Arts Festival in Western Nevada. Plans fell through, and honestly it was probably for the best. If I couldn't last 3 days, I never would have lasted a whole week.

I have a Facebook Friend, and she absolutely adores Josh Ritter. Still she never could handle the loud music, or the light flashing of a live show after her TBI. What she did was wear noise cancelling headphones that lessoned the volume and sunglasses for the lights. She said she must have looked a little silly wearing sunglasses with headphones to to a nighttime inside show, but th important thing is that she did it.

[paxo05 in reply to gr33nmind]

Well done your friend. I hadn't intended wearing my sunglasses all night , but I'm glad I did. Yes I may have looked strange in the darkness but it allowed me to enjoy the concert.

Must admit I was to busy to enjoying myself to worry about others opinions.

Pax

[New_beginning]

I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing

[skydivesurvivor]

Good on you! Finding a purpose, something that u enjoy is tough after a TBI, think u still have the drive to try!! Keep going, share y progress with us all as it inspires!! Keep safe… oh & SMILE!!!