Part II
There was a bit of difference for me with the concert in Anaheim, partially, because I couldn’t resonate with the venue. Partially, because of the horrible traffic we experienced driving down from L.A. in rush hour on a Friday and, partially, because I was nervous about trying to get videos with my expensive rented camera.
That being said, it was still an unforgettable evening! Fellow Forum member, Dana, had driven down from San Francisco (Northern CA) and on our drive down to Anaheim to meet her we were continually texting each other while she waited to get a table at the restaurant across from the Grove (the venue). (Unfortunately, on Dana’s drive from San Francisco her transmission in her car had gone out on her. So, there she was a LONG way from home with her car out of service, needing to make plans to get her and the car back up north.) Going back to the evening…a friend of mine, Meredith, agreed to take Dana’s extra ticket so it wouldn’t go unused. So, she, my husband and I finally made it to Anaheim and met up with Dana at the restaurant. Once there we could relax a little and anticipate the glorious evening we were all about to have seeing David. All day that day I was so nervous, like a little kid waiting to go to Disneyland (which, btw, is just around the corner from the Grove). I couldn’t believe I was going to be sitting so close to see and hear David. By the way, this was Dana and Lisa’s first time seeing DG so I can only imagine how excited they must have been with anticipation.
At the Grove I had front row seats, as well, but they were not as close as in the Balboa and I found myself having to look up more at David. The theatre is a cavernous place with no middle aisle. Although, I heard from Lisa and Dana that the sound was quite good from where they were sitting. I just didn’t feel comfortable in this space. When David entered from the back the crowd went CRAZY, more so than in San Diego. I think this was because of the proximity of the venue to Los Angeles and a lot of people were there from L.A. who’d seen him before, like me. I don’t know if it was the venue, or being nervous of the camera under my husband’s clothes but I thought there was something a little different with David this evening. But what? No one else would, probably, notice but I was sitting so close to him that I sensed SOMETHING. Maybe, it was due to the fact that I’m now on the Forum and since we see so much footage and photos of him I’m all too aware. I don’t know. He played beautifully and smiled but there was something in his eyes. THEN, shortly into the concert he’s talking to the audience and mentions he can’t hear us too well. He goes on to tell us that he’d been to the doctor and found out that he has an inner ear infection. I knew it! I don’t know how but I just felt…something! The crowd loved that he told us and they shouted even louder to make sure he could hear us. He seemed to be strengthened by this and, I’m sure, he must have felt the love from the crowd. He seemed happy and warmed up when he came out to play after intermission. However, he was probably glad when it was over so he could just go back to the hotel and sleep.
So, once again, you can imagine how we felt hearing he had to go to Reno, Nevada the next day. Poor guy!!
All in all it was a weekend I’ll never forget. What could be better…seeing David, up close, twice in three days!!! When I’m in his presence I feel so glad to be alive to hear such amazingly glorious music. There are really no words to describe how special David is as a brilliant musician and performer. My heart soars when I hear his music and to see him in person is nothing short of breathtaking!
Pamela