Someone asked why do we go to so many concerts…
The obvious answer is that we both like music. I seem to have inflicted my musical tastes on Hawklad so it’s also easy to agree on which bands to see.
Maybe part of it is also to try and create as many memories as possible. It’s not always easy for Hawklad to feel relatively as ease in the wider world. But we have found a way to make concerts work for him. They are definitely something we can plan and do, minimising some of the risk factors for him. Concerts in that sense are easier to setup, much less problematic, more controllable than say going on holiday. Since our world changed we have been able to make happen quite a lot of concerts without encountering too many things going wrong. Over those nine plus years we haven’t managed yet to go on holiday. Still just feels a step too far for him yet. You can’t micromanage every factor that could happen, but at least with concerts there is a level of predictability that makes them safer bets for Hawkkad.
But we are still trying to find a way to make a holiday happen.
So we found ourselves at the new state of the art arena in Manchester, to see ELO on their last tour. This time life’s unpredictability happened to the band. Poor Jeff Lynne broke his hand in a taxi accident just before the short final tour started. He was also struggling with a systemic infection which was getting worse. The concert was really good but you could see Jeff was starting to struggle. He managed to finish the set but needed to sit for the final few songs and was quickly helped off stage at the end. Subsequently he had to cancel the final two concerts so currently we saw the last ELO concert. Maybe they can still do something down the road when he is properly healed.

Driving back from the concert I realised just how many of the bands I grew up with, bands I love and now Hawklad loves, are getting older. Time is moving on. More and more we are seeing bands on their last Tours. Some stars are sadly passing on. Hawklad never got to see Ozzy, we tried twice but the concerts were cancelled on health grounds. Wasn’t to be. I saw him once in the eighties, never imagining that would be the only time.
Time moves on….
Predictable activities are easier. Happy that you are enjoying concerts. I hope you start traveling too.
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maybe one day we might be able to start
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I love the memories you are creating for and with Hawklad and how your favourites are now his. I hear you on the aging legends and icons. So sad to see. And a reminder to enjoy the present.
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it’s an odd feeling seeing guys I once saw running about a stage in their younger days now happily just standing on stage. I know how they feel 😂
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🤣
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Just lately I’ve been listening to stories instead of music on the player in the car. Music I love has started to become too predictable. The libraries in Wales lend out all sorts of stuff, not just books. Music, videos and jigsaw puzzles.
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I listen to stories and podcasts when I go running now. I noticed our library is lending knitting equipment out now.
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It’s great that you manage to get out and about to concerts.
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it does make such a difference
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I was about to say: “I can imagine” but of course I can’t.
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And you have now given Hawklad your all for half his life. He will never forget
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I just want him to be happy
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I’m sure – that is your sadness
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I don’t know which is worse, the aging process of ancient rock gods or the way people like Johnny Rotten seemed to have become Daily Mail readers.
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the latter I think,
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I think you are right. It’s easier to accept becoming. I could accept the butter advert and the reality shows but coming out in favour of Trump was a bit more than I could take.
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I think you guys are brave going to concerts. I’m glad you saw this one.
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it wasn’t easy at first but it’s made such a difference
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Oh that is understandable.
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You’re doing all you can for your son. It will count for something.
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I do hope so 🙏
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I wish I would go to more Concerts. We don’t get a lot of bands here. We actually have Ed Sheeran coming here next year, and I’m trying to get a group together.
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Ed is a fine Yorkshire export
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You know, being a little uncomfortable now and then is something that happens to us all. It’s life – something we all need to experience and ‘toughen up’ to. Not saying to throw Hawklad in at the deep end, but, well, getting a taste of that thing that makes us uncomfortable can, in the long run, be the thing that allows us to stretch, so to speak, and strengthen.
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definitely try to sometimes push a little more but it’s such a fine line between pushing too hard.
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Music is so important. I think we gravitate to what we grow up with and it’s all good. Having the experience of those concert venues seems a great way for Hawklad to learn coping mechanisms. It’s wonderful that he has a dad that understands it all and supports him so much.
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thank you 🙏. Music is so important to so many people.
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Just keep doing what you’re doing, when you can do it. If Hawklad ever becomes a father he will have a great role model!
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He will push on at his own pace
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Time passes too quickly.
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it really does
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glad you and hawklad are enjoying all of the concerts, and enjoying making wonderful memories. Xx
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