Cold Hands, Warm Heart.

voltee ♦ December 26, 2010 ♦ 4 Comments

Item: Sweater Color/Fabric: Grey/black, wool/acrylic Designer: Lo Ri Where Purchased: Marshall’s Years Owned: Nearly 2

Here is a tale about a wonderful sweater, and a wonderful day. It was sometime in February of 2009, deep in the bleakest mid-winter, when I heard some news that warmed my cockles. My lifelong favorite-to-the-point-of-obsession band ever would be playing The Late Show for an entire week! I refer to U2, and if you aren’t aware of my geeked-out obsession, read here, or here. It’s bad, I know. I can’t even apologize for it. It’s just one of my weaknesses…
Yes, I had been to two tapings of the Late Show previously, but both times the musical guests left something to be desired. I had always dreamed of how spectacular it would be to see some sort of epic band in that old, hallowed studio. But dared I dream of seeing my lifelong idols? Well, yes, I dared… But I never really thought it might happen.
So of course when I heard that I had five chances to get tickets, I applied immediately. Then I waited, and waited, and waited.
And then, at work, I got the David Letterman call. All you have to do is answer a question correctly, and they give you tickets. Neither time they had called me before had I ever been nervous. But this time, nerves. Thankfully, I got an easy question and passed with flying colors!
Getting the tickets turned out to be the easy part. The hard part was deciding what to wear. I needed to find something that looked nice enough to get me close to the stage, but warm enough so that I didn’t expire from hypothermia in the blustery city.
I think I only had about a week to prepare. It was arduous, and after having tried on every winter weather appropriate piece I owned, it was off for an emergency trip to Marshall’s.
Then, as if in a dream, I found this sweater. It was just the right amount of polish and warmth, and I especially loved the back:

Perfection!
The actual day of the event I, I don’t remember much of. I’m sure we did other fun things in the city, erhaps ate some delicious food, but I had a one track mind. I had big plans. One, find Bono. This time, actually remain coherent enough to speak English words. Two, schmooze my way to Letterman upgraded seats.
Mission one was accomplished by waiting outside of the Late show studio. It was freezing, and we were standing on a block of solid ice. My lovely sweater kept my torso nice and cozy, but the toes did not fare as well. Or Nate’s. He complained, and deservedly. But still, he waited with me. Even though he could not have cared less. He loves me, apparently!
I had planned clever things I would say to Bono. Perhaps I would ask if the weather ever got that could in Ireland. Maybe I would ask if he was satisfied by how their new record came out. I was confident that I could be witty and charming.
And then he came out. Always, I am struck by how wee a man he is. Tiny. But very sweet.
He smiled, and chatted, and signed things. I have never wanted an autograph. I don’t really get the point. I just wanted some sort of human connection, a conversation.
All of a sudden, he was right in front of me.
“Bono,” I said, feeling slightly dizzy. Then I mumbled. Something came out about my hands being cold. I asked politely if he might warm them up.
“Oh,” he said, and chucked.
We had a deep, meaningful conversation.
But he did take my hand, and then posed for a picture. Here’s what Nate got:

There was a perfect moment, when Bono is leaning in to me, smiling happily, not looking like he is frightened of me. Nate missed that moment. A guy next to me got it, though, beautifully, and he said that he would send it to me. But I forgot to get his name or email or anything.
I have searched for that picture, hoping it would turn up online somewhere. To no avail.
I still believe that, one day, I will find it.
I do like the one I got, though. You can really see my crazy, in all its glory…
As for mission two, that was much easier. A simple squeal, a mention of Bono holding my hand, a glimpse of my fabulous outfit, and somehow we found ourselves in the front row.
Which was awesome, since I got to dance. My parents got to see me dance on the television, which made them very happy. And I was right; it was a fantastic venue to hear a great band play!
Someday, though, I will manage to have a not creepy conversation with Bono.
Perhaps we could discuss Spider-man? I do have much to say about that…

**I love this chunky thing. I’m keeping it!