Evening of firsts. Went to a show with my daughter. She was pumped because it was her first real show in a venue other than a theater or other "officially sanctioned" locale. She was not disappointed. The Riverside Ballroom in G.B. This was like returning to the scene of a crime. I recalled upon entering that it was the same place that I walked into--somewhat unsteadily--as part of the 7 Seconds entourage about ten or more years ago. I would be interested in the date of this, but alas it was many years ago. The mayhem was the same. The heat was the same. We saw Bleeding Through, Hot Water Music, and AFI. Cool.
We were both impressed with the sound and energy of Bleeding Through--a new band for both of us--yes I realize that she is 12. When the horns went up, she was right there with the crowd. That was wild for me to see her with the horns held high and her head crashing to the music.
When we arrived she remarked that she was probably the youngest one there. I am sure she was. This was very strange as a father to be there with her. Not so parental but more as her bud. She stuck close at first but gradually got comfortable. People of all stripes slammin' and fricken' going nuts. I tried to catch the look on her face when the band came out to see how she would react--just a serence smile. Like she was privy to something beyond her years that nobody else she knows has ever witnessed. She is right, I suppose. I am a good (smug) father. She rocks. Hard.

Her other first was smelling pot for the first time. I caught a whiff in the air, asked her if she smelled it, and told her what it was she was smelling. Hmmm. . .better to know now than be duped later. She proclaimed that she is straight-edge this morning. What went through her brain?

This is the same kid who made me grin from ear-to-ear when she learned to ride a bike. Now she learned what a pit is. A hardcore band is like live. And that being part of a scene is not about dressing and playing a part, but being there and living it. Wonder how her day will go today. Picture day at school. She scrawled across the order blank--No picture package--and practiced her smik in the mirror beofre we left. A subtly sly and mischevious photo will result I am sure. We also rehearsed he statement to the attendance frau. "An unexpected appointment came up this morning. I'm not at liberty to talk about it." She slept in as sanctionde by her two supportive parents. Rock on.

Back to the conversation. "Well it is in GB on a school night. . ." "Yah, so what?" "So what, I guess. . ."

The others who have come before.