I still can't sleep... but this time it's for a reallllly good reason

So where do I start? I didn't manage to get tickets to see Body of War at TIFF. Why this is a big deal? Because Eddie Vedder was to perform the 2 songs he wrote for this film. That's why. So I decide to leave work as fast as I can and head directly to the rush line and wait. And that's what I did. I waited. I got to the line at about 5:20pm, the movie starts at 9pm. So a good, insanely loyal fan time to get there, no? There were about 5 or 6 people already waiting in line. We all got to chatting and the guy that was second in line tells us that Eddie has already walked by and he spoke with him, and he said he'd most likely come back after soundcheck. Get the fuck outta here! He's already here?! Now this is getting interesting. I was chatting with the girl ahead of me in line and she asks if I brought something to get autographed. Autograph? I don't even think I'm going to get in to see the film, never mind MEET HIM. So I thought "Shit! I have nothing...... wait! You have a sharpie and I have my ipod, that could work, no?"

So a few more minutes of chitter chatter when Jennifer says.... "He's right there" HOLY FUCK. I actually hesitated for a second because I do not want to be an annoying fan running up to EDDIE FUCKING VEDDER and asking him for an autograph. But then the voice in my head says "when the fuck will you EVER get the chance to meet Eddie Vedder ever again?" SO I walk up to him and meekly say hello and ask him if he would mind signing my ipod. He says "Yeah, no problem" I'm shaking - obviously - and am trying to hold my ipod steady on the book I was holding. So I manage to get it to a spot that will work for him to sign it. So he LEANS AGAINST ME so he can sign it without it moving around... oooooh gawd, I just about died. I snapped a photo of him signing an autograph for someone else and asked him if we could take some photos and he says "No, I'm really sorry but we have to go have dinner before the show" I snapped one more photo of him SO DAMN CLOSE TO ME HIS BEARD IS SHARP. So me and Jennifer float away and I am in awe. I just met Eddie Fucking Vedder. The person who I've idolized since I was 15 years old just signed my fucking ipod. I am shaking just writing this.

Now let me clarify something. I am not in love with Eddie Vedder or Pearl Jam just because he's hot. Their music has definitely affected, and in some cases, changed my life. I remember the day I first heard the song Alive. I immediately went out and got the CD and listened to that thing constantly. That was a definite turning point in my life. So to meet the person who has been singing those words and playing the music that has shaped my life for 16 years, is a big fucking deal. Alright, now that I've cleared that up, I will continue with the story. :)

So we're pretty much still in shock that we've just met him. The rest of the time in line was us chit chatting and making friends with the other people in line. The temperature is now dropping slowly and we're starting to get cold. Then we see a flash. Then we hear what sounds like thunder. Fuck. All of a sudden, it starts pouring... hard. We are getting completely drenched and the movie isn't starting for another half hour. They aren't letting the rich people out of the theatre because they are all worried they may get wet. So we wait and wait and wait - in the pouring rain. I know this is a long story, feel free to take a break. But you can't tell the story about an evening like this in a few sentences, so go get yourself a fucking coffee or something. Eventually they start letting everyone in and we're keeping our fingers crossed that we will get in. They come to the rush line and say that they have 12 tickets. One, two, three.. fuck. I'm number 13. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry... He comes back a few seconds (which felt like hours at this point) later and hands me a pink ticket. YES!!!! I run upstairs to the balcony and find myself a seat. My teeth are chattering and my feet are frozen, but it's all worth it. I got in.

The film starts and it's an unbelievably moving film to watch. Tomas Young is an amazing, brave and strong person and seeing his story was moving and upsetting and uplifting all at the same time. Check out the website and read his story, it's something that everyone needs to hear - www.bodyofwar.com - and it's completely obvious why Eddie Vedder wrote 2 songs for this film. The film gets a wonderful reception and the audience applause is so loud it's overwhelming. Tomas Young is here for the premiere and he comes out on stage and gets a standing ovation, the audience is cheering and clapping, it's amazing. Then Eddie Vedder comes out on stage and performs 2 beautiful and emotional songs, it was surreal to be in a room with 450-500 people watching all of this. Being a part of this night was so special and it's actually hard to put into words how I felt and am still feeling. Watching something like that makes you realize that there is so much more we can do to help make this world a better place. It's humbling and empowering at the same time.

So I haven't slept much this week, but really.... that's okay :)