"They left a ringing in my ear, but that drum's still beating loud and clear"

When one goes to a concert, one gets to sit on the ground and compare shoes.

As much as I love a lot of things in this world (glitter, Robert Downey Jr's gravity defying hair, those DSquared shoes), I think only a few things match the level of complete ecstatic love I feel a few moments before the first few notes of a concert break through the air.

What is a concert without half-naked rockers doing a mosh-pit? Or without "rock on" hand signs? It's like tornadoes without Dorothy, really.

Maria and I, in our little space on the concrete, waiting for Rammstein to hit the stage.

That's why the last weekend was just what the doctor ordered - and I should know! - and the perfect cure for an exam addled brain. Two days of music, from the always rocking and always powerful Metallica to the only-the-Germans-can-pull-it-off insanity that was Rammstein, with little drops of Slayer and Alice in Chains in between.

The Boy won't let me see the bands, boo ;)

I don't think I ever mentioned this around here but I used to be one of those sulky teenagers, wearing all black and all spikes and all chains, a long-haired emo before emo became cool and before cool became hipster. The sulkiness passed but the music remained forever etched into my brain, to the complete shock of my mother who hoped that with the discovery of pastels and dresses I would also stop, quote-unquote, ruining my ears with that incessant sound.

Metallica! Fire! Good noise!
(photo source: Metropotam)

So of course I was going to be one of the thousands of people at last week's Sonisphere Festival. And of course I was going to be singing along until my vocal chords gave away (I also partly blame the ice-cold beer for that too). Because Metallica showed us that they can still rock a stage like no other, even so many years after first gracing a stage. And because Master of Puppets still sends shivers down my spine like it did the first time I heard it, when I was too young to function. (Dear guys, I forgive you for the "Budapest" mistake, just let it not happen again, mkay?)

Rammstein! Flame throwers! Funny costumes! More good noise!


(photo source: MetalHead.ro)

Because Rammstein reminded me why I stand by my belief that german is the language of anger and energy (I mean that in the best possible way possible) and because they're the only ones that can turn a concert into this over-the-top show. I mean, is this the best entrance or what? They even bought the noteworthy face mounted flamethrowers. Yeah, that is what I call a good, first-rate show.

(I look so very surprised in all of these photos and still have no idea why)

Wearing: Zara blazers; Kotton dress; Musette/Replay booties; a bunch of very random accessories.

And of course at the end of the day, I'm still the girl who goes to a heavy metal festival wearing heels. My excuse is simple: those 10 centimeters are a concert savior when one is surrounded by metal heads who are too tall, who still wear their hair like James Hetfield in the 80s and who are sitting right in front of you so you can't possibly see the stage. True story!

(For any romanian speakers out here interested in a great review, check Vulupe's posts here :)

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(source)

This past week has really been a week of firsts. On Wednesday I was lucky enough to be in the same room with Jacqui Banaszynsk, 1988 Pulitzer prize winner, at her narrative journalism presentation (THANK YOU Decat o Revista!) I didn't know what to expect when I walked into that room and I admit I sat awkwardly for a moment when looking around and seeing mostly journalism students around me.

But then she started talking and I don't know where those 3 hours went. I listened and my brain has been in overdrive since then. I'm still in awe at the strength and conviction that flew with her words and at the end I was left with this need to know more, to say more, to hear more.

Other people have written about this meeting and I don't feel I can add anything without sounding like a little swooning girl (between you and me, that's what I am right now, but shhhh, don't tell her I said so!) so I will leave you with one of her favorite quotes:

"... history is written by those who have hanged the heroes."

And a link to her award winning piece: AIDS in the Heartland. Read it if you want to witness what creating something awesome feels like.

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And, and, and! I'd also like to thank Cristina Bazavan for the invitation to the Tabu Facebook Party yesterday. Besides it being fun, I got to hang around with some really, really, really, really, really stunning girls and be their personal cheerleader, and I also got to meet some smart and dapper people who I hope to see again as soon as possible!

Told you I had a very exciting week ♥

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(My fridge door and fridge magnets are used for something useful ;)

And now back to the drawing board. Or, as they say in my neck of the woods, back to those annoying pharmacology books. The joy.

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Songs of the Day:
Metallica - One; Rammstein - Mein Teil