| (An email to my friends - September 5, 1999.) Guys, I just had one of the most incredible nights... ever. This email is long, I'm sorry! I met this great guy this summer. His name was Lee Johnson. He was a red headed skinny guy who was actually pretty good looking for being red headed and skinny. If you have read The Fountainhead, he is EXACTLY what I picture Howard Roark to look like. Anyhow, he went to Tech and graduated in 95 as a mechanical engineer, and he was just returning this semester to start grad school in management systems. He was hilarious, he loved The Fountainhead, he taught me about Sushi, and I would have liked to know him better. He died last weekend in a boating accident. It made me really really REALLY think about things. In both a depressed and a very optimistic way. Such as, I am so happy that I know all you guys and that you are my friends. I think a lot of people go through life and never meet people that they become great friends like we did, and it makes me very happy that I have. I would hate to live life without knowing friendships like the ones I have with you. Lee's death also reminded me of my List of Things to do Before I Die. Do you guys have one of these? I mean, mine isn't written out or anything, but there are definitely a bunch of things I want to experience in life. I call those things my List... and number one on that list is seeing Paul Simon live in concert, and this brings me to my incredible night. Paul Simon and Bob Dylan were playing at Chastain Amphitheatre tonight. I didn't have tix, and the show had sold out, but I got $40 and figured I'd try to buy some... well, the cheap seats were $60. And no one wanted to lose money, so I figured I was not going in. This guy ran up to me and says "here, it's a $90 ticket, whatever you have, it's yours, I just want to get inside." Well, I gave him $40 and went in. Of course I was sitting right next to them. He was about 28, and he was with his wife and his mom and dad. Chastain is the BEST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN to see a concert. It's an outdoor amphitheatre, no smoking, really big seats and aisles. The idea is you bring a table and have a picnic. It's right off Mt. Paran Rd, Chris, where I know you said your grandparents lived. It is a beautiful area. The place only seats about 3000 people. I think Ruth Eckerd would hold more... anyhow, our seats were THIRD ROW ORCHESTRA. I was 50 feet from Paul Simon/Bob Dylan. It was amazing. Paul Simon played first, then Simon and Dylan played together (they did The Boxer and a couple others... they also did a great cover of "That'll Be the Day"). Then Bob Dylan played. It was UNREAL. The show was better than ANY CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. This includes Dave, Pink Floyd, etc. Both of them just LOVE to perform, and being so close to the stage with such nice people made it an even better experience. Anyhow, these people that I had bought the ticket from offered me beer... corona, no less (my favorite!). Then the guys dad goes "how much did you pay for that ticket?" And I said oh thanks, but your son gave me a really great deal. He goes, No, how much? I told him $40 and he reached into his pocket and gave me $40. He was thrilled that I was having such a great time and he was glad that I really appreciated being there. They were SO NICE, you guys. And I was thinking that any of us would concievably do that once we were older, give a ticket to a college kid. Not only that, but the people on my left were from Clearwater! The woman had graduated from Tarpon High and the man went to USF. They moved up here about 10 years ago. They didn't know the people who had given me the ticket, but pretty soon we were all talking as if we had known each other for years. And the show was AMAZING. Paul Simon was so good he made me CRY. My point is this: I wanted to see Paul Simon. I decided I'd try to. I went out, by myself, to try to do it. And I had the BEST time. I met some fantastic people. I saw the greatest concert, at the greatest venue, and I had GREAT SEATS. Now, I know seeing Paul Simon isn't as giving as saving the spotted owl, but it was an accompishment on my list. And in the course of my accomplishment, my outlook on life greatly improved due to the generosity of these people. I don't know if that's exactly what I mean, but it's close. I'm trying to say that we just NEVER know what will happen, good or bad. Let's never be afraid to just go out and LIVE. If there is something you want to do, do it. If there is something you want to say, say it. Life is too short and we just don't know when it will be taken from us as it was taken from my friend Lee. Sorry this was so long, but I hope you got something out of it. I love you guys, you make my life more and more wonderful every time I see you, talk to you, think of you. I just wanted you to know. And I wanted to tell you all about my night. It was FUN. I'll see you all sometime, of course! Love.Liz |
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