Everyday is a new day for new exploration. Sometimes though we revisit certain places where action happens. Places where there is always something going on and every time you go it's still like a fresh canvas that you itch to paint on. A canvas that you color as you experience the moment. For me, today is one of those days. I get to revisit the city of Atlanta and my reason? A VIP concert for Icon For Hire. Yes, VIP. As soon as they went on the website I had to stop and think. When it happened I was at a Passenger concert and I didn't know if I could take the time off. As the days went on I found myself sitting in a Genesis concert with my father buying the tickets. I asked for as little time off as I could so I decided to do the trip in a day. One single day of driving, walking around, and getting to enjoy the moment and the next sleeping it all off and recovering. Solid plan if I say so myself and honestly it's nothing I can't afford to. From where I live it's a good five or so hours to get to Atlanta which is very doable for me.

So now fast forward a month and here I am, in a huge city where concerts happen almost every single day and everyone goes about their days like it's nothing at all. Coffee, music, people, cars, traffic, and craziness all in one location. First things first though when you travel to the big city, always be prepared. Bag packed, Car filled, and beverages in the car I drove down to Atlanta. Unexpectedly I found out that Little Five Points was about a ten minutes use drive from the venue. Since I arrived earlier then I expected I drove down to Little five points, parked my car and started my usual rounds on stores. It had only been a month since I had last been to this exciting place but you never know what businesses get in Stock so I thought I'd stop by the stores, do a quick sweep and see if anything screamed to be bought. As I went in and out of two stores I saw the coffee shop. Hungry and a little famished I decided to go ahead and stop on by and get a cup for myself. After all I hadn't slept much the night before and I had a long day ahead. Staying awake and alert was key to having a successful trip. Goings-on inside this quaint little coffee shop I quickly scanned the menu and ordered something familiar to me and also iced. At that moment jt was probably around ninety degrees outside and something cold and delicious was cling to me. Once the coffee was made, I headed outside and sat down to drink my selection. Unfortunately the coffee wasn't top notch but the whip cream was definitely the bomb. Next I got up and went next door to a little pizza place and ordered two slices of meatball pizza. Yes, meatball pizza. Lord oh mighty, was it perfection. Giant slices the size of my face and the length omy face and neck together along with some spices and you have top notch pizza that hits that hunger spot just right. Once that was devoured I realized that they had a pinball machine. Instantly I turned to it, and was pulled into the game. 

I've grown up around pinball machines so every time I see one I always feel like I have to check it out and see how good it is. I gotta know how good of condition it's in and how the game feels when you play it. Luckily it was free and not a lot of people were interested in playing so, I sat my happy self in front of that game and started playing. Quickly I caught two brothers attention. Without much of a thought I started talking more in depth about pinball and shared some stories about myself and my father and how I knew so much. Quickly the older brother responded telling me that  by my descriptions he could feel his agitation taking over as he was entering the "pinball world". Now I don't know about other people but I do find it quite entertaining to play pinball and when someone else has a real interest in it, I quickly become a interesting person to whoever is listening. Especially if they also like pinball. For a while the conversation held and we went back and forth speaking about conditions of the machine, what each pinball machine has in it, and just how entertaining they are. Before I knew it half an hour had gone by and his younger brother was ready to move onward in their day. So with a smile we both said goodbye to one another and parted ways. From the pizza place I made my way down to a little Shop that's all about peace for the world.

Quickstep I got greeted and complimented on my outfit. In return I complimented him on his awesome shades that he just so happened to be wearing. Seems the 80's were in style for some reason. Browsing thd shop I quickly set my eyes on a couple of items and got the guy to help me but before I could move onward on my purchase he stopped and looked at me. Smiling a little bit but keeping Profesional he turned and said

" I just have to be straight up with you right now, your very very pretty"

Taken aback a little by the sudden compliment I thanked him and moved the conversation onwards. Throughout the process it seemed that I made yet another friend in this town I visit every so often and as I was leaving I got told to come see this friend again sometime. Why of course, you haven't seen the last of me.

So with an hour before I had to be at the venue I made my way to my car, got in and drove to the venue. After about three circles around the area I found a underground parking garage and parked the car. I gathered my things and made sure I had what I needed and then headed in the best guessed direction of where the show was being held. Yet I had a realization after leaving the parking garage, I was in a "hood like area" which was fine but there were signs everywhere to "park smartly" and "were not responsible of your vehicle is broken into" signs. With that thought stuck in my brain I began to worry about where I had parked. But with a big deep breath in, I trudged onward until I ran into someone who directed me to the section where the concert was. Once I got through the garage area. Down the stairs and past the elevators I came to two lines for VIP. One for Icon For Hire and the other for another band. With no signs to indicate which was which I asked for help and got pointed to the far side. The line wasn't long but it was noticeable and I began to wonder how many were VIP and how many were general admission. With everyone in their own little groups, I quickly became alone.

Luckily we didn't wait long for them to start letting us know that vIP was to gather around at another door and to have our id's out as well as our tickets. We all dug through our bags and with the time ticking we were quickly in the doors and in a tiny room. At first it was confusing. I began asking my other fellow VIP people if this was the room they were gonna play in. I got mixed answers. Questions left unanswered I didn't get a chance to ask anyone else because right then the band walked in. Immediately I noticed that Ariel hair was longer then last time I saw her but it was much more vibrant and her makeup was on point. She looked very hot and she was rocking it. With posters in hand and a small batch of people we got to pick songs that they would play for the show.  Once we talked a bit, we got photos which quickly passed and afterwards we got one more vote and then we were off to the other room where the concert would actually be held. 

The concert area was a little bigger then the room before but not by much. For us ViPs we got to buy merchant first, get literally right up to the stage and first dibs on alcohol if you wanted any. After a quick scan of what was for sale I made my way straight to the front, right in the middle of the small stage. Now the events went by pretty quickly and it's was so amazing that it is almost difficult to put into words. For the concert we had four bands playing in total and the last one was Icon For Hire. For me the first band was just a set up round for the camera lighting and shutter speed settings. The second group was a little better but again was a tester. The third group, oh my lord. I love photographing bands and I love it when the band members are interactive with the people. Being right in the middle and up front mentioned that the band members could see me. I became a Beacon of smiles, tongues sticking out, jumping, faces, sweat, and hand shakes. The camera was a spotlight on me and it made me feel amazing to have an interactive band member literally getting so close the lense is almost touching them. Interactive, hot, sweaty, and so much fun. Also amazing practice. 

Then it happened. Icon For Hire was out and playing and it was an experience I won't forget. The bass was turned up so much I could feel it in my shoes. The band was right in our faces, pulling us up on stage, and sharing a moment with all of us. And me? I was in the middle of it all and I had a front row seat. There is nothing like having a literal moment with bands. For me, it was all in living and listening to the music. I was rocking and snapping pictures like a mad women. My ears were so far gone but it didn't matter because I loved it. I loved every second with every fiber of my being. We even got the band to do an anchor which they celebrated with confetti and at the end the guitarist dropped his pick on me. Quickly I made sure to have a secure grip on it and made it mine. Not only did I get a picture, signed posters, pictures up close and personal of them, but also a pick that was used by the guitarist and was signed. Bonus? Yes, indeed it was. 

The real nightmare though was once I got out of the venue and got to the parking garage. Everything quickly did a 360 in my stomach. As soon as the concert was over I knew I had to get out of there and make my way to the car and head home. After all I had a four to five hours drive ahead of me and it was eleven by the time we got out. Once I found the garage I got to the front and my heart stopped. The front was locked with a steel gate stating that the garage closed at 10 pm and didn't open till 6 a.m. 

Yes. Panic quickly set in. Taking a deep breath I looked around and saw a police officer. Quickly loving I approached and told her the situation. It only got worse.

"I'm sorry mam but we don't have any jurisdiction on that parking garage, go see if there's a number and have them help you" 

Well ****. Quickly walking back to the gate I looked at it and realized that there may be a umber on my physical ticket. I turned it over and thank Jesus, a number. Dialing with semi shaking hands I dialed the number and waited. And waited. And waited. *beeep* 

"Hello customer service -"

"Hi-" *click* 

I pulled the phone back and realized the number just went out on me. You have got to be ****ting me. Quickly I redialed. 

"Hello customer service"

"Hi, um look my car is in the parking garage and I can't get in"

"Is there not an area you can slide you card for the gate to lift and let you in?"

"Uh no, there's a metal gate in front of me and there's no access. I need to get to my car, I have to drive home tonight"

"OK mam, I would like to help your but what's your location?"

"75 martin luther kin Jr drive. It's underground parking" 

"Yes mam, the only problem is I don't see you in the system, what city are you in?"

I seriously can't make this stuff up. This really happened. 

"What- I'm in Atlanta GA "

"Is there no place to put your key?" 

"No, there isn't, I can literally just about see my car and there are other cars so I know there's others here"

"OK mam if I could just get your lo-" *beep*

What the ****? 

The phone had disconnected again and with a panic mind set I started to think I was screwed. Atlanta had given me a Doozie this time. As I was about to redial for a third time someone came around the corner asking if I was lost. I explained the situation and  he directed me to the front of the building and guess what? It's locked by a chain. Backing away the guy shrugged and went on his way. Without much else to loose, I started circling the building trying to see if I missed something and while doing that I dialed one more time to customer service. 

"Hello customer service" 

"Hi I was speaking to you a minute ago"

"Uh that would be a negative" 

"Uhhhhh, OK well look, I can't get in the parking garage and I see my car and I have to go home tonight" 

"Well mam Is there a key card slider that will let you in?"

"OK, look there- wait wait" and with much relief I found a back way in. Quickly I hung up and made my way inside. After a fumble or two of figuring out how to get down a floor, I made it to my car successfully. I've lost my car before while traveling but this was the one that took the cake, so to speak. I really thought I was stuck and yea. Those conversations are real. If there's one thing I hate about traveling, it's when panic overtakes you and combined with bad help, well it creates a storm. 

Pay attention and be safe out there, it can be rough in the world