The sights were interesting and all, but I think I mentioned that Nick and I were there for a specific purpose. We arrived on a Thursday, and I was going to see a legendary musician whose music has touched me my entire life on Friday. Nick gave me a hard time all day because I was so gosh darn chirpy. He pretended to sleep when we were supposed to be leaving for the Paul McCartney concert, but my excitement was not to be dampened:



I am relatively certain that I had enough enthusiasm to cover us both.

When I packed for the trip, I admit that I did waffle on what to wear to the concert. I mean, if he saw me, I'd want him to be decently charmed. I finally decided on an old dress of mine with a small pink leopard print. Girly refinement with wild instincts: just the message I wanted to send! If I ran into Paul McCartney that night, he was going to fall in love with me. (I didn't.)

Due to a bit of a mix up, Nick did not bring the little camera to the arena. That was a bit sad, but I don't think that pictures could have truly captured my emotions or properly preserve the memories anyway. I do have a couple grainy cell phone images (compliments of Nick's BlackBerry) taken in the arena before the concert when I was beside myself with nerves and excitement.



Guys, it was magic. My heart just started beating a little faster thinking of how to describe the experience with words. There was a commotion on the floor moments before the concert was to begin. We weren't sure what was happening, then we realized that Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Olivia Harrison and George Martin were in attendance. The commotion started when they took their seats, and the commotion absolutely erupted when Macca took the stage.

I can't even tell you what song he started with because I was stunned. I know it was a song that I knew very well and knew every nuance of the recording. I know it was song that was covered in the hours of Beatles documentaries I have seen throughout my life. It was difficult to connect that the timeless sound I've known for so long was being created just ahead. I felt Nick's eyes on me, looking for a reaction—I couldn't snap out of it.

It was sometime during the second song ("Junior's Farm") that I noticed myself singing along and moving my feet to the beat. I laughed. I laughed for several moments. I think I went a little crazy because—DUH!—PAUL MCCARTNEY WAS RIGHT THERE. I glanced back to Nick and noticed his smug expression, so proud of himself for getting me to that place of carefree elation.

I wasn't thinking of work, or hospitals, or futures…for once, I was completely invested in savoring the now. The tiredness (and crankiness) that had plagued me the night before was non-existent as I lost myself in the music and the anecdotes.

I was expecting to be wowed by the great Paul McCartney songs, but I got more than I bargained for. He led the audience through the hook on John's "Give Peace a Chance" as we sang it over and over again. Cameras panned the audience, and large screens behind the stage showed Yoko and Sean waving their arms and singing along. I just couldn't believe that I was there.

After the concert, including two encores, the arena emptied and we were caught in a wave of people who seemed to be floating through the passageways. Everyone seemed to vibrate with this crazy energy. It was a feeling of unity with perfect strangers (and Nick, who is perfectly strange). Suddenly, the tightly packed crowd began singing, "Naa na na, na-na na na, na-na na na, hey Jude!" I'm usually not a fan of crowds, but I sure liked these people!

Beatles fans should totally rule the world.