The longest day

I keep looking at the clock and it's as if time is moving in slow motion. After what seems like a half hour, the minute hand clicks to the right a single notch via close-up with a massive bass-like drone.

9:41 
THUUUUUUUUWUMPPPP 
9:42

Making things worse is the fact that I got to work almost 90 minutes early--throwing off my entire schedule. You see tonight is the final Nine Inch Nails show. Yes, the last one ever. Ever. NIN frontman, creator and essentially sole proprietor, Trent Reznor has said he's done with the days of heavy touring with a band and speaks of other projects coming soon. While we all know that the concept of finality in the music industry doesn't exactly carry much weight--it's fairly certain that if Nine Inch Nails tours again in a similar way it's going to be a very, very long time.But hey, 20+ years isn't a bad run.

9:42
THUUUUUUUUWUMPPPP 
9:43

Since this last stretch of shows was announced in July, it's been nothing short of a struggle trying to find tickets. Very strict anti-scalper measures have made finding extras nearly impossible and with a 2-ticket limit per person, NIN superfan Darrin was only able to originally secure one extra--which went to Liz after her summer back east.  After some options involving complicated coordination seemed to gel last week, I was able to purchase a ticket last night when a handful of extras were released online. Excitement!  We're going to the final show!

9:43   
THUUUUUUUUWUMPPPP 
9:44

This is all made possible thanks to an unfortunate turn of events for some that became a blessing others.  Originally there were to be four shows in various venues throughout LA with the last to be played at the Echo--a tiny 500 person venue in Silver Lake.  Pretty incredible for a band that sells out arenas.  Unsurprisingly, the Echo show was IMPOSSIBLE to get tickets for.  Even superfan Darrin didn't have one.

Turns out Trent Reznor caught himself a flu leading up to the last touring week.  At the dismay of many people who flew into town from all across the country and couldn't stay an extra few days, two shows were postponed a week. All the jackasses were mad... the travellers were pissed that they'd see no show. And those who paid $2,000 to go to the Echo were annoyed that their investment was no longer for THE final show.   Whatever.  Now THE final show is at The Wiltern--an art deco theatre that holds 2200.   And as one fan is saddened, another gets the ticket.

9:44 
THUUUUUUUUWUMPPPP 
9:45

So I've been at work since 7:45--counting the minutes until I can head out at 4, pick up Liz and zip up to the venue.  This will be my 9th (I think) and very possibly last time seeing Nine Inch Nails. That includes a shared show with David Bowie in the 90s, a sold out Hollywood Bowl a few years ago, and a secret practice show Darrin found the tickets in a scavenger hunt that lead to the head of the cougar at the LaBrea tar pits.  I credit Brigitta Kral for introducing me...long, long ago. Thing is back then she was much more likely to track down shows and events.  I guess the roles have reversed.  I never imagined at the time they'd be around this long.

9:45
THUUUUUUUUWUMPPPP 
9:46

All this exposition and only five minutes of time has passed!?     END DAY!   END!