Under Their Thumb

Lately, I have had a somewhat unhealthy obsession with the Rolling Stones; I just finished reading Keith Richards' autobiography and have been listening to two of their greatest albums, Sticky Fingers and Let it Bleed, over and over and over again.  I've been keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that they would tour somewhere in (or near) NC this year, but I am way out of luck as Asia is no where near me and that is where the Stones will play in 2014.  No, I did not take advantage of them playing at Duke in 2005.  And, in case you are wondering, yes, I am still kicking myself over that.  However, I did come close to seeing them in concert once...awfully close...

Picture this if you will--it's 1989 and I am a college coed still sporting a big curly perm (if you knew me back then, you are allowed to laugh as I know I looked ridiculous).  While away at school studying socializing very hard, my father called me out of the blue and asked me if I liked the Rolling Stones.  Of course I replied yes, but then quickly questioned why he was asking me this as I didn't think my dad even knew who they where.  Anyway, dad goes on to tell me that he won some tickets to see the Stones play in Orlando (my hometown)  and was wondering if I wanted the tickets.  Heck yes, I exclaimed.  So, he ended the call by telling me that he will be in touch.  Well, time goes by with no word on the tickets. When I finally touch base with my father, he told me that he gave them to my youngest brother Joe instead---AARRGGHH!

You may think that the story ends there, but it doesn't.  Some years later, when the whole family was gathered for the holidays, I was complaining (in a friendly sibling way) to Joe about him getting the tickets instead of me.  Suddenly, we heard a nearby voice disappointedly yell "hey, dad didn't offer me any tickets!"  That voice belonged to our other brother, who was apparently never considered as a recipient of the golden Stones tickets.  

So, I guess I should view myself as somewhat lucky that my dad, even for what was probably a fleeting moment, almost gave me a chance to see the Stones.  Hey, it's more than my middle brother received.

Until next time, keep it on "11"...