Thursday 13 August 2009

Things to come

As far as being a pair of immigrants goes, we've had it good.

For a dozen reasons Holland is a great place to be based. One of which, while not very important in the grand scheme of things, is my favourite.

We have always been able to see the best gigs, in great venues, not half an hour away from our front door, and all for ridiculously little money.

Autumn and Winter see the best shows roll into Amsterdam, and I always keep a beady eye on what's coming up.

One in particular ET asked me to arrange tickets for, The Swell Season at the end of November.

Bearing in mind a progressing pregnancy, that would have been as good a time as any to see them. Tickets were bought, and plans were made

Until today, when a taste of our future concert going abilities popped into my inbox.

The concert is postponed. Until February next year. Falling delightfully on ET's birthday, but less delightfully 6 days after her due date. The irony of The Swell Season coming to town at the height of her own swelling season has not gone unnoticed.

An abrupt stop to our gallop, cheekily reminding us that our time isn't our own for very much longer. Oh well petal, this will have to do you.


I'll try and pick you up a t-shirt, okay?


35 comments:

Emma said...

yes boy it's true, this is all ahead of you! ha ha ha, I feel the need to sit and chuckle because I have been there- twice. Oh, how you will learn so quickly that life will never be the same, but oh the joy and fun times that are ahead by far outweigh all the missed concerts in the world. In one respect your very lucky- I sit here now on mobile to Himself trying to work out what sucker will take our two for a weekend so that we can visit the fine country you live in for a weekend of peace. (And other things...)

frogpondsrock said...

Thanks for the song.. It was lovely. I am off now to see if I can track down a cd.

mammydiaries said...

It's not all lost! One thing I wish I'd been told on my first was to take advantage of the early days when (if they're not colicy) you can TAKE THEM ANYWHERE and all they do is eat and sleep. Once they start moving, that's when you're screwed:)

Mwa said...

I remember breastfeeding, running out to see Lionel Ritchie (oh yes, what of it?) and making it back for the next feed. Ah, happy times.

Ms. Moon said...

Let's just put it this way- ET's expanding and changing body is just a metaphor for the expanding and changing your lives are about to do.

Erin said...

Oh man. I'm jealous. Uh, baby's first concert perhaps?

Ed said...

And so it begins....

Putz said...

is et also irish then, by blimmy...she is not hollandanishly ///??????

Sadia said...

It's just like they say ... it changes EVERYTHING.

I found it ironic this week that I couldn't have dinner with my Mother of Multiples group because I had to get the kids to bed. My mother of multiples group. You know, the other women who are in the same boat as me.

Except that their husbands don't live in Korea.

Ginny said...

Ah, Reality, she's a moody bitch, sometimes. Sorry.

RRP said...

The only logical solution is to buy a very large cork and firmly implant it in ET's nether regions. When the concert is over and you feel ready, remove and allow Fitz to make an appearance.

Liz said...

Nice way to promote the ticket that will no doubt be on eBay any day now.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Hmmmmm, so you're planning on going without her?? You do realise neither you or ET are in charge anymore don't you?? Both my brothers were born during Match of the Day. (My Dad's a football fanatic). So chances are little xbox will arrive mid way through the concert. Just thought I'd warn you. ;D

Anonymous said...

6 days after her due date? If she's 2 weeks late you'll be fine, she can still go.

The biggest mistake I made with my first was thinking we couldn't book anything around the due date. I was made to have a c-section because she was breech so it worked out ok.

With the second I realised that I couldn't just sit around and wait for a baby to arrive (natural birth) so I just kept on agreeing to do things with the caveat that I might not make it. We booked a concert for a month after my due date working on the theory that if he was two weeks early I'd be more than up for it. He was two weeks late and my big sister went to the gig with my husband.

Also, if she's 2 weeks early, mammydiaries is right, you can take a teeny one anywhere. That's what slings are made for.

areyoukiddingme said...

Good luck getting to that concert... you may end up paying far more for those tickets than you intended if you go alone!

Dan said...

Ah yes, we forgot to tell you. You've only got about 6 months before your social life is completely over.

Sorry mate.

it's worth it mind.

Bonnie B. said...

I read that last line you wrote and thought "Oh! You bastard!!!

Funny thing is, if the baby has already come by the time of the concert, you won't want to leave Little Fitz to go either. Those adorable anchors have a way of keeping your thoughts only on them.

B said...

Any time anyone mentions anything remotely related to Once, I try to fling in a plug for Bachelors Walk(RTE drama series by the same person, available on VHS and DVD at all low-turnover pound shops).

MissyBoo said...

I'm with Bonnie B. You aren't going to want to go the concert without ET and little Fitz! You might miss something - oh and don't forget that may be the day little Fitz gets born ;)

AnnD said...

Yes, you are right...your time as just a couple is slowly dwindling. But, I promise...I swear that what awaits you is so much more fun! To experience the world through your child is just the most amazing thing, indescribable really....seeing their face light up at simple, everyday things that you normally overlook. How a simple trip to the zoo or the park can elicit the most ecstatic reaction. You and ET will soon forget about concerts and begin to plan your activities around seeing that little face light up....it'll be way better than any concert!

Rachel said...

Concerts?!? I can't even go to the loo alone anymore. And movies? Ha. I say upgrade your cable tv, since it's easier to stay home with a pay per view and microwave popcorn than it is to pack up a baby to go pretty much anywhere.
But it's worth it, and in theory I'm saving money by never leaving the house...only to turn around and spend it on daycare.
Oh well, the little beasties are worth it.

Nikki aka Widdle Shamrock said...

lol.

I was 5 days away from delivering WGO, and sat in the front row of a Tim and Neil Finn concert. After having missed concerts with previous pregnancies, and the fact i was 10 minutes from the hospital, I took the gamble.

Thank God I did, the concert was brilliant.

AND I saw a couple of other heavily pregnant woment there too.

Love the band, will google for more. I love Irish music, traditional and or othereise.

Anonymous said...

Ah, yes, welcome to parenthood where your life is no longer your own EVER again...but, it is so worth it and hey, that is what CDs and MP3s are for...right?!

Oh, and don't even THINK FOR ONE SECOND that you will ever go anywhere like that without ET...no.no.no, my boy...NEVAH!

memart graphics said...

"petal" nice. Here in the MN, we are culturally deprived and depraved as a result. I'm totally jealous. Well, I may be in Spain in March, but none the less. I assume (??) the tickets are going away? Too bad, the male singer reminds me of my brothers, all 6 of them.
Maybe when you hit 40 or 50 you can have dates again.

James (SeattleDad) said...

Well that's just swell isn't it? Yes, your free time is coming to an end. But it will still be fun around the house.

Martin said...

@Emma - Heh, enjoy it if you get here!

@frogpondsrock - this http://www.amazon.com/Swell-Season/dp/B000GH3CVQ or this http://www.amazon.com/Once-Motion-Picture-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000PFU7OO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250323738&sr=1-1 is what you're looking for.

@mammydiaries - noted!

@Mwa - oh dear oh dear...

@Ms. Moon - well, there you go now!

@Erin - Hmmm, but then I'd have to cough up for an extra ticket.

@Ed - heh

@Putz - Of course she's Irish.

@Sadia - That is a slight difference!

@Ginny - meh

@RRP - oh the image...

@womb for improvement - 200 quid and it's yours...

@Jo Beaufoix - match of the day, funny.

@bsouth - yeah if she's 41 weeks up the duff at the time I don't see her fancying it much!

@areyoukiddingme - :-)

@Dan - Bloody better be!

@Bonnie B. - Wanna bet?

@B - Nutter.

@M+B - would be typical...

@AnnD - Hmmm, jury's out...

@Rachel - hehehe

@Nikki aka Widdle Shamrock - Maybe they were just really fat?

@hotmamamia - we shall see ;-)

@memart - 50? I'll be dead by then.

@James (SeattleDad) - yeah, not so convincing sounding there James...

steph said...

Dead by 50?

Sure life only begins then and it gets better and better!

Now, about those tickets 'cos you won't be going either, WILL YOU?

*traipses off grinning*

Amy said...

Great reason to miss a concert if you ask me. (And I know you didn't, but that's never stopped me before.)

Mitch McDad said...

I'll definitely take a t-shirt. I dig there music, but my 4 year old daughter is really grooving on it.

Deeleea said...

Ok, so maybe it's just because I was on YOUR blog, but I read the title of the Youtube and thought it read ovulation tv... definitely wondered what I was going to be seeing... these new glasses need some getting used to methinks...

Mike said...

Have you thought about a date of birth betting pool yet? Winner gets a slightly used placenta. ;) (UGH! - forget I said that!)

I'll bet it happens on ET's birthday. If I win I don't want anything...really.

Unknown said...

SUCKA!

Martin said...

@steph - Hmmm, Jury's out ;-)

@Amy - heh, offer advice away!

@Mitch McDad - Oscar winning stuff that!

@Deeleea - hahahah

@Mike - heh, nice idea, closer to the time I think yeah. And I have a feeling that the birthdays could easily clash!

@angie - Meh.

Jo said...

Heh. You think you'll be going to that, do you?

Martin said...

@jothemama - Hmmmm ;-)