Rolling Stones Frankfurt

12 June
1545: I am notified by phone that the USO is giving away free tickets to the Rolling Stones concert tomorrow night (1900) in Frankfurt. I immediately leave work to stand in line.

1555: I am the 100th person in line. They are only giving out two tickets per person. Things look good.

1645: Tickets in hand. Screaming on the inside.

1700: Jerome’s cardio-kickboxing class drains my enthusiasm for life. It’s Africa-hot in there. No air circulation. My heart rate soars to 188bpm.

13 June
1630: Vivien and I abandon hope of taking the train. The cost is ~70 euro and if we miss the 2308 train from the main station, the next train doesn’t leave until 0200.

1700: Meet and depart from Vivien’s home where a mean German (Jerkman) is scolding American children from playing on the grass. Nazis.

1815: Receive a phone call from Tiara Cortez, a recruiter for Google. They want my resumé!

1830: Arrive at Frankfurt’s Commerzbank. Commit numerous traffic violations in search of parking. Pay 5 euro to park in a big field with a gazillion other concert goers.

1855: Eat a currywurst mit pommes in honor of Rico Colon, whose fatness I then affirm, even though I know he is working out in the desert everyday.

1915: Find our seats and enjoy the sounds of the Bono-esque singer in the opening act.

1945: “Start Me Up” is the opening number as the Stones emerge from flames and sparks to a delirious crowd.

Other songs I remember:
“Monkey Man”
“Midnight Rambler”
“Honkey Tonk Women”
“Paint it, Black”
“Brown Sugar”
“Satisfaction”
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
“Sympathy for the Devil”

At one point in the concert, the entire centerpiece for the set rolls out to the center of the floor. This impressive feat of German engineering was aptly recognized by the fans.

2245: Stones finish their encore and the fans are crying for more. After five minutes of cheering, the lights come on and disappointed groans spread across the stadium. Now we must deal with each other in the parking lot.

2307: Now in the car, we’ve moved fifty feet. I notice Vivien’s face is lit solely by the glow of taillights extending into the horizon.

2337: We’ve moved two car lengths. I point out an opening further towards the exit, knowing that in fluid dynamics, velocities near edges tend to be much faster; Casey’s links from science to life.

2347: Our strategy works and we’re on the open road. Vivien is driving 130mph to 140mph the entire way home. Our goal is to be in bed by 0100.

1240: We arrive at Vivien’s where I reclaim my car and drive home. My goal: be in my bed by 0100.

1255: Arrive at my home. Exhausted, I stumble into bed.

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