Time Of My Life

Seeing Green Day in Ottawa on July 17th, 2009, was without a doubt the best night of my life (so far). I had been waiting for the day for 4 years, since I had missed their last show in Ottawa by a whole SEVEN dollars (my mom wouldn't lend me the money, thus resulting me in spending literally the entire last day of summer vacation calling in to a local radio station to try and win tickets).

When this show was announced, I had various different phone calls and emails from many different people. I was so happy I cried. Even though I knew there would be no chance at all of the show selling out (Ottawa being a tough venue to play since fans will drive from Ottawa to either Toronto or Montreal to see a show, but not the other way around), I bought my ticket exactly at 10am when they went on sale.

My friends and I showed up around 1pm, and we had our spot secured at the front of the line. We made friends with two other girls, one who had been there since 8am and upon seeing no human life in sight, had gone home and returned later.

The run from the back of the arena to my spot on the barrier at the end of the catwalk was as exhilarating as it was terrifying. I couldn't believe where I was, and who I would be seeing. In a couple hour's time, I would be less than 5 feet away from the band who gave my life new light and meaning. And the moment that Billie Joe ran out to stand in front of us, I was in a state beyond shock. Everyone around me was screaming and shouting their love, but all I could do was remain frozen with my mouth slightly ajar. They were real. They were real men. They weren't just voices on the radio or images on the tv or pictures on the computer. They actually existed, they were flesh and bone. Unlike most religions, I now knew for a fact that my Gods were real, not just a shadow of hope.

Being a smaller venue, Ottawa was the first show on the tour that was treated to the classic gems 'Welcome To Paradise', 'Coming Clean' and '2000 Light Years Away'. There are no words to describe THOSE entrancing 10 minutes.

My friend was also chosen to get up on stage to spray the crowd with Billie's super soaker. That was the best moment of the night for me. Seeing my friend, up there hugging Billie, getting the crowd to chant and clap, spraying us and releaving some of the heat and sweat, meant so much to me. I'm so happy for her and thankful to the band.

I will never forget this night. After all, this was the night that sparked my flame to follow them on tour...