My first REAL concert....

Yes, at the tender age of 31 I have just attended my first REAL concert...I do not consider the small things I attended by Steve Green, while fine for my age at the time, as REAL concerts.

I had the pleasure of attending what I have now learned is the only Canadian stop for the Celtic Thunder tour. I love the DVD of the initial two introductory shows filmed in Dublin, but the show is even better live!

You could see, and hear, more confidence in both Damian and Keith...Keith was belting things out much better than in the initial concerts. George still had the brilliant professional calm, yet stirring voice. Ryan upped his game too and really brought some great theatrical appeal to his songs. Paul came off far less arrogant than he seemed in some of the DVD performances and was rather funny and charming in many moments...one that had the ladies cheering and the guys laughing was during the final song he came out and while singing gently lifted a side of his kilt up against his leg and gave a playful raise of the eyebrow.

Speaking of the delight of the woman...my goodness did they ever cheer for Keith, Ryan and Paul! It almost seemed like a playful competition for affection throughout the 2 hours and 20 minutes. Which reminds me of some mild annoyances...screaming woman atop a great song, drowning the lyrics...over-zealous clappers at the beginning and end of songs that again drown out beautiful lyrics or music. It may have been my first REAL concert, but seriously even I know enough to show appreciation, yet stop to listen...OH, and I DO NOT USE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!

The night was awesome and worth every penny...pennies?

I knew I was enjoying myself a bit too much when I had NO control over my left leg keeping the to the constant rhythm of almost every song. Not to mention songs I did not appreciate on the DVD, I still really enjoyed live!

I was sitting almost dead centre to the stage as well, which I really liked and was pretty close too.

My heart was beating so fast during the concert and I was completely engulfed in everything that it had to offer.

Life is made of these moments.

I am grateful.