Compare and Contrast

Two weekends ago, Caleb and I went out to the Niverville fair.   (Special thanks to Ignite107 for sending us.)  If you ever have the chance, go.  You wouldn't expect it, but those Mennos know how to throw a party.  Good times.  :)

We went on Friday evening and checked out as much of the fair as we could.  Between Caleb and me (though mostly Caleb), we came home with five "stuffies" (funded by Mom, of course).  We went on a few rides.  We caught Matt Falk and Brian "Head" Welch.  Yup, good times.

Our favourite ride (out of the two we actually went on :P) was Spin-Out.  This ride goes round and round and upside-down.  Caleb convinced me to go on.  I wasn't sure this was a good idea at my age, but he insisted, so I appeased him.  We got locked in and all I could think was, "I hope I don't puke."  It started spinning and were turned on our sides.  Every muscle in my body tensed, fighting the forces that were pulling me out of my seat and into the harness.  And then, for some reason, my whole body relaxed.  I still don't know if it was a conscious decision or not, but regardless, it happened.  Suddenly the whole ride took on new meaning.  I closed my eyes and felt like I was flying.  I was almost overcome by a blissful feeling.  Even though I was completely strapped in, I felt free.

We went on this ride three times.  After that, we only had enough tickets for one person to go, so Caleb went on by himself as my friend (who had joined us) and I watched from the side.  I wish I had pictures.  Caleb did exactly what I had done.  I had told him about it, and he was doing the same.  When I could see him, he looked like he was in a state of nirvana, so completely free to move with the ride.  Beside him was a guy enjoying the ride like every other person on there - screaming and with muscles engaged.  There was such a stark difference between the two - both revelling in the experience, but doing so in very opposite ways.  I can still see it in my mind.  I wish I could show it.

The light show was a little less spectacular than U2.

Our (almost) final fair adventure was watching Brian "Head" Welch, formerly of Korn.  Perhaps it was the U2 that they played before the show, or maybe it was the fact that they were the last show I saw, that prompted me to compare the two.  He was playing to a much smaller crowd.  I tried to estimate the numbers, but despite my mathematical skills, I'm not very good at that.  It had the "small show" feeling.  The lights were basic.  The mosh pit moshed, with little concern as to what was going on on stage, other than the fact that music they loved was being played.  Although I know that many were there for love of Brian Welch, I did not get the same "band worship" feeling.  The lyrics of "Save Me from Myself" were powerful, especially as Head dropped to his knees and screamed, "Father!  Thank You!  Father!  I live for You now!  Oh my God, I live for You now!"  I was overcome by awe as I could feel the appreciation and adoration he exhibited.  Sure, he was there to put on a show, but he was also there for so much more.

That's Brian Welch.  I think.  :P

Compare that to the spectacle of U2.  The worship of their followers.  The escorting of Bono et al. on and off the stage.  The sense that they were better than life.  This was good.  It was real.  He was real.  Just another guy, doing what he likes to do.  I'd go again.  I'd even pay.