I just recently had the pleasure of seeing Tool on 7/7/07 (lucky indeed), but before I get too deep into the show, I want to thank the Excalibur casino for providing the necessary funds to attend said show.

This all began when I met my current girlfriend of now 7+ months. I met her in Flagstaff, AZ on a visit to my friend. I live in Phoenix, so there's a bit of a commute. When I met her, we discussed music and shared many mutual interests. One thing leads to another, I get her number, and voila, we are dating.

She grew up in Farmington, NM so we decided to go there for a weekend this past February so I could meet her folks. On the trip out there, I brought Lateralus and we enjoyed it on the 5+ hour drive. While in Farmington, I decided to commemorate my visit by making a purchase. We visited a Best Buy and, low and behold, I saw 10,000 Days. I remember hearing that it came out, but only in passing and couldn't give you the reason why I didn't purchase. I didn't listen to any of the songs and didn't know any of the titles.

On the way back to Flagstaff, we popped it in the ole CD player. While I was driving, she popped on the stereoscopic specs and was amazed. Not only was she amazed with the artwork, but rather 2 of the songs.

"They have a song on here titled 'Wings for Marie,' and there's a second part as well."

Much to her surprise, the coincidence becomes apparent as her name, too, is Marie. We listened to the album the rest of the way home, needless to say, but it was mainly background to conversation.

Within the next week, I was compelled to look up lyrics for Wings for Marie and 10,000 Days. What I found was completely unexpected. What I found was music so beautiful that it moved me in a way that no song has ever done. Hell, this song provided more of an emotional punch than any speech, sermon, or anything which involves a mouth and words, well, not all words out of a mouth, but most. Needless to say, every time I listen to the two songs, I get the chills (it never fails).

After I felt this feeling, I had to share this with Marie the next time I saw her, and she agreed that it was one of the best and most powerful songs she has ever heard.

I felt determined to catch Tool in concert. I've been to two shows (one in March of '98 at Phoenix Civic Plaza and one in October of '01 at Cricket Pavilion), but now I wanted to see them more than ever, longing to feel the connection of hearing WFM/10KD in person. After winning a small jackpot at the Excalibur casino in Sin City, I knew what to do. There were some scheduling conflicts, as when Tool rolled into AZ, they played in Tucson the same day I attended a wedding in a return trip to Vegas. With Marie being in summer school at CCC and NAU in Flag, I had to really examine the tour schedule for when would be best to go. She just ended her first summer session on 7/3/07, but she started again on 7/9/07, so I looked to see what date could fall in-between and also what shows had the best tickets available. It just so happens that Tool was playing in Huntington on 7/7/07 and, as of a month ago, GA floor tickets were still available.

done.deal.

After making the purchase of airfare, hotel, sustinence, and tickets, we were ready to see Tool. Marie had never seen Tool, so all I told her was that it was a sensory experience like no other.

We arrived in Huntington on 7/6/07. After enjoying a meal at the Marshall cafe (forgive me as I don't remember the exact name), we got in line to the show about 3 hours before doors opened. While the anticipation (and humidity) was ever-present, we knew what we'd be in for.

We were front and center with about 3 people in front of us. Tool took the stage and absolutely tore through their setlist. Jambi, Stinkfist, 46&2, Schism, Rosetta Stoned, and Right In Two knocked my socks off. At the same time, more anticipation built as I was looking forward to WFM/10KD and then, it finally came. My body became a wave of emotion and I was so glad I had her standing there by my side. When Maynard dug deep and sang, "Give me my wings!" I couldn't help but shed a single tear. What's really funny is that I don't consider myself an emotional guy at all, but this song seemed to open a door that I don't see being shut any time soon. Not to mention, Lateralus and Vicarious absolutely rocked.

If you've read this all, I thank you for your patience. I wanted to share my story because this concert was just so much more than a concert, it was an experience. For that, I wanted to thank Tool for the invocation as these memories will not be soon forgotten.