Oxfam Coldplay Tour Blog 2010

Not a bad way to turn 26

Hi world!

When I received the tour travel itinerary early in May, I became aware of the fact that I’d be with the tour in Calgary on June 17th, which happens to be the day that I’d be turning what I call “the adult side of 25.”

I’m sooooo not the person to broadcast my birthday, especially not to an entire blog readership! How many of you do you think are out there? Sometimes I feel like it could be 5 people, other days it feels like it could be 5 million people… who knows? The point is that I’m resisting the impulse to delete this entire entry and ignore the fact that yesterday was my birthday for the sake of honesty.

For me this blog is about Oxfam’s work on the Coldplay tour, and about the awesome volunteers that I get to meet who exhibit incredible commitment to “thinking globally and acting locally.” But its also a view of the Viva tour through the lens of a California girl who spent a substantive amount of time in college studying Buddhism and took a chance and moved to Boston to work for Oxfam. Perhaps my sudden emphasis in honesty in blog writing comes from judgement impaired by a late night of cake eating, dancing in the rain to Joss Stone’s cover of “Fell in Love With a Boy,” and skateboarding through an arena full of paper butterflies on Switzer’s board. 

(Switzer shows off the Oxfam sticker his board) 

Regardless, I wanted to share with you all how amazing it is to think back on where I was on my 25th birthday, and to think that a year ago I had not the slightest indication that I’d be celebrating my next one on tour for my dream organization, with my favorite band.

Yesterday was cool for so many reasons. Team Calgary set the goal of having each member get 70 concert goers to take action with Oxfam-they ended up getting about 85 per person! When all was said and done after the show, team leaders Lara and Reny and I sat around talking about how the best volunteers are those who are most motivated, and the most motivated volunteers are those who truley believe they are making an impact. How does an organizer communicate their impact to volunteers was the question….They also told me that the Edminton team was sure to wow me; I don’t doubt that!

I was also able to assert my title as “proper roadie” as Howling Bells’  “stage right guitar technician.” Basically this means that they let me hand Brenden his “cherry” bass in exchange for “vanilla” during the show. Mundane, yes, but the 13-year-old within who dreamed of being a rock star was ecstatic. After my two swap-outs had been completed, Juanita wished me a happy birthday from the stage and dedicated the song Treasure Hunt to me. Its an beautiful song with the lyrics: “I am the watchtower/ I am the light that emanates/ I am the key that fits/ I am the world that radiates.”

(Mark, the Bells’ instrument technician with the set list with my cues to swap guitars. You can’t see, but it says “Soha’s Happy Birthday set list.”) 

Marta was the really the force behind the amazing birthday. I had quietly informed her it was on Wednesday and told her that I wouldn’t be telling anyone else. She told everyone it was my birthday, hence the on-stage b-day wish from Howling Bells,  the hugs and warm wishes from crew mates all day, and my very festive bunk. 

She was responsible for the coolest momento a person could have from a tour (cooler than the one I got in New Orleans that I’ll tell you about some other time)- a birthday card signed by the entire crew, and a few of my buddies from Howling Bells and Snow Patrol.

Once the show was over, cake eating, rain dancing, and arena skateboarding ensued.

(Before)

(Piers and cake) 

(After)

Much love to my girl Marty who started off just a fun person to hang out with, and evolved into a dear friend and confidant. And to Matt the video guy as well for a gift from him and Marta that ensures I retrieve new music ethically and for being an all around cool “bloke.”

Not a bad way to turn 26. Where will I be next year?

xoxo from Edmonton,

s

ps. here’s something from my girl Z. classic…

Posted in: General

This entry was posted on Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 2:09 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.