Since the beginning of our 30/40 World Tour, Mr. HalfFull was searching for a postcard. Not just any postcard. No, he was quite particular. It had to be a musical postcard.
Landscape postcards are easy to come by, but music? That’s quite another story. With all the late night kava drinking and guitar playing, Mr. HalfFull was sure he would find one in Fiji. But that was not to be. No big deal, it was only the start of the trip, and we had plenty of countries left.
While staying in New Zealand for 3 weeks, we saw tons of postcards. Again, beautiful landscapes. But nothing music inspired.
In Australia, we thought we would certainly find a postcard featuring a didgeridoo. But alas, no. The same was true for New Caledonia, Mauritius, UAE, and Germany – no music postcards. But now we were in Spain, the final country on the 30/40 World Tour. We were running out of time to find the perfect postcard!
You may be wondering why Mr. HalfFull needed a music related postcard so badly that he searched high and low all over the world. If you know him personally, you are aware that he does not play an instrument. Trust me when I tell you that you don’t want to hear him sing. So what’s up with the music postcard???
9:30 Club
Back home in Washington, DC, we occasionally attend concerts at the 9:30 Club – a standing room only venue for up to 1200 people. My first 9:30 Club concert was during my lindy hop days in high school. I saw Indigo Swing open for Big Bad Voodo Daddy. I even got a backstage pass, and thought I was the coolest. But I guess I arrived a bit too early because when I opened Indigo Swing’s dressing room door, the singer didn’t have his pants on yet! (I was okay with it…he was hot.)
Even though Mr. HalfFull wasn’t in the area until his 30s, he has a long and storied history of shows at 9:30 Club – Digable Planets; Our Lady Peace; Gomez; Angels and Airwaves; Slightly Stoopid; The Good, the Bad and the Queen; Gavin DeGraw; Rusted Root; Luke Brindley; The Bravery; G. Love & Special Sauce; Tenacious D; Foo Fighters; and Wolfmother. Together we have seen Pete Yorn, Stereophonics, and Good Charlotte at 9:30 Club.
Since Mr. HalfFull is on the 9:30 Club mailing list, he knew about Ye Olde Mailbox. Each month, the club selects the best hand written letter or postcard mailed to Ye Olde Mailbox, and prints it in their monthly Volume newsletter. The winner receives 2 tickets to any 9:30 Club show.
The Postcard
Mr. HalfFull really wanted to win, and thought a music inspired postcard would certainly speak to them. Little did he know how hard it would be to find!
Our last day in Barcelona, before our overnight train trip to Madrid, we wanted to tour the Picasso Museum. But when we arrived, the line was around the block. We were really looking forward to spending the day in air-conditioning with beautiful art, not outside in the heat and humidity. Disappointed, we walked away and visited some shops in the alley.
And…WE FOUND IT! After 7 countries and 2 months of travel, Mr. HalfFull finally found his musical postcard. This one featured flamenco, and reminded us of the show we had seen 2 nights before that inspired Mr. HalfFull to dance in the streets.
Mr. HalfFull’s music inspired postcard sent to 9:30 Club
Rockin’ lunchtime concert on the street in the Born district
As we left the postcard store, we stumbled upon a band jamming on the street in the Born district. Was this a sign that our postcard was a winner? How serendipitous!
The Verdict
When we returned home from our 30/40 World Tour, we discovered that our postcard was printed in the 9:30 Club newsletter! We used our free tickets to see The Kooks later that year.
Sometimes persistence really pays off! Thanks, Mr. HalfFull.
- Have you searched the world for a particular item?
- Have you ever gotten a backstage pass?
- Do you enjoy live music? What was your favorite concert experience?
- What do you think of Mr. HalfFull’s postcard?
#1 by Kathleen on July 18, 2012 - 9:56 AM
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Wow! That is such a cool story!
#2 by Sarah P. on July 19, 2012 - 9:17 PM
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Wow, that is AWESOME! I am very impressed. It’s fun to have a quest on a trip like that, too. And not just the larger quest…for passion or interests…but a quest for something silly and small!
I am also wowed by the list of shows Mr. HalfFull has seen at the 9:30 Club! I saw Digable Planets and G. Love and Special Sauce (not in the same show) at the Trocadero in Philly. So fun. I think Digable Planets may be one of my best concert memories… the musicians were all in crazy insect costumes, and the venue was tiny and packed!
#3 by Ms. HalfEmpty on July 19, 2012 - 9:59 PM
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Mr. HalfFull is indeed an impressive guy at times. =) You’re right that it’s fun to have quests that are possible to fulfill. The quest for passion is just so nebulous and unending!
Insect costumes sound crazy! Small venues can really make it fun and intimate. I’m glad you and Mr. HalfFull share some musical interests.
#4 by BigLittleWolf on July 21, 2012 - 12:03 PM
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This is extremely cool, and Mr. HalfFull did a terrific job on his postcard selection (and clearly, the message).
Bravo!
#5 by Ms. HalfEmpty on July 21, 2012 - 10:13 PM
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Thanks! I think Mr. HalfFull is a keeper. =)
He likes to make me write thank you cards because he says I do such a great job making it personal and heartfelt. But this seems like proof that he writes winning cards!