Karma

It's funny how music can spur memory for the depths of the id. The other day I was rummaging through You Tube and came across this and it Brought up a random memory from when I was 15.

Before I get into this story I will tell you a little fact about me. I have always from a young age been a believer in Karma and that doing a nice thing for someone without expecting anything in return will always be paid back at some time (and Vice versa) and the following confirmed it for me in a big way.

During my teenage life I was a but of a rocker, Heavy metal has always been my favourite genera (still is) but at 15 it was the whole black affair complete with Biker jacket.
Being into metal but also living in Cornwall (not really metal more easy listening) I was over the moon when I heard The Almighty backed by the Wildhearts were playing at the Plymouth Pavillions.
So myself and a few mates went and bought tickets and the trip was on for a little head banging.

Anyway the evening of the gig arrived and we made our way into the venue and sat around waiting for it to begin. At the time I used to use a Zippo to light my ciggies and was in the process of lighting up when a voice said

"Can I borrow your light"

I looked round and was confronted by what can only be described as three long haired, leather clad semi detached houses on legs. Holy crap! I know I was 15 but these guys were huge, The guy that just asked for my lighter could have hammered in nails with his fists.
So I did what anyone in my position would have done and handed over my prized Zippo with a stammering "sure" all the while thinking "well that’s that gone". However a few minutes later my faith in humanity was restored and I was handed back my lighter just as the gig began to start.

Wild hearts played there set and by the time the Almighty started I have found myself on the edge of the mosh pit having a great time. By there second song I had got separated from my friends but having to much fun to worry, Until someone behind me started getting a little to heavy handed.
You see there is moshing and there is purposefully slamming someone repeatedly in the back, so fuelled by arrogance and adrenaline I did what anyone would have done, Dug my heals in and jumped backwards.
Now I didn't so much see, as feel the guy go down, thinking he would get swallowed up in the crowed I just carried on enjoying myself. Until that is I got slammed in the back, Now this took the wind out of me but also pissed me of enough for me to turn around an confront him. Which very quickly faded away when I was confronted with the reality.

He was 20-25, shaved head and enough metal in his face to build a tank out of and he was PISSED.
It is at this point that the whole thing went into slow motion, as he raised his fist back to pound me into a small red stain on the floor, When all of a sudden his face turned very white, his jaw dropped and he lowered his fist again, started stammering a massive apology and disappeared into the crowd.

Feeling incredibly confused and relived my heart fell yet again when a huge hammer of a hand landed on my shoulder, Very slowly I turned to be confronted by the three bikers from earlier stood in a row, Looking for all the world like they could have stopped a runaway freight train. This was about all my young mind could take and while my conscious mind was packing, turning out the lights and heading off on extended vacation, The guy with his hand on my shoulder smiled and said,

“Cheers for the light”

At which point the turned and waded back into the mosh pit. Me being on the verge of near mental collapse decided that safety in numbers was a good thing and went off to find my friends.

Now this could have been nothing more that them just happening to be in the right place at the right time. For me at 15 though this was a big realisation in my life, that there is such a thing as karma and that old adage of mind who you step on, on the way up because you may need them on the way down.
- posted by J @ 09:46