Same routine. Only, I was not confident that it would carry the same magic. Time . . . it's funny what can happen to a person when it seems like some things always stay the same but then other things, barely noticeable, change. The irony is that when enough seemingly insignificant things change, but too many of the wrong kinds of things stay the same . . . it's warped. A weary time warp.

These days I find myself wondering . . . wondering what will be the one trivial image or note that will signal the end . . . the end of being charmed, of being overly supportive of three strangers, overly Christmas Eved whenever a new concert video arrives? When will I begin to see what February Christmas lights look like before they're even hung in December? I thought I glimpsed it, sniffed it, brushed against it as the band opened the door to the stage at the beginning of Hanson at the Fillmore. Here we go again . . . a stage in a major city, girls in tight-fitted tops, the screaming, the signs, the cheers . . . Missing only were the silly string entrance and the stupid stuff segments.

Even the first notes of "You Never Know" seemed to hit a teflon shield. I mean, how far had the guys traveled from the Beacon? How far had I? Could I still be hoodwinked by the lyrical melodies of three musicians who clearly were the ringleaders of a circus of artificially lit people . . . In fact, the corniness seemed even more real because I knew exactly what it meant to be among those numbers. My vantage point had shifted from the 1997 viewer, leery of anyone able to bounce in person to Hanson's music, to the 2001 viewer who had been there. I now witnessed the crowd in slight horror. Was the glowy, naked armed swarm truly what I had looked like? Or was this a poor representation of the real emotion of that experience? In my current sanity, was this video a wake-up call . . . a representation of just how far I had allowed myself to tread into insanity?

Besides, hadn't I seen this video before? Wasn't it on Direct TV last year? If not, where were the broccoli, the bus, the Bingo scenes? If I'm going to be insane, why not wallow in it?

Hey, was that Taylor introducing "Runaway Run" with, "Are you ready to rock?!!" I caught myself smiling. Of course. Isn't that what he always asks just before he introduces RR (at least at the concerts I attended (c;)? Endearing. Then, I was listening intently for what I secretly dubbed, Zac's "Crosstown Traffic-influenced concert beat" in this song. I thought he mixed it up whenever I heard him play RR in concert directly following the Jimi Hendrix cover. Incredible! I didn't hear it in this rendition, but then again--I'm no drummer or musician for that matter so it may all be make-believe. Ahhh . . . and what next? "Thinking of You!" My all-time favorite evolution of a MON song in concert!  . . . "I'm thinking of you the who-o-o-o-ole . . . the who-ole time. Ye-ah."BAM BAM BAM!! Was that me? P-shaw. Couldn't be.

Care to predict the rest. (c; By "MMMBop" I may or may not have been following orders by clapping along . . . my knees make-shift congas. The fact that "the song that you're going to know the best" is always on the setlist--HOW CAN YOU ever turn your back on loyalty that strong? How about anyone who dismissed Isaac in 1997and is just now recognizing him in his own right . . . you're about 4 years too late. The party started without you. (c; So he got a hair cut? "Shallow" isn't just another name for the kiddie pool, my friend. hmmm.

Yikes!  What happened? What was I saying? Troubling. Disturbing, to say the least. ::grin:: Of course, the music . . . their voices blending, melting and weaving so beautifully together in "Love Song."

And it doesn't mean love's wrong just because you're feeling low
And it doesn't mean love's gone 'cause you feel like you want to let go

Apt. The way they cue and obviously, support one another as they each showcase an instrument.

The a cappella finale! Need I say more?

So, Hanson's magic isn't just a carpet ride. It's a time machine. The fact that it was the Fillmore was significant. What was old was new . . .and new, old . . .no, classic. Wasn't there a young Janis Joplin among the sea of faces? Did I miss a "Piece of My Heart?" You can never be too sure . . . maybe a quick rewind and . . . can you think of a better aerobic workout than "In the City"? Those guys are just too much!! Maybe next time, on DVD. Next time? Oh man! (c;