This is the "Peak Experience" essay I wrote for my Psychology class at TCC in 2010:
[NOTE: Instructions/guidelines from professor:
Describe in writing, a peak experience, including where you were at the time of the experience, what you were doing, how you felt during and after the experience, and what the experience meant to you. This writing assignment will be graded as a quiz grade and will be worth a total of 10 points. It must be typed in essay format using correct grammar. You will be deducted 1 point for every three errors in grammar that are found.]
[NOTE 2: This was originally posted on July 18, 2010. I didn't re-edit it, so, it may contain grammatical errors, but, whatever.]
If I had to choose one day as the peak experience of my life, it would be November 17, 2009, the day I met two of my favorite recording artists: Tech N9ne (Aaron Yates) and Joe Budden. My brother and I purchased “VIP” passes to the Tech N9ne and Slaughterhouse (group consisting of Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9”, Crooked I and Joell Ortiz) show in Orlando, FL, which allowed us to attend the meet and greet with the artists before the show that night. Tech had most of his Strange Music affiliates with him and Slaughterhouse was supposed to be there as well, but, for whatever reason, Joe Budden was the only one of the four to appear at the meet and greet.
Of course, Tech was the first one everybody gravitated towards. When it was finally my turn in line, I gave him a hug and told him how thankful I was for all the music he’s created. He seemed very genuine and receptive of my appreciation for his work. He also seemed just as nervous as I did, unlike his on-stage and studio persona, which is very confident and braggadocios. While most fans had him autograph CDs, I had him sign something that was more unique to me: my microphone. After he signed it, he was very gentle with it to the extent that he blew on it to ensure that it didn’t smear when I put it back in its case. My brother took a picture of us and again I gave him a hug and thanked him for all that he’s contributed to the art, and honestly, to my life. Later I met up with Tech again and we were able to talk, even for just a minute, without a line of people anxiously waiting for me to get out of the way so they could have their turn with him. Again, I hugged and thanked him, but this time I was able to say something to him that I’ve wanted to say since 2006: “Come Gangsta” is the hardest song ever made. He humbly, yet confidently, replied with, “I know.” What a moment. The best part of the very short time I spent with him, though, was when I told him how “crazy” or “insane” (I forget which word I actually used) it was that I was able to experience this time in his presence and talk to him like a normal person. His response to that was something I’ll never forget: “Is it?” I’m standing there talking to my favorite artist, completely awestruck, while he is seemingly unphased by the event. Not only that, but his response also meant to me that he saw himself as just another guy and nothing to be marveled at.
After more autographs and pictures with Strange Music artists like Kutt Calhoun and Krizz Kaliko, we were told Slaughterhouse was outside. My brother and I were some of the first to meet Joe Budden, who, as I previously stated, was the only member of Slaughterhouse to appear at the meet and greet. Now even though Tech is my favorite artist, meeting Joe was a completely different experience. While Tech appeared to be quiet and reserved, Joe was completely relaxed and very boisterous. He was absolutely hilarious. While I did get my picture taken with him and had him autograph my Klonopin bottle (he shares similar anxiety issues and is very open about his use of medication in his music), the best part about meeting him was his interaction with my brother.
When my brother first approached him, Joe asked him what his name was. For whatever reason, in this age of ridiculous technology and social networking, my brother responded with his (now deactivated) Twitter username, “TheMeatSlicer.” In retrospect, my brother doesn’t even know why he responded that way, but we assume it’s because maybe he thought Joe would recognize it, since he follows and messages Joe under that name. Joe was completely taken back by that response. Of course, Joe responded with, “What? No, what is your real name?”, to which my brother responded, “Jon Anderson.” For whatever reason, Joe thought that sounded like a serial killer’s name and even asked him if he was a serial killer. This opened the door for what seemed like a fifteen minute conversation between he and my brother, more than anyone else there got to spend with him, by far. Even though I was mostly observing at this point, for my brother to be having such a great experience, it was almost as good, maybe even better, than if I had experienced it myself. They talked about how Joe met Eminem, a favorite amongst the three of us, and the aura he has. Joe even “spilled the beans” about a secret recording session that was taking place the next day with Eminem and himself in Detroit. Even after all that, that wasn’t the best part of the day.
When we arrived back at the place we were staying for the night, my brother’s friend’s house in Orlando, Jonathan signed on to Joe’s video blog, JoeBuddenTV. As I was in the other room trying to gather my thoughts about what just happened, Jonathan yelled for me to come to the room he was in. Joe was on his video blog telling his fans about this crazy fan he met at the meet and greet: my brother. Not only did he address him as “TheMeatSlicer”, but he repeatedly addressed him as "Jon Anderson." He even briefly referenced me, TheMeatSlicer’s brother, as a “cool white dude.” This was completely backwards. The artist we paid extra to see, was talking about us, his fans, to hundreds of other fans online. We had to take advantage of this. Before the show, we went out and bought a plain white t-shirt for my brother to wear and wrote “TheMeatSlicer” and “Jon Anderson” on the front with a permanent marker. Almost immediately upon arriving at the venue, someone approached my brother and asked, “Are you the real MeatSlicer?” We didn’t expect that at all. Apparently that person was watching JoeBuddenTV while Joe was discussing the meet and greet and my brother. That was great, but then Slaughterhouse took the stage. Not only did Joe spot my brother several times during their performance (again, we were very close to the stage with our “VIP” tickets and, of course, the home-made t-shirt undoubtedly helped), but just as their set ended and they were exiting the stage, Joe yelled out, “MeatSlicer!”
I’ve experienced a lot in these first twenty-five years, but I can say without a doubt, that was the greatest day of my life, thus far. I’ve never felt such a natural high before, or since. It exceeded my expectations so far that I can’t describe in words how awesome it made, and continues to make, me feel. I think if it was just me that experienced that day, it would have been great, and still probably would have been the greatest day of my life, but to experience it with my brother made it that much more special. To this day, the experience remains surreal.
I’ve experienced a lot in these first twenty-five years, but I can say without a doubt, that was the greatest day of my life, thus far. I’ve never felt such a natural high before, or since. It exceeded my expectations so far that I can’t describe in words how awesome it made, and continues to make, me feel. I think if it was just me that experienced that day, it would have been great, and still probably would have been the greatest day of my life, but to experience it with my brother made it that much more special. To this day, the experience remains surreal.
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