Is it age, my perception, or are the rules taking the fun and spontaneity out of public events? Jeff Bridges

Last night, Jeff Bridges performed at a winery near Seattle. The venue was perfect: small and very intimate if you could get close enough to the stage. My daughter and I arrived early because we weren't sure where we were going and we didn't want to be late or lost. When we arrived approximately a 100 people were lined up so we joined the line. It was an older crowd according to the friendly gentleman we met it was also an affluent neighbourhood all of which added to the subdued atmosphere. County Sheriffs checked our bags. We couldn't bring any cameras with detachable lenses or use anything other than a point and shoot: no flash photography. A designated smoking sections was cordoned off 1000 feet from the stage. The days of lighting up at concert are long gone. People sat in lawn chairs and on blankets to watch the concert. When Jeff came out on stage a few of the spectators got to their feet. On one occasion I was asked by security to sit down. It was impossible to dance to the music or celebrate the music. The days of interaction with the crowd are muted when we are instructed to sit. But we did what we were told until the last set. During the encore people finally got to their feet; the energy of the crowd was finally evident and for the last 15 minutes of the concert it was a celebration rather than a subdued cerebral moment. Whatever happened to us? When I was a kid it was general admission which meant first come first serve. If you were a dedicated fan and camped out for days before an event you secured the best seat in the house: front row. We would cling to the stage for dear life if anyone attempted to get in front we simply took them out. Survival of the fittest but it was fun; it was electric now we are told to sit down and sadly enough we do as we are told even when what we long to do is harmless: clean fun! Some day soon people are going to have to stand up.
It was a shame because it was one of the best concert I have ever attended and Jeff deserved an interactive, stand-up crowd.

Mediocrity

Despite the notion or assumption that Canadians are moderates being moderates does not indicate that we accept mediocrity. I believe wholeheartedly that we expect more from ourselves and our government. Yet, we live in a country whereby we are defined by mediocrity which has directly impacted political engagement. We are told that we are free yet every time we turn around the government has imposed an new rule or sanctioned new protocol. For what? We are a peaceful nation and for the most part a nation of law-abiding individuals yet we are consistently bombarded with new rules and guidelines. The most recent is the new drinking and driving rules in BC. I don't drink so it is not an issue. But the new hand held devices being used by the police malfunction. We have given the police too much power and despite the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling on the device the BC government has appealed the decision. Since when does the provincial government have the right to dismiss a Supreme Court ruling? This indicates to me as a citizen of this country that we are need to safeguards citizens from the abuses of government. There are reasons that we have various levels of government as well as different bodies of governance. The executive, legislative and judicial departments were created to ensure justice prevails - let this be.