Mixing it up

What would you make of a person who attends a Spurs football match in the afternoon, and goes to enjoy a Ronan Keating concert in the evening? If you’re not sure what I’m taking about then let me elaborate further.

Football matches are mostly working class domain. At the match I'd attended, passion and fervour were at display in abundance, not just from the players but also by the spectators. Chantings like, if you hate Arsenal then stand up, kill him, tackle the bastard hard, resonated constantly. There were Mexican waves, and sometimes, there are the inevitable heartbreaks, when your team loses.

The concert was a genteel affair. A metamorphosis in the surrounding, compared to the football match. Hampstead Heath Park, where Ronan played, is a posh area. The crowd in the outdoor arena were at least middle class, and they were mostly middle-aged women. No shouting then, just quietly lazing about in the greens, and humming what Ronan was singing.

If I’d asked people what they’d think of a person who'd watched both on the same day, they’d say he's fake. Can’t be true. Or, maybe amazing. What a varied choice!

Well, last Saturday, even I amazed myself doing exactly the same thing. At one p.m., I left to attend the football match, and at seven-thirty, I was in the Park to enjoy the concert. Ronan’s songs aren’t exactly my cup of tea, but since my housemate had requested my company, I said why not. The Spurs game was a long cherished dream. And since both of them occurred on the same day, I couldn’t avoid it. Luckily, I was able to make it for both the events.

And yes, they were vastly different affairs. I did feel extravagantly dressed, even gaudy, during the football match. I’d put on a stoned necklace, shined on sunglasses, donned an expensive green jacket and worn a pair of latest puma trainers. Most of the crowds showed up were wearing Spurs vest. Not a place for fashion parade.

In the concert, I didn't feel like a crow in the herd of swans. But it's the fun that matter. When Spurs won, I rejoiced. I’d come to support them, and even though it was just a friendly match, with the season starting next week, a win is always a win.

In the concert, my housemate sang Ronan’s songs. She knew most of them by heart as she’d grown up hearing Boyzone. A big fan. So seeing her enjoy so much, I took heart. I was glad I’d come.

All in all, an interesting day. Money well spent. And, very much in keeping with my reading theme.