Why haven’t I told THIS story yet? Probably because it’s been nearly six months. Probably because it’s so surreal that some part of me denies that it ever happened.

My experience at the Monolith Music Festival last September topped out with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on Saturday night. Not that everything surrounding it wasn’t perfection - but that show was what I’d call a “peak life moment.” When you look around you and everything is right. When something deep inside your brain is manufacturing permanent snapshots that stick with you forever.

We were standing at the base of Red Rocks, only a stone’s throw from Karen O, dancing. Dancing. Dancing. I have never danced like that before in my life at a show. We jumped and sang and shimmied. How could you NOT?

My all-access pass granted me the luxury of taking pictures anytime, while the rest of the photographers only had the first three songs. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are obviously known for some fabulous stage grandeur, but I could have SWORN she…saw us. I looked to Katie, who had the pleasure of a meet-and-greet with the band before the show. “Is it just me or is she…totally looking at us, sometimes?” I shouted over the wall of sound. “No no - she totally is!”

Maybe she’s just that good - making the audience believe she’s totally putting on the show just for you — but being so close, it felt like we were feeding off of  her energy, and VICE VERSA. YES, VICE VERSA. I’d pull out my camera, and I felt like she was…I don’t know…working it. I know that sounds silly and amateur, but I guess you had to be there.

During “Soft Shock,” Karen O jumped down to the stage barrier. She pointed straight at us. POINTED. AT US, followed by a “come hither” motion. I stood there and peed my pants, convinced that she was directing that at someone else. I saw Katie walk up and I thought, “Okay yes. Apparently this is happening.” She pointed the microphone towards us and we sang some “Ooh-oohs” in glorious harmony. [Or possibly just excited girl-shrieking. I can't remember, and unlike my White Girl Bop, it is not on YouTube.]

“I got my GIRLS with me tonight!” she shouted.

Her girls. We’re her girls.

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[I'm trying out something new with this slideshow, but if it's not working or if you totally hate it, you can mosey on over to my Flickr set.]