I like to be “in touch”. I also like to be “right”.

This scene from last weekend’s (end of June) Metallica concert keeps creeping into my thoughts.

Was she right in making her request? Was I wrong in saying, “No.” Was she wrong in making her request? Was I right in saying, “No”?

Rising to the surface of my analysis is this. Somewhere along the line, Metallica flipped from “feared” to “loved”.

Conversely, I (nearly) worship Metallica. Additionally, I believe that only 1. a biblically-informed Christian or 2. true Metallica fan can understand my perspective on “the four guys”, as my three and four year olds have come to call them.

When did they become beloved? After releasing Death Magnetic.

James’ sobriety and naturally increasing maturity probably had something to do with it too.

In any case, take it from a presumably “nice guy”, if you’re thinking of asking someone to sit for Metallica, if you’re thinking someone who is a “bigger” fan than you can “ruin” your experience, then let me be the first to tell you, “You’re thinking poorly.”