Friday, September 4, 2009

A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean

I want to go back to the island,
Where the shrimp boats
. .tie up to the pilin'.
Give me oysters and beer
. .for dinner ev'ry day of the year,
And I'll feel fine, I'll feel fine.

Two hundred and two days ago my friends and I all went online to TicketMonster and started clicking away like test rats beating on the food bar trying to get a treat. It’s an annual ritual for us and this year, unlike last, we were eminently successful.

Last year, when we tried to buy tickets only one out of six of us got through and we were forced to get our tickets to the show on the aftermarket. This, of course, sucked major monkey balls since the price automatically doubles.

This year? Well this year all of us got through and we found ourselves with 36 tickets to tomorrow’s Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band show at Nissan. The bus to the show starts loading at 1:30. Yeah, I said "bus." Four years ago we all decided we all made enough money to rent a bus to take us to-and-from the concert eliminating the need for a DD. Also, it gave us our own private bathroom. A much treasured luxury in the parking lot of Nissan Pavilion.

'Cause I want to be there,
I want to go back down and lie beside the sea there.
With a tin cup for a chalice
Fill it up with good red wine,
And I'm-a chewin' on a honeysuckle vine.

I’ve lost count to the number of Buffett shows I’ve been to, but this year is either 13 or 14. Every one is different (even though many of the same songs are played), and every one is special. Special because I’m there with my best friends, some of the people I love the most in the world.

So, if you too are headed out to the show tomorrow, I’ll see you there and maybe we can share a beer or two. If you’re not, well, the pirate has looked at 60 and if you’ve ever wondered why he sells out all his shows you’re running out of chances to see why.

Yes, and now you heard my strange proposal;
Get that pack gear on and let's move.
I want to be there before the day
Tries to steal away and leave us behind;
I've made up my mind

- selected lyrics from the song Tin Cup Chalice, one of my favs.



6 comments:

Liebchen said...

That sounds like a blast - have fun!

(And definitely good call on the bus. Not a fan of the Pavilion bathrooms. Though, I'm sure they could be far worse.)

lacochran said...

Party bus! WOOT! Traveling in style.

Have a great time!

FoggyDew said...

Liebchen - The party bus with the stripper pole is the only way to go.

lacochran - A style to which I've become accustomed.

A said...

This is something that I must do before it's too late. Sadly, he just doesn't make it to Toronto that often...and it just wouldn't be right, even if he did.

Have a margarita and a cheeseburger in paradise for me...

FoggyDew said...

A - I will make it a point to do so. And keep you informed of his next visit to D.C. ... Next year.

rachaelgking said...

I'd be jealous if it wasn't Nissan. But the personal bathroom is a HUGE boon.

Have a blast!!!