SHARING THE SHOWS
So on June 13, 1978, my little body passed into this world. Forty-one years later, I found myself at this little spot. This was the first birthday in three years that I wasn’t scoring AP exams. Yet, I did work on editing essays for a collection I’m proposing on writing and emotion as relates to the First-Year Composition classroom. That evening, my marvelous mother took me out for dinner at Fink’s, a cool BBQ joint in Suffern. After that, I was headed into Nyack, an old stomping ground of mine to see Dead Meat, a local Dead tribute (Kelly suggested I see a show for my birthday when she wished me a Happy Bday via Facebook, so I had to). It was the first time I’d been in a Nyack bar in over ten years.
I felt as if I was in a Poe story as I took a staircase into a basement. Upon entrance, I saw Aaron chilling with the band. The band was great, but the venue tight, not unlike Cogan’s Deli in Williamsburg. Fortunately, I was able to find my space, and I was informed by a young lady that “it clears out as the night goes on,” followed by a dude saying, “Yeah, people have Friday responsibilities.” I walked in on a “Dancing in the Streets” that reminded me of the version from 5/8/77, that classic Cornell show. There was then a “Terrapin” tease that led into a sweet “Help/Slipknot/Franklin’s” combo. “The Music Never Stopped” followed, then “Goin’ Down the Road,” “Not Fade Away,” and “Feel Like a Stranger.” At some point, a scraggly dude whose spatial awareness was compromised by his imbibing of spirits nailed me in the right shoulder with his elbow. When I writhed in slight pain, he gave me a hug, presumably to say “my bad.” Nice dude, but I’d avoid him for the rest of the night. By the time “He’s Gone” came (one of Johnny Mac’s favs), I had enough space to move. The band debuted “Casey Jones,” which gave me a skingasm much like the version I had the privilege of seeing close the first set at Citi Field on 6/25/17. I never thought they could take what could be perceived to be a mainstream song and send chills down my spine, but the Dead give us those miracles we need (hahhahah…get it? I Need a Miracle?) Speaking of which, that song followed “Bird Song” and a “St. Stephen” tease (Maggie’s fav). “Uncle John’s Band” next, and during “Brokedown Palace,” Aaron invited me to go eat with him; he had to leave early for a work meeting the next day. I was there for the socializing more so than the music, so I exited with him. I was full from dinner, so I thought I’d get coffee. But once we hit Tarantella’s down the road (the thick crust on their pizza makes it truly NY), the pizzas captivated me much like the Sirens did to Odysseus on that fateful journey. So I indulged in a bacon chicken ranch slice, while Aaron had a nice-looking meal of calamari, along with chicken fingers and fries. We talked music, books, philosophy, real estate, our jobs. It was an awesome conversation. All in all, a great way to celebrate 41, although I felt 21 that night. Shows do that.
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