I’m home from the New Bedford Folk Festival and filled with tales to tell. It’s been a while, but this was worth waiting for. It would be nice if I remembered what happened; at least I have my marked schedule, so I can fake the music. The story you are about to read is true, the memories have been changed to protect the idiot. That’s me.
I am a pro at procrastinating but I’m never late. What I will do is use all the time that kept as a safety margin. I never pack until the last minute. After I packed I had to change the cat litter and make sure the cats had enough food and water for the weekend. By the time I was ready to leave it was too late to make the MetroNorth train I wanted to get to therapy. That was one of my planned delays. If I miss that train I can take the next one, the downside is that means I have to pay for a cab once I’m in Harrison. The bus runs only once an hour. Because I was carrying my things for the weekend I did not have my usual routine when leaving. I didn’t do my pat down till I was out of the building and down the street. That’s when I realized I didn’t have my phone with me. I had allowed myself time for that. Even with going back I got to the station 5 minutes before the train was scheduled. It takes intelligence to plan in advance for being an idiot. It’s not as easy as it looks.
Mike picked me up after therapy and we started on our way to Assonet (A-sewn-ette) MA where we were crashing with Gary. Our first thought was to stop at Apizzaria Modern in New Haven, but they were closed for the week. Instead we had a late dinner at the excellent Durk’s in Providence. That was recommended by Jess. I trust Jess when it comes to pork, the cuisine is barbecue. Mike and I split brisket and ribs. The ribs were very good, but the brisket was exceptional. We gave the place two thumbs up.
Yes, I am really giving the details of the food and traveling on the way to the Festival. I was debating this and decided that this is what distinguishes Wise Madness from other music blogs. It’s about my subjective experience.
Providence is only a short way form Assonet, we managed to make it take a long time. First Mike’s GPS started directing us into the Taunton River. We switched to Google Maps on my new phone. Somehow, I had it stop at Somerset as in intermediate destination. Somerset is on the wrong side of the river, so we crossed over to the wrong shore. Then I saw it was directing us to Somerset. I changed it back to Gary’s house. Great plan but the phone couldn’t find the satellites. Neither could Mike’s GPS. We finally got it straightened out and arrived at his house 40 minutes later than we should have. Gary is a mensch and welcomed us with open arms. He’s enough of mensch to invite us back, this was our second time staying with him; if you know Mike and I you know that’s not a challenge most people are up to.
Mike had three other house guests. I know them all, they all know me. I am not going to admit something I didn’t admit all weekend. I forgot their names. I usually just ask when I do that. It’s the right thing to do. But when you walk in a room and everyone goes, “Hi Gordon!” it’s not so easy. Gary what are their names. Once I have them I’ll know which is which
We had to make an early start the next morning, so we went to bed soon after we arrived. In the night I had my first misadventure, a Crohn’s attack. It wasn’t the kind I’ve had since I’ve been blocking. It wasn’t an obstruction causing stomach pain. It was an inflammation causing my temperature to quickly rise. I didn’t take my temperature, I knew that because I had severe chills; I was shivering. I wish I knew there was another blanket in the end table by my bed. I would have used it. I prepare for these things, I had prednisone and Tylenol with me and took both. I was determined to not spend the next day in bed. I was up for hours but I finally fell asleep and when I woke up I was hot and sweaty; my fever had broken, and I felt fine.
I was so fine that I had a big breakfast. That is part of the New Bedford with Gary experience. We all have a nice hot breakfast together. It was eggs, sausages, and homemade bread. Gary is a man of many talents, Math professor, music aficionado, baker, and cook. The company was as good as the food, I’m an idiot but the rest are brilliant. I love a conversation where people can make obscures scientific or historic references and people get them. Even better, people are curious about everything. Much of our conversation was about word origins.
I’m over 800 words in and we haven’t gotten to the Festival yet. People don’t mind that George Martin takes forever to tell a story. At least you aren’t going to have to wait years for me to finish this. The HBO series, The Song of Banjo and Fiddles will be only two seasons. Let me know who you want to play you. When the unattractive Cole Porter was asked who the wanted to play him in the movie he said, Cary Grant, and they got him for the role. I’m going for Brad Pitt to play me.
We wanted to get to the Festival early as for the first time the City of New Bedford is charging for parking in the lots. We went in two cars, so finding a spot was Gary’s job. We found one that wasn’t too far away. It was closer than we realized because they moved where festival check in was. We walked to the far side of the festival to learn that we had to go back to close to wear we ended the historic whaling museum district.
Mike had to buy a ticket, I had to find Karen, she had mine. She and her husband Jeff were regulars at the festival and got premium passes. Jeff died suddenly four months ago. That was not just a tragedy but a shock; he was so full of life. He and Karen heard more live music than me. Karen knew I was appreciate Jeff’s ticket and offered it to me. I was never unhappier to get comped.
Thanks to the glory of cell phones I found her, and we got our passes. I found out that the premium passes didn’t just give us access to the front seats of some of the stages but a t-shirt and use of the premium pass lounge. It’s like flying first class.
Then we all went our separate ways to hear the music wanted. This is where I’m going to leave you. I have things to do. Like Game of Thrones the first episode is just an introduction. Unlike Game of Thrones, the entire first season won’t be. Next entry, either tomorrow or maybe even later today I will start in on the music, people, and food at the festival. Hey, it’s me, there will still be food.
Wise Madness 