Live music’s back and Gordon got it. Yesterday was as Gordon a day as you can have; there is even an idiot story. The Kennedys did their first in person show in 16 months so I was there even though getting there and home again involved walking 7 miles. The show was at Rye Town Park, my reaction when I heard that was, OK, I can take the MetroNorth there and walk. Not too bad. I screwed up my timing on the way there. I had to leave at 4:26 and at 4:00 I went to get dressed and make and pack a peanut butter sandwich. I wasted too much time and left just in time. I ran out so fast I didn’t bring two necessities, reading glasses and earbuds. When I got to the train station I had seven minutes to spare plus the time the train was delayed. I don’t think I walked extra fast, and I don’t think Google miscalculated the time that poorly, I must have just misremembered what time I needed to leave. When I commute I usually spend my time listening to podcasts and reading things on my phone, a bit tough without reading glasses and earbuds. On the train I put on a podcast and held the phone to my ear. I didn’t want to bother anyone else. I couldn’t do that when I was walking. Once I got to Rye I had the walk to the park; google maps guided me. I was most relaxed on the 1.1 mile stretch I just stayed on the same road. When I got to the park the next challenge was figuring out where the concert was. There was a sign saying there was a concert but none saying where it was. Scanning the terrain, I made a guess on where looked most likely, I was right.
I didn’t know it till I got there but the park is on the beach. The concert was in a pavilion by the beach entrance. I carried my camp chair with me as the add said, bring your beach chairs and blankets. When I got there, I found there were folding chairs. I walked over seven miles carrying a chair I never used. That’s not really a big deal. I carried it over my shoulder. I was well worth it to see Pete and Maura. I immediately got a hug from Maura along with an assurance that they’ve been vaccinated. We have to work out again who feels comfortable with hugs. I’m a hugger but I don’t inflict hugs on those that dislike them. Now I have to worry about those that are wary of them for health reasons.
I did the merch because it’s Pete & Maura, and selling their merch is part of my identity. This was my day to be me. I brought the most me food there is for dinner, a peanut butter sandwich. Unfortunately, along with my glasses and earbuds I forgot to bring my water bottle. That meant buying an overpriced coke at the beach house restaurant. On the way back from there I found the water fountain, it was hidden by a sign announcing the concert on the way to the beach house. On the way back it was obvious.
They played one of my favorite songs for the sound check, Wall of Death. They know I do my little dance to it. The Wall of Death is an amusement park ride. We were right down the road from Rye Playland. We should have had the show there. I don’t know if they have a wall of death. Coney Island no longer does at it malfunctioned and killed people. The death became literal.
I was disappointed I didn’t see any friends at the show but that’s it. The music was fantastic. Seeing Pete and Maura was fantastic. The setting was beautiful. I got Maurahugs. I sold the merch. I was in my natural habitat. The worst part of not having any friends in the audience was there was nobody to give me a ride to the train station. Pete and Maura never have room in their car. I’ve helped them pack that enough times to not even ask. They had some friends there, but the friends lived so close they walked. I had to hike back to the station. I don’t mind the walk, but it meant I got home late. To add to the challenge my phone kept losing the GPS signal. Good thing that when it comes to spatial memory I am not an idiot and could retrace my steps with just hints from the phone. I had to reboot it a few times along the way to check my position. I remembered everything correctly. When I got to the train station there was a half-hour wait. That’s the main reason I wanted a ride, so I could make the earlier train. I got home after midnight. Too keep it a perfect day I made an ice cream soda when I got home. That hit the spot. Did I tell you that I lost five pounds since pandemic started? I found that out when I went to the doctor. The walking helps. I walked enough yesterday to fulfill my three-mile quota for two days but as long as the weather holds up I’ll go for my Donut Walk™ today. I’m hearing my live music tomorrow and Friday. Thank you Pfizer for making that possible. Now let the people in Africa make their own vaccines.
Now for a French toast and sausage breakfast.
Wise Madness 