It's been a little while since posting up on here - so apologies for that!
I have just had a pretty remarkable weekend. It started out like any other really, just ambling about the apartment in a daze with a humongous mug of tea. That actually sounds like most days... But then...
THIS HAPPENED!
Very difficult to make out (combination of crappy phone picture, and excited shaking) but that is BRUCE SPRINGSTEEEEEEEEEEN!!!
Ambers mother very kindly picked up a few tickets and off we went.
This was my first time seeing Bruce, and I was utterly floored. 3 1/2 hours he played for. Non-stop. As soon as one song was over it was "ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUUURRRRRR!!!!" and off they went again! Not once did I fidget in my chair, not once did I look at my watch. The 3 1/2 hours whizzed by like it was a 10 minute teaser set. DID I MENTION THE SONGS?! Just a genius songwriter, but you knew that.
And what did I learn from this incredible experience!?
Music is big and it is very, very clever.
The weekend would have been great if it had just stopped there. But it took an unexpected turn and before I knew it Amber and I were 2 hours out of Chicago and setting up a tent in the woods.
This was Camp Knowles for a night. I am normally 100% against camping. The clammy yet cold feeling, your clothes smelling like fire, the dirt, and all of that horrific fresh air. As a rule I like hotels, room service, cable television and sleep number beds.
All of my pre-existing notions were cast out after this little trip. It was absolutely perfect. Being out in the country, the stars, sat around a little fire we made with a big bottle of wine. Absolutely brilliant. I woke up the next morning a little tired (no sleep number bed) but filled to the brim with happiness.
After cooking this immense breakfast;
we drove over to Starved Rock State Park for a pretty scenic hike -
After working off that breakfast we headed home, tired and happy.
Successful weekend, and one to remember!
Dx
Davy, I loved your report on your weekend and I guess I know how you're feeling.
ReplyDeleteI had my "close encounter of the Bruce kind" in 2009. A friend (plus Miri) almost had to force me to go (Olympic Stadium in Munich). I expected some good music but the show just blew me away. The sound was a a little muddy where we were sitting but that was no problem at all. This was the bestestest(!) concert I had ever been to!
Even after three years, I keep thanking my friend for making me see that show...
Concerning camping: I'm not keen on camping at all. For the same reasons you mentioned. The closest I came to camping in the last 20 years was a tour through New Zealand in a camper-van. This
a.) was a fantastic experience and
b.) defined my minimum requirements for an enjoyable vacation: A real bed, a toilet, a kitchen. You can eat in a restaurant nonetheless...
My method of choice is still a rental car and Motels. :-)
Cheers,
Rusty
DK,
ReplyDeleteDig the story on the Camp/Steen weekend.
The Boss is just that, isn't he? Now that you've seen him you'll have to modify your sets so that there are no gaps & your 'juggernaut' can roll on like the Bosses does. It's always something huh...keeping up with some half baked, middle aged wanker from New Jersey? (I agree with you though...he's the man).
Also liked the camping story. Don't know if you're a fisherperson (politically correct phrase that pays)but starved rock has some pretty good fishin' too (well, pretty good for Illinois anyway) if you're into that. Glad you had fun....I had another birthday this weekend. That's too many to count now but happily accepted versus the alternative.
Chris Ludwig
Here's to hoping that at age 62, you will also be able to provide a similar impact after playing for 3 1/2 hours in front of 40,000 people...
ReplyDeleteDavy..........last time I saw Bruce was in 86 in St. Louis. He played for 5................yes FIVE HOURS!! None stop!
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with Robert Cole's comment............you too Davy!
It's good to be happy while camping. :-)
So sorry I missed you at Lakeland College concert. Wha! :-(
Dr. Dave