Unsurprisingly, Sunday's Grace Potter and the Nocturnals show in Shelburne proved to be perhaps The social event of the summer.

It's always rather odd, concert run-ins. I can think nothing of traveling three and a half hours from "home" and waving at familiar faces; I find it crazy to see their Vermont counterparts when I'm a short drive from my house.

The logic? Well, it often seems as if I hit up more Boston shows than Vermont -- and the Boston scene circles tend to run smaller than one might think.

Anyway. Back to the sloping greens of Shelburne. It seemed as if everyone in the surrounding communities packed up and moved over to the stage-adorned hill for the night. I found myself busy offering greetings and offering commentary on who was who.

Hi! Helloooooo! Oh, hi there. Yo! Hey, you!

It was nice for a girl accustomed to knowing of people who don't know her to receive many a greeting. Refreshing. A change of pace.

It should have been expected, though, as people had been waiting for this show for at least several months. The homestate boys and girl GPatN have been off traveling the country, bringing the blues/rock/soul sound from Vermont to new ears and seemingly enthusiastic crowds. The buzz has been growing, the label is getting ready to bring the band in for new recording sessions, and the Green Mountain folk have patiently counted down the days until we got another dose of the music.

The rains that had threatened all weekend held off just long enough for a long, tight, energetic set. New material indicated the band's foray into more of a rock sound, but with the storytelling lyrics for which Potter has grown renowned. Some of the older tunes are being reworked -- my personal favorite, "Stop the Bus," continues to take an electric slant and gets better each time I hear it.

(Which is why a bystander looking into the third row during that song's performance would have seen me, huge grin on my face, joyously singing along.)

The rules for the concert series specifically limit dancing to the sides of the stage, and the band held off provoking the crowd as long as they could. But as the skies deepened in hue, Potter told the crowd that she thought it was time they stood and danced -- which meant that a few thousand people sighed of relief, jumped up and boogied away. An older (and by that I mean Old) man a row ahead did all but flash the band the devil horns.

It was pretty goddamn glorious.

Apparently, the band will be back for a few Higher Ground shows leading up to New Year's Eve -- I'm playing around with that idea, as well as the Paradise gigs lined up for (I believe) at the end of this month. My favorite Vermont band at my favorite Boston venue?

I know. How could I resist that?

In other news, sorry for my absense. Unintentional, and I'm returning with some anecdotes and ramblings in the next couple of days. Some news, too, but I can't really share that yet.

In the meantime, how are you guys doing?



(in the fine tradition that is photo posts in blog entries, click above to go to the rest of the set.)

Stream of consciousness

I was just planning on updating a random thread on a message board before going to sleep, but I wound up really liking how it came out, so I thought I'd add it here as well.

Thank you, Labor Day - sucks that summer's ending, but yay for a three-day weekend.

And yay for fairs. Yep, I said it. The questionable safety in temporary, spinning and flipping rides, the fried dough and the candy apples, the obnoxious clown you want to send into the dunk tank, the beer tents and karaoke, the promise of a prize with every play of the game.

One of the best places to people watch and see how the various walks of life come together to mingle and collectively vie for the extra ride tickets someone's trying to give away. That is, when you're not standing in line for five-ticket Freak Out ride.

The first glimpses of fall. Love it. And you'll find me welcoming it in from my spot near the maple tent.
------
Today has just provided that picture-perfect day you want to freeze in time and go back to whenever you wish. The weather is warm enough, yet cool enough for comfort; your baseball team wins the afternoon game in style; you go running and feel as if you never want to stop because it feels incredible; you have time to get things accomplished, sit back and read a book on the sunporch, enjoy a homemade dinner with friends and still play around like a child at the fair; and you know you have an additional day to do whatever you want to do, particularly if what you want to do largely amounts to nothing of consequence in the end. Contentment stretches out before you for at least another 24 hours.

Guster is for lovers.

This post originally included little more than, "Holy shit. Guster. Two shows" and a whole lot of exclamation points.

Now that the initial excitement has become a warm, Guster-fuzzy feeling in my stomach, I can be a little more mature.

THUNDERGOD IS COMING BACK TO BURLINGTON! YIPPEEEEE!

Seriously, though. Guster is one of my favorite bands to see live. And yes, it's only been about a year since I saw them last - and yes, it was an outstanding set. But that was a set featuring two of my other favorites, and the co-headlining aspect of the tour meant shorter sets for all involved. And that was only one show.

We're getting two...

It's been about two years since the wig gig in Burlington, and more than four since that first show - I've been missing discussions of "Champy" and recollections of Club Toast.

It will be great to have Guster back in town.

Highs, lows and February 2

status check - Tired-wired
background ambiance - Rilo Kiley, "Portions For Foxes"

I burst into tears on the highway yesterday afternoon.

It was my third consecutive day delving into the lives of those mourning loss or recovering from tragedy. I'd been able to keep myself composed throughout it all - allowing myself only carefully phrased words and compassionate expressions. I'm not supposed to show anything else, no matter how many people around me are crying, no matter what kinds of sobs I heard over the telephone.

Whoever says it gets easier with time and experience is either lying or trying to fool himself. It doesn't get easier - you just figure out what to say, what to avoid, and how to prepare yourself for what's about to come. It can't become easy to see or hear people cry.

So, as I drove back to town yesterday, I let myself release everything that had been pent up. I blared sad music and just sobbed myself silly. I cried with a mother, I cried with a grandchild, I cried with a wife. It was just after the fact.

I felt better at the time. And, when I got out of work early and received an invitation to partake in a random roadtrip, I thought I'd feel even better.

Johnoghue is preparing to embark on the Great Boston Relocation, so I was psyched when he suggested driving to Killington for Averi's set. I always enjoy our sporadic meet-up-and-hang-outs, and last night was likely to be the last opportunity before he moves. The call came just as I was putting on my coat to leave the office - he picked me up outside the building and we hit the road. As we passed through Middlebury, I laughed to myself, realizing the February 2 tradition had surely enough continued. I once again hadn't sought out an adventure - it found me.

I'm glad it did, although I'm feeling the sleep deprivation today. Worth it, I've been thinking to myself all day.

Let's face it, my Averi frustration/cynicism as of late has been glaringly apparent. I've been honest, I've been bitchy, I've been puzzled, I've been exasperated. And I've made the whole thing quite clear here.

That said, I had a great time at last night's show. The band played before a small crowd (Killington? Weeknight? Yeah.) but delivered a strong, energized performance. Several songs off the new album, a couple off "Direction of Motion."

The guys seemed in sync while all doing their own thing. I grinned as I watched each of them focus so intently on the moment ... Stu's face scrunching up during a guitar solo, Michael's grin as he beat the shit out of the tamborine, Chris rocking back and forth, Matt nodding his head during a particularly intense drum breakdown, Chad with his head down while on rhythm guitar (yes, guitar! Hurrah!) - and the sheepish smile during "Flutter."

I have no problem pointing out perceived flaws in a performance that doesn't thrill me, but it's hard to point out what works when the group is on. It's not that any of them did anything particularly out-of-the-ordinary compared to the other good shows I've attended. It was just that the band shone.

Michael Tolcher? It was ... the third time I'd seen him performing with someone else I'd wanted to see. I never mind his sets, but they don't move me. Too shiny happy person for my taste - although I always try to give him a chance, to see if it clicks with me. It just never does.

But it worked well enough for the evening - at that point, there had already been enough to make My Day '05 an unexpected success. An adventure with a friend, familiar faces, good music and the chance, after days of focusing on death and sadness, to just be happy.

Speaking of happiness...Boston this weekend.

and a happy, happy 21st birthday to miranda!

it's official. we do not seek out these kinds of adventures - the adventures simply find us. and they never cease to be hilarious.

ok, so this evening promised an "intimate evening with averi" at the night spot on killington. my trusty partner in crime and i pile into faithful red and make the short trip up the mountain (where, for the record, there's already natural snow accumulating - ACK) and pull into the parking lot, where the marquee says something about celebrating miranda's 21st birthday live. and, in smaller letters, "with averi."

beth sees it before i do.

"vickie, i think it's a birthday party. look at the sign."

"i don't want to look at the sign."

"look at it!"

"i don't want to!!! no!"

anyway. we are already starting to laugh about the direction in which the evening seems to be taking a turn, but we go in anyway. the place is virtually deserted, save a whole lot of party decorations (balloons and the like) and one man, who greets us with, "hi! are you here for the party?"

oh shit. of course i, being full of my natural grace and wit, reply with, "uh ... not really ... we're here for the concert?"

"oh," he replies, looking somewhat puzzled. "they're down there."

now, we are a little on the early side. but did i mention there being virtually no one there? we can see the guys setting up on the stage in the distance, but at this point, the awkwardness of the situation is proving too strange (hilarious) to endure. after some contemplation, we decide to not 1) further crash the party and 2) face potential embarrassment (particularly in my case), so we cut our losses and leave, making a dash for the car, jumping in and bursting into hysterical laughter.

now don't think that this would be our normal course of action. in fact, were some variables, well, varied, we would have hung around and celebrated miranda's 21st with the best of them. but the fact that it was that band - a band where we knew the people - made it feel strange to even consider. i suppose such logic really shows how backwards we can be, as one would think that we'd be more inclined to stick around, right?

nope.

so instead we found new plans for the night, including copious birthday songs in honor of our new mysterious friend miranda - who, if nothing else, has great taste in music. hey, my birthday's in less than two weeks - anyone want to arrange it so they play my 23rd ... hahaha.

i don't know how we find these situations, but they're funny as hell and i love that we have the ability to find the humor. in spades ...

ok, stupid survey time. why do i actually fill these out? i have no idea but find myself unable to not (i swear i'm just narcissistic):

-----------------HAVE YOU EVER------------------
* Ever been so drunk you blacked out: kind of sort of not really. if not, came damn close. not something i'm proud of ...
* Missed school because it was raining: rain, no. snow? i was lazy and bed was warm.
* Put a body part on fire for amusement: remember my policy of crossing out stupid questions? it goes back into effect as of ... now.
* Been hurt emotionally: of course.
* Kept a secret from everyone: yes. despite looking the part of an 18-year-old, i'm actually 47. sorry.
* Had an imaginary friend: not an imaginary friend, but when i was little, i used to direct plays or films with imaginary characters. i could be wherever and create some form of performance in my mind. sometimes i'd even be one of the imaginary actresses. i haven't thought about that in years.
* Cried during a Movie: dammit, it was so sad, the way poseidon was saying goodbye to ariel, allowing her to follow her heart to prince eric. i'd probably still cry today.
* Had a crush on a teacher: i think i followed mr. bliss around whenever i could when i was in third grade because i thought he was wonderful, but as far as honest-to-goodness crushes go - i can't recall any right now. well, except for professor case, obviously (good god, i can barely type that without shuddering).
* Ever thought an animated character was hot?:
* Had a New Kids on the Block tape: merry merry christmas and the no more games remix album. the others were all on cd. step one-one-one ...
* Been on stage: indeed.
* Cut your hair: grrr.

----------------FavORITES------------------
* Shampoo: herbal essences.
* Color: blues, greens, black. dashes of orange and yellow also bring me joy.
* Day/Night: either the middle of the night or just after sunset.
* Summer/Winter: summer
* Lace or satin: satin, i suppose.
* Fave cartoon Characters: mojo jojo. bubbles. piglet. shoe. quite a few, actually.
* Fave Food: mexican, chinese, etc.
* Fave Ad:
* Fave Movie: could ne'er chose just one.
* Fave Ice Cream: vanilla, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, coffee
* Fave Subject: favorite subjects in school were journalism, english and theater.
* Fave 'normal' Drink: iced coffee. french vanilla please.
* Fave online person: my online sugar daddy (this question would have been crossed out, but i wanted to pretend, albeit briefly, that a sugar daddy existed).

----------------RIGHT NOW------------------
* Wearing: green hooded sweater, jeans.
* Hair is: disheveled.
* I'm feeling: sleepy and laugh-sore.
* Eating : i'm also feeling very full at the moment.
* Drinking: i do need some water, now that you mention it ...
* Thinkin about: my bed.
* Listening to: the television. some nestle commercial at the moment.
* Talkin to: myself? everyone's in bed.

---------------IN THE LAST 24 HRS------------------
* Cried: yes, but it was because i was trying not to cough during the play.
* Wore a skirt: hells no, you want my legs to freeze off altogether?
* Met someone New: where's miranda?
* Cleaned your room: in desperate need of it.
* Done laundry: had no time.
* Drove a car: red was livin laarge tonight.

---------------DO YOU BELIEVE IN------------------
* Yourself: let's just say more than before.
* Your friends: most of the time.
* Santa Claus: the concept of santa claus is a tad disturbing but slightly comforting
* Tooth Fairy: i wish i could still lose teeth. i like dollars
* Destiny/Fate: sometimes i can't help but think so
* Angels: nah
* Ghosts: ask chutniemango
* UFOs: maybe

-----------------FRIENDS AND LIFE------------------
* Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: no
* Like anyone?: yes
* Who's the loudest: me
* Who's the shyest: klouman
* Who's the weirdest: vinitz
* Who do you go to for advice: katie, erin, adam (when he is not being a loser)
* Who do you cry to: i don't cry that much
* When you cried the most: march 2003
* Whats the best feeling in the world: getting your hair washed before it's cut
* Worst feeling: deceit
* First grade teacher's name: miss boisture. i think she got married though.
* last word(s) you said: that was over 4 hours ago. no idea
* last song you sang: i tend to break out into song a lot.. i don't remember
* last person you hugged: wayne.
* last time you said 'I love you' verbally and meant it: don't remember
* last time on the net: ALL THE EFFING TIME LOLOL
* last time you cried: been a long time
* what's in your cd player: burned cds of images
* what color socks are you wearing: white boring ones because i hate socks
* what's under your bed: boxes of photos and various junk
* what time did you wake up today: 8:30am for class. just took a nap from 4:30-7:40pm

----------- ++Future++ --------------
* where do you want to go: i like boston
* what is your career going to be: photography / art direction
* where are you going to live: this is what i put in last year: "i don't know. i like new york city but if i end up loving london, who knows?" funny. i like boston a lot and i'll probably stay here for at least a year. curious about the pacific northwest and northen california
* how many kids do you want: more than one so the kid isn't all fucked up
* what kind of car will you have: smart cars need to come to america

------------ ++Randomness++ -------------
* current taste: gross post-nap mouth
* current smell: no
* current desktop picture: bowling photobooth pictures
* current book: the wanting seed by anthony burgess. i suck at reading
* current time: 8:17pm
* current hate: i can't stop overanalyzing
* story behind your username: it's from a pippi longstocking chapter entitled "pippi finds a spink."
* last CD that you bought: it's been sooo long. i think REM's "document"
* favorite place to be: on a mountain snowboarding, in the grass sleeping, on a beach, in my bed, up a tree, on my bike
* least favorite place: providence or worcester. tottenham court road in london at rush hour. attentive knows
* time you wake up in the morning: noonish when i don't have class until 1. 8:30 when i have class at 9. the weekends could be anywhere from 11am to 5pm
* if you could play any instrument: same answer as last year. the hammered dulcimer is intense. this guy was playing one at the common a couple weeks ago and it was fucking incredible
* favorite color: REPEAT QUESTION. earth tones plz
* do you believe in an afterlife?: no clue
* how tall are you?: 5'4"
* current favorite phrase: "ZING" / "that's the best shit ever" / "that's amazing" / "eff that noise"
* favorite season: autumn. except when it snows, lkie this morning
* favorite day: saturday holds the most possibility
* type in a line from the last thing you wrote to someone: "sp1nk (8:05:56 PM): k"

and now, concert-less for the evening (*tear* hahaha), i'm going to curl up in my bed, turn on some music and let the sounds guide me to dreamland.

and make up for the hour and a half of sleep i got last night ... bwahaha.

smcssvs meeting tonight at bjarn's...bueno!

i never mentioned that the installation of my car's cd player was successful. and as i've been driving around, i've been listening to my copy of remy zero's "the golden hum." originally, i wasn't overly crazy about it (because i didn't think it could possibly compare to "villa elaine"), but it's really growing on me now. i recommend it. it's odd, however, hearing "save me" on eqx...i always do a double take, wondering, "what the hell is remy zero doing on the radio?"

i also made a new mix that i'm very pleased with. includes (not in the correct order) ryan cabrera, ben kweller, john mayer, averi, stephen speaks, jeff buckley, toploader, five for fighting, howie & john's "sorry so sorry", radiohead, guster, belle and sebastian, and a couple others. it's pleasing to my audio palate, plus it's random selections from the artists (buckley singing "3 is a magic number" is hilarious, i love it!)