Changes in Attitudes

Tickets for the Jimmy Buffett show went on sale today!  WOO HOO!!  The first Jimmy Buffett concert I went to was on my 28th birthday.  I don't know why it took me so long to check out that show, but WOW was it an experience!  I mean, what's not to love about pretending your on spring break on a beach somewhere, when you're actually land locked and no longer get a spring break unless you use up half of your vacation time?

The day of the show, we got there early to watch the shenanigans of the drunken crowd, and they did not disappoint!  We were perched up on top of a hill that allowed us to greet all the rest of the cars entering the tailgating area.  Such a great place to people watch!!  Next to us were a crew of frat boys who had hit the sauce pretty early and one had on a "contraption" under his grass skirt that greeted people every time he lifted the skirt.  His "contraption" must have been about 3 feet long.  It definitely had the shock factor going for it!  I've seen something similar at the "Fantasy Festival" in Key West, but that was an accidental discovery and a story for another time.  Needless to say, this particular fella enjoyed showing off the contraption to every car that went by.

Well, he thought he was getting a prime audience when a giant party bus came rolling in.  However, this bus was NOT filled with 20 somethings with the same margarita marathon mentality of our neighbor.  As he "flashed", the bus driver had a little surprise of his own- he was able to make to bus push out a lot of black smoke from it's tailpipe.  It was thick and made us all cough.  It was the equivalent of being crop dusted by a nasty old bus.  YUK!

After the first "gassing", the war was on!  The neighbor would flash, then the bus would gas us out, the neighbor would flash again, etc...  Finally some of the crowd on the hill would stand in front of the neighbor, to keep him from flashing in hopes that the bus would gas us no more.

Sucks being a bug in a parking lot full of windshields.

Even with the gas factor, good times were had at the tailgating party.  We saw all manner of parrothead silliness- including a guy who had Ken & Barbie glued to his hat in compromising positions.  SO STRANGE!!!

I remember the show being really good- maybe a little heavy on the tiki bar references, but a grand old time, nonetheless. I couldn't wait to go back the following year, and up the ante on our tailgating spread!  Ahh, but it was not to be, as that was the last time Jimmy Buffett came to Nashville.  UNTIL LAST YEAR!  Well, he did make an appearance at Bonnaroo one year, but that's a little different.  Welcome back Jimmy!!

Unfortunately, Nashville no longer has a large outdoor amphitheater.  Outdoor shows are much smaller and happen on the riverfront and some parks and legislative plaza.  Total bummer, if you ask me.  Last year we welcomed Jimmy in our hockey arena.  Sooooo not the same as an outdoor show with dedicated parking for tailgating, but we were thrilled to be there and as it turned out, very grateful the concert was inside.  It was also the weekend of the floods that left so many Nashvillians destitute.  Although it was pouring down rain fast and furious, we had no idea what was about to happen to our city, so we enjoyed the pregame festivities and the show immensely!

My niece, Steph, graciously offered to host the pregame revelry at her place last year- complete with an awesome Caribbean meal, Parrothead decor, and fruity drinks!  There were stories of concerts past, jokes and just an all-round jovial mood.  Jimmy Buffett definitely helps with changes in attitudes!  From there, we moved the party to a local IRISH watering hole across from the arena.  I know, Irish?  With the torrential downpour happening outside, we had limited options and didn't want to walk far in the rain, so Irish it was!  They had their Buffett vibe going though- we got leis and beach balls and free Landshark beer.  Although free beer is a favorite, Landshark is not, but hey, we went with it- you know, to be a good sport and all!  : )

Once we finally made it to the show, the hubs and I were shocked to discover that we actually had 4th row, center seats.  Yep, we were the cool kids for the evening!  I even caught Jimmy Buffett's guitar pick!

Apparently we even made a jumbotron cameo, as I received several texts from friends who were like "OMG, I just saw you on the jumbotron!".  Yep, my 30 seconds of fame, right there!  Glad it was for singing Margaritaville and not for something like pretending my child was floating in a balloon across the country...  Anyway, I digress.

The show was SO MUCH FUN!  Some of the happiest concerts I've ever seen are people who sing about the beach (I'm looking at YOU, Jack Johnson).  Must be all that vitamin D we get vicariously??

Anyway, we're hoping for a little less statewide emergency/ flash flooding at this year's show, and a lot more good times & memories!  Who's with us???