…I had been feeling, lately, that I had been in this funk of sorts. I get depressed, is all — we all do. Do you notice that it feels so damn good, sometimes, to just sit in it? To just feel whatever it is you’re meant to feel, and go from there? For me, this has been the case for the past couple weeks, what with the life changes that come with college graduation finally catching up with me. There are only a handful of people in my life lately whom I feel I really get. Everyone else I feel really detached from. Like that line by Steve Buschemi in Ghostworld: “I can’t relate to 99% of humanity.”
…In the midst of this, I have been waiting to see Tom Petty live since 1988, when my dad brought home the first Traveling Wilburys album. Since then, his music has peppered the transitions of my life, from soul-searchers like “Learnin’ to Fly” to stoner anthems like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
We (Me, Annie, Becky, Tommy, Molly, and Mitch) had lawn seats Thursday night, at the sold-out Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville. Dark clouds rolled in before we even got into the venue — you knew it was going to be a crazy night. While I hoped to drink just enough to be buzzed and remember every detail of the show, I cannot seem to leave my Big-Ten Drinking Style behind. Half a fifth and one hit from a random stranger’s pipe later, I was jamming to the Black Crowes while standing in line for a $7.00 jumbo beer. (I drank beer, people!) While my Black Crowes expertise is quite limited (four, maybe five songs at best), I was hoping to hear Hard to Handle (which everyone knows) and She Talks to Angels. While I know they must have performed these, I missed it, and that’s really sad. I don’t know what I was doing, but I missed it.
And then?
Tom.
Fuckin’.
Petty, man.
Tom. Fuckin’. Petty.
Ah. I can’t even describe to you! Flashes of lightning danced around the amphitheatre throughout his entire set, as twenty thousand people sang and danced. The power went out a few times before the skies opened and a downpour spared no one. Thunder roared, people cheered, and continued on until the entire lawn was flooded. It was an incredibly freeing experience. Annie and I frolicked into the parking lot, jumping in puddles and singing “Won’t Back Down.” I loved every second. I was completely in my element….
July 23rd, 2005 at 5:45 am
Congrats on seeing Tom Petty.
I felt similarly after I graduated from college. It was probably the biggest funk I’ve ever been in. It eventually passed, but I felt more detached than I’d ever felt.
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July 23rd, 2005 at 9:18 am
I totally hear you on the “being depressed” thing.
Especially today. Talk about being in a funk…
I miss you best friend! Hopefully I can get down to visit soon!
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July 23rd, 2005 at 7:53 pm
Thank you, it’s nice to know that this feeling with subside, eventually. Thought I was goin’ crazy there for a bit.
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July 23rd, 2005 at 8:04 pm
Miss you too, honey. I’m sorry for everything that’s happened to you as of late. I’ll have to give you a call sometime tomorrow. (I got your missed call, but I sleep through Saturdays because I work from 12 am-12 pm on Saturday/Sunday)
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August 3rd, 2005 at 11:35 am
I was at that show as well. It was insane. I had a contact high of course and those dark clouds/lightning storm just made everything 10 times better! The lawn was packed and so were the bathrooms. Anyway, I am going to add you if you don’t mind, I love your entries! :)
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August 4th, 2005 at 9:51 pm
Of course! Thanks for the comment; glad you had a good time too!
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