a few months ago my sister and i bought tickets to see one of my favorite artists, patty griffin. if you haven't seen her and your into "singer/songwriter", "folk" or something of that line, you should check her out. anyway...off the track there.
it turned out my sister couldn't go to the show with me - so i took a quick trip to nashville on my own. the drive up was horrendous with pouring rain for at least 100 miles of the 260 mile trip...slowing traffic to less than 50 mph on i-65. but, i got there in plenty of time to take myself out to dinner at a cute italian place (o sole mio) before the show. lobster ravioli and creme brulee (yum!)
i took a cab as i wasn't quite sure how close the ryman was to the hotel (turns out - 6 blocks) but the $5 ride was worth it not to hike up that hill. the show was amazing and the new album (downtown church) was so appropriate in this venue as it is a collection of gospel music from the 30's, 40's etc. on the ticket with her was buddy miller. i never heard him before but i loved him - great sense of humor and beautiful song writing. he's a bit more in the country vein - but, wonderful. loved his song 'gasoline and matches'. emmylou harris and leanne womack guest starred on a few songs and patty was on fire...it was wonderful.
i guess if i had to complain about something (and i really don't...but, i wonder about things) is that the young woman sitting next to me (the ryman seating is old church pews as it's an old church) texted the entire show. non-stop. so i was a bit miffed (1) that the bright light was distracting as i was trying to watch the show and (2) wondered why she would bother coming to a $50 a ticket show if she wasn't into watching it. sure, she enjoyed the music as i saw her swaying along and sometimes singing along but it was as if she was listening to the cd. at one point, i leaned over and said 'that's really bright' but she just shrugged her shoulders.
after the show, the new moon was the tiniest sliver over the shoulder of the batman building and a fresh breeze pushed off the humidity as i walked back to the hotel. this morning i lingered over waffles and the usatoday crossword puzzle. as i drove back - it was a nice break to the week and a fun trip - even if i had to go it alone. i think it's nice to break the routine and do something different. and it will make the rest of the week a bit better.
ah, sounds like a wonderful break to the week :o) sometimes just a day or two in the middle of a normal week can be nice! and how annoying about that lady ... i really don't understand, but then again, im not much of a phone person - ask my family and they will tell you how im never reachable even though i own a cell! hehe
ReplyDeletehow fabulous....what a nice stop in the week.. so happy for you...
ReplyDeletei could use a little break from routine.. hmmmmm... pondering... :)
xxo, kim
Oh my...what an amazing adventure Char! I think seeing music live like that is good for the soul. And you went all by yourself...you're such a big girl!
ReplyDeleteAs for that woman...grrrr...but maybe she was checking her flickr account ;)~
xo
I'm in awe that you would go all that way alone. I'm not sure I would have. Although, I go to the movies by myself and other places, but I can never bring myself to go to a nice restaurant alone. It's not the driving alone that would bother me. It would be going somewhere that you usually think of as something that you would do with someone else that it's hard for me to get past. More power to ya girl!
ReplyDeleteLove the reference to the Batman building!
Glad you had such a fabulous time. The way you describe it makes me feel I was sitting right there. The lady texting well it is her loss, gives a whole new meaning to multi tasking and I am not a fan of it as you know. take care. great adventure on your own.
ReplyDeleteHi Char,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments in my blog, it's true, I think our moms will always sneak into our thoughts at various times in our lives. My dad asked me if I was depressed and I said not really depressed but just in deep thought...I miss her, as I'm sure you miss your mom...but life goes on and so do we...
Sounds like a lovely time you had and bravo for you that you could do all that alone! Takes a strong woman to go out alone- most of us need the "crutch" of company in some form (ie CELL PHONE) in order to be alone...wouldn't it be nice if they banned cell phone usage in such events? Especially when it takes away from other's enjoyment.
I've never heard of this artist, but will check her out online!
Have a super day my friend!
I love that you went on by yourself and treated yourself to such a nice break in the middle of the week. Sounds like great music!
ReplyDeletexoxo
I haven't listened to much of Patty Griffin's music, but I love those old gospel hymns. That was pretty brave of you to venture out to a distant concert on your own. I'm not sure if I could have done it, especially in a town as big as Nashville.
ReplyDeleteI really loathe people who attend events like this and show no respect either for the artist or for the people sitting around them. I want to say to them...Stay home!
what a wonderful adventure (texting girl not included.) sometimes those unexpected solitary journeys give you a new perspective on things...I'm going to check out Ms. Griffin, now - I'm not familiar with her, but I love folk-y, gospel-y, singer/songwriter-y music!
ReplyDeleteI've never been in a concert by my own.. it has to be different.
ReplyDeleteI'll never understand why people are texting in a concert. You can send a sms, but if you're there, you have to live the gig! As you said, otherwise it's like you're listening the cd!
I'm glad you had fun :)
Love!
xxx
I love concerts, this sounds like it was a great show. Re the texting ... I often see young kids on the cell phone throughout the show, and more often than not, more interested in horsing around and getting a facebook photo of themselves there than they are in the actual music. I don't think they really are a "music" generation.
ReplyDeletesounds like fun, love that you went anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love how you slipped the moon in here. I am never tired of the moon and won't be as long as I live. I like doing things on my own too. Good for you :).
ReplyDeleteYou know that's just what I would have done, I long for a break to do something by myself! you go girl.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a random trip every now and again is good for the soul.
i'm so glad your trip was good....
ReplyDeletebut arrghhhhh in regards to that stupid texting woman....sheesh !
texting during a patty griffin concert, or any concert for that matter? some people are so very unconcious..go figure.
ReplyDeleteit's like when you go to the theater and the people behind you talk the whole time...arghhhh..
anyway....i'm sure it was great sounds, i like her music...
girl, that is one of the reasons i don't go to very many concerts. i went to one a while back, and all the folks around me were texting, taking pictures, talking on cell phones, and YAMMERING. i could not believe it! it was all i could do not to yell at them AREN'T WE HEAR TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC?!!? just crazy. confounding, really.
ReplyDeleteI am SO in awe of you...it may not seem like much to you but for me to have gotten up and gone by myself, in the rain, to a big city, to a hotel and concert...I'm not sure if I could have done it and would always have regretted that I didn't. Story of my life... So you see I truly admire you. And I love Patty Griffen! It sounds like a wonderful show even if there were an obnoxious person or two there...
ReplyDeleteI like that you decided to go alone, drive all that way, take yourself out for a nice dinner. What a beautiful solo trip.
ReplyDeletethanks for the words of encouragement! :) i hope i inspire any of you to take a solo trip to treat yourself. you will be glad you did and will experience something fun.
ReplyDeletei thoroughly enjoyed buddy and patty - they are amazing artists.
That sounds like a fabulous trip! I've thought many times how I'd like to take an overnight trip to Charleston alone and just be with myself, do what I want to do. Maybe you've inspired me to do just that! BTW I adore Patty Griffin. ;) Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove Patty Griffin. We saw her open for John Hiatt in Portland, Maine in the mid-90's, before she was well known. She hails from Maine, did you know? I will never forget her standing solo on the stage and singing strong and true.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an amazing trip. Good for you. And I love your old school post. Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteann
It's good that you took time to really enjoy life's beautiful moments. I used to go to jazz and r & b concerts when I was still in Manila and I know just how enjoyable and memorable live concerts can be. About that texting girl seated next to you, well, she sure missed a lot of what she was paying for.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool adventure. And I love the sound of that dinner . . .
ReplyDeleteGREAT evening...too bad you couldn't have accidently knocked that phone out of her hand!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you felt...when we went to U2 last year...there were quite a few people who just really couldn't have cared less if they were there or not...made me SO mad!
HUGS
Char