Time Served

I'm in much need of a live show. I've been craving it lately, and I need to get my fix....soon. I've downloaded 5 shows this week, (mostly Phish), but it's not the same. It's been 3 months since Ramstein at Madison Square Garden, and although epic, wasn't really my cup of tea. Until I find something worth seeing, I'm gong to reminisce on the past.

I now present you, Nick's Top 5 Concert Experiences

5. The Wailing Wailers at Download Fest 2006 (Mansfield, MA)
I've always been a huge fan of Bob Marley and his music, but I didn't know what to expect at this show. I wasn't sure if they'd be playing some classic Marley tunes, or newer material with random singer #8. It was an outdoor show, and they were playing right after Black 47. During Black 47, the sky was black, and water came pouring from the skies. The entire crowd was soaked, and I was miserable. As soon as the Wailers came out, they busted right into 'Stir It Up' and the heavens opened. The skies cleared in a matter of minutes, and the entire crowd sang and danced with not a care in the world.



4. Disco Biscuits at Rothbury 2008
I had heard nothing but good things, but never really heard their music until before this show. They played last on the first night, and played well into the early morning. It was my first true "jam band" show, and definitely quite an experience. When the crowd forming around us was decked out with rainbow bracelets, glowsticks, pacifiers, and the occasional popping of unfamiliar substances into the mouth....I knew we were in for a good time. I was probably one of the few sober ones there, but with everyone else flailing around in unison to the music, it was hard not to join in. I've never been so physically exhausted after a show before. My arms and legs literally hurt from moving for three straight hours. Every time they 'peaked' and glowsticks were launched into the sky, it felt like...ecstasy.


3. State Radio at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC, 2007
I've seen this band...13 times? Maybe 12, I'm not sure, I'm starting to loose count. Regardless, they're one of my favorites, and never cease to put on a good live show. This one always stands out as the best though. There's something about cramming a room full of 500 sweaty, passionate fans at 11pm on a Saturday night in the city that never sleeps. From top to bottom, just a solid, high energy show.


2. DMB at "SPAC" 6.13.09
Amongst diehards, it will fall in most people's "Top 5 DMB Shows" of the past 10 years. It was night 2 of a 2 night stand. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate NY has become a destination spot for the Dave Matthews Band. It tends to be the biggest spot for East Coast fans year after year. People camp out all weekend, and are usually treated to some killer sets. This one was no exception, and I heard many classics for the first time. The encore alone left me speechless.

Encore:
#40 (partial)
Granny>>
Water/Wine (tease) >>
All Along The Watchtower>>
Halloween

It was the first #40 in over a year, (81 shows), last being played at SPAC 2008. After #40, the crowd busted into the infamous "Halloween" chant, as it's become a rarity, but a favorite among many. Granny got the place moving with the "LOVE/BABY"'s, and Watchtower (w/ Stairway to Heaven solo int.) blew the roof off. As soon as the song ended, Carter busted into his drum solo intro for Halloween, and everyone that was half way to their car turned around and bolted back to the pavilion. It was the first one in 357 days, and just about made my summer. The following link is the ending of Watchtower into Halloween, though really doesn't do the moment justice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGF22lOfu3o



1. Roger Waters, The Wall, 2010

I already explained this show in detail here (http://wealldoitthesame.blogspot.com/2010/10/man-who-saved-my-life.html ) so I won't bore you with it again. Simply put, it was an emotional rollercoaster, and filled a void I previously had. When I roamed the halls of PSHS in 2005, I never would have predicted I would get the chance to see this show get resurrected.




Looking to the future.

Phish 6.7
Dispatch 6.25
Dispatch 6.26



Secret of the Week:

She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

In a past life, I told all 8 of you reading this that I had dreams of a girl from MI. Don't believe me? Check out the last paragraph here... (http://wealldoitthesame.blogspot.com/2010/07/road-to-restaurateur-and-being-on-brink.html). In the end, I did meet a girl from MI. Over the course of six months and four secret weekends, I met said girl. Unfortunately, she was not the girl from the dreams. Call me naive, but I really thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I still believe this person is out there, though she doesn't reside in the slums of Grand Rapids.
-------------------

I've been listening to lots of different music recently, discovering and re-discovering classics and new favorites. I was having a conversation with someone about a month ago about an emotional attachment, (or lack thereof) to music and lyrics. The music I listen to has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I always grew up thinking everyone was like this. Maybe they weren't scribbling the lines to 'Mother' on their bedroom walls, but I thought everyone loved music? I guess I have to thank Dad for bringing us up right.

With that said, I recently had an out of body experience with my CD player, a grande Starbucks iced coffee, and a 2003 RSX. See, I like the Beatles, a lot. Actually, the Beatles may have been the first band I ever heard. I've always been pretty familiar with most of their music, without actually owning a lot of the LP's. A few weeks ago on a whim, I bought the 2009 re-master of Abbey Road, and went for a drive. I tend to do this when I need to wind down, and forget about everything else.

It was the first time I had ever listened to the album in its entirety. Side One was very good, as I already pretty familiar with the tunes on there. Actually, to be fair, I really only bought it because "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Here Comes The Sun" were missing from my iTunes library.

Side Two was something else though. From the minimal research I had done, I already knew that Side Two played through as one melody, so it was something I was anticipating. Between all of the questions and answers I was searching for during that drive down Boylston, the Fab Four somehow answered all of them. As the album progressed and different things raced through my mind, everything about Paul's lyrics spoke to me like no one had before. It evoked so many different emotions somehow all simultaneously. By the time the reprise from "Carry That Weight" looped back to "You Never Give Me Your Money", and segued directly into "The End", I lost it. This is a timeless record, and a new staple.

Thank You.


Oh yeah, all right
Are you going to be in my dreams
Tonight?

And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make.
-Paul McCartney

Censorship

A word on censorship in regards to Under The Table And Dreaming....

When I first started this blog, it felt quite liberating. A little place on the internet that I could call home. I could say whatever I wanted with no repercussions. When I started this last year, it was strictly personal, nothing to hide.

As time went on and I got a job with Chipotle, I started writing about my experiences there. At the time, I was still flying under the radar. At one point during this past summer, I linked my blog to Twitter, where Twitter users could easily access my blog directly. After a short series of messages back and forth, the guys over at the "Official Chipotle Twitter" (http://twitter.com/#!/ChipotleTweets) decided to follow my account. It wasn't long after when they informed me that they checked out my blog, and wished my luck on all future endeavors, and the road to Restaurateur. This was pretty cool, but also probably s small turning point in the blog. From then on I realized I couldn't say anything detrimental or harmful about the company. I can't see myself doing that anyway, but now I know that there are eyes in Denver and they are watching.

So from here on out, my aspects of my work life will be censored. What will NOT be censored, is parts of my personal life. I post things whenever I'm feeling inspired, or feel like I have something to share. When doing this, I usually try to include something that Frank posted onto PostSecret from the previous week. Some of the secrets I post are random, while others sometimes hold some kind of significant meaning. Most readers would usually never be able to differentiate the two, (but isn't that half the fun?) I always pick the ones that touch me in some way.

I don't pick them for anyone else, I pick them for me.

PostSecret (#2) of the Week:

Needham What?!?!

I haven't updated since mid. November, I'm slacking..kinda. All kinds of crazy things have gone down on Needham St, and I've had very little free time. After loosing my entire management team, I've had to start from scratch over the past few weeks. 1250 was looking pretty ugly for a bit, but we're on the right track now. We're still a bit short on management, but we're constantly developing the new folks. We have a great time everyday, and everyone is loving their jobs. I'd say by the beginning of March, we will be in a great spot.

Wanted: Monty Moran



Unfortunately, I've noticed that because work has gotten so crazy, I've slipped off the radar in many aspects. Christmas was the first time I had seen my best friend since August, something that embarrasses me to say. I saw my Grandmother at the beginning of December, and she was quite disappointed that she hadn't heard a peep in many weeks. I often forget that these people will not be around forever. I think I'm making that my one New Year's resolution.

Pick up the phone and call the ones you care about most. .

2010 was an awesome year, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.

Top 5 Reasons Why 2011 Will Be Awesome!

1. 2011 Reunion Tour


2. The Detox


3. Phinally!!!!


4. Restaurateur


5. A movie worth seeing?


Thanks for reading! Sorry for the absence, though I still do check Twitter everday. Come follow over there too.

http://twitter.com/#!/revolution36


SECRET OF THE WEEK: