Buffalo Gal

The printer is spitting out my next two days: driving directions to hotel, maps to arena, hotel confirmation and concert tickets.
Finances are tight, offering the necessary permission to graze on fast food for two days. I've volunteered as the designated driver for the trip down where my passengers plan to take complete advantage of their "free" four hours on the interstate. The tunes are selected and the only volume will be max.
It's a road trip.
I'd like to say I am a committed idealogue intellectually stimulated by the Change the Vote concept, but 26 years after my first Springsteen show the preshow sensation is identical.
Change the Vote is a terrific awareness concept, but it's the execution that kept me happily awake last night.My brother saw the show in Cleveland and talked about the pure joy of John Fogerty jamming with the E Street Band and Bruce trading lyrics with Michel Stipe on REM's Man in the Moon, not the political message videos in between acts.
We're both carpetbaggers, he drove from blue New York to Ohio. I'm driving from red Georgia to Florida. (But I'm more entitled in that we have Florida television stations and there has to be some payback for the relentless barrage of presidential attack ads from both sides).
It wasn't anymore about politics for my brother than it will be for me tonight. I'm delighted that the ticket purchase had to be registered as a political contribution, but that's thanks to the artists and the organizers, not a noble gesture on my part.
Our concert buddy Bobby bought our daughter's ticket when she discovered a school conflict. He studied photojournalism at the University of Georgia when REM was coming on. I saw Bruce shows three times during my journalism studies at St. Bonaventure in upstate New York, one in our school gym.
Bobby grew up in a little Georgia town. I grew up in East Buffalo. But tonight we'll be singing in one loud, off-key voice in support of the ideals we believed back then and the joy that we can still embrace them.
We lived through the 80s and 90s without completely surendering the 70s.
The encore tonight will be all the artists on the stage singing Elvis Costello's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Undertstanding?" -- and I promise I won't be laughing.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2004-10-08 7:36 AM Time changes latitude, not attitude The printer is spitting out my next two days: driving directions to hotel, maps to arena, hotel confirmation and concert tickets. Finances are tight, offering the necessary permission to graze on fast food for two days. I've volunteered as the designated driver for the trip down where my passengers plan to take complete advantage of their "free" four hours on the interstate. The tunes are selected and the only volume will be max. It's a road trip. I'd like to say I am a committed idealogue intellectually stimulated by the Change the Vote concept, but 26 years after my first Springsteen show the preshow sensation is identical. Change the Vote is a terrific awareness concept, but it's the execution that kept me happily awake last night.My brother saw the show in Cleveland and talked about the pure joy of John Fogerty jamming with the E Street Band and Bruce trading lyrics with Michel Stipe on REM's Man in the Moon, not the political message videos in between acts. We're both carpetbaggers, he drove from blue New York to Ohio. I'm driving from red Georgia to Florida. (But I'm more entitled in that we have Florida television stations and there has to be some payback for the relentless barrage of presidential attack ads from both sides). It wasn't anymore about politics for my brother than it will be for me tonight. I'm delighted that the ticket purchase had to be registered as a political contribution, but that's thanks to the artists and the organizers, not a noble gesture on my part. Our concert buddy Bobby bought our daughter's ticket when she discovered a school conflict. He studied photojournalism at the University of Georgia when REM was coming on. I saw Bruce shows three times during my journalism studies at St. Bonaventure in upstate New York, one in our school gym. Bobby grew up in a little Georgia town. I grew up in East Buffalo. But tonight we'll be singing in one loud, off-key voice in support of the ideals we believed back then and the joy that we can still embrace them. We lived through the 80s and 90s without completely surendering the 70s. The encore tonight will be all the artists on the stage singing Elvis Costello's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Undertstanding?" -- and I promise I won't be laughing. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top