Birds of Feather, Flock Together

1) Last weekend was one of the best times I've had in a long, long time. It was a bachelor/concert weekend with good friends. On Thursday and Friday nights, we saw Phish. Then Saturday night we had a night on the town. My friend Brad (who is getting married) had a great time, as did the rest of us.

2) The first part of the weekend...Phish. For me, both shows were great. The lot scene both nights seemed pretty tame. In a good way. There were kids running around with nitrous balloons, but not too many of them. There was a shakedown street, but it didn't feel ultra shady. And like other people have said, it seemed like the crowd was older. The weather was overcast/drizzly the first night, and downright rainy the second. But overall, a good time drinking some beers and hanging out for a few hours before the show. The first night we actually were dropping off a ticket at will-call, and they were re-releasing tickets in the orchestra. Food for thought.

The music both nights was good, yet very tight. I didn't know what to expect. During 2003-04, the music was longer, more exploratory. Many sets might only be compromised of 4-5 songs. I felt that, especially the first night, they were still getting acclimated. Getting my first Divided Sky was great. That was my first favorite Phish song, and they nailed it. When they played Punch You In The Eye, the place exploded with energy. That is one of my favorite songs. Ghost was a highlight, with a nice groove. In the second set, I called a Drowned, due to the rain, and they played it, right into Meatstick. The Meatstick had hard Fire on the Mountain teases, which the crowd was very receptive to. Time Turns Elastic and Waste were nothing special. I've always thought Waste was overrated. You Enjoy Myself is always a treat.

The second night it rained. Not a quick blast for 10 minutes. But a steady rain the entire time. It had been raining all day, and we stopped and got rain gear on our way to the show. Walking around pre-show, we saw a kid get busted by undercover cops for selling drugs. The music flowed more easily the second night. I liked the new song, Kill Devils Falls. The real highlight of the set was a great Boogie on a Reggae Woman. The funk that ensued in the jam was the best I've ever heard the band play. A good Twist and Piper in the second set, along with a real nice 2001. Overall the music was great, and I can't wait to see more Phish in the future.

3) Saturday we went out to Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay's restaurant. I'll spare you the details. Look up my review on Yelp if you care that much. We then proceeded to spend a night on the town in NYC. Went to a number of different bars. I drank a $14 cocktail (most expensive drink I've ever paid for) at the bar at the W. A mix of gin, champagne, and lemonade. Walked across the Williamsburg bridge at 2am. Ate Alligator Lounge Pizza. Always a good time.

4) Sunday afternoon I went back to my grandma's and had dinner with family I don't get to see often. We went to the beach on Monday, and I went in the ocean. It was cold, but I always enjoy swimming in the ocean. I picked Sandy up at the airport at 2, and was home by 5.