We're Comin' To Your Town

1) Our time is running out on the Hill. Today we started to move Sandy into her new place. It's bigger than our place now, however she will have two roommates. We met one of her roommates today, who was there with her mother. She seemed nice, although her mother was concerned at first about the area. I reassured her that it was safe, and not to be concerned.

2) This past weekend, we went to Long Island to visit Mema, and to attend John and Diane's engagement party. The party was nice. Unfortunately, Hurricane Bill reared his head, and caused some huge waves. We were at the beach on Friday, and I went in once, and although the water was relatively warm, it was rougher than I've probably ever seen it.

3) I haven't run in a while. My friend Gari just finished an Ironman, and we had dinner a few weeks ago. He sparked my interest that I should try to take up running again. Before I start running, I knew that I would need new running shoes. I haven't bought new shoes in almost 2 years, which I know isn't good, but I just never seem to get around to doing it. I also have felt like I might not be running in the right shoes.

Last week I went to Fleet Feet Sports to buy some new running shoes. I'd heard that they would measure your foot, and be able to determine the right shoes for you. I met with a sales associate, whose name escapes me, but he was extremely helpful. When he told me he ran D1 at the University at Tennessee, I knew he knew more than the sales associates at Dick's. In the past, I've always been put into Asics shoes, typically one of the wider sizes. Well, it seems like I've been running in the wrong shoes for a while. I would highly recommend going there.

4) Last Sunday night, I saw my favorite band, Phish. I went with Sandy, and we had a great time. They were playing at SPAC, and we got there about 4:15 and got a great spot in the parking lot. I thought the lots would open at 2, but they must have opened later, because I felt like we were one of the first cars in. There were a ton of people looking for extras. I wonder if they were able to find some. I had heard that scalpers had bought up too many, and they were being sold in the lots for cheap. Not sure if this came to fruition, because we heard people able to demand $200 per ticket.

People were in a great mood. The sun was out, the last night of the summer tour. Because we were there so early, I thought we might hear soundcheck. We were able to hear them play a bluegrass tune I hadn't heard. Then they played MGMT's "Kids". Strange to hear them covering this song, but still, not bad.

After a few beers, and walking around, we decided to head inside early, and get a spot on the lawn. Naturally fifteen minutes prior to showtime, the clouds opened up. It also got pretty crowded on the lawn. Sandy wasn't prepared for the lack of personal space. Onto the music!

Come out, Trey is jumping up and down, and they launch into Llama. Set the mood for the whole show, which had a very "party" vibe. People were jockeying for position on the lawn, and I didn't totally get to enjoy this. Then they settled into Moma Dance. This is when things got funky. Anything But Me was real solid. To slow things down with this song was a good choice, as they seemed to be putting a lot into it.

During a rocking Chalkdust Torture was the first time I think Sandy realized how much fun she was having. There was a glow-stick war on the lawn, and I looked over and Sandy was grinning ear to ear. Then something interesting happened, after David Bowie, they played Cavern. Props for remembering all the words. I figured this was the set closer. It wasn't because then they went into Possum. I really like the way the drums drive this song. And a word on the drums, Fish was stellar all the way though. After Possum, they went into Ocelot. This is the new song I enjoyed the most from the shows back in June. I figured they wouldn't end here. And sure enough, the classic Set I closer, Run Like an Antelope wrapped things up.

We moved back during Set Break. There was more room and we could still see. Naturally, we were sitting more Page side. Sandy went to the bathroom at the beginning of Set II. It's a good thing, because they played a drawn out Backwards Down the Number Line. They jam was focused, yet still relaxed in that it didn't feel rushed. Twenty Years later felt boring. I actually commented to Sandy how I thought they were about to go into 2001, and the person behind us said the same thing at the same time. Halley's Comet was just all around fun. But when they went into Rock and Roll, they really played crap out of it. I remember thinking, this is what separates Phish from other "Jam Bands". They actually sound good when they jam, and they jams go places.

Then came the highlight of the night for most people (myself included). At this point, the band and crowd seemed to be feeding off each other. The spirits were high all around when they went into Harpua. This is an ever-evolving song in which there is a narrative section. Trey started talking about how much he enjoyed being back in Saratoga. After some thanks, Fish came and sang I Kissed a Girl. Hysterical. He then proceeded to sprint around the stage during Hold Your Head Up. They finished up the song, and I could tell they were thinking about what to do next. I thought it needed to be something big. As they panned to Trey on the screen, I could see his fingers higher up on the neck of the guitar, I knew it was going to be YEM. Sandy remarked that she wanted to see the trampolines. I said she was about to. Sure enough, they played a great tour closing YEM.

After a great Set II, I figured a quick encore. Grind was a great. The new tune, I Been Around was alright. They couldn't end it on a new song. Highway to Hell was a great way to send us off into the Upstate night.