Living in the Limelight

It's been so long since I posted anything here, I forgot that I changed the layout. I'm not even sure I like it that much. Kind of dark.

Anyway, I wanted to geek out a bit and talk about how much fun I had at last night's Rush show. If you're unaware, I've been a big fan since the early 90's, when Rush was already considered to be a little passe', their hey-day (at least success-wise) being the late-seventies/early eighties, Power Windows/Moving Pictures era. For those still unaware, "Tom Sawyer" came out then. For those still unaware, this is the band with the dude singer that sounds like a chick. And kind of looks like one, too.

So, long-time devotee of Rush here, but not seventies, burn-out Rush fan. I have seen them in concert way more than any other band in my life, and I doubt anyone will knock them off that perch (Springsteen is already in his mid-fifties, after all.) And a Rush show is always a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. This particular one saw them do that thing that a lot of established bands are doing these days, which is playing and entire album start to finish during the show. This is kind of gimmicky, but does allow you to hear some songs that are rarely-played live, and even rarely-listened to by anyone who doesn't name their children after the band members.


So, great stuff there, but for me, it was made even greater because I got to enjoy it with two of my oldest friends. Of course, the definition of "old friends" means that you could probably enjoy almost any activity with them, but there's something about the shared experience of a live show by one of your shared favorite bands that really ramps up the evening. There are few things I haven't done with these people already, but doing something fun with people you've literally known for decades just makes me appreciate life in general. Sadly, the fact that I've known them for decades does underscore how old we all are, but maybe that helps us appreciate Rush all the more. Hey, at least we aren't as old as them.

Allow me to illustrate; another long-time (not "old") friend asked how the show was, and asked if Rush was like vintage wine, getting better with age. I said they actually are. Not because they are necessarily getting better musically, because they should pretty much know it all by now. but they are well passed the point of trying anything really experimental. Sure, they released that cover album a few years ago, but that was mostly for themselves. They have done a lot, even trying a little rap in one song, but I think they just enjoy what they do and certainly don't need to impress anyone at this stage, so they just rock out and whatever will be, will be. An old friend can be the same way. You do not need to impress them. You know what to expect from each other, so just enjoy the ride. I my recent move has taught me anything, it's that I have a lot of stuff. But that's really all it is. I have no children. No wife. I don't own a home, or a car, or even a pet. I have comics, Jokers, and old friends. I value my friends the most (although the Jokers are a close second), so any time I get to do something like I did last night, I cherish those moments. No matter how many times I've done them.

Edit this setlist | More Rush setlists

Series Finale

I often joke about my life being like a TV show (probably a lot like an 80's sitcom, but I'm over-analyzing). It goes through various "seasons," has some guest stars and ongoing storylines, but I am the main focus. In fact, I often used this to be a yardstick for the kind of relationship I'd like to have, stating to anyone who would listen that my girlfriend can be a regular on my show, but she would have to be able to carry her own storylines, as well as hold her own in the episodes that involved couple-y things.

I feel this has served me well, because life often has (or at least should have) events that can signal the end of a season. When I broke off my engagement was certainly a big season finale. When I moved out of Cambridge and got my own apartment was the harbinger of a new season. And originally, I thought maybe now moving back in with my once and future roommate would be a season premiere of sorts. Upon further reflection however, and thinking about how a lot of my friends and neighbors are moving, too, it seems like this could be the end in a larger sense. Maybe this is how my series actually concludes. Maybe it is the beginning of a spin-off, like Frasier rose from the ashes of Cheers and nearly eclipsed its predecessor (Nearly. It did, however, make Frasier Crane one of the longest running television characters in history, second only to Bat Masterson from Gunsmoke.) I mean, the story has to keep going. I'm moving, not dying.

Hopefully, my new series can be as good a follow-up to The Matt Dursin Show as Frasier was to Cheers. I'd rather it not be like Joey, but I guess we'll have to see. Certainly, the characters have gone through a lot of changes over the years, and cast members have come and gone (which is often something that audiences don't take very well, but in life, casting choices are usually made by necessity rather than contractual disagreements.) This series, Dursin is certainly a little older, a little wiser, hopefully less drunk, and maybe he can use all that to make a successful spin-off. If not, there's always syndication, right?

Kicking and Screaming

So, last year, I wrote this post about my adventures on the kickball diamond. I wrote a lot about the beer and the team camaraderie and the fun. Well, Team Hang-over is back, with a vengeance!

Thus far, we are 2-0 this this year. We have a bigger and better team, with bench players and different pitchers and what-not. The only drawbacks are that we play farther away from my apartment, and our shirts are now yellow. Well, okay, the other drawback is that I haven't actually gotten a "hit" yet, although I reached on an error. this week, however, we are playing one of the other undefeated teams, so you could say I've been saving my best stuff for them.

Still, despite my preaching, people snicker when I mention that I played kickball over the weekend. "You mean the game you played in third grade?" Yes, in fact, and not only is it exactly the same, but it is in fact more fun now. Possibly because I was an unathletic nerd in third grade, and was usually picked just before the heavy girl, but whatever. I'm having a helluva time now.

I'm not sure why they snicker. Maybe it's because people can't bring themselves to just let their shit go and have fun playing a "kid's game." Maybe it's because they like to have a laugh at my expense. Maybe they wish they could relive their youth a little and are jealous. Or maybe they are right and I'm just a silly fool for not growing up. I am the elder of the team. The Tim Wakefield, as it were. Although, two of our new players (females!) didn't know how old I was, and assumed I was 25. 25! I'm not sure if that's ironic considering we are talking about kickball, or just lame that an old dude like me gets such a charge out of it. Shouldn't I be watching my child play kickball?

But no. In fact, I think the very fact that I do things like this is what keeps me looking 25 despite being well into my thirties. I play kickball, collect comics, ride around town on my bike-cycle, and live on pizza and beer is what keeps me young. And not only physically doing these things, but the fact that I do them "mentally," because a few years ago, I probably would have been one of the snicker-ers. Maybe there's something to that "only as old as you feel" stuff, after all.