Hmmm, I think at this point in my life, I’m just not a concert goer. Not realistic physically. But I do regret never catching GWAR live. Kinda wish I’d seen Maiden more than once.

Now, outside of music, I’ve never seen a van Gogh in person, nor a Rodin. That’s my two favorite artists, and I’ve never been close enough to anywhere they are displayed. Nor have I ever had the funding to travel just for such things. At this point, I wouldn’t even care what works were there, I’d just be happy for one to come close enough to be able to handle the drive. I’d figure out a way to rent/borrow a wheelchair so I could handle the viewing long enough to process the work.

But I was fairly lucky in a lot of ways when it comes to concerts. I live close enough to one city that I could drive to big shows there, before my body went to shit. And, my favorite cousin lives near Charlotte NC, which gets good tours usually, so I could drive or bus there and not only have a place to crash, but have someone to enjoy the experience with.

I saw a lot of really great concerts with him. Did the first two Lilith Fairs, Maiden, Elton John, Alanis Morisette, one Metallica show, and others. Plus some smaller shows at clubs. Dunno if anyone really remembers her, but DJ Baby Anne did a set at a club party there, and it was fun. Digital Underground did a show at the same club and fucking killed it, just a great fucking show all around.

There were a few street shows with multiple acts we went to as well. Saw Paula Cole and vanilla ice that way; Paula was great, vanilla sucked and fucked over other acts as well as the audience by being a dick and not going on on time.

And that’s the stuff I saw because I wanted to and that stand out. I went to some shows with him just because he wanted company. Local bands mostly. Went to one for a band that no longer exists called October. Good band, but never went anywhere. Caught a show by a guy he went to school with, acid f.m. is the band. Incredible show, if you like sludgy metal. Actually ended up getting their music on CD. Not necessarily my favorite genre/style, but the guys really are great live.

I was really lucky to have family near a semi-major tour city. If I’d had to not only travel, but pony up for a hotel, I’d have been fucked. No way to manage time off plus the expenses of travel and pay for even a shitty motel.