Should've Quit While They Were Ahead...

but they had to "keep the train rolling". Understandable but just not working. Yesterday I went to one of my last Widespread Panic shows. They went on hiatus last year. T and I attended their last shows at the Phillips Arena here in Atlanta (12/31/03). The shows were all right for the "new Panic". Derrick Trucks' guest spot was the very best part of the run. T and I had much more fun on our own though. Phillips sucks as a venue but that's probably because Panic is not an arena band, I prefer them in a more intimate setting. I skipped their comeback shows at the Fox Theatre. The Fox is one of my favorite venues just because it's here at home and it's a super cool place with the twinkling stars also the fact that it's so old and classic. But I passed on Panic this time at the Fox, wasn't worth the money or hassle this time around.

Panic, for me now, has lost its spark and momentum. When Mikey died, the band died. The new lead guitarist, George, doesn't do it for me. I could go on and on about this but I'll spare the details and save my energy...all right maybe just a little more ranting... Panic now just seems like they're a cover of themselves. This also has nothing to do with me getting older either or burnt out on them. The chemistry they all used to have on stage transcended to me. It's no longer there, the chemisty on stage or with me. I have been seeing them for 9 years now and seen how many shows? Let me get my "panic tracker"....okay, some 85 to 90 shows. You know, they used to get me going and I couldn't not see a show! It was always so much fun with your friends and the band, the energy and the "vibe". Any show, I'd try to go. Fuck it now. I really do hate to speak so negatively on this subject because it's so much a part of me and who I am. I still feel for those boys and their loss. I lost nothing compared to what they have. I'll stop for now, I feel bad.

I really miss going to shows with my best friends. I miss going to a show with my best friend, L., especially. Oh, the laughs and fun we have had. I miss T at a show too, he dances the funniest but the best. This show though, I went with two girls that I worked with in Athens. I ran into Billy and I also ran into Patrick. Quick hugs and hellos, that's all. I drank a lot because this time I was there for the "show" not the actual music like it used to be. We drove back from Columbus after the show. I slept the whole three hour drive.

I could go into my hellacious night at work where this guy and I worked a party of 37. (jist of story- I got screwed out of my $40 grat.) I will not go into that though. As I am trying to drink a glass of wine to relax...I think I will head over to the bitterwaitress.com forums so I can share some bitterness there and not here. We don't need my work talk to make this blog thing any more boring.