While waiting for Robert some guy came up to me and asked "You know what's going on around here?". The way he said it reminded me of a scene in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas when Johnny Depp's character "The Duke" is trying to get a room.. "what's the score?" "what's next?".. Anyway, I was a little confused by the question.. I answered with an inflection "A concert? The Dead?".. he apparently GOT THAT, he was looking for a trash can.. he said "I hate when people leave stuff (referring to the crumpled paper bag someone had left behind)". As he and his friend walked by I said "I didn't understand the question" and laughed..
Realizing there were two people and three tickets, two assigned seats in the lower balcony and one GA ticket for the floor. We tried to find someone to exchange my two seats for one floor ticket but GA tickets were scarce, esp. at 7:15p.. one guy offered me $40 for my extra ticket but it didn't feel right.
We headed back toward the main entrance, asking a couple others if they had any GA tickets for sale.. none were to be found. I thought about my extra ticket some more and figured I'd "pay it forward". I've got a good job.. so I told Rob I was gonna give it away to someone looking for a "miracle".. there were lots of people with holding their index finger up.. (the sign for 'I need a ticket'). Rob said he'd rather kick it in the stands so he began looking for someone to bestow the coveted GA ticket to. We found a lucky recipient.. Gotta love the spirit of giving, hooking some one up to see the show.. the guy looked stoked.. "free ticket? really? thanks man!" :)
Once inside we headed for the concessions stand. they were taking water and even empty bottles outside so I knew there were tiny bottles of water for sale for $4.00. argh!! nevertheless, I went for "movie snacks".. a soda and popcorn.. of course the difference between MED and LARGE in quantity was a lot but the price difference was only like 50 cents. Dammit.. I went for the large.. it ended up costing my like $12.50 for large Dr Pepper and large popcorn..
The lobby was packed so we just went in through the closest entrance.. I knew the seats were toward the back of the "U". Where we entered was adjacent to stage left, so we had to make our way along the aisle toward the seats. Out of the wild blue.. I heard "MOIOLA!" I looked up and it was Greg Kemmis.. with popcorn and drink in hand I could do much but look up and say hello "have a good how".. I wish we had closer seats!
The show didn't start quite on-time.. The popcorn was cold and salty and not very buttery.. it wasn't terrible though. I ate about half but not before I got a shell of one of the popcorn kernels suctioned to the back of my tongue (nearly always a requisite whenever I get popcorn).. it's ALL I could think about for awhile.. I tried to discreetly dislodge the shell with my finger.. but holy crap.. it was way at the back.. I didn't want to make myself hurl.. Rob was talking to me and at one point I was zoning out trying not to focus on that fucking thing in my throat.. (that scene from Planes, Trains and Automobiles comes to mind.. the scene when John Candy and Steve Martin are sharing a room and "Del" is clearing his throat really loud.) .. I drank my soda.. (I don't know if it eventually went away.. it feels like it's still there today!)
Aside from that, the show was really good. They played a lot of the classic stuff like Fire on the Mountain, Friend of the Devil, Knocking on Heavens Door, Touch of Grey. It really seemed like Phil and Bob were chillin' and letting John Kadlecik shine.. he was doing Jerry's parts on guitar and vocals AND was RIPPING IT! it was a really good vibe; the last show of the tour.. there was a cool group hug of all the performers after the encore was over. (Btw, I thought Bob looked a little like Sam Elliott which is big mustache! :)
Here's the setlist from DeadheadLand.com
7:56:03 PM: Set 1
7:56:31 PM: Picasso Moon
8:05:20 PM: Dupree’s Diamond Blues
8:12:50 PM: Friend of the Devil
8:18:12 PM: Mama Tried
8:23:37 PM: Built to Last
8:28:36 PM: Black Throated Wind
8:37:49 PM: Peaceful Valley
8:45:48 PM: Passenger
8:53:28 PM: setbreak
9:38:48 PM: set 2 #fb
9:39:11 PM: Scarlet Begonias >
9:50:34 PM: Fire on the Mountain >
10:03:20 PM: Hell in a Bucket
10:14:04 PM: West L.A. Fadeaway
10:24:41 PM: Reuben and Cherise
10:35:54 PM: Days Between
10:48:09 PM: China Cat Sunflower >
10:53:18 PM: I Know You Rider
11:05:38 PM: Donor Rap
11:08:13 PM: E: Knocking on Heavens Door
11:14:47 PM: Touch of Grey
Then, the house lights came on and we left the venue.
Rob and I cruised around Shakedown Street afterwards for a bit.. watched a fire dancer 'til security asked him to stop.. Rob got a quesadilla.. It was a good time!
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