Last summer I went to a Jimmy Buffett concert with my friend, Susan. I have seen Buffett too many times to remember an exact number, but this was Susan’s first Buffett concert. The first time is always magical. Within the first two minutes of a first song, you can tell if the person is going to become a true parrot head or make excuses the next time you mention attending one of his concerts. Fortunately, Susan turned out to be the former. She researched . She dressed the part, complete with Hawaiian shirt, leis and pirate flag for the car. I of course, had a blue tooth speaker so we could listen to Buffett while we enjoyed our tailgate feast. Of course part of the fun, was walking around, meeting other parrot heads, sampling their fare and looking at their car decor. By far, the best was a giant fin made entirely out of beer bottle caps. On one side was a parrot and on the other was the Jolly Roger. It sat on top of the car like a giant beacon of Trop Rock….a tribute to the man himself. At night, we discovered there were lights on it. The artist told us it took him four years to gather all the bottle caps. He needed specific colors to create his masterpiece. Anyway, it was glorious!
Back at our car which didn’t look too shabby decked out with flamingos, a Jolly Roger, a “Parrot Head Boulevard” sign, camp chairs, leis and margaritas, we were grooving to the music when three really sweet looking young girls came up to us. They were in their early 20’s and new to the business of Buffett. They asked if they could join us because we were so much fun! Susan and I were in our element. Not since our cruise several years earlier had we felt so cool.At that time we dubbed ourselves BCS (Boozin’ Cruisin’ Susans) So here we are, once again cool. Talking Buffett with the kids. Sharing our music, food etc. I was telling them about Buffett: The early years. They hung on my every word as I regaled them with Buffett lore. We were dancing, talking music, giggling and sharing our favorite songs… It was magical! I felt the years melt away. I was back in my twenties when my face was wrinkle free, my hair had no grays, I could party all night and I looked good in a halter top. I could tell Susan also felt the same…..We gave each other a “knowing” look….a look that said “We are rocking this!”
Then one of the little darlings, took a long gulp of her margarita, twirled around and said ” You guys are so awesome! When I get old, I want to be just like you!” Cue the “womp womp” Debbie Downer music. It didn’t matter that the kid meant it as a compliment. Just like that, our balloon popped, the rug was pulled out from under us. We went from feeling young, cool and with it….To old, hot-flash plagued without its! Susan and I looked at each other and smiled ruefully. And suddenly my back was a little stiff, my feet ached and I wanted to sit down. Susan and I plopped into our chairs, suddenly tired.
But it was almost time for us to go into the venue. We told our new friends to meet us afterward. So many newbs make the mistake of trying to exit the parking lot right after the concert. At Jiffy Lube Live, there are only two ways in and out. The traffic is ridiculous. People sit unmoving for hours. I figured out long ago that the best thing to do is break out the chairs and the snacks, put on Sirius Margaritaville, where they were replaying the concert we just saw and wait for the traffic to die down. So we would meet again, but first, we needed to get into the venue. If the girl’s comment didn’t make us feel old, then the trek to our seats did. The venue was built like a big bowl on the side of a hill. To get in, we had to climb a set of stairs that made Mount Everest seem puny. I am not exaggerating….there were paramedics waiting at the top! We didn’t find out until after the show that there was an easier way in, but I digress. Back to the show….so after being shot down by the millenials with their short shorts and midrif-bearing tops, huffing and puffing to the top of Everest and taking our pulse to make sure, we were in fact, still alive, we finally made it inside, to await the “Son of a Son of a Sailor ” Tour! Because it was Buffett, there were people of all ages there. It is always fun to see. Our eyes focused on several senior citizens (yes even older than us)….some with walkers decked out with parrots and fins and leis, others in wheelchairs complete with a Jolly Roger flag hanging off it, and still others with decorated canes! Susan and I looked on in wonder and I said “Wow….I want to be just like them when I’m old”….And just like that….we were young and cool again. It’s all about perspective! Fins Up!!!!!
New Endings 