Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Off to see the Lizard

We’re headed to Margaritaville tomorrow! Never mind that it’s Teen Angel’s first day of school. Are you banned from the Parents Hall of Fame if you miss your daughter’s first day of eleventh grade in order to go to a Jimmy Buffett concert? Once we drop her off for school we will head to Cincinnati where we will join 22,500 other people at Riverbend for a little tailgating and a whole lot of music and dancing. It’s the one time of year when we cut loose and really live it up. Since the tailgating starts about 24 hours before the show, by the time we get there things should be good and wound up as Daddy says.

The Cincinnati Parrot Heads are a lively group. They come from all over the country. They bring grills.And portable beaches. And RV’s with grass skirts and coconut bras. And lots and lots of portable blenders. There are slip ‘n slides, cornhole games and local bands. It’s the show before the show.

We’ve always gone to Buffett concerts in Cincinnati. We tried the show in St. Louis last year because it was closer, but the Parrot Heads there were just a little too….um…reserved. They just weren’t as fun. Although, I did meet a nice pirate. So it’s back to Cincinnati for us where the lawn should fill up by 7pm.By 8pm we’ll be swaying our grass skirts along the banks of the Ohio River, escaping the chaos and stress of our lives for just a few hours to the tunes of Jimmy and the Coral Reefers. It’s a show that never gets old for me.

The first time I saw Jimmy, we had sixth row seats.And Sissy was with us. (The vanity in me wants you to know that the grass skirt makes me look unusually hippy.) We’re not that close to the stage this time, but we’re still in the pavilion so we have seats if our knees give out. I’ve packed my parrot flip flops. And my flamingo headband and grass skirt and beads and all of the other silly stuff that makes Hubby a wee bit embarrassed to get into a cab with me. I’m looking forward to this little break. We need it..badly. Some of you who stop by here regularly have some big stresses in your lives right now, too, so tomorrow I will raise a toast to you my friends and dance a little dance for you, hoping you find a little Margaritaville in your lives soon. Click your heels together three times and repeat after me: Phins up!!

12 comments:

The Girl Next Door said...

Oh nooooo I am so Jealous! You make the Parents Hall of fame for being so COOL about Buffet. Confesion time- I am going to Run A 1/2 Marathon this year Instead of go see Jimmy. Do I get a corner of my Parrothead Card cut off for that??

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Janis said...

Oh you lucky girl, I am so envious, we have not been to a Buffett concert in years. The parrot heads in Fl and Denver are a lively bunch also. Just don't take too many deep breaths when the lights go down and the show starts and "Mary Jane" comes out to play. Have a great time and be safe in your travels.

Jan said...

OMG, what a fun time. Have one for me, too.

Living Life said...

Well, if we weren't all crazy, we'd go insane. Have a great time! Have a margarita for me!

Anonymous said...

Dee from Tennessee

So it'll be five o clock somewhere, right?

Clark said...

Have a blast!

karisma said...

Sounds like a blast! Have fun!

Gin said...

Have a great time! I know you will! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Mia said...

I must confess I have never been a Buffet fan but I sure do enjoy YOUR enthusiasm for him! Have a great time and don't forget your HULA-hoop!

oreneta said...

Sounds about perfect, and the girl will be just fine if you miss her first day of school. there are always cell phones!

J.G. said...

Have a FAB-u-lous time!!! He is one of my favorites. If he plays "A Pirate Looks at 40" please enjoy it extra for me.

Hula Girl at Heart said...

The Girl Next Door-I think it's fabulous that you're doing a half marathon! I wish I were that motivated right now.

Janis-No deep breaths here. However, you'll find it amusing that my name was drawn at work for random drug testing two years ago on a Monday after we had been to a Friday Buffett concert. I was clean by the way. The man who took my samples thought it was hilarious.

JG-He DID play A Pirate Looks at Forty, one of my absolute favorites. He also did Tin Cup Chalice as his last encore song, which IS my very favorite.

Jan & everyone else-a toast all around to you!