Rock 'n' roll music was the only thing I ever gave a damn about

And she doesn't know what's comin' but she sure knows what she's leavin' behind
And she left a little letter sayin' she's gonna make a stop in Nevada
Goodbye...goodbye



Dudes, last night I had the distinct and totally groovy pleasure of seeing Billy Joel in concert at the GEC. I don't know what to say about the show. It was awesome. I love Billy Joel. I do. Even when he does something mediocre-to me-it's awesome. An Innocent Man is a lousy album that you probably own-but it has "Keeping the Faith" on it. That is truly amazing song. I really, really love that song. Like it's kind of embarassing how much. It makes up for the kind of "eh" of most of the album and the huge "are you on drugs, Billy? Cuz that song sucks donkey balls" of "Uptown Girl." (I do take some pleasure from "Uptown Girl" because of that episode of the Simposons where Homer is playing 'Freak Out' music and that's his song choice. That makes me laugh like a damn fool.) The first cassette I ever got was "Songs in the Attic" a totally random collection of even now not that well known songs from his first few albums. I have no idea what my parents were thinking. An 8 year old kid should not hear that kind of music. It's all about sex and drugs and debauchery. I love that cassette. It has soundtracked some of the most life parts of my life. Billy Joel just sort of accidentally wrote the soundtrack to so many important things. Not because I'm living a derivative life--I'm not saying I'm not, but I'm not saying I am eithe-but because I'm a suburban intellectual with too much education (book or life take your pick) and not enough money. Except for the times when there's enough money (or too much) and it goes to drugs or alcohol or cough medicine (Oh Jesus Christ! Cough medicine? Jesus Christ! as Mr. Slave and Mik like to say) to get through a few days.
ANYHOO-I am so happy I got to see Billy Joel last night. He played a pretty predictable set. For me, anyway. I wanted to hear "Vienna" or James because I'm a super fan girl that has everything he's ever done. and wants to hear everything. The highlight for me was "Rootbeer Rag" because I am a sucker for a man that can play piano. Fingers dancing on keys--that-makes me--happy-in my pants. That's sex right there. Can't explain it-but I've had this irrational kind of crush on Billy Joel for a long time because of how his fingers look when he plays that piano. I know he's not that attractive. I don't care. Sing us a song, you're the piano man.
I know the dude is older than my dad. I know his music isn't cool by any stretch of the imagination. I don't care. I like the kind of music he writes. I like the kind of person I choose to believe he is. I am unbelievably happy just thinking about some of my favorite Billy Joel songs. Hell, the longest fic I ever wrote was inspired by one of his songs. I've loved him since I was a little kid and seeing him live was probably (like Mum said) "the last big, important name you have to see." He was. I've seen everyone and done everything but g-dammit, I got to see Billy Joel and he was amazing. You can think I'm a goofy thing if you want. I'm so happy I went. I can't even say.
SO-here's the story on that.
I didn't want a shitty seat. I was willing to pay the $$ is I had to-but I didn't want to if I could avoid it. Cuz I loves my money not being in someone else's hands. I'm cheap-is what I'm saying. So I spent the day on craigslist trying to get a decent ticket. Some bastard said I could get 2 tickets for $50. But then he was from hell and sold the tickets for $150-3x what he was asking. Dick. He told me he wouldn't take anymore calls about the tickets. I was pissed. But I'm a hippie. And hippies know how to get tickets. I walked up to the GEC with my right index finger extended. A couple and I were wraggling for a $85 ticket. I was willing to pay $60.
"I'll sell you one for $40," said a random guy.
"You got it," I pulled 2 $20s from my wallet and traded for the ticket. I never do anything the way most people do. That's too easy. And I'm not most people. The seat wasn't great-but let's hear it for the cheap seats, I could see everything that was going on onstage and that was cool. Lucky I'm not afraid of heights.
So I got my seat way up there in the nosebleeds and was enjoying my anticipation and along comes this guy.
"You buy your seat from ...?"
"Yeh, you too, huh?"
"It was kind of impulsive. When I was a kid, I told my mom I wanted a rock'n'roll album and she bought me 'Glass Houses.' So, I thought I should see Billy Joel in concert.'
Glass Houses is one of my favorite albums of, like, ever. You may be right-I may be crazy. But it just may be a lunatic you're lookin' for.
I guess I was on a happy trip because I was talking to this guy and not being my usual closed off self. I even gave him my actual phone number when he asked for it after the show. That is so not like me. He called tonight. I took his call. We talked for an hour--I'm taking bets on what his negating flaw is. I can't be friends with someone with a negating flaw. My guess is Republicanism. I do live in the South after all. Everyone in this town is a Republican except me and Todd Snider. He doesn't watch House. That's a serious personality flaw. And I don't think he knows who Stephen Colbert is. Clearing-there's no good reason for us to be friends.
He so can't borrow my top. We aren't friends. He can't borrow my top. I know I'm not wearing it. It's no one's business what I'm saving it for. Go to the mall.