leaving on a southern train only yesterday you lied

(Stone Temple Pilots)

Some of my favorite, previously on hiatus or disbanded, bands have gotten back together and decided to tour recently. Most notably, of course, A Perfect Circle who is currently only touring on the west coast... and Stone Temple Pilots, who is coming literally right down the road from me. Which has left me to ponder certain changes in attitude I've developed since the last time I went... because it's been quite a few years since I've been to a larger show that had a real standing room only area.

I used to go all the time, but so much of going to concerts is a matter of time, money and company. Most of my friends don't really have the same taste in music as I do; going to shows was something I almost exclusively did with whoever I was dating. Being in D.C. seriously halted my cash flow for concerts and I adore J but he's not really a concert goer. Which is actually somehow pretty ok with me. I've found that I lack the desire I once had to actually go see a band.

I like people now even less than I did as an undergrad. The thought of standing in a crowd of sweaty, dirty, pushing people makes me want to kick and scream. I can't say with any certainty that I actually wouldn't kick and scream if I was in that situation again. And I threw down a few times at a show before with some stupid girl... I definitely wouldn't now. It's not safe. You never know what kind of crazy you're going to run into these days... or how hard it will be to get rid of it.

And that's just the issue with standing room only... even if we did get seats, it's just... the loudness. And I'd want to dance and sway and whatnot... and that's sort of awkward if the person you're with isn't also super into the music. I cried, both at STP and APC, and I just don't think I'd be comfortable getting that emotional with a bunch of strangers in that kind of setting again. All that communal energy? Just, suddenly not so appealing.

In short, I am too old for this shit. No matter how much I still love the music, I'd sort of just rather rock out in the relative privacy of my car.

Also, I've been listening to the classical music station on last.fm at work non-stop... it's beautiful, soothing, and makes me long for rosin, tights, and a nice long barre warm-up. Did you know I also drink tea and have cookies almost every night? I'm actually an eighty year old British woman.