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August 22, 2008
Never Long Enough
We're back in Brooklyn after a quick jaunt to the Jersey shore. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical at first, not being a fan of extreme sun, the ocean or bathing suits- but I warmed up. In fact, I was not ready to return. The second we got home I was overcome with that anxiety that seems to set in whenever I am in the city these days- the constant fretting, living on Tums and minimal sleeping phase that has everything to do with the last stages of buying a house, dreading the fall semester and not being ready to go back to the real world of work. Alas. We all adapt. But I wouldn't mind spending a few more days laying on the beach and stuffing my face with ice cream.
While we did not originally plan to attend the Prairie Home Companion show last night, we learned shortly after booking our trip that it would be in town and jumped at the chance to grab some tickets. I was very, very excited. So, apparently, was Ocean Grove, whose police security included several officers doing crowd control on Segways. And boy oh boy, that crowd needed to be controlled.
Now the area we were staying in was pretty much filled with people in their late thirties through middle age, mostly with children, maybe some grandparents in the mix. However, in early afternoon the day of PHC, we began to notice a large amount of white hair around town. By the time 7:30 p.m. hit, there were more wheeled walkers and canes than I could count. We immediately realized that we were probably the youngest couple attending PHC. In fact, I think we might have been the only couple ineligible for AARP.
This was confirmed as we were walking to our seats and an older couple said to one another, "See, I told you at least some young people might be here." I turned to Alexis and asked, "Young like people who graduated from high school in 1968? Or young like us?"
Regardless, it was fun to watch PHC live.
[Actually, there was anther couple encountered that were our age. The first thing they said to us was, "I think you guys are the only other young people here except for the teen-aged boy who wore his headphones the whole time."]
Posted by callalillie at August 22, 2008 5:29 PM | The World Outside NYC
oh, as i read you went to the jersey shore i was hoping you'd gone to OG. have you been before? it's my favorite spot, and less than an hour away. plus, on the beach, it's kids and church ladies... you never feel fat in your bathing suit, ever.
i hope you got to spend some time walking around and seeing the beautiful houses and architecture!!!
Posted by: alyssa at August 23, 2008 10:55 PM
We went to see PHC a few years ago at Tanglewood, MA for Fourth of July. I have to say it was a younger crowd than I anticipated but I think that part of it was grandparents bringing their kids and grandkids with them for a holiday "treat."
At the time I had only been dating Terry for about a month and when he asked me if I wanted to go see PHC with him (and did I even know what that was?) well, he had my heart right there. :0)
Posted by: Colleen in MA at August 24, 2008 2:13 PM
Yes, Ocean Grove. It was really exactly what we needed for a few days. Not bad for a dry town :)
Posted by: corie at August 24, 2008 5:15 PM
Where'd you end up staying?
Posted by: Bill at August 24, 2008 9:16 PM
Where'd you end up staying?
Posted by: Bill at August 24, 2008 9:16 PM
We stayed at the Manchester. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by: corie at August 24, 2008 9:40 PM
Awesome! I love Prairie Home Companion! I have never had opportunity to see PHC live, but I have met Garrison Keillor and attended one of his signings/readings.
Meeting him was great - he knows of my hometown (it is in MN where the show/his books are set) and he was very nice. Very tall too! I got all of my books (up to that point) signed too. :)
Posted by: Gina at August 31, 2008 3:21 PM
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