When I received advance notice of James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt coming to Rupp, I immediately ordered tickets. It did not take but an instant thereafter for me to turn right around and order another set for some friends of ours. To me, this was what was this concert was about: Friends.
You see, my days of getting all willy-nilly, silly-thrilly about music concerts have long passed. Driving to Pittsburgh to see Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here/Dark Side tour among 50,000 folks is better left to the memories from that time. (There is a really good Karma story behind that one). To lure me away from the safe confines of Fuppyville for a live music event requires two things: No hassle whatsoever and, most preferably, a personal connection with the artist, most often a friend or a friend of a friend. It is a simple formula and, given the wealth of opportunities to see exceptional artists locally in THE BURG, has most likely rendered this to be modus operandi for the remainder of my days. Besides, I don’t see The Rolling Stones performing at the old Maytown Gym anytime soon.
My “friendship” with James Taylor dates to nearly 50 years ago. I have “known” Bonnie for a slightly less, though still significant, amount of time. The thing about this concert, this gathering of friends, is that I was assured the hassle among us would be minimal, if not totally nonexistent. Except for the $ 9.00 /beers which forced me to drink bourbon, on the latter point of no hassle, I was correct. A minimal amount of planning on my part took away the reminder of any external hassle that could occur. All in all, everything worked out swimmingly.
Paula and I are rarely afforded a no worry getaway. I miss it of course but I don’t regret the reasons why. We did nothing of note. Ate when and where we pleased and relaxed in the room. The previous night we attended our first basketball game this year. For the reason stated above, we just don’t get the chance to do so more often. The season tickets I buy each year are done so for these rare opportunities but also because I like giving them to friends or friends of friends. It seems UK basketball is big deal in this state and many people don’t have the opportunity to go. I like to help remedy this. Though UK won, the game was not a well-played game. Between it and the Knoxville thingy maybe they will finish getting their stuff together before tournament time.
Most everything about the trip worked. I got me a Sawyers burger, the Hilton serves Starbucks as their house coffee, I got my downtown urban walk fix and I spent some lovely time speaking with Jill; talking a little bit about just things and a little bit about the art in her shop. I got me a turtle and I got Paula a set of purple earrings. The earrings, though unique and purple, cannot hold a candle to the turtle.
Earrings are a standby for me. You can’t go wrong with giving these as a gift provided you have taken your time and select an appropriate pair for a reason. The reason does not necessarily have to be about the recipient’s preferences, though that certainly helps. Instead the reason must simply contain or be reduced to a singular element or purpose that intimately links the reason for giving to a quality possessed by the person that I am buying them for. It also must be one that I can most readily associate my reasoning for. This reasoning can be so wide ranging, but it is never complicated. Most times it only requires paying attention. Many are guilty of not knowing the little things and the little things always lead to the simple things, which always work. Anyway, I have digressed, so take the advice for what it is worth.
Things sometimes occur in my life that seem made to order. Long after I had made plans for this trip, business intervened. An appointment to present for a better BURG came up. In this case it was the day after the concert. It was a presentation that was hatched 7 years ago out of the idea of another. I was sold on it then, I believe even more in it now. It was fun. It went well but my point in mentioning is one of friendship, the theme of this blurb, and the reason for what this trip was always meant to be.
In my life I have actually managed to make a few friends. There is one that stands out from all others. It is a friendship of distance now, as it has been for many years. I use the word distance here as a measure of further though distance used in the concept of farther has certainly played a role. Though the interaction this day was way too brief and entirely respectful of a professionality that is uniquely respectful and completely blurs the lines of our friendship, there yet remains in the reflections that follow, a comfort provided. So, a few days away from The Burg, in a comfortable setting, UK basketball one night with a most special friend, James and Bonnie the next surrounded by friends, many unknown then and forever hence, and a departing reminder from a friend of how important a friendship of a lifetime can be.
So, as I debate with myself as to whether I am clinically depressed, maniacally depressed (maybe hypomania) or just ordinarily crazy (should I use odd instead of crazy? Perhaps peculiar?) it is easy for me to realize and recognize the need for the trust, for the assurance of comfort for the basic simple happiness that true friendship can provide. A big thanks to JT and Bonnie for making this possible. The friends that accompanied me and reaffirmed this notion of mine and even Jill, even though most likely one sided on my part, confirmed my beliefs in the promise of true friendships known and those yet to be found.
Anyhowsaway, I am trying to make myself write again……..this was forced out of this desire to do so. Hopefully, daylight savings time will help with this…….at this point I am looking for any motivation whatsoever to do so.
Update 3/16/21
At times Paula Munn Latta refers to Holley as my mini me and adds that we are too much alike for our own good. I don’t agree but at times my ability to defend this position is certainly suspect. Regardless, Holley is who she is in much the same way I am who I am.
She gets frustrated with me rather easily. She says it is because I tend to be an ass. On this I can’t disagree, and I tend to enjoy being so, way too much at times(just ask anyone). For all of her talents related to her profession, I think there is an inner me that she hasn’t quite figured out yet. This is not a bad thing as I have not done so either and I have spent a lot longer period of time trying to understand myself than has she. Age has its benefits. Regardless, things are what they are and in any sustained relation, there is a comfort that comes with familiarity. On this, I would put mine and hers up against anyone’s.
Today was my self-imposed deadline and as luck would have it, the necklace that I carefully selected for her is now hers and she seems quite pleased with my selection. These moments are not by accident. There is much thought and debate that goes into the selection and then there is a plotting of sorts that accompanies delivery. I like small happys. Holley usually provides these for me. I sometimes provide them for the both of us to enjoy.
Feel the Burg 
As Bette said in a song, you gotta have friends! Loved your story and you too! Now about those UK tickets😂😂😂
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