Speechless...

[buffettbride]

I really have been speechless much of the day. It's been a hectic day since the moment we woke up at the quaint Green Drake motel in Basalt, CO. I know I've shared some details with you in other threads, but I want to take some time and give you a play-by-play all on it's own.

Sooooo....stay tuned. Here goes!!!!

(of course I made it a poll...who do you think you're dealing with?????)

[On The Edge]

let it rip reeferette, keep your day job, but from what I could hear, you were the best one up there. Then again, as you know, that's not saying much. By my best estimation, you were about 20 feet from us most of the nice, we were near the Nevada folks.

[buffettbride]

It was a little crazy getting ready and packing for the show. I was doing laundry and throwing stuff into my suitcase up to the moment we left. We got on the road at about 1:30 MT and drove to the gas station to top-off the tank. Realizing we left Matt's coat at home (a must for a cold Aspen night), we had to drive a few miles home and retrieve it. So, really, we were on our way about 1:45MT.

The drive to Aspen is long, but gorgeous. We took I-70 to Glenwood Springs and then south to Basalt to our hotel. We arrived just after 5pm. I had showered before I left, but hadn't put on make-up or made the final outfit decision. That finally came based on footwear choice. My black outfits had open-toed shoes and my 1 brown selection had closed-toe boots. So, brown it was. I call it my "boob" shirt 'cause you get a pretty decent look down the hatch. I adorned it with 2 shell necklaces and my BN nametag. Figured if I was photographed without it on, there would be hell to pay here.

I'm going to back track a little and tell you more about how we picked our hotel. I was going for cost-effective, yet convenient. When I called The Green Drake, I knew it was the one. The guy even offered to pick us up from the bus stop when we made it back into Basalt so we didn't have to walk (only about 3 blocks, we hoofed it back, as you'll read later). Evidently, he attended Jimmy's first wedding way-back-when. Unfortunately, said hotel guy had also left his copy of Salty Piece of Land on the plane when he went to Mexico City earlier in the year. It's a goal of mine to make sure he gets a new copy. I almost gave him mine, but thought better of it and will send him a paperback copy and a nice letter at some random moment that seems appropriate. When we got there, he saw us pull up, greeted us in the parking lot, and said, "You must be the Parrotheads." So, to pimp it again, http://www.green-drake.com/ for an affordable near-Aspen stay.

We still hadn't decided if Matt was going to stay sober and drive us the rest of the way into Aspen for the night, or take the RFTA (Roaring Fork Transit Authority) so we could both endulge. Ultimately, the bus won out. It would be almost unimaginable to not throw back at least a few at an event like this. It was a good call, the bus stop in Aspen was right across the street from the venue. The hotel guy also told us if we missed the last bus at 2:15am, just find a coffee shop and wait until 5am when the bus service started again.

The bus ride from Basalt to Aspen was largely uneventful and lasted seemingly forever. The crazy guy in front of us was quite amusing, though, as he chanted the chorus of "Rawhide" occasionally. Finally, we stopped and saw the hidden gem that is the Belly Up Aspen.

[buffettbride]

Well, actually, we overshot the Belly Up on the first pass because we weren't looking in the right place. After mildly leading us astray, we asked a kind and knowing gentleman to point us in the right direction.

It was already a few minutes past 7 when we got there. The doors were supposed to open then, but hadn't. I was surprised at how long the line to get in wasn't. I mean, given the choice, I would have been camped at the door most of the day to make sure I was one of the first people in.

We chatted it up with a few folks in line, exchanging the basic "where are you froms." A couple just behind us was from Brighton, CO, about 30 minutes north of Denver. We learned quickly through story exchanges that they had been at our wedding concert. They had splurged for the expensive seats (the Web site sold them for $600, but if you called or bought them in person, they were really $350). I was a bit jealous because I was certain their seats would smoke ours, but who was I to complain--I was attending the show on someone elses bill!!

We finally got in the club. I was sadly and sorely disappointed that they took our tickets and exchanged them for wrist bands. Somewhat of a blow since I had mentally allocated those ticket stubs as souvenirs for some certain BNrs. The wristbands were nothing special, and not indicative of Jimmy/Freddy/Fishstick, but it was my pass in and out of the non-smoking venue to sneak a Marlboro Light when needed.

We snatched the first General Admission seat we came to with a decent view of the stage. I'd say about 30 feet back, but elevated so even a tall person wouldn't obstruct our view. Then I noticed people heading to the dance floor and quickly sent hubby down to see if we could sit there. Sure enough!!! There were a few bar stools against the back wall of the dance floor where we sat and chatted with some of our in-line friends. There were a few early-twenties-ish kids sitting on the floor, center stage. I asked them if they were "camping" or if they worked there. They said, "camping" so I rightly copped a squat, introducted myself, and declared my real estate. (Then I made hubby save our spot while I could make a few choice phone calls to let y'all know where I was gonna sit).

The stage was blocked by a large screen, but by peeking under you could see the microphone stands. Jimmy was going to be about 5 feet in front of me and about 6" to the left.

I screamed, real loud, in purple.

[buffettbride]

We chatted with our front-row seat sharers for a while. They were good kids. One was from Phoenix, another from Dallas, and two Aspen locals. They were definitely dressed as Parrotheads and not the Prada and fur wearing types like those in reserved seating or hanging out at the bar. We exchanged concert stories. Two of them had been to both Vegas shows this year, as well as Phoenix.

Hubby and I took turns going outside to smoke. While he was out there, he bumped into Charleston and they talked for a few. He really is a great guy and has remembered us since our wedding. It sure made hubby feel cool to be remembered.

It neared 9pm. I wondered if my east-coasties were listening, even though it was so late on a "school night." I was getting pretty excited now. Not that I hadn't been excited much of the day, but thoughts were just racing on what the setlist would be like, would I have the chance to shout out to everyone, what would it really be like to be THAT close. Sure, we've sat close before..but not that close, not that dead-on, and the stage was only elevated maybe 3 feet. We were RIGHT THERE.

The lights started to go down, a few people (well, including me) made some "woot" noises. False alarm. Lights back up again. I took this opportunity to talk to my new friends and coerce them into helping me with a shout out. The plan was to scream, "We love you Monkey Boy; BOOBIES."

Then, lights down, again. This time for real. Someone introduced Freddy and the Fishsticks and there he was. Just him. Just Jimmy and his guitar. In my excitement of memorizing what he was wearing (jeans, tshirt, and mocassins) hubby pointed out to me that we could see the setlist taped to the floor. With a single glance, I knew what was coming.

It felt sort of like concert-replay Thursdays. I want to be surprised when I listen, but I can't help it and peek at the setlist anyway. There were a few songs I wasn't quite sure I was reading right (I was reading it upside down), but most of it looked familiar.

Jimmy broke into CILCIA. Probably my most favorite SYKBH and just an all-around wonderful Parrothead song. Especially this year with my travels to Mexico, California, and Delaware/Philadelphia, it rang more true last night than it ever had. I hope Frankie enjoyed listening to it on the phone. (He's the alphabetically first BNr in my phone aside from Darren who I knew was already in bed and Amy/tallship whom I had already talked to earlier).

Brilliant. It's one thing to have heard CILCIA by Jimmy/solo/acoustic in Denver at my wedding in the nosebleed press box and another to hear it from a few feet away. I hoped with every ounce inside of me that it sounded as good on RM/Sirius as it did as I was hearing it.

Knowing that Pencil Thin Mustache was going to be next, I surveyed Jimmy again. Mocassins??? Is he really not going barefoot for this show??? How is that possible? As the rest of the band, less Utley, joined Jimmy on stage, the mocassins fell by the wayside and there were those toes. Those beautiful Jimmy Buffett toes.

[buffettbride]

I can't remember if Utley came out for Hey Good Lookin' or waited for Mele Kalikimaka. I'm thinking the latter, but I honestly don't remember. It somewhat hit me at that point that I reallllly had to pee. I had called davesnik on my first potty trip--I think she even heard the flush. I figured as a relatively new and endearing BNr with a love story much like mine, she needed a call.

I managed through those two songs to ignore the pee-coming sensation. I didn't want to leave my spot for anything, even though I knew big hubby would protect it. By this time, the dance floor was packed and making my way through Parrotheads and wannabes just didn't sound appealing. I looked to see where CIP was on the setlist. Damn near the end as was BEG...there was no way I could make it that long.

I knew I didn't want to miss Piece of Work. Mac is awesome during that song and I just couldn't bring myself to leave. I figured if I kept on dancing, I could make it just a while longer. Then Pascagoula Run came. I couldn't miss that either; since there were no Referettes as of yet, I wanted to see how they handled the girl part and do my best to fill in for Nadirah and Tina. Jimmy needed me.

Waiting in Vain was next. I didn't know I knew that song, but I really did. It's one of hubby's favorites, and seeing Peter sing it and how he plays his guitar. Wow. That song is way up there on my "Why I have to see PM play solo" list. He really is something else. He looked simply joyful up there. And his cheeks were so rosy, just like Santa's! Yes... we were THAT CLOSE.

[buffettbride]

License to Chill presented another pee opportunity, but I didn't know what the line situation would be like and I wouldn't dream of missing Grapefruit Juicyfruit. It's a great crowd participation song and everyone had proved with Pencil Thin and CILCIA that, at least the dance floor, knew what to do and when to do it.

LTC was nothing special. I wouldn't be sad if it was eternally dropped from the setlist, but I understand why it had to be there. At least thinking that kept my mind of having to pee.

Missing SOASOAS was out of the question too. First of all, it is another one of my absolute favorites and I've always wanted to hear it, live, sans Nadirah. One of the cutest moments of the night was when the, "...and the lady she hails from Trinidad" verse started and Jimmy exchanged looks with Mac and Peter as though he hadn't sung those words to the song in a good, long time. He nailed it, Jimmy did. I was so proud of him. Rum really is for all of your good vices.

Having listened to the Millenium show recently, I knew how awesome Lawyers Guns and Money would be. I couldn't possibly miss that one. Then Jimmy gave a shout to the late HST and introduced the song.

Goddamn Peter Mayer is one hell of a guitar player. This is the point in the show when I realized how thrilled everyone looked on stage. They weren't just playing the chords and singing the words. Every ounce of everyone played this song as though it's the last one they would play. They looked like they had just randomly run into a long-lost friend from a past life. It was so unique yet so familiar yet so energized. They really LOVED playing this song, or so it seemed from where I stood.

[buffettbride]

So this having to pee dilemma was really becoming an issue. Since I first noticed the problem, I had decided to drink another beer which certainly didn't help. Woman Goin' Crazy, another one of my favorites, was also another unmissable song. I decided, without wavering, that after that song I would simply have to go to the ladies room. The setlist was divided into two sheets. The only song after Woman Goin' Crazy was Piece of Paradise. I was embarassed because I didn't know who or what that was, but nature calling really had the best of me at that point. Besides, I figured how the setlist was laid out, there would be an intermission and I would beat the rush.

I came back just as Peter was finishg Piece of Paradise. Before I knew it, Heart of Gold was going strong. Not really my favorite Neil Young song, but it was groovy none the less. I figured y'all listening at home were having a field day. I was in awe of no intermission, and I figured you were too.

Last Mango was fabulous, as always. I got to hear it at Nissan this past year, but again, seeing it close with just "the band" was so, so much sweeter. I really did get goosebumps with the La Vie Dansante ending as I always do. I hope I wasn't the only one feeling them.

Five O'Clock Somewhere. Another great song with Mac. Reading through the setlist thread, y'all posted the same things I was thinking. He really does do that song better than Alan. There's just something absolutely sweet and wonderful about Mac that makes him so enjoyable. I properly gave him many, many whistles and an, "I love you Mac" shout out. He just blushes so easily I want to squeeze him he's so cute!!

[buffettbride]

Oh dear me!!!!!

I think I've forgotten an important part. The crowd singing "Happy Birthday." Now I can't even freakin' remember after which song we sang it. A few of us in the front incited everyone to sing it. Peter did try graciously to find us a key, but it didn't matter. We sang it in Parrothead Flat and Jimmy was just as flattered. It's not too often we get to sing to him.

I was so pee-induced at that point, I feel like a dork for not remembering. Anyway...moving on...

[buffettbride]

Come Monday was the only song I really wasn't too aware of Jimmy. As most/all of you know, when hubby proposed, that was the song Jimmy was playing. We danced and smooched, and to answer the question, I'm pretty sure Jimmy saw hubby slip me the tongue. It's been a longstanding joke between hubby and me, since he missed the playing of Come Monday at our wedding, that we need to see a setlist for each show so we know how to handle beer runs, smoke breaks, and potty time.

Southern Cross. What can I say. It's another goosebump song to me, and another one I have a renewed love for every so often. Jimmy just does this song so much better than CSN, and it really took me a long time of hearing him play it to think that. Again, props to the band for playing their hearts out to this. It always makes my night, whether hearing it live in person, during an RM concert or concert replay.

[conched]

Happy Birthday followed A Pirate Looks At Forty

[buffettbride]

Cheeseburger in Paradise. What can I say. This is one of just a few designated pee songs that make me ever even consider leaving my "space" during a show. Since that problem had been alleviated, I figured I'd just sing along, as usual, about big hunks of meat.

Then Jimmy started in on needing Referettes and having to know the words. Hell, I know the words. I had to give the lyrics to CIP to the caterer at my wedding so they knew exactly what we needed on the menu.

I'm raising my hand and hoping with everything inside me I get picked. Meredith, the young girl who helped us save seats was chosen first. I thought, "OK. I still have a 2/3 chance to make it." I stretched out my hand. Hubby gave Charleston a glance. Hubby gave Jimmy a glance. Charleston gave Jimmy a glance. Jimmy gave me a glance, a finger-point, and a wave to come on up.

Holy f****' SHITTTTTT!!!!! (I know that won't be censored because of how I typed it, but it's really a moment deserving of that).

Things got a bit blurry for a moment. I almost lost track of what song we would actually be singing. This was it. I got to sing with Jimmy. And, I was right in front of the mic. I could say anything over that microphone and y'all would hear me. The only thing I could remember was promising Shane his monkeyboy shout out. So I think I at first said something like "Go Monkeyboy." It was so loud, though, you can't really tell if you're being heard. Plus, I think that Jimmy and sound crew know better than to actually let random people sing. I mean, you really didn't want to hear me sing. If you did, I'm really, really sorry. I'm really bad. I'm really, really, bad. I wasn't going to tell Jimmy though, and at that point I was forgetting the words to a song I have heard a gazillion times.

If you heard any real singing of mine, it would have been at the part of, "I like mine with lettuce and tomato..." when the three of us were actually at the mic. Somewhere in there I figured I'd drop a "We love monkeyboy" just to make sure I had my bases cover. I mean, Shane had promised me his eternal love in exchange for a shout out. Who could turn away from that. I danced. I sang (badly), but before leaving the stage, Jimmy gave each of us a hug and extended his cheek for a smooch. Between that moment and my next beer, I was wearing Jimmy's DNA.

Fantastic!!!!!

Then the text messages poured in that my monkeyboy acknowlegement had been heard by all. Then I was so cool enough to be able to tell y'all back that I got to be a Referette. I wondered where in the scheme of cool Buffett experiences this one was gonna fall. It's pretty close between the wedding concert dedication of WDWGDAS. I'll let you know if I ever figure that out.

[buffettbride]

All I can say at this point, is I was so happy that BEG followed CIP. It's another song I would not mind for a second to never hear again. I got to at least have a few seconds to get some text messages out to make sure y'all knew what happened.

Trippin' Billies...as not a big DMB fan, I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, but the band looked pretty OK playing it and Jimmy seemed pretty cool in and of himself that he was playing it.

Pirate...well, Pirate is Pirate. It hits ya just a little different each time. It was during this song that I really, really missed having my BN friends there. It must have sounded good 'cause even Frankie got misty. Who knew there was a soft, sensitive man in there. From what I read, you were feelin' what I was feelin' right along with me.

Scarlet Begonias. I LOVE how Jimmy does this song and it's just a song that really brings me back to some great memories. It's so fun to sing along and it's just so catchy. I think for the next show I'm gonna have to get me some of those for my hair.

[buffettbride]

Happy Birthday followed A Pirate Looks At Forty

Thank you!!! I guess I didn't have to pee then, but it was after my Referette experience, so I'm just kinda flyin' by the seat of my pants on that one.

[buffettbride]

Margaritaville, was Margaritaville. I didn't realize until reading the setlist thread that he changed it to "Referette's fault" or something like that. That is WAYYYY cool and I can't wait to hear it on the recording.

Jimmy tried to sing it in Spanish, but the crowd kind of ignored it and just did our own thing. I can say with almost certainty that most people on the dance floor knew what to do, sing, and say during this song.

Fins. Fantastic. I always have to look at the crowd during this song. Usually that is really easy because I'm so far away, everyone is in front of me. I had to try and turn around, though, and face a pretty pusing crwod to see everyone's fins up. And they were. Always amazing to see everyone doing Fins. It's just one of those defining moments of being a Parrothead.

Intros...I tried to woot and whistle so y'all could hear me. I really hope you did. Mac and Peter got super loud ones. (I'm a bit fascinated with Peter now, can you tell????) Someone with connections tell him he simply MUST come to Denver...or as one of our more inspiring BNrs would tell me...plan it myself!

Glory Days. I like the song OK. Would have liked to see something else there, but the crowd really liked having this one. It's a little hard to get into because he changes the lyrics so much for each locale he plays it in, it really will take a while for listeners to get used to it. JMHO.

At this point, I sent a text message, er, I mean the magic 8 ball told Frankie Coast of Marseilleswas next. That's what the list said. Then Jimmy started with the Abbey Road tribute. Abbey Road is my favorite, all-time Beatles album. So this was really, really fun. Perfect for the setting. Not sure I'd want to hear it ALL the time, but I love the Beatles so it was definitely an added extra.

Then...Coast of Marseilles. He didn't play it solo, but it sounded like nothin' else, even with the band behind him. Of all the shows I've been to (which isn't really that many compared to some). I think last night was 6. I've never had a concert end like that. It was done so beautifully, and it took me to a far-away wonderful place, and rang so true.

[buffettbride]

Just like that, it was done. Jimmy shook hands with the front row people before leaving the stage with Charleston. It was over, the lights went up.

Made a few phone calls, sent a few more messages, and hubby and I discussed how we would top off our night. Chatted with our "friends" a bit before deciding on one more drink and then heading back to the hotel. It was then I realized how much my feet and my knees hurt from standing and dancing all night.

We kind of lingered for a bit and said hello again to Charleston. I got to give Mac a squeezy hug. I think hubby talked to Roger for a bit as well, but I was getting really tired and needed to be off my feet.

We walked to the bus stop and got on our bus and back to Basalt. We didn't talk much on the way home. I think we were both trying to take it all in and relive it, second by second. Hubby happily took credit for my stage appearance and yet cursed me because he swears I got up there 'cause I have boobies.

The walk back to our hotel was a little longer than the walk to the bus stop before we left. My feet were aching. My contacts were like sandpaper on my eyeballs. It was pretty cold, but we made it back in one piece. I could barely stay up so I went to bed. We woke up just after 8 (when we had targeted to actually leave) and were on the road back to Denver by about 9:30.

Finally got home after picking up our kids at close to 2pm (or whenever my first post today was). I'm sorry you had to wait so long for the play-by -play today, but my kiddos needed me after not seeing them for what basically amounted to 2 days. Well, and I sorta needed them too.

[buffettbride]

To wrap this up, I need to extend my most sincerest thanks. To call it a once in a lifetime opportunity just isn't fair, because I hope I can have another opportunity like this many times in my life. Whether it's me that gets to travel to a wonderful destination to see Jimmy play right in front of me, or help send someone else and listen from the sidelines.

Just reading through the setlist thread, y'all were so sweet and really enjoying the experience as though you were there. That is because you were. You were all in my heart, so graciously, as I got to be there and take it all in.

I hope my account of event has done it some sort of justice. There are really no words to describe how fun and cool and amazing and incredible it was. It was really hard to be there without the BN friends I love the most. Each and every one of you is deserving of an experience like that. If you ever, ever, ever have the chance to do it, saying it's worth it is like saying I like sporks, cheese, pie, and boobies. It's just a given. You HAVE to go.

[buffettbride]

Ok. I just got to listen to the CIP recording (thanks Zemo and Kevin).

First of all, I apologize, again, for you actually having to hear me sing. Most of the off-key girlness you heard in the background was me. I'm terrible, and I'm so sorry.

But, I'm still the coolest freakin' rock star to get to sing with Jimmy!!!!!

[buffettbride]

Ok. I'm exhausted and have to get up early. Yeah...poor me.

I'll remember more I'm sure I've forgotten by tomorrow, but ya have a novella to start with.

Before I start doling out the thank-you's I'm gonna sleep on it. Because just like I'm a bad singer, I always forget to do the thank-yous just right and don't want to offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Five O'Clock Somewhere. Another great song with Mac. Reading through the setlist thread, y'all posted the same things I was thinking. He really does do that song better than Alan. There's just something absolutely sweet and wonderful about Mac that makes him so enjoyable. I properly gave him many, many whistles and an, "I love you Mac" shout out. He just blushes so easily I want to squeeze him he's so cute!!

That was you?? I heard that!

Thanks for the reveiw, Mal. What a night to remember for you!