I don’t think this is anything new, but I’m now definitely in the “screw it… who needs the hassle?” stage of my life. I think it kicked in around age 33. That’s just an estimate, but I think it’s accurate. Prior to that, I was up for almost anything, at any time. And I mocked and judged people who seemed to prefer just staying at home and watching Beverly Hills 90210, or whatever. But I’m that guy now. Oh, that guy has arrived. However… I’m not so far removed from my previous life that I don’t remember my point of view back then. And it’s enough to make me feel guilty — as if I needed one more reason.
Anyway, this Monochrome Set show in Philly on Sunday night… There are giant hassles built into doing anything in Philadelphia. Ya know? And they’re always enough to tempt me to just say funk dat, and stay home. They include, but are not limited to:
- The two hour drive down there.
- Infuriating traffic on “the Schuylkill.”
- Finding a place to park that doesn’t require a three block hike through a crime-ridden neighborhood.
- The total cost of the endeavor.
- And the drive back during the middle of the night.
The show itself is almost always fun, but all the shit you have to endure to experience it is enough to say screw it, unless you really, really want to see the band. And in this case, I do. I’m willing to endure all the above and more. However…
Now there’s supposed to be a substantial amount of snow, starting Sunday afternoon and continuing into the night. Fantastic! I’ve been wanting to see this band for 35 years, and the universe is stacking the deck against me. The universe craves a funk dat for some reason. And I don’t think that’s even debatable. The universe is one spiteful motherfucker.
So now I’m considering driving down to Philly on Sunday during the early afternoon and getting a hotel room. If I leave around 1, I can probably miss the local snow. And the hotel room will stop me from having to drive back during some kind of crazy weather event on the Pennsylvania Turnpike after dark. But this plan adds some new bullet-points to the long list of aggravations:
- Additional cost.
- Where am I going to leave my car? Do those downtown hotels have parking?
- How am I going to get to the venue and back? Uber, I guess?
- Will I be able to get back in time to go to work on Monday?
- Will I still have to worry about the roads the next day?
There are probably others I haven’t even considered yet. But if I miss this show I’ll beat myself up for the rest of my life. But man… the urge to say funk dat is strong.
Stay tuned for updates. Hopefully, the “event” gets downgraded or forgotten by Saturday afternoon. We’ll see.
I posted a new podcast episode for patrons today. It’s right here. And this is the summary:
In this one I tell you about my efforts (I’m hoarding the efforts!), exciting and extremely vague news for $8 patrons, some disturbing news I just learned that could threaten my upcoming night of rock ‘n’ roll, concern about an impending appointment with our tax accountant, and one of the most amazing, perfectly executed TV shows I’ve ever seen. Also, the Totally Out Of Context Quote Of The Week. Thanks for listening, and thanks for the support!
I don’t have a Question, not really. But I’m curious about your personal Funk Dat threshold. Is it on a hair-trigger at this point, or are you still an anything goes kinda person? Please tell us about it. Have you noticed a degradation in your willingness to endure aggravations as I have? Use the comments.
And I’m calling it a day, my friends.
If you guys have Questions you’d like to have ME answer in a future episode of the podcast, you can leave those in the comments, as well. Or email them to me, whatever. I’ll give you a shoutout on the world famous Jeff Kay Show. Man, that’s prestige…
Have a great weekend, boys and girls.
I’ll be back on Monday, or maybe Tuesday. Ugh. I’m experiencing rock ‘n’ roll anxiety.
Now playing in the bunker
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Oh yeah–my funk dat gets used way more than should be allowed for any semi-civilized person. Of course, I am of the legal female age when it’s pretty much allowed to not give a rat’s ass about anything. We did decide the day of a Bob Dylan concert last year to just funk dat. I am not a Bob Dylan fan and it didn’t take much persuading I’ll admit. I bought the tickets a couple of months ahead as a just cause surprise for my husband who has often lamented that Dylan is only big act he never saw in the way back serious concert days. Those tickets still sitting in the drawer.
I lucked out and got tickets for Belle & Sebastian in Philly in July. Even though parking at that venue is simple, I’m still miffed it’s general admission and I won’t get a nice comfy chair to sit in.
“Funk Dat” is pretty much my answer to everything these days so…yeah…
Get the hotel, enjoy the show. Better than regretting it in your nursing home bed – I saw The The this past September in Detroit, had those worries and it was a hassle, but man ….I’m so glad I went.
Had the tickets, but missed them in 1990 in Cincinnati because of an injury to Douche’ Mode’s singer the show a couple of days before in Chicago. Show in Cincy was cancelled, as was the rest of the tour.
28 mf’in years later I get to see them. And it was spectacular.
Hey I like DM! I also like KMFDM, go figure.
Go ahead and get the hotel room. They should have parking (check their website) and they might have a free shuttle to the venue. I live in Knoxville and have driven 3 hours (Atlanta or Nashville) to see several concerts. It makes for a nice little overnight trip! What time do you have to be at work Monday?
Park in Lansdale and take SEPTA into the city. Avoid the Schuylkill (Sure Kill in the snow).
The Weather Underground app is now saying “less than one inch” for both here and Philly. However… the six o’clock news is still reporting “bad trouble for Jeff.” I think that’s how they put it, or at least it’s how I heard it. Grrr…
I’m outside Philly and expecting 5+ inches (said the actress to the Bishop)
Down here near the ‘burg, PennDOT signs indicated tractor trailers would be banned north of Exit 70, effective 3 p.m. today. We’re in the “3-6 inches, but possibly up to 8 inches” belt, and it looks like that belt stretches toward middle NJ and worsens near Philly. I hope you found a hotel room, Jeff!
I say FUNK WORK on Monday. Stay the night and enjoy the show!!
My “Funk Dat threshold” is at hair-trigger level these days. I have two exceptions:
1. Joe Strummer comes back to life, The Clash reunites and goes on tour.
2. Bob Stinson, comes back to life, Chris Mars comes out of retirement, The Replacements reunites and goes on tour.
Oh hells yeah….my funk dat meter is in the red zone now a days. Even just to go out to dinner is replaced with….funk dat! Let’s get delivery.