Not so ready to rock

Lifestyle

Related Photos

Green Day

August 24, 2010

By Paul Lane CNHI The Tonawanda News Tue Aug 24, 2010, 06:00 AM EDT

DARIEN CENTER — There’s nothing like a rock concert to make a person feel old again.

Surrounded by teens and 20-somethings during the recent Green Day show at Darien Lake, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit like a man in a Darth Vader costume at a “Star Trek” convention.

My wife and I had loads of fun, mind you. But, in attending our first concert together in at least 18 months, several pieces of evidence conspired to make me feel as though my best concert-going days may be behind me.

• We entirely missed the opening (AFI). Despite having paid to see that band just as much as the headliner, I can’t say that it bothered me in the least.

• In my more vibrant days, I would have nervously canvassed the concert grounds until I saw the beer vendor. When we got in, all I had my mind on was making sure I got something to eat so I wouldn’t get hungry halfway through the show.

• A cup of beer cost $11. As my wife so accurately pointed out, there was a day when I wouldn’t have thought twice about paying that much. That day is long gone. I mean, $11? Seriously?

• And $40 for a T-shirt? That would pay for an entire afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese, for cryin’ out loud.

• As I heard some kids shouting out the words to “Basket Case” and other early Green Day hits, I couldn’t help but ask myself whether they were alive when the song was released (1994, if you’re interested). Whipper-snappers.

• I was quite relieved to be so close to the restroom, which I utilized three times during the performance. Hold it, schmold it, I gotta go when I gotta go.

• Standing through the duration of the show wasn’t much of a challenge — or so I thought until I sat down. My feet ached halfway through the drive home, and I felt it in my legs even as I went up to bed. I guess I need to stretch first next time.

• I didn’t wear earplugs during the show. But that’s only because I forgot to grab them out of my coat pocket before we left the house. I had every intention of wearing them.

• Not only did we entertain the notion of leaving before the show was over, but we also followed through on that idea, walking out during the final song of the set and listening to part of the encore as we sauntered to the car. How can one or two songs compare to the extra sleep that’s to be had by beating the horrific traffic?

I mean, right? Right ... ?

Text Only

Lifestyle

Someone's gotta do it
Even though it's Christmas, emergency and health personnel still have to work

December 28, 2011 3 Photos
Celebrating another winter holiday, with lights
Jewish community observing fifth day of eight-day festival of Hanukkah.

December 28, 2011 1 Photo
FORGIONE: 'New Rick' is getting a little crazy
The “old Rick” would never have woken up at 4 a.m. Let’s face it, it wasn’t too many years ago that fun son of a gun would still be out at 4 a.m., probably devouring steak, eggs and homefries somewhere in Buffalo following an Elmwood Avenue bar crawl.

December 28, 2011
BOOK NOOK: “The Bestest, Specialist Christmas Ever”
• WHAT: “The Bestest, Specialist Christmas Ever”
• BY: Priscilla Y. Hill; illustrations by Anwar Morse
• GRADE: B+

December 28, 2011
DELUCA: Keeping Christmas ... all through the year

It was a holiday behavior my husband brought into our lives from his family. Santa always delivered his family Christmas tree.

December 28, 2011 1 Photo
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Kids, Christmas presents and a certain wisdom
To quote John Lennon, “And so this is Christmas.”

December 28, 2011
HOMEWARD BOUND
Kenmore native’s note found on bottom of bunk canvas in Vietnam-era transport ship, included in traveling exhibit

December 21, 2011 2 Photos
BOOK NOOK: A complicated relationship with our hometown, in quotes
As we all remember from fourth grade, owning property out here goes back to the Holland Land Company. So does making remarks about the area.

December 21, 2011 1 Photo
HAYNES: Eliminating the Cheez Whiz from a favorite Christmas dish
Ah, it’s nearly time for round two of holiday dinners and as you read this, I’ll be sitting down to enjoy my annual family Christmas feast in Texas.

December 21, 2011 1 Photo
HAYNES: Patriotic streak showed on July 4 as child
I think the Fourth of July is probably one of my mother’s favorite holidays because it gives her an excuse to tell one of the more embarrassing — if a bit charming — stories from my childhood.

July 3, 2011 1 Photo
More Lifestyle Headlines

Lifestyle

Search Results

Related Photos

Not so ready to rock

Site Map

Contact Us