Farewell Weekend
Well, here I am at the end of my last weekend in Denver, and I can’t remember the last time I was this happy! Leaving Colorado is still going to be very difficult, of course, but a farewell tour as good as the one I just had would bring a smile to anyone’s face.
The gig with Melanie was fun beyond my wildest expectations. I must admit to some early nervousness, but whatever trepidation I had melted away during the sound check. Standing there under the stage lights, looking out at all my friends, my eyes stinging with sweat, my Tele slung over my shoulder, and my amp cranked, I knew exactly how the MC5 felt. I wanted to kick out the jams!
The two songs I played on went well, but the real fun definitely came after the audience called for an encore—by popular demand, “Sweet Home Alabama.” I had actually been called back to the stage thinking we were going to play a different song, and was somewhat blindsided by the sudden venture into the Skynrd oeuvre. Nevertheless, I think the audience was gratified by our off-the-cuff rendition of everyone’s favorite anti-Neil Young screed (they certainly came out of the woodwork to dance to it!).
After rising late Saturday, the next thing on the agenda was an all-day Quake-fest featuring nearly all of my usual adversaries (including my little brother). This was followed by a suitably geeky meal of Chinese food, which in turn was followed by general tomfoolery, wistful goodbyes, and (you guessed it) more Quake.
I still have a few things to do (complete my farewell tour of Denver restaurants, drive up Mount Evans, etc.) but I really feel like this weekend gave me the sense of closure I was looking for—toward both my friends and my hometown. My only regret now is leaving behind what are, without a doubt, the best friends imaginable. Thanks, guys, for a lovely weekend!