A Perfect Day For Ramen Noodles

A perfect day to be a Sunday. It’s raining. Sometimes is just some spritzing, then progressing to a steady drenching, not quite a downpour but you still would not want to get caught in it. All the attempts of the past week to get in five servings of fruit and vegetables a day are flushed away like rain down the gutters. I want some Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup. It is hot and soothing and the noodles feel stringy and gooey going down. Yum. I had two cups for lunch. Dinner – peanut butter sandwich.

And I don’t feel great. Just that slightly sinusey feel that leaves me feeling slightly eh. Not enough to keep me home from work, but just enough to make me slow and grumpy. Two attempted naps and some Alleve D later, I’m still not feeling perky. And back to work tomorrow after a week off. *Sigh*

Not the most phenomenal way to close a momentous week. Two words -- Wilco Fest. Actually, Solid Sound Festival, I call it “Wilco Fest” – a consortium, of sorts, of like-minded individuals coming together to celebrate in the glory of our great Wilco. Some modern art, cheap festival food and 5,000 Wilcoians – it was heavenly.

Highlights: Jeff Tweedy in the dunk tank; Laminated Cat, Magazine Called Sunset; the most amazing coffee cake at Belles Victorian Inn; Jeff Tweedy in the dunk tank…did I already mention that? Opps, sorry; Jeff Tweedy cracking jokes and signing his heart out; Mavis Staples shaming me for feeling tire.

Lowlights: Poor line control – I got totally screwed out of front row; parents who took up space with their double stroller – four people could have stood there, and where were the earplugs for the kids????; that one group that feels they’ve the right to the front row cos they get it every time – like it makes them some sort of Wilco dignitaries. Sheez.

Now let’s talk about Philadelphia Folk Festival. $300 for a one hour and 30 minute Jeff Tweedy solo performance – and so worth every penny. Before I get to Jeff, I can’t fail to mention the hippies. Hippies hippies everywhere – and a great reminder of why I like my 401k and deodorant. I saw many men in skirts, I know they would call them “kilts” but that wasn’t Scotland and William Wallace was nowhere in sight. Okay, I’m square, I will admit it.

Now Jeff. I realized at Wilco Fest that I am on the low end of the Wilco Crazy Fan Meter, but I’m not crazy enough to let a chance to meet JT pass. Even if he was standing outside the high-end Port a Johns. In my defense, I was not standing outside the door waiting for him to finish his business. He was waiting for Jason, the road manager. I approached him and he greeted me with a smile and hand shake. There was a brief conversation about the success of the Solid Sound Festival and he asked me the greatest question. Not, “Wanna make out?”, but, “Is there something you would like to hear?” YES – of course, “You’re Not Alone.” “Oh, I’ll think about it.” And I pouted. I had underestimated the power of my pout because he relented and sang “You’re Not Alone” beautifully. In reality, it was probably on the set list, but in my world it was the power of my pout that did it.

So, I’m in a good mood. I’ve got the post-concert blues at bay, but the jonesing for the next show will begin soon. Jonesing for the next opportunity to have those blue-green eyes looking down at me. (They are more green in real life, and more blue in pictures.)

But, tonight’s the last day of my Wilco high. Back to work tomorrow. Time to step up and be a leader – get that promotion and more money. And save up some bucks for a Living Room Show.

Yes, it’s a good day for Ramen Noodles Soup.