Sometimes, I like to have fun.

I don’t know if you know this about me.

But it’s true.

Sometimes I like to jump out of airplanes and sometimes I like to build closet organizers and sometimes I like to cook fancy chicken but sometimes, my friends, I just like to have fun.

The kind of fun where you don’t even think about it.  You just do it.

Well.  After my whirlwind tour of San Diego and before the piercing situation in Austin, there was a concert.

There was a concert in New Braunfels, Texas.

Where?

Exactly.

I don’t know much about New Braunfels.

But I DO know they have excellent ice cream cones.

And I DO know they have plenty of Ooohs and Ahhhs.

And I DO know that their Whitewater Ampitheater is where the Avett Brothers decided to have a concert.

Which makes New Braunfels a-ok in my book.

My friend Stacy (remember her?) first introduced me to the Avetts a couple of years ago, and I’ll admit it.  I’m hooked.  It could’ve been the timing in my life, it could’ve been the sexy banjos, it could’ve been the fact that their lyrics abound with gems like:

The wind that blows from here to California
Never stops to turn and wonder why it goes.

and…

A jet plane and a big idea
I jump over the sea
What-ifs hot on my trail
But they can’t catch me, oh no

and…

Now I’ve grown too aware of my mortality
To let go and forget about dying
Long enough to drop the hammer down
And let the indolence go wild and flying through

and…

Decide what to be and go be it.

So when Stacy called and said she bought me a ticket, I knew I had to go to Texas.

(Note: If you want me to visit you, I can be bought.)

Even though Texas in July is hot.

And the concert was outside.

But it mattered not that Stacy, her sister Andrea and I found ourselves drenched and tipsy in a crowd full of sweat-slick people, because they were our people.

Even (sigh.) the super tall ones.  (This is me, by the way.  Incredulous and sweaty.  I mean glowing.  Glowing like a pig.)

Despite the tall folk, we me managed to have some fun.

(Stacy and me. Rawr.)

Crazy sisters.

I’m not big on crowds.  I’ll be the first to admit it.

But there’s something — something — about experiencing your favorite music live.

Exhilaration, defined.

For all of the sweat, for all of the people, for all of the porta potties and drunk guys and yes, even for Texas, I would do it again.

Thank you, Stacy!  It was everything I dreamed it would be.

(Minus the part about the Avetts inviting me back to their bus to serenade me with a private show, but hey.  We can’t have everything.)