The thing I like best about going to see a B-52’s concert is that the concert is always multi-generational.  The B’s have been around so long that parents are bringing their kids.  Of course, the kids only know “Love Shack”.   For the other fourteen songs, the kids look at their parents with disdain – probably because their folks are dancing spastically. 

I took my dear friend Alyssa to the concert.  We moved to Kansas City together back in 1999.  Hard to believe it’s been ten years since we left Des Moines for bigger and better.  Even more unfathomable is that Alyssa has never seen The B’s in concert.

Our seats were so perfect … third row, dead center.  Because Alyssa knows every single person in the service industry, she managed to score free beer all night.  By the time the concert started, she was feeling no pain.   The first few songs The B’s played were from their new album, “Funplex”.  Alyssa looked at me like one of those disgruntled children I spoke of earlier.   All was forgiven, however, when “Private Idaho” came blasting through the speakers. 

The thing I love most about Alyssa is that she has zero filter between her brain and her mouth.  It’s like the synapses stopped working.  Perhaps it’s controlled Tourette’s – whichever.  Inevitably, I will see someone that deserves a snarky comment … and four seconds later Alyssa will say exactly what I’m thinking.  It’s weird having her in my head.  I think it.  She says it.  

Every time I would look over at Alyssa, she’d have a goofy smile on her face.  I know she was enjoying the concert, but she was enjoying watching me have the time of me life.  Alyssa and I genuinely dig each other’s company.  I borderline adore her.  She’s got a kind heart, a gentle spirit and the mouth of an @$%^&* sailor.   She tells jokes that would make Don Rickles blush. 

Alyssa is a hot mess … optamia.  (Feel those vibrations!  Of ancient culture!)  And I’m glad she went with me to the concert!