You've Never Been There?!

    Maybe it’s a generational thing why I go to some places and not others. My list in the first paragraph contains a number of places my kids have been to without me. I have attended some good shows at Stones Throw and the House of Rock, and when I look around, I’m usually the oldest one there. I normally don’t mind, but sometimes I find myself looking at the clock and thinking of my comfy chair in the middle of a song. I love live music, but I no longer want to stand to hear it. Give me a cushy chair with elbow room. And I want a climate-controlled setting. And I want it to be over by 9:30 pm. I think I’ve become an old fart.

    Maybe it’s a pacing thing. I used to run from one event to another. My habits are changing, though. “Nesting” was a popular phrase a few years back. I find myself watching more Netflix movies in my sweatpants. However, that may have more to do with the fact I now have to endure 30 minutes of commercials at one local cinema than anything. Sometimes I’ll think, “Hmmm … I really should go hear that new local band,” but then I’ll wind up staying at home. After being in front of people all of the time – I’m a full-time teacher and a children’s entertainer; and no, they are not the same – I want some “leave-me-alone” nesting time.

    To be fair, though, I still like to try new things. Even with a slower pacing, I try to get to at least two social or entertainment or sports events each week. I took up the guitar a few years back. I just started to golf this year at the age of 53, and am ready to humiliate myself at several local courses. I recently saw two Bon Iver concerts, went on the Banbury Art Crawl, and petted newborn lambs outside of Menomonie.

    So, what’s the point of this Andy Rooney piece? Is it that everyone should get out more and take advantage of what this region has to offer? Is it that folks should work to get out of their routines and try new things? Nah. I just want folks to get off my back that I haven’t been to The Nucleus – yet.