So it's taken me 25 years to write this, a review of my first show...well maybe not so much a review of the show at this point but just tidbits of memories of my friend...and so to start, I went to this show with a few friends that had been seeing shows for a few years but somehow I never made it a priority to go with, focusing instead on collegiate studies. One of my friends, Fred and I, would attend many a show together from Deer Creek to Alpine to Knoxville and many Cincy shows in between. At that point I had known Fred for 5 or 6 years and we even lived togther for a few. Now Fred was always an interesting fellow, he seemed to have no care in the world, always good for playing a joke and just living his best life. He was however completely disorganized and on his own time, which we jokingly referred to as "Fred time". Over the years we moved to different locales, but saw each other when it was possible given that we lived many states apart.

I'll never forget dancing next to him, especially here at Polaris, we were 12th row fish side (back when he was the furthest to stage left). When MFMF started, we just looked at each other and he had that look like, "IT's about time you got yer ass here!" and I'm not sure we said anything to each other the entire show, we didn't need to, we just had that bond. It all seems like a blur to me at this point, life goes by too fast and here I am thinking about that past because I miss my friend and all the fun and smiles and frustration and gratitude.

So wherever you are Fred, thanks for taking me on this 25 year journey, it is because of you that I have met so many wonderful people over the years. I think of you every time I'm at a show and get that feeling that I can still look over and see you just nodding and giving me that knowing look. I'm still here friend and I'll be dancing a little extra for you on 8/4-5 at MSG!

I miss you and hope you've found peace.