Thoughts from a (Moderate) Half Shell Fan

***Editor's note***
I'm not an 'every week at the Half Shell' kinda guy.
But this morning I made the trek to the Half Shell to get an up-front spot for Susan Tedeschi.
The thought process I experienced was kinda like Smeagol and Gollum in Lord of the Rings.
The innocent, well behaved person influenced by the evil thoughts that sneak in.


buzzzzzzz!
Uh. 3:15.
buzzzzzzz!
Hit the snooze button.
buzz!click.
Aaah.
Wait.
Its 3:15.
"They're taking your spot."
No they're not man. Sleep a little longer.
Aaahhh.
"Nope. Gotta get up."
"Gotta beat them there."
C'mon its oh-dark-30. Nobody gets up this early even for a blanket at the Half Shell....
"You set your alarm this early."
"Certainly someone else did, too."
Okay. I'm up.
"Yeeeessssssss."
Where'd I leave my sandals?
Got my shorts.
Got my shirt.
Got my hat.
Need to brush my teeth.
"No time."
Gotta get some coffee.
"No time."
To the car.
"Yeeeeesssssss."
3:22. Nobody's gonna be there.
What's that?
Another car!?
Its 3:23am!
Who are you people?
"You're driving down Harvard at 3:25am."
"Who are you?"
Good point.

Left turn to Stewart Parkway.
Left turn light's green.
Two cars are coming from the other direction.
Who are these people!?
Light stays green!!!
"Ha ha haha beat them..."
Turning right into the park now.
There's another car.
Turn signal's on.
No way!
Another person?
Anyone on the road at (check the time) 3:27 is heading to the Half Shell.
"But you beat him, too."
"Good thing you got up."
(Yeah, good thing I listened to my evil voice.)
"I heard that."

Okay, park at the pavilion or around by the bathrooms?
Everyone else is by the bathrooms.
I'll stop here.
"Gotta go gotta go gotta go."
Don't look like your hurrying.
"move move move."
Walk calmly. Its 3:30am.
Nobody gets up this early.
You'll be fine.
Your spot is fine.
"Hurry hurry hurry."
What mud? Move it.
Dodge the sprinklers.
Walk.
"Other people are ahead of you, going down the hill."
"Move faster!"
Look at them.
WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!?
"You're here too, psycho-boy"
Shut up in there, I'm trying to find a good spot.

Okay, lots of blankets here already.
But some room up front.
There's the spot I want. But maybe I want that spot over there.
Hmmm.
I thought I wanted that spot.
Maybe it would be bet-
"JUST PUT THE BLANKET DOWN!"
Okay. Right here.
"Yeeeeessssss."
Okay. Mission Accomplished.
Back home we go.
"Both of us."
Yes.

Funny, the ride home was a lot more quiet than the trip to the park before I had my blanket in place. But every time I saw another car I heard:
"Beat them."
"Beat them too."

Ahh. Nothing like the wonderful feeling of community and togetherness the Half Shell brings.
And at the concert, too.