Bittersweet Motel, Evening in Review

I, SC of R’lyeh, hereby approve of the Bittersweet Motel MMN.  Every MMN location has its own personality.  From the Dungeon’s mildewy appeal to Optimus’ blind dog entertainment to Beef’s fireside chats to Phantom’s hipster appeal, every location has a quirk.  What does the Rabbi offer?  A sense of community.  Bittersweet though it may be, the Rabbi insists upon opening up MMN to the general public, constantly pushing the envelope with what MMN means and how the original five should interact with the world at large.  Though this may cause strife within the ranks, it is an expectation of the Rabbi’s off-campus fraht-haus.

The food, sublime as always.  Enough to feed an army.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by an inflated Hairy Dog in need of a ticket.  I am assured this is an inside joke that had I gotten, would have been hilarious.  Further into the complex, the soothing sounds of car-radio Phish from a splayed open fuel-friendly hatchback set a festival-like tone that continued throughout the evening.  The Phish touring community is one of free love and sharing and acceptance, so were we all welcomed.

The Rabbi’s rabid love of Phish was evident in his introduction to the evening.  Hardly able to remain seated in his chair, he effused effusively the history of the band, the history of Bittersweet Motel, and the personal relationship it seems every true fan of Phish has with the band members, often commenting on the moods and personalities of Trey, Jon, Mike, and Page as if they were his best buds.  Best buds indeed.  This is the loving relationship Phish fans have with the band and with each other.

Food eaten, drinks consumed, and other elements taken care of, the show began.  A relatively short presentation, clocking in at a paltry 82 minutes.  But in 82 minutes, Phish fans got the fix they needed, missing details filled in by their wandering imaginations and remembrances of concerts past.  Any song cut short in a directorial decision played fully in the addled fan’s mind.

And there were naked people.  Usually appreciated.

Post-game.  Apparently, those who consider themselves a part of the Phish community are vehemently opposed to being accused of being a part of a community.  Who knew?  There were no immediate converts at this MMN.  Former fans still appreciate Phish for what they are and the memories they have fostered.  Current fans are still rabid.  Casual listeners still listen casually.  Hippie hating hippie-haters still practice hippie hating.  However, even as I write this as a casual listener, I jam out to the soothing sounds of the Grateful Dead’s “Franklin’s Tower” and “The Music Never Stopped” from One from the Vault.  Have I been moved up in the rankings from a casual listener to a former fan?