Monday Morning, CID Entertainment revealed their plans and packages for The Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well Shows in Chicago. In a highly anticipated moment you could hear the collective sound of thousands of anuses snap shut like Republicans at a Burlesque Show. For some reason, fans thought that being a VIP should come at far less of a price. For those that want to be as close to Garcia as possible during the weekend’s festivities, The Workingman’s Dead Package, sure to sell out relatively fast, affords you the opportunity to have reserved seats not far from Jerry’s current home. Maybe slap a sticker on the blimp as it flies by!!! An absolutely brilliant way to sell the less desirable seats I might add! Some fans wondered if there would be cheaper ways to be part of the action. Joe, the leader of a garage band in the 70s said, “Be a crew slut! You’ll love it! Don’t make a fuss just get on the bus…”

It seems like hippies are extremely upset about pricey plans designed to put prime seats in the hands of the same people they’ve been overcharging for drugs for the past 50 years. Santa Cruz Hippie, who goes by the name, Wholesome Raindrop Sunflake told us, “I never thought those working stiffs I’ve been selling $100 eighths to for the past decade would have better seats than me.Total cash grab, man.” Meanwhile, thousands of nerds that went to college instead of Grateful Dead Tour appeared to be thrilled to have a chance at purchasing something that used to actually require connections.

At approximately 7:30 AM Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow which signaled 5 more months of complaining before the shows in Chicago. Of course there are many exceptions to be found. Brother Bob Richards, a man that used to have dreadlocks, said he was happier than a suitcase full of acrobats! Brother Bob who reserved hotel accommodations based solely on rumors told us, “I haven’t been this happy since Jerry sang Candyman, Althea and To Lay Me Down all in one set in Atlanta on April Fool’s Day in 1990.” When asked what he had for lunch or what his mom’s birthday is, Bob was clueless. When asked about the song played in the post space Jerry ballad slot he quickly answered, “Stella Blue!!!” For all the brain cells that have been murdered throughout the years, one thing remains, we all still vividly remember every song that was played on our favorite nights from decades ago.

As for me, with every day that passes, I see more and more of what the Grateful Dead experience has taught me throughout the course of my life. Within our world there are so many different types of personalities. Some can laugh, some insist on crying. Some find joy in just about anything. Others,  when given the same set of circumstances, will only find problems. For many, everything is good enough while for others, nothing is ever good enough. In the early stages of events leading up to this anniversary, it’s like putting a magnifying glass on everybody’s internal condition. That’s something our scene has produced in such a unique way for a long, long time. The free spirited ways of my youth with the Grateful Dead taught me to surrender to the rhythm of life without being attached to my perception of how things should be according to my intellectual estimations. I learned that those that contribute to the scene, without necessarily expecting anything in return, usually stayed on the receiving end of good fortune. I learned that those who preached many of these ideas could easily become something much different when given the opportunity. I also learned that many of the folks that showed me these things stayed pure and true to them even when external opportunities to become something else were being chosen by many around them. I’ve kept those people close. I learned that when the lights went out in the arena the intense lights of self awareness began to shine brightly on my soul and internal condition. I learned not to take myself so damn seriously. I learned that in the middle of a Playin jam, every confused and unsure piece of me would bubble up to the surface for assessment and release if I surrendered to it. I learned in the middle of a China Doll, as tears poured down my face from the depths of my heart, that I was only fractured not completely broken. Just a little nervous, not to be labeled with a condition like anxiety. I learned that I didn’t need a therapist, just close friends and Spring Tour. I learned as the incredible power of a Morning Dew pulled the curtain off of all my fears and insecurities and placed them before my eyes to be dealt with or just stuffed back into a dark corner of my mind. The choice was always mine and mine alone. I learned the immense significance found in it’s closing verse as Garcia reached deep and proclaimed “I guess it doesn’t matterrrr anyyyyy waaaaaaaaaay!!!” The statement was so significant because of depth and magnitude of humility inherent in it’s delivery… Because in all reality, It did matter… It always mattered… It still matters…

Gratefully Deadicated,
Dean Sottile (pronounced SoTilly)

www.gratefuldean.com
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