Small paradise

Saturday, June 3: I was listening to John Mellencamp with some friends of mine ... \nNow, I know what you're thinking; who cares if you're sitting around, listening to "Cherry Bomb" off your iPod? Let me try and clear this up. Saturday, I was listening to John Mellencamp LIVE. It was one of the most authentically Midwestern experiences I've had in years.\nHe wasn't on tour. I didn't buy a ticket. I wasn't even at a venue. I was sitting on the Paynetown docks, drinking Miller Lite out of a plastic cup and listening to the music blast across Lake Monroe. \nI came down to Bloomington for the weekend to sign a lease and some employment forms. While in town, I couldn't help but look up my recently repatriated friend, Ryan Funk, who's been working at some Catholic camp, and who planned on being around Lake Monroe. After hearing a rumor about a free concert, we couldn't help but check it out.\nAt the docks, we couldn't hear anything, but there was a small flotilla of boats assembled around the area of Mr. Mellencamp's house. As it got closer to dusk, the clear and unmistakable drumbeat of "Hurts So Good" rang out over the water.\nEnjoying the quintessential college moment, I couldn't help but lean back and soak it all up. How fitting is it for some Indiana kids to be hanging out and listening to this catchy, melodic little slice of Americana that we grew up with? When Ryan was leaning against his girlfriend Krystal, mimicking their own version of "Jack and Diane," I realized what a tragedy it was that we all couldn't hold on to sixteen a little bit longer.\nAt the end of every song, the boats lining the shore would honk their horns in appreciation. Minivans began to arrive with families and folding chairs. Barefoot kids ran along the shoreline, thrilled not to be stuck at home in bed. Other people migrated to the docks, phoning their good buddies, explaining with a thick drawl that they were listening to John "Cougar" Mellencamp. \nI admit, I couldn't help but scroll my contact list looking for people to call. I held my phone high in the air because I wanted them to know just how cool it is to be in B-town, the music ringing clear over the water. I've seen Mellencamp in concert before, back at home. But the ambience of a Lake Monroe sunset is impossible for any mega-arena to compete with.\nNow, if it were any other rock star in one's backyard, it simply wouldn't be the same -- possibly because they wouldn't bother staying in a place like Bloomington. Props to you, Mr. Mellencamp. In a society where success is dangled up and away from the masses, you weren't too good to play in your own backyard. For one night you weren't a rock star, you were just a guy, just like us, having a celebration.\nSo thanks again, for one of my favorite B-town experiences in years.