A Dr. Dog Day

My Favorite Dr. Dog Album

Let me tell you about my day on October 7, 2010.

I woke up that morning feeling a little groggy, but that was quickly remedied with a strong brew of Vietnamese coffee and the realization that today was the day when Dr. Dog would play for free on Tulane’s campus. When I sat down at my computer to check the pointless emails that I receive every morning from various subscriptions (Barnes and Noble, J.Crew, eBay, etc.), I opened iTunes, hooked up my computer to my speakers, and started my day with a little bit of Fate, my favorite Dr. Dog album. I cannot even begin to describe the absolute ecstasy I felt as “The Breeze” started playing. It was the best possible start to the day. The day before I felt a bit of pressure coming over me. I looked at my calendar to see that I have a paper due and a midterm early next week, and I probably wasn’t going to have much time to work on either since my family would be visiting New Orleans this weekend. This song was the cure for that tension. “Are you moving much too fast?… Then put a needle to the groove and sing.”

Almost every day I work in the Music and Media Section of the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. Today was my early shift (hello 8:30AM!), and I was running a tad bit later than usual, so I had to cross the quad to save time, getting my feet slightly wet (and cold) from the early morning dew on the grass. This didn’t bother me too much because I was listening to “The Rabbit, The Bat, & The Reindeer”, and how could anything be bothersome when I had that song playing in my head. By using hypotenuses instead of walking around, I made it to work on time. It was a relatively slow morning in the MML, so I was asked to check a potentially damaged movie at one of the viewing stations. This means that I got to spend a majority of my time at work watching a movie (Saved! starring Mandy Moore, Jena Malone, and Macaulay Culkin – but sorry guys, it’s super scratched). I also got to use the MML printer to print out my Psych notes for my class that afternoon, so it was free!

With a little help from “From”, I made my way to Hebert Hall for my High Middle Ages class. My professor started lecturing about Henry I (1100-1135) of England, but my mind wandered just a little bit. By the time we made it to Henry II (1154-1190), I had already completed my little doodle montage pictured below (which looking at it now, I realize my dyslexic brain mixed up a title). After that I figured I should probably start paying attention again, so I tried to do so. At the end of class, my professor decided that the midterm (which was supposed to take place next Tuesday) was going to be pushed back to the next week. A great sigh swept over the classroom as everyone heard this fortunate news. That was a huge weight off my shoulders.

Walking from class was accompanied by “100 Years” and “Uncovering the Old”. These songs brought me to my lunch, Bruff-to-Go, where they had egg salad sandwiches (my absolute favorite) and Coca-Cola Classic.

My journey to Psychology Test and Measure Lecture in Jones Hall was a hard one to take, but “My Friend” got me there in one piece. I was dreading this lecture because the outline I printed out to complete during class was longer than most of the ones we had done in the past. I was pleasantly surprised when we finished 15 minutes early. The walk back was taken with “I Only Wear Blue” (from the album Shame, Shame), and I couldn’t stop smiling after I saw the stage on the LBC Quad already set up and ready to go. In just a mere four hours, Dr. Dog would be playing on that stage.

As 6PM rolled closer, my friend Tina came over to campus. I also started hearing from my sister, Margaret, who would be in New Orleans very soon to stay with me. She was running a bit behind schedule, so Tina and I (deciding that we were very hungry) went over to the quad to get free food (Voodoo BBQ!). As we make it to the food line in front of McAlister Auditorium, our thoughts of food are carried away with the wind when our friend Bailey comes up to us and asks if we’ll go talk to Dr. Dog with her. At first I’m a little confused by what she’s asking. Talk? To the band? One of my all-time favorite bands? I look over on the steps of the auditorium, and there they were, eating they’re voodoo BBQ, relaxed at getting ready to play a great show. Of course Tina and I say, “Yes, more than anything,” so Bailey, Bailey’s friend who I never caught the name of, Tina, and I walked over to the steps.

Guys. They’re so cool. Bailey started telling them about the times she had seen them play, but since this was my first Dr. Dog concert, I didn’t have much to add to the conversation. Eric (drums) then told us that they went to The Spotted Cat (or That Cat Place as he called it) on Frenchmen Street last night in the Marigny. Toby (bass) also started talking about the various music clubs and bars they visited. I won’t go into too much detail of the conversation, but let me just tell you that it was amazing. Then some other girl came up and said something along the lines of “Hey guys! I don’t know which one you are, but I love your music!” This was the point when Tina and I decided it was time to go. We bid them farewell and finally went to get some BBQ.

The concert was amazing. One of the best shows I’ve been to. They opened with “Stranger” and completely rocked it. They jammed, they grooved, they rocked, they rolled. They were absolutely amazing. I’m having a hard time putting to words how truly awesome they were. I danced and sang along with them and had the time of my life. Did I mention that they were amazing?

After that we headed over to Bruno’s Tavern to have a few beers. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.