If Phish was playing a New Year's show, everyone was there. We'd hang on the lower west, way downtown, or hop the 6 from the upper east and catch the show. In our circles it was the place to be, but more than that; they're playing MSG!! Dumbass!!

But as all good things, everyone wants a piece. This year was going to be different. People had moved far and away from our nice corner of the world. Lake Champlain and Monday nights at the Square were not enough draw to hold us in this place; we dispersed like so many seeds to the wind all over the country. Sure everyone showed to Cypress, but this was after everything. Everyone had grown just a little bit more. And we all thought we had at least another year.

Final approach to Laguardia is a little depressing. If you're sitting on the Port side of the plane, to the right is Sing Sing (everyone knows someone there), to the left are the seemingly distant lights of Manhattan, ahead is an icy runway with a short time to drop the flaps and reverse the engines. In the luggage area I see a few Burlington heads; it reminds me who's playing and why I'm here. To the right are the yellow cars that take you to the city.

And it's like old times, all my old haunts are filled with my old friends. People I hadn't seen in years greet me with hugs and smiling faces, hand me beers and pass me bowls. Too many want tickets. But like all good things....

About an hour or two before dawn, a friend and myself decide to check the venue. Heading downtown, we are compelled to grab a beer, pick up a copy of the Voice, and buy new sneakers. Even before dawn there was a bit of a scene. The thugs perused back and forth selling tickets with smudgy bar codes for $500.00.

"It's still out of control" I thought to myself. We headed back uptown.

And as I walked into the venue later on in the day, it occurred to me how much had changed. The crowd was different from the day. The security was tighter, no more sneaking champagne in. And the faces were different... were they the same faces that once dropped dreads out of their hoodies? Or were they new? And if so, what was it that drew them here? I handed my ticket to the doorman and began climbing the stars up to the Garden.

Everything is different now....

"But this is the best place to be in the entire world right now, seriously."

- Ollie