Fest 10 Recap

I have been REALLY sick and haven't had the time/energy to recap the weekend. My brain also needed some time to process all the awesomeness that unfolded. Looking back, on the flight there, before take off and before I fell asleep, the dude sitting behind me telling the women next to him about his office job. He looks over contracts and "makes sure all the I's are dotted and T's crossed." All I could think was, "this guy is a fucking chump and he doesn't even know. I'm about to have more fun in the next four days that most people will probably have in their entire life."

Worked a half day on Thursday, then my bro drove me to Lambert. No prob getting to Tampa; slept the whole way. Sis came and picked me up. I was pretty low on blood sugar, and after a quick stop at her house to change clothes, we went on a wild goose chase to find dinner.

Ended up meeting up with Renauld for Lebanese food, which was delicious. Sally and I split a veg plate, with hummus, baba, garlic potatoes, grape leaves, tabouleh, lentil soup. I was totally stuffed by the time she dropped me off the skate park from the pre-show.

The pre show is so exciting because its the first time/place you see all your friends from all over, everyone meeting up in one place. The first person I saw was J Pool. Also of course ran into Nate and Chris, Paul and some other Tampa crew, Sam, Matt, Johnny C and MPLS crew. Was finally reunited by my sweet precious after five years! We made plans to meet up again once in Gainesville.

I drank six beers at the pre show, but didn't get drunk because I was so full of food. The show got out relatively early compared to years past. Nate and Chris and I went to Taco Bus; got there just before the rush. I was sooo excited for the burrito and it was just as delicious as I remembered. Was back to my sis's condo and in bed by 230am.

On Friday, after a couple of delays and one false start, we were Gainesville bound! The drive there took no time at all, and when we got to the hotel where Nate and friends were staying, I hitched a ride to town/registration/my own hotel with some dudes from Orlando! Bruiser! Waffles! Can I get a missed connection!? HAHAHAHA!

The line for registration was straight ridic, and I went to check in at my hotel and chill. I was also incredibly hungry. Nighthawk and DJ rolled into town and we settled into our room and then walked to registration. People were telling us that the line was three hours long! People were totally pissed, and rightfully so, in my opinion. We were stressed, too, because bands that we wanted to see were starting soon, and it seemed like we would be in line until 9pm waiting to get our wristbands.

Nighthawk, who is in publishing, had a press pass and therefore had a different (read: no wait) line for registration. I did have the foresight to print out my receipt, so I gave him the receipt and my driver's license and when he picked up his press pass, he was able to get me my wrist band as well. Thank You!

After we got our wrist bands, we went up to the flea market and stopped by some friends' tables and said hello and met up with more people, got some beers.

The main draw for me for this year's fest was Lifetime reunion. I know I am not alone on this. Lifetime canceled about two weeks prior, but Kid Dynamite was going to play instead. As far as I'm concerned, Kid Dynamite is a more than acceptable substitute, although "Boy's No Good" is my jam and I would not be hearing that song performed.

The lineup at the Venue that night was solid: Kid Dynamite, Souls, Hot Water, but I just could not get myself into the dark, dank theater. I decided to start the night off at Durty Nelly's for Slow Death, even though I see them perform numerous times throughout the year. I really like Jesse's songs and I have a lot of friends from MPLS and wanted to hang out.

After the Slow Death was Worthwhile Way, who are a total delight to see perform! I saw them last year and their set was easily the most fun, energetic, sincere performance of the weekend! I should have stayed for them, but I went to 8 Seconds to see Copyrights, who I also see perform numerous times throughout the year, but I like them, I like singing along and dancing, I wanted to hang.

I met a dude named Nicolas, who was from Bern. I found out he is returning to the States in December; going to St. Louis for a Blues hockey game and then to Ohio for that sweet NYE show at Southgate House. I thought it was weird he would be traveling from Bern to STL in December just to go to hockey game, but whatevs. We traded info.

I think I left and tried to find food after the Copyrights. Maybe 5 star? I hadn't eaten all day, so the beers were kicking my ass. I caught the last half of Boner Pilot and then No Trigger played. I freakin' love No Trigger; they are a guilty pleasure. The last time I saw them perform was at Fest 7, and I was pretty disapointed with their set, so I had low expectations coming in to this set. But they have been writing new material and I expected that they would at least be more rehearsed than last time. They totally kicked my ass! I was so excited! They played most of Canyoneer, but not 'More To Offer'. Closed with 'Tundra Kids', which is one of my favorite tracks off that record. I was at the back edge of the pit, arms up, singing along to every word!

I have no idea what I did after No Trigger. I might have gone back to Durty Nelly's, I might have gotten food, I might have gone back to the hotel. I know I didn't stay up too late, and I was surprised that Nighthawk came back as early as he did and called it a night.

On Saturday morning, I walked to the Reggae Shack because I have been craving that crack-laced tempeh since this time last year, but it was a total clusterfuck in there, so I went to Harvest Thyme instead and got a delicious sandwich and some veg chili.

I passed Decker in the hotel lobby, and he told me to come across the street to Lunchbox because he was performing. I headed over there and met up with a lot of people. It was so nice outside! I sat at a picnic table with Danny, who was dressed like El Nino. Sold my extra pass to some douche from Nashville, spoke with Davey, Paul, Sam, Nato, some more people. I was over at the lunchbox for a good 90 minutes just hanging out and enjoying the company and nice weather.

OWTH was the first band I wanted to see perform that day. They had a 4pm time slot at The Florida Theater, and I headed over early to make sure I could get in. I watched Make Do and Mend, who I did not particularly enjoy, but I was so psyched to get a good spot on the floor down in front for OWTH. Their setlist was perfect! I was glad that Zack was on guitar for this set, b/c I like the sound of his voice on the back ups. I was really riled up and sang along to all the songs. They had "Until the Day I Die" on this setlist, which was sweet b/c they haven't played that one the past five or so times I have seen them, but "Hard to Admit" wasn't on the setlist, which that is one of my favorites. A fair trade-off.

I was kinda hungry at this point, and when I left the The Florida Theater, I was going to head to 8 seconds b/c I wanted to see Iron Chic and Bridge and Tunnel. As I rounded the corner to get in line, I saw JT on the sidewalk talking with some people. Without a word, he put his hand in mine, and lead me back to the hotel. I was initially not psyched to relive a previous hook-up that I put in the bottom three and left me feeling frustrated and used. But this time turned out to be completely different.

We banged out for a good hour, then showered and parted ways. I missed out on a few bands I wanted to see, but I'm glad for this encounter. Because it redeemed a person I had written off, who did seem to deserve to be written off, but who also deserved another chance. Plus, a lot of the frustration and hurt feelings from the previous encounter was a result of miscommunication and a misunderstading of an unrelated situation that was both of ours fault. So I'm glad we reached an amicable resolution. Plus, who doesn't thoroughly enjoy getting FUCKING RAILED!?

On my way out of the hotel, I was in the elevator with the two girls from Worthwhile Way. I started speaking to them in Japanese, which surprised them. I asked them if they had any stickers, but they did not. I got a koozie, which is pretty sweet. The told me that they had seen me earlier that day at Lunchbox, and told me that I had a big....laugh! Which of course made me laugh...big! HAHAHAHA!

Anyway, these stickers they have are totally awesome. The text is: "Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." How freaking awesome is that? I daresay I want that tattooed on me.

I headed back to 8 Seconds for Tim Barry, Toys That Kill (I love Todd C!), then went across the street to The Top for a delicious Hawaiian tempeh sandwich and local beer before heading to Durty Nelly's for The Blue Diamond Band. I can't remember with what song they closed, but Matt was dressed up in a sexy cop Halloween uniform and chased Nato around the bar, then the both of them ran on tip toes down the length of the bar and out the back door. The rest of the band brought the volume down low and we were all waiting...waiting...waiting...and then Nato burst through the front door, the band started back up, and they finished out of the set! Marvelous showmanship!!

I stuck around for Billy Reese Peters. Nighthawk and I seriously thought that they were going to just tease us the whole time and keep on sound checking for the whole 40 minutes! That set was a lot of fun. I didn't know any of the songs, but there was a lot of people at the bar who did, and a lot of people were singing along and dancing.

I ended out the night at 8 Seconds for Screaming Females. I really like watching that band perform. Girl fucking shreds, and the bass player is sweet to watch play, too, but he is so chill and just is really feelin' it every time.

Sunday...Sunday...I went to the No Idea BBQ and got some delicious homemade match chorizo tacos, black beans, and kale. I got a Fest 10 koozie with the birthday cake logo on it (totally awesome!) I went to Karma Kream and got some Black Cherry veg ice cream. I also saw my bathroom buddy from AFV in the elevator. Her name is Jessi, and I am so happy that we saw each other! I am very much looking forward to seeing her again. We are both travelin' girls, and I know we will both end up at the same show in far away cities sooner than either of would ever guess.

I went to The Laboratory early to get in line b/c I knew that place didn't have a large cap and I wanted to make sure I got in for Hold Tight! Timeshares was up first; they are always a pleasure, too. I saw a boy in the crown with his right arm up in a sling. I approached him and asked him how long ago he fell off his bike. He laughed and asked how I knew. I told him that I fell off my bike back in August and I looked just like him with the bionic arm and sling until just a few weeks ago. We talked for bit, and he left the conversation with a positive attitude and hope that he will get better and get the range of motion and strength back, just like I did.

So, HOLD TIGHT! WOW! The laboratory was a perfect space for them. Their setlist was perfect. Sam was pretty hungover and he didn't get in, and he was the first person outside the door until the last two or three songs, but he came running in and found me right up near the front and we sang along together for the rest of the set. They closed with 'Tell Your Crush How You Feel'. So perfect.

I went to the merch booth, said "GOOD JOB!" and bought a koozie, saw the dudes from Orlando and joked with them a bit (seriouly! Bruiser! Waffles! Can I get a missed connection?! HAHAHAHAHA!) before Sam and I headed to The Theater for Dopamines. Their set was ridic, too. At least no one was so hungover or drunk this time that they couldn't play the songs properly. There was a dude in a Boba Fett costume, but his backpack had PBR 16oz cans, not jets. It was a pretty sweet costume. Dopamines set was totally solid. Piss, bump, beer. Piss, bump, beer. Sam and I were pretty blitzed. We stuck around for Flatlines, who are great performers. They came out in Terrance and Phillip masks, which was really funny to see because the jaws were not moving when they were singing. Dear Landlord was next. They sounded terrific. Similiar set to when they performed at Beat Kitchen last May; complete with two Rivethead covers, which no one else seemed to know, which is a shame.

I couldn't wait to get out of The Theater; its so dark in there! Sam and I went back to the hotel and just chilled. He was grateful for some quiet and a soft bed, even if for just an hour. We went out to the pool and smoked and soaked our feet in the warm water and just talked and chilled.

We ended the night at 8 Seconds with The Arrivals and URTC! URTC is a favorite! It was too bad they were the last band, b/c its just such a fun time and straight up dance party, and I was so riled up that I wasn't ready for it to be over. Reunited with my baby sugar, who was now dressed up in a penguin suit.

After the show was over, Sam and I attempted to get food, but everywhere was closing up, 5 Star was only selling whole pies. But there was a dude with hot dogs, including veg dogs. He was also slinging sauce on the sly. There was an after hours party at the Holiday Inn, party penguin wanted to accompany me to it, but I ended up passing the eff out!

I woke up on Monday with the dreadful scratchy scratch in my throaty throat. Finally got Reggae Shack; took 45 minutes to get my order to go. Rode back to Tampa with Nate, Chris, Kelly, and Brittany. We were all exhausted, and no one spoke in the car. I just looked out the window and tried to process all the awesomeness that had unfolded.

Nate and Chris drive me to my sis's condo, and she and I went to get Cuban Breeze before she dropped me off at the airport. I slept the whole way home. The flight attendant even commented to me about it when I de-boarded.

FestAIDS. Full. Blown. When I woke up on Tuesday. We had a seven hour surgery, and I was first assistant. I drank some TheraFlu daytime and shoved some cotton balls up my nose like tampons. Regardless, 150 minutes in, snot was running down my chin and neck. Second assistant and I had to switch-a-roo. Took a good ten days to get better. I actually doubt it was FestAIDS b/c the onset was so soon. I think I was exposed earlier in the week; maybe even on the plane ride on Thursday. Because I ate well, was well-rested, and actually didn't really drink a lot in Gainesville.

Going in, I thought maybe this would be my last Fest, but every year, its just such a magical time. Easily the best weekend of the year, every year, and I can't wait to go back. As the Flatliners said, as much as we all wish we could live like it was fest all the time, if that was the case, we'd all be dead.

I am closing with Hold Tight! performing "Tell Your Crush..."