The lack of a post yesterday is because I was out actually having fun. I took the day off from work (my Mum is letting me take it as a sick day, since I have so many more of those than vacation), and after a trip to the vet with Honey in the morning, I headed out to Marysville for a concert.

The Vans Warped Tour was out at the Sleeptrain Ampetheater1, and K, her friend B, and I all headed out that way. The concert started at 12pm, but we didn’t leave the house until about 12:30 because they had a morning Math class to attend. We got there about 2pm, after stopping for lunch, and slow traffic on Highway 65.

The concert was hot and crowed, and oddly enough, not that much fun. There were about ten stages set up, usually two next to each other so that while one band was playing the other band would set up, so there was no lag time between sets. There were tons of vendors to wade through, and about 40+ bands playing, although none that I really knew. B was sick from the heat, as she had a horrible hangover, and the wind only picked up occasionally.

I don’t want it to sound like I didn’t have fun, I did, but it wasn’t the best time at a concert I’ve had. Wandering between stages was great, as you could always hear someone playing, but unless you had memorized the time and stage schedule, the odds of knowing who was playing on the stage in front of you were slim to none. So, while I had heard bands I wouldn’t mind hearing again, I have no idea who they were.

K got a ton of looks for her corset piercing on her side (we were all in swim tops and shorts), although she didn’t seem to notice at all. I suppose she’s used to the looks by now. However, she can’t really go into the pit like she used to because if she gets to the front, she can’t risk getting “rescued” by the security at the stage front. They’re likely to grab her side and yank on the ribbon, which would hurt like hell. After fighting her way back out of the pit for Rise Against, she didn’t bother trying to get in deep for Senses Fail.

By the way, when did people stop letting you out of the crowd? It used to be if you were in front, and needed to back out, people would move for you so that they can get closer after you’ve passed–after all, you’ve made a gap that needs to fill. But now, people get angry when you try to get out, and don’t want to move an inch. I just don’t understand what changed.

After watching a song or two from the band after Senses Fail (sorry, don’t know their name), we decided to head home, even though there were about four more bands to play on the main stages. On the way out the gates, a guy was selling concert compilation CDs, and the guy trying to buy one was a buck short. Since everyone needs a concert CD, I gave him a dollar and we headed on our way.

Driving back down 65, we were all thirsty as hell, so we stopped at the first gas station on the way home, the Chevron in Wheatland. When we got out of the car, B was flipping out about a guy who was pumping gas on the next island, because she had seen him at the concert and thought he had amazing tattoos. I explained to her that you always see people from the concert at the gas station as we headed into the convenience store, and as we pulled sodas from the cold case, a guy at the cash register called out “I want to buy those girls’ sodas, too.” We looked, and it was the guy I had given the dollar to. So he bought our sodas, flirted with B, and we were on our way. The best dollar spent, ever.

When I got home, I was exhausted, but not tired. I’m only sunburned on one part of my shoulder–B predicted our feet because we forgot to spray them with sunscreen–and still tired today. Good thing it’s Friday, and I have the weekend off.

- “One Eight Seven,” From the Depth of Dreams: Senses Fail

  1. Previously known as the Autowest Ampetheater and the Sac Vally Ampetheater as well.[back]