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Jul. 25th, 2005 10:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jianantonicWhew. I'm out of the shower now, though it may take a few more before I'm back to a true squeaky clean. Anyway, as I'm not sleepy at the moment, I wanted to begin an update on Falcon Ridge. Maybe finish it, too. I'll just go in order.
Wednesday, we got there at about 4pm after a smooth ride up. Emily had finished Harry Potter 6 on the way, and we began Harry Potter 1 out loud while Jeremy drove. We got about 130 pages in before we arrove, and already Jeremy is having moments of enlightenment. The poohead already saw the movies, but at least now he can start to understand why I hate them so much. Anyway, Kat, Jillmom, Frudad, and Shelly were already there. We set up camp and Helen and the Jewells arrived soon after. While we were in our tent blowing up our air mattress, Stuart and Janice busted in and set up a metal camp table, four margarita glasses, a pitcher, and a dvd - our wedding reception! Actually, Jer has it playing right now:) Girlyman on video! The reason I'm here and not watching it is that I don't want to see myself dancing! But I can hear it and the quality is great!
So Wednesday night, we went "Bowling in the Hills." It's an EFO song, and as a camp, we generally try to name the things we do after EFO songs, since we are the Edhead camp and a bunch of dorks:) Bowling was way fun. My foot was bothering me too much to be serious about it, so I just got creative and earned lots of laughs if not good scores:) Actually, I'm pretty good and a very stylish and innovative between the legs move, if I do say so myself. We had a BLAST there, and left around 11:30. I'd had a Smirnoff Ice right before leaving (I didn't drive!) and the combo of being giddy and tipsy was great...the quote of the evening was:
Me: Shelly, you saw Robbie [Schaefer of EFO] and Tracy [Grammer] together [playing a show] last winter, right?
Shelly: Yeah.
Me: Did they do any songs together?
Shelly: No.
Me: Oh, I just figured they would because Robbie does "Farewell to Saint - Santa - Saint Margarita - DOLORES!"
Shelly: (laughs) "Farewell to Saint Dolores" is a Dave and Tracy song. "Santa Margarita" is a Robbie Schaefer song. Saint Margarita is the patron saint of the Pirate's Patch.
So true.
We all went to bed and then the festival began the next day. The only act I really cared much about seeing on Thursday was the Arrogant Worms. They're Canadian, half their songs are about being Canadian, and they're hilarious. They were definitely my discovery of this year's fest. I loved their mainstage, and we also saw some workshops that day, but the oppressive heat made it slightly uncomfortable. I was good about sunscreen, and I chose comfort over good seats this year, opting to set up my camp chair in the back of the crowd rather than try to tough it out on a tarp the whole time. Most of Thursday was devoted to browsing the vendors. I didn't buy anything until later, but I ended up with a new dress, new skirt, and new top, all of the hippie variety. I also bought a few more bumper stickers and CDs. For CDs, I got the new Kennedys album, "Half a Million Miles," Mark Erelli's "Memorial Hall Recordings," the Arrogant Worms' "Live Bait," and the Urban Blight Players' album, the title of which I am forgetting. The lead singer/guitarrist of UBP is Bill from our camp. I mostly bought that CD for his recording of "Shantytowner," which was written specifically about the Pirate's Patch.
Friday was a great day. We went swimming in the morning at this ridiculously cold swimming hole in Great Barrington, MA. It was quite refreshing, and as soon as we'd left, I wanted to be back there. More on that later. Back at camp, we listened to the Emerging Artist Showcase that was happening at the main stage that afternoon, and headed out for some workshops and main stage sets that night, though they kind of run together and I can't remember what I saw that night...though I will say there wasn't a moment at the stage I wasn't loving. Friday night we had "Cannexican Night" back at the camp, with Jer playing bartender. Julie of EFO and her kids stopped by for some partying around Paradise Lagoon (our kiddie pool) and Jeremy mixed margaritas for everyone. I'd had a glass of Australian red wine before the margarita, which I soon learned was very strong. It was in a huge glass - three margaritas in one, I later learned - and I was soon quite the drunk. I couldn't stop laughing. Ellen and Donna were the two funniest people in the world that evening. By the time Paul and Storm stopped by, I was three sheets to the wind, and belonged between the sheets, so Jer escorted me off to bed. Inspired by Paul and Storm's workshop stage cookie dough jingle, Jer ate a whole roll of pre-made cookie dough, and then gave another roll to Storm. I was in bed by then, but I think my husband ensured his place in their memories.
Saturday - sweet Saturday - my god, what a day. We kicked it off with two workshops, and then back to the camp for a short bit of relaxing before the stacked lineup of the evening. I decided I wanted to go swimming again, and Jer and Olivia (Stuart and Janice's 11-year-old daughter) came with me to the swimming hole. When we got there, lots of cars were parked, but we noticed a sign we hadn't seen the day before - "Beach closed until further notice due to high E Coli levels." D'oh. So we left, but we'd heard talk of Bash Bish State Park with a swimming hole, so we decided to look for it. We found a sign, and followed it to within about a mile of the place, only to see a road closed sign with an alternate route. Olivia and I both really had our hearts set on swimming, so we drove to this place, even though it ended up being over an hour of driving from the time we left camp until we got there. It had a quarry, which would've been well worth the trip, if only they'd have let Olivia swim...but she didn't have a bathing suit, and they wouldn't let her go in her clothes. Bitches. I jumped in and right back out, and we drove back. It was kind of a bust, but I'll remember it for next year, because the place is awesome.
It was soon time for the evening's sets to begin. First was Tracy Grammer. I love her so much...she's my favorite...then Crooked Still, then Lowen and Navarro. We left the hill for dinner during L & N, but listened to their set from camp. At camp, Kat asked about Eric Lowen sitting on a stool to play and having to be helped onto stage. Kerry told us he had heard earlier this year that Lowen has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). That's so sad:( He probably won't be able to play much longer...this stayed in my mind the rest of the fest, and when I saw them at workshops, I couldn't stop crying. Then we went back and heard Dar Williams. Her set was really good - one of the best main stage acts of the fest - but then came what I think was the best act this year - EFO. Except, Eddie wasn't there! Apparently, something had happened to his mom, and he had to go home before they played. It was very sad, and Julie actually started crying during "Baltimore." They couldn't do a lot of their standards due to the lack of drums, but their set was still inspiring. They left their empty drum set on stage in homage to Eddie. Shelly and I both kept crying. We missed Eddie so much! Railroad Earth played after EFO, and we went back to the camp to get ready for bed. Jer decided to go to the Budgiedome with Jay to see Jim Infantino, but I stayed behind. Just as I was readying for bed, Julie, Mike and Robbie of EFO and Bob, their sound guy, showed up. I decided to stick around. I talked to Julie about living in Harrisonburg for a while, and then I talked to Robbie about the Nationals (specifically, John Patterson). That conversation ended with Robbie saying to me, "I really like you!" Hehe. Then as I was really getting ready for bed, Mike went into his car and came out with instruments. At this point, it was about 1am, and Mike, Robbie, and two of their musical friends that I didn't know started jamming. Shelly, Donna, Janice and I were the only ones there at first, but soon a huge song circle grew out of it, as more and more people walked by (probably to tell us to shut up) and saw that it was Mike and Robbie of EFO! We just sang and danced together all night long. Seriously, the thing finally broke up at 5am - an hour and a half after I called it quits and went to bed. As the night went on, Paul and Storm joined in, as well as lots of folks returning from the Budgiedome. This was seriously the coolest thing that has ever happened at Falcon Ridge. A close second would be last year when I flew kites with Girlyman. But shit, it was awesome.
Quote of the evening: "This is baby making music!" ~Michael Clem, at least once during every song.
Sunday was great, too. It all began with the Gospel Wakeup Call, led as always by EFO (this year, FO). The GWC players were EFO, L&N, and the Kennedys. It was so moving. Julie cried about Eddie (presumably, anyway), and Maura Kennedy cried when everyone on the hill stood up and sang along to "Stand." ("Stand, plant your sword in the sand/In this age of unreason/there's a time and a season for love/Stand") I cried the whole time, it was just so moving. When you see thousands of strangers stand up and embrace one another and sing about peace and unity...man, it's a beautiful experience, and I'm so glad I'm a part of it. After singing, Pete Kennedy said, "I hope you guys won't be embarassed if we tell you that we love you." Also, I think Pete Kennedy and Josh Humphries would be/should be great friends. Later on Sunday, we saw the Kennedys' main stage set, and Ani DiFranco closed out the festival. It was my first live Ani experience, and I have to say it was very good. She's a beautiful woman with lots of great things to say.
The trip home today was a bitch, but I won't let it sour my wonderful week. No work until Wednesday, so I'm hanging out with Donna tomorrow. Napoleon Dynamite (which she still hasn't seen) is on the agenda. Huzzah:)
Also, I'm 1/3 through Harry Potter 6. So far, so good.
Peace.
Wednesday, we got there at about 4pm after a smooth ride up. Emily had finished Harry Potter 6 on the way, and we began Harry Potter 1 out loud while Jeremy drove. We got about 130 pages in before we arrove, and already Jeremy is having moments of enlightenment. The poohead already saw the movies, but at least now he can start to understand why I hate them so much. Anyway, Kat, Jillmom, Frudad, and Shelly were already there. We set up camp and Helen and the Jewells arrived soon after. While we were in our tent blowing up our air mattress, Stuart and Janice busted in and set up a metal camp table, four margarita glasses, a pitcher, and a dvd - our wedding reception! Actually, Jer has it playing right now:) Girlyman on video! The reason I'm here and not watching it is that I don't want to see myself dancing! But I can hear it and the quality is great!
So Wednesday night, we went "Bowling in the Hills." It's an EFO song, and as a camp, we generally try to name the things we do after EFO songs, since we are the Edhead camp and a bunch of dorks:) Bowling was way fun. My foot was bothering me too much to be serious about it, so I just got creative and earned lots of laughs if not good scores:) Actually, I'm pretty good and a very stylish and innovative between the legs move, if I do say so myself. We had a BLAST there, and left around 11:30. I'd had a Smirnoff Ice right before leaving (I didn't drive!) and the combo of being giddy and tipsy was great...the quote of the evening was:
Me: Shelly, you saw Robbie [Schaefer of EFO] and Tracy [Grammer] together [playing a show] last winter, right?
Shelly: Yeah.
Me: Did they do any songs together?
Shelly: No.
Me: Oh, I just figured they would because Robbie does "Farewell to Saint - Santa - Saint Margarita - DOLORES!"
Shelly: (laughs) "Farewell to Saint Dolores" is a Dave and Tracy song. "Santa Margarita" is a Robbie Schaefer song. Saint Margarita is the patron saint of the Pirate's Patch.
So true.
We all went to bed and then the festival began the next day. The only act I really cared much about seeing on Thursday was the Arrogant Worms. They're Canadian, half their songs are about being Canadian, and they're hilarious. They were definitely my discovery of this year's fest. I loved their mainstage, and we also saw some workshops that day, but the oppressive heat made it slightly uncomfortable. I was good about sunscreen, and I chose comfort over good seats this year, opting to set up my camp chair in the back of the crowd rather than try to tough it out on a tarp the whole time. Most of Thursday was devoted to browsing the vendors. I didn't buy anything until later, but I ended up with a new dress, new skirt, and new top, all of the hippie variety. I also bought a few more bumper stickers and CDs. For CDs, I got the new Kennedys album, "Half a Million Miles," Mark Erelli's "Memorial Hall Recordings," the Arrogant Worms' "Live Bait," and the Urban Blight Players' album, the title of which I am forgetting. The lead singer/guitarrist of UBP is Bill from our camp. I mostly bought that CD for his recording of "Shantytowner," which was written specifically about the Pirate's Patch.
Friday was a great day. We went swimming in the morning at this ridiculously cold swimming hole in Great Barrington, MA. It was quite refreshing, and as soon as we'd left, I wanted to be back there. More on that later. Back at camp, we listened to the Emerging Artist Showcase that was happening at the main stage that afternoon, and headed out for some workshops and main stage sets that night, though they kind of run together and I can't remember what I saw that night...though I will say there wasn't a moment at the stage I wasn't loving. Friday night we had "Cannexican Night" back at the camp, with Jer playing bartender. Julie of EFO and her kids stopped by for some partying around Paradise Lagoon (our kiddie pool) and Jeremy mixed margaritas for everyone. I'd had a glass of Australian red wine before the margarita, which I soon learned was very strong. It was in a huge glass - three margaritas in one, I later learned - and I was soon quite the drunk. I couldn't stop laughing. Ellen and Donna were the two funniest people in the world that evening. By the time Paul and Storm stopped by, I was three sheets to the wind, and belonged between the sheets, so Jer escorted me off to bed. Inspired by Paul and Storm's workshop stage cookie dough jingle, Jer ate a whole roll of pre-made cookie dough, and then gave another roll to Storm. I was in bed by then, but I think my husband ensured his place in their memories.
Saturday - sweet Saturday - my god, what a day. We kicked it off with two workshops, and then back to the camp for a short bit of relaxing before the stacked lineup of the evening. I decided I wanted to go swimming again, and Jer and Olivia (Stuart and Janice's 11-year-old daughter) came with me to the swimming hole. When we got there, lots of cars were parked, but we noticed a sign we hadn't seen the day before - "Beach closed until further notice due to high E Coli levels." D'oh. So we left, but we'd heard talk of Bash Bish State Park with a swimming hole, so we decided to look for it. We found a sign, and followed it to within about a mile of the place, only to see a road closed sign with an alternate route. Olivia and I both really had our hearts set on swimming, so we drove to this place, even though it ended up being over an hour of driving from the time we left camp until we got there. It had a quarry, which would've been well worth the trip, if only they'd have let Olivia swim...but she didn't have a bathing suit, and they wouldn't let her go in her clothes. Bitches. I jumped in and right back out, and we drove back. It was kind of a bust, but I'll remember it for next year, because the place is awesome.
It was soon time for the evening's sets to begin. First was Tracy Grammer. I love her so much...she's my favorite...then Crooked Still, then Lowen and Navarro. We left the hill for dinner during L & N, but listened to their set from camp. At camp, Kat asked about Eric Lowen sitting on a stool to play and having to be helped onto stage. Kerry told us he had heard earlier this year that Lowen has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). That's so sad:( He probably won't be able to play much longer...this stayed in my mind the rest of the fest, and when I saw them at workshops, I couldn't stop crying. Then we went back and heard Dar Williams. Her set was really good - one of the best main stage acts of the fest - but then came what I think was the best act this year - EFO. Except, Eddie wasn't there! Apparently, something had happened to his mom, and he had to go home before they played. It was very sad, and Julie actually started crying during "Baltimore." They couldn't do a lot of their standards due to the lack of drums, but their set was still inspiring. They left their empty drum set on stage in homage to Eddie. Shelly and I both kept crying. We missed Eddie so much! Railroad Earth played after EFO, and we went back to the camp to get ready for bed. Jer decided to go to the Budgiedome with Jay to see Jim Infantino, but I stayed behind. Just as I was readying for bed, Julie, Mike and Robbie of EFO and Bob, their sound guy, showed up. I decided to stick around. I talked to Julie about living in Harrisonburg for a while, and then I talked to Robbie about the Nationals (specifically, John Patterson). That conversation ended with Robbie saying to me, "I really like you!" Hehe. Then as I was really getting ready for bed, Mike went into his car and came out with instruments. At this point, it was about 1am, and Mike, Robbie, and two of their musical friends that I didn't know started jamming. Shelly, Donna, Janice and I were the only ones there at first, but soon a huge song circle grew out of it, as more and more people walked by (probably to tell us to shut up) and saw that it was Mike and Robbie of EFO! We just sang and danced together all night long. Seriously, the thing finally broke up at 5am - an hour and a half after I called it quits and went to bed. As the night went on, Paul and Storm joined in, as well as lots of folks returning from the Budgiedome. This was seriously the coolest thing that has ever happened at Falcon Ridge. A close second would be last year when I flew kites with Girlyman. But shit, it was awesome.
Quote of the evening: "This is baby making music!" ~Michael Clem, at least once during every song.
Sunday was great, too. It all began with the Gospel Wakeup Call, led as always by EFO (this year, FO). The GWC players were EFO, L&N, and the Kennedys. It was so moving. Julie cried about Eddie (presumably, anyway), and Maura Kennedy cried when everyone on the hill stood up and sang along to "Stand." ("Stand, plant your sword in the sand/In this age of unreason/there's a time and a season for love/Stand") I cried the whole time, it was just so moving. When you see thousands of strangers stand up and embrace one another and sing about peace and unity...man, it's a beautiful experience, and I'm so glad I'm a part of it. After singing, Pete Kennedy said, "I hope you guys won't be embarassed if we tell you that we love you." Also, I think Pete Kennedy and Josh Humphries would be/should be great friends. Later on Sunday, we saw the Kennedys' main stage set, and Ani DiFranco closed out the festival. It was my first live Ani experience, and I have to say it was very good. She's a beautiful woman with lots of great things to say.
The trip home today was a bitch, but I won't let it sour my wonderful week. No work until Wednesday, so I'm hanging out with Donna tomorrow. Napoleon Dynamite (which she still hasn't seen) is on the agenda. Huzzah:)
Also, I'm 1/3 through Harry Potter 6. So far, so good.
Peace.
