After the crowd surfing event I met the girls back stage because 303 was performing next. As I mentioned this was expected to be a record breaking crowd since they are local boys returned to Denver.
The sky started to change color from the setting sun pinks to grays and blacks and I noticed that Kevin Lyman was on stage eyes upward walky talky in hand. I didn't envy him at all. Obviously and thunder and lightening storm doesn't mix well with electric guitars and amps.
The lightening bolts were awsome. Liz has incredible footage of Sean and Nat center stage with bolts of lightening striking in the background over their heads. But by the 3rd song, it started to pour and rain quickly changed to hail. Those of us on stage were quickly ushered into the semi truck parked directly behind stage. I had no idea what became of Alec and Liz who had been in the pit filming the show.
Even the very short sprint from the stage to semi left me drenched with everyone else. Plus it became quickly apparent inside the semi in close quarters that many of us hadn't showered for a while. But it was still very fun and exciting. The venue was quickly flooded and after about 20 minutes a break in the marble sized hail offered a chance to run for it. We dashed under the overpass. I still hadn't found the girls and was starting to get just slightly concerned when my favorite Warped Tour security guard came up to me and asked "where are the girls?" He eventually found them not far away, equally drenched but fired up.
Sadly 303 was not able to complete their set in front of their huge home town audience but they induced one hell of a wild storm like nothing I have ever experienced before. It was a truly memorable ending to our midwestern tour.
By 11 we were back in the van wet but content. We slept for a few hours and then headed to the Denver airport where Alec and Liz caught an early morning flight back to Oakland. I kissed them goodbye at security and proceeded on my lonesome drive back to Rapid City.
I arrived back at Hospice House about 1 PM to my aunt's bedside. At 5:30 that night, she passed away.
This summer has been one I will never forget, high highs and low lows, but all of it truly incredible in so many ways.
Now I sit waiting for the minister to arrive to discuss Saturday's service. I just read Edna's obituary and admired her picture, one that I took just last summer. She is sporting her favorite colors, black and white with a big grin in her sparking blue eyes. I will really miss her.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Warped Tour Denver
After I posted last, I went down to the main stage area to meet up with Alec and Lizzi for the Less Than Jake set. Over the course of the month they became one of my favorite acts of Warped Tour.
We were standing up in the VIP tent, oddly as the only ones up there, enjoying the show when the lead singer dared me to crowd surf to the stage. You know me, I can't back down from a dare, so crowd surf I did! It was a blast! I was hoisted soundly up off my feet and passed from willing hand to willing hand while the band played on. When I got to the front, the security guard cradled me in his arms and gently let me down. I thought my ride was over but no, the band wanted me on stage to receive my beer, a reward for my willingness to participate in the theater. So the security guards lifted me up on stage where I enjoyed dancing wildly in front of maybe 2K avid Less Than Jake Fans. It was pretty amazing. I was then offered my Pabst Blue Ribbon "beer" which I deemed "swill" by Ca Microbrew standards. I had to do it. I opened up the can and rather than drink it proceeded to spray (mostly theater, not too much liquid) the band members. I made a slightly sticky mess but it was pretty fun. I stayed on stage until the end of their set dancing and enjoying every second of it. What a once in a life time experience!
Of course Alec and Liz were back in the tent filming the whole thing while texting Jim to say that "mommy is crowd surfing". In fact the lead singer noticed Alec texting her dad (he assumed correctly) and made a point of teasing her about it. It was pretty fun.
I can say with pride that I accomplished my goal of embarrising my daughters twice with flying colors. Once with the breast casting and then topped it with the crowd surfing. Good Times!
I haven't had time to check but apparently there are u-tubes of my journey from VIP tent to stage. Look for the bright pink crocks.
We were standing up in the VIP tent, oddly as the only ones up there, enjoying the show when the lead singer dared me to crowd surf to the stage. You know me, I can't back down from a dare, so crowd surf I did! It was a blast! I was hoisted soundly up off my feet and passed from willing hand to willing hand while the band played on. When I got to the front, the security guard cradled me in his arms and gently let me down. I thought my ride was over but no, the band wanted me on stage to receive my beer, a reward for my willingness to participate in the theater. So the security guards lifted me up on stage where I enjoyed dancing wildly in front of maybe 2K avid Less Than Jake Fans. It was pretty amazing. I was then offered my Pabst Blue Ribbon "beer" which I deemed "swill" by Ca Microbrew standards. I had to do it. I opened up the can and rather than drink it proceeded to spray (mostly theater, not too much liquid) the band members. I made a slightly sticky mess but it was pretty fun. I stayed on stage until the end of their set dancing and enjoying every second of it. What a once in a life time experience!
Of course Alec and Liz were back in the tent filming the whole thing while texting Jim to say that "mommy is crowd surfing". In fact the lead singer noticed Alec texting her dad (he assumed correctly) and made a point of teasing her about it. It was pretty fun.
I can say with pride that I accomplished my goal of embarrising my daughters twice with flying colors. Once with the breast casting and then topped it with the crowd surfing. Good Times!
I haven't had time to check but apparently there are u-tubes of my journey from VIP tent to stage. Look for the bright pink crocks.
Deadwood South Dakota
My Aunt Edna passed away on Monday August 10th at 5:30 PM. I held her hand for her last several hours which were not passed in peace and quiet I am sorry to say. But she was a tough old gal by nature and managed ok I guess. As she took her last breaths her eyes opened widely and she starred directly into my eyes where we held each others gaze. With Edna's firey blue eyes this was the ultimate last goodbye and I will never forget it.
Since Edna's death we have been taking care of her estate(s) and Grave Side Ceremony. She left us with explicit instructions and I am happy to report that we will be able to comply with the majority of her requests.
The service is Saturday at Oakridge Cemetary in Deadwood. Following that we will head west. My brother Randy will fly out of Salt Lake on Sunday, the remaining three of us will hope to be in sometime Monday afternoon. I need to get Destiny greased tomorrow before her final road trip at least for this summer. I can't believe summer is officially over. Waaaaaaaaa! I feel like I need a relaxing month to suppliment my highly active past 2 months.
Since Edna's death we have been taking care of her estate(s) and Grave Side Ceremony. She left us with explicit instructions and I am happy to report that we will be able to comply with the majority of her requests.
The service is Saturday at Oakridge Cemetary in Deadwood. Following that we will head west. My brother Randy will fly out of Salt Lake on Sunday, the remaining three of us will hope to be in sometime Monday afternoon. I need to get Destiny greased tomorrow before her final road trip at least for this summer. I can't believe summer is officially over. Waaaaaaaaa! I feel like I need a relaxing month to suppliment my highly active past 2 months.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The sun is near setting now. I will close and motivate over to the Main Stage to watch 3Oh3 perform. Tonights show is likely to be really fun since Denver is home town and they no doubt have many friends and family members here tonight. I am expecting a good party tonight too---then girls to airport and I drive back to South Dakota where I left Destiny chilling in the Home Hospice parking lot. She was missed though; our friends here were pretty confused to see us pulling in yesterday morning without our pop-up. We nearly felt invisable a time or two as so much of our imediate identity is apparent via Destiny. She's our trade mark.
Happy Sunday Eve everyone,
MLH
Happy Sunday Eve everyone,
MLH
In any case I don't know when I will be back to CA. It all depends on my Aunt. I have never organized a funeral before and my Aunt Edna has a very strict script to follow. As much as I would like to vary from protocol and by her a "Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Cancer" t-shirt to be burried in, I don't think I dare which means that I need to go shopping to find her something to wear that she will be good in. As TJ said earlier, Warped Tour is not reality, for my family, Edna's death will be reality for the remainder of summer. I don't know when I will make it in to work at this point. In fact, since Edna was a school teacher and librarian, I can't help but wonder if there is cosmic planning in her ultimate means by which to not return to school this fall. Interesting how things work out.
I have to say I feel right at home with the vulgar side of Warped Tour and it is nice to be in an environment where 4 letter words are a viable means of expression. It will be awkward to walk through downtown Walnut Creek and not see anyone wearing say "Masshole" or "Fuck Says I" or "I Don't Want Your Fucking Free Hug" The WC uniform exists but it is dull and boring in comparrison.
So after the party tonight I will drop Alec and Liz off at the Denver airport to catch their non-stop to Oakland. I will return to Rapid City to spend Edna's last days on this planet with her while supporting my mom through it all. My mom is holding up very well. Both of my brothers are also in Rapid. Randy flew out yesterday which is what allowed me to bring Alec and Liz to these last two shows.
There are several non-profits promoting research funding for cancer cures and they all have developed new meaning since my aunt was diagnosed with her cancer during Warped Tour. Her life will likely end before this tour and so the Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Cancer T-shirt says more to me now than it did in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
There are several non-profits promoting research funding for cancer cures and they all have developed new meaning since my aunt was diagnosed with her cancer during Warped Tour. Her life will likely end before this tour and so the Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Cancer T-shirt says more to me now than it did in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
I myself have spent the day trying to capture the visual images that shout Warped Tour that I don't want to forget. The giant blow up Monster can, a well appointed teen with neon mow-hawk, Production, Press, Catering as well as Non-Profit row etc. All the places that I now take for granted. I guess I am also taking for granted the fact that I can sit here and type while listening to Forever the Sickest Kids perform their encore. So cool.
Its interesting because as people are getting tired and the final stretch of the summer tour is nearing, they are also becoming more playful and relaxed. There are more pranks and far more guest appearances on stage. For example, Alex G from All Time Low sang with Friday Night Boys and Cobra Starship yesterday in addition to his own set. Today, Devin the Production Intern sang with The White Tie Affair. Also, one of the singers in White Tie Affair was abducted during the set and warpped in neon orange duct tape. Alec reports that this is the time when all the "hook-ups" take place too. We have not been "hooked-up" however. I think the girls are strictly off limits, or at least I suspect as much. Either that or the punk rockers are the most gentlemanly group of men I have ever encountered.
The last few days we have treated ourselves to catering for lunch; yesterday we ate with the Tour Manager of Cobra Starship, Tom. Very fun guy and as it turns out, he lives in Dublin, CA. Yesterday was a red letter day because Cobra Starship performed for their one and only time. It was great. I was stage right and danced through the whole show. Alec and Liz were on stage opposite of me and couldn't tell me to stop. Gabe was a bundle of energy, by all means the best dancer of the entire Warped Tour crowd....well perhaps Sean of 3Oh3 is also right up there. Great show. Afterwards, Alec interviewed Gabe who was pretty funny.
Since yesterday (Salt Lake City) was our first day back, it was like a home-coming and everyone was very happy to see the girls. Of course I also got many condolences and hugs. The ATT folks were especially kind; they have become our Warped Tour "home base" for sure. The whole experience would not have been nearly as pleasant without them. Today, their semi had troubles and they were left without their stage set up. But they rallied and last I was over there they had a packed tent of fans awaiting a Devil Wears Prada signing. Big John was totally decked out today in all black. He was totally styling.
Since yesterday (Salt Lake City) was our first day back, it was like a home-coming and everyone was very happy to see the girls. Of course I also got many condolences and hugs. The ATT folks were especially kind; they have become our Warped Tour "home base" for sure. The whole experience would not have been nearly as pleasant without them. Today, their semi had troubles and they were left without their stage set up. But they rallied and last I was over there they had a packed tent of fans awaiting a Devil Wears Prada signing. Big John was totally decked out today in all black. He was totally styling.
Denver, Colorado
Today is Sunday and our last Warped Tour Day until they arrive in Ca. Its been a good day. First, NO RAIN...its a first! Also, Alec has made today count. She interviewed Nat and his parents (3Oh3), filmed After Midnight Project, Shut Up and Deal and Forever Sickest Kids.
We actually spent quite a bit of time with the After Midnight Project chatting about the technical side of Warped Tour among other things. I hadn't realized that the Kevin Says stage is solar powered, which partially explains the variation in sound quality there.
We actually spent quite a bit of time with the After Midnight Project chatting about the technical side of Warped Tour among other things. I hadn't realized that the Kevin Says stage is solar powered, which partially explains the variation in sound quality there.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Tinley Park
Every Avenue just played on Smart Punk. Their good and besides Matt the base player is wearing his CF bracelet Liz gave him back in November at her Make A Wish. Pretty cool! He gave me a nice hug yesterday too.
Scotty from Living The Dream
Right before we were heading out from Milwaukee, we finally met Scotty of Living The Dream. This is an organization that he started with the sponsorship of Hurley which is similar to Make A Wish. Scotty is a 42, buff x-musician with a bundle of energy and a very big heart. He also has cystic fibrosis! In fact, Lizzi had entered a contest with Living The Dream to be able to spend a day with any band you wanted at Warped Tour. This was back before we knew that Alec's proposal would be accepted by Kevin Lyman. Lizzi won the contest and so since the Scranton show, when we found out that he attends some of the shows with his winners, we have been trying to catch up with him. What a great guy! He basically said that for the first 40 years of his life, he lived it according to his wishes knowing that his life might be short. At 40, he decided that he had done everything he hoped for and outlived his life expectancy so for the rest of his life he would give back. He founded Living The Dream to accomplish this goal-to help other chronically ill kids enjoy their lives too.
We talked to Scotty for at least an hour and when he found out that the girls were not getting catering because it was cost prohibitive on their limited budget, he offered to put Alec and Liz on his tab for the remainder of the tour. This would be great because they are definitely loosing weight on a diet of Monsters and Spagetti O's. It will be a relief to me for sure. I will be forever indebted to Hurley and now that I know more about all their philanthropic endeavors and what a wonderful person Bob Hurley is, I will certainly support their causes too. Hurley just put on a huge surfing tournament in So Cal last week apparently. Anyway, Scotty is going to be really fun to get to know better. He is inspirational to be sure! And another member of the Warped Tour Family for sure.
Oh, one cute thing did happen yesterday when we went to volunteer at catering. We were directed to Frank who referred us to Robin who owns TaDa catering. In his radio message to Robin he said, "Robin I have two awsome members of the Warped Tour family here who want to help you out today. " So I guess we are family too! Feels good.
We talked to Scotty for at least an hour and when he found out that the girls were not getting catering because it was cost prohibitive on their limited budget, he offered to put Alec and Liz on his tab for the remainder of the tour. This would be great because they are definitely loosing weight on a diet of Monsters and Spagetti O's. It will be a relief to me for sure. I will be forever indebted to Hurley and now that I know more about all their philanthropic endeavors and what a wonderful person Bob Hurley is, I will certainly support their causes too. Hurley just put on a huge surfing tournament in So Cal last week apparently. Anyway, Scotty is going to be really fun to get to know better. He is inspirational to be sure! And another member of the Warped Tour Family for sure.
Oh, one cute thing did happen yesterday when we went to volunteer at catering. We were directed to Frank who referred us to Robin who owns TaDa catering. In his radio message to Robin he said, "Robin I have two awsome members of the Warped Tour family here who want to help you out today. " So I guess we are family too! Feels good.
Detroit cont.
In the afternoon we went to listen to Christopher Drew who joined yesterday. His band is called Never Shout Never, though really its just him with hired musicians. He's a 18ish "love child" or at least that is his personna. The crowd went wild. Alec caught a lot of it on film, crying teens etc. Then we listened to Forever the Sickest Kids and Cash Cash. Cash Cash is often a parking lot neighbor-very nice group of guys.
We thought we were going to the Mustacho Basho party last night where I was looking forward to sporting a mustache for the contest (I had a plan) but as it turned out, it was held in a downtown bar and was over 21 only. Girls were bummed but that's a predicatable downside to being 16. We wondered about the band members under 21, there are lots...but maybe they get in with fake IDs or something....who knows....
So instead we headed down the road about 9:30. At 2:00 AM we had whoppers and around 3:00 AM feel asleep in the Indiana Visitor Bureau's parking lot overlooking a nice lake. It was an easy hour into Tinley Park this morning, and here we are!
We thought we were going to the Mustacho Basho party last night where I was looking forward to sporting a mustache for the contest (I had a plan) but as it turned out, it was held in a downtown bar and was over 21 only. Girls were bummed but that's a predicatable downside to being 16. We wondered about the band members under 21, there are lots...but maybe they get in with fake IDs or something....who knows....
So instead we headed down the road about 9:30. At 2:00 AM we had whoppers and around 3:00 AM feel asleep in the Indiana Visitor Bureau's parking lot overlooking a nice lake. It was an easy hour into Tinley Park this morning, and here we are!
Detroit
Detroit was pretty interesting. We were down town surrounded by high rises though a number of them looked abandoned. Our parking set was great, behind a fenced in area with security guards posted all the way around. It was also a quick walk to the Tigers Stadium where Warped took place. I spent the morning cruising around and then before lunch, Lizzi and I decided to go volunteer in catering which was fun. She and I ran the salad bar, re-filled etc. It was a social job and fun to small talk with everyone. We didn't realize it, but afterwards we were also offered lunch. Alec happened along with perfect timing and also got to eat. I have to admit it was great to sit down to a hot meal in comfort.
Tinley Park, Illinois
Lizzi and I are sitting in the VIP section of the amipheater watching everyone working hard to set up Smart Punk and Hurley.com stages. This is perfect though, great view, privacy and an electic plug to charge everything up. Alec is off following Erin who works for one of the non profits.
Liz is excited because she just spotted Tony, the tour manager of The Academy Is which was Alec's Make A Wish band. We knew that their tour ended yesterday (we didn't make it to any of their shows) so were hoping they may come today to visit with band friends.
In the mean time, we have had luxurious showers and a breeze is blowing clean hair dry. We aren't going to put Destiny up today; we are parked on the edge of the tour bus area with not much security and also, I'd like to leave a little early today to go check out University of Chicago. We may also try to hit Pizza Piazzo again (they were closed when we tried 3 weeks ago) and/or Angels and Kings too.
The college tour portion of this adventure has been a fail as of late; we've been by many but all between the hours of midnight and 6 am at which point there isn't much point to veer off. Plus the last item on the list is more driving time/miles. So last night we missed Purdue, Unversity of Michigan and Michigan State. Did see Wayne State in Detroit since it was across from the venue. Maybe Jacky will want to come on a long summer road trip with me where I can see more sites/colleges. I'll have to start working on her.
Liz is excited because she just spotted Tony, the tour manager of The Academy Is which was Alec's Make A Wish band. We knew that their tour ended yesterday (we didn't make it to any of their shows) so were hoping they may come today to visit with band friends.
In the mean time, we have had luxurious showers and a breeze is blowing clean hair dry. We aren't going to put Destiny up today; we are parked on the edge of the tour bus area with not much security and also, I'd like to leave a little early today to go check out University of Chicago. We may also try to hit Pizza Piazzo again (they were closed when we tried 3 weeks ago) and/or Angels and Kings too.
The college tour portion of this adventure has been a fail as of late; we've been by many but all between the hours of midnight and 6 am at which point there isn't much point to veer off. Plus the last item on the list is more driving time/miles. So last night we missed Purdue, Unversity of Michigan and Michigan State. Did see Wayne State in Detroit since it was across from the venue. Maybe Jacky will want to come on a long summer road trip with me where I can see more sites/colleges. I'll have to start working on her.
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