Ok. I give up. I can't hold it in any longer. I was gone for the last three days and four nights. I was in Austin. I didn't want to blog anything early because I took Friday and Monday off and said I was going to a Wedding. Instead, I went to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. And let's just say, I'm still exhaling the taste of skunky-weed. But aside from the proximity-high that I got, I had an awesome time seeing the performers from a distance. I was too hot and too tired to walk from one stage to another to get closer standing spaces. But I did get to hear and see some really good acts. I wish I had my laptop with me. I don't know why I didn't think about bringing it. The person I stayed with in Austin had internet and everything. I could have blogged a daily journal. Anyway this will be Day One's memories.
So I drove into Austin by 12:30 or so. I spent about an hour finding my friends apartment and then finding the location of the free shuttle. I finally found a public parking lot downtown at City Hall. I thought I would have to pay up the ass, but it turns out, it was a sweet little secret for all those who go to the festival. Anyway, I finally park. It's hot as fucking Hell. It was 99 and with full humidity. I was stupid and wore jeans. Don't ask why. I was stupid. Anyway, I get out the parking lot and make my way to the corner of 4th and Guadelupe to catch the shuttle. I stopped by a nice air-conditioned sandwich shop that was pretty reasonable and good. I am drenched. I am carrying a camelback made for winter. I am also carrying a folding lawn-chair I just bought from Walmart. I packed a towel, fresh pair of underwear, Board Review book, and two bottles of Propel water. I finally finish eating. I continue on my way to the Free Shuttle Stop on 4th and Guadelupe. This was about 3:30. I reach the site and there is a long line of people trying to catch the shuttle. It was a Friday and downtown was crowded with cars, people. It was blazing hot and humid and all I could taste was the suntan lotion dripping in my mouth. And all I could think about was how stupid I was for bringing so much stuff. But I didn't want to go back to my car and change. I wanted to catch Pete Yorn. I missed him by the way. So I finally got on the shuttle. I was in such an embarassed mood. I must have looked like an idiot from out of town to all the cool hipster locals in their flip-flops and straw cowboy hats. I kept my sunglasses on and didn't speak to anyone. Anyway, by the time I got to the festival, I had to stand in another line to get my writband for three days. Then I had to stand in another line to get in. It took another hour before I finally got inside. Throughout all this, my shirt soaked through and my pants were dripping. I must have smelled so bad, but nobody would have noticed since they were all dripping as well. Nasty.
But when I finally got in, I was overwhelmed by how huge the stages were and how spread apart they were. The festival was actually set up very nice with an art/crafts section, merchandise, food sections, and of course the many bar/water stations. $7 beers and $10 glasses of shitty wine. $2 bottles of water. $1 for ice. But i finally made my way to the stages where I wanted to checkout. I saw Blonde Redhead. They were awesome. Sweating in the sun. I made my way to the opposite end and I saw Joss Stone. Man, she is hot. I love her accent and attitude. And she was smokin' in her summer dress. Both stages had incredible acoustics with ball-thumping bass and crystal clear high-hats. I heard a little MIA which was kinda cool. I set up my chair for Queens of the Stone Age. By that time, it was close to 6:30 but the fucking sun was still up and I had already given up my shirt. I was pale white and wet, but I didn't care. I was still sweating. I was torn between seeing QOTSA or Spoon. They were at opposite ends of Zilker Park. So I had to chose the band I heard rocked live. And they did. They were awesome. I missed Gotan Project because I was too tired and hungry to move. So I stayed at the same stage and caught The Killers. They are pretentious. But I must say I like their music and style. Plus they're from Vegas and I feel like I was born there in another life. So they rocked the house. I left early though because I wanted to get back to my friends place before it got too late. I didn't want him to wake up and let me in. Leaving the festival was a nightmare the first day. I left early thinking I could catch the shuttle early. Apparently so did everyone else. I tried to skip the shuttle and take a taxi. Bad choice because the taxi line was all the way at the bottom of the hill. And when I realized I didn't have enough cash, I had to walk all the way back to the top for the shuttle. Of course when I got back the line had multiplied and reached about half a mile. I got in line of course and it took me a total of 1.5 hour to get on a shuttle and get back to downtown. I finally made my way back to my car and tried to drive back to my friend's apartment. Luckily, he's a college student at UT and on Friday Nights, no one sleeps. So he was still up and he let me into his apartment. I took the most needed shower ever. Then I realized I didn't have any of my toiletry stuff and so I had to stop by CVS and pick up everything. I finally settled for bed. I inflated my airbed and crashed. But like I said, Friday nights in Austin by UT are very much active. I think I've grown old and spoiled because I live in a family-oriented suburb now. But I was not expecting screaming college kids all night. The first day was rough sleeping. So I slept without a blanket, freezing as his AC turned on every five minutes. And I had earplugs in the whole night. I finally woke up the next morning, slightly refreshed. But it was 11AM and luckily it was Saturday. I didn't have any bands I wanted to see until 6:30. So day two will be a new blog.
So I drove into Austin by 12:30 or so. I spent about an hour finding my friends apartment and then finding the location of the free shuttle. I finally found a public parking lot downtown at City Hall. I thought I would have to pay up the ass, but it turns out, it was a sweet little secret for all those who go to the festival. Anyway, I finally park. It's hot as fucking Hell. It was 99 and with full humidity. I was stupid and wore jeans. Don't ask why. I was stupid. Anyway, I get out the parking lot and make my way to the corner of 4th and Guadelupe to catch the shuttle. I stopped by a nice air-conditioned sandwich shop that was pretty reasonable and good. I am drenched. I am carrying a camelback made for winter. I am also carrying a folding lawn-chair I just bought from Walmart. I packed a towel, fresh pair of underwear, Board Review book, and two bottles of Propel water. I finally finish eating. I continue on my way to the Free Shuttle Stop on 4th and Guadelupe. This was about 3:30. I reach the site and there is a long line of people trying to catch the shuttle. It was a Friday and downtown was crowded with cars, people. It was blazing hot and humid and all I could taste was the suntan lotion dripping in my mouth. And all I could think about was how stupid I was for bringing so much stuff. But I didn't want to go back to my car and change. I wanted to catch Pete Yorn. I missed him by the way. So I finally got on the shuttle. I was in such an embarassed mood. I must have looked like an idiot from out of town to all the cool hipster locals in their flip-flops and straw cowboy hats. I kept my sunglasses on and didn't speak to anyone. Anyway, by the time I got to the festival, I had to stand in another line to get my writband for three days. Then I had to stand in another line to get in. It took another hour before I finally got inside. Throughout all this, my shirt soaked through and my pants were dripping. I must have smelled so bad, but nobody would have noticed since they were all dripping as well. Nasty.
But when I finally got in, I was overwhelmed by how huge the stages were and how spread apart they were. The festival was actually set up very nice with an art/crafts section, merchandise, food sections, and of course the many bar/water stations. $7 beers and $10 glasses of shitty wine. $2 bottles of water. $1 for ice. But i finally made my way to the stages where I wanted to checkout. I saw Blonde Redhead. They were awesome. Sweating in the sun. I made my way to the opposite end and I saw Joss Stone. Man, she is hot. I love her accent and attitude. And she was smokin' in her summer dress. Both stages had incredible acoustics with ball-thumping bass and crystal clear high-hats. I heard a little MIA which was kinda cool. I set up my chair for Queens of the Stone Age. By that time, it was close to 6:30 but the fucking sun was still up and I had already given up my shirt. I was pale white and wet, but I didn't care. I was still sweating. I was torn between seeing QOTSA or Spoon. They were at opposite ends of Zilker Park. So I had to chose the band I heard rocked live. And they did. They were awesome. I missed Gotan Project because I was too tired and hungry to move. So I stayed at the same stage and caught The Killers. They are pretentious. But I must say I like their music and style. Plus they're from Vegas and I feel like I was born there in another life. So they rocked the house. I left early though because I wanted to get back to my friends place before it got too late. I didn't want him to wake up and let me in. Leaving the festival was a nightmare the first day. I left early thinking I could catch the shuttle early. Apparently so did everyone else. I tried to skip the shuttle and take a taxi. Bad choice because the taxi line was all the way at the bottom of the hill. And when I realized I didn't have enough cash, I had to walk all the way back to the top for the shuttle. Of course when I got back the line had multiplied and reached about half a mile. I got in line of course and it took me a total of 1.5 hour to get on a shuttle and get back to downtown. I finally made my way back to my car and tried to drive back to my friend's apartment. Luckily, he's a college student at UT and on Friday Nights, no one sleeps. So he was still up and he let me into his apartment. I took the most needed shower ever. Then I realized I didn't have any of my toiletry stuff and so I had to stop by CVS and pick up everything. I finally settled for bed. I inflated my airbed and crashed. But like I said, Friday nights in Austin by UT are very much active. I think I've grown old and spoiled because I live in a family-oriented suburb now. But I was not expecting screaming college kids all night. The first day was rough sleeping. So I slept without a blanket, freezing as his AC turned on every five minutes. And I had earplugs in the whole night. I finally woke up the next morning, slightly refreshed. But it was 11AM and luckily it was Saturday. I didn't have any bands I wanted to see until 6:30. So day two will be a new blog.