Yoga Rocks the Park is kicking off today in OM~aha! YRP is a festive weekly gathering in Midtown Crossing's Turner Park on Sunday’s from 4-6pm. It will combine yoga instruction by some wonderful instructors along w/ the sounds of our favorite musicians & dj’s. There will be a vendor marketplace for the shopping lover like me. And just a few feet away, Camp Yoga Rocks will allow your little ones to enjoy some fun as well.
YRP offers an all-levels yoga class to all members of our community. You can pre-register at yogarocksthepark.com. All that you need is a yoga mat(or a beach towel), an open heart & a smile wouldn’t hurt!
I, myself, am very new to this whole yoga thing. This is a journey that I feel I must take. I feel yoga is calling me, much like Love Fest was calling me. I needed to go to Love Fest to open my heart and now I feel I must go to yoga to open my mind & get my body strong. I see everyone around me doing yoga & improving their strength & clarity as I have gotten more & more familiar w/ every square inch of my couch over the last 2 years. I got a little taste of yoga from Sarah Kent while at Love Fest & got a big taste of just how weak I am. I couldn’t do some of the simplest moves. Its crazy how age creeps up on you and takes away your strength & flexibility that you once had an abundance of. While I wasn’t paying attention, and was more focused on that evil box in my living room than myself, little by little, time stole every muscle I once had. That’s not a “living” room, it was anything but.
Well I’m paying attention now. My body has given me a big scary wake-up call & I don’t have any time left to waste. This is something I HAVE to do. I truly feel it will improve the quality of my life.
In order to prepare more for YRP, I went to Mary Clare’s Basic Flow class at Lotus House of Yoga. We worked on the heart chakra & this class was emotional for me. I had no balance & struggled with just about every move. Others, much older than me were doing amazing things. I was kicking myself for quitting all forms of exercise years ago. I thought I would be strong forever. I tell anyone who will listen, take care of your body when you are young & don’t ever stop because you never know when something’s going to come along and your body will need all the strength it can get. I’m afraid that I have waited too long but I am not going to give up. My body may be weaker than it ever has but my mind is strong & my heart is open. The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. I believe I have that spark.
It is here that I ask for those of you that have it to send, your love, energy & prayer. I really need it. And I, in turn, I send it to all of those in need as well. I hope to keep you posted about my personal progress & journey through yoga each week so stay tuned.
See you at the park!
Peace, Love & Namaste
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Confidently Writing
What’s on my mind today?
Writing has been on my mind a lot. I just wrote a blog about Love Fest & struggled so much w/ it. When I first started writing it, it was pretty easy. I just wrote about how I experienced it & told it how I would tell you if I was telling you in person. But at some point I started thinking about what others wanted to hear, did they want reviews of the bands? Did they want me to keep my personal feelings & experiences out of it? So I started changing it all & trying to review bands, something I’m not particularly comfortable with.
It’s not that I am afraid to judge or give my opinion. I had no problem expressing my opinion that the recent Toro y Moi show at Slowdown was bullshit. They played for a half hour & in my opinion that’s just ridiculous. ½ hour shows are for local bands that only have so much material, or for opening bands. But Toro y Moi has 2 albums & several EP’s worth of music. I found that it’s taboo to say anything against anyone, any band or establishment in the indie music scene. At least that’s the vibe I got. But that’s not why I don’t like to review bands. I just have a hard time defining & describing bands. I just know if I like it or not. There’s usually so much more to my evening or event than just the music. And flipped, other people’s reviews or opinions do nothing for me. I have to hear it for myself.
It doesn’t mean I won’t ever review a band. If I feel it, I will. If not, I won’t. And maybe I will become more comfortable with it over time. But after I read it back w/ the reviews, it just didn’t sound like me, so after much back & forth, I finally deleted all of it & went back to what felt comfortable. What's the point of writing if I'm not writing what I truly feel? So then I finally post it & wait & wonder? Is anybody even reading it? Do they like it? Does it even matter?
Finally I started getting some feedback. Someone said they were "impressed with my ability to just say what is on mind, about my challenges w/ school, figuring out what I want to do & expressing my feelings about my Mom, because most people just sweep their feelings under the rug." Thank you MB! Another friend said they were "so happy that I was writing again". Thanks CG! I got a “great blog!” & an “I love your blog!” as well. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but all of those comments along w/ some other complimentary feedback that day, have made me feel better & more confident about who I am & what I have to say. It has also given me a new appreciation for encouraging others when they express themselves & my reaction or non reaction to it.
My plan is to write more often so that I become more comfortable with it. I hope to improve my skills or just the ability to express myself better. In doing so, I’m hoping to gain some confidence, learn & grow from this experience.
Peace, Love & Confidence!
Writing has been on my mind a lot. I just wrote a blog about Love Fest & struggled so much w/ it. When I first started writing it, it was pretty easy. I just wrote about how I experienced it & told it how I would tell you if I was telling you in person. But at some point I started thinking about what others wanted to hear, did they want reviews of the bands? Did they want me to keep my personal feelings & experiences out of it? So I started changing it all & trying to review bands, something I’m not particularly comfortable with.
It’s not that I am afraid to judge or give my opinion. I had no problem expressing my opinion that the recent Toro y Moi show at Slowdown was bullshit. They played for a half hour & in my opinion that’s just ridiculous. ½ hour shows are for local bands that only have so much material, or for opening bands. But Toro y Moi has 2 albums & several EP’s worth of music. I found that it’s taboo to say anything against anyone, any band or establishment in the indie music scene. At least that’s the vibe I got. But that’s not why I don’t like to review bands. I just have a hard time defining & describing bands. I just know if I like it or not. There’s usually so much more to my evening or event than just the music. And flipped, other people’s reviews or opinions do nothing for me. I have to hear it for myself.
It doesn’t mean I won’t ever review a band. If I feel it, I will. If not, I won’t. And maybe I will become more comfortable with it over time. But after I read it back w/ the reviews, it just didn’t sound like me, so after much back & forth, I finally deleted all of it & went back to what felt comfortable. What's the point of writing if I'm not writing what I truly feel? So then I finally post it & wait & wonder? Is anybody even reading it? Do they like it? Does it even matter?
Finally I started getting some feedback. Someone said they were "impressed with my ability to just say what is on mind, about my challenges w/ school, figuring out what I want to do & expressing my feelings about my Mom, because most people just sweep their feelings under the rug." Thank you MB! Another friend said they were "so happy that I was writing again". Thanks CG! I got a “great blog!” & an “I love your blog!” as well. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but all of those comments along w/ some other complimentary feedback that day, have made me feel better & more confident about who I am & what I have to say. It has also given me a new appreciation for encouraging others when they express themselves & my reaction or non reaction to it.
My plan is to write more often so that I become more comfortable with it. I hope to improve my skills or just the ability to express myself better. In doing so, I’m hoping to gain some confidence, learn & grow from this experience.
Peace, Love & Confidence!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Love Fest in the Midwest ......It's My Birthday!!
Shut the Front Door, I’m 44!
It’s so awesome to wake up at Love Fest on your birthday!!
This was the first day we went to the Moose Lodge for their $6 breakfast buffet. It was awful. I’m so glad I brought my own healthy meals and didn’t rely on that every day. I had fruit & granola w/ almond milk, a hard-boiled egg, coffee & juice every morning. For lunch I had a Roast beef sandwich, w/ tomato & spinach or a Spinach salad w/ leftover salmon(not the band). For dinners I had either salmon or tilapia w/ broccoli and a mango, black bean, quinoa salad. I had chocolate energy bars & other healthy snacks. It was all about energy foods that could sustain me all weekend. If it’s there again next year, maybe better healthier food options can be offered. I always thought hippies liked to eat pretty healthy.
We ran into Benny after breakfast & followed him into the bar where we're pretty sure Alex & John had been drinkin' all night. They were from Deadman Flats, who I could go see every weekend, and Mudstomp Records. We shot the shit while Benny served up beers & we heard some rumors about a duck on acid.
Time to pack up.
I had such a great time at Love Fest & I can’t wait for next year! All in all it’s a pretty good little festival, full of peace & love. I enjoyed all the bands I got to see and they played for a decent amount of time. If I wanted to catch another band playing at the same time on another stage, I was able to make it.
I tried to catch as much music as I could but w/ the closing of the main stage and bands being rearranged to the 2 indoor stages, I never knew who was playing where or when. I really wanted to see The Bishops but never did, only to find out now that they were bumped. A sign saying who was currently playing would’ve helped because several times I’d stop at a stage & ask others who it was & nobody knew. A back up plan for bad weather would’ve helped & prevented bands from being upset. But as I stated at the beginning, I was there for more than the music, so I wasn’t too bummed.
There didn’t seem to be any major problems. I was camped right by security & caught a few bits & pieces, but overall, things seemed to be going smoothly. I guess there was a naked guy running around who had to be subdued & mellowed out before sending him back on his way, clothed of course.
Benny said there were about 10 cell phones brought to the lost & found, the last one belonging to the head honcho, Julie Smith. I’ve said she looks like she could be James Franco’s sister(the guy from Pineapple Express). It appears that it’s more than just looks.
There’s a new generation of hippies now but they haven’t changed much, since my first experience 20 years ago. The one change that I kept noticing over & over was their footwear. It used to be just Birkenstocks, hiking boots and the occasional jesus sandal. Now you could play a version of Birkenstock slug bug. Now it’s Chacos, Tevas, sneakers, flat knee-hi boots and of course flip flops. I brought & was surprised to see there were a few other fashionably smart girls who wore some pretty fun rain boots.
If you couldn’t tell yet, the vending was awesome. It was one booth after another of hand-made hippie clothes, tie-dyes, jewelry, glow toys & lasers, face painting, hair wraps & feathers and even gongs. I can’t forget to mention some very cool art you may have seen at one of the booths or inside the big barn on Saturday night by an amazing artist, Josh Audiss. I’m kind of kicking myself for not at least getting a print but I really wanted an orginal.
Once again, the Bellevue Berry Farm was a great place. They kept the place well taken care of, the bathrooms were not only nice, they were always stocked and if a toilet got clogged, it wasn’t for very long. A guy even came around to the camp sites to collect our trash. How awesome. And the owners & staff were super friendly & accommodating.
I just found out the most exciting news on facebook! Dustin DidgeriDude Camper asked Dalena Desiree Dawn Peterson to marry him while they were front & center at Keller Williams during his song about Love and Love Fest! I’m so happy for them! They were the cute couple Fletch bought my laser light from. And Dustin plays some kind didgeridoo!
Before coming, I decided I was going to greet people w/ the same enthusiasm that my dog greets me. It’s amazing the reaction you get when you approach life this way. I made so many friends every day there. Fletch & I have seen the same people in the local indie music scene for years & we never even say “hi”, we may give each other a slight nod, if even that. So it is quite refreshing to be greeted, accepted & loved by people immediately. It gives me a good feeling & strangely I am filled with a confidence that I am not used to feeling. They don’t judge me, they just love me!
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
It’s so awesome to wake up at Love Fest on your birthday!!
This was the first day we went to the Moose Lodge for their $6 breakfast buffet. It was awful. I’m so glad I brought my own healthy meals and didn’t rely on that every day. I had fruit & granola w/ almond milk, a hard-boiled egg, coffee & juice every morning. For lunch I had a Roast beef sandwich, w/ tomato & spinach or a Spinach salad w/ leftover salmon(not the band). For dinners I had either salmon or tilapia w/ broccoli and a mango, black bean, quinoa salad. I had chocolate energy bars & other healthy snacks. It was all about energy foods that could sustain me all weekend. If it’s there again next year, maybe better healthier food options can be offered. I always thought hippies liked to eat pretty healthy.
We ran into Benny after breakfast & followed him into the bar where we're pretty sure Alex & John had been drinkin' all night. They were from Deadman Flats, who I could go see every weekend, and Mudstomp Records. We shot the shit while Benny served up beers & we heard some rumors about a duck on acid.
Time to pack up.
I had such a great time at Love Fest & I can’t wait for next year! All in all it’s a pretty good little festival, full of peace & love. I enjoyed all the bands I got to see and they played for a decent amount of time. If I wanted to catch another band playing at the same time on another stage, I was able to make it.
I tried to catch as much music as I could but w/ the closing of the main stage and bands being rearranged to the 2 indoor stages, I never knew who was playing where or when. I really wanted to see The Bishops but never did, only to find out now that they were bumped. A sign saying who was currently playing would’ve helped because several times I’d stop at a stage & ask others who it was & nobody knew. A back up plan for bad weather would’ve helped & prevented bands from being upset. But as I stated at the beginning, I was there for more than the music, so I wasn’t too bummed.
There didn’t seem to be any major problems. I was camped right by security & caught a few bits & pieces, but overall, things seemed to be going smoothly. I guess there was a naked guy running around who had to be subdued & mellowed out before sending him back on his way, clothed of course.
Benny said there were about 10 cell phones brought to the lost & found, the last one belonging to the head honcho, Julie Smith. I’ve said she looks like she could be James Franco’s sister(the guy from Pineapple Express). It appears that it’s more than just looks.
There’s a new generation of hippies now but they haven’t changed much, since my first experience 20 years ago. The one change that I kept noticing over & over was their footwear. It used to be just Birkenstocks, hiking boots and the occasional jesus sandal. Now you could play a version of Birkenstock slug bug. Now it’s Chacos, Tevas, sneakers, flat knee-hi boots and of course flip flops. I brought & was surprised to see there were a few other fashionably smart girls who wore some pretty fun rain boots.
If you couldn’t tell yet, the vending was awesome. It was one booth after another of hand-made hippie clothes, tie-dyes, jewelry, glow toys & lasers, face painting, hair wraps & feathers and even gongs. I can’t forget to mention some very cool art you may have seen at one of the booths or inside the big barn on Saturday night by an amazing artist, Josh Audiss. I’m kind of kicking myself for not at least getting a print but I really wanted an orginal.
Once again, the Bellevue Berry Farm was a great place. They kept the place well taken care of, the bathrooms were not only nice, they were always stocked and if a toilet got clogged, it wasn’t for very long. A guy even came around to the camp sites to collect our trash. How awesome. And the owners & staff were super friendly & accommodating.
I just found out the most exciting news on facebook! Dustin DidgeriDude Camper asked Dalena Desiree Dawn Peterson to marry him while they were front & center at Keller Williams during his song about Love and Love Fest! I’m so happy for them! They were the cute couple Fletch bought my laser light from. And Dustin plays some kind didgeridoo!
Before coming, I decided I was going to greet people w/ the same enthusiasm that my dog greets me. It’s amazing the reaction you get when you approach life this way. I made so many friends every day there. Fletch & I have seen the same people in the local indie music scene for years & we never even say “hi”, we may give each other a slight nod, if even that. So it is quite refreshing to be greeted, accepted & loved by people immediately. It gives me a good feeling & strangely I am filled with a confidence that I am not used to feeling. They don’t judge me, they just love me!
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
Love Fest in the Midwest Day 3
Saturday morning I made a smoothie to go before heading to Morning Yoga w/ the lovely Sarah Kent in the main building. It was my first Yoga class in what will be another new chapter. I’m very weak & have a long road ahead of me, but as long as it’s a colorful road, I can do this.
The Jerry Pranksters, a Grateful Dead tribute band, started right after yoga & I can’t believe I had never made it to one of their shows. I will now. I then caught Louie Omaha who’s always playin’ guitar on the corner in the Old Market and Mamadou Mane Badaine, an amazing percussionist from Senegal that Omaha adopted years ago. I also enjoyed the heavy percussion & African rhythms of Antioquia. They had great energy & I realized most of the boys were in yoga this morning. I met the guys from Tree Hut Kings as they were passing by my van earlier and made sure to see them. They are self described as "Jammed Out Jazz Rock with a Funky Soul".
In between bands, I did more shopping to see what I missed. I almost missed the best outfit ever! I got a boa, some kick ass tie dyed corduroys and a long sleeve tie-dyed shirt, all in the same color scheme of turquoise, purple & pink. I threw on my pink fuzzy hat w/ some funky sunglasses & decided to strut my new look. I ended up on a hill for Higher Empathy Movement. As I sat next to Kris Lager, he said that I was the best dressed and apparently the prize was his cd, because he handed me that next. I’m listening to it now & love it!
I was running out of cash for my last evening so I desperately tried to figure out my ATM pin code w/o getting my card eaten. I never use it but after my support of the vendors, Fletch had no money for that Cornstalker beer he drank all weekend. Hooray! I got cash on the 3rd try! Fletch will stay hydrated!
I threw back a 5 hour energy shot, grabbed my new laser accessory and headed off to see Blue Martian Tribe, who I just recently discovered that I really like. Again, I kept going back & forth between stages. I caught Chelsea Taxman of Sea Rose Music. Her music was sweet & whimsical and I absolutely loved it. However, it would’ve been better in a quiet & more intimate setting. After a BMT crowd & before a Keller Williams crowd was not the place for her. I’ve seen Keller Williams several times. I really like Keller but this was a much more mellow show than usual and my energy shot was wearing off. Maybe it was the fact that while Keller was playing, I turned 44. Afterwards, my friend Joel got me back stage to meet Keller. He was in the middle of an impromptu jam w/ a few musicians from other bands. They were doing “Brown Eyed Women” by the Grateful Dead. Then we met, he shook my hand & told me “Happy Birthday”. I asked him how he liked playing Love Fest and he said he loved Love Fest and what it was about.
After that, I caught Mountain Sprout. They were a bunch of bango, fiddle & guitar playin’ hillbillies with long beards from Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Their music kept me around a little longer than I thought my eyes were going to make it.
The whole reason I took the 5 hour energy shot was so that I could see my friend James Cuato and the Ascenders, but sadly, I didn’t make it. I guess I needed something stronger. I’ll keep that in mind for next year. To bed.
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
The Jerry Pranksters, a Grateful Dead tribute band, started right after yoga & I can’t believe I had never made it to one of their shows. I will now. I then caught Louie Omaha who’s always playin’ guitar on the corner in the Old Market and Mamadou Mane Badaine, an amazing percussionist from Senegal that Omaha adopted years ago. I also enjoyed the heavy percussion & African rhythms of Antioquia. They had great energy & I realized most of the boys were in yoga this morning. I met the guys from Tree Hut Kings as they were passing by my van earlier and made sure to see them. They are self described as "Jammed Out Jazz Rock with a Funky Soul".
In between bands, I did more shopping to see what I missed. I almost missed the best outfit ever! I got a boa, some kick ass tie dyed corduroys and a long sleeve tie-dyed shirt, all in the same color scheme of turquoise, purple & pink. I threw on my pink fuzzy hat w/ some funky sunglasses & decided to strut my new look. I ended up on a hill for Higher Empathy Movement. As I sat next to Kris Lager, he said that I was the best dressed and apparently the prize was his cd, because he handed me that next. I’m listening to it now & love it!
I was running out of cash for my last evening so I desperately tried to figure out my ATM pin code w/o getting my card eaten. I never use it but after my support of the vendors, Fletch had no money for that Cornstalker beer he drank all weekend. Hooray! I got cash on the 3rd try! Fletch will stay hydrated!
I threw back a 5 hour energy shot, grabbed my new laser accessory and headed off to see Blue Martian Tribe, who I just recently discovered that I really like. Again, I kept going back & forth between stages. I caught Chelsea Taxman of Sea Rose Music. Her music was sweet & whimsical and I absolutely loved it. However, it would’ve been better in a quiet & more intimate setting. After a BMT crowd & before a Keller Williams crowd was not the place for her. I’ve seen Keller Williams several times. I really like Keller but this was a much more mellow show than usual and my energy shot was wearing off. Maybe it was the fact that while Keller was playing, I turned 44. Afterwards, my friend Joel got me back stage to meet Keller. He was in the middle of an impromptu jam w/ a few musicians from other bands. They were doing “Brown Eyed Women” by the Grateful Dead. Then we met, he shook my hand & told me “Happy Birthday”. I asked him how he liked playing Love Fest and he said he loved Love Fest and what it was about.
After that, I caught Mountain Sprout. They were a bunch of bango, fiddle & guitar playin’ hillbillies with long beards from Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Their music kept me around a little longer than I thought my eyes were going to make it.
The whole reason I took the 5 hour energy shot was so that I could see my friend James Cuato and the Ascenders, but sadly, I didn’t make it. I guess I needed something stronger. I’ll keep that in mind for next year. To bed.
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
Love Fest in the Midwest Day 2
Friday the 13th wasn’t starting out so bad. I was able to sleep in until 10 & I can never sleep past 7am. It was cold & cloudy, but at least it didn’t rain. After having some granola & fruit for breakfast, I spent the morning writing. I looked out the van window & could see that it was still cold because every hippie I saw had a blanket wrapped around them. I put on a few layers of clothing and even though I was warm enough, I felt a little boring so I threw on blanket as well & I went to see what was going on. Along the way, I’d easily get distracted by something or someone colorful.
The vendors were a big, yet wonderful distraction for me. And there were plenty of them. Yesterday I found myself a cute little hand-made “fairy skirt” from Lindsey. I’ve wanted one ever since I saw a girl wearing one at the Bassnectar show a month ago. I’ve also been interested in those colorful feathers I keep seeing in girl’s hair, which appears to be what the hair wrap was to the 90’s. I once spent an entire night after a Dead show putting one in a girl’s hair, and that time I definitely was under the influence of Mr. Kesey. Feathers only take a matter of minutes. Rachel, of Perpetual Designs, puts these in for you, but she also sells them as earrings, which is the option I went with. I love them.
The bands I caught today were: Midland Band, The Weeping Figs, Washboard Gravel, Stanky Puddunker, Paddy O'Furniture, Deadman Flats, MOJO, Family Groove Company, Somasphere, Ghost Town Blues w/ Kris Lager sitting in.
Sometimes you just have to come to a festival & experience it for yourself. Some things just can’t be explained & Friday night was like that. I’ll just say that the view was one that Timothy Leary would’ve appreciated. While Fletch & I were walking the trail, a girl came running up to us, hugged us & said she loved us. I asked if she was the same girl I just saw in the bathroom who hugged me because she felt the same? I’m pretty sure she was but if I haven’t been clear yet, things were a little confusing. Earlier, Fletch bought me one of those laser lights for my birthday & we had a lot of fun with that in the back of the minivan to the point that my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.
When we were finally able to make it out of the van, I was wearing my tutu & tights and ready for some dancing, as well trying out some new laser moves. I could play with that thing forever and all the indie bands I go to see are so gonna hate me. Oh well. After Somasphere, we happened upon a fire show outside before we stumbled into the Moose Lodge and caught a pretty cool show. Kris Lager was playing with Ghost Town Blues and I remember liking that quite a lot. I wasn’t able to stay up too long after that so we missed all the late night festivities.
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
The vendors were a big, yet wonderful distraction for me. And there were plenty of them. Yesterday I found myself a cute little hand-made “fairy skirt” from Lindsey. I’ve wanted one ever since I saw a girl wearing one at the Bassnectar show a month ago. I’ve also been interested in those colorful feathers I keep seeing in girl’s hair, which appears to be what the hair wrap was to the 90’s. I once spent an entire night after a Dead show putting one in a girl’s hair, and that time I definitely was under the influence of Mr. Kesey. Feathers only take a matter of minutes. Rachel, of Perpetual Designs, puts these in for you, but she also sells them as earrings, which is the option I went with. I love them.
The bands I caught today were: Midland Band, The Weeping Figs, Washboard Gravel, Stanky Puddunker, Paddy O'Furniture, Deadman Flats, MOJO, Family Groove Company, Somasphere, Ghost Town Blues w/ Kris Lager sitting in.
Sometimes you just have to come to a festival & experience it for yourself. Some things just can’t be explained & Friday night was like that. I’ll just say that the view was one that Timothy Leary would’ve appreciated. While Fletch & I were walking the trail, a girl came running up to us, hugged us & said she loved us. I asked if she was the same girl I just saw in the bathroom who hugged me because she felt the same? I’m pretty sure she was but if I haven’t been clear yet, things were a little confusing. Earlier, Fletch bought me one of those laser lights for my birthday & we had a lot of fun with that in the back of the minivan to the point that my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.
When we were finally able to make it out of the van, I was wearing my tutu & tights and ready for some dancing, as well trying out some new laser moves. I could play with that thing forever and all the indie bands I go to see are so gonna hate me. Oh well. After Somasphere, we happened upon a fire show outside before we stumbled into the Moose Lodge and caught a pretty cool show. Kris Lager was playing with Ghost Town Blues and I remember liking that quite a lot. I wasn’t able to stay up too long after that so we missed all the late night festivities.
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
Love Fest in the Midwest Day 1
It’s the first day of Love Fest & I’m finally here after a night of packing up all my camp gear, costume clothes and getting some super foods ready so that I have enough energy to make it through 3 full days of music & whatever kind of goodness, or good kindness that I encounter this weekend.
I arrived at noon, got a little tour from Benny & Joel, and then I set up camp. After camp was all set, it was now time to check out what I was considering my “hippie retreat”. This is a much needed retreat for me, my attitude, my outlook & my overall well being. I figured a good dose of hippie love is just what I needed this weekend and since my birthday is on Sunday, I’m hoping to make this a new chapter and a new beginning.
As I explored my weekend home, the Bellevue Berry Farm, I fell in love with it immediately. It seems to be the perfect back drop for a music festival full of other exploring hippies. It was surreal with all these funky little western & haunted buildings. There was a duck and several peacocks roaming around freely. There was an emu, a couple of ponies and a Golden Coral that housed 5 beautiful golden retrievers.
I found myself walking around in circles the first couple of hours. That’s Karma though, “what goes around comes around”. I tripped twice already & I’m not talking the Ken Kesey kind. I literally tripped & fell. So in between walking in circles & tripping I spent a lot of time just chillin’ in the grass w/ Duder. Duder is Benny’s Grateful Dane & Benny is who you may have met at the Volunteer/First Aid Booth.
Camping for most was a big green grassy field. No cars were allowed in that area which made for a beautiful scene. All you could see were tents, hippies, fires & drum circles. The lot next to that was home for a couple dozen RV’s. I’m sure after the 2 hour thunderstorm later that night, the people getting soaked in tents were ready to storm those RV’s.
After finally figuring out where all the stages were, there was still some confusion as to which stage was which. And after meeting at the Pirate Ship for 4:20 it became even more confusing. The confusion carried on well into the evening, especially when, due to bad weather, they closed the Main Stage. Then it was anyone’s guess as to who was playing where & exactly when. The organizers are doing a great job, but it is a hippie fest and things tend to get a little confusing, to say the least.
I kinda love the fact that’s it’s all up in the air. It forces me to just relax & enjoy what comes my way. I’m so used to attacking music festivals w/ a schedule that’s planned before I even go. I spend my time rushing from one stage to the next trying to catch every single band. I’m taking a much different and definitely a more laid back approach this weekend. Taking that approach I‘ve happened upon a lot of good music so far. Today I caught: Everything I Plant, I Bury, Solid Gold, Funk Trek, Beaver and the Hottage Cutch and Kris Lager Band. Fletch & I did make sure that when the rain came we were at the G & G Smoke Shop Stage for the The Schwag. Then when the rain stopped, we headed over to catch some Strange Pleasures at Moose Lodge. We went back & forth between stages, the fire, our camp site & finally bed.
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
I arrived at noon, got a little tour from Benny & Joel, and then I set up camp. After camp was all set, it was now time to check out what I was considering my “hippie retreat”. This is a much needed retreat for me, my attitude, my outlook & my overall well being. I figured a good dose of hippie love is just what I needed this weekend and since my birthday is on Sunday, I’m hoping to make this a new chapter and a new beginning.
As I explored my weekend home, the Bellevue Berry Farm, I fell in love with it immediately. It seems to be the perfect back drop for a music festival full of other exploring hippies. It was surreal with all these funky little western & haunted buildings. There was a duck and several peacocks roaming around freely. There was an emu, a couple of ponies and a Golden Coral that housed 5 beautiful golden retrievers.
I found myself walking around in circles the first couple of hours. That’s Karma though, “what goes around comes around”. I tripped twice already & I’m not talking the Ken Kesey kind. I literally tripped & fell. So in between walking in circles & tripping I spent a lot of time just chillin’ in the grass w/ Duder. Duder is Benny’s Grateful Dane & Benny is who you may have met at the Volunteer/First Aid Booth.
Camping for most was a big green grassy field. No cars were allowed in that area which made for a beautiful scene. All you could see were tents, hippies, fires & drum circles. The lot next to that was home for a couple dozen RV’s. I’m sure after the 2 hour thunderstorm later that night, the people getting soaked in tents were ready to storm those RV’s.
After finally figuring out where all the stages were, there was still some confusion as to which stage was which. And after meeting at the Pirate Ship for 4:20 it became even more confusing. The confusion carried on well into the evening, especially when, due to bad weather, they closed the Main Stage. Then it was anyone’s guess as to who was playing where & exactly when. The organizers are doing a great job, but it is a hippie fest and things tend to get a little confusing, to say the least.
I kinda love the fact that’s it’s all up in the air. It forces me to just relax & enjoy what comes my way. I’m so used to attacking music festivals w/ a schedule that’s planned before I even go. I spend my time rushing from one stage to the next trying to catch every single band. I’m taking a much different and definitely a more laid back approach this weekend. Taking that approach I‘ve happened upon a lot of good music so far. Today I caught: Everything I Plant, I Bury, Solid Gold, Funk Trek, Beaver and the Hottage Cutch and Kris Lager Band. Fletch & I did make sure that when the rain came we were at the G & G Smoke Shop Stage for the The Schwag. Then when the rain stopped, we headed over to catch some Strange Pleasures at Moose Lodge. We went back & forth between stages, the fire, our camp site & finally bed.
Peace, Love & Lady Bugs!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Hippies are Amazing!!
As I lost myself in the sounds of Blue Martian Tribe last night, who were playing 2 sets of Wide Spread Panic at Clancy’s, I felt a certain happiness & peace come over me. I was surrounded by love & could feel it immediately. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that this was a free party for some couple that is getting married this Saturday. I never did end up meeting the couple but this show was free & welcomed anyone & everyone, and I definitely felt welcome.
I was surrounded by a room full of dancing hippies, some of who I know & call my friends. There were many though who I did not know but they were just as friendly, Several times, someone I did not know would high-five me as they passed by & some even hugged me. Either way, they always had a big smile on their face. I can’t imagine what one of the hipsters at an indie show would do if I just came up & hugged them as I was passing by. I don’t think a high-five or a smile would be their reaction.
There was an amazing energy in this room tonight, and I was quickly becoming part of it. I too was compelled to dance & enjoy this unavoidable energy. As I did, I could feel all the tension & anxiety leave my body. The more I danced, the more I escaped, and the tightness that is always in my neck & shoulders was falling away and a freeness came over me.
I ran into Fletch by the sound board where the tapers were. With a huge smile I confidently said, “I think I could be a full time hippie!” Fletch said in a hushed voice, “They’re taping” I thought about that & what a cool thing that might be to hear on a bootleg. “But that’s a cool thing to say!”, I said & Fletch agreed.
Blue Martian Tribe played an amazing rendition of Wide Spread Panic songs, right down to the way WSP normally performs it. At least that’s what others were saying. I don’t usually pay attention to that extent. I just enjoy the music & dance!
Hippies truly are some of the most amazing people to be around & I am happy to say that is how I’ve decided to celebrate my birthday this year. I will be attending Love Fest in the Midwest where I will be camping & dancing for 3 days at the Bellevue Berry Farm with my hippies.
Fletch & I used to be more involved in the hippie scene when we were first dating, going to Rainbow Gatherings, drum circles & Sister Circles. We now enjoy all different genre's of music, fashion, etc... However, I feel "hippie" is mostly a state of mind & once a hippie, always a hippie at heart!
Peace & Love & Lady Bugs!!
I was surrounded by a room full of dancing hippies, some of who I know & call my friends. There were many though who I did not know but they were just as friendly, Several times, someone I did not know would high-five me as they passed by & some even hugged me. Either way, they always had a big smile on their face. I can’t imagine what one of the hipsters at an indie show would do if I just came up & hugged them as I was passing by. I don’t think a high-five or a smile would be their reaction.
There was an amazing energy in this room tonight, and I was quickly becoming part of it. I too was compelled to dance & enjoy this unavoidable energy. As I did, I could feel all the tension & anxiety leave my body. The more I danced, the more I escaped, and the tightness that is always in my neck & shoulders was falling away and a freeness came over me.
I ran into Fletch by the sound board where the tapers were. With a huge smile I confidently said, “I think I could be a full time hippie!” Fletch said in a hushed voice, “They’re taping” I thought about that & what a cool thing that might be to hear on a bootleg. “But that’s a cool thing to say!”, I said & Fletch agreed.
Blue Martian Tribe played an amazing rendition of Wide Spread Panic songs, right down to the way WSP normally performs it. At least that’s what others were saying. I don’t usually pay attention to that extent. I just enjoy the music & dance!
Hippies truly are some of the most amazing people to be around & I am happy to say that is how I’ve decided to celebrate my birthday this year. I will be attending Love Fest in the Midwest where I will be camping & dancing for 3 days at the Bellevue Berry Farm with my hippies.
Fletch & I used to be more involved in the hippie scene when we were first dating, going to Rainbow Gatherings, drum circles & Sister Circles. We now enjoy all different genre's of music, fashion, etc... However, I feel "hippie" is mostly a state of mind & once a hippie, always a hippie at heart!
Peace & Love & Lady Bugs!!
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