WOOT!

Okie dokie - It's been almost a week since I last posted a real entry. Feels like ages. Anyway, here goes...

On Valentine's Day, after much running around, I grabbed Jason from the Marina. I finally got to see the inside of Jason's new (been living there for maybe 9 months or so) apartment. It's cute. Very cozy. Then over to the Oakland airport to begin the weekend O' Phish.

(Sorry crumpet and diabhol - I really meant to tell you that I wasn't going to make it to the b-day thing... but there was some flakage happening, so *shrug* never got to it)

Amusing, we saw Adam Durst waiting in the 'B' line. I have this thing for Counting Crows, so it was pretty cool to see 'im in person. He's getting chubby tho.

Anyway. we got to LA. Dropped stuff off in Van Nuys then headed over to Brentwood. Spent some time hanging out, then proceeded to take Sepulvida out to the Forum in Inglewood. Well, not *exactly* but we did take Sepulvida, *and* TURN on Sepulvida... It was sort of wacky. Anyway. We get there, get to our seats. We're up high, but pretty close to the stage. We ended up sitting next to this crazy couple from San Francisco. The dude's name was Lincoln and the gal called herself 'Burkie" - She managed to talk (loudly) though the entire show. Oh well.

Set 1: My Sweet One, Cover of the Rolling Stone*, Chalkdust Torture, Fee > Taste, Bathtub Gin, Heavy Things, Golgi Apparatus

Set 2: Possum, Walls of the Cave > Carini, All of These Dreams, Limb By Limb, Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > AC/DC Bag > Prince Caspian

E: Loving Cup

*Dr Hook and the Medicine Show cover, 1st time played

The show was fucking awesome. Rockin'! I was dancing like a maniac. It was crazy. Besides the crazy lady, the show rocked my world.

After we hit the local In and Out, got some burgers, then headed back to the Valley. Crashed out. All in all, not a bad way to spend valentines day.

Woke up the next day and got ready for Vegas. It's kind of crazy. Second trip to Vegas in less than two weeks... *sigh* no rest for the wicked, eh? Packed up the car, headed off to the airport. Ran into this gal Jen (old friend of Brian's from High School -> college) and her husband/fiance(??) at the airport. Flight ended up leaving super late, and arriving super late. Except for the stewardess who wouldn't let anyone get up and go to the bathroom, flight was not too bad.

The touring crew consisted of: Jason, Brian, Mark, Darian, and I. (Mark and Darian are friends of Brian's from college who now live in LA) After some hanging out, some drinking, some food, and some smokage, we headed off to night two of the west coast phish-madness.

We got some seats just in time for the show to start.

Set 1: Llama, Wolfman's Brother, Reba, Life On Mars*, 46 Days, Its Ice, Frankie Says > Run Like an Antelope

Set 2: Waves > Bug > Ghost > Free, Harry Hood**

E: Sample in a Jar

* David Bowie cover
**near end of song, band is dancing instead of playing

Again, phenomenal show. The crowd took awhile to fill in. I think people forget that in Vegas, things just take about 10 times longer than you think it does. I mean, navigating the casino is its own adventure... I knew a fewer number of the songs, so it took me a bit longer to get into the show. I mean, it was another rockin' show, I have a new appreciation for 'Harry Hood'. If I had to pick one, I'd have to say that this was my least favorite show...

Post show, we all headed back to the room. Then there was motivation to out and gamble. *shrug* I wasn't feeling up to to it. I ended up going out, but I didn't really want to. I guess one of the downsides of going out with a bunch of guys who've know each other for ever is the 'third-wheel' feeling... *shrug* Anyway, Brian and I went back to the room after a bit and crashed out.

People trickled back slowly. Mark and Darian came back around 3:30, Jason - around 7. We started getting up around 11 or something. Everyone but Jason got up and to do the breakfast/lunch thing. Mmmmm, Casino grease! It wasn't *too* bad. I think the food at the MGM on the previous trip was worse... After food, more hanging around in the hotel room. I gave Mark some reiki - then we all motored over to the Boardwalk for some teeny craps. They have these tiny little craps tables over there and the whole place has this ... Coney Island/New Jersey feel.

AAAAANyway. We got to the show early on Sunday. Great seats. About eye level and across from the stage. We all decided to roll. I think I'm pretty sensitive to smoke (anything that burns), so being in the crowded/stuffy/smokey auditorium was kind of un-good. But once the show started... It was moot -

Set 1: David Bowie > Catapult > David Bowie, Horn, Guyute, Round Room, Golden Lady *, Poor Heart, Pebbles & Marbles

Set 2: Down With Disease > Seven Below > Down With Disease, Anything But Me, Piper > Down With Disease > Makisupa Policeman, Character Zero

E: Friday

* Stevie Wonder cover, last played 10/20/94

The energy was up and the show was a m a z i n g. This may have had something to do with my elevated mood... *shrug* But it was fantastic. Really. I felt like I'd finally got IT. That reason why people keep coming back to shows. It was awesome to hear a Bowie, a Makisupa... But Down with Disease was the fucking awesome. The bass... was just *faint*. Rock N' Roll. The roll was fantastic, very lucid and mellow, it complemented the show brilliantly.

After show, we headed back to the hotel. Ended up watching some Tee Vee... some silly commentary on Rocky... Then *crash*.


Next day, Greenberg's deli in the New York, New York. Delays in the Airport on the way home again.

*sigh*

I think this post has gone on long enough. I'll clip out now...