Home again, home again...

Another year of Blue Skies is over. I have returned home to resume the frantic packing and be ready to move in 6 days. As always Blue Skies afforded me the opportunity to see loads of people that I love to spend time with, but rarely get the chance to. The chance to relax, drink some beers, camp and listen to fantastic music. Friday night was amazing as for once I was able to sit and listen to the entire evening of music without worrying about doing anything else. The highlight (although everything was awesome) was listening to an absolutely amazing band called Delhi 2 Dublin. Seriously, go listen to their music. It is the most amazing fusion of Celtic, Indian and Electronic music I have ever heard. Their stage performance was awesome and the energy was unbelievable.

For the majority of acts, only about 5% of the people there will get up and dance. Often, depending on the style of music, that group varies. However, when Delhi 2 Dublin took stage, there were mutters from some of the older Blue Skiers about how this wasn't really "Blue Skies Music" and some even took off back to their campsites early, as Delhi 2 Dublin was the last act of the evening. But there were only a small handful who appeared to depart. What came next absolutely knocked my socks off. 99% of everyone else got up and started dancing. The young, the old, the in-between. That is something that so rarely happens that I felt the need to write so much about it. To finish this thought, seriously, go check out their music, you won't be disappointed.

Moving on.

This year however, despite the awesomeness of friends and music, had some serious downers for me. As I mentioned before, leading up to Blue Skies has been a lot of stress with the impending move and all that surrounds that. So needless to say, I was tired going up but really looking forward to it. I am usually set up the work weekend before, and up again on Wednesday. This year, with everything going on, I had to come up Friday morning, which is hellish for getting in. Usually, if I am driving in on Friday it is only because I ran into Sharbot Lake and then return, drive past the huge line of cars and park where I was. So, this year, I started driving past the lined up cars, got about 10 down the line and realized that I had to be like everyone else and line up! Driving my stick shift and having to reverse up a hill where I only have about 2 inches leeway on each side is difficult. But I was saved! There was someone driving to cars in line, I am guessing his and his wife's (very environmentally friendly...), this of course caused a small gap in the line up while he took turns moving them. I used the opportunity to pull into the line up so I could turn around and drive up the hill, excellent! No sooner than I pulled into the line than this old son of a bitch came to my window to chew me out for trying to cut into the line. He was so self-righteous that I didn't even get the chance to explain to him I was turning around.

So, just a couple minutes into arriving and already I get someone being a total fucking asshole. What a great way to start my weekend...

Throughout the weekend I had several other experiences of this nature, some I simply don't feel like getting into. As I stated earlier, the great music and awesome friends made me smile, a lot. But this year, the fucktards I had to put up with, along with other political Blue Skies bullshit really ruined the festival for me. So much so that on several occasions I discussed with SJMonkey leaving early and not returning next year.

Blue Skies for me is my rejuvenation weekend. Every year it is a chance for me to get back to what I feel are basics; friends, no-frills life, being outdoors, not participating in the capitalist machine. As an aside, the last is the funniest. I have to buy a huge load of necessities right before camping. However, what I really should have said is I am not selling shit while I am there. Anyway! I do not feel overly rejuvenated this year. In fact, I feel much more wiped out, physically and emotionally today.

Again, just to be clear, my friends are awesome. Some in particular. Some of those people may even read this post and know who they are. Most of those people will have me living closer in 6 days, some will be there when I do move in!

To cap this off, post-Blue Skies we drove to the new house, dropped our camping gear, showered for the first time in our new house and then went out to dinner in town. Sushi. That is great post-camping food by the way.

Now, Tuesday night, I am writing this, listening to Delhi 2 Dublin and getting ready to get back to packing. Have a good night, be good to each other and remember this one important lesson; People are fucking assholes of the highest order. BUT, some people are worth more than the contents of Fort Knox, and those people should be told so, often.