Americans are Cool

Whatever it says about us as a country - you can't help but be amused that we have chosen to celebrate our day of independence by grilling meat and blowing shit up.

To remind us of the dangers inherent in blowing shit up, Comcast shared this picture with it's users...

I was a little flabbergasted - until I realized it was only a mannequin. Who let's mannequins near fireworks in the first place? Those crazy bastards are not to be trusted. My nephew will agree with me.

To fulfill my duties as an American (it's actually in the Declaration of Independence) I am off to hang out with my family, eat potato salad (hopefully!) and watch fireworks.

Then it's off to camp!!

Ireland Blogs - Part Seven

23 June

I'm on the flight home - I did it. I'm so proud of myself - I made it to the airport without any trouble whatsoever. I was even smarter than the GPS for once. It wanted to take me through the city centre - apparently the quicker but much more panic-inducing route. I realized then that this is what it decided to do for me when I was leaving the airport. Nay, said I. I took the M50 - which was signposted for the airport. A little longer but much easier. I filled up my tank without too much trouble. Half a tank cost 21 euro. Then I circled back to the car park. The man at Budget gave me a serious hard time about the mass of scratches on the passenger side of the car. This also happens to be the side of the car nearest the edge of the road - the road that is populated with a bountiful amount of branches, trees and other plants. They're lucky that I showed up in a car with four tires and all windows intact. What a hassle. Good thing I bought every kind of insurance coverage possible!


Earlier in the AM - breakfast was much better. The scrambled eggs were pretty yummy and I actually liked my warmish tomatoes this time. I took a short drive to the Powerscourt waterfall which cost an astounding 5 euro to drive up to. And yeah, it was a waterfall.





I've seen waterfalls in Yellowstone and Kauai that would make this one blush. And those were free. Being nature and all. Still, it was nice I guess.

Almost just as impressive as my driving this morning was the fact that I perfectly timed everything! And I had budgeted my cash so well that after lunch and quick souveneir shopping, I had just enough for a bottle of water and some change to donate to Unicef. I just watched Frost / Nixon on the plane. Very good - a little slow moving at some points. I also caught the Paul Weller music video for "Echoes Round the Sun" which features Noel and Gem. Hey...I was just hanging out with both of those guys! I wanted to tell my seatmate, but unlike the flight over, this lady was not interested in becoming my friend.


I'm a little sad that it's all over, but glad it went so damn well. I like this travelling by myself bit, although it can be a bit lonely at night. I can't wait for my own bed.



Best and Worst of Ireland 09



Best Sight: 80,000 people at Slane going mad for Oasis. Runner up: GPS screen

Best Sound: "Half the World Away". Runner up: Noel singing along to David Bowie in his dressing room

Best Smell: Catering tent. Runner up: Powerscourt Gardens

Best Taste: Dinner at Emilia's. Runner up: warm tea at the end of the gig

Best Slang: bits and bobs, knackered, cuppa

Best Chicago Reference: Hey! Obama!

Best Driving: Wicklow Gap

Best Stay: The tour bus!



Worst Sight: Road sign for roundabout

Worst Sound: GPS telling me it would "recalculate" my route for the fifth time

Worst Smell: Port-A-Loos

Worst Taste: 7 euro hot dog

Worst Slang: Paki, bap

Worst Chicago Reference: Illinoise

Worst Driving: No contest - airport to Wicklow

Worst Stay: Radisson at the Airport - the bed was great but it was drab and I was unconscious for 95% of my stay


Funniest Moment: Hayley's story about Bono and the snapping...each time he snapped his fingers at a concert, it signified a child in the world dying. "Each time I snap my fingers, a child dies." Heckler: "Well stop bloody snapping your fingers then!"

Saddest Moment: Being in the POW cemetery in Glencree after Father's Day and seeing cards addressed to "Daddy"

Most Missed Things about the US: Ranch dressing and normal dinner salads, normal tasting Coke, good TV programs, pancakes, air conditioning, understandable parking/driving signs

Least Missed Things about the US: Stripmalls, concrete, reality TV

Least Enjoyed Thigns about IRE: Traditional Irish breakfast, roundabouts, lack of air conditioning and ice, 7 euro hotdogs, the cost, rapidly changing weather conditions, not being able to find Oliver Plunkett's embalmed head.


Most Enjoyed Things about IRE: Garlic mayo, fresh fruit, funny street signs ("Dead Slow!" "Road Calming Ahead" "No Anti-Social Behavior" "Dangerous Bends"), accents, greeeeeeen, no chain stores!, Bulmers pear cider, Irish and English habit of phrasing everything with a question at the end, "Hello Love", oncoming drivers waving hello on small roads, spray painted sheep, wellies, colored money, everpresent cuppa, rapidly changing weather conditions, really old things

Ireland Blogs - Part Six

22 June

Phew. Survived day two of driving. It's gotten remarkably easier. The big test will be tomorrow and driving back to the airport. I started this morning with breakfast at the B&B. Oh god. Traditional Irish Breakfast are not words that I will come to treasure. Eggs and sausage sounded safe enough. I am a very particular eater, especially when it comes to breakfast foods and eggs. They came out incredibly runny with the yolk almost still chicken-like. Sausage was actually bacon, and Irish bacon is just really fatty ham. Also, served on the plate were some tomatoes - lukewarm. I sat and stared at the plate without moving for a good few minutes. I was slightly worried about being a rude guest but I had totally lost my appetite. I seriously considered secreting most of it away in my napkin. I tried part of the egg white and didn't die. I channeled Anthony Bourdain (although, truthfully, this was no seal eyeball) and made myself an egg sandwich with the plate of toast. Nice one, Shannon!

I spent two hours walking around Glendalough. Two days ago I was drinking whiskey and dancing to David Bowie in Noel's dressing room. Now I'm mucking my way through an ancient monastic site. Cool. There weren't too many tourists in Glendalough, which made for a lovely experience. Me and the woods. No iPod - just nature. And mountains. They were stunning.

I think that if you lived in Ireland, you might get used to rolling hills, gorgeous green and ancient stone ruins. I would hate to get used to that. Still, there are some limits (even for me) as to how many pictures of ancient ruined cathedrals I can take pictures of. There are no limits on sheep.

I had a quick lunch of a cajun chicken bap (that's Irish for a sandwich) and then set off to drive the Wicklow Gap through the mountains. The Wicklow Gap is one of two drivable passes that cut across the mountains. I've gotten used to roads without markings and barely wide enough for a car and a person. I found some sheep. Listened to my amazing mix cds (and yes, I did cave and put U2 and the Frames on there). When George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" came on, I swear the sun peeked out from the behind the clouds and beamed on me.

I managed to find the R115, the military road, and made my way up the tiny (and unsafe for horses) route. This roadway was created in 1798 in a campaign to flush out Irish rebels. Now it takes drivers through the emptiest and most rugged landcapes of County Wicklow. This was what my guidebook promised, and that is what I got. Ireland is a dream.

I got turned around at a rural intersection - the street signs with arrows pointing the way had gotten turned by the wind and I ended up back on the route to Dublin. Eek. I didn't panic (that much) this time, although the site of roundabouts and traffic lights again did make me a little nervous. On my detour, I managed to find this:

Finally did make it wee Glencree and found the German POW cemetery that I was determined to see. The cemetery holds the remains of 134 people. 81 of these are German soldiers (6 from WWI and the rest are mostly Luftwaffe [air force] or Kriegsmarine [navy] from WWII). The six Germans from WWI were held as POW by the British. It was strange, but moving, to see wreaths and cards for Father's Day at the site.

From Glencree, I drove to Enniskerry and then decided to take a trip to Powerscourt Gardens since I had the time. The grounds were massive and beautiful, as was to be expected. The pet cemetery was sweet and I was amazed by the variety of plants and flowers. It was another peaceful time spent, largely without too many other tourists (as it was late in the day and threatening rain). So much walking today!

I found my B&B, which was five minutes from the Gardens. I was disappointed that the promised restaurant in the B&B wasn't in service. That was probably a good thing in the end because I went to the village for dinner and had an amazing meal at Emilia's. I knew it was a good sign that the owner, Maximo, was from Roma. An Italian owner and chef of an Italian restaurant almost guarantees that the food will be delicious. I ordered caesar salad and penne all' arrabiatta. It was a little bit spicy, but delicious. The owner asked me how I ended up in Enniskerry from Chicago. I mentioned Slane and he was impressed. He said he had wanted to go but couldn't get away from the restaurant. I wasn't sure how much I believed that, because for the entire evening, I was the only customer in the place! After some homemade chocolate cake, I went back to my B&B and took a short walk. I harassed some cows. I remember hearing or reading that the best way to get a cow to come over is to lie down on the ground. They will immediately come and investigate. Well, I didn't actually do that since I was right by the road and separated from the cows by a fence. But I did get some interested looks and focused stares for my troubles.

The shower felt SO good and my bed was pretty comfy. The TV worked (watched a program on Australia's national security !?) and I drifted off to sleep listening to the sheep bleating outside of my window. What a dream.

Ireland Blogs - Part Five

21 June

I was so confused when I woke up six hours later to my alarm in a strange room (that truthfully, I barely remembered from the night before). I was also extremely terrified and anxious when I realized that I would be renting and driving a car in Ireland post-copious Jameson and minimal sleep. Terrified.

I took the shuttle to the airport. I had rented a car using Car del Mar - and try as I might - I couldn't find their booth anywhere in the airport. I was starting to worry that it was some sort of hoax perpetrated on Americans when I remembered that I had a working cell phone and could call the number on my invoice. I literally stood and watched as the woman in front of me at the Budget desk, picked up the phone when I called. I hung up without saying anything intelligible (I managed something like "Oh! Ok.") and went to the desk. She seemed worried when I explained that I was the one who had just called (and rightly so as I barely managed words) and I was here to pick up a car. Two fortuitous things happened at this point - she confirmed that I wanted a GPS and asked if I wanted full insurance on my car. Yes to both - even though this added a few extra euro to my tab.

Finding my car in the Budget rental lot was no problem. Micra was an appropriate name for my little red rental. So little! No trunk and barely a backseat* (Ed. Note: on the day I turned my car in, I realized that there was a small trunk that opened via hatchback. Whoops).

I loaded myself and my baggage into the car and tried to give myself a pep talk. At this point, I'd managed to drink some water but was too nervous to eat, and my tummy was starting to cramp up. Rooting through the GPS box, I realized that while there were 8 different booklets in different languages, none were in English, or even Spanish which I could have figured out. It took me quite a bit of time to figure out how to mount the GPS, but once I had done that, I had no excuse but to try and start driving. "Left, left, left" I kept saying to myself as I pulled out of my slot and into the aisle of the parking lot. There was a horribly loud beeping noise coming from the car, the source of which I could not locate. I had to park and beg help from someone from the Avis desk. He looked at me as if I was a uniquely special individual as he explained that I was driving with the hand brake up (a feat I didn't even realize was possible).

And then - horror upon horror - I exited the car park and entered into traffic. And so began the 1.5 worst hours I ever spent in Ireland. Roundabouts. Heavy traffic. Almost getting flattened by a massive bus. Re-routing upon re-routing (I could almost detect the sigh in my GPS friend's voice as she announced that she was "recalculating" after another wrong exit on the roundabout). Ending up in the city centre of Dublin (!?!) instead of on the relatively easy to navigate motorway around the city. Panic, forgetting to breathe, "I can't do this! I can't do this! I CAN do this. Calm down" repeated in near hysteria. "What the fuck!?" following closely behind. Trying not to hyperventilate as I sat in my Micra after yet another wrong turn - stuck in Dublin with all the roads in my vicinity closed for a neighborhood festival and my GPS not able to understand why I wasn't turning RIGHT on Knocknarnee. To make matters worse - after all the whiskey consumed the night before, I was having cramping and needed to find a toilet. Seriously. I was also considering scratching the whole plan and begging the good people at Budget for a refund. But the thought of navigating back to the airport made me want to throw up. Instead, I dug into my inner bad ass and decided not to ruin my vacation.

I finally found the N11 and thereafter a gas station for the toilet and half a turkey sandwich for lunch. It's been relatively smooth driving since then and I did even manage to relax and enjoy the scenery after awhile.

First stop: Wicklow.

Realizing it was Sunday and most all of the shops were closed, I only had a quick walk down to the port area where I spied on an otter (!), ducks, and swans. I also called my mother to convince her that I was OK and actually enjoying myself after the most harrowing morning of my recent life. At this point in my trip, I wasn't really sure what to do by myself. I was still too antsy to sit around and watch life pass, but I was also too unsure of what to do.

Second stop: Arklow. More was closed here as well - including the tourist office. So, having no maps and no idea what to do, I took a short walk around to explore. There was a very Irish main street (storefronts in all different colors and no chains). I found what I suspected to be a portrait of Oscar Wilde spray painted onto a few buildings. I got very excited at first because I thought I had found some of Banksy's work, but realized that there was nothing too provoking or subversive about it, so it was probably just someone ... who liked Oscar Wilde.

Third Stop: Avoca. Tiny little place - lovely, right on the river. Brightly colored buildings and flowers as per Irish rules and regs.

Why are these little town streets so GD narrow? I mean seriously, I thought some of them simply must have been one-way...until a massive camper van was coming at me and I'd have to pull inbetween some parked cars or onto the sidewalk to let the other driver pass. I have held my breath quite a few times navigating down here and understand at least why I haven't seen more than one SUV. Still can't imagine how the tour bus managed!

Stopped at the Meeting of the Waters, just north of Avoca. There were cars stretched along the road, so I knew something was going on at the pub. It was packed, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the musical stylings of a loud (read: shrill) traditional Irish band. I was both starving and parched, as it had been since early morning since I had had anything - so I ordered an ice cold coke. I got one of those little glass bottles full and was relieved of 2.50 euro for my troubles. Another Irish rip-off. $4 for a tiny Coke? Nice one.

I didn't see the sign for the Mottee Stone, so I missed that. I consoled myself by saying that it was only a big rock. Sorry, a big stone.

Amazing driving though - such beauty everywhere. Green patchwork quilts spread out over mountains and valleys. I triumphantly arrived at my B&B (the Tudor Lodge) was greeted by first name by one of the owners - Chris. I quickly got settled in my wee room and walked five minutes down the road to Lynham's Pub for a noisy dinner (chicken sandwich w garlic mayo, chips and a Bulmer's Pear cider). Now, I'm sitting in the lovely backyard of the B&B on a swinging bench - listening to the water trickle and stream behind me. I'm working on becoming friends with their little Yorkie, appropriately named Tiny.

Day one of my solo adventure has passed without too much incident. Time for a good night's rest and off to try again tomorrow.

Ireland Blogs - Part Four

21 June

Oh my god. Saturday might have ended up as one of the best days of my life - not kidding. I got to sleep in a bit and got the 9.15 shuttle to the venue. Show day - hectic! Hayley and I got things situated and then made out way to the VIP Guest box. Our job was to check in all of Oasis' VIP guests - give them their tickets, wristbands and then show them the long and winding path down to the VIP area. Before I got shut-in the guest box, I took a quick walk through the grounds to buy a tshirt and take a look at the crowd. I was impressed by how chic and stylish everyone looked - especially to spend a humid day traipsing about in a field. I have to admit, I felt so important walking around with my laminate and being able to get in anywhere! I'm spoiled forever for normal concerts.

I had piri piri chicken for lunch (spicy and wonderful). Got hungry again in the afternoon while I was working in the guest box and, instead of walking 15 minutes back to catering, I walked out to the road to buy a snack from one of the vendors that had been set up. I decided to try an irish hot dog with a can of Coke. I paid 7 euro for that which is about $13. The most I have EVER paid for a hot dog and would never have done it if I knew that's what they would charge. At least it was a foot long. They served it with only ketchup on a harder bun. I didn't like it but I ate every damn bite.

After working a bit and earning my keep, I got released to go watch the show. I had missed The Blizzards and Glasvegas, but was just in time to see Kasabian take the stage. I was one of the only people on the viewing platform for them (the platform was on the side of the stage but raised a few stories to give everyone a good view). That was amazing - to be so close and look out on that sea of people. So many people.

After about four songs, I walked back to the backstage area to see if I could be of any more help. Perfect timing, as soon as I walked through the gates I saw Liam's wife, Nicole Appleton, and their son Gene get out of the car - along with Nic's sister Natalie who is married to Liam of the Prodigy. Noel's girlfriend Sarah was there as well. I have never seen such absolutely skinny people! I tried very hard not to stare. Soon, Liam and Noel were standing around gabbing with friends and family. Act cool Shannon. Hayley and I joined the whole Oasis family on the viewing platform for Prodigy. I was only a few bodies away from Liam - I caught his eye and waved. He nodded and waved back but looked slightly confused to see me. I saw Steve (Liam's body guard) and gave him a massive hug.

The Prodigy were pretty amazing. Wicked, as they say. So much energy and intensity, I've never really seen anything else like it. I couldn't see too much from the viewing platform since there were so many people on it. I spent some time in the pit area watching because the massive video screens were great. I really wanted to get my boogie on. Great show.

I headed back to say hello to Doe and get ready for Oasis. She was much calmer today! She loved the painting I did for her. I was hoping to watch Oasis from the viewing platform, but Doe said that I was probably better off in the pit because the band had so much family there (including their older brother and mum). While we were chatting, the door to the office opened and Noel walked in. I made a little squeal as he walked right by me to pick something up off the desk. Doe said, "Noel, you remember Shannon from Chicago?" and he said "Oh, of course, you alright?" and shook my hand. He asked me what I was doing there and I said, "Oh, you know, working." Quick but sweet.

Wow. One of the greatest live shows I've ever seen. I actually pinched myself. And couldn't stop grinning. I kept thinking, "I'm in fucking Ireland, at fucking Slane Castle, among 80,000 fucking people, watching fucking Oasis." I believe this situation warrants those curse words. The band seemed so happy as well, they were more talkative and seemed just generally chuffed. Great set list. Noel got to sing two of my favorites, "Masterplan" and "Half the World Away." When he introduced "Half the World Away" he said "I double-dare you not to sing along to this one." - he was right, it was impossible. I'm not a music critic, or a rock writer, but the show was top notch Oasis.

At one point, I went back to use the toilet and get another cup of tea to warm me up, and could hear for the first time 80,000 people singing "Don't Look Back in Anger." I got goosebumps, it was so beautiful. While I was backstage, I walked past the Prodigy's dressing area and saw them all standing outside, chatting with friends and family. Keith was there - he was standing next to a tall asian girl who looked like Little Bo Peep gone mental. I asked Keith if I could take a picture with him. I told him that I had come from the states for the show and thought their set was amazing. He said that of course I could take a picture with him, and especially since I had come so far!

The absolute sea of people seemed to go on forever. I kept watching all the kids (Liam's son included) dance like mad on the viewing platform and rock out - throwing devil horns to the crowd. I headed backstage during the final song ("I Am the Walrus") to go have a look from the other side of things. Just in time to see Liam come jumping off the stage to shake hands with all of the kids at the front of the pit (and get a green cowboy hat and Irish flag for his troubles). Then it was straight in the car for him. Fireworks. Lovely. SO thankful to not be in the mass of people heading out the exit and onto the lonely country road back to Drogheda and Dublin.

The ladies reconvened in the Production office to celebrate with Veuve Cliquot. It was one of the biggest shows of the crew's career. Load-out wasn't going to be until 3.30 am so Hayley and I availed ourselves of the VIP area for Jameson. No ice available (this being the UK and all) so I drank it neat. Then we retreated into the Friends and Family tent for comfy couches and to be amused by Andy's family (bassist) filling their pockets and bags with every bottle of liquor and drink that were available. I offered them the TV but no one had a go at it. We met Arveen, who is Andy's girlfriend's brother and a DJ. He gave us a bottle of champagne. I ate six half tuna sandwiches (exquisite). Then, we went back to VIP with some of the crew and I gifted them the bottle and decided to the girls at the bar 20 euro. That'll be the whiskey's fault.

Then we went back to the office and Roni let us into the inner sanctum - dressing room world. There was a dance party going on in Noel's room - complete with him singing at the top of his lungs to the music. Now, of course, I can't remember all the songs that were played. there were about five long tables just covered in empties - I've never seen so many empty bottles. We peeked our heads into the game room where most of the crew were hanging out. There was Wii, darts, ping pong and an arcade. Hayley and I went back into the dressing room to join in the dance party for David Bowie's "Jean Genie." I kept stealing glances at Noel. Unreal. In a side room, Gem was hanging out and we poked our heads in to say hello. He remembered me at once and said "Oh yeah, I thought I recognized you yesterday." Doe had told them that I was coming was renting a car to drive round Ireland. He remembered that fact and asked me about it. We talked a bit, but, truthfull, I was pretty well into my Jameson by then. He is such a sweetheart. On leaving, he gave me a hug and a kiss on the head. Danced a bit more. Then time to leave for the Dublin hotel. I wanted to say goodbye to Noel, so I poked my head in a small room where he was taking a quick photo. I told him we were leaving and I wanted to say goodbye. I said "I will see you the next time you are in Chicago." He shook my hand again and I kissed it...and danced all the way out to the bus. Almost the last ones on the bus. Gave my mom a quick call and then promptly fell asleep (along with everyone else on the bus). Arrived at the hotel after 4 am, took a drunken shower and wrote some drunken notes and passed out around 5.

Ireland Blogs - Part Three

** Ed. Note: What follows are excerpts from a journal entry written after imbibing much champagne and Jameson. In the interests of full journalistic disclosure, I have decided not to omit the entire entry to save face. **

20 June

Journaling. Oh shit. I've been dancing in fucking Noel Gallagher's dressing room. I kiss his hand. I danced without cares. Gem completely remembered me. BIG smile on my face. Just arrived in Dublin and it's 5 AM. Gotta drive tomorrow morning. Gave Noel a kiss on the hand (Hey! When you're in Chicago I'll see you again!) and got a kiss on the head from dear sweet Gem. Oh my dear. This is a messy MESSY evening. Fell asleep on the crew bus - head bouncing lightly against the seat in front of me. OMG - when we walked in the room, Noel was singing David Bowie. FULL STOP. Hey Lyla.

** Ed. Note: If you could see my handwriting on this one, you'd quickly be cognizant of how much I drank. **

Ireland Blogs - Part Two

19 June

As they say in the UK, I'm fucking knackered. What a long day! Breakfast at 8.00 with Hayley in the hotel lounge. There were four or five silver trays filled with warm food but I had trouble identifying most of what was in there (turns out those black things were blood pudding). Those I could identify (pale, runny eggs) did not appeal. So, at least there was fruit and pastry. Rode in luxury to the venue on one of the tour buses. It was a two-level sleeper bus. The downstairs was all mood lighting, plush leather seating in two-toned tan and brown. I sat on one of the couches and my feet barely made it over the edge - I felt like a little kid. I realied I'd been calling one of the PA guys Andy all night when his actual name was Aaron. Whoopsy.

I've been so luck to have Hayley look after me. We spent the morning and most of the day together. We checked into our portakabin (I think it's spelled that way but pronounced cabin) which we shared with Roni and later Doe. Roni and Hayley both work in production and Doe is, of course, the tour manager. I was glad I brought a book as I spent most of the morning reading. Hayley checked emails and sorted out the VIP guest list (including the band's guests). Sadly, Bono was not coming. Later, after I had gotten my All Access laminate (coolest thing ever) - we took a walk around the grounds. They are massive. The castle almost seems small compared to the massive rolling fields and trees that surround it. We traipsed all around, through fields and mud. Soon realized that I really should have brought boots (or Wellies).

Had coq au vin for lunch and some lovely bread and cheddar cheese. The catering crew here is amazing and everything is home-cooked and amazing. Doe arrived in the afternoon. It was great to see her but she seemed very stressed. I guess the biggest show of the band's career will do that. We didn't get to speak much as she sorted out last minute problems.

Dinner was braised beef - where I tried to act cool and unaffected by the fact that most of the band (save Liam) were eating two tables over. I had brought my camera to the table, as I wanted to take pictures at soundcheck. Colin, the massive guy who is head of security, told me that I had to put it away as absolutely no pictures were allowed backstage. Eek. It's a strange feeling to be here as a fan, first and foremost, and surrounded by people who don't even blink when Noel Gallagher walks by. Soundcheck was cool - Liam was not there (he normally isn't) so Noel took his turn singing most of the songs. Basically, the band played through 5+ songs and Noel usually sang only the beginning part.

By the time we left, I was so tired and felt a bit out of it. I wish I had been able to help more but there wasn't always a whole lot for me to do. I did put all VIP tickets, wristbands and passes into labelled envelopes. Whoo. I was a bit lonely as well - there is such a wonderful family-like relationship among the 60+ crew that it is hard to be an outsider. Everyone has been wonderfully nice though, so it is probably more in my head and a result of my shy demeanor.

My most exciting moments were getting my laminate and walking proudly around the castle grounds. Getting my own pair of wellies (a runner went to Dunne's to pick up a pair for me) was cool too - a real festival badge of honor and necessity. I can't wait for tomorrow - it is going to be insane. The crowd is going to be 80,000+. Hopefully I'll be able to spend a bit more time with Doe, although that seems unlikely because she is so busy. I have to check-out of the hotel in the AM and bring my luggage to the site. I'll need more energy to last well into the night - I can't wait for the Prodigy, especially because for them I'll be able to stand on the side of the stage. Don't think I'll be able to take any photos as I already got scolded once for having mine out. Maybe I can sneak a few with my smaller digital.