"Dead days refuse to dream, the blanket still asleep concealing every flaw, till you uncover me"
-Finger Eleven, "Shudder," Tip


audio: (stream page, mp3)

Life is pretty full still. Studying fills half. Friends and adventures fill half. This past week has been no different.

Friday: Lara Mann's birthday. Headed off to Lawrence, to Rushi's (spelling?). Heath, Sully and Catherine were all in attendence. Then some people I knew less well: Danny and Turner. Then some people I didn't know at all: Hollis, Wendy and some other people. The food was alright. The music was funny. I described it as sounding similar to music from video games' menus. Then some of us reconvened at Lara's place. A bit of hanging out occurred there. A half house party. Things would be going well, then only Heath, Sully and I would be left in the room. Then people would come back. A tide really. I got to know Wendy a bit better. My age and engaged. I found she works at the Renfest, the very place I was to go the next day. Our little group eventually tried our hand at a houseparty. We went to one and found we were old. Some guy tried to tell Wendy about drinks. He was almost 21 and speaking to a bartender. We eventually headed off to get some food from Muncher's then back to Lara's where we watched Sin City. Then we all parted.

Saturday (part one): Renfest. I did have difficulty finding it. I still arrived before Becky, Tristan and Amy. Chatted with one of the 'winches' at the front while waiting for the rest of my party. We visited Katie and borrowed a hat for Tristan to wear. Katie works there and she ventured with us for quite some time. She helped us locate the Pub, where Wendy works. I realize, looking back, that I don't know what I should have been paying attention to. I just had fun conversations while surrounded with odd folk and pleasant trees. My second Wendy visit involved her slightly maiming me to participate in a bawdy song. It was enjoyable, other than the pain. Eventually (not-mine-but-Becky's) Josh arrived looking none-to-happy. I parted shortly after rain started coming down, as I had plans in Lawrence.

Saturday (part two): Vibralux and Shiny Toy Guns. I arrived and ate at Wa's with Nina. (I love their Sean Connery Roll).
I watched as Nina prepped for her favorite band's performance. Her attire was inspired by the Corpse Bride. We went to the venue (the Bottleneck). I was surprised as I ran into James Garvek (spelling?) manning the front. James is one of Lara's roommates and when I made my late departure from their place on Friday he was sleeping on the floor in front of the movie. Anywho, the opening act was getting ready.

Shiny Toy Guns: I knew basically nothing of this band. Not the genre. Nothing. I eyeballed them. A couple guys with eye makeup on that reminded me of Orgy. A synth player. A drummer. A guy with a mic in front of him and a guitar in his hand. A cute girl with a mic. I was skeptical. Normally I listen to 'prep CDs,' normally I've heard of the band, normally I have to pay more than $6 to get into a decent show.
They started. I immediately recognized the synth player as quite good. I then looked to the drummer. He had a great deal of enthusiasm. Further inspection revealed that he too possessed a good deal of talent.
The vocals were difficult to hear over the instruments and it'd take a fair deal more music to get a good idea about them. Until that I just marveled at the female vocalist. She just had an outstanding amount of energy. Jumping, spinning. She had great stage presence. I've seen many concerts and she was very good at moving around. I leaned to Nina and shouted, "I don't know that she can keep that up for a full set." She did. Eventually parts of the songs arrived that were quiet enough that I could hear the vocals. They were both quite good. The guitar was serviceable. It brought it all a little edge that I needed (as I later discovered from the CD where the drums and guitar seem entirely absent, moving the band from Rave Rock to Electronic).
They had some die hard fans in the audience. Dancing more madly than I've ever seen. Dancing with all the rhythm and crazy of a raver and the kenetic dance of a rock concert. The band finished off. I bought their CD. I also asked if the band would mind terribly if I troubled them for autographs. I was handed a CD and walked onto the stage. I was greeted. I walked up to the drummer, asked him if he'd mine signing. He put his hand out.
"I'm Mike!" Nice guy. I harvested all the autographs then decided to go for more.
I walked up to Carah Faye Charnow and asked if she'd pose for a corn ball picture with me.
She kissed my cheek and the camera didn't snap.
She gave me a second kiss on the cheek, the camera snapped as I was giving up (as seen on my face).


Vibralux: this band is transvestite glam-rock. To their fans I think the experience is like a cult film. They are like Army of Darkness to those that love them. They weren't my Army of Darkness, but only one band gets that. They interacted much with their fans. Dedicated many of their songs to birthday girl Nicole. They had a good deal of energy. The numbers dwindled as it became very late. The band rapped, then I was off. Also, note: Hollis from the Lara party is Mercury of Vibralux.

Sunday: with Josh and studies.
Tuesday: a midweek break! I got to hang out with people (Heath and Sully) on a Tuesday. Quite unheard of.
Also, photobucket.com seems to be having trouble today. So is Roger's site. Is the online being attacked today?