08-09-25 4 Bands 17182 steps
Up at 7, got ready and headed to the arena. I am a little stiff and last night it was hard to sleep as my ankle burned and ached and I couldn’t get comfortable. I did manage however to get a good start on things before Will showed up around nine to finish setting up the rooms with me. We had four rooms today instead of three so that much more to do. He really was a good helper, and according to his mom, he’s having a great time doing it. It’s nice to spend this time with him.
A lot of the day is just a blur of getting things done. There were some great moments in it for sure.
1. Trevor Thor, who works for the city and Is the, I suppose, promoter for this event came and sat out with Rae-Anne and me where we had a very good discussion about what should happen next year. Rae and I had already been talking about it how we will do it different. I think part of her was surprised that I said I do want to do it again. It’s a lot of hours for how much my contract is, but that is also the way it was for music fest. I prefer not to count ours and worry about it. Just be grateful that I’m getting paid for doing something that I am good at it and enjoy. It is worth the physical pain and mental drain ha ha I was happy that Trevor thought the coffee station was a great idea, and I said that I would like to set up a nonalcoholic beverage station as well instead of putting the same things in every room and then bringing them all out again at the end of the night. He thought that was a great idea.
2. I personally paid for some items for a couple of the bands that I wanted them to have and not blow the budget for the bidder. I am very pleased to say that the entire 54 40 crew was blown away by the brown M&M jar that I made with the help of Ashley Mainville at Ground Floor coworking space
3. Layla, who works for one of my clients in the same space I am in, ended up volunteering because I sent her information to do so and it was awesome to see her enjoying herself. I also really appreciated that she posted how happy she was to see me in my element. Isn’t it weird how strange it is to feel seen.
4. 5 Man Electrical Band. They had some awesome humans that were very grateful and respectful… and that was before they even played!
5. Men Without Hats. What’s there to say, they still put on a great show and were also very sweet to me
6. The Trews. What’s to say, their road manager, Brandon Bliss, lived up to his name. I super enjoyed working with him. Just after they hit the stage he asked if I could order a Dominos pizza for when they were done. I recruited Gene to go pick it up and was able to introduce him as the small boy who saw them come to TM Roberts elementary school 14 years ago to sing Highway of Heroes with the gym full of kids. They were so sweet meeting him.
7. 54•40 Full stop.
8. 54•40 is the band I have seen the most times in my life. I was so happy to finally see Matt come down the hall towards me and then watch his face as it clicked. I am very out of place for him and we haven’t seen each other for years even if I’ve seen him play. I met him when our boys, now 29 and 31, were in daycare together on Salt Spring Island. I was part of his host team for many events on SSI and once held a regular spot on the band’s guest list. I miss and treasure those days.
9. Once again, Roy the night guy at the Rec Centre helped me clean up the last green room so I could go home. He is a good human
10. The security guard let me know there was only one person left in the last green room and as I went to push the door open, it swung open and Matt wrapped me in his arms and didn’t let go for a long time. He said I love you as he strolled off. What a perfect 10 ending to a wonderful day.
triumphgal 