Random Thoughts Before Bed

Coachella Campgrounds, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Isn't it amazing how after seeing a band live just the thought of the experience instantly transplants you back there?

For example, just now I was outside and I started thinking about Muse while standing outside. And just like that, I'm back in the Polo fields dancing to the Resistance with thousands of other strangers. And the awesome thing about that is, that experience will always be with me. Whenever I hear their music my mind will always instantly go back to the Polo fields.

And just as I was listening to the music that only I could hear, dancing with the feel of grass on my feet still very much there... And just like that, the beginning of the song "No Such Thing" by John Mayer pops in my head.

Opening chords leading into, "WELCOME to the real world she said to me...."

It was crazy. Because at first I had to pause. How did I go from Muse's Resistance to John Mayer's No Such Thing?

However, as I continued to think about it became increasingly apparent. And really, it came to me quickly.

I had a conversation with some of my neighbors at Coachella about this.

Experiences are forever. Money, status, degrees? Sure they could last. But on your death bed, which would you rather have? A bank full of money or a lifetime of amazing memories?

For me, the answer is easy. I want to be rich in experience. I want enough money to get by, anything more is an extra bonus.

And in the meantime, I'll keep dancing to the music only I can hear.

Dare

IMG_3560, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Coachella is 7 Days away and I have no idea how to properly put to words how I feel.

After all, the Coachella Music and Arts Festival is much more then a music festival. It's an experience. And describing an experience is a bit like describing a mirage. It'll never be quite like the brilliance you see.

And how could it? How could I explain the experience of listening to the bands that will play Coachella, knowing that soon I'll be experiencing it live? How can I explain the feeling of driving past the windmills, knowing that you're almost there? How can I explain the utter brilliance of standing in the campgrounds at sunset, looking around and seeing flags from every country imaginable and knowing everyone there is feeling the same thing? How exactly I describe restless excitement of coming home? Where music reigns supreme and everyone around you simply gets it?

Because, for those like me... The Campers, the die-hards, the people that attend rain or shine, no matter the tragedy experienced through out the rest of the year... Coachella is a breath of fresh air. A moment of sanity in a world of chaos. It's 3 days of music and 4 Days of celebration. A haven.

And just, how does one explain all that?

Two [hyphen] ten

The Kills, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Big beats to write to lead to big beats to dance to.

Or at least I'm hoping Crown on the Ground - Sleigh Bells translates well at Coachella. I've been thinking of putting together a mix-tape consisting of bands I'm looking forward to seeing at Coachella. Anyone interested? Let me know.

In other news, today I did the mature student thing and went to buy my books from the Hornet Bookstore [We Sac State students are the Hornets.] Which was actually really cool. Originally, I had planned to simply buy my books before class on Monday. After all, I only have one class on my Mon & Wed schedule that doesn't start to 1:15. However, not having anything else to do today and kind of wanting to at least acquaint myself with the classes I'm going to be taking... I got them today.

Over the course of my shopping, I ran into a fellow festival junkie that also happens to be an Ani DiFranco fan. Of course, we traded quick festival stories and I was once again told that I /need/ to get to Burning Man. To which I of course, admitted that I wasn't sure I could hack Burning Man. Her response? Pish Posh! Well not really, but it all boils down to that. I'll get there eventually, it's on the list.

But back to the books, I entered the bookstore with the solid estimate of $257 for my books. I left the bookstore having spent only $230, with $20 of those dollars having been spent on misc. things.

It's crazy. At the beginning of this week I was more than a little anxious about this new semester. But oddly enough, with school just a day away, I'm excited.

Madness

Madness, originally uploaded by SisterSafetyPin.

Overwhelmed.

One day post Coachella line-up release and that's good word for the state of things.

Friday tickets go on sale and as is tradition, I will be buying my 3 day pass + camping ticket immediately. However, I haven't been this giddy about the initial line-up since 2007 and that's both a good thing and a bad thing.

Going in there was already quite a few bands that I'd already seen/heard of that I definitely wanted to see. However, one doesn't look at the Coachella line-up and settle for what you already know. So of course, I immediately started doing homework.

And just, wow. Seriously. Someone on the Coachella message board coined the phrase: Conflictchella. And that seems to sum it up nicely.

Just since yesterday I've discovered: Portugal. The Man | Delphic | King Khan & the Shrines | Tavin Singh | The Soft Pack | The Whitest Boy Alive | Band of Skulls | and | Sleigh Bells.

That's not to mention the bands/singers I didn't think I'd ever be able to see like: Fever Ray - This is a band fronted by the female singer of the Knife. She hates touring. | Jónsi - The frontman of Sigur Rós | and | Gorillaz - Seriously, kind of self explanatory |

It's just going to be insane. However, the good thing about wanting to see just about everyone playing is that there will definitely not be any dull points. The bad thing is, I already know the game day conflicts will be horrendous.

p.s: Stylo | off of the upcoming Gorillaz album | Plastic Beach | leaked this morning. | Gorillaz fan? | Click | here | to listen.