Catching up

So I didn't realize how much I needed to do before going on vacation, so I kind of slipped on the countdown I had planned. Here's playing catch up, and then we'll get to the real stuff before we leave tomorrow night.

5. Centeroo Eats - Many people take their own food in coolers and eat at their campsites throughout the weekend. We packed food last year, but were camped so far from Centeroo we lived on backpack snacks and didn't miss a minute of music. We weren't that hungry because it was so hot, and ended up buying one meal a day from the vendors. We ate pizza, quesadillas, and a grilled veggie burrito, but my favorite was tofu stir fry at the no-waste Planet Roo Cafe. This year, I'm packing snacks, but planning on getting my one meal per day in Centeroo. What's your favorite thing to eat at Bonnaroo?

4. Mudhole at Girl Talk and the Raptor - Because of the rain, mud was a bit of a problem in some places in Centeroo last year. One guy, I don't know what he was on, dove into the mud early Friday and was walking around making raptor sounds. I wasn't quick enough to get a photo but I saw on Inforoo that this guy does the same thing every year. With all the rain in the forecast, he could be out in full force this year. That night, we arrived at the Girl Talk show late and saw a gap in the crowd. As we walked toward it, we realized there was a giant mud pit there. Apparently no one else realized it, because we watched person after person faceplant in the poop-mud. It was hilarious.

3. Relaxing in the Sun - It's important to remember to pace yourself at these festivals. Don't be afraid to find a comfy spot at a show and lay back and relax. That's what we did during Bon Iver last year, and it was nice. One thing though - don't forget to reapply sunscreen because that hot Tennessee sun will scorch your skin if you don't. My shoulders will probably never fully recover.

2. The Decemberists - That show was my highlight last year. I don't have a whole lot else to say, but I wanted to share that.

1. Skanky Hair Sunday - There are supposed to be $7 showers available to festivalgoers, but we never saw any last year. We used a trailer full of sinks to wash up, but they were so small there is no way I could have washed my hair, but I did get to freshen up each day, which was nice. My hair did get gross by the end of the weekend but I just tied it up and it didn't bother me like it bothers some other people. Does not having access to a shower for four days freak you out?

6 Days to Go: View from the Ferris Wheel

David is deathly afraid of heights, but after we got in a small tiff after Bruuuuuce last year, I got him to go on the Ferris Wheel to make it up to me. Normally, Bonnaroo isn't the fighting type of atmosphere but we were hot and hungry and worn out after three days of not pacing ourselves very well.

The ferris wheel was one of my goals last year, so I was excited to check it off my list. Plus, it made for stunning photos.

We rode with a couple who I think were in the ferris wheel for reasons other than the view. They asked us if we "were cool," which I thought we were - but I think David's hesitance turned them off. Anyway, the view of all the stages and lights was pretty cool. Too bad my camera phone is crappy.

So David will never go on it again, but I think Justin wants to, so if I'm around when that happens I'll take my second trip this year. I can hardly wait!

7 Days to Go: Weather Fun

There are 7 days left in my Bonnaroo countdown and I'm reminiscing about last year in prep for this year. One thing on my mind, it's been storming a lot lately.

Nashville flooded weeks ago as you know, and although Manchester was spared the mess Nashville got, the Weather.com 10-day forecast isn't showing great things for Thursday and Friday, June 10-11, this year. The good news - Saturday's supposed to be sunny. Although I'm keeping my fingers crossed, we should be prepared for a repeat of last year. Just in case.

Maybe that half naked guy covered in mud acting like a raptor will be back. One can only hope.

Last year the weather wasn't bad when we left the house at 6 a.m. on Thursday. It still wasn't that bad when we got to Manchester around noon, but it started looking pretty blah as the afternoon wore on, as did the line.

Here we are, under a dreary sky thinking the line was drawing to a close. I think we still had an hour or two left at this point, but much better than the total 8+ hours we waited to get in. This year we're leaving at midnight - or as soon as it turns Thursday, June 10 - to cut that down a little. I'd like to settle in and not miss an awesome opening day.

So that day, we got in just in time to put our tent up in the dark, in BFE (Camp Andrew Clark - hey, that rhymes), and then it started sprinkling. As we walked toward Centeroo, we heard screaming and saw a wall of water coming at us just in time to duck under a not-yet-functioning misting tent along Main Street. I came prepared, as did a couple of volunteers on a Gator that passed David a poncho. Here I am keeping dry.

Passion Pit was the first show I saw that night, and my first ever at Bonnaroo, and it was FABULOUS. The rain wasn't ideal, but it sure didn't ruin anything, and that's what I'm thinking going into this year. It would be awesome if the forecast changed or the weather was wrong and we got a four-day partly sunny weekend, but if not, it'll still be the utopia I know and love - just a little more wet.

Listening to the iPod

Lying in bed listening to my iPod and singing quietly (badly) as David reads. Just tryin out a new blog app...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Got a Spiffy New Header, Countdown

I made a spiffy new header. It finally matches the Bonnaroo site again.

Also, I haven't posted much this season, and I regret that. It's not that I haven't been into it, it's just that I've just been going along for the ride this time and not doing as much planning. Starting tomorrow, I'm counting down the 7 days till Bonnaroo by recalling 7 memories that stick out the most from last year (my first year at Bonnaroo) with photos. I will focus on one per day leading up to the big moment!

7. Rain and the Line That Would Never End

6. View from the Top: Bonnaroo Ferris Wheel

5. Centeroo Eats: Love That Planet Roo No-Waste Cafe

4. Mud Hole and the Raptor at Girl Talk

3. Relaxing in the Sun: Bon Iver

2. Here Come the Heat Waves: The Decemberists

1. Skanky Hair Sunday

I hope that will do.

Packing list, tips for first timers and more to come!

Plenty of photos and posting to come after this year's festival! Stay tuned during the festival too... I've been experimenting with new more efficient ways to liveblog the event.

My Tentative Schedule

I made my schedule with this year's new and improved Zoltaroo Mind Reader application. Then I went and edited it some. Here's my latest:

http://mindreader.bonnaroo.com/grid.html?c=ZN57iVAI

Tye-Dye Fashion 2010

I bought some wifebeaters from Wal-Mart and tye-dyed them this evening in preparation for Bonnaroo. They are soaking right now, and in the morning I can wash them and see how they turned out.

Tye-dye is super fun for a festival like this, as well as thin, breathable cotton undershirts when its 100 degrees outside. Last year, I wore a plain white one and really thought it worked well in the blazing hot Tennessee sun. Good thing I wasn't wearing it when it rained though. ;) This year, I plan to be a tad more stylish with it, while reaping the many comfort benefits.

Wow. Me, my Carrollton shorts, a tye-dyed wifebeater and imitation crocs are going to be a hit. I can't wait.