Outdoor Fun

Everything is better outdoors - eating, sleeping, sex, sports, live music....you know it's true.

It was a beautiful day, and a perfect evening. There were a lot of people, but not so many that it was crazy and miserable. The port-a-potties were disgusting. I only had one drink, I swear.

I watched Cloud Cult set up on a stage in my hometown outside on a perfect beautiful night, and I only paid $15 to be there. The stage was RIGHT THERE. I could see all of them. And then I saw my uncle Bill and his wife, Brenda. "Oh, yeah, Cloud Cult is great," Bill said. "We met them last year when they were here. Nice people. Gotta go get my back-stage passes now."

This was almost akin to my college roommate telling me nonchalantly, "Oh, I met Bob Dylan once. Nice guy." I hate that person for a brief moment. I want to say, "Fuck you!" but of course, I don't. Sorry, Bill. I still love you.

They started with "I Love You All," again, each member of the band taking turns coming onstage and starting up their instrument to loud cheers. I got goosebumps all over. I'm not going to bore you and rave about how freaking amazing it was to see them, hear them, sing along with them to every song, jump up and down in joyous celebration. Just know that I was enjoying myself. I prided myself on being able to stay sober this time so I could remember every second, every detail.

And then I passed out.

Out cold, flat on my face on the pavement, scaring the shit out of my husband.

I remember feeling light-headed and moving around a bit. I have very low blood pressure, and when I stand in one spot too long, I get dizzy. I have never actually passed out before. I remember thinking that maybe I should just sit down right there for a few minutes. And the next thing I remember was Todd picking me up off the ground. We moved to the outskirts of the crowd and I sat down. I could still see the band do their last two songs. I got some air and started to feel better, even though my cheekbone felt sore.

After Cloud Cult was done, we went to the other stage and saw a U2 cover band. They were pretty good. The lead singer sounded scarily just like Bono. I wonder how the band comes about...I imagine that the guy was singing one day with some friends, and someone said, "Dude. You sound just like Bono." And that's it, BAM. He has no choice in life but to start a U2 tribute band. People are excited to see you, and they clap and cheer, but it's not really because of you. It's because you sound a lot like someone else and play someone else's songs. It's kind of weird, I think. I sat in a chair for that show.

Maybe Cloud Cult will be there again next year. What will happen next time?