Spent super fun afternoon at Bumbershoot with Monice yesterday. Before Band of Horses and Nada Surf, we didn't have much luck with the bands, but it was still great overall. The only real bummer for me was that the sound in Memorial Stadium for Lucinda Williams was pretty bad and didn't do her music justice. I like her voice, and you couldn't really hear it there, sadly. Otherwise, the weather was nice (if we forget that the air is all crisp like in the fall), and, in between shows, we browsed the different booths and sat on the grass soaking up the sun, eating fattening fair food, and chatting. Loved it!

It was fantastic seeing Band of Horses again. I love their music, and it was especially pretty being outside at dusk while listening to their beautiful songs. I felt overwhelming happiness sitting in the stands. Music does it to me. The lead singer had a problem with saying "Woo!" after every song and after addressing the audience, though. Everyone noticed. Pretty soon several members of the audience were going "Woo!" and "Woo!" And, by several members of the audience, I'm including Monice.

Then, we left early to hightail it over to Nada Surf which was, of course, the main reason for us being there. We were determined to enjoy that the most, and we did. When we got to the stage, we marched ourselves up front to stand with all the teenagers and scored a nice spot in the second row back. At first, when looking around, I couldn't help but notice that we were the only non-seventeen year olds crowding the stage, so I decided to put on my hat in an attempt to hide my 30-somethingness. Monice and I were giggling about that, but we didn't really care. We wanted to be able to see! Luckily, shortly after an older women showed up next to us with her friend and young daughter, and I felt better.

The show was awesome, of course. It always is. But, once again, during the last "Aw, fuck it!" song, this girl from backstage pops up onstage to dance around wildly and obnoxiously, completely distracting everyone. Monice and I exchanged a look, and the peeps around us were like, "Whaaaaaaat?" We'd seen it before and were wondering if it'd happen again. Yep, it did. After a few moments of confusion, this one kid in front of us turned to his friend and asked frankly, "Who's the bitch?" Now, while I'm not for calling women bitches, I'm pretty sure that was the question on all of our minds as we watched her roll around and convulse on stage. Clearly, she's really into the song and very comfortable with herself, but couldn't she just dance around enthusiastically backstage? It seems like blatant and, again, obnoxious attention seeking to insert yourself into someone else's show. Does the band like that? Does it ever annoy them since it happens EVERY SINGLE TIME? Or, are they into it? Monice thinks she must be the girlfriend of one of the band members, but wouldn't you think, if you were in a LTR with this person and presumably communicate on a regular basis, that eventually you would sit her down and say something like, "Uh, could you NOT do that?" I have questions.

Then, after the show Monice and I had a chance to talk with Matthew from Nada Surf. This was unexpected, as we didn't seek out the opportunity. It just happened. Now, you'd think having the the singer of my favorite band introduce himself and chat would be a dream come true, right? Ha ha. This is Megan R. we're talking about here. I can make any situation awkward. Once we got past the introductions and handshake (I must say I was impressed with Matthew's firm handshake. I don't like it when a man has a weak handshake, because I think that says something about him as a person, but that's a blog post for another time), I didn't say much at all. Monice filled in the space. When Matthew commented that the merch stand was "almost like a store!", I turned on the old Megan R. charm and said something along the lines of, well, it is a store. Like, Duh! Oh, how I love me.

The annoying thing is that I could have said something nice. There is plenty to say. I am a fan! I go to pretty much every show in Seattle, because it always makes me happy! I never get tired of my favorites by them! Let Go is one of my top CDs! But, no. Monice was laughing about my perplexity over the whole thing (I think he thought we were waiting for autographs, since there was a line for that on the other side of the merch stand), and my How Dare You Talk to Us! 'tude when going over it after. I think the problem is that I'm uncomf with the Adoring Fan role. I don't know how to do it--at least not well. I'm much more at home with Covert Super Fan (who hides under her hat). I need to work on this...or just run away when it seems like an opportunity to talk with a rock star might present itself. Geez!

It was cool to meet him, though.

I don't think I acted totally stupid.

Someday I will learn how to act normal in these situations, not awkward.

My sister offered to give me a tutorial on how to conduct myself around celebs.

Hmph.

Anyway...

Today I had a lovely time with friend Jen at the Ballard Sunday Market. We started off the morning with good coffee at Verite. We bought lots of delicious produce, tried yummy cheeses, sampled the breads, and I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers that I asked the vendor to put together with the colors of my choice + eucalyptus. It is so incredibly pretty and smells fantastic. I love it! Then, we spent lots of time at the shops in Ballard and Greenwood and had a good lunch at Red Mill. Such a fun girl day. This is a great weekend.

I'm getting excited for Burn After Reading! I haven't been to a movie in forever. I feel totally out of it.

Somehow I've ended up watching Grey's Anatomy on Lifetime while typing, and I'm rolling my eyes during this program as much as I do when watching The Hills.

Bye.

- Megan R.

P.S. Yes, Monice, I had a good time at the festival. :)