Friday
The weather was absolutely glorious as we arrived at the Soldier Field south lots at 3:00. The only problem was, they weren't opening the south lots, where all the action was last year. Instead, they funneled everybody into the Waldron Deck across the street. They also charged $49 per car to park (free after 5:00 PM), despite the emails from livenation stating that the parking was $40, and only $30 last year. My buddy's girlfriend spent a good hour bitching about the price change (which was some bait and switch bullshit), and the fact that we had to park in a different lot than last year. She was actually pulling up the email on her phone, and trying to show the security/lot attendants. I told her that they don't care. Their job is to do what their bosses say, not listen to the concert goers. I didn't see the big deal about being in a different lot. The same people that would be in the south lot, were now in this lot. Whatever.
We were the first car through the gates, and we made our way to the top deck, where I noticed that there were no Port-o-Johns, because they were across the street, in a lot that was to remain closed. For the first ninety minutes or so, there were only a few dozen cars in the lot. We got down to drinking some heady beers immediately with our neighbors. We were trying to be friendly with security (that never hurts), and I was giving them some free cold waters, as they walked the lot. Not all of the security guards, just the big shots in the black shirts, with guns and handcuffs.
There was a forklift bringing Port-o-Johns to our lot, two at a time. People were paid to set up the Johns in the other lot, and then got paid again to bring them across the street. When we returned to our cars after the show, the Johns were gone, only to be set up again the next day. No wonder the city is broke, but that's another story for another day.
The lot started to fill rather quickly at 5:00, and we were positioned so that all cars rolling in had to drive past us, and my coolers stocked with PBRs and waters for sale. I cut out the side of the 30 pack, and held it in the air, to alert people of my beers available for sale. It worked, because the beers were really moving at $2 each, or 3 for $5. The waters weren't big movers like last year, when it was 100 degrees. It worked too well, however. Just before we were getting ready to pack up, and head into the show, three of the security walked up to me, and said that they have been watching me sell beers for two hours, and it was time to put them away. Yes, sir.
While the Friday show was good, I thought it paled in comparison to the other two shows. Phish shows are like pizza and blow jobs. Some are better than others, but there are no bad ones.
Set 1: 555 Kill Devil Falls Bouncing Around the Room Reba Waiting All Night Birds of a Feather Halfway to the Moon > Sparkle > Sample in a Jar A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing Stash The Squirming Coil
Set 2: Golden Age > The Mango Song Sand > Piper > Halley's Comet > Wombat > Chalk Dust Torture > Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore: Julius
Back later with a Saturday write up, including an appearance by a mystery CSFMB'er, who got his Phish cherry popped.
_________________ Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson
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Waiting for the time when I can finally say That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way
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