Momservation: “If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you have gained.” ~Neil Gaiman
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Big test this Memorial weekend: Am I as cool and hip as I think I am?
The BottleRock Music Festival in Napa is going to let me know.
It all came about when I was talking with my 16 year-old daughter, Whitney, about what will be the epic adventures of her generation’s college days.
“For my generation it was huge gatherings of swimsuited co-eds basking in sun and beer at fabled places like Daytona Beach, Lake Havasu or Palm Springs,” I told her. “You didn’t even need a room, you just needed to get there and it would work itself out,” I said remembering but not sharing the complete details of a Palm Springs spring break trip.
“I think for you it will be more about the music festivals like Coachella, Stagecoach, or BottleRock. You’re pretty lucky. I think that would be fun, but I’m too old for it.”
“You’re not too old for it,” Whitney said laying down points toward Favorite Child. “Why couldn’t you go to one? I’d go with you.”
Suddenly my 46 year-old achy joints and penchant for being in bed by 10 pm dissipated. I jolted up in a moment of clarity. “You’re right, Whit! I’m not too old for that sh**! Why couldn’t I go?”
“They just announced the line-up for BottleRock. Tickets go on sale Monday…” said Whit in hopeful excitement for not having to wait until she was in college.
“Last year Michael Franti was there—I love Michael Franti! ‘Say Hey (I Love You)’ is my ringtone!” I squeeled getting excited as I felt my youth come rushing back. “I even saw someone post a picture of him just hanging out in the crowd. If he’s playing again…I’m going!”
Lying on her bedroom floor where we had been chatting, Whit quickly pulled up the 3-day line-up for BottleRock. We eagerly scrolled through it.
“Michael Franti & Spearhead are playing Saturday!” I squealed! “Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are headlining. You want to go Whit and bring a friend?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehu3wy4WkHs
Now it was Whitney’s turn to squeal. “Yeah!”
“Okay, when you’re at school Monday I’ll try to get four tickets for Saturday before they sell out—I know they sold out last year.”
“But what about Friday?” she cautiously broached in case any offer at all was rescinded. “Maroon 5 and Macklemore are headlining!”
I thought for a second, being realistic about my endurance for a 3-day, out-of-town music festival. Then I thought of a solution that would please everyone. “I’ll see if your older brother wants to bring his girlfriend and you guys can all go together Friday and Dad and our friends can go on Saturday.”
The plan was cemented and Whit and I rolled around on the floor in excitement for our first music festival adventure.
Cut to today and our BottleRock adventure beginning tomorrow. With the reality of going two out of the three days (Hubby was uncomfortable having the teens go alone so we picked up tix for Friday too), undoubtedly terrible traffic and parking nightmares getting to and from the already congested Napa Valley, and 20 hours of trying to run with 75,000 music festival fanatics…I’m starting to feel the old familiar aches and pains and yearning for the cool sheets of my bed at 10pm.
But adventure awaits! Nothing ventured is nothing gained! I am never too old to be cool and hip, to try new things, and to play with my kids!
I am off to BottleRock! I’ll let you know next week if I passed her test…
#BottleRock #SeizeTheDay #EnjoyTheJourney