From Castle Park to Ken's pool.

We played at Castle Park last night. What a joke. Jim and I went in to see the manager yesterday afternoon to find out about the logisics of setting up. John had talked to a different guy there who told us we could set up at 5:30 and then play whenever we were ready and for as long as we liked. The manager, Joe (officious prick) said no, we can't, we can only play for one hour starting at 7 or 8. He said they "allowed" the bands there to play for only an hour. We decided to play at 8 so it wouldn't be too hot and the sun would be down. The stage faces directly into the sun.

When we got there we were informed by Joe O.P. that we were going to start at 7 because that's the way he planned it and it was already set up that way. Set up? There was nothing to set up. Nobody who worked there paid any attention to us. He didn't want to turn on the stage lights. He was the nastiest little turd I've encountered in a very long time.

We dragged our stuff in about 100 feet. We could have driven all the way up to the stage but Joe O.P. didn't want to remove the pipe barriers for us. Removing the pipes would have involved lifting them out of their holes, something I did myself with no trouble at all. We set up and started playing at 7.

We had a small but appreciative crowd, most of them people we knew. Once the sun went down behind the Big Top it was more pleasant. We were sweating buckets up there. The stage was painted black and there was NO shade. We played a little past 8 and hauled out of there. I did an unprofessional thing and ended the show with a little tribute to Joe O.P. Into the microphone I said, "We want to thank Joe for doing his best to make us feel very unwelcome. Joe, you're the bottom." Then John said, "Let's give Joe a cheer!" We Bronxed out a big one.

Afterward we all went to Ken and Sherri's. After unloading we all jumped into the pool, beers in hand. Jim and I had stopped by our house to grab beers and tequila. We were neck deep in the pool doing shots. Amber and her friends had left so it was us, Ken and Sherri, John and Paul. We spent the next several hours drifting around the pool, drinking and having delightful conversations. I don't know what time it was when John left. Paul stayed for a very long time, a surprisingly long time. The therapeutic conversations continued. When Paul left it must have been at least 1:30.

Jim had a bit too much to drink (a big bit) and I was in no condition to drive home so we stayed for a long while longer. We left there at 4. Four AM. Jim's new nickname is Ralph.

That was the nicest, most relaxing and fun night I've had in a long time. Well, we had some good nights on vacation but this was different. It was a nice band bonding experience. And that pool was heavenly.