1. ROCKIN' THE BELLS
I Worked 14 of 16 days, then on Friday September 5th I worked 8:00AM-1:00PM in Eugene and then hopped on a 3:25PM-5:25PM bus up to Portland. Was able to see a few friends, and relax for a bit, before going to sleep and waking up at 6:00AM on Saturday, and leaving for Rock the Bells 2008 in Quincy (AKA the middle of no where), Washington at 7:00AM. We went straight there and arrived in Quincy around 1:00PM. We were greeted with a giant line, 85 degrees and sunny weather, an almost indescribable venue, and some great music.
There were some classic artists like A Tribe Called Quest and Mos Def, along with some new faces like The Cool Kids as well. We headed out around 10:00PM and drove our ~2 1/2 hour drive to Seattle to check into our room at the Hilton around 12:45AM, Saturday night. After a ~45 minute attempt to find food, we finally landed at a small casino a few blocks up the street from the hotel. We sat down and ordered at about 1:50AM. Both of us got bottled water, and for some reason at 2:00AM they had to take out drinks away..even though neither of us had even opened them yet. We were allowed to drink non alcoholic beverages again around 2:10AM..I'm not sure what kind of rule that was, unless they remove all open drinks from the floor to make sure no one drinks alcohol after 2:00AM. Whatever.
On Sunday we went shopping and ate at the Taphouse Grill, a really nice upscale yet relaxed looking lounge/bar with a great atmosphere and food, but slow service. I got a random combo of food consisting of a halibut burger, Parker Sushi roll, and watermelon lemonade. The slice of watermelon tasted amazing after soaking in the lemonade for a bit. Then we headed back to Portland around 4:30PM. We arrived back at home around 7:15PM, and then at 8:00PM I headed to downtown Portland to sit on a train from 9:10PM-11:45PM, then go to work from 8:00AM-5:00PM on Monday.
2. SEEING INVINCIBLE SOUNDS OF SUMMER
Then last Friday I went to N.E.R.D & Common's Seeing Invincible Sounds of Summer concert at the Cuthbert Amphitheater down here in Eugene. I wasn't too sure how much fun I'd have before the concert because I hadn't listened to any Common music in awhile..especially his old stuff. I was more familiar with N.E.R.D's material, but like Common, their older material was hazy.
I held these doubts (especially after sound ussues with the openers..) all the way up until N.E.R.D. set foot on the stage, grabbed them and immediately smashed them while coming out to Anti Matter. Running through the majority of their new Seeing Sounds tracks like Spaz and You Know What, while mixing in old hits such as Rockstar and Lapdance. Their set was filled with nonstop energy, yelling, jumping, and Pharrell's weird dances. (Videos available here.) If this show had been over after N.E.R.D's set, I would have been completely satisfied.
Enter Center Stage: Common.
Common's set was more relaxed, but still full of energy and fun. It was a more 'controlled' energy, and less Spazzing if you want to. He ran through his catalog well, covering tracks from every album. One ~13 minute medley was my particular favorite. He covered everything from Universal Mind Control to Timbaland - Way I Are, to Busta - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See to Drivin Me Wild. After a mix of old, new, and brand new joints, he finally closed the show with a freestyle, mentioning everything from MLK Blvd to Taylors Bar & Grill to UO to the weed in Oregon.
Was it worth $32 before fees? Yes, definitely.
Would I pay to go see the exact same show one more time? Yes.
Should you try to go if they come around to your city? Yes.
Should I go to sleep now? Yes.
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