First DMB Concert, Bradenton Beach, Pine Hills Adventures

Still stressed beyond belief. Feels like summer hasn't even started for me, yet there are only 2 more weeks of it. I knew this summer would go by fast (especially since I expected it to be the best yet) but this is just insane.

Our trip got post-poned an hour (after a trip to target with Aaron and Melanie) due to the fact that I was freaking out about having to turn in parking pass stuff to school on time (which, of course I was freaking out for no reason, figures) anyways...on our way to Tampa by 11:45 am. All of us going deaf from the windows down and blasting music. At the hotel by 1 pm. New place in the elevator, Aaron tripping and falling down. Mel went downstairs to lay out by the pool, Mrs. Selis left to go to the mall, which leaves....us (weird tv movies, 20 seconds, knock on the door, switching rooms, cell phone locked in the other room...who knows what else...) Got ready super fast for the concert, at the parking lot by 4:15 pm. After seeing hardly anyone there (and Cameron, Stephanie, Lindsey, and Angela not there yet) Aaron, Mel, and I got a bite to eat as it started to rain, got Mel a red bull since apparently it is illegal in Canada. By now it was pouring; we headed back to the fair grounds/ ford amphitheater. We met up with Cam and all, all of them didn't even bother wearing shoes. So we started making our way through the mud and puddles. Of course I am one who HATES even the thought of getting my feet dirty, so this was just lovely. Water and mud splashed every which way, used ponchos to ATTEMPT to keep the blankets and tickets dry, drunk/high people everywhere...oh it was just a mess. After a long, muddy walk we got through the gate, bought dmb shirts, and started hiking our way up the hill to the lawn. At this point I just pointed my face up to the sky and enjoyed the rain falling on me (despite the horrific lightening in the sky) although I wondered why we didn't wear bathing suits? lol We all get practically in the front row on the lawn, situated with chairs and everything (still raining) and it is only...5:45 pm. So what do we do? Waited for time to pass by with all the wetness. Mel and Aaron slept, I felt sick, watched a guy mud slide down the hill, watched Cameron try to catch gum in his mouth...By 7 pm the opening act came on. And around 8:40, it begins.

Holy wow...Everday, Dream Girl, American Baby, Warehouse, Where Are You Going, Hunger for the Great Light, Ants Marching, #34, Bartender, What Would You Say, Louisiana Bayou, Steady As We Go, Lie in Our Graves, Stand Up, All Along the Watchtower, Old Dirt Hill, Too Much <3

We sang, we danced (yes, even our slow song, where I felt like there was no one around but us, it was just for us) we laughed, we took pictures, we didn't stop smiling. I loved that feeling of you wrapped around me the entire time <3

We battled our way through the mud and rain again to get back to the car. In light of our soaking wetness, we wrapped towels around us instead of wearing clothes as to not totally ruin Aaron's car. and of course we got to do this infront of every car going through the exit lol Back at the hotel we clean up a bit and Aaron and I go out to get some food. yes, ok, ill admit I told him to go in the wrong direction but we eventually went the right way and saw a police station, jail, and animal protection place all next to each other on Falkenberg lol 30 chicken nuggets from Wendys, if you know me, you can imagine my happiness :) enough said. Attempted to hold up Aaron's shorts while we walked up the stairs back at the hotel lol which didn't work so well (nor did trying to get them back on infront of the hotel room door before his mom noticed lol) We ate our food, Mel goes to sleep, Aaron falls asleep within 10 minutes of watching tv/ me next to him, so it's off to bed. Slept in a bit, downstairs to breakfast in p.j.s; heard some of Mrs. Selis's stories :) Took pictures of sleeping beauty (aka Aaron) while he was still sleeping. I sat down next to him and he awoke with a smile :) Mel, Mrs. Selis and I made fun of Aaron, laughed, he threw his waffle at me, he tried to suffocate me with a blanket (but after informing him that if he suffocates me, he won't have a girlfriend anymore...he quickly changed his mind ;-) lol)

Got a little lost on the way to Bradenton to go to the beach. But we eventually found the sun and the shore (along with hurricane evacuation routes lol) and it was a gorgeous day. A few hours there...getting tan/burnt, collecting shells, Aaron carrying me in the water, pictures in palm trees, pictures on the pier, working on Mel's hot guy calendar, sea weed freaking us out, calm, warm west coast water...sigh, I wish I could go back there.

On our way home...we all felt blah and sick. For some reason all the singing from the past couple days reminded me of Mr. Douce which made me start crying. Aaron wiped away my tears. I love that we got a chance to talk like friends. The silly-ness began as traffic backed up because of an accident, and we approached a shaking F 150 full of black guys singing and dancing...quite humorous. Which of course leads Aaron to throw in the "black music" as he calls it and break it down lol always entertaining, I love it. Aaron and Mel got excited at the site of what the claimed to be a tornado, but I swear it was just a smoke stack or something lol

This was quite a historic trip. First dave matthews concert....first of many as Aaron says. I could tell, especially when I was sitting there waiting for the concert to start, in my soaking wet clothes, that I was experiencing everything associated with the infamous DMB concerts, and I knew that I would have a good story to tell :) plus unforgettable memories <333

After going over to Lauren's for what I thought would be a cry fest (which turned into a bitch fest) La and I were quite pissed off so we thought we would go with our usual satisfying plan of renting movies/ going to publix to get lots of unhealthy food. Wellllll things got a little side tracked when I felt the need to drive....fast....with the new rap cd I got from Aaron (which is especially intended for driving purposes lol) Instead of battling I-4 I decided to go towards Apopka and get on 429 since that road is always clear and open. We told each other stories, I freaked out and swerved when I thought something strange flew through my window and hit my neck (apparently I'm imagining things lol) We always say how we are just going to drive aimlessly with a full tank of gas for no reason...and tonight we went for it. So down Clarcona-Ocoee Road, passed by what Lauren calls "Bad Apopka, Apopka's worst road" So I immediately killed the rap music while she put up the windows lol Then, it was on to La's old house, why not? we were in the area lol So now we're in Pine Hills. Driving through her old neighborhood of course we have to pass through a group of black people playing in the street, not once, but twice. And on the second way through some kid dropped his football and it rolled in the street, just as I was coming by. I got so freaked out I slammed on my breaks, since I thought I popped the ball. Of course this crowd of black people surround my car and Lauren and I just froze. I backed up, they got their football, and I drove away like no other while Lauren was dying laughing. I think it's safe to say I am never going back there again lol wowww

At least I provided some entertainment and relief for La lol Then we completed the night with Tijuana Flats, and It Takes Two :)

(*La- golf course....next time)