California Roots Festival @ Monterey Fairgrounds

[Drunk Monk]

Anthony B always satisfies
Closest thing to reggae-aerobisize

Chased a rapid succession of canceled calls with the the doc & responders through the thick ass crowd. 

Sublime is a nest of but worth a twist (dead leader) 

Smoke 2 joints

Fucking chimp

---

Anthony B always satisfies
Closest thing to reggae-aerobisize

Chased a rapid succession of canceled calls with the the doc & responders through the thick ass crowd. 

Sublime is a nest of but worth a twist (dead leader) s

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

There is some speculation that Anthony B always satisfies.

[Drunk Monk]

Home 

Covid test negative

I’ll fill in some gaps later…

[Drunk Monk]

oof. that day after... everything is blurry

As you can see, my post above had issues with the mammoth crowd all trying to access their phones for all manner of things, overloading the system and killing lots of my attempts to post. 

Sublime was a 'best of' show, which wasn't bad at all because they have so many anthemic hits. Smoke Two Joints was staggeringly smoky as the entire bowl audience did that very thing. I spent it hanging out at the Bowl Stage Self Care station, which was butted up against the Jahlibyrd, effectively doubling our real estate. 

The fucking chimp was a disturbing shirt someone in front of us at self care was wearing that totally harshed our buzz. I'll post that pic later. 

The show was packed. Most patrons ever. That created several levels of messes, mostly traffic oriented. 

Ice Cube was a throwback. Made me want to watch an Ice Cube movie. Ice Cube brought the cold. During his set, the temp dropped dramatically with a chilling ocean wind that cut to the bone. Fortunately I was prepared. 

A new PA who came in as a guest of one of the Docs who was planning to hire him for her company (she's a hospice Doc) fucked up by getting ripped drunk and going into the VIP section yelling he was privileged. His actions got JM banned from a VIP corridor. I was with that doc and we went to catch up to where the other doc was cutting his wrist band and kicking his ass out. She led me on a wild goose chase and we got there after it was resolved. In retrospect, it was her not wanting to engage the scene but I wasn't following exactly what was going on that well at that moment. She was grateful because she realized he wouldn't be a good fit as her new hire. We all felt that was a tough new job interview process, but it worked. 

A group came in with a woman who just heard her brother commited suicide. They were in total shock. Staff looked to me at first to offer some counsel, but that sound in her cry brought me right back to consoling Chelsea after Buck died, and I froze. I quickly explained I was out and those that knew what I've been through with that understood. I retreated into the crowd with Tara.

Tara and I tucked into the front corner of the stage left VIP section, both of us completed undercover with our attire and tucking our lams. That was to see Damian. 

JAH Bless. There is nothing like Damian Marley at Cali Roots. That show was epic bashment, the best of the weekend. He's got his rapid fire way of rapping, and then fades into his take on classic anthems of his father. It's a winning combination and we were well positioned to bear witness, except for being surrounded by several crazy annoying patrons, including this really weird woman fanatic who kept claiming she knew Damian, but didn't have the right passes to be there, snuck in somehow, and had to pee. I think she was thinking of peeing in her thermos but I put the squelch on that. She eventually dashed out and Tara took her place on the bleacher rail (we were 3rd row back) but she managed to sneak back in telling us that she met Damian's chauffeur and gave him this crappy painting of Damian that she had made, and he let her pee behind the car. 

We had packed out our gear already but Tara wanted to stay to check out the afterparty. She's never been to one and JM was openly invited. So we went and it was a lot of fun - nice spread of food, banging DJ, massage, and lots of celebrating staff. We didn't hang out long. 

We listened to Sofi Tukker's new album on the way home. They are coming to the Greek the Thursday after Dead & Co at Shoreline - thinking about doing that if I have the stamina. Tara might take Bri, who has never been to a concert. That would be a good start. 

Yuki was overjoyed to see us. Stacy had texted that he seemed to know, constantly looking at the door all yesterday. After a decent night's sleep, we had breakfast at Verve and parted ways. It was a wonderfully irie weekend. 

Now I'm listening to the end of the KKUP reggae show on my folk's old wood cabinet Magnavox at my mom's. Made a grocery run so I can just tuck in here for the rest of the day. Been working, getting back into the groove of things.

[Drunk Monk]

Everything is still blurry.

Took the post-fest epiphany bath, but it was not as spiritual as they can be. On the whole, I stayed pretty clean with my japanese wipes. I brought a towel but forgot some athlete's foot slippahs. I'm slowly descending back to the common world. 

It was a fascinating journey with Tara. While we've worked plenty of shows together, this was a campout where she had a lot of automaty. In past years, she was with high school friends. This year, I would frequently get called away as usual, leaving her on her own, or she'd go off and do something herself. Since she went away to college, I don't get to see her interact with people and problem solve quite like that. We had several long good talks, which was what I want most as a parent in terms of interactions. And we had a lot of fun. 

She feels more at home with JAH Med than Rock Med. JM is truly family. RM is now cliquey and corporate. I totally understand. Now she wants to do Northern Nights next. I've never done that one. I've heard its crazy - all night EDM in the redwoods. I can't do it this year, but she sees it as an opportunity to do a show on her own. I have trepidations about that given that it nearly broke of a few of our top players (including Legbone). Hopefully, if she goes, she can go with another volunteer. It's given me a lot to think about...

We put the new PA on it, who whipped out his pulse ox but was over rambunctious. 

A new PA who came in as a guest of one of the Docs who was planning to hire him for her company (she's a hospice Doc) fucked up by getting ripped drunk and going into the VIP section yelling he was privileged. His actions got JM banned from a VIP corridor. I was with that doc and we went to catch up to where the other doc was cutting his wrist band and kicking his ass out. She led me on a wild goose chase and we got there after it was resolved. In retrospect, it was her not wanting to engage the scene but I wasn't following exactly what was going on that well at that moment. She was grateful because she realized he wouldn't be a good fit as her new hire. We all felt that was a tough new job interview process, but it worked. 

Hmm, in retrospect, I might have sensed his imbalance early.

A tale of to t-ras...how's the "little" TG working out?

Our JediNiteKrew is very specialized. All TG/T-Ras knew beyond what you might have said, was getting coffee with me. Never in my 35 years have I seen someone integrate into the crew so quickly and naturally. She was great. I hope she had a good time - seemed like she did. Hopefully she'll do some more shows with us in the future. I'm sorry we already booked a dog sitter for our backpacking trips because she'd be perfect. Quite an impressive daughter you have there, old friend. Well done. 

I'm eager to hear what she tells you about it all. 

The rest of Hogwarts feels fine. 

Been in contact with Ravenclaw. She still feels sick. Hufflepuff went down when they got home to a 101 fever. Hadn't gotten up when we last messaged a few hours ago. He's diabetic so I'm concerned.

---

My favorite poetic tale was that of the Babylon by Barber Bus, but it only seems to appeal to me. One other vol got it. 

Two guys come in with their inebriated friend. I'm trying to talk to them but I'm distracted because all of them have perfect hair and glamorously trimmed beards. Turns out they were all from the Livermore Barbershop. Their boss rented a party van because they all loved reggae in the shop. Their boss was the patient. Then, later, another patient comes in from that bus. I recognized the logo on his hoody. They were fine in the end - they just needed a moment to sleep it off. 

The funny thing is that rasta dreadlocks are directly opposed to barbers. Everyone else at CR was unkempt, especially after a few days. It must have put that crew into conniptions. 

I know, I know, it's not a great nekkid tripper story, but that's all I got. I'm just grateful - SO GRATEFUL - that I don't have covid. Gotta give it a few days to be sure, tho...

[thatguy]

A tale of to t-ras...how's the "little" TG working out?

Our JediNiteKrew is very specialized. All TG/T-Ras knew beyond what you might have said, was getting coffee with me. Never in my 35 years have I seen someone integrate into the crew so quickly and naturally. She was great. I hope she had a good time - seemed like she did. Hopefully she'll do some more shows with us in the future. I'm sorry we already booked a dog sitter for our backpacking trips because she'd be perfect. Quite an impressive daughter you have there, old friend. Well done. 

I'm eager to hear what she tells you about it all. 

she was sleeping in when I got home from Aptos about midday. Then I crashed having slept really poorly last night, but we connected this evening for a bit. She had a great time. I think she needed that. She was especially impressed by the 10 min massage at the after party. So much so, she got the masseuses number (the gal is in Salinas) and will make a longer appointment sometime. 

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

That's awesome. Massages at reggaes can be a mixed bag. Those afterparty tables were set up in the back of the room which was being blasted by the DJ and staff partying. So glad to hear she had a good experience. Do tell her that she's welcome to continue on with the JNK. She was a fine addition to the crew.

I'm still easing out of the reggae zone - baby steps. Watching a lot of CR videos online. 

Our two covid victims are feeling a bit better, enough to head to the doctor today, maybe get some paxlovid. 

Turns out that PA we ejected was eidetic. That explains a lot. That can be such a curse. He probably has a drinking problem because like many eidetic people, he struggles to forget. It's not redeeming but at least it's understandable.

[Drunk Monk]

Another JNK member tested positive this morning, the sigO of my supervising partner. That's a major bummer for him because it's graduation time and he works with at risk youth. He came late because he was asked to speak at some graduations and was going to attend more graduations for some of his students.

Tara and I continue to test negative although she's feeling the exhaustion. I feel remarkably well. I think not smoking helped. Also this retreat to my mom's worked out okay - it gave me the space to be spacey. Still suffering those post-fest blues though.

[Drunk Monk]

Just did the math.

1/3rd of the JNK went down to covid.

[Greg]

Maybe in person concerts are still not a good idea?

[Drunk Monk]

Definitely premature

But better than living in a red county…

[Drunk Monk]

I haven’t cut my wristband. Usually I cut it as soon as I get home but im going to keep this one for a little while.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Anthony B always satisfies

[Drunk Monk]

JAH Med's head cook just tested positive. The family that does that are right leaning - possibly full on Trumpers - so we're wondering if she was vaxxed.

[Drunk Monk]

Man, this cough is wicked tho. It's ironic. I usually have a post-festival cough because, well, I inhale. A lot. More so than ever at fests. But CR was the first fest where I didn't inhale at all. Just a few edibles, and not that many of those. No sharing joints. That would've been too reckless. Turns out it didn't matter. I was pleased that I was barely coughing on Monday. But now, wicked ass cough. Again, it didn't matter.

I'm self quarantined at my mom's now, listening to Robert Rankin's KKUP reggae show, one of my favs for years. Sounds good on my parents' old Magnavox. I'll be here for the next five days. Tara might join me if she gets stir crazy in her apartment room. She's trying not to infect her apartment mate. 

Several more JM vols have reported in positive. My entire crew save 2 people are positive or had recovered just prior to CR.