Ska Fest

Last night I ended up going to Ska Fest with Paul and a couple of friends. Ska Fest is exactly what it sounds like–a fest of ska music. I wouldn’t say I listen to ska often, I like a lot of new wave music, and I would say that ska falls under that category, but I’ve never thought, Hmm I really feel like listening to ska right now.

We saw Blitz the Ambassador perform. Never heard of them? Yeah me either, but it was actually really good and fun to dance to. I was pleasantly surprised because I’m one of those people who goes to concerts to listen to music they already know. I don’t like discovering new bands live. For some reason I reserve live shows for bands that I love and respect. But it’s weird because every time I end up going to a show of a group that I’ve never heard of, I fall in love with them.

Blitz the Ambassador

The best part, as per usual was the crowd. So many judgments were made! It was hard for me to concentrate because my head was spinning in the midst of all the freak shows!

First of all, you know how concerts always smell like booze, cigarettes, and sweat? This place reeked of weed and the worst B.O. I’ve ever smelled. And we were OUTSIDE. You would think all of the odors would be carried away by the breeze, but nope. It was a cloud of smelly pot. But I could look past it because everyone was having so much fun.

80% of the crowd was sporting dreadlocks. It reminded me of high school. I think I would get frustrated having my hair being a tangled, matted mess. BUT it would be nice because you could use them as a pillow. I bet people who have dreads sleep really well because they have double the head-padding. Double the pleasure, double the fun.

I distinctly remember this one girl who was kind of off to the side of the general audience and she was dancing like no one was watching. And I don’t think anyone besides me was watching. I was transfixed. She literally stretched out before the band started playing. Whenever she would turn her head, her gigantic earrings would come around a whip her in the face. She had no shoes on so her feet were black. So beautiful. She was like the Black Swan of Ska Fest.

Overall, Victoria’s 13th Annual Ska Fest was a success (for me, anyway). I’m glad I went! Next week is Victoria Buskers Festival…so expect a blog on street performers and how creepy they are!

Peace, man

Whoever painted that bus did a terrible job.

You know when people from newer generations are like “I was totally born in the wrong decade” or “I wish I could have grown up when [insert groovy event, ex. Woodstock] occurred.” Maybe they could if the lazy guys at NASA would focus a little less on counting the planets and a little more on time travel.

Well, I’ve found a loop-hole in this situation. These people longing for a decade change should just hop over to Victoria because I’m pretty sure no one acknowledges the fact that it’s 2011 here.

There are so many instances where people act like their living in the 70’s–from their patchouli drenched clothes, to their patchwork pants. I don’t know what kind of look this is, but its a deterrent for going outside.

I have seen SO many hitch-hikers since I’ve moved here. Especially hitch-hikers with dreadlocks.  I’m not saying that dreadlocks are solely from the 70’s (ask 60% of my high school) but they’re definitely not what I would consider “in” right now.

If you listen to the radio stations here, its pretty much all 70’s all the time. Which is fine with me. But after hearing 4 Peter Frampton songs in a row, it gets old.

Also, people on the island  use the worst expressions.  “Right on” is used practically after every sentence. And I’ve heard a few “jive turkey”s, “far out”s, and of course, “outta sight”s. Thankfully I haven’t heard any “dyno-mite”s yet.

It even smells like the 70’s if you know what I mean. And I think you know what I mean.

I don’t know how this island hasn’t moved on as generations have passed, but it’s kind of nice that everyone is groovy and chill. Cue Partridge Family theme song. In fact, I think I’ve seen their bus driving around here.