Doing what you love is really hot!

10,000 Lakes Music Festival
Detroit Lakes, MN
July 23 – 27, 2008

It is clear to me that I am doing the right thing. Yes – I’m still a little (ok, a lot when I really think about it) scared about what’s going to happen next, but I know I am doing something that makes me shine. I can’t count the number of folks I don’t know who have walked up to me to give me compliments about my energy and who I seem to be, the number of men who have flirted with me relentlessly, and the number of friends and family members who have told me, “Wow! You look great!” this summer. It feels so good to have that acknowledgement and validation. I am doing something I really believe in and have passion for, and apparently it shows.

My job at 10KLakes this weekend was right in line with all of this. Aside from the Rex Jam (which I’ll get to in my next post), I also worked “Event Staff/Concert Bowl – 2^nd Shift.” It’s nice that the promoters of this festival actually pay the folks who come to work. I have done the same kind of work at other festivals simply to receive a free ticket, but I actually got paid for this one. It’s not much, but it’s better than a poke in the eye with a hot stick! The management and staff of the 10KLakes Festival treated me wonderfully, both as an “employee” and as the Rex Representative (which I’ll get to, also in my next post).

As concert bowl staff, my job was to monitor the VIP entrance to the backstage area from 6:00 pm to 1:30 am (or so) each night. This might sound like something of a bummer, as it’s during all the good music, but actually, it suited me just fine. My supervisor, Theresa (different from the one from Rex/High Sierra), totally hooked me up and made sure I was in the sweet spot, right next to the main stage (I SO owe her!). I had a great sight line and basically got to “work” while enjoying the Mickey Hart Band (featuring Steve Kimock, George Porter and Jen Durkin) and Michael Franti and Spearhead on Thursday night; Wookiefoot, Slightly Stoopid and Flaming Lips on Friday night; and Leftover Salmon and Phil Lesh and Friends (with special guest John Schofield) on Saturday night. Also, late night sets from George Clinton and the P-Funk and Deep Banana Blackout – a little farther away, but still close enough for dancing if I positioned myself right. All I had to do was make sure the people who came through the entrance to the backstage area had the proper credentials, which I always enjoy because it becomes very social and as you all know, I’m a pretty social type of gal.

There was not a tremendous amount of traffic, so of course I did a lot of dancing. This had a very positive effect on the people as they came and went through my gate. By the end of the weekend, I received all kinds of comments from people, such as, “Wow! Do you ever stop?”, “We love you! You are our favorite gate guard!”, “You really love your job, don’t you?” and “You really have the moves! Dance on, Sister!” All of these were said with smiles and often accompanied by hugs and high fives. The other thing I remember is that several people commented that I was always smiling. They couldn’t believe that someone could actually smile so much of the time. It reminded me of the guy I met about 2 weeks after working at Unbroken Chain at UMASS, Amherst, last November. I was at a Dark Star Orchestra show and he stopped me and said, “I remember you! You’re the girl from that Grateful Dead Symposium who’s always smiling!” It feels good to be remembered for such a thing.

I also seem to have acquired a new “little brother” this trip. Evan and I met on the flight into Minneapolis. He happened to be in the seat next to me, and we started chatting briefly and discovered we were both going to 10KLakes. He taught me a little bit about what is "house music" (a question that has been plaguing me for months) and we just got on pretty well. Eventually, he turned to me and said, “I’m going to be really straight with you. I need a ride.” He had made plans with some girls he met on a recent trip, but they sort of fell apart right before he left Florida for the trip. Since I was renting a car anyway, and figured I could use the help w/gas money, I said sure. He still camped with the girls he made the original plans with, but he rode to and from the festival with me, and we hung out a bunch at the shows. He even helped with the Rex Jam on Friday and checked in on me while I was working, such a mensch! (That's Evan in the picture above).

See? You do what you love and you attract good people and good things to your life. It's that simple....