"You can't always get what you want..."
This past weekend we went to Cityfest in Portland, OR. It was a Luis Palau Crusade, wrapping up the sponsored Season of Service; a region-wide push to encourage people to get out and serve their community. We went because of the concerts, but it's cool.
We left about noon on Friday, and headed to Gresham. However, on the way there we were talking, and we encountered a problem. See, we were staying at the Gresham Family Worship Center. Dan had earlier asked if we would be able to, but they never got back to him. I called on Monday to find out if the decision had been made, and they said yes, they were expecting us; we just had to talk to their youth pastor to figure out when to get the keys. So I had told Dan, and he was calling the youth pastor.
Well, by Friday, the guy had never gotten back to us. And when we got to the church (to unload our stuff before going to downtown Portland), it was locked up; no one was there. Great. So we started looking for the YP's phone number in Dan's cell.
He didn't have it.
And neither of us thought to bring it, because we both thought it was in Dan's cell.
This left us with a bit of a predicament. We had restless teens, eager to get to the park, and we weren't sure we'd be able to stay overnight. We decided to head to the park, and Dan would try to get hold of someone to get the number for us.
We wandered around, saw some skateboarding tricks, some BMX tricks, and then some Motocross stuff. We eventually split off into different groups and wandered around. We got there around 2:30; the concert didn't start until 5:00. So we had plenty of time to wander/look around.
Eventually, though, we managed to get up front for the concerts. I was less than impressed with the first group (City Praize, a Portland-based gospel choir), but that's just because they weren't my style. Next came Phil Stacey (a former American Idol contestant). I didn't realize he was a country artist; that was fine by me, but some of the teens were less than thrilled.
Near the end of his set, Kat told me that she'd talked to Dan, who couldn't get hold of this YP's number. Dan had said if we couldn't get hold of him, we'd be going home that night. So I broke out of the crowd and found a spot I could actually hear my phone (in the process missing Kirk Franklin; fine by me. He's more miss than hit anyway).
First, I called one of the two numbers I had for Bryce and got Chad. I asked if his mom (who has a key to the church) was around, and he said no, but he'd call her. He called back and said she wasn't answering her phone. I thanked him, then called Don (who also has a key to the church). The conversation went like this:
Me: Hey Don, I have a question.
Don: Shoot.
M: Are you in The Dalles?
D: Yes.
M: Do you have your church key?
D: Yes...
M: Can you do me a biiiig favor? We forgot to grab a phone number, and we really need someone to get into Pastor Dan's office and find it.
D: Sure, I can do that. *pause* Which one is Pastor Dan's office?
I explain which office, where the thing would likely be located (either Dan's desk or the Youth Leaders' desk), and he said he'd give me a call. I then called Pastor Dan (who was in the van, resting; he just got back from a family reunion) and touched bases. I then went back into the park, walked around (and ran into Kutless' former guitarist, Ryan Shrout, and Falling UP's former Keyboardist, Andy Marvin), and then Don called me back with the number.
Called Dan, who got the number, then touched bases with Kat. By this time Kirk Franklin was winding down, and Luis Palau came up and shared a word.
After that, we got back with everyone else, only to discover that Mel (Kat's sister) was missing her bag. She'd left it with the group when she and Kat left to meet with me, and the group either didn't realize it or forgot to grab it. So I got to wade through the mass of humanity in search of an urban-camo backpack. If it hadn't contained important medications, I would have said too bad.
By some miracle, I actually found the bag, then got myself out (the only reason people had let me through was I was looking at the ground and asking if anyone had seen this bag). Then I had to force my way through another mass of humanity to meet up with the group, accidentally missing them the first time.
The group then decided that they wanted to leave after Kutless, so we missed Chris Tomlin. Which was okay; I was tired (more like exhausted; I worked Thursday night and therefore didn't sleep before we left), and this way we didn't have to fight traffic.
By this time, Dan had gotten hold of the YP (who was still on his way back from a 14-day missions trip; they were originally coming back Thursday, but were able to stay an extra day), and we were all set for staying at the church. So I told him the plan, and he didn't object.
I love Gresham Family Worship Center. No, that's not true: I love their sound system. Every aspect of it. Their board is massive, and everything is set: each vocalist has their own channel, with the EQ set for their voice. The equipment they're using is top-of-the-line, including monitors that the band themselves can adjust (yes!!). Their guitarist's pedalboard was up (I want most of his pedals), and I could see he was running through a Marshall amp. The sanctuary/gym was set up to be a sound tech's dream, versus our sanctuary, which is a sound tech's nightmare. It was beautiful. *tear*
Anyway, I went straight to bed, but couldn't sleep well. Finally, I got up and went to my bag and grabbed my Bible and my towel. I put my Bible on the floor, my towel on top of it, and my pillow on top of that. I now had a surface that was propped up enough for me to sleep on.
I had also grabbed my watch, and while fumbling for the Indiglo button, I accidentally switched it to the second time setting -- Central time. I didn't realize this until morning, when I commented about how it was noon, and people looked at me like I was nuts and told me it was ten. Oops.
After eating, we packed up and decided to go to Goodwill. I picked up a pen-stripe suit for $14, and a short-sleeved black shirt for work for $6. There was one (suit) jacket I absolutely fell in love with. The material was incredibly soft, and it looked great. However, I discovered the size was grossly mis-marked. Marked as an XL, I went ahead and tried it on, only to discover that even if I were skeletal, I wouldn't be able to wear the thing; my shoulders are too broad and my arms too long.
Too bad; it was a good jacket.
We went to a couple other stores, then tried to find a park to eat at. Finally found one, ate, then headed towards Cityfest. However, once we got there, Dan told me I had to follow him and see where he'd gone Friday. He took me (and Kat, who decided to come too) to Apple Music Row, a block west of the concert.
Oh. My. Gosh. I didn't want to leave that place. The first thing you really notice is the Epiphone Double-neck sitting in the window, just begging you to play Stairway. Then when you go inside, you're overwhelmed by the wall of guitars to the left, as well as the guitars hanging on beams.
I was able to play an Epiphone Les Paul on a Peavey Valveking 112 -- a 50 watt tube amp that I was 90% sure I wanted to get. Now I'm 100% sure it's the amp I want. It sounds purrrrty. Dan then took me around to show me some different guitars. These weren't for sale.
Evidently, Apple Music Row is also a museum of sorts. These guitars are part of one guy's collection, and he puts them on display in the store. So what's the big deal on these guitars? Try a Fender Strat with the serial number "21". Or a Telecaster with serial number "3". Or a Fender Esquire -- that's what they called it before it was called the telecaster.
These were NICE guitars on display (they're the inspiration for this entry's title). I could have spent all day drooling, but we had to go. However, I was very disappointed that there weren't any acoustics. Then Dan took me next door.
Apple Music Row is actually three stores: Store 1 (as I call it) has the electric guitars, basses, keyboards, and amps, as well as PAs and studio gear. Store 2 has all the drums (I didn't go in; I'm not a drummer). Store 3 has the acoustics. I didn't spend as much time in Store 3; we had to get going, and these weren't quite the droolers the electrics were.
We actually got back just in time for the first artist, a gal named Marisol. She does Latin music, all in Spanish. I wasn't going to try to get upfront, and really didn't care for her music.
Kat and I then ventured around to the back area (where there was a Jumbotron screen) to watch the rest of the concert. First was Hawk Nelson (a band I really don't care for), followed by MercyMe.
I like MercyMe. I've never got to see them before, and really enjoyed their set. It was more worship music than anything (which isn't surprising; it's MercyMe, after all). Then Luis Palau took the stage and spoke for a while. He did a good job. It was very interesting.
After he was done, we headed back to the van. That was what had been decided: we had a two-hour drive back home, and we (particularly myself and Pastor Dan, the two people able to drive the van) were exhausted, and in no mood to fight the post-concert traffic in downtown Portland. So we missed TobyMac. Oh, well.
We got home without incident, ending the weekend. Not at all bad.
Actually, that didn't end the weekend. We had more stuff going on Sunday. Ryan was in town, and he brought down his recording gear. So, after church and a quick bite, a few of us got together to lay some tracks down. Jamie sang while I played guitar. Then we listened to the recording, and then did some more: Jamie harmonized while I played bass. It turned out pretty well.
That's been the weekend. Welcome back, Rich and Tris. I think I got the dirty jokes out of my system, but we won't know for sure until tomorrow. :P
We left about noon on Friday, and headed to Gresham. However, on the way there we were talking, and we encountered a problem. See, we were staying at the Gresham Family Worship Center. Dan had earlier asked if we would be able to, but they never got back to him. I called on Monday to find out if the decision had been made, and they said yes, they were expecting us; we just had to talk to their youth pastor to figure out when to get the keys. So I had told Dan, and he was calling the youth pastor.
Well, by Friday, the guy had never gotten back to us. And when we got to the church (to unload our stuff before going to downtown Portland), it was locked up; no one was there. Great. So we started looking for the YP's phone number in Dan's cell.
He didn't have it.
And neither of us thought to bring it, because we both thought it was in Dan's cell.
This left us with a bit of a predicament. We had restless teens, eager to get to the park, and we weren't sure we'd be able to stay overnight. We decided to head to the park, and Dan would try to get hold of someone to get the number for us.
We wandered around, saw some skateboarding tricks, some BMX tricks, and then some Motocross stuff. We eventually split off into different groups and wandered around. We got there around 2:30; the concert didn't start until 5:00. So we had plenty of time to wander/look around.
Eventually, though, we managed to get up front for the concerts. I was less than impressed with the first group (City Praize, a Portland-based gospel choir), but that's just because they weren't my style. Next came Phil Stacey (a former American Idol contestant). I didn't realize he was a country artist; that was fine by me, but some of the teens were less than thrilled.
Near the end of his set, Kat told me that she'd talked to Dan, who couldn't get hold of this YP's number. Dan had said if we couldn't get hold of him, we'd be going home that night. So I broke out of the crowd and found a spot I could actually hear my phone (in the process missing Kirk Franklin; fine by me. He's more miss than hit anyway).
First, I called one of the two numbers I had for Bryce and got Chad. I asked if his mom (who has a key to the church) was around, and he said no, but he'd call her. He called back and said she wasn't answering her phone. I thanked him, then called Don (who also has a key to the church). The conversation went like this:
Me: Hey Don, I have a question.
Don: Shoot.
M: Are you in The Dalles?
D: Yes.
M: Do you have your church key?
D: Yes...
M: Can you do me a biiiig favor? We forgot to grab a phone number, and we really need someone to get into Pastor Dan's office and find it.
D: Sure, I can do that. *pause* Which one is Pastor Dan's office?
I explain which office, where the thing would likely be located (either Dan's desk or the Youth Leaders' desk), and he said he'd give me a call. I then called Pastor Dan (who was in the van, resting; he just got back from a family reunion) and touched bases. I then went back into the park, walked around (and ran into Kutless' former guitarist, Ryan Shrout, and Falling UP's former Keyboardist, Andy Marvin), and then Don called me back with the number.
Called Dan, who got the number, then touched bases with Kat. By this time Kirk Franklin was winding down, and Luis Palau came up and shared a word.
After that, we got back with everyone else, only to discover that Mel (Kat's sister) was missing her bag. She'd left it with the group when she and Kat left to meet with me, and the group either didn't realize it or forgot to grab it. So I got to wade through the mass of humanity in search of an urban-camo backpack. If it hadn't contained important medications, I would have said too bad.
By some miracle, I actually found the bag, then got myself out (the only reason people had let me through was I was looking at the ground and asking if anyone had seen this bag). Then I had to force my way through another mass of humanity to meet up with the group, accidentally missing them the first time.
The group then decided that they wanted to leave after Kutless, so we missed Chris Tomlin. Which was okay; I was tired (more like exhausted; I worked Thursday night and therefore didn't sleep before we left), and this way we didn't have to fight traffic.
By this time, Dan had gotten hold of the YP (who was still on his way back from a 14-day missions trip; they were originally coming back Thursday, but were able to stay an extra day), and we were all set for staying at the church. So I told him the plan, and he didn't object.
I love Gresham Family Worship Center. No, that's not true: I love their sound system. Every aspect of it. Their board is massive, and everything is set: each vocalist has their own channel, with the EQ set for their voice. The equipment they're using is top-of-the-line, including monitors that the band themselves can adjust (yes!!). Their guitarist's pedalboard was up (I want most of his pedals), and I could see he was running through a Marshall amp. The sanctuary/gym was set up to be a sound tech's dream, versus our sanctuary, which is a sound tech's nightmare. It was beautiful. *tear*
Anyway, I went straight to bed, but couldn't sleep well. Finally, I got up and went to my bag and grabbed my Bible and my towel. I put my Bible on the floor, my towel on top of it, and my pillow on top of that. I now had a surface that was propped up enough for me to sleep on.
I had also grabbed my watch, and while fumbling for the Indiglo button, I accidentally switched it to the second time setting -- Central time. I didn't realize this until morning, when I commented about how it was noon, and people looked at me like I was nuts and told me it was ten. Oops.
After eating, we packed up and decided to go to Goodwill. I picked up a pen-stripe suit for $14, and a short-sleeved black shirt for work for $6. There was one (suit) jacket I absolutely fell in love with. The material was incredibly soft, and it looked great. However, I discovered the size was grossly mis-marked. Marked as an XL, I went ahead and tried it on, only to discover that even if I were skeletal, I wouldn't be able to wear the thing; my shoulders are too broad and my arms too long.
Too bad; it was a good jacket.
We went to a couple other stores, then tried to find a park to eat at. Finally found one, ate, then headed towards Cityfest. However, once we got there, Dan told me I had to follow him and see where he'd gone Friday. He took me (and Kat, who decided to come too) to Apple Music Row, a block west of the concert.
Oh. My. Gosh. I didn't want to leave that place. The first thing you really notice is the Epiphone Double-neck sitting in the window, just begging you to play Stairway. Then when you go inside, you're overwhelmed by the wall of guitars to the left, as well as the guitars hanging on beams.
I was able to play an Epiphone Les Paul on a Peavey Valveking 112 -- a 50 watt tube amp that I was 90% sure I wanted to get. Now I'm 100% sure it's the amp I want. It sounds purrrrty. Dan then took me around to show me some different guitars. These weren't for sale.
Evidently, Apple Music Row is also a museum of sorts. These guitars are part of one guy's collection, and he puts them on display in the store. So what's the big deal on these guitars? Try a Fender Strat with the serial number "21". Or a Telecaster with serial number "3". Or a Fender Esquire -- that's what they called it before it was called the telecaster.
These were NICE guitars on display (they're the inspiration for this entry's title). I could have spent all day drooling, but we had to go. However, I was very disappointed that there weren't any acoustics. Then Dan took me next door.
Apple Music Row is actually three stores: Store 1 (as I call it) has the electric guitars, basses, keyboards, and amps, as well as PAs and studio gear. Store 2 has all the drums (I didn't go in; I'm not a drummer). Store 3 has the acoustics. I didn't spend as much time in Store 3; we had to get going, and these weren't quite the droolers the electrics were.
We actually got back just in time for the first artist, a gal named Marisol. She does Latin music, all in Spanish. I wasn't going to try to get upfront, and really didn't care for her music.
Kat and I then ventured around to the back area (where there was a Jumbotron screen) to watch the rest of the concert. First was Hawk Nelson (a band I really don't care for), followed by MercyMe.
I like MercyMe. I've never got to see them before, and really enjoyed their set. It was more worship music than anything (which isn't surprising; it's MercyMe, after all). Then Luis Palau took the stage and spoke for a while. He did a good job. It was very interesting.
After he was done, we headed back to the van. That was what had been decided: we had a two-hour drive back home, and we (particularly myself and Pastor Dan, the two people able to drive the van) were exhausted, and in no mood to fight the post-concert traffic in downtown Portland. So we missed TobyMac. Oh, well.
We got home without incident, ending the weekend. Not at all bad.
Actually, that didn't end the weekend. We had more stuff going on Sunday. Ryan was in town, and he brought down his recording gear. So, after church and a quick bite, a few of us got together to lay some tracks down. Jamie sang while I played guitar. Then we listened to the recording, and then did some more: Jamie harmonized while I played bass. It turned out pretty well.
That's been the weekend. Welcome back, Rich and Tris. I think I got the dirty jokes out of my system, but we won't know for sure until tomorrow. :P