Bluesfest Shift #1
First night of volunteering at Bluesfest was fun - ran into former coworker Tricia at the volunteer trailer, which wasn't really that much of a surprise because I recall her volunteering at Bluesfest last summer, but it was still nice to see her.
Heather showed me and Shawna the ropes, basically, the more complex stuff explained to us by Neiges, the volunteer coordinator for the Lottery Tent, where we're working. One of the ladies at the Lottery Tent is an absolute nightmare, and thinks she's a whole lot more important than she is. Sorry, sweetheart, you're in the same position as any of us. She yelled at me first for handing over beers without opening them (um, she took them right from my hands), and then for going to my assigned post. "DOES NEIGES KNOW YOU'RE HERE?" Um, yes, that's why I'm here, Powertrip.
The Power Tower, a section of four elevated seats to which access is gained by the winning of a raffle, isn't really an interesting place to work. There's no one close enough for idle chitchat, and making conversation with those on the gate to our section (which, last night, was Shawna and another lady whose name I don't know yet) is actually a bit of a chore - in that it's a prudent idea to actually have something to say, or else I'm yelling for nothing. Having actual things to say is not how I roll, bb! I hope to work somewhere more social tonight.
There was one patron of our tent who was ridiculous and shouted "LESLIE!" every single time he walked by me. This really left me taken aback the first time it happened, and I looked for who'd shouted it then, finding him, wondered if I was supposed to know who this was. Thankfully, he quickly explained, "I'm just reading your nametag." From then on, every time he walked by, my name was yelled.
airgonaut came over to the tent to visit me, which was awesome because I hadn't seen her in aaaages. We didn't really get to talk a ton because, as I said, I was kind of far away from everyone, but it was still fabulous to see her. And I will see her more as the festival goes on.
Feist was playing last night and, while I'm not wholly familiar with her music, there were some really familiar songs. She did a really fabulous job, too, but I'm not sure this'll come as a surprise to anyone. It's so strange to be at a show but not really, though. It's interesting, but I'll probably get used to it.
I only had one real incident related to obnoxious people, two ladies who tried to get up into the Power Tower. I told them no, it's reserved for raffle winners - and while those raffle winners have left, it doesn't make it fair game. They yelled at me, insisting that since they'd entered the raffle, they deserved to be up there. Bullshit. You didn't win, you're not allowed up. Shawna thankfully stepped in to help, because I am shit at dealing with irate people. They eventually backed the fuck off, but aaaah. PEOPLE. I really want to like people, but they make it so difficult for me. It's like a new spin on an old song: ♪ You made me hate you, I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to do it... ♪ (Sorry, that was pretty weak.)
So yeah! That was my first night at Bluesfest. And just to let you all know, I'm going to be working again tonight, from 7:30 to 11:00, so if anyone is there, feel free to come over to the Lottery Tent and say hello!
Heather showed me and Shawna the ropes, basically, the more complex stuff explained to us by Neiges, the volunteer coordinator for the Lottery Tent, where we're working. One of the ladies at the Lottery Tent is an absolute nightmare, and thinks she's a whole lot more important than she is. Sorry, sweetheart, you're in the same position as any of us. She yelled at me first for handing over beers without opening them (um, she took them right from my hands), and then for going to my assigned post. "DOES NEIGES KNOW YOU'RE HERE?" Um, yes, that's why I'm here, Powertrip.
The Power Tower, a section of four elevated seats to which access is gained by the winning of a raffle, isn't really an interesting place to work. There's no one close enough for idle chitchat, and making conversation with those on the gate to our section (which, last night, was Shawna and another lady whose name I don't know yet) is actually a bit of a chore - in that it's a prudent idea to actually have something to say, or else I'm yelling for nothing. Having actual things to say is not how I roll, bb! I hope to work somewhere more social tonight.
There was one patron of our tent who was ridiculous and shouted "LESLIE!" every single time he walked by me. This really left me taken aback the first time it happened, and I looked for who'd shouted it then, finding him, wondered if I was supposed to know who this was. Thankfully, he quickly explained, "I'm just reading your nametag." From then on, every time he walked by, my name was yelled.
airgonaut came over to the tent to visit me, which was awesome because I hadn't seen her in aaaages. We didn't really get to talk a ton because, as I said, I was kind of far away from everyone, but it was still fabulous to see her. And I will see her more as the festival goes on.
Feist was playing last night and, while I'm not wholly familiar with her music, there were some really familiar songs. She did a really fabulous job, too, but I'm not sure this'll come as a surprise to anyone. It's so strange to be at a show but not really, though. It's interesting, but I'll probably get used to it.
I only had one real incident related to obnoxious people, two ladies who tried to get up into the Power Tower. I told them no, it's reserved for raffle winners - and while those raffle winners have left, it doesn't make it fair game. They yelled at me, insisting that since they'd entered the raffle, they deserved to be up there. Bullshit. You didn't win, you're not allowed up. Shawna thankfully stepped in to help, because I am shit at dealing with irate people. They eventually backed the fuck off, but aaaah. PEOPLE. I really want to like people, but they make it so difficult for me. It's like a new spin on an old song: ♪ You made me hate you, I didn't want to do it, I didn't want to do it... ♪ (Sorry, that was pretty weak.)
So yeah! That was my first night at Bluesfest. And just to let you all know, I'm going to be working again tonight, from 7:30 to 11:00, so if anyone is there, feel free to come over to the Lottery Tent and say hello!