Last night was the first night of bluesfest and it was awesome! The big act of the evening was The Tragically Hip and I can’t really tell you too much about them because other than one or two song, I don’t really know their music.

When I started volunteering at the bluesfest four years ago, I didn’t think I’d stay in the area that I got put in due to the lateness of my application—the beer tent—for the coming years because I hate having beer sloshed on me and I don’t even like the stuff. In my entire life I’ve had less than five sips of beer. When it’s really busy you’re a far more effective beer tent cashier when you’re standing on your feet. This fact, combined that with the fact that I’m inherently lazy, would lead you to think I’d opt only for the jobs that require me to sit, and there are a number of those positions available.

Well, four years later and I’m still eager to work with the beer tent supervisor, and see if I’ll recognize any of my fellow beer tent cashiers (those of us who handle the money) and beer runners (those who hand the beers to the patrons) from previous years or previous shifts. The best part though is still interacting with the public! It’s awesome to see people so excited about seeing their favourite acts, guys who tell us they love us because we remembered what beer they ordered last or we smiled as we handed them their drinks (drunk men are easy to please). The highlight of yesterday evening (for me) was one guy who came back to the cash to tell us that his beer spilled all over his shirt and he needed some napkins to wipe his shirt. My friends won’t be surprised but I yelled “Wooooooooo! Take if offf!” as if I was in a strip club (which, incidentally, I’ve never been to), and after his initial surprise he laughed and his friend high-fived me.

To me, this is what volunteering at bluesfest is about: seeing relaxed people having a good time. I love the women who are pleasantly surprised to be asked to show identification that they were born before July 3, 1989, the guys who are probably too shy to ask out a girl yet will flirt with you because it’s harmless, the people who will complain that a cup of beer costs $5.50 apiece then order two, and come back less than 30 minutes later for two more, the people who dance up to the lineup and serenade us with whatever song is currently playing before placing their order—it’s a pretty jolly atmosphere.

The only part that I don’t enjoy is the long walk to the bus after a long shift, and the initial long walk to the site before the shift. I hear exercise is good for you, though, and since I’ve been quite successfully avoiding breaking a sweat for almost two months, this might be good for me.

Tomorrow I will tell you about their tshirt decision that left me feeling like quite the plumpling. Happily, I am not alone.

Filed under: Adventure, Mundane by jummy