My phirst show was Deer Creek 7/10/00.  My phriendz, who were already established pholks, had just introduced me to the Dead, Phish, Panic, ect. So, being a jam-phan for maybe, oh, six months, and still not all-too phamiliar with Phish's material, but liking what i had heard, I decide to go. 

I had NO IDEA how awesome it would be! So, I buy a ticket from a phriend who, at the last minute, couldn't go.  Me and three of my boyz trekked up from New Albany, IN, to Noblesville. One of our phriend's sisters was there, already with a reserved parking/camping space right next to the amphitheater. We have a bit of trouble finding it, but get there and are greeted with the ceremonious bowl/bong pass session. 

We had decided to alter ourselves in order to add to the enjoyment of the show, so three of us went in on a ten-strip and split up the hits... paper that was close to 1/2 the size of a postage stamp. Showtime was nearing, so we trucked on up to the gates, luckily not getting patted down too much. One of our phriendz was ticketless and had to wait out in the parking lot <tripping billies I might add> until the show was over. 

We get in, take our seats in the lawn, and spark before the show began. Now, like I said, I was still a relative newbie, and I wasn't quite sure of most of the setlist at the time (I had extensively listened to Lawn Boy and Farmhouse, the only albums I had.) But, as the music began to swirl around and take shape inside my VERY chemically-altered head, I knew I was in for an experience unlike any other. 

We wandered around a lot, stopping to dance with the gyrating hippies in front of the lawn, before we took a spot upon the hill, near the back o the stadium. My phriend Dominic and I were WAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY out in space, while Eric was just stoned. I found that, no matter how tired I got, I couldn't stop moving my body to the intoxicating, shiny music as it descended from overhead  :). 

During Jibboo, an immense war of glow-sticks was waged toward the middle of the ampitheater, and for a few moments, I didn't realize this was happening, as I was lost in a vortex of phriendly, bizarre imagery.  During set break, Dominic and I wandered off to see what was up, and he went to an ice-cream vendor, but he forgot what he was doing when he got there! It was funny to hear him slurring strange words while talking to this really preppy-looking gal working the booth. 

Well, we took our spot back on the hill as the second set began, and after awhile, some spaced-out head came over to us, and asshole Dominic gave him my glowsticks! I didn't really mind, I was WAAAAAAAAYYYY too happy to care about glowsticks, and at least they made someone else happy. A girl, who apparently thought we were rolling, came over and asked us if we wanted some blow-pops, but being in the state we were in, we declined. "They're free, are you sure?" she asked, but, for some reason, we wouldn't take the candy. 

We spent the rest of the show pondering why we hadn't taken them, but soon forgot. When the show ended, we set about looking for ticket-less Evan, who was waiting for us outside. We had been feeling sorry for him since he was alone, ticketless, and tripping his balls off, but he had a gigantic smile on his face, and he said he had an awesome time hangin' with the headz in the parking lot. 

So we went back to the camp and hung out with some hippies who were more than willing to share their THC-drenched budz with us.  Finally, the next morning, we fell asleep. After awhile, I decided to go to sleep in the tent, and my phriendz were smoking a bowl by the car, when some cops came and took their bud, tix, and bowls. Bummer! But luckily, I was asleep, so we still had some bud and a bowl, albiet a crappy metal piece. 

So, all ticketless, we had to sit by the fence and listen to the second night, and I was wiggin' once again on shrooms and 'cid.  The next morning, all out of money and no tickets, we headed back home. Although it wasn't without it's bummers, 7/10/00 was a bad-ass show, and for me, it was like a religious awakening.  I love the general vibe of the people and the aura of peace and love that circulates throughout the shows. 

I haven't been to one since, cuz I'm always low on phunds, but as soon as Trey, Mike, Page and Fish finish their hiatus, I'll be there, armed now with an extensive knowledge of the music, as well as unfathomable love for peace and music. Keep truckin' on, y'all, Phish will return, but for now, I'm busying myself with DSO, Ratdog, SCI, Panic, and the rest.  May the music live on forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Peace out, 

Piccolo the Green Man