Three of us were at Deer Creek '00 to camp out in a hay field, witness the infamous "Moby Dick" set , meet a super phriendly guy who looked exactly like Mark McGwire (see"Mark McGwire At A Phish Show" under random acts), and I had my first experience with Gold Bond Powder. Another of our reunions was held in Las Vegas Fall '00 where we were able to see Kid Rock play with the Phab Phour as well as sing Happy Birthday to Trey. This was also a positive experience due to the fact that my cousin won $250 and I won $500 on a $2 craps table, each of us starting with only $20. Many thanks to the Casino Royale for funding both of our trips.

I was very excited to learn that we O'Malley's were to have our first post-hiatus reunion for the beginning of the '03 summer tour. I met my cousin in Phoenix, where it was 112 degrees. We were all sweating our balls of until my cousin busted out the Gold Bond (never leave home without it). Upon talcing our nads with this fine product, our friend came up with the slogan, "Gold Bond Powder: It's like having a wintergreen forest in your pants," and we proceeded to share the wealth by offering free samples to any takers in the lot (self application only).  That night we were blessed to hear the first playing of the great new song, "Scents and Subtle Sounds".

The next morning my brother flew in to Phoenix and we all drove to San Diego. We were very excited as there has never been a bad show at the Coors Amphitheatre. We spent the day drinkin' Tacate on Pacific beach and sunning our pasty irish bodies (sorry to the folk that had to witness that). With a good pre-buzz going we hit the lot at about 5:00.

My brother and I discussed how great it would be if the boys busted out YEM as neither of us has ever seen this live. So I made a sign that said "2 brothers, 30 shows, 0 YEM" because our seats were right in front of the sound board. When I got to the seats I held up my sign to put the YEM vibe in everybody's hearts. I received all kinds of feedback from various phans including a "shit happens" from Kuroda and a sympathetic look from none other than NBA star Bill Walton, who was six seats down from us. The show was awesome, but alas, no YEM.

The next day I had to fly back home while my brother, cousin and our friend made the long drive to Shoreline. Before parting I told my brother that if they played YEM I was going to be pissed. There's no way my little brother should get a YEM before me, after all I was the one who introduced him to the family addiction (sibling rivalry is alive and well). So you can imagine my disappointment when I received a phone call from my brother the next day with the news that the boys played YEM to start the first set at shoreline. DAMN!

It just goes to show you that work SERIOUSLY interferes with your real life as a Phish Junky. This incident has given me the motivation to start saving for next year's summer tour and mini reunion. I have sworn that I will see as many shows as needed to finally get my white whale, that rare and elusive YEM. So next summer if you see a group of pasty Irishmen pawning Gold Bond at Deer Creek or Alpine Valley be sure to stop by, powder your nads, and pray for a YEM for pathetic old me.

Peace,Love & Happiness,

P.J. O'Malley