I was one of the many that "jumped on the train" when pharmhouse came out, but i never jumped off once i started to hear their real stuff. I know lots of people that love pharmhouse, but once you pop in a live one, they say "what is this?" during an amazing YEM jam. 

So anyhoo, since i was new to the band, i never did go to any tours, but after they went on hiatus, and Trey went on his solo tour, i went to the 7/31/01 Va beach show. It was the happiest day of my life. seriously. I bought the tickets in May, through tickets by mail, and the next 3 months were nothing but build up to this one night.

After intermission, Jiboo came on and i had to go crazy. But after that, i took a walk around. And i realized that everyone had left the covered part of the amphitheatre to come to the lawn. And i knew damn well that these people had seat seats;. I had 3rd row seats, and i sat on the lawn, and i was happy.  I walked around and i had the most amazing sense of well being. I saw all these happy faces, and i realized that these people would be completely different if there was no phish. 

I think the most touching scene was 3 generations of phans all together. A grandmother and her husband sitting on the ground, with their grandchildren on their knees. This is phish, phish is one big phamily, and i know it's no new revelation, but i had the revelation, and i hope many others have it too.

- Phee

Editor's note:  It's all about the phamily.