It was a nice, sunny Victoria Day, May 22, 2000. I had just gotten back from my trip to Montreal and I was talking to my friend Amber in a chat room. We both remembered about the free concert going down at the beaches, so we decided we were going to go. But first, we had to do some searching for maps. After finding the maps, and the schedule, we finally decided to go.
We had already missed Rubber's performance (which is too bad, cause i really like these guys), and we were *hoping* to get there in time for See Spot Run. Unfortunately, we forgot about the construction on the lakeshore, so we had to try and find our way around commissioner's street. we also did not take into account the amount of cars that were driving there, and the (tiny) amount of parking spaces. so...we ended up missing See Spot Run's set. So, as soon as we got there, we decided to join the line for the See Spot Run autograph session. (if we couldn't see them, we might as well meet them!) btw...we discovered that it was REALLY cold down by the beaches, so we were basically FREEZING the whole time...but we still didn't leave :)
so, we were standing there for quite some time, and I asked Amber to remind me to ask Chris about my webpoll. (a few weeks ago, i got an e-mail from "chris brodbeck" asking about my webpoll, and what the prize was for the winning band. i replied, but i didn't get an answer back, so i wasn't sure if the e-mail was from Chris or not...) So anyways, this girl comes around, and she asks us our name, and she wrote it down on a little yellow sheet of paper.
so then, we're about four people from the front of the lineup, and we're talking to the girl (who gave us, and everyone else in line, free posters to get signed!) when suddenly, Chris (who's sitting in the first chair) turns around and says "HEY! I KNOW YOU!!" (pointing at me!) and i started laughing, and i'm like "yeah! i have a question for you!" and he goes "why is see spot run suddenly the second most popular band in canada?!" (referring back to my webpoll) and i said "YEAH!!" and he's like "well, i've been voting for myself a few times a day on there!" and then he goes "so, have we beat out the tragically hip yet?!" and i said "no, not yet, but you're almost there! but, you did beat my favourite band!" and he said "yeah, i saw your e-mail address...olp lover or something, right?" and i'm like "yeah! olp rule!" and then he's like "you're also the george lover, right?!" and i'm like "yep! that's me!" So then he's like "So, are we going to get that website dedicated to us now?!" and i said "well, since you guys are so cool, and you're SO close in the race with the Tragically Hip, i guess i HAVE to make a website for you now!" and he's like "cool! i wanna see some of these pictures up there!" and i told him that some of the pix were already on my website, and he's like, cool, i'll check it out! so then we talked a little more, and i got a picture with him. he signed my cd cover (i hadn't gotten him and bruce to sign it before, only randy and reggie), and he signed my poster, and beside the See Spot Run logo at the side, he wrote "#1!!" and then i was getting in trouble for holding up the lineup (oops!) so i moved on.
Bruce was next in line, and he was listening to everything me and chris were saying, and just laughing at me! he was really cool, i had never met him before this, so he signed my cd cover and my poster. Randy was next in the line, and as soon as he saw me he goes "hey katie! (the sheet of paper with my name on it...) nice glasses!" and i said to him "you said that the last time we met!" and he laughed and said "well, i meant it!" and he signed the poster "hey katie, nice glasses! randy." Then, Reggie was last in line, and I barely talked to him, and i felt *REALLY* bad, because i was totally holding up the line, and people at the back were starting to give me dirty looks...so i just kinda got Reggie's autograph, and a picture and left. (ooh! reggie dyed his hair a reddish-brown colour, and it looks cute!) sorry, Reggie, if you ever happen to read this! i didn't mean to just skip right past you!!
so then, amber decided she wanted to get something to eat...so while we were waiting in the (mile-long) line up for pizza, we noticed the guys from SSR just walking around, talking to different people, and it was just cool to see the interaction :)
oh, and, while we were talking to see spot run, and waiting in line for the pizza, a band called Train was on, and they sounded really good!
so then, amber got her pizza, and we decided to venture into the crowd, for Great Big Sea's set, which was just starting. you could not see ANYTHING in this crowd, cause the people in front of the stage were standing on a dock, but there was no more room up there, so we had to go down to the beach, and you could not see over anyone's head there. and plus, whenever you're in a great big sea crowd, there is some MAJOR dancing/arm flailing going on...so we decided to be safe, and we left the crowd. we decided to go wait in the line up to meet them, and we listened from there.
so we waited in line for like, 45 minutes, and then these two people (right before Great Big Sea is about to come out and autograph) decide that they're going to bud in line, and i got really pissed off at them. the people in front of me stuck up for all of us that were waiting in line and said something like "you know that the line started way back there, right" and the guy is like "yeah, so, who cares!?" and she's like "all the people that you just cut in front of!" and he said "like who?" and i said "like ME!" and he's like "well, i'm not in front of you anyways" (he was right beside me, trying to get in front of me) so basically, he still stayed in his spot, but i was in front of him.
so then we FINALLY got up there to meet great big sea, and the same girl that was giving out the See Spot Run posters was up there, and she goes to me "wow! you're meeting quite a few bands today!" and i'm like "yeah, i know!" :) so anyways, then we go up there to meet Great Big Sea, and (i don't know ANY of their names) so, the second two people ask me what my name is, to sign my autograph book, and i said "katie" and one guy goes "oh, is that short for Catherine?" and i'm like "no, actually, it's short for Caterina, it's italian" and he's like "ooh! italian! pretty name!" and i'm like "thanx!" so he signs "to Katarina, love _____" (he spelled my name wrong, but that's alright) :) then, the singer was last in line, so i said hi to him, and he drew me a little picture (which he drew for everyone else too!) and then we were done.
so then, we decided to watch Amanda Marshall's set, and surprisingly, she was VERY good. she has a great live voice. i was very impressed with her performance.
then we decided to leave before the fireworks, so that way we didn't get stuck in traffic...but we did anyways :P ahh well. and that was Victoria Day '00!