Tag: college

Coachella – A Look Back

As you can tell from the title, we are about to take a fun trip down memory lane. I actually let out a little chuckle when forming the name of this disaster piece. It sounds so serious. When in reality, I am going to sum up MY Coachella for you. Not from the documentary, not Diplo’s experience, but little ol’ me. 

Why not start from the beginning?

2014. This is about to be my first music festival ever, this is the year that released my inner “COACHELLA IS MY LIIIIIIIFE” beast. All it took was one weekend. I think this year was so special, because it just encapsulated my year of firsts. Concluding my first year of college, my first year of living out of state, with my first festival. Get this, nothing went wrong. When you are new to the Indio Valley festival, everything feels so dreamy. It’s hard to even focus on the blood dripping down your ankles, from the poor choice in sandals. You just feel so free! This lineup was just a flower crown wearing bitch’s dream. Lana Del Rey, Disclosure, Lorde, Foster the People, and so many more. Honestly, looking at the poster right now, you can tell the lineup was way less impacted. Less artists, for more time to see everyone. It’s hard to pick a favorite for me from that year, everyone was so amazing. However, if you look at the 2014 lineup compared to 2020, it proves my theory correct. I have this conspiracy in my head that every few years, the lineup repeats itself. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself. I’ll wait. 

2015, we skipped. As you can imagine, my little heart was broken. I was just starting to get into The Weeknd, I know, I was late. However, when I first start listening to an artist, I am infatuated. My friends at the time, didn’t understand. Honestly, I’m not really sure they still do?? Does anyone?? Oh wow. Anyways, so we didn’t go, I threw a tantrum. Next.

2016, everyone’s favorite year of mine. HONESTLY, I am going to come out and say that this was the most iconic Coachella. I mean, yes, the lineup was insane. Like Guns N Roses?? Iconic. Ahem, if you would like to take a look at my conspiracy theory again…go ahead and compare 2014 to this lineup as well. Again, I’ll wait! So, if you are really new here, I will link below one of my first tales on here. “Pineapple Cider In Indio.” One of my best works, if I do say so myself. I need you to read that first, and then we can meet back here. Okay? Okay. With it being 4 years later, I can confidently say, I still have not had Pineapple Cider again. I just know the flavor will take me back to that hot desert. However, it may be kinda funny. Should I try them again for old times sake? Shit. Maybe I did blackout off of two ciders that year. Maybe that blackout was a product of heatstroke. We will never know. All I know is, Matt and Kim will never be the same. Honestly, I haven’t even really listened to their music since then either. Again, IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW.

2017, our last year of college baby! Also, our last year of Coachella as a trio. For those of you who don’t know. I used to frequent concerts with my two best friends, Alex and Summer. Rightfully so, they decided to tap out after this year. Again, I wrote about it, will link down below. For a little recap though, this was the first year we decided to try car camping. NEVER AGAIN HUNNIES. The phrase, “You live and you learn,” really came into play here. Lineup wise? Fantastic. Beyoncé decided she didn’t want to give birth on stage, and I think we all kind of resent her a little bit for that. Lady Gaga was her replacement though, and personally, I think she’s amazing. Did we go see her? Nope! We had other things to do. Like carrying around a haunted purse for the weekend. Confused? Good. To make a long story short, Summer found a purse on the ground and decided to carry it around. Waiting for the perfect time to take it to lost and found, which honestly was inconvenient to our busy schedules. However, once we obtained that purse, we realized maybe it was better lost. Bad shit on bad shit kept happening to us. Right up until we turned the purse back in. Oh you want me to explain what I mean? Almost immediately after we got the lost item, our friend’s phone vanished. Poof. You wanted to take a video of the next set? Sorry. Super bummer. THEN. Guys…..then. Our campsite caught on fire. I literally cannot make this stuff up. Alex decided that Ramen was a good idea for camping. Which, I agreed. However, the mini stove she brought with had other plans. Like to simply blow up. As if our tent living was not impoverished enough. Just look at the cover photo for this post. Enough said.

2018, honestly the year that changed my life. I didn’t even go to Coachella this year. Alex and Summer decided enough was enough. However, ONCE AGAIN, The Weeknd was on the lineup. Insert X-Files theme song here. I was in full tantrum mode. I’m talking crying at work tantrum mode, then taking shots all night. Classic! However, a beam of light. Life is Beautiful Festival. That was my redemption moment, and I cannot thank Alex and Summer enough for unintentionally giving me a push to try something new. 

2019, the last Coachella. LOL. I’m being so dramatic. However, it feels like 2020 doesn’t count for anything right now, so it’s true. This is my first Coachella with my new lil squad. Alana and Emily. More always join, but the three of us stay constant, and stay connected at the hip. It’s not like one of us totally has a little fun with our girl Molly and thinks that it’s time to run around and make friends with strangers. Who would do that? Psh. This is their first Coachella, and I feel like I put it on myself. While at this point, I am favoring Life is Beautiful a tad more, I don’t let on. It’s freaking Coachella, you can feel the hype all throughout the air. Oh what’s that? Chuck from Gossip Girl just casually walked by to get some water? NO BIGGIE. Lineup? Phenomenal. This was the year I really tapped into my EDM phase. As a true Dillon Francis groupie, I must say, Sunday night was the winner for me. However, my friends introduced me to Gryffin this trip, and my life hasn’t been the same since. 

ALL IN ALL. I know this is a really sad time for music festival lovers out there. People call us basic, and hate us for our singing Instagram videos. I get it. However, waking up this morning, I decided I didn’t want to think about the negative. It’s all that is going around right now. Instead, I am using COVID-19 to re-center, and think about how grateful I am. We all work hard to make our festival dreams come true. Or, if you’re like me, you spend money you don’t have and reap the consequences of debt for a year. Whatever your flow is, we will be dancing soon. Hell, we can even be dancing now. So many good live streams for the Indie lover, or the EDM lover. Just tune in, and disconnect for a second. I promise, it slightly helps. Just a little.

https://surfingthesoundwaves.com/2018/05/18/pineapple-cider-in-indio/

https://surfingthesoundwaves.com/2018/05/30/burnin-up-in-indio/

Praise Our Founding Fathers

Well this is definitely some new territory as far as topics go for me. PODCASTS. They have been around forever, but for some reason, everyone is just now hopping on the bandwagon. I remember the first podcast I ever truly enjoyed, Serial. I am a big murder mystery fan, but that’s a topic for another time. Personally, I never found myself in a position where I would want to sit down and listen to another person talk. Unless I was having a face to face conversation. Books on tape were never up my alley. However, one day, everything changed. 

My friend sent me a text saying something along the lines of, “Have you listened to Call Her Daddy?” Initially, I thought this was going to be a new song that had just been released. However, she informed me that if I like anything to do with Barstool Sports, then I would love this. Obviously, I had to do my research. Now, any NORMAL person would think to start a podcast from the beginning. I later learned that the Daddy Girls strongly advise this concept. However, my initial research began with watching their vlogs on Youtube to get a feel for who they are. For me, I would like to see who exactly is giving me all this raunchy advice. 

Now yes, let me preface this whole post by saying, Call Her Daddy is not for the weak of heart. It may not even be for anyone reading this who is over the age of 40. Let me tell you why. It is RAUNCHY and RELATABLE. Which for most adults, is horrifying. Especially for parents. I can’t imagine any parent sitting down to listen to this podcast and thinking, “Groovy”. However, it is 2019, and young adults are being young, wild, and free. Most of the premise of these podcast episodes, deal with the trial and error of dating. Just when you think you’ve met the one, something isn’t right. These girls also give real and raw (no pun intended) sex advice. Now for some people, this is where their opinions on the podcast waiver. Maybe you aren’t a hoe, so to hear some of these stories is scarier than Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. However, maybe you are, and you’re looking for something to spice it up. These girls do it all. 

Let me give you an example. Tragically, most of us reading this, like men. It’s more often than not, tragic. However, like the saying goes, you truly cannot live without them. In a more recent episode, Alex invites her male friend to come on the podcast. Now you’re thinking, cool, time for some useful advice from the man’s perspective. Judging by his name, Milf Hunter, you can only assume it isn’t going to be romantic. While I am sitting in my car listening, I am mistakenly waiting to hear advice from a guy on how girls SHOULD act. Instead, I am listening to a normal guy talk about all the savage things he has done in the past, and how he doesn’t plan on settling down anytime soon. If that doesn’t confirm my point that men are TRASH, I don’t know what will. I’m kidding. I actually found the episode super amusing and maybe a TAD insightful. I mean, who am I to kid, I have the worst taste in men. So, he seems right up my alley. I actually, in turn, learned a couple tips and tricks on how to play a player. NO MAN IS SAFE FROM ME NOW. I say as I am literally typing this alone in bed with my cat. 

My favorite portion of the podcast however, is when youngins like myself, get to submit questions. At the end of the episode, Alex and Sofia pick which questions may be the most relevant and useful. Most of the time it’s about a cheating spouse, or sometimes it is just a crazy story about college. While I am no longer at the age where I have to worry about boys at frat parties, I still love to hear the advice. It makes me wish I had these girls in college, would that have changed anything? Probably not. Would I have steered clear of the frat stars? Most definitely. It was just recently that I found myself writing in to these girls for advice. On what, I won’t disclose just yet. However, whether I get chosen or not, there was some comfort in thinking they might see it. It almost feels…fatherly. Maybe they are the daddy’s of the internet. 

While I would LOVE to tell each and every one of you to go listen to this podcast, I feel as if I should disclose a warning. This podcast is EXTREMELY inappropriate. Mom and Dad, close your ears and stay away okay? But, while it is raunchy, do not go judging your friends for being die hard fans. In all reality, this podcast is what girls talk about at slumber parties with their friends. If you are a guy reading this and have listened to the podcast, yes it is true, we are talking shit about you behind your back. Lastly, to the men. If you use your little Airpods and decide to listen, kudos to you. HOWEVER, this is not a reflection of any of your female friends’ endeavors, okay? There is no slut shaming in this house. These stories are obviously not ours, and that’s why they’re hilarious to listen to. 

With that being said, if you are not scared away yet, listen to the podcast. Maybe it’ll spark some memories from your wild past. Or, maybe it’ll just make you grateful for your easy, breezy, beautiful dating life. Either way, Call Her Daddy, has a little something for everyone.