So, late Friday night I signed up for a Saturday at the Van’s Warped Tour at Shoreline in Mountain View. I joined with the expectation that I wouldn’t like any of the music but the intention was to step outside my comfort zone. It was a surprisingly enjoyable day, though. I studied the art of moshing, learned about “Chelsea’s smile” & “the wall of death”, and generally absorbed the scene around me. There was a range of people watching to be done and it was the first time I’d heard a band yell, “Punch someone in the face! I want to see violence!” I didn’t approve but I wasn’t there to judge.

By the end of the day, I’d seen screamo, hardcore, folk, & So-cal punk. The main disappointment was the shortage of skateboarding & BMX events. I was hoping to see some tricks first-hand, but there was just a half-pipe with random kids boarding. I got to see Dillinger Escape Plan whose lead singer sang with NIN during their final dates. I enjoyed some of their songs, but Jeremiah’s description of them as the band where everyone is playing a solo was hilariously accurate. Saw Indiana-based Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, who seemed less big outside of the tiny stage of the Melody Inn. Andrew W.K. was entertaining, but Face to Face was the definite highlight, since punk was the main genre I was hoping to sample.

Aside from the actual concerts, I got some play time with Holiday on the 101, the weather was beautiful, and Jeremiah spotted an In-and-out for lunch. And personally, any trip ranks high for me when a sing-along to Black No. 1 is involved. My sister will attest. Definitely a nice break from the norm and I managed to escape without piercings, tattoos, or skinny jeans.

Bands we saw:

• Bring Me the Horizon
• Parkway Drive
• Dillinger Escape Plan
• Suicide Silence
• Andrew W.K.
• Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
• Face to Face

Also, earlier in the week, I dined outside with Kali to watch the Russian sailors go to & fro their (armed) warship (by watch, I mean we were obviously 3 feet from the entrance). They all looked 14 and toted bags which read souvenirs, Levi’s, or Macy’s. It was as awkward as it sounds, but I’m a good friend like that. Friday was the first summer half-day at the office, which was kicked off by a group lunch at Mijitas at AT&T Park. It was pretty good. Spent the rest of the afternoon at Hi Dive bidding farewell to a couple co-workers who were moving away. It was a terribly cold day, but luckily the sun came out for a time while we were outside.

In editing news, my first video is nearly ready for review, and the second is underway with the assembly wrapped up. The second video has so much potential that it’s hard to narrow down to one angle for a 60-second piece, which presents a fun challenge. I know most new jobs are fun in the beginning, but this one just *feels* right. I survived a week, give or take, and it seems I’m doing well at picking up FCP. It was reassuring to hear a veteran on the team comment that he was impressed at how I’d held my own for a week. I’m hopeful that for once, my career transition will actually stick. The stars seem to be aligning in my favor to break the reliance on my dev role. Trying not to get too hopeful but we all know that getting too excited is my trademark.

Also, I’m obsessed with Ghost by Radical Face. (126 track plays during a week I haven’t been able to listen to music at work much at all :)

My big goal for the coming week is to figure out a trip to NYC to catch Andrew Bird at the Guggenheim. I’m planning to buy tickets either way, then book a flight, and hope that I can find some affordable accommodations sometime between now & then.