Music Festival.

Last Friday and Saturday were the two most important days on my calendar.
It was time to uphold a tradition I started with friends over 7 years ago.
It was time for Appelpop.



There is not one other reoccuring event I both love and hate so passionately.
Running into an abundance of old friends, classmates and colleagues, but not seeing the ones you're supposed to see untill the night is practically over.
Prices of drinks that cut down your already unrealistically small budget.
Not hearing your phone when a friend tries to find you, then the mutual joy of running into eachother after all only to split up again and find other friends.
Checking out lots of cute and hot girls, and then realizing an old man is staring at your package.
These are just a few of the things that make Appelpop (or practically any festival) as great as it is.
Truly, if the volume wasn't up so damned loud you'd forget there were bands playing at all.

So, it's pretty obvious I didn't go for the music, but then what did I do?

Well, I hung out with Irvina most of the time, one of my dearest friends.
She's the biggest smart ass someone of her intellect can be (She's very intellectual) and acts like they biologically crossbred a construction worker with Hello Kitty. With an almost extraterrestrial love for Star Trek and Star Wars.

And during the festival we really only talked and did the things mentioned above.

We didn't really do anything that resembled partying until we reached the Jam Inn on Friday night.
DJ Uzi was playing that night, which basically meant it was a Headbangers Ball that featured some gentler sing-alongs.
Think along the lines of AC/DC and Rage Against The Machine mixed with Don McClean and Michael Jackson.
Irvina actually got me to dance, and I kept dancing for about an hour.
That means I danced more in one night than I have through all of my teenage years.

The Saturday wasn't really that much more exciting, but it wasn't any less either.
Although the festival started around one, I didn't get there until 9 o'clock.
You might say I had some trouble with getting out of bed.

Since I hadn't set up a meeting with anyone in advance, I casually strolled to the third stage to see what was playing there.
I still am glad that I did.
'Cause after waiting there for about 15 minutes, my new favourite Dutch rock band started playing so-called roof off the place.



They are called The Pikeys, and are best described as a mix between AC/DC, Rage Against The Machine, Alice In Chains and Audioslave. Not only are they a talented group, but the energy and adrenaline they give off can only be compared to.. Well, other amazing rock bands that do that.
The rest of the time that the festival went on Irvina and I loitered around on and near the festival terrain, for a while with our mutual friend Kirsty.
Just so you know, Kirsty always smells nice, and loves hugging,
And is very loveable.

Around 11.30 we left Kirsty behind and headed for the Jam Inn again, only to be let down by the horrible playlist in comparison to the night before.
A call from Irvina's boyfriend saved us, and we went back to the festival terrain to play "I have never" with some free booze.
Of course, I only picked things I had to drink to.
About 20 minutes later, my night out was concluded with a tight hug and an exchange of sweet words between Irvina and me.

Now I lay here in bed typing this, while I should've been asleep two hours ago 'cause the alarm clock goes off in a little under three hours.

Goodnight, and see you on the flip side.

Marth

Permission.

"Well how long have I
Been sitting here, I must have drifted off
I cannot finish any of my thoughts
Forgive me for my wayward shot

Well, I close my eyes
Remove each piece of armor one by one
Inhale this moment deep into my lungs
Make amends for all I've done

All of my devils are free at last
And all my secrets revealed
And your permission is all I
Need to heal"

-Excerpts from "Permission" by Sixx: A.M.

Today, I chose these fragments for one simple reason; I feel like I can finally be more open towards people, something I couldn't for most of my life.
My demons defeated, and my mind at ease.
Something I've been trying to accomplish for years.
For this I owe my thanks to some of my online friends, and my two regular co-workers.
Over the past few months they slowly broke down my walls brick by brick.
Funny how the smallest one broke down the biggest part bare-handed.
When she reads this, she'll know I'm talking about her.
But I'd still like to give them all equally much credit.
My friends: I love you. My co-workers: You're cool.

So, on another note; I'm re-styling my Youtube videos. With help from my dear friend Mandy, I'm changing the looks and feel of it. There will hopefully be more collaborations with friends and fellow Youtubers as well. One thing I will definitely try to do, is to get local musicians to come over and talk about their music, as well as share some of it with the world.

That's about it, I think.

See you on the flip side,

Marth.

Looking Up.

“Thick gray steam rises from within the small bathroom, and within a man leans against a tile shower wall, head down and eyes closed. Water cascades over his form, and he wishes it would wash away dark. If only he could see the bad dreams swirling around the drain to eventually wash away. His skin is pink from the heat, and yet he still doesn’t move. “ … “Both his arms are resting on the tile above his head” … “His eyes are bloodshot, and he’s been in here quite a while.”

- Excerpts from a short story written by my dear friend, Amber.

There’s a reason why I started today’s blog with those fragments; They describe me perfectly. Well, my shower ritual that is. The shower is sacred to me. It’s where I get my ideas, let go of my emotions and finally restrain them again for the following day. It’s where my mind is totally at ease, and I can put things into perspective. In retrospect to my whole life, no other place has ever given me this kind of spiritual freedom. But alright, on with the show.

Yesterday I had a girl over at my house, well actually, in the wagon. Nothing happened, but it was nice seeing someone else than family and co-workers for a change. It’s been a week and a half since Cindy and I broke up, and until yesterday she was the last person I voluntarily laid eyes upon. Anyway, Claudia and I had heaps of fun, and I hope we can do this again. Although my mother seemed to be convinced that she was my new girlfriend, at which I just shrugged. Never cared about her opinion anyway. Another great thing about getting in touch with Claudia again: We might record a duet together. Though I’m hard headed and don’t believe my voice is anywhere near good enough, I’ve accepted her offer. And I’m secretly very excited. Well, not so secretly anymore now.

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a few shirts from DistrictLines. Well, they still haven’t come in yet. One of the shirts has the pre-sale status even though sale started on 7-11. And it says on their site that, even without delay, international shipment can take up to 4 weeks, but I’m growing slightly impatient.
How fucking long can it take to get a piece of cotton in stock?

Well, this has been a short blog, with short paragraphs. If they’re even worth that title.
I hope this entry finds all readers in good health, and a positive state of mind.

See you on the flipside.

Marth

PS: Check out LastOfTheNarwhals.
It’s the vlog channel of another dear friend. I think she’s doing an amazing job so far, and I’m certain she’ll become even better.