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This will be my fourth year going to Roo, but for some reason I'm not having my normal excitment and instead I'm having occasional panic attacks about going. I'm not trying to bring anyone's excitement down by talking about this here, but no one in my real life understands - they all say, "You love Roo; it's all you ever talk about." I think there are several reasons this is happening:
1. Watching several people faint in the heat last year. 2. Knowing my brother is not the helpful sort (camping-wise) and I'm saddled with purchasing all our gear, food, water, etc., setting up camp, and driving. 3. VIP was a let down last year and I'm worried it will be bad this year. 4. My brother wants to party hard and I'm in no mood to take care of him in that state. 5. I haven't been working out much this year and I'm not sure I'm physically up the challenges Roo does to our bodies.
It had gotten so bad that last week that I decided to sell our tickets. I have since decided against it and we're going, but the panic attacks are still going strong. This weekend is when I'll start taking inventory of my gear and start shopping, so I hope that helps get me excited.
Is anyone else feeling this way or am I just going completely crazy?
You are not alone - I have been the same exact way and been thinking I had lost my mind - 'specially since my friends here took care of our tickets.
I have found tho - it is getting a little better - as long as I don't think about all the things that could go wrong with child care plans, finances and all that - I am just trying to concentrate on the Inforoo Brunch - meeting up with friends that I only see once a year - and the general contentment I feel once I get to Bonnaroo.
I think - am pretty sure - once I get there - all the panic and anxiety will be worth it - I actually don't think the line up is stellar this year- but I am happy because I have minimal conflicts.
I am excited about Tiesto and have been downloading some other bands to try to get excited about them
Oh - and I did discover - that by buying two new skirts this year and a few minor camping things we needed that either broke or died last year - I have gotten a little more excitement
Last Edit: May 24, 2008 16:42:56 GMT -5 by Meg - Back to Top
^^^hope we get to do more then run across each othe rthis year - LOL Although that was one of the highlights of Bonnaroo for me last year - just looking up and see you and realizing I knew who it was!
As for the panic: 1. It shouldn't be as hot. And certainly not as dusty. 2. We will be happy to help with your set up and the compound will be awesomeness. 3. VIP is STILL better than GA! 4. Shawn can find his way back to the tent! 5. I've gained a bunch of weight since quitting smoking, so you'll be in better shape than me.
Post by anicwilliams1580 on May 24, 2008 11:38:19 GMT -5
Its gonna get better! Once you're there and hanging out with everybody it will be fun! Besides I am sure there are lots of folks that will help you set everything up (I will if I see you!), just tell your brother not to party too hard cause it ruins your time to have to babysit. He should understand that.
I can't say I feel the same way. I can say I am less excited than years previous, but this is my 7th year of attending Bonnaroo, and I expected that, at some point, the excitement level would dwindle. I'm 30 now, and first stepped on the farm when I was 24. There is a whole level of "been there, done that" for me that won't allow me to pine away the days thinking solely of the farm in June. The schedule announcement has me amped and ready though, and following Radiohead last week also brought me back to why I love going to shows, and why I love going to Bonnaroo.
So, at this point, I'm pumped and ready. Two weekends and it is here!! Woot!
On the panic issue, it's just nerves. In the past I've had nerves about Bonnaroo. Thinking there may be some shady people going there,m who are out to ruin it for every one else. Like in 2005, when I pulled up wednesday night at a gas station in Manchester, and these 2 shady jersey-esque kids strolled up to my car asking for druqks and such. They were very sketchy to me, and I started freaking out when I peered into the door of their RV and noticed they had filled 3 huge red gasoline containers at the station. Immediately the thought of the festival grounds in flames appeared in my head, and I went in the door nervous as all get out. But it passed, and eventually later that weekend I saw one of the kids strolling through the campground, strung-out looking. He didn't look like he was about to set a fire, that's for sure. My nerves got the better of me, and I realized these kids just bought way more gasoline than they would ever need to power a generator RV for 4 days.
On the front of other people in your group not being organized, man I feel you on that one. Since day 1 when I started travelling to shows back in 1995, I have been the person who planned ahead. My friends, not so much. I attribute it to my obsessive-compulsive personality when it comes to shows. I spend my days thinking about my next trip to a musical vacation, and that only lends itself to advance preparation. So when it comes to Bonnaroo, I'm the one who does the shopping, makes sure the RV is in order, makes sure all the camping supplies are working or re-purchased if not. I have been lucky enough to travel to Roo a few times with one couple who does prepare well, and that is a huge help. We are going again this year to VIP together.
Hopefully your feelings will pass, and you'll find yourself in Manchester feeling only the butterflies in your stomach as you wait in line at the Holiday Inn. You've done this before, so you know the drill. Bonnaroo is as much a test of your mental endurance as it is your physical endurance. No one and no thing can ruin it for you but you. The right mindset and the right attitude will be the key to that.
the key is just telling youself to chill out. Things work themselves out surprisingly often. Stressing over things just makes them more likely to go wrong.
i can't say i'm experiencing the panic attacks over Bonnaroo 2008. Quite the opposite.
I hope these feelings disperse over the next couple of weeks.
With Festively Bunny on your side, and at VIP to boot, you'll be more than fine. I have a feeling you'll set up, think back to this ol' thread, and laugh.
I think once you're on the farm, all of the panic will dissipate and you'll have the time of your life. There are all kinds of weird things going right now with me, and reasons why "I shouldn't go", yet that makes me look forward to it even more because I know what a great time it will be! The whole vibe and the people that attend are what make Bonnaroo special.
You will be fine once you get there....This is my 5th Roo and first time going alone....bf and I split up after 9 yrs and I am more excited about going by myself...So I do understand the anxiety...I am nervous about being tired and driving back on monday, but I said hell if I have to pull over and get a hotel so be it...I hate to drive by myself for 10 hours.....On another note I am camping with festively Bunny this year too, we were neighbors last year and everyone is cool....so relax and do not let anything bother you...once you get on the farm you will feel great
Thanks everyone! Your kind, encouraging words have really helped and I think the time between now and driving up to the farm will be panic free. I can't wait to see everyone and get back to my real home away from home.
Gouge, I want to especially thank you for these words because they are so true:
Hopefully your feelings will pass, and you'll find yourself in Manchester feeling only the butterflies in your stomach as you wait in line at the Holiday Inn. You've done this before, so you know the drill. Bonnaroo is as much a test of your mental endurance as it is your physical endurance. No one and no thing can ruin it for you but you. The right mindset and the right attitude will be the key to that.
This word also has a underground meaning once you break it down. Let’s take “Bonn” for example and it actually turns into the word “Bone”. We all know gays use this word to describe the action of when they are fecal fisting their Cuban cabana boy at their sex bath house parties. Now let’s look at Roo, “Roo” is short for “Kangaroo”.So put the full true message together and you get“Bone a Kangaroo
I know what you mean. I get a little jittery just cause I'm taking a 13 hour drive (one way). I worry I won't be prepared enough even though I have a pretty good list of things I need to take. I am going VIP this year though, so I feel better about that. I'll be fine once I get there though!
I had panic attacks fairly often for several years ending in 2004. Was at Bonnaroo 2003 during a rough patch and had no troubles with the exception of worrying beforehand. The experience in 2003 helped if anything, felt pretty relaxed the whole time, got my mind off things in spite of many obstackles. I'm lucky in that I have not had an attack since I adjusted my diet drastically(mainly no gluten). But even as a sufferer Bonnaroo was not a challenge, it helped.
Post by Britney's_Fears on May 25, 2008 8:10:00 GMT -5
I totally understand where you're at. I'm as excited as can be about going to Roo this year but once we were inside a month to go before June 12 I started wanting time to go by slower so I could wrap up some projects at work I want done before vacation, save more money, and buy some extra supplies.
You would think the days couldn't go by fast enough.
And face it. There are some things to dread about going to Roo. The long drive to get their, the long wait to get inside, the occasional jerk you have to deal with.
But in the end Bonnaroo is an adventure to me.Just like mountain climbing or whitewater rafting. And I think butterflies would be in order before doing any of those things.
TickTrix you are about to undertake a great adventure and I think that's where your nerves are coming from.
I'm excited about going this year but my lady is not. When it comes down to it, she is about seeing the bands and there just is not a lot she wants to see. I, on the other hand, I like the crowd and the whole experience. I see not having as many bands I like as an advantage. There is much less chance of a conflict in times. I think the increase in gas prices and the whole trip costing more is bringing her down too. I explained that it's a chance to get out of this state for awhile and relax. We are going to 10KLF too this year and she is more excited about going to that one. This trip is for me and the other one is for her. I'm ready for some heat. We had freeze warnings up here tonight. It's the 27th of May, WTF!
Post by the3penguins on May 27, 2008 14:18:20 GMT -5
Hope the panic issues have died down! I see where you're coming from. All of a sudden it seems a lot closer than I realized, which is partially exciting, but also stressful cause I've got so much to do before then and there are so many unpredictable variables. The moment you see that Bonnaroo arch though, I guarantee all your fears and worries will subside. Good luck, and hope to meet you at the Inforoo Brunch!
Though I hate to admit it I was in the same situation recently. I had a really bad time at Langerado this spring. Had my first anxiety attack, freaked, and ended up having to leave way early, and broke to top it all off. I thought that I had lost faith in festivals and live music, and I've had some major apprehensions about the lineup this year. Fortunately I had the privelage of hitting a Sonic Youth show, the Beale St. Festival, and an epic Radiohead show in a matter of two weeks. I've since warmed up to the idea of bonnaroo again, and am really looking forward to it. I guess it's like somebody else already said, you have to treat it all like and adventure and take the hills with the valleys. Just know that these "panics" are normal, and even if they aren't at least you aren't alone. Hope this year's much better than the last for you.
