33 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG!!!

This is the first year, I don't have to worry about anyone being drunk at JITH. I posted about this event last year, and the end result of that weekend was my two daughters fighting, and having a miserable time. Not this year! Woohoo. Thedaughter is working and enjoying what she can on TV. Daughter2 is at JITH as far as I know, so I hope she has a good time and doesn't over-indulge too much.

In the past this four day event was televised from beginning to end, with one or two performers "not allowing" their acts to be televised. This year, with the economy being in the toilet, WTOV had trouble finding sponsors as in the past, so only Thursday evening and all day today will be televised. Grrr....

I'm not totally disappointed as the lineup this year essentially SUCKS! Here is a list of past line ups for this event. If you notice, Garth Brooks was here in 1990 - one of the many years I attended - and after the show, he made the statement, "they can't pay me enough to perform in a cow pasture again" - and refused to return. This was when he was just "coming up" in the industry. I've always had a hard time seeing him as a mega star - with that attitude. A lot of stars, bigger than Brooks have been here repeatedly.

This year is so different though, weather wise. The third weekend in July (meteorological fact) has proven that this is the most ideal, less rain weekend for the event. Although, I remember the one year I had to pay $50 to have my car PULLED out of the mud. But today is abnormally cool - 70 degrees, cloudy and possibly a rain shower later. None of this deters the die hard party animal.



But this is where my ass will be parked for most of the day - enjoying the performers (can't wait for Neal McCoy) and the closing act of Toby Keith. By that time thedaughter will be home and I will either be sipping on an appletini or my Cafe' Zin.

Have a great weekend all...and catch ya.....later..........

I've made up my mind...no more tickets to JAMBO!!

So much for a treat for Christmas presents...there will be no more JAMBO tickets purchased by me for anyone in the future. Amazing, I attended Jamboree in The Hills for 27 of the 32 years and never pissed anyone off or had anyone pissed at me. The atmosphere has changed incredibly. The competition now is to see how much one can drink...and then act like an ass! Of course, no one knows their own limit or that mixing beer and whiskey can be all you need for "trouble."

I had to travel out to the Jambo site at 1 am this morning to bring thedaughter home, after she had a confrontation with her sister. Without going into details, because some very hurtful things were said, drink and the mixing of beverages was the catalyst for said confrontation. Thedaughter was not drunk when I picked her up and her friend, of several years, offered her version of events at the time. I am not going to take sides in this matter. Enough said to state that I am so disappointed in the entire situation. I will not meddle into what is going on in one daughters life at present, suffice it to say, I am deeply disappointed in certain choices being made. Too many people are destined to be hurt under the present situation (in her life) and my heart is breaking.

ETW blogged about her connection with her biological mother this past weekend, and I flash back 15 years to when I met my biological daughter - my heart was so full, yet with time, there is no difference between those I have raised and the daughter who was raised by another. We all have our shortcomings and flaws...this is only human. A selfishness exists, which can only hurt those loved the most, and for this I feel awful. I do not and have not interfered in my children's lives (other than the rare -?- suggestion or two), and as a rule, let them make their own decisions, right, wrong or otherwise. But how many times must one make the same horrible decision - over and over, without being called on it? I would rather eat nails than deal with this dilemma.

Thedaughter is out $70, drivers license, camera and souvenirs - as someone cannot remember being handed these objects (in a fanny pack), for a period of 3-4 minutes. My declaration to the daughter was "it is a workable." Drivers license can be replaced, pictures are lost, money is lost, and souvenirs are just more "stuff." It is all unfortunate, but the circumstances, involving alcohol, just enhanced the situation.

Being awakened at 1 am to go 20 miles and collect thedaughter, was rather hard on me. I started having chest pains, more because of the stress, but I was alarmed. Having had 8 heart attacks and triple bypass...I don't need the drama.

Hopefully this week will be better, thedaughters (both) have to go back to work and the "normalcy" of their lives - so what they make of it is entirely up to them. Dwelling on this will not help matters, so my suggestion is to a) COOL OFF b) after time consider an "apology" get-together c) try to make the necessary changes in their lives to ensure happiness.

Usually I am sad that the 4 day country concert is over...this year - I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!!

Stay well all and TTFN.

I finally got it...wearing my brain out!!

After much figuring and frustration, I was able to download the pics taken by theson's friend at Jamboree In The Hills (from years ago)!


As you can see from the second photo, there is a "sea of people" in attendance for JITH. Fun and drunken fun is the "order of the day!" For all the years I attended, I often bragged that I was the only sober person in attendance (out of 200,000+). After the first few years, the numbers for attendance were no longer published, but it has to be one of the largest venues around.

Sunday is always the day of interest for me, as the show begins at 11 am (ending around 6:30 - 7 pm), and the atmosphere is much quieter - because EVERYONE is HANGING!! Always being the sober one - I loved to play with people's minds - too much fun for me!

Thedaughter2 and friend, took the camper out yesterday (actually Saturday night), because there is a looooong line waiting to get into the campgrounds and get a good spot. The site seeking began around 6 am I believe. Now all both daughters have to take out is their beer and bedding. All the boys sleep in a tent, while the girls are fortunate enough to get the camper. And me...my comfortable bed and TV to watch the event.

Enough for now, I'm going to start drafting what I call the hypothetical - which is actually true, but the outcome becomes the hypothetical I guess.

Have a good one and stay well. TTFN