I’m so sore from the last two days and a bit dead on my feet, so I’ll try to remember as much as I can, rofl.

We left the house reasonably early to get to the Bay on Saturday. They offered shuttle service from several stops on the Strip to Sam Boyd, so instead of bothering with my car like last year, I decided that’s the shuttle would be our best bet. Walked around the Bay for a bit because there were no signs anywhere telling where the shuttle to Vegoose was. Went to West Valet and God bless that woman’s cotton bobby socks, because even though she didn’t know, she still took the time to help us out. That was extremely awesome of her.

Went down to the Beach level Valet, they didn’t know either. However, one of the valet guys said to walk over to the Tropicana, where there was a stop for sure (it was listed on the packet I got, so I knew he was right). Took the Excalibur Express tram from the Bay to the Excalibur, walked down and around the Trop.

And there was a shuttle stop. Bastards. They tried to scam $110 out of us for two days’ shuttle ride, but I flashed my VIP vouchers, and he’s all, “oh! You’ve got VIP tickets. You’re good to go.” So we sat on the bus. But wait, that’s not the only complaint I had about the shuttle.

THERE WAS A SHUTTLE STOP AT THE BAY AFTER ALL.

Ugh. After winding our way around the back side of the Strip - so to speak - the shuttle took us to the shuttle stop for the Bay. Downstairs by the Shark Reef. I was pissed off but too excited to bother with it. We walked around for almost 2 hours trying to figure shit out. Looking back, I can’t believe there was such a lack of communication. Valet should’ve been informed of that a shuttle stop was at the Bay. I dunno if that’s a fault of the Bay or the Vegoose people, but it was enough to get me peeved.

We got there around 3, and got through the VIP line where we got our groovy blue wristbands. Wow, if you can go VIP, do it, yo, ’cause that ish is bananas. Got a free t-shirt and commemorative poster and instructions for all the VIP areas. Got a guide on all the acts, turns out everyone worth seeing were at night, and Muse was one of the last acts on Sunday.

Checked out the buffet - which had some stanky smelling food that looked edible but I didn’t know what was in it so I didn’t eat. Had some ice cream, checked out the graveyard they had set up for us. Decided to walk around Star Nursery Field and check out the booths they had set up.

Bought a really cool purse from The Bag Basement booth, and waited in VIP. Snagged some bead necklaces and a princess crown for my niece from another, and waited in VIP. Had pizza for lunch, and waited in VIP. Went on the Ferris wheel, and waited in VIP some more. None of the acts that were on were ones we wanted to see; we were waiting for M.I.A. who ended up NOT signing at the ZIA booth as promoted. Boo.

During Public Enemy’s set, the noise was tremendous in the VIP area. I go, “Yeah, Flavor Flav’s in that group.” My niece goes, “Really? Let’s go see them!”

So we went to the VIP section by the stage - I loved flashing that damn thing to get into places! - and we were right next to the speakers. The rousing call of the set was “fuck George Bush.” Ehh. Politics aside, they were an amazing group. And they brought back memories, plus Flav walked to the speakers near us VIP and rapped his parts for us. It was cool. Plus he jumped on the drum set and played a quick set for us. Turns out in lives in Vegas. For a girl who is decidedly scene, my niece was like, “That was a good show.” It was her first rap concert, so I’m like, “Yay.” rofl.

Then after their set, we got into the VIP section for the Shins. They’re an interesting band live, but we couldn’t stay the whole set. They were the only ones to wear costumes, and I’m not even sure WHAT they were dressed up as. Plus they communicated by screeching at each other. I said to myself, “At least they sing in human.” The only song I really like by them is “Sleeping Lessons”, which they opened with.

Halfway through their set, we had to take off for the VIP section for M.I.A. Again, we were on the barrier, and hot damn, she puts on a good show. It’s a full assault: aural and visual. My niece loved her show too, she said it was one of the best she’s been to.

During “Bird Flu,” she told all the “freaks” to jump the barriers and get on stage with her, which they did. I kinda wanted to, but I’m glad I didn’t because the stage was shaking from everyone dancing on it. Some betch stepped on my hand trying to get over the barrier though. Ugh. Then after the song, she and her DJ were like, “Everyone get off the stage!” She had some female MC with her as well, and I’m not quite sure what was the point of her. She was a bit distracting. Also Maya said she had lost her voice halfway through her set, and you could tell. Her vocal was straining a bit throughout the set. I was dancing through her whole set, and I’m so glad I got to see her. If you can, go see her.

After M.I.A., Queens of the Stone Age was on the main stage, but we didn’t stay the whole time. I had been there for almost 8 hours and I was ready to call it a night. I snapped some shots though. I was hurting from standing around and walking on the uneven field, as well as being in the smoke from Cali filled air all day.

Went back to the Bay, showed my niece where I worked, bought some underwear and a metal wallet thing from Urban Outfitters, then burned $5 at the Luxor arcade, then we had to get home ’cause Ate was blowing up our phones. Then we sat and talked about the show with Ate, and unwound from the day.

Woke up late Sunday, picked up the other niece from her ninang’s house, went sightseeing at the Miracle Mile shops at the new Planet Hollywood, had a pizza lunch, did some errands, and then instead of wasting time with the shuttle again, we took my car. We parked at a sports complex parking lot, a block away from Sam Boyd, and got into the venue five minutes before Muse. We were going to stand stage right, but then switched to stage left. The crowd was massive, partly because they were waiting for Rage Against the Machine (who were headlining Sunday on that stage), and partly because Muse is just that damn good.

The other two stages (Snake Eyes and Jokers Wild) had VIP sections really close by their stages, but this one - Double Down - was more first come, first served, like other venues. That’s what kept us away from Queens of the Stone Age. If I can’t flash my sexycool wristband to get THISCLOSE to the band, forget it!

Muse… wow, what can I say? It was amazing. That’s my default word for the utter excitement I feel when I see shows, but it’s universal, and so true. I was dancing the whole time. My niece thought I looked funny - bouncing around like I did - but you can’t NOT dance at a Muse show. As I had heard from everyone else who had seen Muse, they put on a live show to die for. and they didn’t disappoint.

My niece said they sound better live than on the record, and I think that’s partly because Matt and Chris have so much energy to spare. They were wailing the whole show. Before they launched into one song, Matt had a shiny guitar and was trying to blind a plane up in the sky. It was random but awesome. Plus they threw this gigantic plastic balloons filled with confetti out at us which popped and rained confetti down on everyone during the end of the set. I’m just in lust with this band. Not any particular member, but the music.

Saw a bit of UNKLE’s set, took some pics, but couldn’t stay as we were both fully zonked.

On the way home, stopped at Sam’s Town to take pics, because I hadn’t done it. Then came home to pass out. Or in my case, download pics from my camera, and write this review!

I hadn’t had a weekend off in ages, and I’m really happy and thankful that my job let me have this weekend. I just forgot everything bad that was going on in my life, and left it at the gates. My life is constantly up and down. There is a lot of unanswered questions that can’t be answered that I usually suppress if I ignore it enough. But it will pop up every once in a while and make me sad. It angers me when I don’t have the answer, and when no one can help me. So when I can lose myself in something as simple as a song, damn right I do it.

?: “Been to any good shows lately?”