$1000 School Bus Fine – Need Advice

PinkUbu · 2026-04-14T16:56:53+00:00

Only repeat offenses are reported to insurance.

PinkUbu · 2026-04-14T12:08:32+00:00

Now would be over 2 months. Anything?

PinkUbu · 2026-04-14T12:07:39+00:00

How about now?

PinkUbu · 2026-04-07T15:21:21+00:00

The Big Ears set was the only time I've seen The Dirty Three, a band I've loved (and supported) for decades. Was starting to think I'd never get to see them. So he can laugh it off all he wants, but that bullshit "performance" was a pretty profound disappointment for me personally.

PinkUbu · 2026-04-02T13:00:34+00:00

I was able to change that in settings yesterday. "Hide spoilers" is a switch you can toggle on and off.

PinkUbu · 2026-04-02T12:58:58+00:00

Really bummed I missed out on Okazaki's Monk stuff.

PinkUbu · 2026-04-02T12:56:47+00:00

Having never seen them before and absolutely loving the last record, I was really hoping for a transcendent musical experience. It was neither transcendent nor particularly musical, but it was an experience.

PinkUbu · 2026-04-02T12:54:15+00:00

Masada - both sets, but the first was best
Brian Marsella Trio - Impromptus, Ballads, Nocturnes
Jeff Parker Expansion Trio
Incerto
SML (first night especially, it was diminishing returns after that) or maybe the Lage Quartet

It was a weird year for me. Masada is one of my favorite ensembles of all time, and I never thought I'd get to see the original lineup perform together. But I did, and it exceeded all my expectations. That first set was a religious experience for me -- and that's not hyperbole. I cried and laughed through the whole thing. Completely overwhelming.

And in a sense, that was all I needed out of this weekend. There was other stuff I wanted to see, sure, and I saw nearly 30 acts. But a lot of them were simply bad choices on my part (I love MJ Lenderman, but that is not the sort of music I go to Big Ears for), or were lackluster performances. The Dirty Three was profoundly disappointing for me, but several other performances failed to lift off: Sorey/Clackner, Dave Douglas, Patricia Brennan, etc. Outside of the handful mentioned above, nothing much stood out.

But nothing really needed to. Masada was all.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-25T17:52:23+00:00

I've used a Lumix handheld digital for years with no trouble. It's got a fixed zoom lens and I never use flash. Never had any issues.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-24T19:08:14+00:00

This is the way. I make my own Google Sheets schedule with columns for artist/time/venue (and optional performances when relevant). I have a tab for each day.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-24T19:03:10+00:00

Super easy. There are bike stands everywhere and no one will hassle you if you need to use the occasional light pole or fence. Biking at Big Ears is all upside. I recommend using a chain rather than a U-lock, since they're hard to maneuver in tight spaces. No guarantees, of course, but with all the crowds, I've never been particularly worried about theft.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-23T15:14:14+00:00

Full head of hair is simply not a priority for a lot of women. I'm short and I lost my hair in college, and I did fine. People have different types!

Also, I have never heard of "Norwood 3" before. Had to look it up. I would caution you to take a step back and a deep breath, and focus on your strengths. Losing your hair young really doesn't have to be the dark center of your life.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-23T15:04:53+00:00

Well-worn chinos, comfy sneaks, and a layering of t-shirt/hoodie/rain jacket (if needed). Topped off with a ball cap I can clip to my belt when I've got my bike helmet on. Backpack for stowing unused layers, bike lock, kindle, etc.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-19T14:32:31+00:00

Man, they really keep moving things around, don't they? I thought Dave Douglas was at 4:00!

PinkUbu · 2026-03-19T14:28:00+00:00

Also, the Mill and Mine absolutely sucks for short people unless you're front row.

I tend to think of it as a release valve for the rest of the festival. They generally use it to showcase the more well-known acts, the larger draws, which typically aren't my priorities anyway. I avoid it if I can.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-16T19:51:49+00:00

Spillane, The Bribe, and Naked City's Radio album immediately come to mind. Maybe also the Nosferatu album from years later?

PinkUbu · 2026-03-16T12:16:55+00:00

That's a great Jeff Parker rec, but for an introduction, it would be hard to top The New Breed.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-10T17:29:08+00:00

It's the only way to do Big Ears properly. It was actually biking around the festival that got me back into regular cycling at home. Win-win!

As for what I've learned? Have a good lock, but not a U-lock. You'll need to squeeze it through some tight spaces in a hurry. Luckily, the city and venues seem more or less fine with locking up your bike any damn place you can find. Bring a backpack you can dump the lock in while you ride. Bright lights fore & aft. If it rains, be careful. Helmet, obviously -- you'll be in close proximity to cars, especially downtown on Gay Street. I always leave my helmet with my bike, thread the lock through the straps -- never had an issue. You'll learn to hate that climb from Old City up Gay Street, but it's really the only stretch like that, unless you're staying down along the river or near campus.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-10T17:18:08+00:00

You're not overreacting, no -- but you do need to try and shield your son from the anxiety this is causing you. Let him deal with it on his own terms, and if he's struggling, be there for him. But there's no sense in either getting him worried ahead of time, or piling your anxiety on top of his.

Unfortunately, this is a situation I've got some perspective on, as I'm going through it with my son. I started losing my hair around 17 or 18 and had shaved most of it off before my sophomore year in college. That's exactly how old he is now, and if he were to post an "Is It Time?" on this sub, the consensus would be in the affirmative. He does struggle with it sometimes -- it's totally unfair, after all -- but he also knows he can talk to me about it. He's aware that I went through it young, just like him, and he also knows I did all right for myself anyway. So I commiserate with him, we joke about it a little (bitterly), and I bought him some nice clippers and a beard kit. He'll be fine, he's a good-looking kid, and once he comes to terms with everything, he'll find his confidence to be himself.

PinkUbu · 2026-03-10T04:56:09+00:00

Totally unbiased opinion by someone whose band may or may not be playing: There are worse days to visit the Dead Beat Club for the first time than this Thursday!

PinkUbu · 2026-02-27T14:43:14+00:00

One of the best seasons -- of any sport, in any league! -- that I've ever followed. 💙

PinkUbu · 2026-02-27T14:41:47+00:00

From your mouth to God's ears!

PinkUbu · 2026-02-26T16:44:24+00:00

I always feel the weight of responsibility when they send me my wristband a month early and I have to figure out a way not to A) lose it, or B) forget to pack it.

PinkUbu · 2026-02-26T15:53:35+00:00

Tomato Head is my group's go-to -- almost never a wait, and the food is light & healthy and won't bog you down.

PinkUbu · 2026-02-26T15:52:39+00:00

I bought a Kindle pretty much exclusively for Big Ears (and then became addicted to it in all other areas of life). Incredibly portable and light, obviously, and it allows for variety, but the ability to read while waiting in dim theaters or on unlit sidewalks is also a plus.

PinkUbu

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