SALE: BLAZE ON tees are now $15 (free shipping)

~BLAZE ON~

Limited quantities! Unisex S-XL only.

• $15 includes shipping/handling anywhere in U.S. only
• Preshrunk Gildan tees are standard fit 
• Limited size runs: once sold out, all gone   

~ON SALE: now $15 while supplies last~

Choose a size

S $15.00 USD M $15.00 USD L $15.00 USD XL $15.00 USD

All designs now FOR SALE (again)!

Order here: http://skreened.com/phishGAT

FUEGO / We keep it rollin' - T-Shirt Update

Pre-Order Closed - Stay tuned for shipping details.

I apologize for the delay - the printer I use ran into some issues over the holiday.  There are a few of you who received notice the package shipped - currently, it has not but will by start of next week 2/10. To make up for the unforeseen delay, I will sweeten the deal - keep an eye out in your package when it arrives! 

Fuego - We keep it rollin' mock-up on unisex Tultex 0202TC Silver.

This shirt was only availble if you Pre-Order. (Not available on lot; I am not printing mass quantities of these - you can only get one by ordering now).

Pre-Order means that you purchase in advance of the printing. The shirt will ship roughly 2 weeks after the pre-order is over.  The Pre-Order will last until about 12/7.  I plan on trying to ship the shirt before YEMSG.  If you pre-order, you are okay with a flexible ship date. Your pre-order guarantees your shirt. This helps me accurately print the right number of shirts and conserve resources. The t-shirt will not be available after the pre-order ends.  If you want one, order now!

Price: $23 includes shipping (mainland U.S. only)
Sizes: unisex XXS-XXXL
Shirt: Tultex 0202TC in Silver  See the blank shirt here.

Front of shirt.

 

Back of shirt.

Rear of car with VT plates: FEFY.

About the illustrator:

Susie is an artist. Equal parts designer, scientist, and lover of the Phish, she has a degree in Marine Biology. Susie was a scientist for the past 10 years and has recently decided to change careers and pursue her love of art and design, specifically illustrations. Susie lives in Portland, Ore. with her husband and chocolate lab.

Please check out her website; contact her for design inquiries at susieleemorris@gmail.com; and follow Susie on Twitter @twittierthanyou.

 

New T-Shirt Design...Pre-Order Coming Soon (FUEGO)

11/8/2013 - Stay tuned for details...

KEEP TAHOE WOO! - Tees in more colors and now STICKERS!

Order KEEP TAHOE WOO! t-shirts in many different colors/sizes and now in stickers, too! 

10% of all profit is donated to the Mockingbird Foundation.

In addition to stickers, the price of the shirt went up and I am unable to do any discounts, etc.  Read below.

ORDER HERE:
T-Shirts $26.95 +shipping: Order Here. 
Stickers (4-pack) $10.95: Order Here.

Why did the price go up?
The cost increased due to me using Zazzle to supply the shirts and stickers. Zazzle is a website where you can upload images onto many different products and have them printed one-off or create a "store" to enable on-going multiple purchases. The benefit for you is that you can order as many shirts as you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want and in many different colors. It cuts me out of the equation (my day job and life in general doesn't have enough room for t-shirt printing/shipping/handling etc). The cost of this increased availability and convenience is a higher retail price. I make just over $3 per shirt - I am not here to gouge you, I swear!

Stay tuned for more of my designs appearing on Zazzle or elsewhere.

Keep your eyes on Twitter (@sethrmPDX) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/phishPDX) for updates.

Thanks for the support.

-Seth

KEEP TAHOE WOO! - Shirt will ship week of 8/26.

NAFTA-friendly Tultex 0202 90% cotton/10% poly Unisex Heather Grey

Pre-Sale over!  Ordering closed!  Thank you!

Shirts wil be printed week of 8/19 and ship week of 8/26.
They will definitely ship before the Dick's run.  Do not plan on having yours in hand before Dicks - that way, if you do, you will be pleasantly surprised.




T-Shirt & Shipping Details:
- T-shirts are Tultex 0202TC 90% cotton/10% poly unisex on Heather Gray
- Printed locally in Portland, OR
- Shipping is included in the cost and will ship via USPS
- No refunds
- No exchanges once the shirt ships (if you change your mind about the size before the pre-sale period is over, please call or email me ASAP)

About the design:
- Based on the ubiquitous "KEEP TAHOE BLUE" stickers seen all over Lake Tahoe
- Add a dash of the Tahoe Tweezer "woo's" and voila!   

 

But who is this guy and how can he be trusted?
I grew up in New York and live in Portland, OR now.  My first show was SPAC '95.  I have sold hundreds of shirts this way since summer '11 whenever inspiration strikes me. I do this for fun and to help offset costs of the serious, deep raging at the Phish-shows I go to with all you fuckers. I am reliable, communicative, and one of you!  I was at Tahoe and moved to tears by the music, the scenery, and the PEOPLE.  That is why I'm doing this. See you at Dicks! Woo!

My past designs can be seen here: Past T-Shirt Designs.

Concerned? Questions? Email me: phish.in.pdx@gmail.com

Past phishPDX T-Shirt Designs

GOLDEN AGE t-shirts are now sold out! Thanks.

Golden Age - royal blue

TIMBER HO t-shirts

 

TIMBER HO - Green.


  

CENTRAL PART OF TOWN shirts are SOLD OUT!

Central Part of Town - Slate Grey.

Half My Life with Phish

A retrospective blog project.
February 2012

12/31/11 was the 50th time I've seen Phish live. Not that many, comparitively speaking. I'm 32 years old and saw my first show when I was 16. I never went "on tour," instead opting for shorter runs due to lack of money, parental objection, school, and honestly, other interests. I love Phish so dearly. Each one of my experiences seeing this band live has added color, pattern, and texture to my life. This retrospective will unfold as a list, recap, memories, scents, and subtle sounds retracing 50 Phish shows I saw over the last 16 years, starting when I was 16 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

#1 - 6/26/95 - SPAC - Saratoga Springs, NY

DWD > Free 6/26/95

My friend Alex turned me on to Phish. We listened to Junta and Rift a lot in 1994. Of course, Hoist entered the scene, but even to our newb ears we found their most recent album to be too "mersh" or a "sell-out." We were newbs-pretending-to-be-jaded-vets. I love Hoist now.

I was going to attend Amherst 11/2/94 with Alex that fall but he took some other dude who admittedly Alex or I didn't like. This guy hated Phish and thought the grunge scene was way cooler. Pretty much a douche, but Alex felt obligated to give him the ticket. 

So summer rolls around and Alex's dad drives us to SPAC which was an hour and a half from where we lived at the time in Williamstown, MA. He dropped us off out front. I saw "hippies" and Alex told me about acid.  

We didn't do any drugs at this show. I think we smoked a joint, but appearing as 16 year-old wanna-be prep school hippies, a couple of older dudes saw us and partook liberally of what weed we had. Whatever.

I still remember the first set very clearly despite being distracted and in awe of the scene unfolding around me. The second set, as we now know, turned out to be legendary. As seen in the experimental masterpiece of "DWD>Free" - pure, unfiltered Phish, breaking ground, at their best.

Alex's dad picked us up before the show was over.  But no matter - I was all in.  In a big way.  SPAC still is one of my favorite summer venues and I will forever associate June days in upstate New York with the eye-opening joy of something big, new, and exactly for me.

From Phish.net:

Set 1: My Friend, My Friend, Don't You Want To Go?, Bathtub Gin, NICU > The Sloth,My Mind's Got a Mind of its Own, It's Ice > Dog Faced Boy > Tela > Possum^[1]

Set 2: Down with Disease^[2] -> Free > Poor Heart > You Enjoy Myself, Strange Design> Run Like an Antelope

Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Rocky Top

[1] Heartbreaker tease.
[2] Unfinished.

Download here: 6/26/95 SPAC.


#2 - Veterans Memorial Coliseum - New Haven, CT

Listen to some of the best Phish you'll ever hear, here: The New Haven Tweezer.

Alex and I were dropped off in front of New Haven Coliseum in a mini-van driven by my mom and dad. Yup, we were those kids. It was a cold night in the Northeast and Alex and I hurried into the venue because we didn't really know what else to do. 

I had turned 17 in October. My parents were supportive of my new-found passion. However, they weren't about to let their teenage son drive he and his friend 2 hours and 45 minutes across states lines for a rock concert. At the time I found their chauffeur-ism terribly embarrassing. It took me many years later to realize how blessed I really was.

Our tickets were for "Section 1." Not knowing what we were doing, and being some of the first people in the building, we thought "Section 1" meant floor. The elderly usher guarding the floor entrance had no idea where "Section 1" was, so he proved to be no obstacle in reaching some very prime seats for two teenagers.

As we waited for the show to begin, we talked about the audience-band chess match and then sat in awkward silence in awe of the freaks filling the venue. Lots of thick, earth-toned knit sweaters and North Face logos. And holy shit the stink of herb.

Lights drop, then "Caspian." "Jim" next. Two accessible Phish songs to open my second show and I was happy. These days, "Caspian" is a piss-break song. But to "Jim," we still boogie.

Alex had rolled a extra-long joint and we got stoned. He sorta freaked out a bit and had to sit down in his chair. I stood and soaked in the Phish from Vermont. 

We left our floor seats at setbreak and when we returned, a more informed usher pointed us to our real seats: Fishman side, lower bowl. Oh well. At least we got one set up close.

I don't remember much of the second set. I recall the "Tweezer" (how could you not?), but couldn't appreciate what I was hearing until many years later, listening back on tape. Funny but true: the song that sticks out the most from this show is "Faht." Fishman on guitar? Awesome! 

My parents let us stay the until the end and picked us up out front. Lots of one-word answers to how the show was on the ride home (teenage punks). 

I still don't know what the fuck my parents did for 3 hours in New Haven, CT on a cold December evening. This act alone illuminates a part of a greater parenting strategy that I will emulate if and when I become a parent myself. Their commitment to giving me support and freedom to discover myself, through this band and through so much else, is the definition of Love.

Thank you mom & dad!

Set 1: Prince Caspian, Runaway Jim, Mound > Guelah Papyrus, Reba^[1], My Sweet One, Free, Taste That Surrounds, Bouncing Around the Room, Possum^[2]

Set 2: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Maze > Simple -> Faht^[3], Tweezer > A Day in the Life > Golgi Apparatus, The Squirming Coil^[4], Tweezer Reprise

Encore: Bold As Love

[1] No whistling.
[2] All Fall Down signal.
[3] Fishman on acoustic guitar.
[4] Carol of the Bells tease from Page.

Download here: 12/2/95 New Haven.


Other words from this night and month...

December 3rd, 1995 article in The Hartford Courant about 12/2/95: The Phish Experience

Read more: Mr. Miner's Phish Thoughts - "December '95: Vintage Phish"



#3 - 12/9/95 - Knickerbocker Arena - Albany, NY

The Albany YEM - wow.

And then there are nights when it really makes sense. When IT happens. This is the show that pushed me on to 47 more and where I stand now. 

I don't need to write much about this show: it contains the best YEM ever. Consensus. Period.

Again, the Albany YEM is arguably the best jam Phish has ever played.  Don't take my word for it alone. Read what Scotty B of Hidden Track wrote about it here: "Albany YEM: Best jam ever?"

Listen to it. The video above is especially great to appreciate the full mastery and showmanship of the "silent jam" segment in this YEM.  

From The Times Union two days after the show:

"Skeptics undoubtedly had to be won over in the middle of the second set, when the band proved its prowess on ''You Enjoy Myself,'' a 20-minute workout that began innocently enough with Anastasio playing a jazz-fused guitar riff and Fishman lightly offering the undercurrent. Midway through the song, the kings of improvisation worked themselves into such a tizzy that they had nowhere else to go. The band created a silent jam that lasted for almost five minutes, simulating playing some of the most intense licks you could ever imagine: Fishman motioned heavily on the drums; Anastasio did a Pete Townshend, winding his arm around his guitar in a circular motion and looking as if he would break a few strings had he really been playing; and McConnell and Gordon kept their cool, doing the same. When they came out of it, they didn't miss a beat. The music picked up where it was when the sound left the room."
Um, really? I mean what the fuck? Jam > Silent jam > restart Jam. Who does this? Phish does this. Now I know.

Download a SBD version of this song here: Albany YEM (SBD).

Alex and I, now batting 3 for 3 for '95 Phish gems, were driven through a serious snowstorm 45 minutes from our town in the Northwestern Berkshires to The Knick. I forget who drove us this time (I think it was my mom). And again: parents FTW!

I grew up with The Knick. I saw an NCAA Division I hockey championship, lots of Sienna basketball, several MAAC Tourney's, Harlem Globetrotters, Starlight Express, and countless other small-time-ish sports and entertainment events that would roll through the 'Capitol Region.' I've been to The Knick at almost every stage of my life (the most recent being 11/28/09).

No matter what corporate title adorns the outside, it will always be The Knick to many.

My memories from this show are most pungent with the Maze opener and the second set. The snowstorm outside created a warm and somewhat surreal feeling inside the venue. I recall a distinct "we're all in this together" vibe due to the epicness of snowstorm travel. 

Warming up and drying off as we studied the audience-band chess match, "We see a band who plays chess with the audience." Fucking cool.

Lights. "Maze." Rage cage. Again, I don't recall specifics other than that this opener set a "it is so on" tone for the show. On paper, what a glorious first set! And on re-listen, played super well, too. "Maze" openers are badass - Denver '11 night 3 was the first time since this show the boys punched in with "Maze."

Second set is classic Phish. Please add this show to your collection if you haven't already. In my opinion, this show is especially important for any newer fan. Or any fan who has been distracted by Fall '97 to the point of not going any further back in the catalog. Dark, funny, funky, rocking - it has it all. 

An amazing thing about Phish - and life - is that as things go on and perspective shifts, so do the meaning of past experiences. The past, in this light, does change. At the time, while this YEM blew me away, I thought "this is just what Phish does." The special-ness of this song at this moment has increased with each and every show I've attended. 

There could be past "Albany YEMs" of your life that you don't even know about yet.  Go seek experiences that will retrigger the "Albany YEMs" of your past.

Set 1: Maze, Theme From the Bottom > NICU > The Sloth > Rift, Bouncing Around the Room, Free, Billy Breathes, Dog Faced Boy, Chalk Dust Torture

Set 2: Timber (Jerry), Wilson^[1] > Gumbo, You Enjoy Myself^[2], Lawn Boy, Slave to the Traffic Light > Crossroads, Sweet Adeline

Encore: Loving Cup

[1] Quotes from talking Beavis and Butthead doll.
[2] Silent jam and theme from Shaft quote. Vocal jam featured quotes from talking Beavis and Butthead doll.

Download here: The Knick 12/9/95. 

The Times Union (Albany, NY) article ran on 12/11/95 about this show: "Phish delivers a tasty stew of musical tidbits."

Thank you for making 2011 an amazing year.

From 1/1/11 to Bethel through Leg 1 and SuperBall, to Gorge and Tahoe and Dick's, we as a community and fan-base raged it proper.  I met so many vibrant people and had so many memorable experiences personally, I can only imagine what occurred in the hearts, minds, bodies, and souls of our extended phamily.  It truly gives me goosebumps, a la the Gorge Rock'n'Roll>Meatstick and the Dick's Tweezer.


Returning to MSG and NYC, our people showed up in full force - with a spirit and openness rivaled only perhaps by that yearly ritual in the middle of the Nevada desert.  Our favorite band continued to inspire, perhaps not musically building upon the peaks they gave us over the summer, but once again setting the stage for so many smiles and lots of fun.  Love anchors this all, whether you choose to acknowledge that or not.  The music my friends, is and has been, only one part of the full experience.  As fans, we brought the HOSE every night.


So for 2012 I say this: keep bringing the HOSE.  At work, at school, at home, with friends, and family, show the Love Supreme.  Be happy, be honest, and take care of yourself.  Remember to go with the flow, and also try hard and breathe (always breathe).  To be human is to be challenged.  Learning is continual.  Growth happens whether you want it to or not.  Be open to experiencing hardship, yet strive for a meaningful and happy life.  Be curious.  Ask questions, don't be afraid of being stupid.  Act with integrity.  Say what you mean and not what you think you should say.  Be compassionate to everyone.  


Phish is not on tour right now.  And allegedly we'll see them again this summer (maybe in May, I guess). But don't stop the jam.  YOU hold the power to give peak musical experiences to everyone around you even when there's no music to be heard.


Here's to the best New Year ever.  2012 will be epic.  See you this summer.


Love,
Seth

Why Phish should play Portland, OR in 2012.

Here are 89 responses to "Why should Phish return to Portland, OR after a 12-year absence?"

Phish returning to the City of Roses after a 12-year absence is a sought-after occurrence. We understand the band's familial obligations as well as the costs of bringing their tour so far from their home base, but the demand is here.  Portland is a city perfectly suited for the circus that is Phish - so many opportunities for food, more music, arts, shopping, people, recreation, sight-seeing, and more exist here.  Please come back.  GAME ON.
 

Phish crowd...not in Portland, OR...but they could be!!

As a part of a Charity Raffle for a 12/31/11 MSG ticket, we asked entrants to tell us what would get them pumped about seeing Phish back in Portland, OR.  Here's what they said:

e280ed12-2233-11e1-a1df-000f20980440 said...

I would be thrilled beyond repair to have a small Phish show played at Hornings Hideout. Its a dream because the venue is just too small for them, but oh the possibilities.... (phanart@gmail.com)

December 8, 2011 11:03 PM

greengaia said...

I didn't see Phish in Portland in '98-I was still living on the East coast back in those days, but I've sure become well acquainted with the recording of that night at Meadows. With Phish sounding better than ever in this, their Golden Age, having a chance to throw it down in this city that is also at the top of its' game these days would be a wonderful PNW Phish phamily homecoming.

December 8, 2011 11:43 PM

DRobo said...

Would love to see the boys play here. This time around for Phish I am excited because I have found the posse that I was always lookin for on the east coast back in the day, out here on the west coast. Now we mob shows and get down together all over the country,not missing new years also

. Ready to do an epic west coast tour and would love to see them down the street from where I live. This passed summer was a good warm up...

Daniel RObinson

December 9, 2011 12:18 AM

Daniellesism said...

I love Portland! It's a beautiful city that suits the Phish lifestyle perfectly! It would be amazing to see them there!

December 9, 2011 12:24 AM

sweetpeasteaz said...

It would be super fun to see Phish play in Portland because I could just mosey on down to the show without having to pay an arm and a leg for travel expenses, plus waisting resources etc. I also like the Hornings Hideout phantasy!

December 9, 2011 12:36 AM

Adam Neelly said...

I would love to see Phish play in Portland again. I was at the 98 show and it's still one of my favs. Even though I'm from the east coast I've been to the great city of Portland many times and seen a lot of great shows there. The most memorable being Chuck Berry opening for the Grateful Dead in 95.

December 9, 2011 7:11 AM

tlenny said...

I get excited for Phish to play anywhere, but Portland is a great town and would be a great host once again! it would be nice for some long-time fans to get a backyard show for first time in a dozen years. Roses are Free in the Rose City!

December 9, 2011 7:16 AM

Garber said...

I was at the 98 show in the summer. Since then so many friends and family have moved to PDX and Seattle that west coast shows are like reunions!!

December 9, 2011 7:16 AM

walterp said...

I have been seeing Phish since 1998 and one of my goals is to see Phish in as many places as possible. I haven't seen them in Portland so if they were to play there it would give me another reason to visit the City of Roses

December 9, 2011 7:21 AM

Jibboo said...

Maryhill Winery. That would get me excited. Phish playing an acoustic set, with those hills as a backdrop, perhaps a moderate breeze....

December 9, 2011 7:43 AM

michelle said...

Phish gets me excited about seeing Phish. Getting to see then return to a place they have skipped over for so long, for whaever reason, makes it even more special!

December 9, 2011 7:47 AM

freckled1 said...

I've never been to Oregon, and I can think of no better ambassadors than Phish!

December 9, 2011 7:55 AM

bloop said...

a phish show in portland, or, would be reason enough for me to fly the 3,000 miles it would take to get out there.

December 9, 2011 8:02 AM

bjw722 said...

Although I have traveled across the world to see this band (Japan 2000). I have not seen a Phish show in my "backyard" since Syracuse 1994. I'm ready for another hometown show!

December 9, 2011 8:20 AM

SB said...

I just moved to Portland and did so knowing I'd probably have to leave town to see the band...so many friends of mine have never been to this part of the country, and what better reason for them to come visit then a show in PDX?

December 9, 2011 8:42 AM

iamtourmalet said...

My wife and I visited Portland for the first time this summer and fell in love with this place. It is such an amazing town with such beautiful energy. I would love Phish to play Portland again because my wife will not travel with me to Phish shows but if Phish played again in Portland, my wife would be on the first plane with me! Really, such an amazing town inside and out. To use another bands phrase "I'm going where the climate suits my clothes"

December 9, 2011 9:27 AM

alexrogo said...

I would love to see Phish in the PacNorthwest! Haven't been yet!

December 9, 2011 10:42 AM

sethlevin said...

Love me some some Phish, love me some Portland. Been seeing Phish for 20 years and have been to all the Gorge shows but missed the 98 Portland show. Would not miss it this time around! PhishPDX!!!

December 9, 2011 10:46 AM

Colin Ryan said...

I would love Phish to come play Portland, OR because my brother is a farmer who lives in PDX and I could see my family and favorite band! - Colin Ryan

December 9, 2011 11:05 AM

Roderick O. said...

If Phish played in Portland, OR, I would be more excited that some of my friends on the west coast that have all "grown up" and gotten married, gotten jobs and had kids would get a second chance at what I was able to discover a few years back when the boys played Hampton. That excitement of getting your tickets in the mail. The getting up with all your friends in the lot. The yelling and screaming you hear while waiting in line to get in. The pure exhilaration of the lights coming down and then it happens. That first note is played and its like your 18 again and nothing has changed. You fall in love with the band all over again. THAT is what I would love most if Phish played in Portland.

December 9, 2011 11:16 AM

moomoomoo said...

Portland's a great city, and there are sure to be tons of phans there that have been wanting to see the band for years.

December 9, 2011 11:28 AM

AngeliqueK said...

Since my first show was at a smaller venue, I'd love to experience the current evolution of Phish at The Crystal Ballroom, not because of the floors or anything.

December 9, 2011 11:44 AM

will cosby said...

If phish played in PDX it would rage the face and I would most assuredly be in attendance!!! Chance to win a NYE ticket for a good cause is def whats up!! Props!

December 9, 2011 1:14 PM

SoundRootsMusic said...

Seeing Phish in Portland back in 98 was the first show of my first full summer Phish tour and the true beginning of a lifetime obsession. I was living on the east coast at the time and visiting Portland for that show made me fall in love with this city. About a year later I packed up and moved out here. I am still waiting with bated breath for their return. In the meantime, I am heading to my hometown of NYC to see MSG on NYE (a show I have never missed before) but I have no ticket. Thanks so much for this chance at not getting left out on the cold NYC sidewalks. Great cause too!

December 9, 2011 2:29 PM

hermagic said...

Phish playing in Portland will mean that all of our phriends will come visit and our friends' bands can play in the parking lot before and after the show just like Sandstone '99.

December 9, 2011 4:07 PM

Madame Lamb said...

I would be stoked to catch a Phish show in the vibrant Portland phan community. So may phans in Portland...and so many faces I don't get to see often enough!

December 9, 2011 4:34 PM

WilDaBeast said...

Phish in small venue in Portland would be epic. Not big on ticket lottos or scampers or tons of cops. But that's just me :-)

December 9, 2011 5:02 PM

a7ad5d62-22d6-11e1-83c7-000bcdcb471e said...

I was just in Portland this summer, awesome city. I would love to see phish play there

December 9, 2011 6:28 PM

Jake Futerfas said...

I was just in Portland this summer, awesome city. I would love to see phish play there

December 9, 2011 6:30 PM

kmhnola said...

Who doesn't love Portland Oregon? And all of us love Phish! What a great marriage of fun things I like!

December 9, 2011 7:56 PM

BHart said...

i would be excited to see phish play portland because it would provide an excellent excuse to come see the beautiful city and visit my friends. they come back east to visit often but a phish show in portland would properly rev me up enough to head out to oregon for a visit.

December 10, 2011 10:41 AM

doughty leigh said...

Oregon brings back fond memories of '95 tour for me.
After having an early car breakdown in the beginning of tour in San Luis Obispo, we rented a 24' Uhaul to get us to the Mountain View show, and figured we all would get rides from there. Turned out about 31 other kids couldn't find rides either, so I kept the Uhaul and loaded everybody up in the back and set off to Seattle. We ran out of fuel somewhere in Oregon, and hitched hiked to get some. Upon return, a strangely friendly lady cop was there wondering what was our deal. When she asked me to open the back of the Uhaul all the way, she was a bit in awe of what she saw. The amazing thing was, she told me that if I got the Uhaul up and running in the next 5 minutes(It was a diesel, so had to prime it), she'd let me go with just a ticket for careless driving since everyone didn't have a seat belt. If not, she'd have to call it in, and that would be no good.
The Universe was with us and we were up and running. I still have the ticket as a memory marker.
Sorry for the longwindedness, but it's had to summarize that one up shortly.
Thanks Oregon, I look for for our next adventure.

December 10, 2011 10:47 AM

bealjr85 said...

A few months ago I had a dream that I met Jerry Garcia while visiting my Aunt in Portland...
The dream didn't make much sense but here are the cliff notes.

The dream started out rather uneventful... We chilled for a while, played some tunes together... connected musically so-to-speak. We ate some hummus w/ pita points and sipped on chai tea while my aunt massaged our shoulders. The night was perfect in its simplicity.

As he was getting ready to leave, I felt this emotion welling up in me that was unlike anything I had ever felt before... it seemed like I was missing out on a grand opportunity. My idol was walking away and as perfect as the night was, I felt like I hadn't seized the moment like I should have.

I asked him if he could give me a few words of wisdom before he left. Jerry looked me in the eye and told me I needed to finish grad school. He told me I needed to go see Phish at MSG in NYC for new years eve. He told me I needed to be nicer to my mother. He told me I would have a beautiful family someday.

I felt like there was more to talk about... that as nice as these kernels of wisdom were- it wasn't enough. I told him I appreciated everything, but asked for a few final words to live my life by.

He grabbed my face, kissed me and whispered into my ear something that I will never forget.

"Wake up to find out your balls are the size of the world."

He turned and walked away and I haven't seen him in my dreams since.

I had no idea what this dream meant until I saw this charity/ticket give away.

I think Jerry meant for me to find this charity/ticket giveaway so that I could realize my potential while dancing my ass off at Madison Square Garden. All of the clues are there in my dream- it's just too perfect not to mean something.

I think I will find my future wife at the Phish show in Portland the next time they play there... and so it NEEDS to happen.

I am so excited to meet my future wife. I am so excited to see Phish in Portland.

There is always hope, Phans. Something that seems as insurmountable as Phish not playing in Portland for over a decade is small change in the grand scheme of things. Live the life you've always dreamed and things will work out for the best.

December 10, 2011 2:10 PM

myswtone said...

CA love reprise would be pretty awesome and would fill my heart with joy.

December 10, 2011 6:16 PM

RiverM said...

Last time i was in Orgeon i got a really bad sun burn on my face. the next time i go to Oregon will be when Phish returns and my face will surely be melted right off

December 10, 2011 8:41 PM

jgero16 said...

Hum I always wanted to go to Portland. It is on complete opposite of me, I live In Florida!!!!!!

December 10, 2011 9:37 PM

fallenxruby said...

i've always wanted to go to oregon, but i've never been. i'm from massachusetts. but i've been known to travel far and wide to see phish, anywhere from indio, california for Superball to nashville, tennessee...so I think phish playing in portland could serve as a TWO-FER!!! =) ...threefer if i win tickets to new year's eve!

December 10, 2011 10:24 PM

Heidi said...

I've seen Phish in Portland, Maine many times. It would be amazing to add the Oregon twin to my experiences.

December 11, 2011 3:25 AM

S0ph13 said...

I've never been to Portland, but always wanted to go and if Phish plays there, I'm there! What's more exciting than Phish!?

December 11, 2011 8:17 PM

Matt Stevens said...

I've never been to Portland but I'll travel anywhere to see Phish. I have some friends who are from Portland originally and I can't think of a better reason to take a road trip out there with them then to see Phish!

December 12, 2011 7:51 AM

sal989 said...

In the case that it would be 12 years before the next phishing, I might not make it. But in the case I do somehow survive by living off glimmers of hope and flashbacks of glow stick wars, the thing that would most excite would be the savory sounds of the Ocelot guitar.

December 12, 2011 10:52 AM

be.perk said...

I would love to be able to see the boys in my backyard! There is something really special that happens when the party comes to your town; you become host and ambassador to the many phriends that descend upon your city. I would love to see Phish in Portland!! And bonus if they played at the race track again, and trey sang about a racing pig.

December 12, 2011 11:38 AM

Jon.woz said...

I'd love to see phish play Portland because it might mark a return to the hidden gem shows in smaller market, or of the way places inspired by the natural beauty around them. I'd also love an excuse to travel there. :)

December 12, 2011 11:51 AM

MattyC said...

I would make the trek if they played and I wasn't working. Don't to to many west coast shows.

December 12, 2011 7:32 PM

chunkeymonkey238 said...

i hope so badly that phish plays portland, OR very soon, i think after something like this...they have too lol. thanks guys great idea.

December 13, 2011 9:16 AM

DudeKeefe said...

Phish in PDX? YES!!! I was at the 95, 96, 98, and 99 shows. Come on back boys!

December 13, 2011 12:10 PM

jib97 said...

seeing the PHiSH in PDX would be super. a chance to get back to beautiful PDX and see my PDX friends and great music! what else can you ask for?

December 13, 2011 4:02 PM

Sarah Sunshine said...

This post has been removed by the author.

December 14, 2011 3:00 PM

Sarah Sunshine said...

've always wanted to visit Portland! I hear they have great beer and great bands - I'd love to drink a beer there while seeing the greatest band of all - Phish!!! -Sarah Rhines

December 14, 2011 3:01 PM

Tom Greg said...

Phish in PDX would be amazing because it would be a great reason to trip to a part of the country I haven't yet seen! I'd also love to catch up with friends that have long since gone west and what better way to celebrate good friends then with Phish?!

Tom Gregory

December 14, 2011 3:12 PM

kmhnola said...

The Pacific Northwest is AMAZING. Phish not only loves Portland, but all of us fans would treat the town right. Coffee, beer, beauty, friends - what else is a great recipe for Phish times!

December 14, 2011 3:41 PM

Seb said...

Portland is a city I've never been to but is on my list to go. It'd be awesome to have a phish excuse to make this happen!

December 14, 2011 10:32 PM

Chris Sharpe said...

What excites me most about Phish coming back to Portland, is that by this summer I'll be living out there to see it!!!

December 15, 2011 6:42 AM

Lil' Maria said...

I have always wanted to visit Oregon and a Phish show there would be the perfect motivation! Make it happen, boys!

December 15, 2011 9:00 AM

HydeNSeeka said...

I'm an East Coaster but have never gotten to see the Pacific Northwest. A little Oregon Moonshine mixed with some Bathtub Gin would be delicious.

December 15, 2011 9:28 AM

YogiJenSmiles said...

Since Portland already has such an intimate and blossoming community, to be able to bring Phish through this city once again would bring even more love into the amazing city we have. Through the power of Phish in Portland, the respect and appreciation for their music would skyrocket! Do it to it!

December 15, 2011 9:12 PM

hampton.97.JT said...

I love visiting my friends in Portland and I love seeing Phish. I would be very happy to combine the two.

December 16, 2011 7:43 AM

yem2155 said...

It would make my world for Phish to play in PDX. I lived on the east coast last time they played here and didn't make the trip. Portland is such a magical city with such an awesome vibe why not add Phish to the mix to make it even better!

December 16, 2011 10:53 AM

enchantedgrove said...

A little west coast love is all we need! Thanks for still being around Phish!...and more magical than ever :)

December 16, 2011 12:08 PM

kater13 said...

It would be EPIC!!! if PHISH played in Portland. Great City! Great Band!

December 16, 2011 12:23 PM

btenem said...

like everyone else has basically said above, getting excited for a phish show is easy, getting excited for a phish show in a venue you have never been to is even easier....I would definitely parlay this trip with a 2 or 3 night trip to the Oregon wine country, which I have been meaning to hit for years. Since they are probably playing close enough to Portland before or after, I can hit 3 or 4 shows and check out the rolling hills of Oregon wine country, sounds pretty good.

Brad Tenem

December 16, 2011 1:14 PM

Paul_P said...

I've never been to the PacNW, just heard great things. Phish and the PacNW would be something I wouldn't want to miss.

December 16, 2011 6:06 PM

poopshoot said...

Every now and then I'll be eating breakfast, or tailgating, or climbing a mountain, or daydreaming in the bathtub and I'll hear a song loud and clear like it's surrounding me in a ball square generator beam of truth. If I could say this has happened about a show in the secret OR beauty, I would definitely proclaim it here. What I can tell you is a wave of comforting truth and light of path will be accompanying our boys when they come visit you next. We can all look forward to that. And winner winner, chicken dinner, but ticket or no, I would emphatically persue any avenue in which to meet the creators of this website because you get it, you Phishy bastards and I love you for it.

December 16, 2011 10:29 PM

phunk mama said...

Voodoo Doughnuts and PHiSH!

December 17, 2011 11:12 AM

512dee8e-28ee-11e1-9dcd-000f20980440 said...

i've never been to portland so this would be a great reason to come visit...

December 17, 2011 12:33 PM

JL said...

i've never been to portland so this would be a great reason to come visit...

December 17, 2011 12:35 PM

Ariana Michal said...

possibility of a experience a small and personal show on the west coast with my favorite boys - would be a magical!!

December 17, 2011 12:53 PM

ksandy23 said...

We have wonderful dear friends in Portland who we never get to see anymore because we plan our precious vacation time around Phish. If Phish would play in Portland, then we could finally give some real in person hugs to our friends! Plus, Portland is awesome ... I would move there if I wasn't addicted to Florida warmth and sunshine!!!

December 17, 2011 1:09 PM

DrRockson said...

I can't imagine seeing Phish in the Great northwest, so beautiful and would be a great excuse to visit.

December 17, 2011 3:54 PM

bmillz said...

Wow! Phish has so many incredible fans on the West Coast and especially in Portland. I also have incredible friends in Portland and would love to get down with them in their home state to some P-HISH!!!!

December 17, 2011 4:03 PM

cmcnally said...

How fun to see Phish in gorgeous PDX! Start out the weekend hiking Multnomah falls, and end the weekend dancing your socks off! Can't imagine a better weekend.

December 17, 2011 4:56 PM

Unknown said...

Well, as just having moved to PDX five months ago from Denver it would be great to see a show out here with all my new friends I've made in such a short time...plus it would give all my old friends that extra kick to finally get them all out here to experience what an awesome place the Pacific NW is. The beauty coupled with the amazing people and vibes always brings out the best, there is no Phish better than west coast Phish!!

December 17, 2011 11:00 PM

Mikey T said...

I'd like phish to go to portland because it would give me a fantastic excuse to go to oregon finally. - Mike Tarnofsky

December 18, 2011 3:55 PM

Suz said...

What would get me excited about Phish playing Portland, OR again after a 12 year absence is the energy they bring to an area where they haven't been in a while. It would be a special show for OR fans that I'm sure have traveled across the States to the east coast over the years just to see their favorite band play.

December 18, 2011 3:56 PM

McGonigle said...

Phish playing in Portland, OR would not only delight countless fans in the Northwest, it's a part of the country I haven't been to in 15 years. It's exciting to envision a Portland show followed by a weekend at the Gorge. A mini-run I'd love to attend in one of the most beautiful parts of the country!

December 18, 2011 3:58 PM

caszpet said...

Portland has been on my places-to-go-and-explore list for quite some time. Phish playing in Portland would be an excellent reason to check that off my list! - Christine Szpet

December 18, 2011 4:01 PM

Justin Bruening said...

I would love Phish to play in Portland because I have 2 friends living in Eugene and i would be able to stay with them after the show! and I would love to catch a blazers game too.
-Justin Bruening

December 18, 2011 4:05 PM

Billy said...

Aside from the Northwest being the only part of the country I have yet to visit, my good friend just got accepted to a masters program in Portland. I have already been planning a visit out there, and it would be a incredible experience if I could see my favorite band there all in one shot! Maybe a stop at the gorge and a few spots in Cali would be in order as well!

I would also love to see all the phans riding around on the public bikes in the city!!!

December 18, 2011 4:11 PM

4aa0dc00-29d6-11e1-8218-000bcdcb471e said...

roses are free - at the rose garden in portland - id drive out there from VA

December 18, 2011 4:13 PM

a6156918-29de-11e1-accc-000bcdcb5194 said...

Oregon is gorgeous! Spent 2 months outside of Portland last summer and would love to go back and experience Phish there. Would be such a wonderful thing. - Jennifer Pipitone

December 18, 2011 5:13 PM

Jules said...

I LOVE going to states and venues I've never been to, to see the most amazing band on this planet :)

December 18, 2011 5:18 PM

Carlamo said...

Would love to visit Portland to see the boys! 12 yrs is definitely too long...time to spread the love in the beautiful West!

December 18, 2011 5:21 PM

Julie said...

because although we love phish at MSG there is nothing like seeing them in the beautiful state of oregon

December 18, 2011 5:33 PM

John said...

I love Phish and I love Portland. If I could be with both at the same time. That would be one sexy time.

December 18, 2011 7:38 PM

stephjkane said...

I love using Phish as a reason to travel the country, and would love a reason to go to the beautiful northwest!!

December 18, 2011 7:42 PM

Steph said...

Really would love to see this, I could also use another reason to go out west and see the boys as well as numerous other peeps that I haven't had a chance to see in a minute!

December 18, 2011 8:46 PM

NewHavenDeadHead said...

Have only been to Portland once, but Oregon is one of my favorite places I've ever traveled. I would love if Phish would play Oregon again, didn't realize it had been so long for you poor west coasters. It would give me a great excuse to travel back to Oregon and see the best band in the world.

December 18, 2011 8:51 PM

PhishLover said...

I would love to see phish play in beautiful Oregon! It's been too long since I've been and I'ts such a beautiful state! Thanks PDX!

December 18, 2011 8:59 PM

Forbinator said...

I am always looking for an excuse to visit my friends in Portland. I'm yet to really get the full experience. Phish in Portland would definitely give me that serious push to see all that it is. My Portland memories of the past are becoming so distant now. The last time I saw a show there was 2001 (not Phish, obvs). It needs to happen again!

December 18, 2011 10:56 PM