Aug172009
Girls Rock Camp has ended, long live Girls Rock! DC
Filed under Feminism,Music by Kim at 10:35 pm on Aug 17 2009
I’m walking down the hallway with 30 lbs of bass amp hanging off my arm; a horrible awkward weightlifting exercise that makes no sense under any other circumstances. It’s the 50th time I’ve been in this position this week, maybe the 100th. Three people I respect very much have just asked me for another nonexistent (or AWOL) microphone, and I have been forced to tell them “no”. THE red bass has gone missing again, probably due to my own faulty labeling. Three bundles of 10-year-old energy are doing some kind of gymnastic dance ahead, clearly trying to get me to drop a bass amp on my toe. But I hear a small sound from somewhere to my left:
Someone help me with my ponytail!
This falls on the deaf ears of the gymnast/dancers, who are apparently the worst friends ever. I look down and see an exasperated face and tired arms trying to hold up an elastic band around long frazzled hair that is clearly impeding the source of the Ponytail Alert’s ability to Have A Good Time.
What can I do? I try to gently let the amp rest on the floor (always be an example of good instrument care!) without incurring yet another bruise to my thigh and I solve a ponytail crisis. And I am thanked firmly and politely in a way intended to ensure I do not stick around to impede Good Camp Times.
And my heart grows three sizes and it’s one of the best moments of my vacation.
A vacation which involved several 10 hour work days that seemed far, far harder than that junk I do sitting at a desk the rest of the year.
And while at several points I thought “Heck if I will sign up for this again, what I wouldn’t give for my sweet, blissfully-free-of-drum-hardware cubicle!” within 24 hours of the final performance, the culmination of that week, I am thinking:
Next year, I’ll suggest we do the whole labeling system differently.
This post brought to you by the most amazing team of core organizers I’ve ever met, freezy pops, every volunteer that matched and exceeded all the physical heavy lifting I did with their mental and emotional heavy lifting, our team of roadies who made sure I didn’t have to lift amps a thousand times, everyone who loaned or donated equipment for the girls to rock out on, and many many more, but in particular a certain co-head roadie who was supremely cool-headed and big-hearted all week making any roadieing on my own part possible.
I would triumphantly say, “we did it!” except that what we did is only part of it. The amazing things the campers did – they created music, they brought all their energy and ambition and thought to camp, and they formed bands, argued, worked, played and sang their way to a wholly original show – those things are the point. They did those things in one week. If you came to the showcase, then you got to see it – they were amazing.
This post is all about Girls Rock! DC. The annual week long session just wrapped up but help is needed all year round to keep the organization rolling for next year. Consider making a donation or maybe even volunteering for 2010!
1 Kristaon 17 Aug 2009 at 11:33 pm
Man, this made me tear up. I wish I could do this, but I am SO GLAD that you do, Kim.
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2 Jim (jfboyd on LJ)on 18 Aug 2009 at 7:20 am
Sounds like a great time, and a very worthy cause! Congrats!
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3 Genieon 18 Aug 2009 at 7:42 am
I saw your Twitter about the ponytail and thought it was great. But this post is even more great! So glad you had a good time.
Oh and I bought a pack of Sharpie pens last night. The jury is still out on them.
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
The Sharpie pens are a little light. I really, really liked the purple one!!!! But I lost it at BlogHer. The orange one is snazzy.
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4 Amberon 18 Aug 2009 at 7:46 am
\m/: D
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5 Graceon 18 Aug 2009 at 7:58 am
What a great post, and what a great experience. Since I’m relocating near D.C., I am crossing my fingers that I can be involved next year.
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Awesome!! There is definitely always a need for more help!
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6 Tillon 18 Aug 2009 at 8:02 am
Roadie love!! Thanks for the shoutout, my friend… you were my rock last week!
p.s. Do you have any XLR to 1/4″ cables?
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
NO I DO NOT HAPPEN TO HAVE THEM
How did Sunday go? I really wish I could have been there to rip off all that damn tape so we can start over next year.
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7 Maureenon 18 Aug 2009 at 8:25 am
Oh man, Maggie and I went school shopping yesterday and she picked out a t shirt that says, “I am a rockstar.” Just two more years and she can rock out!
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
God, what next, is she going to be in college??
I can’t wait to see her at rock camp!
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8 Jenon 18 Aug 2009 at 8:48 am
Rock on. Literally. I’m glad it was so rewarding!
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9 TAOon 18 Aug 2009 at 8:49 am
Wow…it sounds like a great way to spend time. Also, it’s the kind of camp kids love. More fun than learning to tie knots. LOL! Also, less prone to have a horror movie written about it where a mysterious killer stalks the counselors.
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10 Beckion 18 Aug 2009 at 9:00 am
So very very cool! Good on you for doing this. I wish this kind of thing was around when I was a kid, what a different life I would have. =)
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I know, right? Things would be different. You should still go volunteer for the Portland camp though. It really bring people together.
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11 mandyon 18 Aug 2009 at 9:10 am
What an awesome post! Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication….we couldn’t have done it without you!
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
It takes a village! 😀
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12 Julieon 18 Aug 2009 at 9:17 am
Thanks for the beautiful post, Kim, and for all of your amazing work! Let’s set a time for me to come out to Laurel so we can jam together and then go thrifting.
xo
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Kim Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I am 100% interested in this jam/thrift plan. I am not sure how late the thrift stores are open, or if evenings are an option, but my next 2 weekends are loosely planned!
You are awesome, fyi, in case I failed to mention.
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13 Beccaon 18 Aug 2009 at 9:33 am
Kim, I LOVED this post, and I love that you do this! What a fantastic experience for all!
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14 Sheilson 04 Sep 2009 at 1:29 pm
Kim! This is such a great post. I love your insider’s view.
I also love how we all work so hard at our own roles all camp week we’re surprised at the drama of others. Like cables.
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