And such a blast! But I do have to say, I’m hurting, bad. My knees and right gastroc are totally shot from yesterday, I couldn’t even squeeze in a short run today. Hell, I was barely able to walk around Whole Foods tonight while picking up some dinner. Why? I spent Friday and Saturday at the Bringing It Back For The Kids Fest 2011 at Rocketown in Pompano Beach. Two days of hardcore and straightedge music, all tied together by amazing people. Many, many, many thanks go out to Alex and Cliff, without them none of this weekend would have been possible. I am indebted to each of them.

It was so awesome to see so many of my friends under one roof, all having a good time. Throughout nearly forty bands and countless mosh pits, there was a single fight that ended nearly as quickly as it began. Which is something quite amazing given the immeasurable amounts of pissed off and testosterone found at every turn. But this weekend helped to really highlight to people who while hardcore music, at its core, is about being pissed off, there’s more respect going around than anything else. Concerts like this are what keep me coming back to the hardcore scene, despite the fact that I barely listen to any hardcore at all these days, I’ve seen very few communities that are this tight and together especially down in South Florida. A lot of the time, it is all about two things and two things only: the music and no bullshit. I could not ask for a better scene to be involved in. I do hope that there is a Bringing It Back For The Kids Fest 2012, that would be unreal.

But I have to say that all the standing up and moving really rocked my body in a bad way. As much as I may not like it, I may have to finally retire my cowboy boots because I believe they are the source of much of my discomfort today. If I could find something that was flat-soled yet offered as much comfort and protection as my boots, I would be so happy. After the Meloxicam wore off around mid-afternoon, walking was a chore even though I was in flat sneakers. I hope to heal up fairly quickly, my fitness is already at sad levels without this injury. While I’ve done this many times — being on my feet for 8 or more hours a day in boots — it has never gotten to this point and that has me worried about my burgeoning running regiment. Perhaps the added weight of my camera bag was a contributing factor but I know I have to drop some weight that I do not carry around in a messenger bag. We will see what happens come Tuesday when I am supposed to run again.

None of that could take away from the awesomeness of today, it was my girlfriend’s birthday, making it the ninth or tenth one we’ve celebrated together. While I did not have anything in specific planned for today, it all worked out and we had a great time. Delicious food at our favorite vegetarian Indian restaurant, hours of game play at Dave & Buster’s, topped off by seeing the movie Bridesmaids (The Hangover for chicks and just as funny) and a delicious home cooked steak. I could not have asked for more so I do hope that I made her day just as much fun as I had. The saddest part is that the weekend is now over and we have to go to work tomorrow.

It should be a busy week as I have a lot of photo editing to do from the fest, along with shots from a photo shoot I did last week, and I have to get moving around again. I slept with the heating pad on my knees last night, I want to do it again tonight although I may just opt for Icy Hot wraps instead since they will stay in place throughout the night. Speaking of bed, it is getting late and I think I will get off to sleep now.