I brought my family and a friend from Detroit, Mi. to Wasaga Beach for a 4 day weekend/vacation. Of course, the main reason for making the trip was to see The Hip. I rented a cottage that had a small yard with picnic tables. As you have read, I tried to organize a Hipbase gathering prior to the show, so I could put some faces with the screen names I know. It was pretty successful, with two large groups of people coming by the cottage to say hello. Unfortunately, the two groups missed each other by minutes.
Chris(Chris), Darren(D-Man), Trevor(Man-Sized Eldorado) and Cameron showed up. Angie(Dyersbay) arrived with a group of her friends. Stephen Dame and ShannonW, who both attended the Ottawa show the night before, came with friends too. Everyone was very friendly and nice. We met for less than an hour and went our seperate ways. We crossed paths again at the show, but hung out in seperate areas. Stephen, Shannon and their friends made it to the barrier in front of the band. They were crushed a bit , but said the experience was awesome! We were in the Gold Circle area way off to the far left on Paul's side. It was elevated above the general admission area and gave us a great unobstructed view of 'The Boys'. The fans in GA were much closer, but I enjoyed my spot.
The show started an hour late at 7:05 pm. The Hip played an awesome 18 song set, then came out for two encores which included 5 more tunes. Some of the highlights included Gord doing his mikestand rant 3 or 4 times throughout the show. Another was when Gord announced, "We're at the 100th Meridian". The crowd let out a very loud cheer. Then Gord said quickly, twice in a row and in a muffled voice, "Shut the F**k Up"! He waited a moment and said, "No, go ahead and yell your head off"! The band launched into the song, which was one of the best performances of the night. Gord was flinching and flailing wildly at a rapid pace, then suddenly he began moving in slow motion. Then he did his gorilla imitation and finally he straddled his mikestand as if he were riding a horse. He pretended to be a rider who had fallen asleep in the saddle as the horse kept on.
Then during the musical interlude prior to the great, last, fast verse in 100th, Gord said,"Uh-Oh, she's gonna steal the show. Here come the tits"! I couldn't see the person, but she flashed the guys by lifting her shirt. The band kept playing but Gord had stopped, amused by this woman's antics. He suddenly made up a four line rant off the top of his head with each line rhyming with 'tits'. I wish I could remember what he said because it made me laugh and it ended with 'Here come the tits'. Gord then finished the song and collapsed in a crumpled mass, exhausted and yelling at his mikestand.
The band was very tight and the show was great! At the end Gord said,"This is 'Fire in the Hole', I hate this song. He waited a moment, then said," I don't really hate this song, I just want to stamp out hate. You're all gonna go out there and take care of each other, right"? Great show closing song during which Gord did his rooster/peacock imitation. (Love that!)
After the show I ran into Mark(Markslog), Dave( BornaLion) and his brother. I had a great time at the show and enjoyed meeting everyone from the Hipbase. I hope to meet other Hipbasers at the Sarnia Bayfest.
I forgot to mention one exciting thing that happened to my wife Carolyn(WheatQueen) and her best friend Suzie after the show. Behind the Gold Circle area was a large security area with trailers for the bands. There were numerous O.P.P. and concert security about, and it appeared there would be no way to meet the band.
I am a firefighter/paramedic. On the same city block where the security area was, is the local fire station. We decided to go there so I could kibitz with the guys on duty and check out the fire apparatus. While I was touring the station, Carolyn and Suzie walked behind it to have a smoke without telling me. The fire station backed up to the security area. Through the fence Carolyn saw Paul speaking with two women. Carolyn and Suzie called to him and he waved, but the women talking to him kept his attention. Robbie was standing nearby talking to Billy Ray, The Hip's long time head roadie. The girls called to him and he walked behind the trailers to speak with them through the fence. I came out of the fire station to find those guys were gone and wandered off looking for them.
In the meantime, Carolyn and Suzie spoke with Robbie for 5 minutes. When leaving he said he was sorry he couldn't give the girls a handshake or hug, but he stuck his fingers through the fence and they shook fingertips. I thought that was funny and very nice of Robbie. Of course, I was disappointed that I missed meeting him after I had heard the story. Someday I will get another chance.
) and I talked to D-Man for a bit up front! Every one was very friendly... hugh was exciting and the whole weekend was MADNESS. 
haha. Had no probs with parking..found a place right off the main strip for $15. Pinted at the car for a bit then we made our way down to the beach to take in the sights!!! Climbed up the stairs to one of the rooftop bars and drank ample pitchers of beer (got a good hip chant going too 
