So much partying.

I've gone to at least 12 EDM events this year, excluding tour shows and club events (these are even more numerous); I have two major events left this year, Escape So Cal and Give Thanks. Because I am adamant about paying off my car and cutting back on the partying next year, I'm trying to figure out which events I'll let myself go to in 2016.

So far, I've decided on:
January: Dreamstate SF
September: Beyond Wonderland Bay Area
December: Snowglobe or Decadence CO

This upcoming NYE (3 months away!), I'm gonna do something low-key. I just want a change in pace. Also need to start cutting back, so NYE will be a good starting point. Maybe...

Anyway, back to 2016. I've bought my ticket for EDC's 20th anniversary. So have many members of my rave fam. I'm not sure I want to go. But it is the 20th anniversary. Also the first EDC for quite a few friends. But I also have that stipulation that I wouldn't go unless I was dating someone who wanted to go; I don't think I'll be dating anyone who wants to go haha. What to do? Do I really want to go to Las Vegas a third time? No, not really. But EDC with the whole rave fam... One more time could be worth it.

I also want to go to Electric Forest in Michigan, which is basically right after EDC. It could be an either or situation. Or I could say "screw it" and go to both. I just want to attend a festival outside of California and Nevada haha. Preferably somewhere cooler. I mean, how awesome would it be to dance in the cold? I have no idea, but I want to know. I also just wanna know what it's like to dance in a more natural, green environment instead of a paved dust bowl XD haha.

If I somehow am convinced to go to EDC again, I might try to marathon through to Electric Forest. Depends on how I budget and plan things and how my job situation goes. I could also put off Electric Forest one more year. But if I end up skipping EDC, I think I will definitely be found in the forest in June.


Why am I cutting back? I dunno. I've been going out way too much; it doesn't feel normal to stay in on the weekends anymore, and that's pretty scary. I also want to save money and energy to pay off my car and do other interesting things. I want to find new hobbies. I'm also getting a little bored because these events are almost starting to feel routine; cutting back would probably make these events feel more special again. I'm feeling a little more and more out of place every time I go to an event because I still don't really make new friends. And the body pains are getting worse every time I dance; I used to be able to dance for at least five hours before the back and knee pain set in, but now I barely last an hour or two.

I'd also like to know I have self-control haha. When I say I will or will not do something, I want to keep my word. Really, I just want to have fun doing other things. Free up my weekends to do things I've been wanting to do. Bucket list has been neglected. Must go skydiving and shooting at a range. Want to catch up with a lot of friends.

I also need to learn how to not feel like I'm missing out on things when I don't attend events with my friends. I have to remind myself that I'm not being left behind. I'm just opting to not go.


I know I'm not the same person I was two years ago. I'm a party animal :P But I kinda feel like becoming a non-party animal again, except not. I think I want my default state to be homebody; party animal should be an optional state. It would definitely save me money and energy. Ugh. Energy. I don't recharge as quickly as I used to. I'm getting old.

I just simply want to enjoy life and what it has to offer. I suppose, at the moment, I am conflicted about what part of life I should enjoy. I feel like I've enjoyed enough partying over the past two years. Time to tone it down and enjoy some other facet of life? We'll see what happens.

I finally set foot outside of California.

This past weekend was the first time I took a vacation after entering the workforce :P And it was amazing.

First time leaving California. First time on a road trip with multiple friends (Matt C, Tuan T, Ray C, and Kevin R). First time in Las Vegas. First time at EDC. First Ferris wheel ride. First time listening to a live set by myself. A bunch of firsts.

Some unfortunate things happened. Long drive to LV Thursday night to Friday morning made us all very tired for the start of EDC. Missed a few DJs I really wanted to see. Missed several meet-ups with friends because of terrible cell phone reception and lack of Internet/Wi-Fi. But overall, a good weekend. Tried the buffets at Caesar's Palace and the Bellagio. Had In-N-Out a couple of times. Got stuck in traffic going from the hotel to the Speedway, but interacted with fellow attendees along the way. Drained all my energy from being around 400k+ people--too many people, but great energy. But too many. I think my body went into shock from the amount of people that were there haha. Pretty sure I fell asleep the first night in the stands at 3 in the morning.

Full DJ sets that I experienced: Cedric Gervais, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Gareth Emery, Kaskade, Tiesto, Andrew Rayel, Mat Zo (by myself), Above & Beyond, Axwell /\ Ingrosso, Tommy Trash (missed the ending), Dash Berlin (last time).

Partial DJ sets: Madeon, Orjan Nilsen, Astrix, Paul Oakenfold.

Missed DJ sets: 3LAU, Dyro & Dannic, Cazzette, Sander van Doorn, Bingo Players, R3hab, Alesso, Paul van Dyk.
I will experience their all live sets eventually.

I wish I could have recorded everything that happened, but it was just a very tiring weekend. I got very little sleep or food. Just tried my best to enjoy everything in the moment it happened.

After EDC, I slept from 4PM Monday to 8:30AM Tuesday. I woke up and felt amazing haha. The drive back to SJ was much better than the drive from there. I was awake for most of it. Plenty of energy until I reached home.

Anyway, after this experience, I was perfectly fine not coming back to Vegas or attending EDC again. It could remain a one-time experience, and I would be fine with that. But my friends want to go again. So I'll probably go again next year too :P Maybe I'll get to see all the DJs I missed this time. We'll also be better prepared. Less exhaustion hopefully.

Can't wait!