ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / July 11, 2000

Well, against all odds, I made it. This past week I went to Bushnell, Ill., for theCornerstone Music Festival. My family and friends bet that I would not make itthe whole week. My dad promised that no amount of crying was going to get me aplane ticket home. I knew that this was the definite truth. I guess that I am not what you would call a low-maintenance girl. In fact, thethought of me camping was actually amusing to the people that know me best.

There would be no air conditioning or blow dryers, and I would even have to shower in portable trailers. I honestly doubted that I could do it myself. But Iknew that it would be fun and memorable, so I went.

Cornerstone is basically a Christian Woodstock. Tons of music, stinky peopleand yes, lots of mud. In fact, it rained the first day I was there. Setting up thetent was in itself a feat, but when the tent collapsed in the middle of the night it was just funny. The people with us in other tents said they heard us but saidthat we were laughing so hard they thought it was just girls being silly.

Thankfully that was the only real catastrophe, unless you count slipping numerous times in the mud and having to sleep in a car one night.

The first day I was honestly miserable. Being with my friends is always fun, butin those kinds of conditions it is hard to see any good come out of something I felt like I was being stretched just a little too much. The funny thing was thatonce I accepted where I was and that the only thing that I could change to make me have a better time was my attitude, I started having fun. The mud wasn’t sogross anymore, and I was happy that any kind of shower was accessible. Most ofthe time we take for granted where we are and concentrate on where would be more comfortable. But if I had done that then I would not have enjoyed the musicor fellowship as much.

I will remember the fun times with my friends this week and all of the awesome concerts I got to attend. But I think that the one thing I can take fromthis whole experience is that attitude really is everything and the only thing that can truly make you miserable is your own negativity.

If you have any questions or comments write to me at P.O. Box 1493, LaPlace, LA70069.

Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © #Thisyear# Wick Communications, Inc.Best viewed with 4.0 or higher