I am so excited about Oxegen this year. Its a four day event for the first time ever, and I really can't wait. Seeing as I'm up to my eyeballs in debt, it may be the only holiday I get this year. And plus, its the perfect opportunity to bond with my friends, and whatever randomers we happen to stumble upon. I would like to be the kind of person that goes to Oxegen for the music, and someone who consequently puts up with the camping conditions, but I'm not. I love the camping, every bit of it! I have to say that if I heard Daniel O' Donnell or Joe Dolan were headlining at it, I'd still be there like a shot. Of course I've seen some great bands the past 3 years, but they're not really what I remember. When I think of Oxegen I think:carrying back breaking amounts of drink,setting up tents in the wind and rain, talking to complete randomers(convinced you'll be friends for life), mudfights,getting soaked at the water pumps, waiting for the toilets for ages and then not wanting to go when you get there, dancing like a crazy person, smuggling drink into the concert arena, eating because you think you should after two days, calling every steward at the concert Stewart because its funnier, singing round an illegal campfire, waking up to strangers in your tent, coming up with slogans that last until the next year, going on the carnival rides coming off even dodgier than you felt before getting on, honestly, the list could go on and on. I know that maybe for someone who has never been to a festival before, all of this sounds terrible, but how often would you do this in your everyday life. Its one weekend out of the year where you don't care what you look like, because everyone is in the same situation. My older sisters swore they would never go, until they gave in last year and now the two 25 years olds said they can't wait to go back.
There are of course the downsides, security is limited and unfortunately you leave your belongings in your tent at your own risk. Another downfall is that you can't seem to go anywhere these days without encountering drugs, and Oxegen is no exception. They are everywhere, and you learn to recognise the people and groups that are taking them. That is why I think that the legal age for it should be increased from 17 to 18. As much of a hypocrite as it makes me, I don't think that its any place for kids that age, and I'm saying this after three years experience. My younger brother and sister are 17 at Christmas and have their tickets already. I don't want them to go, not that I don't trust their judgement, I just don't trust those around them. Of course I would be the most hated in my family if I told my mother and father that. I just don't think they're mature enough to handle some of the situations they may come across. I know I'm going to spend the weekend worrying about them, and especially my little brother and his temper, but I suppose every silver lining has a cloud not too far away. (and no I didn't mix that up by accident!)
There are of course the downsides, security is limited and unfortunately you leave your belongings in your tent at your own risk. Another downfall is that you can't seem to go anywhere these days without encountering drugs, and Oxegen is no exception. They are everywhere, and you learn to recognise the people and groups that are taking them. That is why I think that the legal age for it should be increased from 17 to 18. As much of a hypocrite as it makes me, I don't think that its any place for kids that age, and I'm saying this after three years experience. My younger brother and sister are 17 at Christmas and have their tickets already. I don't want them to go, not that I don't trust their judgement, I just don't trust those around them. Of course I would be the most hated in my family if I told my mother and father that. I just don't think they're mature enough to handle some of the situations they may come across. I know I'm going to spend the weekend worrying about them, and especially my little brother and his temper, but I suppose every silver lining has a cloud not too far away. (and no I didn't mix that up by accident!)
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