San Francisco
Ten years ago, I was pretty much at rock bottom.

My attempts at going for it by ditching my 9 to 5 job in IT and becoming an international superstar dj had cost me my marriage, my home, and thanks to a nasty drugs habit, my sanity. I was seriously depressed, and literally down to my last tenner. The only good thing I had was running my little club night that survived by dint of a free venue and some great friends who would come to the club, every month, regular as clockwork, sometimes from hundreds of miles away.

One particular night, the regular crowd was down, including Steve, a project manager by day, dj by night, and sound bloke 24/7. He takes me aside during the night and says

'Listen, Lumpy, me and some of the boys have been invited to Dj in San Francisco. Its going to be awesome, but it just wouldn't be the same if you weren't there. If I sorted you out a ticket and found you a sofa to sleep on, would you come?'

I cried.

I had felt so low up to that point, so utterly directionless and lost that I had no idea how to pull myself out of the tailspin that I was in. Steve gave me something that I hadnt known since the world was young - something to look forward to.

I accepted his wonderful offer, and realised that I would need some spending money for the trip so that I didn't have to sponge off anyone for drinks and food. I got myself a crappy temping job in an office, and started getting a little cash together.

The trip came around, and four of us flew out. I'd managed to get some sofa space with a dj friend who lived out there. In Pacific Heights. In an enormous house in one of the best locations the city had to offer. The place was owned by an artist who rented rooms out to up and coming creative types who needed a warm friendly environment to work. The house was filled with paintings and sculptures and kindred spirits, happy to share food, time and stories.

When we played at the club, the brits absolutely tore the arse off of the place. My own contribution was small, but it was so much fun seeing the locals literally run into the room to hear us play. At the end of the night, the promoter came by and passed us all envelopes. Mine had almost the same amount of cash in it that I had scraped together for the trip. I was gobsmacked - i'd expected to play for a few beers.

The rest of the week was a flurry of random, raw experience - having a pass made at me by another dj, visiting the museum of comic book art, getting sunburned in November, making a pilgrimage to Hunter S Thompson's apartment where he wrote his book on Hells Angels, paddling in the sea by the Golden Gate Bridge whilst watching pelicans fly overhead, a shared lunch in an Armenian restaurant, buying vinyl at Amoeba records, and many many beers accompanied by many many laughs.

This trip turned my life around. From here, things just got better and better.

Ive never had the chance to pay Steve back. Whilst still good friends, we don't mix in the same circles any more, and I haven't seen him in the flesh for years. I'd like to think that he knew that his incredible act of kindness probably saved my life. One day, I hope to help someone out the way he helped me.

Apologies for length, but it just all poured out.
(djlumpyrulesok beware of cousin Mosquito and his solo, Fri 21 Nov 2014, 23:17, 13 replies)

See without contributions like this
we'd be dead on our arses.
( edjogs Collared doves are shit., Fri 21 Nov 2014, 23:23, closed)

Top anecdotage here.
*click*
( .Yeti. El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Fri 21 Nov 2014, 23:31, closed)

I like this story, it is nice.

(Plague Hedgehog 'posting crap', Sat 22 Nov 2014, 0:04, closed)

This is good and I have clicked.

(McChinaman banned, Sat 22 Nov 2014, 2:38, closed)

haha!
You and your friend are DJs but you don't mix in the same circles any more!
(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Sat 22 Nov 2014, 13:06, closed)

you sure turned the turntables on him there
erm, yes.
( rofl harris, Mon 24 Nov 2014, 14:52, closed)

he wasn't up to scratch

( cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Tue 25 Nov 2014, 2:12, closed)

Nice.

( Locus213 Slightly to the left of Bakunin, Mon 24 Nov 2014, 13:42, closed)

We played drum & bass at 'em
and they came charging in from the other room for it.
Lumpy wore a horses head and I fucked up a set in the main room by knocking out a USB cable. Sorry Phil & Dog.
Splendid fun. :)
( Fathter Puddytat Kill Kill dat widdle boid is mine on, Mon 24 Nov 2014, 22:26, closed)

This is Steve - say hi to Steve, everyone!
Had no idea he was a B3tard. Not surprised, mind you
(djlumpyrulesok beware of cousin Mosquito and his solo, Tue 25 Nov 2014, 20:40, closed)

Sshh!
My profile says I've a member for 8 years, 6 months and 28 days. Kin'ell.
( Fathter Puddytat Kill Kill dat widdle boid is mine on, Tue 25 Nov 2014, 21:31, closed)

7 years, 11 months and 16 days
im sure this says something deep and meaningful
(djlumpyrulesok beware of cousin Mosquito and his solo, Tue 25 Nov 2014, 21:54, closed)

:)

( drimble he'd been white, he'd been black, Wed 26 Nov 2014, 1:50, closed)