PHISH Festival 8

Initial impressions of Festival 8 in Indio, California (Oct 30-Nov 1, 2009):

-set 1 (Oct 30) was amazing - Stash was my favorite tune of the set;
-set 2 (Oct 30) was excellent as well;
-set 1 (Oct 31) was pretty good but I wasn't blown away;
-set 2 (Oct 31 - Halloween set) was good, except that I've never really appreciated the Stones. I was really hoping for a Michael Jackson or Radiohead or Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin set;
-set 3 (Oct 31) was most excellent;
-set 1 (Nov 1) was a wonderful acoustic set with so many great tunes. Of course, I loved the acoustic Bouncin' Round the Room most;
-set 2 & 3 (Nov 1) were missed, 'cause we had to drive home (although we caught set 2 on Sirius!);
-the people were peaceful and fun;
-the Halloween costumes were outrageously witty and cool;
-the people were younger and less burnt out than one finds at a Dead show;
-the remote-control thing with the on-fire demolition ball was weird;
-the fiery ceiling was super-trippy;
-the food was surprisingly good (for festival food);
-by the morning of the 3rd day, the Empire Polo Club felt like home;
-the lawn grass was soft and green;
-it was an awesome time!