Day5
The Triple Rock Social Club is fantastic. We got to the venue, loaded gear in. It was raining like mad when we get there so we had to rush everything inside. We then headed over to the bar/restaurant they have attached to it. Free food for all the bands, plus, it was Wednesday, and they have free bacon every Wednesday night. I'm not a big eater of the bacon, but when you're on tour, and it's free...that's awesome. We all got stuffed, mostly cause we didn't realize how big the portions were for anything. I ordered an appetizer of chicken quesadillas and then shared a plate of vegan nachos with Casey from Battlefields. Being orders off the appetizer menu, I figured we get something small, and then be able to also dive into the moderate portion of vegan nachos...wrong! When they brought out the food the portions were huge. I got two whole chicken-cheese quesadillas that I was barely able to finish, and the plate of vegan nachos was a giant plate piled extremely high. Now that I think about it, I probably should have gotten pictures of it, but I was too overwhelmed with how much food I was given to eat. Needless to say, we were all completely stuffed afterwards, and all wanted to go to sleep before the show, but instead opened up our laptops and had laptop party before the doors opened.
The sound at this place was fantastic. We've played here before, but I had forgotten how awesome it was. I could actually hear everything Matt and Dave were doing, and actually hear Armine's vocals...crazy! I think we played a good show (I hope). Afterwards, the usual packing up and loading out. City of Ships went to stay with people locally, Battlefields headed out to Fargo, and we were to follow suit once we were packed up. The drive to Fargo was only 3hrs or so, but it was along the most boring, flat, and straight stretch of land, that I was afraid of passing out while driving. I told Matt he needed to drive it, but for some reason I ended up doing it just...because I wanted to. We stopped at a truck stop, which looked like there was some kind of tussle between a couple people, cause there were 2 state trooper cars trying to talk to people, get statements, and overall calm things down. We got our energy drinks and snacks and headed back out. Matt hilariously stayed up and listened to me banter away for 3hrs about god knows what. I think I just thought of every stupid subject I could think of, from cell phones, to upcoming stuff on tour, to how a solar eclipse works (dudes...I was getting tired). We made it here in one piece, and ahead of Battlefields, cause apparently Matt had to spend a little quality time on the porcelain throne at one of the truck stops. He had gotten a cheeseburger quesadilla at the Triple Rock, and I think he was regretting it then.
We slept at Rusty's from Battlefields, and I'm now writing this as I wake from my coma from last night. My legs are falling asleep from sitting on the floor, and I'm also charging up the cell so I can make some calls to my mom. Stay tuned.
7.08.2010
7.07.2010
Rosetta/City of Ships 2010: Day3 & 4
Day3
Chicago looks exactly how we left it. There was some used fireworks in an elementary school recess yard, which was the most exploded ordinance I've ever seen in one place in my life. The venue wasn't open when we arrived so we walked to the aldi and got some groceries. I got a box of straberries, and a box of cherries.
They were extremely delicious.
After the show we went and stayed with one of the friends of Battlefields. His house was nice and cozy (and had central air). There was also a big dog that was the sweetest thing. I wish I took a picture of her. Nothing else really interesting (or that I can remember after the fact) happened the rest of that day, so...
Day4
Drive was long and boring. It got a little interesting when my cellphone started 'roaming' and was unable to use my GPS. Luckily, both Matt and Armine have cellphones with GPS as well. We got to the VFW in Wausau, Wisconsin. There was a really pretty lake at the end of the parking lot so we stood there and wandered around till we saw someone that looked like they were here for the show.
I was excited when we entered the building, cause it was airconditioned, and also, all hardwood floors, meaning I would actually be able to use my drum rug that I brought, and as of then, had not used. We also went to find a local grocery store, but found a hippy organic grocery store. Everything was entirely too expensive, but it was the only store we could find. Dave had an idea to make tacos/burritos with peppers, beans, etc. So our simple concoction was gonna cost $25...crazy, but it turned out to be really good. I also picked up a giant bottle of Naked blueberry fruit juice.
I felt bad cause I fell asleep during Battlefields, and City of Ships sets. I was just falling asleep on the floor next to my drums. I left and went to the van and passed out in the passengers seat. Finally we played and it was intense. People were really into it, people were rocking out, and singing along with Armine. They even asked for an encore. Armine made mention asking anyone if they have a hottub, which was just a funny way of asking if anyone had a place for dudes to sleep that night. A really nice dude brought us to his parents mansion thing...it's crazy. A designer home, gigantic and beautiful. They also have a huge bull mastiff the size of a picnic table. He fed us some eggo waffles, some leftover hoagies and we went to bed.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night on tour and have weird episodes not knowing where I am. The basement we slept in was especially dark, and when I woke up I had a weird waking-dream that I was in some sorta warehouse trying to light candles..it was incredibly weird. As I'm sitting there trying to figure out what to do, I slowly realized I was in some dudes basement in Wisconsin...then tried to go back to sleep. Anyway...that's my unusual story and stuff. Stay tuned.
Chicago looks exactly how we left it. There was some used fireworks in an elementary school recess yard, which was the most exploded ordinance I've ever seen in one place in my life. The venue wasn't open when we arrived so we walked to the aldi and got some groceries. I got a box of straberries, and a box of cherries.
They were extremely delicious.
After the show we went and stayed with one of the friends of Battlefields. His house was nice and cozy (and had central air). There was also a big dog that was the sweetest thing. I wish I took a picture of her. Nothing else really interesting (or that I can remember after the fact) happened the rest of that day, so...
Day4
Drive was long and boring. It got a little interesting when my cellphone started 'roaming' and was unable to use my GPS. Luckily, both Matt and Armine have cellphones with GPS as well. We got to the VFW in Wausau, Wisconsin. There was a really pretty lake at the end of the parking lot so we stood there and wandered around till we saw someone that looked like they were here for the show.
I was excited when we entered the building, cause it was airconditioned, and also, all hardwood floors, meaning I would actually be able to use my drum rug that I brought, and as of then, had not used. We also went to find a local grocery store, but found a hippy organic grocery store. Everything was entirely too expensive, but it was the only store we could find. Dave had an idea to make tacos/burritos with peppers, beans, etc. So our simple concoction was gonna cost $25...crazy, but it turned out to be really good. I also picked up a giant bottle of Naked blueberry fruit juice.
I felt bad cause I fell asleep during Battlefields, and City of Ships sets. I was just falling asleep on the floor next to my drums. I left and went to the van and passed out in the passengers seat. Finally we played and it was intense. People were really into it, people were rocking out, and singing along with Armine. They even asked for an encore. Armine made mention asking anyone if they have a hottub, which was just a funny way of asking if anyone had a place for dudes to sleep that night. A really nice dude brought us to his parents mansion thing...it's crazy. A designer home, gigantic and beautiful. They also have a huge bull mastiff the size of a picnic table. He fed us some eggo waffles, some leftover hoagies and we went to bed.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night on tour and have weird episodes not knowing where I am. The basement we slept in was especially dark, and when I woke up I had a weird waking-dream that I was in some sorta warehouse trying to light candles..it was incredibly weird. As I'm sitting there trying to figure out what to do, I slowly realized I was in some dudes basement in Wisconsin...then tried to go back to sleep. Anyway...that's my unusual story and stuff. Stay tuned.
7.05.2010
Rosetta/City of Ships 2010: Day2
Day2
Pounding headache, sore muscles, but otherwise, super duper. Dave's promising a decadent breakfast of stuffed french toast. Can't wait.
--
Got to the show. The fireworks were already flying all around us. It sounded like a war zone…only prettier. The venue is a house, and the basement we're playing in is 'cozy' which means, we barely fit and it's gonna be god awful hot. Luckily the upstairs living room (where we're also be sleeping tonight) is air-conditioned.
The show was great, aside from matt's power dying half way through the first song cause the power strip he was using had too much stuff plugged into it. We moved some stuff around and everything worked out okay.
After the last band dragged their american flag (which was apparently used it as a prop while they were playing) outside and proceeded to set it on fire.
The air smelled like smoke, and there's still explosions going...
I forgot what I was gonna write now. Armine just showed me a 'brokencyde' video. My jaw dropped and I completely forgot what I was writing about.
…anyway, explosions going off still. There was food. I had 2 sloppy joes, a hotdog, and some chips. I just walked 'Plan 9 from outer space', the movie 'Ed Wood' is about. One of the WORST movies ever…period. I'm downloading Ed Wood right now just cause I haven't seen it in forever, and now having actually seen 'Plan 9 from outer space' it'll be an even greater experience. I also downloaded the Team America soundtrack. There will be much rejoicing in the van tomorrow on the way to…wherever we're going. I can never keep our tour schedule straight.
*checks rosettaband.com for tour schedule*
We're in Chicago tomorrow, or…today. It's now 1:35am and I'm ready to go to bed. I'm still soaked from the show because a) it's so humid I'm not actually drying off, and b) I immediately went into the air-conditioning instead of going to change clothes, which I'll probably do right after posting this. Good night, and another update tomorrow [so long as there is internet available]
Pounding headache, sore muscles, but otherwise, super duper. Dave's promising a decadent breakfast of stuffed french toast. Can't wait.
--
Got to the show. The fireworks were already flying all around us. It sounded like a war zone…only prettier. The venue is a house, and the basement we're playing in is 'cozy' which means, we barely fit and it's gonna be god awful hot. Luckily the upstairs living room (where we're also be sleeping tonight) is air-conditioned.
The show was great, aside from matt's power dying half way through the first song cause the power strip he was using had too much stuff plugged into it. We moved some stuff around and everything worked out okay.
After the last band dragged their american flag (which was apparently used it as a prop while they were playing) outside and proceeded to set it on fire.
The air smelled like smoke, and there's still explosions going...
I forgot what I was gonna write now. Armine just showed me a 'brokencyde' video. My jaw dropped and I completely forgot what I was writing about.
…anyway, explosions going off still. There was food. I had 2 sloppy joes, a hotdog, and some chips. I just walked 'Plan 9 from outer space', the movie 'Ed Wood' is about. One of the WORST movies ever…period. I'm downloading Ed Wood right now just cause I haven't seen it in forever, and now having actually seen 'Plan 9 from outer space' it'll be an even greater experience. I also downloaded the Team America soundtrack. There will be much rejoicing in the van tomorrow on the way to…wherever we're going. I can never keep our tour schedule straight.
*checks rosettaband.com for tour schedule*
We're in Chicago tomorrow, or…today. It's now 1:35am and I'm ready to go to bed. I'm still soaked from the show because a) it's so humid I'm not actually drying off, and b) I immediately went into the air-conditioning instead of going to change clothes, which I'll probably do right after posting this. Good night, and another update tomorrow [so long as there is internet available]
7.04.2010
Rosetta/City of Ships 2010: Day1
Day1-
So I woke up late. We went to pack the van at 10pm Friday, which was a mistake, since I had to be up at 6:30am Saturday to start my pickup run. I also had to do my laundry, but fell asleep once I put everything in the dryer.
I woke up to my cell phone jingle ringing on my desk across the room. I darted up and over to pick it up and had an awkward conversation with Armine. He asked if I had just woke up, I said, "kinda..." and then hungup to freak out for a second before taking a shower, collecting my laundry/etc, packing it all, and rushing out the door like a madman.
Everything after that went pretty much off without a hitch. The van was a little crowded with 5 dudes and tons of extra merch that hadn't been sorted yet, but we coor tough it to Detroit. Once on the highway it was smooth sailing. A little hot, a few hills, but nothing special. Zoning in and out and being slowly worked into my driving tdance, all is well...till I miss te exit and we have to pay extra money to get off the highway and turn around.
Okay, one little hiccup so far, no biggie. But when it rains, it pours. Heading up one hill I hear a clank and see the 'check engine' light flashing. It's been on before, but never flashed before. I started to smell something weird, an odor similar to a 'Deejay' fog machine. Never a good sign. About a quarter mile later the blinking stops, and the smell dissipates. Another quarter mile though, the engine temperature starts rising dramatically. The smoke machine smell gets more intense, an when the temperature hit the red, smoke started coming out of the vents.
I'm on hold with AAA transferring me around to different departments because many places already being closed for the 4th of July weekend. Luckily one towing place was open, and one garage. The towing company even had a truck with an extended cab to accommodate our plethora of dudes.
At first, we weren't guaranteed the van could be fixed today, which would blow, because it wouldn't be worked on till Monday (because of the 4th), blowing 3 days of show right off the bat. However, they were able to get us in at the last second. Turns out some pipe somewhere between the engine and the engine coolant exploded off the van, probably due to all the hills, and the amount if gear, extra merch, and dudes it was having to pull up them. The part and labor only cost us an hour or so of drive time and $188.
We're in our way to Detroit now; hoping the van lives the remainder of tour (the entirety) and hoping we make it in time to actually play.
--
Despite the fact that it was midnight when we got there, a few people stuck around and rocked out. We even played an encore, which is always a weird thing to me.
So I woke up late. We went to pack the van at 10pm Friday, which was a mistake, since I had to be up at 6:30am Saturday to start my pickup run. I also had to do my laundry, but fell asleep once I put everything in the dryer.
I woke up to my cell phone jingle ringing on my desk across the room. I darted up and over to pick it up and had an awkward conversation with Armine. He asked if I had just woke up, I said, "kinda..." and then hungup to freak out for a second before taking a shower, collecting my laundry/etc, packing it all, and rushing out the door like a madman.
Everything after that went pretty much off without a hitch. The van was a little crowded with 5 dudes and tons of extra merch that hadn't been sorted yet, but we coor tough it to Detroit. Once on the highway it was smooth sailing. A little hot, a few hills, but nothing special. Zoning in and out and being slowly worked into my driving tdance, all is well...till I miss te exit and we have to pay extra money to get off the highway and turn around.
Okay, one little hiccup so far, no biggie. But when it rains, it pours. Heading up one hill I hear a clank and see the 'check engine' light flashing. It's been on before, but never flashed before. I started to smell something weird, an odor similar to a 'Deejay' fog machine. Never a good sign. About a quarter mile later the blinking stops, and the smell dissipates. Another quarter mile though, the engine temperature starts rising dramatically. The smoke machine smell gets more intense, an when the temperature hit the red, smoke started coming out of the vents.
I'm on hold with AAA transferring me around to different departments because many places already being closed for the 4th of July weekend. Luckily one towing place was open, and one garage. The towing company even had a truck with an extended cab to accommodate our plethora of dudes.
At first, we weren't guaranteed the van could be fixed today, which would blow, because it wouldn't be worked on till Monday (because of the 4th), blowing 3 days of show right off the bat. However, they were able to get us in at the last second. Turns out some pipe somewhere between the engine and the engine coolant exploded off the van, probably due to all the hills, and the amount if gear, extra merch, and dudes it was having to pull up them. The part and labor only cost us an hour or so of drive time and $188.
We're in our way to Detroit now; hoping the van lives the remainder of tour (the entirety) and hoping we make it in time to actually play.
--
Despite the fact that it was midnight when we got there, a few people stuck around and rocked out. We even played an encore, which is always a weird thing to me.
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