Yep, not exactly sure how to spell Cinncinatti so I’m calling it CinCin.

Today June woke up at 7:00 so so did I! We had breakfast at the hotel and went for a little swim, then it was time to make the trip into CinCin. It was only about a half hour, once we got there it was storming so we all sat on the bus and watched Chronicles of Narnia. Spent the rest of the afternoon bummin’ around town. Took the girls to a toy store, their mom had given them some money for one toy each and they chose some little umbrellas that look like a cat and a fairy. Then we had something to eat at a little pub.

The coolest part of the day was getting to see my cousin Emily for the first time in what we figured to be 5 years! She goes to school just outside of CinCin and so she drove in and took me to get some authentic CinCin Chilli. For those of you who don’t know authentic CinCin chilli comes on top of spaghetti noodles with cheese piled on top. It’s amazing. Then I showed her our bus and we went into the club and saw the tail end of the body mutalation artist?? He put his hand in a rat trap, drank half a bottle of windex, and escaped from a straight jacket. He was kinda funny.

Came back to the bus and watched Chronicles of Narnia again with mags (its her new favorite movie).

Chicago tomorrow. Then pumped to see all my friends in Minneapolis on Wednesday! :)

Last night was my first night at merchandise sales. Or as we in the biz like to call it, “merch.” It was a late show because “Cute Is What We Aim For” did the early show. Beause I wasn’t on nanny duty that night I got to go watch the early show and was sadly very disappointed by what I saw. The opening bands sounded like they had barely come out of their garage phase, and ciwwaf wasn’t much better. I’m pretty sure every pre-teen in Ohio was there, and their parents were lining the back wall. Before the final song the lead singer gave a heartfelt confession of his own alcoholism, and announced he has now been sober for 10 months, at which point every 14 yr old girl shrieked and teared up. They were so pround of him!… Gag me!

After the cute bands moved out we got to move in. Load in was pretty exciting because we were all rushed to get set up so there could be a sound check, and I had to set up all my merch before the doors opened. I also got to get to know the Free Energy (the opening band) guys a lot better last night and they are so awesome, not to mention their music is super catchy and great. A few of them are even from Red Wing, MN so we talked about all the places we knew. Scott was working their merch so I talked to him a lot and the time went really fast.

For the most part the selling merch was easy. Except for a few choice costomers. For example, “Cheap Creeper McFlirt,” who tried to “sweet talk” me into giving him a discount on a CD. Then there was “Mr.&Mrs. Beligerant Drunk.” Mrs. was so wasted she could barely stand, and Mr. kept chatting with me about Gwen Stefani. And last but not least, “About to get kicked out guy.” I have to say he was my favorite. The bouncer followed him to my table and kept a close eye as drunky gave advice to every costomer about which shirt they should get then proceeded to tell me that he wanted to buy all 6 records and 2 CD’s. I, of course, didn’t believe that he was serious, so in an effort to get him to leave I said, “ok, well the total for all that is $75, so either show me the money or move along sir.” And to everyones suprise (i’m sure including his own when he checked his wallet the following morning) he handed me $80. I gave him his merchandise and he told me to keep the change. Just after our exchange he was escorted out of the club, but didn’t forget to slur and announcement; that you should always let pretty ladies keep the change.

We didn’t get out of the club until about 3 so this morning I slept until about 11. By which point we were parked in Mason, Ohio for our day off. Mason, Ohio was basically a truck stop and a hotel. The day was filled with sitting out at the pool, playing soccer, and eating every meal at Perkins. A very good day. Tomorrow is Cinncinatti!

I also want to say… HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO MY DADDIO UP-CHUCK!!!

Hellllllllo

Got lazy last night and watched Freaky Friday with mags instead of posting this.

So Pittsberg, it was cool. A sweet town. I walked over a cool bridge. Our first stop was a radio station where J&K played live. The girls and I went to a sprinkler park and out for pizza and Ice cream. Then we drove to the club which was an old church renovated into a club so the inside was really awesome looking. Mags and I bonded over a paint by number in the afternoon, then we hung out in the club the rest of the evening. The green room was like the old parsonage so we had like an entire apartment to ourselves. Julia also trained me in to do merch last night so Tonight I get to for my first time. I’m extra excited because tonight Cute is What We Aim For is doing the early show! Hopefully I’ll get to meet them. Oh and I got to take a shower last night…which was GREAT!  Today I was up with June at 730. Gah! But it was cool cuz later I got an iced mocha and it was the best. Later J&K,the girls, and I went to a pool in town and got some sun! It was wonderful except I think i’m fried :( There’s a Chipotle in town, I’m going to try to resist. Right now I’m chillin on the bus watching soccer. Tomorrow is a day off, there is an amusement park that I think most of the people on this bus will be going to, but I’ll probably pass. Rides suck! haha. But we’ll see.

Today was a good day! Got most of the day off from my nannying duties because J&K took the girls to a museum so I got to go out and explore Philly all day with Mark and Julia. We ate at this trendy cafe and got to see some of the less touristy parts of the city. It was so awesome. The club today was a church that lets this guy rent out their basement as a venue, and the green room (or like the backstage area for the bands and crew) was the sanctuary. Mags and I got a little lost looking for this huge fountain but luckily eventually found it. Met the members of the band Suckers tonight and apparently Weird Al is going to be at the show tonight because Todd knows him. Todd is being a major drama king again. He wants to go in between the opening band and MOS, and still is requesting that he get his own hotel room everyday. But otherwise all is well! Everyone on the bus is really starting to bond. We all became facebook offically friends today. :)

I do have to say that I miss everyone back home though and can’t wait to be in minneapolis in a few days!!!

Mags and me playing soccer in the watertgate music club. Rochester, NY.

June and Maggie eating frozen yogurt in New Hampton, Ma.

and inside the bus!

Woke up this morning in Rochester, NY to the sound of rain and smell of homemade bread cooking. The bus driver Micheal, (bigger guy, lame jokes, bass pro fishing hat, nice) always leaves bread cooking for us each morning before he goes off to his hotel bed. Since the stingy club didn’t give us anything on our list last night there was nothing for breakfast so J&K, the girls, Julia and I ventured out into the rain/city for some breakfast. Today we had a day room at the Raddison so we ended up eating a nice breakfast there, I had pancakes. The rest of the day consisted of walking back and forth to the hotel, playing soccer with Mags in the club, and relaxing with an insanely long rolling stone article about Jay-z while June napped. For dinner mags and I went to the hotel again. Today since the club wasn’t making us dinner they just gave everyone on the bus ten dollars cash to fend for themselves. I was pretty bummed that we didn’t get to go to the hotel pool, beause it was a roof top pool overlooking the city. We stuck our feet in but when you’re hanging with people with a 7pm bed time the days are just too short to fit everything in.

I really want to trade Jobs with Julia beause it’s kinda awkward with her being the old nanny and me kinda just stepping into the role. She kinda takes over some of the things I’m supposed to be doing, which i’m not complaining about it just gets weird at times. I also think she just really would rather be doing my job because of how often she is hanging with me and the girls. Being the merch or at least switching off with her would be awesome. I’d get to see the show everynight and actually get to sleep in. haha.

The comedian is still causing drama! He keeps wanting us to get him hotel rooms? It’s like dude, get your own. We have a bus! With wifi! I don’t really get what else he really needs but whatev! Also I’m pretty sure he peed in the buses toilet with the door open when I was sitting like right there. I was too scared to look up to confirm my suspicion.

Heylo,

I am writing from New Hampton, MA! Its a really cute oldschool town with a ton of tall tress and old buildings and touristy type shops. Every shop is like hippie clothes and jewelry or organic food, stuff like that. It’s a super sweet town. Inside of IronHorse Music Hall Mates of State are performing right now! I can hear them in the bus! Speaking of the bus..

Early this morning I woke up and had another wonderful contenental breakfast this time with Kenji (figured out how to spell it!). Then I met Ben Tuttle (tall, fadora, passionate for music, sound guy, works at ameoba records in SanJose, CA, j&k’s friend from college, vegan, skateboarder,nice) Mark picked us up and I had to say goodbye to my hotel suite for good. Sad face. Oh well. When we got to J&k’s house the first thing we saw was the HUGE tour bus. The bus has a front and back lounge, both with widescreen tv’s, wrap around comfy couches, a kitchen area, bathroom (with a toliet that when I sit on it my feet don’t touch the floor, and in which solids aren’t allowed :x) and in the middle 12 bunks! 3 high and 4 wide. Since i’m young I have a top bunk above Maggie.

Once at J&k’s it was caos. Everyone was running around packing and doing last minute preparations. Kori and I escaped with June to go get starbucks for everyone and return some library books. After a delicious, caffiene filled non-fat,white-chocolate mocha, no whip (yeah that’s my very snobbish sounding starbucks order) Everything was much more bearable. Later I met Tom Berry (comedian, older, not too talkative, balding, nice, particular, interesting) And Penos (trumpet player, young, skinny jeans plaid shirt, square jaw, nice, key necklace). They were the last people of the tour to meet…  So now we have

Jason (dad/mos drummer)

Kori (mom/mos/organ)

Maggie (5yr old)

June (2 yr old)

Julia (Merchant/past nanny)

Mark (Tour manager)

Penos (Trumpet backup)

Kenji (bass backup)

Ben (sound guy)

Tom (comedian)

and me!

After loading everything, and everyone, onto the bus we departed CT, for North Hampton, MA! A 1 and 1/2 hour drive! Girls were both taking a nap so everyone else just hung out and chilled and talked in the front of the bus. We arrived in no time and as soon as we got parked the girls and I went for a walk around the city. We found a frozen yogurt shop and got some for snack and then sat in littl park. After that we needed a bathroom break and ended up in a Law Library to find one. I don’t know why but there happened to be two massive stuffed animals in there that Maggie and June loved so we ended up playing in the library for a while until June’s shrills of joy got us kicked out.

Back to the club and bus where we watched set up for a while, until Maggie went to hang with dad and June and I walked to the park. Once we got back it was time for sound check so the girls and I hung out on the bus and ordered what we wanted for dinner. Before we arrive at each club Mark sends a lists of requests and the club gets all those things for us. Tonight the club was a little stingy though so we basically only got dinner. Normally you can ask for a bunch of stuff like even diapers. haha.

Before the show we watched one of the opening acts, a modern dance troup that performed a ten minute duet. It was super, super weird. But we talked to the dancers after and they were really cool. Also there was a little drama with Tom the comedian not wanting to go on until 7 even though he was scheduled for 6:30 threatening to back up the entire show but it was all good in the end. Then it was time to come put June to bed. She went down pretty easily and so did Maggie. So now I just wait and chill until the MOS show is over [(which will be early because the club owner booked a latin dance night for 9:30, apparently he always double books, is always a pain, and basically the club owner form hell)] , and we will roll out for Rochester, NY. About 300 miles away we will be there when we all wake up in the morning :)

Continnental breakfast was very good. Took June to the hotel pool, then chilled back at J&K’s house for the rest of the day. Played like 4 hours of soccer in the backyard with Maggie and went to her Karate class. During which June did quite a number 2 and we were stranded with no diapers! Luckily, Julia ran out and got some before another disaster struck. Was introduced to two more of the people i’ll be living with for the next month or so… Kengee/Ken G…I’m not really sure (Asian, cello-i think-player, two pierced ears, stylish, nice)  Tour officially starts tomorrow with New Hampton, MA.

 Also the cat bit me today…cats are the worst.

Goodnight!

I’m posting this from the above hotel in which I am laying in a huge comfy bed in a suite. Mark (The tour Manager, very nice, music nerd, glasses, gigner, organized, skinny pants, mac), who i’m sharing this suite with, is in the living room watching Family guy/basketball on a huge flat screen tv.  I’ve decided I’m really going to cherish these next two nights, as they will be my last nights in a sleeping in a bed that is not moving on its way to a new state. I even just might hit up the hot tub later :)

Today was a loooong day. Nerve wracking and exciting.Up at 6:30, on the road to the airport by 7:30, arrived at the airport (after a quick stop for a breakfast burritto, dang those things are good!) at 8:45. Bag check, security, boneene, yaddayaddayadda and I’m on the plane taxing to the runway by 10:15. Got to my window seat. Next to me sat a middle aged NewYork-ian couple that was total PDA  the whole time, and of course the second they fall asleep on each other I have to pee. Great. Distracted myself with some Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang until some turbulance woke them up.

I got to see New York, City from above before landing at LaGuardia Airport. I saw the Yankee stadium, Empire State building, and countless other skyscrapers. Finding the right baggage claim was easy, I just creepily stalked the PDA couple through the airport figuring they had to get some bags too. I then steeped out into New York City…alone.

And I stood there for all of three minutes before Julia (Merchandise gal, been Nanny on past tours, will show me the ropes, very nice, was a missionary in thailand, went to beauty school, stylist for kids show yo gabbagabba, 30years old, hip) and June (MOS’s youngest daughter, 18 mos, super cute, talkative, bleach blonde, pigtails, crazy bands) picked me up and, {no zac didn’t drop me on the side of the road in a sketchy area because I now have her job}, wisked me to Connecticut to Jason’s (my cousin, male half of mates of state, june and maggie’s dad, totally cool and chill, tall, fun) house. Where we met up with Kori (short, blonde with bangs, hip, june and maggie’s mom, considerate, fun) and Magnolia (or Maggie, 5yrs., bleach blonde, thick rimmed glasses, very cute, loves soccer, smart, sensitive).

Their house is an older Connecticuit home, but very nice insideand out on a tall tree lined uphill, curvy street, hip like Jason and Kori.

We didn’t stay long before going to Kori’s Mom and Dad’s house where I ate some great food, Met a lot of Kori’s family, and played a family+ kelly and mark game of soccer.

Now here I sit in my hotel suite with nothing to do but contemplate the days ahead, during which I will be packed on a bus with 10 other people. Yes, 11 of us will be on that bus. Julia said you get to be reeeeallly comfortable with the other’s on the bus and that she is glad there is another girl on board.

Maybe the bus will look something like this?

I doubt every update will be this long but I needed to set the scene and I had the time so yeah. Goodnight all!