Saturday April 6 2024

Waking up feeling very well rested at the Holiday Inn Express in Hickory.

 

Banana. Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Driving over to the venue in Newton, the NPAC. This is Rebecca’s old stomping grounds, where she grew up most of her life. It’s a beautiful day out. Loading in and getting the stage ready but without any time constraints unlike yesterday.

 

 

Snacking on a sandwich with chips and coffee.

 

Exploring the old venue and taking our time.

 

Sound check – a couple issues with the sub woofers but all goes well.

 

Dinner: Chicken with Rice, Veggies, Garlic Rolls, and Banana Pudding.

 

Showtime! The place is small but sold out – a fiery energy in here.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

I take the wheel of the rental truck and trailer to get us to Greensboro – with Rebecca, Ed, and Casey. We have to drop off the trailer to the venue so it’s there for us on Friday then hightail it back home – a 5 hour drive in total. I try to sleep in the back after Casey takes the wheel. I have a headache – been a long weekend.

...

The sun is about to come up. Rebecca and I still have to coordinate getting the rentals dropped off to Enterprise. At some point we’re finally in our respective apartments.

 

Friday April 5 2024

Waking up off and on in the back of the tour bus.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At some point the bus starts really dragging along the interstate fighting against the North Carolina mountains, like extremely bad – stuck in 1^st gear – very unusual. We discover there’s a major oil leak and it’s overheating. We’re literally limping along on the shoulder lane getting honked at by all the semi’s. It’s becoming an unsavory situation for sure.

...

We manage to get the building on wheels to a Wal-Mart parking lot and develop a last minute plan that involves leaving the driver at a hotel, getting two rentals, and leaving the bus behind. The whole thing is stressful but we do everything in stride and keep positive attitudes.

 

Now here I am driving the rental truck pulling the weight of the trailer just barely with Ed, Rebecca, and Casey. I’m so incredibly tired and worn out.

 

We arrive super late at the venue in Greeneville, Tennessee. All hands on deck! We’re probably the latest we’ve ever been to a gig. This is probably the quickest sound check and set up ever.

...

At some point we enjoy a really delicious dinner for hospitality.

 

Then show!

 

Packing up and getting everything loaded up. We separate in our rentals.

 

Ed and I share a shift at the wheel (with Casey and Rebecca) to get us to Hickory, North Carolina – about a 2 and a half hour drive. All of us feeling exhausted and loopy from the day’s events.

 

At the Holiday Inn Express settling in. Rebecca and I share a king size bed tonight but there’s an obvious pillow placed between us lol. I tell her, “You know that’s not necessary. I’m gonna respect your boundaries. You act like we’ve never slept in the same bed together,” I joke.

I’m still getting used to this new “friend zone” dynamic but I’ll be alright. We talk about stuff before drifting off to sleep.

Thursday April 4 2024

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Elvis seems to be his usual self with an appetite and playful. Glad to see after what happened last night.

 

Driving the bus to pick up Nancy from Hertz down the street – then we drop her off at Nigel’s. Then, picking up the trailer from Superior – they added a new light and gave it an inspection. Then, having to drive back to Nigel’s to get the locks that got left in the van. Then, at the warehouse cleaning up things and loading up the trailer.

 

Finally back home. Grateful to eat lunch...

Eggs. Asparagus. Carrots. Kale. Bagel. Coffee. Chips.

 

Packing up things – doing chores – spending time with Elvis.

 

At the studio cleaning up the 104 space and catching up on the day’s business.

 

Tempeh Bacon, Quinoa, Salad, and Garlic Bread.

 

Packing up. Then, linking up with Rebecca on the bus.

 

Meeting everyone at the warehouse. Introducing our new driver, Trey, to the group. I literally just met him a few days ago – last minute recruit. He’s very chill and seems capable.

 

Hitting the road – camaraderie on the bus before we all hit the sack.

Wednesday April 3 2024

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on scheduling and business at the computer.

 

Running some errands.

 

Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Spinach. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Grabbing some Mr. Shawarma’s. Then, meeting with Ron and Nigel at Nigel’s to discuss trip planning and ELO money stuff. We’re finally getting to a place where we can distribute back pay checks.

 

Back home. Catching up on everything.

 

I noticed Elvis is acting unusual tonight. At first I could not find him at all. After rousing the roommates I locate him behind the futon couch, a crevice I never thought to check. He’s being very reclusive and will not eat. I guess he’s sick from the anti-inflammatory meds the vet gave him. I watch him really try to eat but he just can’t. I lie down on the couch for a while and watch him drink lots of water and such. Eventually he does eat.

Tuesday April 2 2024

Waking up early at 8:05 a.m. Gotta get Elvis to the vet for his follow up exam.

 

There, the lady at the front desk barely remembered scheduling the exam and come to find out she forgot to put it in their system. Luckily we get it sorted and they take him in.

 

I head back to sleep at the house. Then, back to the vet to talk to Dr. Jenny. She always takes the time to explain everything. Essentially, Elvis’s stones that were showing last October shrunk and disappeared but there’s still one big one (that also has shrunk in size). I get some anti-inflammatory meds for him and we’re good to go.

 

Running all kinds of errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee. Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Grabbing groceries.

 

Chili with Tuna, Quinoa, Asparagus, Carrots, and Garlic Bread.

 

Later on, I visit with Rebecca to catch up but mainly we spend time creating this Happy Birthday sign for Allyson. Meanwhile, her cats play around the living room.

 

Back home. Catching up on chores and business. Enjoying some Lemon Bars that Addy made.

Monday April 1 2024

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on emails and stuff at the computer.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Helping this band set up for their rental. Then, stopping by Pinboys where Allyson and The Lazy Dangers are celebrating her birthday. I haven’t been here in a long time – they revamped the place. I discover a little mini smoking room bar where they do improve comedy – kind of interesting.

 

Pasta, Broccoli, Carrots, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Curb.

 

Catching up on business.

 

At the studio cleaning up and organizing.

 

I decide to sleep on the couch downstairs – Elvis chooses to lie right next to me the whole night.