My summer vacation
[Part Four]
July 16, 2003
Waking up at Seamus's house in Portland. We had just played at the Blackbird. It was hot and stuffy in our room; I couldn't get the window to stay open. It was maybe 8:00 am. I looked over at my water bottle and thanked it for saving me from a likely hangover. I finished my library book and woke up Leon. We hadn't really spent any time together being us during the whole tour, so we decided to go on a breakfast date, just us. We navigated our way through the neighborhood, admiring houses and buildings, to the Cricket Cafe, where we had eaten the day before. We ordered food, but it wasn't as good as the first time,which was fine with me because then I wouldn't miss it so much when we had to leave. We walked back and woke up Charles and Amy, showered, dressed and went out again to hit a music store to find Amy a hard case for her 12 string. We walked into one store and due to some strange coincidence, the Dj from chopsticks karaoke was working behind the counter. So he gave Amy a deal and then we went out to lunch at Dot's. Mmmm, Dot's. I split a black bean quesadilla and greek salad with Leon. We went back to Seamus's and relaxed a bit before taking off to Seattle.
Drive, drive up the 5. We got to Seattle and met up with Chris, who was going to show us to his house so that we could dump off our stuff. Ann came too so that she could stop and pick up a keyboard stand they left at a radio station. We met Chris's wife and ate some raspberries they had growing in their back yard. Then we headed up to Chop Suey so that we could watch Radio Dept. and Pipas play with the Vells. To our suprise and complete amazment, Chop Suey had a backstage area/green room stocked with beer and water, as well as a private restroom. Wow. We gathered up Radio Dept., Pipas, Evening Lights and all went out to eat Vietnamese food. The food wasn't great, but it was nice being with everyone and sharing a meal. We went back to the club and got some drinks while we waited for the band to start. I kept getting the bartentder who made weak well drinks, so I stopped drinking. Finally the Pipas played and we danced and sang along. Then we spent the Vells set in their green room drinking their beer and water, playing a game about assesing characters and getting others to guess who you're thinking about. Leon is a beet, Ed is plaid, Lupe was lavendar. No one picked me, so I'm curious about what I'd be. I almost regretted drinking the other bands beer, but then I remembered that the Vells were jerks and took naughty nose drugs. Radio Dept. were on, so we went out and watched them. I received a telegram from Charles that Ed was really drunk and being funny. I passed the message on and we all gravitated towards the merch table to see if we could hear anything. Nothing....yet. The efforts to put together an after party succeeded, but it had to be at Chris's house. Where Arianne was sleeping. All the bands met up at Chris's and promised to be quiet. We said our goodbyes to the Pipas who were leaving to the East Coast the next day. Ah, they were so fun to hang out with. So kind, so genuine. We all headed inside, cracked open a 12 pack of PBR and the Swedes taught us how to play a game called Mafia. They were so endearing. They almost didn't want to play because they claimed not to speak english well enough, but to me their english was flawless. I fell asleep after a while, but not before correctly guessing who was the mafia.
July 17, 2003
I slept in, or rather tried to sleep in on Chris and Arianne's floor. I woke up at 7:30 but kept drifting in and out of sleep. I finally rose at around 10 am with everyone else. The cat sauntered out and I pet him until I shed enough hair off of his coat to assemble another cat. Amy and Charles roused from the van. We all couldn't decide where to eat breakfast, so we ate lunch instead. Afterwards some of us decided to go on a shopping tour of Seattle and the rest decided to play it low-key in a park feeding rabbits. I decided to go with the shopping camp, which consisted of the Frenchmen and Ann. Ann had been sort of reserved most of the tour, but she really opened up to us once we got to spend some time alone with her. She's interesting; CPA by day and rock and roller by night. We walked through downtown looking for Urban Outfitters. This afternoon was the start of what could be considered my best shopping day ever. I found some great 99 cent necklaces, bracelettes, earrings and scarves, then a shirt for $28. The shirt was a bit much, but it all evened out somewhere. Next we headed up to Capitol Hill to see Sonic Boom. By luck, on the way we happened upon Atlas Clothing where I found a pair of perfect red hoop earrings and a huge, vintage, white Lesportsac bag for $16. Inside the bag I found the original '80s style price tag for $70. Then we walked up hill after hill to Sonic Boom. We didn't find much there, so we went back to Chris's, loaded up the van and headed off to the club. Load in was to be at 8:00, sound check at around 8:30 and the first band would have played at around 9:00. Things were off to a late start and a few gaskets were blown, including my own. Some people were upset about the late start and I was upset that people were upset about that. The best weekly paper in the world helped me get this show. It was by their graces that the other band that we were touring with even made it up on the bill. It was also tied into my professional relationship with this paper. So imagine my shock and hurt feelings when I heard sinde comments about the club from the other band as well as their urgance to the opening band (and employees of the best weekly paper in the world) to hurry up and start. I was furious. At any rate, we played, they played, everyone played until the club started to clear out and I left my check card at the bar. We slept in Marty's spare room of his impeccably decorated home. The other band went home.
July 18, 2003
We woke ourselves early at 5:45 and were out the door and on the road by 6:00 am. Thus began our trek back to Sacramento. We stopped in Olympia for bagels and it wasn't until we were almost to Portland that I realized I had left my check card at the bar. Stupid me. We couldn't go back to get it without adding an extra six hours onto our trip, so we kept going. I called the club later and had them destroy it. "You mean you're never coming back?" they asked me. I told them I lived in Sacramento and wouldn't know when I'd be back. It's a long way between our cities. I don't remember much of the ride back besides falling in love with the Pipas CD, seeing a hillside fire caused by a melted big rig and stopping for lunch in Ashland. We finally rolled back into Sacramento at about 8:00. It was at least 95 degrees at dusk. We had some pizza, seperated our gear and went to our respective homes. Our apartment was like an oven and our cats were like tiny, cranky roasted game hens. I'm suprised they've since forgiven us. Sleeping in my own bed was something I'd grown to miss. Needless to say, I slept like a baby.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Monday, July 28, 2003
My summer vacation
[Part Three]
July 14, 2003
Driving to Portland. We stopped in Mount Shasta for coffee and water. The landscape was so pretty that it made me wish that we were camping instead. We continued up north and I took over the driving from Ashland. I stopped us in Grants Pass for lunch...Taco Bell. We stuffed ourselves cheaply and regretted it later. Drive, drive, drive. Nearer to Portland Leon took the wheel again and Amy organized a karaoke excursion. We were to stay at Seamus's house. A friend of Amy's, who used to live in SF. We got there and introduced ourselves in a barbershop quartet fashion, which really, more people should do. He and his housemates were wonderfuly nice and more than happy to accompany us to Chopsticks for karaoke. The Evening Lighes met us there. Of course the DJs favor the regulars and only some of us sang. Ed and Matthew did a knock out version of Unbelievable by EMF and our host Seamus did Punk Rock Girl by the Dead Milkmen like he wrote it. Leon and I did our usual Nuthin' But A G Thing. I'm the capital S, oh yes, the fresh N-double O-P, D-O-double G-Y D-O-double G ya' see. Before too long the smoke really got to me and my tattoo got all puffed up and itchy, as did my eyes. We left and walked back in the balmy Portland night.
July 15, 2003
We woke and had a late breakfast with Seamus at Cricket Cafe. So many vegetarian choices! I loved it. Next we went shopping on Hawthorne, record shops, clothes shops. We ran into Radio Dept. and the Evening Lights who were also out shopping. It made me think of that movie Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn where they all go to Paris, feign like they're tired and vow to reside to their rooms, but all sneak out, go sight-seeing and eventually converge under the Eiffel Tower, sing a song and do a dance in perfect sync. Well, okay. It wasn't really like that, but we could have made a musical about it. I got a call from Marty at the Stranger. He was so gracious to help us and the Evening Lights get added to a show in Seattle. We put John on the task of cancelling Everett. Why play there when we could play Seattle? Much props to Marty. He even got us in a print ad out of thin air. We tooled around Hawthorn for a bit, digesting breakfast then walked through the neatest neighborhood, back to Seamus's for a nap before the show. I always really like Portland when I visit, but I just can't see myself living there. I love Sacramento too much; there's a lot of comfort for me in knowing someone everywhere I go in my hometown. In Portland, I'm a stranger, I'm lonely. We loaded up the van again and headed down to the club. A few of the Evening Lights were standing outside already when we pulled up. John was not satisfied with our parking job, so he directed Leon to re-park. That's John. Matthew accosted us with sour candy spray. The Blackbird was a nice sized club. They had food and a full bar. We ordered food (long story) but didn't get it for 2 hours. Hungry, we set up and played, but I guess that's better than playing on a full stomach. We couldn't hear eachother on the stage, so I got lost a few times and messed up. The Evening Lights made some lude gestures in my direction during our set and so I messed up again. Sometimes, when I'm done playing, I really don't know what to do with myself. I wandered around the club for a bit, used all three ladies restrooms to make sure I didn't miss any good grafitti, drank some beers then decided to watch the bands. Amanda from Free Loan Investments bought and donned one of shirts, then played a song with the Pipas as their drummer. I had to take a photo. Afterwards, Amy tried to organize a party but everything sort of fell apart, so we said our farewells to Aerospace and we went back to Seamus's and fell asleep. I was really kind of bummed out about this show. I didn't see many locals, the food made me ill, I couldn't hear anything on stage and it was over too late. Though some things I will recall fondly: Dr.Christer, spanky dances, shouting Matthew's name and fainting during his bass solo, and the Pipas and the song about the email.
Our next day would be spent tying up Portland and moving on to Seattle.
[Part Three]
July 14, 2003
Driving to Portland. We stopped in Mount Shasta for coffee and water. The landscape was so pretty that it made me wish that we were camping instead. We continued up north and I took over the driving from Ashland. I stopped us in Grants Pass for lunch...Taco Bell. We stuffed ourselves cheaply and regretted it later. Drive, drive, drive. Nearer to Portland Leon took the wheel again and Amy organized a karaoke excursion. We were to stay at Seamus's house. A friend of Amy's, who used to live in SF. We got there and introduced ourselves in a barbershop quartet fashion, which really, more people should do. He and his housemates were wonderfuly nice and more than happy to accompany us to Chopsticks for karaoke. The Evening Lighes met us there. Of course the DJs favor the regulars and only some of us sang. Ed and Matthew did a knock out version of Unbelievable by EMF and our host Seamus did Punk Rock Girl by the Dead Milkmen like he wrote it. Leon and I did our usual Nuthin' But A G Thing. I'm the capital S, oh yes, the fresh N-double O-P, D-O-double G-Y D-O-double G ya' see. Before too long the smoke really got to me and my tattoo got all puffed up and itchy, as did my eyes. We left and walked back in the balmy Portland night.
July 15, 2003
We woke and had a late breakfast with Seamus at Cricket Cafe. So many vegetarian choices! I loved it. Next we went shopping on Hawthorne, record shops, clothes shops. We ran into Radio Dept. and the Evening Lights who were also out shopping. It made me think of that movie Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn where they all go to Paris, feign like they're tired and vow to reside to their rooms, but all sneak out, go sight-seeing and eventually converge under the Eiffel Tower, sing a song and do a dance in perfect sync. Well, okay. It wasn't really like that, but we could have made a musical about it. I got a call from Marty at the Stranger. He was so gracious to help us and the Evening Lights get added to a show in Seattle. We put John on the task of cancelling Everett. Why play there when we could play Seattle? Much props to Marty. He even got us in a print ad out of thin air. We tooled around Hawthorn for a bit, digesting breakfast then walked through the neatest neighborhood, back to Seamus's for a nap before the show. I always really like Portland when I visit, but I just can't see myself living there. I love Sacramento too much; there's a lot of comfort for me in knowing someone everywhere I go in my hometown. In Portland, I'm a stranger, I'm lonely. We loaded up the van again and headed down to the club. A few of the Evening Lights were standing outside already when we pulled up. John was not satisfied with our parking job, so he directed Leon to re-park. That's John. Matthew accosted us with sour candy spray. The Blackbird was a nice sized club. They had food and a full bar. We ordered food (long story) but didn't get it for 2 hours. Hungry, we set up and played, but I guess that's better than playing on a full stomach. We couldn't hear eachother on the stage, so I got lost a few times and messed up. The Evening Lights made some lude gestures in my direction during our set and so I messed up again. Sometimes, when I'm done playing, I really don't know what to do with myself. I wandered around the club for a bit, used all three ladies restrooms to make sure I didn't miss any good grafitti, drank some beers then decided to watch the bands. Amanda from Free Loan Investments bought and donned one of shirts, then played a song with the Pipas as their drummer. I had to take a photo. Afterwards, Amy tried to organize a party but everything sort of fell apart, so we said our farewells to Aerospace and we went back to Seamus's and fell asleep. I was really kind of bummed out about this show. I didn't see many locals, the food made me ill, I couldn't hear anything on stage and it was over too late. Though some things I will recall fondly: Dr.Christer, spanky dances, shouting Matthew's name and fainting during his bass solo, and the Pipas and the song about the email.
Our next day would be spent tying up Portland and moving on to Seattle.
Friday, July 25, 2003
My summer vacation
[Part Two]
July 8, 2003
Los Angeles. Leon asked aloud: "Does anyone have a job here, or do they just drive around all day?" I think some people actually do have jobs...creating traffic. Charles made a funny joke that made use of a snaggle tooth voice. We allowed him to only use it once a week as not to wear it out; a snaggle tooth credit. We arrived at the club, The Garage to find out that Citybeat listed us with top billing. Now that's how it ought to be. We played with Evening Lights again and Ann spanked herself with the tamborine, The Pipas (who are my new favorite band), the Arrogants and Aerospace. I attended most of the show sipping Pabst after Pabst in the corner "selling merch." I fell asleep at one point, no doubtedly with my mouth wide open, and missed the rest of the bands. That night we slept at Mike's in Long Beach. Weezer, his cat, fell asleep in on my head and groomed my bangs for me with his scratchy tounge. Oh Weezer!
July 9, 2003
We woke late and ate lunch at fancy's Yacht club. So I ordered a classy meal: grilled cheese on sourdough, american cheese with fries. On the way back we stalked Greg Ginn, to the delight of Charles. Then we left for Santa Barbara. A long drive up 101 through traffic and fog. The area of Santa Barbara that we were headed to was very sterile and well manicured. The cafe we showed up to play at served amazing food. I ate some tuna-bruchetta thing and had several glasses of red wine. The Pipas played again with us and I finally got to see their whole set. Oh my. They were awesome (eventhough John ruined the sound), and just as nice as can be. And Lupe was the cutest thing I think I've ever seen...with the tooth and the Spanish accent. We all went out afterwards and drank at somebody's shi-shi club. Jimmy let us sleep on his floor after some hemming and hawing. We were so thankful. Leon and I shared a chaise lounge without complaint.
July 10, 2003
Onward North to SF. It was the first day of Pop Holiday and we were high-tailing it up 101 again to get our gear in Amy's garage and the rental van back to Sacramento. We had a quick lunch at Pea Soup Andersens, so now I think I've eaten at all of them. When we got back to Sacramento, we were able to visit with our cats for a little after dropping the van off at Avis. Mouse was sulking from being left alone and Cleo was just as needy as usual. Leon blew a minor gasket, so I drove to Bottom Of The Hill while he enjoyed the scenery. The Free Loan Investments were fucking rad and the Pipas blew me away again.
July 11, 2003
We gave Shirley the driving tour of the city, ate some burritos and bought some records. It really didn't make me nervous that we were going to perform that night until we actually got to the club for load-in. I couldn't stop thinking: "Oh, wow. I'm going to be on the stage. And everyone will be looking at me." Then I felt like I was going to puke. So I went and sat alone and finished my beer. After a while I felt a little better, but mentally out of sorts and before long, it was time to play. I think we did well and I didn't mess up any of the leads too bad. Afterwards I felt socially akward, so I spent it manning the merch booth and having more beers. For some reason I was beginning to find socializing very taxing. We sold out of nearly all of the shirts.
July 12, 2003
We played at Jamie's house with Free Loan Investments, Pipas, The Lucksmiths, The Guild League and Gregory Webster. It was pretty fun, but I felt like a dolt walking around, trying to fit into conversations. Clumsy. The naughty Pipas stole my boyfriend for a few hours and I didn't see him until the show later. I could really only stomach the Mosquitos. I sat outside for the other bands then finally gave up and went to sleep in the car while the Lucksmiths played. I regretted missing their set in the morning, but I was glad to catch a few winks.
July 13, 2003
It was an unusually beautiful day in SF. We drove to the top of Twin Peaks and enjoyed a 360 degree view of the city. All the hills didn't look like much of hills from up there. Leon told me that Mark from the Pipas had been in Bella Vista and the Moonlings. I almost screamed like a girl screaming for the Beatles. I wonder what Mark would think if we told him that our relationship was the result of several of his songs that Leon put on a mix tape for me when we first started dating. Well, not entirely. But the crush-themed mix tape that Leon made for me was just about the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me. Later we watched Amy play in the Crabapples. Gregory Webster performed an awesome set and we all jumped around to Big Pink Cake and sang along. Then I figured out that I could use my drink tickets for well drinks. So I switched to vodka, stole somebody's drum sticks and started spanking people's butts as they walked by. I have an incriminating photo of this activity. Note to self: don't get near drum sticks when drunk. We decided to spend the night in our own bed in Sacramento before heading to Portland.
[Part Two]
July 8, 2003
Los Angeles. Leon asked aloud: "Does anyone have a job here, or do they just drive around all day?" I think some people actually do have jobs...creating traffic. Charles made a funny joke that made use of a snaggle tooth voice. We allowed him to only use it once a week as not to wear it out; a snaggle tooth credit. We arrived at the club, The Garage to find out that Citybeat listed us with top billing. Now that's how it ought to be. We played with Evening Lights again and Ann spanked herself with the tamborine, The Pipas (who are my new favorite band), the Arrogants and Aerospace. I attended most of the show sipping Pabst after Pabst in the corner "selling merch." I fell asleep at one point, no doubtedly with my mouth wide open, and missed the rest of the bands. That night we slept at Mike's in Long Beach. Weezer, his cat, fell asleep in on my head and groomed my bangs for me with his scratchy tounge. Oh Weezer!
July 9, 2003
We woke late and ate lunch at fancy's Yacht club. So I ordered a classy meal: grilled cheese on sourdough, american cheese with fries. On the way back we stalked Greg Ginn, to the delight of Charles. Then we left for Santa Barbara. A long drive up 101 through traffic and fog. The area of Santa Barbara that we were headed to was very sterile and well manicured. The cafe we showed up to play at served amazing food. I ate some tuna-bruchetta thing and had several glasses of red wine. The Pipas played again with us and I finally got to see their whole set. Oh my. They were awesome (eventhough John ruined the sound), and just as nice as can be. And Lupe was the cutest thing I think I've ever seen...with the tooth and the Spanish accent. We all went out afterwards and drank at somebody's shi-shi club. Jimmy let us sleep on his floor after some hemming and hawing. We were so thankful. Leon and I shared a chaise lounge without complaint.
July 10, 2003
Onward North to SF. It was the first day of Pop Holiday and we were high-tailing it up 101 again to get our gear in Amy's garage and the rental van back to Sacramento. We had a quick lunch at Pea Soup Andersens, so now I think I've eaten at all of them. When we got back to Sacramento, we were able to visit with our cats for a little after dropping the van off at Avis. Mouse was sulking from being left alone and Cleo was just as needy as usual. Leon blew a minor gasket, so I drove to Bottom Of The Hill while he enjoyed the scenery. The Free Loan Investments were fucking rad and the Pipas blew me away again.
July 11, 2003
We gave Shirley the driving tour of the city, ate some burritos and bought some records. It really didn't make me nervous that we were going to perform that night until we actually got to the club for load-in. I couldn't stop thinking: "Oh, wow. I'm going to be on the stage. And everyone will be looking at me." Then I felt like I was going to puke. So I went and sat alone and finished my beer. After a while I felt a little better, but mentally out of sorts and before long, it was time to play. I think we did well and I didn't mess up any of the leads too bad. Afterwards I felt socially akward, so I spent it manning the merch booth and having more beers. For some reason I was beginning to find socializing very taxing. We sold out of nearly all of the shirts.
July 12, 2003
We played at Jamie's house with Free Loan Investments, Pipas, The Lucksmiths, The Guild League and Gregory Webster. It was pretty fun, but I felt like a dolt walking around, trying to fit into conversations. Clumsy. The naughty Pipas stole my boyfriend for a few hours and I didn't see him until the show later. I could really only stomach the Mosquitos. I sat outside for the other bands then finally gave up and went to sleep in the car while the Lucksmiths played. I regretted missing their set in the morning, but I was glad to catch a few winks.
July 13, 2003
It was an unusually beautiful day in SF. We drove to the top of Twin Peaks and enjoyed a 360 degree view of the city. All the hills didn't look like much of hills from up there. Leon told me that Mark from the Pipas had been in Bella Vista and the Moonlings. I almost screamed like a girl screaming for the Beatles. I wonder what Mark would think if we told him that our relationship was the result of several of his songs that Leon put on a mix tape for me when we first started dating. Well, not entirely. But the crush-themed mix tape that Leon made for me was just about the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me. Later we watched Amy play in the Crabapples. Gregory Webster performed an awesome set and we all jumped around to Big Pink Cake and sang along. Then I figured out that I could use my drink tickets for well drinks. So I switched to vodka, stole somebody's drum sticks and started spanking people's butts as they walked by. I have an incriminating photo of this activity. Note to self: don't get near drum sticks when drunk. We decided to spend the night in our own bed in Sacramento before heading to Portland.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
My summer vacation.
[Part one]
July 4, 2003
The start of my 15 day vacation began on July 4th. We went to Davis to do it up right. Pizza, back yard party, beers, fireworks, more beers. Dan decided to unleash some colorful showers of his own when he vomited all over the Baskin Robins courtyard. Breathtaking! This would kick off the summer of the beer.
July 5, 2003
We played a show at Capitol Garage and sold a few 7"s, which were just hot of the presses. Everything went well, but I didn't get to use all of my drink tickets.
July 6,2003
Frenchmen t-shirts were screened and some beer was consumed.
July 7, 2003
Left for Atwater (outside of Merced, CA) for our kick off show. We played at a bar in a strip mall where we drank several $1 mason jars of beer. With Jaglet. The singer let us sleep on her floor. The building she lived in was an amazing 1920's converted swank hotel. Everyone was nice. On to LA!
[Part one]
July 4, 2003
The start of my 15 day vacation began on July 4th. We went to Davis to do it up right. Pizza, back yard party, beers, fireworks, more beers. Dan decided to unleash some colorful showers of his own when he vomited all over the Baskin Robins courtyard. Breathtaking! This would kick off the summer of the beer.
July 5, 2003
We played a show at Capitol Garage and sold a few 7"s, which were just hot of the presses. Everything went well, but I didn't get to use all of my drink tickets.
July 6,2003
Frenchmen t-shirts were screened and some beer was consumed.
July 7, 2003
Left for Atwater (outside of Merced, CA) for our kick off show. We played at a bar in a strip mall where we drank several $1 mason jars of beer. With Jaglet. The singer let us sleep on her floor. The building she lived in was an amazing 1920's converted swank hotel. Everyone was nice. On to LA!
Monday, July 21, 2003
Return to the valley of death.
I'm back from a tour of cooler regions of the west coast. As a welcome home gift, Sacramento has so generously unleashed the hot, firery breath of dragons on me. I'm left to bake in my apartment, basting in my own perspiration. When I recover from heat stroke, I will be happy to detail my recent journey by city.
SSSSSSSSSS.
I'm back from a tour of cooler regions of the west coast. As a welcome home gift, Sacramento has so generously unleashed the hot, firery breath of dragons on me. I'm left to bake in my apartment, basting in my own perspiration. When I recover from heat stroke, I will be happy to detail my recent journey by city.
SSSSSSSSSS.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
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