salt lake city, utah

we've been in the middle of nowhere lately

Hayes, Kansas
Colombia, Missouri
Glenwood Springs, CO
Aspen, CO..

so well, Aspen isn't so middle of nowhere but it is a small ski town that shuts down really early. I didn't think elevation would affect me but as we were traveling to Salt Lake City I got really sick and it could have gotten really bad had I not climbed in my bed an immediately passed out.

Merch is not as easy as everyone may think. There is a lot of strategy involved along with basic math and putting up with fickle minds. Merchandise people who work for EMO/PUNK bands get a lot of tips!! Me? 2 dollars. And I don't even remember what I spent that on.

I haven't been able to explore each city as much as I'd like because I normally don't leave the bus until 12 and then we go shower and eat and then it is time to load in and set up merch. Free time is sparse and involves my time split between Merch settlements, Street Team work, and school work which I have been bad and neglected.

We always run about 2 hours late every day! We are never on time. My merch set up has been a lot faster so I actually get to enjoy sound check..

The other day in the bus there was a medley of songs jammed. Everything from Neil Young to Nirvana was covered and I just couldn't believe where I was and though there have been soo many times when I questioned whether or not this was the right choice for me, it was that moment that made me say. YES. Nobody else can replicate an experience like I am having now. Yea people have similar lives but not one day is the same. I'm learning so much, not just about merch but about music. Getting exposed to jazz classics, folk singers, and names that I know about but have never ever listened to. Like Tom Petty. I'm teaching people about the new stuff, they're teaching me about the old stuff.

Sometimes I'm afraid that I am so young that I don't really fit in. I don't want to open my mouth sometimes because I'm afraid I'll mess up. But slowly, I'm beginning to open up to these people who I used to consider my idol and who now, I can honestly call my friend. Wow. What a different four years makes.