Our return to California has been a colorful journey. Firstly, our truck, tired from its journey back and forth across the country (yes, I am anthropomorphizing my close orange companion), broke down in Fresno. However, the tragedy presented us with the golden opportunity to embrace the roots of the truth campaign – guerilla marketing. The concept, slightly intimidating at first, turned out to merely be a fancy phrase for enabling me to market across the entire warped venue as opposed to my normal twenty foot radius around the zone. In the end, I decided we should have a few more days without the truck, as I felt quite immersed in warped tour culture.
 Unfortunately, after leaving the mild climates of northwest, the hundred degree weather followed us from Fresno to Sacramento. One fantastically uninformed concert goer, suffering from the heat, even claimed that Richard Simmons, not Keith Richards played Jack Sparrow’s father in the latest installment of Pirates of the Carribean. The following section of this blog is dedicated to the merch men of Flogging Molly. During my lunch break I decided it was high time to add a Flogging Molly shirt to my excessively and unnecessarily large t-shirt collection. When I came up to the booth to buy a sweet green one, the merch men, without saying a word, imitated my DJ dance moves. Although he was most likely mocking me in (hopefully) a nice way, I am going to pretend that I have a fan.
 I know this blog should be sappy as it is my last; unfortunately, I have always tended to lack such emotional profundity. Yes I have learned about myself and definitely grown as a person. But, rather than discuss these insights, I will leave with you this: I am the nameless rider of whom Jeannine wrote.

Today we went to our true roots.  Our beloved orange truck broke down on the way to Fresno today so we just took a bag, filled it with merchandise, and went out into the crowd around Warped Tour, guerilla marketing style.  It was awesome too because on top of getting to see the whole sets of bands, and meeting even more people, but the whole new change of pace made things interesting.

Anyway, I’m REALLY happy to be back in California.  I’m exactly home yet until Saturday, but the fact that I’m in the same state and talking to people who actually know what an In-N-Out burger is just makes me feel like I’m back home.  The past few week was awesome though, ESPECIALLY the day-off where we got to spend it on a boat on Lake Mead, it was such a beautiful day.

So honestly though, I don’t know how to end this.  I mean, we only have 3 more days left and I know that each day will come with even more experiences.  Everyone on the team were awesome and seriously has become an extended family.  I will miss everyone on tour, the new places, the venues…ahhh…I don’t want to make this a really long entry, but I will seriously miss everything on Warped Tour from the bus, to the people, and even the port-o-potties (well, not really).

You know, I’m just going to treat the last 3 days on Warped Tour like the last days of summer and just rock out.  I’m excited to see all my friends at the San Diego and Los Angeles shows.

Music, bands, games, people, saving lives…best experience. EVER.  Will I ever so it again if asked?  In a heartbeat.

This is it. The beginning of the end, or perhaps the end of the beginning? This has been a journey that will never be forgotten. I’ve gained a new family, and memories that will at the very least fuel several ridiculous screenplays…I kid, they resonate deep in the whole of my being. They really do. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a character resembling Sean suddenly became the ‘next big thing’ at Sundance. Oh how I hope.

I’ve been finding myself saddened by the thought of leaving this world, the Van’s Warped Tour that I happened upon several months ago, but I must keep in mind that I’m leaving with a new sense of freedom, love in my heart, rhythm in my soul, and a heck of a lot of photographs. If there’s anything I’ve picked up here, it is that change is bound to occur, threatening my sanity at times, but acceptance and one foot forward will always soften the blow.

I have definitely embraced the truth this summer (no pun intended), and will allow the depth of such discoveries to evolve in my head and my heart. It has been an amazing summer. Amazing.

For those of you who read this blog, I appreciate the time you’ve taken to do so. To all of the people I’ve met across the United States (I can now say I’ve been to a large portion of this country), thank you for allowing me to dance for you, to smile for you, to strike up a conversation that I find of the utmost importance…All of you have changed my life. Thank you. Thank you. Countless thank yous. I have a lot of hope for the future, if the generations I’ve sampled out there are any indication of who will be running this world.

I thought long and hard about how to end this thing appropriately, and I decided upon this as my last statement pertaining to life on this tour:

An unnamed truth crew member totally had to poop on the side of the road today… “There’s beauty in the breakdown” –Frou Frou

PEACE.

Much love,
Jeannine

I'll keep this short and sweet. 1 week left until Warped Tour is over. I've had an incredible 2 months on tour so far. I've had an incredible 2 summers thanks to the Truth. I owe all my success in the past year solely to the Truth. To all the kids who would love my job- take a chance- apply- you never know.

We are getting closer and closer to the end and I have mixed feelings. Today was the last day for Gallows, Paramore and Big D and the Kids table. Big D has kind of been a staple for me this summer. Many a night was spent on thier bus watching guitar hero,telling bad jokes and just hanging out. I will sincerely miss all of them and was sad to see them all off tonight. They are really incredible people and despite my distate for ska we were able to find common ground and I love them all even if their band has a horn section.

Portland was a beautiful venue and the kids in Idaho were amazing. We did metal Kelly Clarkson today,which if you haven't seen or heard is when myself and Jeannine get a bunch of girls to come up to the truth truck and cover "Since you been gone",with our most metal vocals. It's my favorite part of the day second only to 'boyband hour'. haha. Today Killswitch Engaged watched from thier autograph table which was across from us as twelve ladies belted out gutteral screaming versions of american idol's best.

Tonight was also the last night for kickball. Having broke my foot I can't play but I was able to cheer and my team won,AGAIN!!! This has been quite a summer. I am already sick of saying goodbye so I can imagine the last day will be even worse. The boys are watching the roast of Flava Flav and I am going to go to bed. I still find it weird that I can be online while driving down the road in a tourbus. We just drove by a horrendous accident and I am once again reminded how lucky I am to be here doing what I've been doing all summer long. Cheesy,but true.

Locals Only.
TaRa

xxx

So today we drove from Kansas to Salt Lake City, staying in Salt Lake City for about 6 hours and then driving to Idaho for the show tomorrow.  First, I never knew it was possible to be so excited to go to a truck stop.  Seriously, we left Kansas at 10pm and didn't get to SLC till 5pm.  So being stuck on the bus all night and all day is crazy.  It's like waking up and not being able to leave your room.  So when the bus stops you get soo excited to get off of it.  This was the first and only day like this on the tour and i'm glad it's the only one cause driving all day in a tiny space with 8 other people can drive you crazy.  Good thing I had some books to read and a bed to sleep on or I might be writing blogs titled after Britney Spears songs...o wait

till next time,

Mickey

After a long and grueling drive … well, for our bus driver Kevin, I just sat there as an avid passenger, we finally arrived in Idaho. Although I had my own rough time after engaging in my first PF Chang encounter. All I will say is, sensitive stomachs beware. Nonetheless, it was pleasant to return to the western coast and leave the sweaty humidity of the midwest behind. The day began with my usual half awake state. I was so spacey that I even managed to commune with nature by channeling my inner-Jeannine.
 I love the people in Idaho. Everyone was extremely friendly; I almost felt as if I somehow had been teleported to Pleasantville. Or, a Pleasantville filled with tattoos, piercings, and multi-colored hair. So nothing like the movie, but you get my drift. Anyways, it is kind of odd to think that we only have six more shows before I have to return to my dull, non-mobile life. So, in order to make the most of it, I obviously had to see Bad Religion for the fifteenth time. However, today I finally managed to see the Matches as well, so at least I am expanding my horizons. I’ll miss you Idaho.

Aaahh…we’re almost done!  This past weeks however feels like it’s been 2 weeks because all the things we’ve been doing.

Boston, MA- Meet someone who primarily goes to Warped Tour just so he can stand next to the Truth truck and hang out and support us!  He had this funny Jackie Chan sign and he also had so many old Truth merch on (including to pairs of socks)!  Not only that, he was in the commercial where 1200 people “dropped dead” in front of a tobacco company’s building illustrating how many people die a day due to tobacco related deaths (One of my all time favorite commercials!).

Buffalo, NY- I LOVE being next to amusement parks….ESP if we can go in for free with our passes!!  Right after work we went right in Six Flags where me and Chelsea (along with Nick from As I Lay Dying) and rode roller coasters and ate Dippin’ Dots!  I seriously miss amusement parks.

Columbus, OH- 3 DAYS OFF!  YESS!  Much needed rest, relaxation…AND SHOPPING!  Yeah, I think I did some damage on my wallet, but I did end up with really awesome clothing.  I even had to buy a new duffel bag for my new stuff.  I also started a savings account, registered for school, worked out at the gym, and paid off a credit card.  I felt really productive that weekend!  I miss that bed and shower now though…

St. Louis, MO-  Ok…TERRIBLE day, mostly weather wise.  I volunteered to do inventory that morning with Chelsea.  Long story short…100+ degrees in the sun sorting though boxes of 5 days worth of merchandise.  INSANE.  We haven’t been in really hot weather in a while, so it was almost a shock to be in horrible weather conditions again.  I’ve must’ve seen so many people faint that day too.  Note to everyone coming to Warped tour: DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

Kansas City, MO-  Well…Bonner Springs, KS.  Weird, eh?  Well, the weather didn’t get any better, but at least there was the occasional breeze.  Another normal day.  Afterwards. Me Jeannine and Jess went to go watch Sum 41 who just joined the tour.  They put on a really fun show, I love when the bands include “audience participation”, haha.

But yea, that was my week.  Tomorrow is another day off, but we’re just driving most of the day.  I’m starting to get REALLY excited about finally heading back west!  I miss my California.  But awesome, at least I can say I’ve been to Kansas!

So we were off for 3 days in Colombus, Ohio while the rest of the tour made their way through the Eastern coast of Canada. Man, I wish I'd been able to join them, almost hid on the Meg and Dia bus to hitch a ride, but ended up truly enjoying my time off...

   I had the chance to hibernate and explore some vegan palaces with Tara. We were pretty much inseperable for the entire vacation, exploring the city, searching for radical bookstores, pretending to be Tegan and Sara. We were nerds to the max.

  I'm making some big changes in my life, as I've said before, facilitating a new home, a new world when I get back to New York and it is both sad and exciting. I hate to say goodbye. But I think I have to do it now, or never, and I know that the things that are meant to last will find a way of working out no matter what challenges they may face.

   I have a headache, think maybe its sun poisoning from the hot/humid day...Going to listen to some jazz in my bunk...

PEACE.

I am not someone who watches T.V. ever really. I used to but the past few years I've much preferred to read books,write stories and seek out adventures. It might seem sort of funny then that when I am not with the truth or touring with bands doing vegan outreach I make my 'living' working on the production of television shows. One of those shows called Fat March airs Mondays on ABC at 9 p.m. We are going to be off at that time in the hotel and I am looking forward to watching it. The shoot was much like warped tour. VERY,VERY Intense. It's going to be cool to go back and see how it was all put together. Our crew became very close with the cast since we all lived together for ten weeks and I am excited for them and to watch the show.

Right now in the midst of three days off in Columbus,Ohio. I had dreaded the idea of spending three days in Ohio but it's turned out rather nicely. The first thing I do in any city we hit up is figure out where I am going to be eating and I was taken aback by the plethora of vegan options here. Dinner the first night was a three course gourmet feast courtesy of Dragon-fly (neo V cuisine). I don't know about you but any place that uses the word cusine in their name is usally too fancy for me to get down with. I didn't know a word of what thier menu said but they seemed to be used to this. They use only local and organic ingredients...many which they grow right behind the building so I wanted to support them and give it a try.

I was in no way dissapointed. We splurged for the chef's tasting menu and round after round of amazing emerged from the kitchen. It started out with fried okra,a tiny piece on a plum (or maybe peach?) tomato. It was the sweetest tomato I have ever tasted and was lightly dusted with cinnamon and basil...which tastes incredible. Next they brought out a truffled sourcream with a light bread and tomato in some reduced something or other drizzle. Seriously, Jeannine and I were in awe. There was also a bread and eggplant dip as followed by a tortilla with shockingly tasty sauce and filled with squash and peppers and onions. It was all light,filling and amazing. Everything tasted so fresh,it really makes you think about what you put in your body. You can taste the difference. Dessert was blood peach sorbet and peach shortcake. Layer upon layer of deliciousness. MMM. The chef kept sending out dishes "compliments of the chef" because they thought we were in a band or something. That has never happened before and it was flattering,fun and akward!

There is a ton of food related blabbing in this journal but I can't help it. It's been great...there is even a ALL VEGAN BAKERY here called Pattycakes. We are at the mercy of the tour for food usually so it's nice to actually pick what you eat (even though the tour food is usually pretty decent.)

Other than eating it's been mostly icing of my foot and trying to rest up for the end of tour. Thank you so much to all of the amazing people we've been meeting. Everyday I am suprised how all of this can still be fun,exciting and new...so seriously...thank you.

That is all for now...homesick but happy...until next time.

Locals Only,
TaRa