Thursday April 25 2024

Waking up bright and early at 8 a.m. We have to clean up the AirBnB and load out! We’ll miss this place honestly.

 

Carlos drives the bus about 3 hours towards St. Louis. Catching up on computer work then taking a nap in the back.

 

Arriving at The Factory venue. This place is amazing – industrial vibes – kind of like The NorVa back home but much bigger – everything is new – green room and dressings are super nice.

 

 

Sandwich.

 

Setting up the stage and getting the lay of the land.

 

Showering and catching up on stuff.

 

Sound check.

 

Dinner is awesome: Parm Crusted Chicken with Green Beans, Rice Pilaf, and Pasta.

 

 

We put on our show to an enthusiastic crowd – a little hard to read cause of how big the place is. But the lighting is amazing.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

I drive the bus about 20 minutes to the hotel towards the city.

 

Wednesday April 24 2024

Waking up at 9:30 a.m. – still at the AirBnB in Missouri inside this extremely comfortable king sized bed.

 

We all load into the bus and trailer – driving a few hours to Emporia, Kansas. Arriving at the Granada Theatre, a true hole in the wall theatre – regal looking as all of them are. These two venue guys help us load in, tatted up and appeared to be on some kind of energy ridden drugs but extremely helpful.

 

Setting up the stage – it’s a super tight fit up here but we manage.

 

Down the street is a really hip coffee shop called Gravel City Roasters. Grabbing some very decent coffee with Rebecca. Noticing how very hospitable this quaint downtown city is – a very good energy here.

 

 

More setting up and eating a lunch.

 

I head back over to the shop to get some work done on the computer. It’s nice to be away from a venue and just focus on stuff that I want.

 

 

Sound check.

 

Dinner downstairs is a simple spread of BBQ and Slaw.

 

Show goes over really well – some weird lighting things occur but the crowd is loving us. Everyone in the front rows are drunk and happy.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

We got a few hour drive back home. Talking about the show and some cool merch ideas with Ed and Rebecca.

 

Tuesday April 23 2024

Waking up semi early at 9:30 a.m. We’re all holed up in this AirBnB in Gladstone, Missouri – a pretty decent spot.

 

English Muffin, Banana, and Tea for breakfast while I sit at the computer.

 

Ron, Nigel, and I have a business meeting on the bus to discuss pay and other band related things.

 

As the afternoon transpires people walk in and out of the kitchen making food and relaxing.

 

Finally, I’m able to rustle up a small group to venture into downtown Kansas City! With Rebecca, Sophie, Victor, and Carlos. We find a hole in the wall BBQ spot called F325 – absolutely delicious in every aspect – great brisket, great slaw, great tots, sweet tea, etc. Also, Rebecca 100% approves and is satisfied with a meal out and that makes me happy.

 

 

We drive more into the city – Union Station right in front of a high mountainous memorial. Exploring inside the station where nothing seems to be active (cause it’s a Tuesday). A piano is just sitting cordoned off looking rather lonely – I start playing a rendition of Mr. Blue Sky with Rebecca and I singing – we make it to the first chorus before we’re asked to stop by somebody that works there. Rebels.

 

 

I should mention Carlos having a great time – he keeps asking us to take pictures of him lol. Driving down Main Street we discover an ice cream spot called Betty Rae’s – apparently it’s really  popular cause everyone in town is in line – we wait for a very long time but it’s no bother. Once we get our ice cream cones they’re practically eaten before we finish paying for them cause there’s an issue with change in the drawer.

 

 

We continue on towards the Missouri River and find a cool bridge walkway. Bugs swarm around the light posts and skater kids zoom down. It just seems like we keep finding all the cool spots.

 

Finally back at the AirBnB settling in. Casey started the fire pit outside. We all gather around and roast marshmallows – recounting events of the day and enjoying the company.

 

 

Monday April 22 2024

Waking up off and on in between Love’s truck stops. We’ve been driving through the night straight from Waukegan to Gladstone, Missouri.

 

We find a Wal-Mart parking lot to hang around in cause the AirBnB check in isn’t till later. Sleeping some more.

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Awakening at noon. Everyone has been dispersed – some in Wal-Mart shopping – Nigel is orchestrating getting things to the dry cleaners – I decide to take a walk down the street for breakfast at this place called Corner Café, a classic basic diner. Ordering French Toast with Eggs, Bacon, and Coffee.

 

At some point we finally pile back in and drive to the AirBnB in Gladstone. The cleaners are still here but we’re still able to start getting our stuff inside and assigning rooms. It’s absolutely perfect here to be honest.

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At some point we take a beautiful walk on the trail out back – we observe probably 10 different species of bird along the way.

 

 

Then, Rebecca and I grab some pasta from a hole in the wall Italian joint up the street. At the AirBnB Nigel and crew brought back all kinds of groceries from Costco, steaks and salmon. We get it all fired up on the grill and enjoy band camaraderie. It’s a good time hanging with everyone.

 

Later on, time to shower up and lounge in the bed. Rebecca and I got a really nice room with a king bed and all. I put on the latest Wonka movie – we watch the first half but feeling sleepy. I still can’t shake these feelings sometimes – she has this wall that’s understood between us. All I wanna do is share a little affection but she’s still not open to it – I can sense it although it’s already been stated. It just gives me anxiety and leaves me in a dissatisfied state of mind.