with a brand new name
Day One : What's a Vacation Without Porn?
Yousef (imwithorli), Lauren (lauren0323) and I packed up The Rainbow Bus (or my Ford Escape, Emmett) with junk food and fic, and made it out of town by 10am on Tuesday morning. This was a feat in itself. I still can't believe we made such excellent time.
By around 1pm-ish, we were in Amarillo, Texas seeing billboards for a porn store called Fantasy Film & Gifts. So, being that the three of us had (a) never been on road trip without our parents and (b) always wanted to stop at a raunchy adult store on a road trip, we stopped. On the upside, Lauren and I had an excellent time. On the downside, they wouldn't let Yousef in because TexASS has some random stupid law that porn stores are 21-to-enter...which is crap if you ask me. *stamps foot* Yousef, however, did find a way to busy himself and it wasn't just tapping his cotton-stuffed ear (a healing ear infection from last week).
This is the porn store with the glyphs/symbols of 30 Seconds to Mars in the foreground. Jared would be so pleased.
Twenty minutes later, Lauren and I returned bearing gifts. CockPops for everyone!!
As you may have noticed, we took my tiny framed ViggOrli with us on our trip. The ViggOrli was our sovereign token to take with us across the land. They experienced it all with us, including the CockPop stop. Also, whenever anyone needed to make a statement, they would be compelled to begin with "I swear on the ViggOrli...". Yeah, that's how we roll.
At around 530, Lauren and I decided it was high time to make Yousef read us fic aloud. So he did. Those of you who have not yet read this fic, you are truly missing out on something amazing. For those that have read it, you know what I mean when I say we made Yousef read The Sink Scene. He is an AMAZING reader, so let's just say Lauren and I welcomed Albuquerque, New Mexico with wide open eyes. *shiver* Holy crap, just thinking about it...
Anyway, *cough*, we made it to the hotel that Yousef had so lovingly booked and unloaded the car. Waiting on Yousef, Lauren and I decided to do what we do best:
..which is watch saved files of Jared and Orli on my craptop. Yes, we really do lay the exact same way when we watch stuff. No, it's no mystery that people often think we're a couple. *sigh*
By 730, it was time for some fucking FOOD. Yousef had been talking about this pizza place called Boston's for the past FOUR hours. So we were ready to get our grub on. I have to say, Yousef made the better choice in going for the chicken/alfredo/spinach combo instead of Lauren and my risky venture in to THE HOTTEST SAUSAGE I HAVE EVER TASTED realm. But we were not deterred. We even saved some for the twins who were set to make it to New Mexico by 2am.
When we got back to the hotel, it was time for preliminary run-throughs of makeup and hair, so Lauren was going to jump in the shower. To this day, I don't know why, but I stole her CLEAN undies from her and wore them as a hat.
Oh shut up! If I hadn't told you they were "pannies" (as Yousef says), then you would have thought it was just a kooky hat. Shortly after this, Yousef took a shower and Lauren and I (but mostly I) conspired to pour the melted ice from our ice bucket onto Yousef while he was in the shower. I think from now on, he'll lock the door and leave it that way no matter how bad I say I have to pee. Also while we were waiting on thekilltwins to arrive, we decorated our hotel room. This will take some explanation. 30STM has a video (that's now nominated for Best Rock Video at the VMAs) out called The Kill. It's a real piece of cinematic artistry. It's based on The Shining and so there's a mysterious hotel room. The number of that room is 6277. Therefore, we changed our room number.
I am too lazy to flip the picture. Sorry. Cut to: The Twins (Lindsay with the bangs and Maegan without) arrive at around 230am.
Again with the flipping. They are also going to kill me for posting that picture of them. *cackle* That's okay though. They have plenty of ugly ammo of me to get back at me with. Skip ahead, skip ahead, skip ahead.
Day Two: Hurry Up and Wait...and Wait...and wait...
It is now 830am after the COLDEST NIGHT EVER. The a/c rendered nearly all of us unable to comprehend anything but the growing numbness in our extremities. The Twins suck it up and get ready to go. They are in their homemade Echelon (the 30STM fanclub/family) tshirts with lyrics written on them and out the door by 9 to go wait in line at The Sunshine Theater in downtown Albuquerque.
Needless to say, the rest of us took a bit longer to get ready. Why? Because we are idiots and thought our looks would actually hold through the FIVE HOURS we would eventually be spending outside. But I digress.
Good gawd, I'm a drag queen and didn't know it.
...and, of course, my signature shoe picture:
On With The Show: Jared's Makeup May Be Flaking, But His Smile Still Stays On
We met loads of other Echelon from around the country while we were in line. We even trekked around the corner to Cold Stone Creamery to buy bottles of water for everyone as it was a million fucking degrees and I was a DUMBSHIT and wore long sleeves. At least there was shade.
At 6 it started raining. At 605, soundcheck started and we could hear it which was rad. At 715, they FINALLY started letting people in. Lauren and I ran behind the twins, but still ended up 2nd row center on the floor. We were stoked. I even texted my mom that we were going to be close enough to help with the Buddha Walk (which is a time during a song called Buddha for Mary that Jared actually walks on the crowd).
Oh how the mighty fall.
We didn't even last through the entire first opening act (of which there are three total). I'm not a small girl, so to be jostled so violently that ALL of my weight is leaning backwards and it still makes no difference, is scary as fuck. Lauren and I left the pit to get water and a seat at the table that the TEXchelon (the Texas Echelon that we had made friends with earlier in line) had saved. We basically left The Twins for dead on the rail and couldn't find Yousef. After shotgunning one and a half bottles of water in about 12 seconds, I could finally form a coherrant thought.
Eventually, our entire group gave up. Yousef found us at the table and The Twins were both pulled to safety by security. I think the crowd was on speed or something that night. There were INSANE moshers, crowd-surfers and high/drunk people just smacking people in the face and not caring. By the way, I've never heard sailor language as dirty as the words that came out of Maegan's mouth after she made it to the table after the second opener, Envy on the Coast. The third opener, June, sucked in my opinon and that's when Lindsay finally emerged from the crowd looking like she had just passed through the birth canal.
The 30 show was awesome. However, since we were fairly far back, it looked like we were just watching it on a big-screen, crystal clear YouTube. Lauren and I still got into it, cheering and making asses of ourselves singing loudly really freaking out some skirts in front of us. Oh well. After the concert, we made our way back to the car to get our cameras for the best part of the night:
Outside a Bus in the Pouring Rain; Meeting 30 Seconds to Mars
Yes, we had all just sweated about 9lbs off in the barely air-conditioned venue. Yes, we were now all standing in the rain. My hair was now in a shitass ponytail and my makeup was running down my face and my sleeves were rolled up...but I didn't care. After about 10 minutes of waiting, I spotted some eyes. "Lauren!" I whispered to one of my best friends as she tried to powder her nose and assess the damage.
"What?" she said back, not looking at me or paying attention.
"Lau-ren!!" I said more pointedly, as I watched the entire band assemble.
"WHAT??!!" She half-yelled at me, shooting me a look that could freeze a hobbit in its tracks. I took matters into my own hands literally grabbing Lauren's head and swiveling it towards the band as Jared et al moved into the venue for their CD signing (which is a complete waste of time as it is very assembly-line-like).
In less than an hour, they began working their way through the line of about 30 die-hards outside the venue. Shannon was first.
At first sight, Shannon looks harmless. Sure, he's attractive and all that, but GODDAMN. In reality, he is completely intimidating. God, I couldn't even look at him straight-on. *shudders* I also made an idiot out of myself asking him if I could "borrow his shoes" for a picture...meaning could I please take a picture of his shoes instead of his face. *facepalm* That's going to be something I will forever kick myself over.
But I got the picture!
For the next section of meeting people, more explanation is required. Yousef, being the sweet, hilarious bear he is, wanted to make a shirt. It took him forever to come up with a slogan, but he finally decided on "...as a goose" on the front and "wanna flock?" on the back in response to Jared's recent gay controversy. (His publicist has a familiar name, ehh?? ;) Anyway, he made the shirt. He was really REALLY nervous about wearing it, but I convinced him that Jared would be fine with it.
How I love to be proven right!
Not only was Jared fine with it, he was practically GIDDY about it. Before he even said 'hi,' he spotted Yousef's shirt and said, "That is fuckin' hilarious! Has Shannon seen this?" (Shannon routinely takes pictures of everyone's homemade shirts for their website and archives) Yousef answered with a negative and Jared looked Yousef in the eye saying, "Go get Shannon; he's gotta get a picture of this!" Uncomfortably nodding, but following directions, Yousef went to retrieve Shannon as I took Lauren and Jared's picture and my shoe picture.
Jared asked me if I wanted a picture and I said "Sure, but of your shoes." He smiled (oooh, kill me) and said...and I quote...
"Go for it." *dies* I got a sweet pat on the back from him as if I was a little old lady, but you guys know me. I have a tendency to physically lock up around famous pretty people.
Cut to: Yousef is now back with news that Shannon will be there in a second. While we wait, I took the first picture of him and Jared:
After this, Shannon took a picture of both the front and back of the shirt as well as one of Yousef and Jared on his camera. *sigh* This made my faghag heart soar. He then took one with Yousef and Lauren.
Moments were spent eavesdropping on the TEXchelon's conversations with Jared as this was their 27th show of the tour and he knew them well. It was SO freaking cool to hear him just shoot the shit with people.
Eventually, Tomo, the gorgeous guitar player emerged and was ready to take pictures. He is such a sweetheart. ♥
He was adamant that I get his sock in the picture. I told him that a well-turned ankle can really take him places. ;) After this, he really read Yousef's shirt and started to laugh. He looked at the three of us and asked, "Why was that even such a big deal?!"
"To have to have your publicist issue a statement...madness," I replied shaking my head.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I mean, number one..."
"Who cares?" I suggested, giving him a hopeful look.
"EXACTLY!! Who cares?!!" Tomo said with gusto. OMG, I was discussing the gaye with Tomo and I didn't even bring it up. Score one for the hags. "And two, if you're a journalist, think of some more interesting questions."
"Yeah, you guys answer the same five questions every interview," I said, finding my PR comfort zone.
"I know! Well, not every interview. There are some interviewers that actually, you know, listen to music," he replied smiling.
"Yeah, like Stephen from Stephen's Untitled Rock Show," I winked.
"Yeah!" he said. He then got attacked by more fangirls, so I left the conversation. Tomo's my new flavorite. *squishes him* The Gaye and PR all in one convo and I didn't make an idiot of myself. *fistpump*
When I made my way back to Yousef, he was making a sad kitten face. The picture I had taken earlier of him and Jared was too bright (as you can see above). He wanted another one, but was nervous. "Just go ask him!" I urged. Jared was saying goodbye to June, giving them each full-contact hugs. RAWR. When he was done, Yousef piped up.
"Ummm, Jared? Could we possibly...?" Yousef started so cutely no one could say no.
"Did you not like that one?" Jared laughed and ushered Yousef over. "Sure!" I don't know how Yousef stayed breathing.
"Okay, what face are we making in this one?" Yousef asked.
"Well, I'm going to make a handsome face," Jared replied.
"So you don't have to make an expression at all," I said under my breath.
"Blue Steel," he continued. "Ready?" I nodded and took the picture.
"Okay, we've got to do a fun one too!" Jared almost squealed. Mr. Leto just kept racking up the cool points. I laughed and made sure they were ready.
*big huge sigh* At this point, we were all floating. Matt, the bassist, finally made his way into the die-hards. He was lovely and took pictures gracefully even though he was rumbly in his tumbly and not feeling well.
Everyone decided to put their foot in. There's my black Chucks, then, going right, Lauren's really clean black Chuck, Matt's high-top black Chucks, Elizabeth of the TEXchelon's red thingies, Cassie of the TEXchelon's phoenix tatt, and Jeremy of the TEXchelon's duct-taped slip-ons. \m/
And finally, we said good-night to the boys of 30STM telling them we'd see them in Wichita. Then we said good-night to each other, saying "drive safe" like good mommies and daddies, and we floated back to the hotel on a high that still hasn't worn off.
THE END: SIDE ONE...PLEASE INSERT WICHITA TAPE AND CONTINUE
...when i get it written...;)