Hellbent and Nashville bound...
By demand - seriously - and from fear of being beaten if I don't do this report...I give you the mamoth report...
Ok, my mind is still spazzing and running from this past week, not to mention I feel like I’m missing a day or two here with the lack and the slight over sleep I’ve had. It feels like Tuesday or Wednesday, not Monday right now. [Yes, I started writing this yesterday...]
This is long, I'm warning you. All the pictures are linked so you don't have to worry if you're on dial-up like Jep.
Tuesday/Wednesday - hello, just call me chicken without the head. Seriously. Got up at about 5am to talk with Cat and play in one_post_stand and finish up the thread we were working on before I left. Ended up getting off line at about 10:30, got dressed in my ‘omfg this is too comfortable for words’ clothes [long sleeved Tshirt and my ripped ‘redneck’ - as my mom calls them - jeans].
I headed out on the bus and went to go get my hair highlighted and blowed out straight. OMG I love it. [Picture here]. Also splurged $5 and got my nails done; which is something I never do. *snicker* Like I said to Court and Meg, I ran around here like I was getting ready for a date/booty call. *snort* Ran into Winn Dixie and picked up some of my ice tea - yes, I’m addicted. No, I’m not giving it up. :P.
Yes, I’m most likely boring half of you but hey, deal. All this shit was a journey and since you all weren't there…you’re gonna get all of it now. *smirk*
Alright, end up coming back after my hair, futz around online, set the cats up for a week and made sure that everything was settled and fixed. Emailed my girls, had a slight separation anxiety attack from Megness. Yes, we’re pathetic, but it’s cute. *grin*
Hopped onto the bus at about 4, didn’t get to the bus station till 6; ended up on the wrong bus and took the long way to the station. Thankfully they have AC down here and a radio. I spanked on the Ipod and tuned everyone out till I got to the station. Ended up that he stopped printing Greyhound tickets at 3pm, seeing as it was 6 he said I’d have to hop on the bus and get it at the next station. Ok, annoying much? Whatever, I managed to get that without a problem so hey, no problem there.
Bus was supposed to get to the bus station at 6:45…it didn’t show up till 8. Thank goodness I had a layover in Tallahassee for two hours. In the time I waited for the bus…ok, and here I thought all of the interesting people were in any town but mine. There was a guy waiting with his girlfriend that had like 7 beers and kept sparking up while we were waiting, even offered me some. Umm, no thank you. Firstly when you’re about thirty feet from someone and the winds blowing away from you and you can smell the weed and the person looks skuzzy? You say no. lol.
The bus going up to Tallahassee was so fucking crowded - probably because it was going up from Clearwater - I ended up sitting next to this guy, thankfully he knew the blessings of a shower. He was real sweet when he asked me if I was ok. I get like insane panic attacks when crowded - like OMG don’t touch me - so I was slightly flipping out. He tried to talk to me and calmed me a bit. We got to the Brooksville station and I picked up my ticket - for those keeping track, no I haven’t eaten yet today - popped back on the crowded bus and zoned out till we got up to Tallahassee.
We didn’t have time to stop so I got off one bus and hopped on the other, took my bag with me because I so don’t check things with Greyhound anymore. Not since they lost my bag like six years ago. This time it wasn’t that crowded, I got the two seats to myself, pulled the seat back and popped on the best thing to go to sleep to. Firefly soundtrack. Popped that sucker on repeat and ended up dozing a few times; got up and called Court at some point, made some phone posts and then put my ass back to sleep.
After Firefly played three times and Serenity played four, I ended up popping on the light and pulled out my notebook, worked on a few challenges for btvsats_20 for Tara. Ended up doodling the K from the KANE CD’s and listening to the mix disk that I made with the new songs and the Steve songs I ripped for Leah from Steve's myspace. I think Dynamite is my favorite Steve song so far at this point.
We made a stop in Montgomery and then again in Birmingham for an hour a piece. Attempted to grab food but that so didn’t find anything food worthy. Ended up getting one of those pressed penny’s in Birmingham for my memory box collection [I lost track how many of those I have.]
Popped back on the bus and doodled a bit more in my book, wrote a bit of random tidbits for everyfiveyears for my Tara and Lindsey challenges till Leah called.
She wanted to see where I was and if everything was on time and what not, we ended up talking for about an hour till I got to the station and realized ‘umm, I’m twenty minutes from you, I should get my ass into the car…’.
Saw the most horrific sight waiting for Leah and her friend Julie to pick me up. Some guy in a cowboy hat [sexy], boots [sexy] and short shorts [OMG MY EYES!], I thought I was gonna die. I know people don’t get dressed up and shit for a bus…but that was just wrong. Very, very wrong.
I walked my ass outside [OMG WIND!] and waited for them and looking for Leah’s red pickup… *blink* I don’t think she realized how many red pickup’s there were in Nashville.
Leah and Julie showed up; now when I say Leah is exactly how I pictured her, I mean it. She’s just a trip. In walks this woman with blond hair, wearing a shirt that says ‘I have issues’ and this ‘attitude’ about her that is magnetic. lol. Plus? I also think she’s lying about having two kids; mom’s aren’t supposed to be awesome like that. *luff’s the Leahness* Only thing that’s different from how I pictured it was that she was without a beer…for the moment.
Hugged, said hello and headed out to the hotel. Got lost and turned around but quickly found it. The hotel was right outside everything and was a better price then I realized for the area. Made me one happy camper [became even better later on, you’ll see].
We three bullshitted for a while and they left about two to pick up Julie’s kids and leaving me to my own devices… *laughs* We all know that’s a bad thing.
No food, way over tired, reeking of bus, restless, excited and OMG bored.
Not a good combo it seems…
I jumped into the shower, unpacked my bags a bit [ok, it really looked like my bag exploded all over the room because I didn’t care where anything was at the moment], brushed out my hair and headed up to the office. I asked for a map and I already knew what I wanted to do. I wanted a tattoo.
Granted I’ve planned doing this for a while - years if you know me about the B one - but something always happens and I can’t get it or I don’t feel right getting it…something happens.
Not this time.
I headed out onto Broadway off Demonbrum - where the hotel is - and walked a bit. The tattoo place that everyone talked about was on Broadway and less than a half a mile from the hotel. Ipod firmly in place and I was very well on my way.
The tattoo place I ended up at was in an old bank building and the fucker was clean, way more than I expected or have seen. Inquired a bit about the place and looked over the artists. I have this thing, if you do tat’s and you have some of your own and they look good, chances are you or someone you work with did it so someone’s good.
Ended up with JD who was so nice and sweet to me. I was exhausted and overtired and so not on my game, but he was patient and told me all about what it entailed and I showed him my design and told him what I wanted exactly for the back of my neck.
He sketched it out on his own and tweaked it a bit - writing/drawing on the bus does not make smooth lines - and shrunk it down to the size I wanted, went over the aftercare with me and I paid the man.
He also drew out the second tattoo I wanted and I was kinda iffy about it. I think with the B on my toe I was so overly picky about it that I don’t think anything would have been ‘perfect’.
I paid for the one on my neck - $80 - and asked how much for a simple B on my big toe. $5 the manager said and I was thrilled. Not only for $85 for two tat’s but because most places won’t do it on your fingers or toes as I was told by Leah as well as the artist.
Now came the inking. He started with the tail end of the tat and it hurt like a bitch. Not the tattoo it’s self but the fact that the needle was vibrating in my spine. He asked me what was wrong and I explained my back problems to him.
What I very well left out is how my neck is more sensitive than anything and well… Bunny knows exactly what I’m talking about.
Tattoo’s I’m finding are nearly orgasmic; the best sex I never had. I want more. *cough*
When I say that JD was a god, I mean it. He mapped it out quick and easy, did the outline first and he would do a spot and stop for a second, then start again. He did this till he was done with the main part and all of the black. He then went onto the brown, we started talking about some random things and such - like Court getting a tat like we have planned - as well as some other things like where I was from and what I was doing in Nashville.
JD said that the one on my neck should take about an hour…it didn’t. He was done in about thirty minutes before he went on to do the second one on my toe.
We know me, I haven’t worn shoes aside from my chunkies in about five years, I wear sneakers up to Nashville and forget to pack the damn shoes so I’m now worried about how the tat’s going to fair going back into my shoes. Thankfully it was all good, JD did the tattoo real quick. He did the B like I paid for and then let the creative take over and he did the bunny ears like I wanted - which was the part I was picky about because I could never get some to look right - he even colored it in when I only paid for a simple black B.
White ink…hurts like fuck. The entire tat hurt, mostly the part where the B and the ears meet because it’s on the knuckle.
He wrapped me up, took a picture with my camera and I was on my way. But not before telling me that my skin was damn near made for inking because I never bled; he’s never had a non bleeder before. I also ended up buying this tattoo stuff called Ink Fixx, glad I did because as us girls find out later on while Driving Miss Chickie that there didn’t seem to be a damn drugstore in all of downtown Nashville.
*whispers* Want more ink… *cough*
I know, some of you are going ‘PICTURES FUCKER!’ so here they are. lol.
First one is the picture that JD took right after the inking. The last one is of the tattoo on my toe.
[Picture #1] [Picture #2] [Picture #3] [Picture #4]
*smirks and waits for reactions*
Yes, I got the K from KANE tattooed with a cowboy hat on my neck. It looks fantastic. It’s not totally fangirly in a way. I’ve had K as part of a few of my nicknames for a while so I figured why not. I got the KANE K for KANE naturally, as well as Kane [the boy. *purr*] and other reasons.
*blinks* Why am I explaining and trying to justify myself? *snort* I shouldn’t be and I’m not. I got it, I love it. Deal. Ha.
Then again it’s not like I went and got someone’s face or entire body tattooed on me, that’s just creepy. And a bit on the psycho side. *cough*
Ok, so I end up leaving the hotel and walking a bit down Broadway, there was a Kinko’s across the street but I was too damn tired - and hungry - to go online [yes, die of shock]. I ended up going to this one place and got a hotdog…omg ugh it was so bad. But I was too hungry to care. lol.
Hopped a public bus - ahhh the nostalgia for $1.50 bus fair - and got back to the hotel. Unwound for a bit - called up to the desk because the microwave blew the power out - cleaned the tat and then headed to the office where they said I could pop online for a few.
I did my thing, checked in, apparently became Chel’s hero. *giggle* Hobbled back to the room, grabbed a soda from the vending machine and proceeded to do everything possible not to fall asleep.
Called Court and talked for a few hours, rambled about random things. I don’t think I made an ounce of sense talking. Watched Charmed and bitched about no stations at the hotel. HBO had nothing on either.
It was about 9:30 when I called Shanna to see if the poor girl was alive and how the trip was going. We rambled and yammered about a few things. *giggle* thought she got pulled over for speeding but thankfully not. It’s very sad to say that I couldn’t tell you anything special we talked about aside from the OMG we’re tired aspect of the conversation because I was desperately trying not to fall asleep talking.
Ended up taking a nap and getting off the phone with her and waited for her call. Hotel was great, the bed…OMFG DIE. They sucked and hurt and made me real annoyed.
It was about one AM when Shanna called to wake my ass up and wondered into the hotel. I feel bad but I think the first words I said was ‘OMG I’m exhausted.’. Oops, but fun was had and Shan’s knows I love her - esp after Thursday *cough* - *bats lashes*.
Shanna went and washed the drive off of her and we proceeded to pass out; no worries Shanna, I was beyond ready to sleep at that point.
Thursday - I don’t know what the fuck was up with my body but I was up by 7 - would have been 8 my time - and wide awake. I had cramps from hell - nothing new - and I didn’t wanna wake Shanna up so I took my notebook and my Serenity comic into the bathroom with me.
Hey! I know, weird but I didn’t want to wake Shanna up after all that driving so I kept quiet. Turned the TV on after about an hour and put it on low - like lip reading low - and watched Charmed. Shanna woke up a bit later and ended up going out to her car and putting the parking pass in her car to save it from being toed. Decided to go over to the breakfast room to get food.
Add our ages together - twenty-four and twenty-six - and we still didn’t add up to one of the people that were there. We picked at juice and cereal before heading back into our room to wait for loudmouth - I mean Leah - to show up with Chickie.
The girls showed up a bit later when Shanna and I were dressed, we established that I shouldn’t be left alone in a new city and bored, talked for a little bit till Leah left to get ready and pick up Julie.
Chickie got settled and we headed out for food - we waited for Layla for a bit but were too hungry - ended up driving around and going to Sabarros. I’m so out of touch with city life but it’s been ages since I spent eight dollars on a small ziti and soda. Granted I didn’t eat most of it because we were all buzzing around and anxious for tonight.
Backtracking for a moment…
We decided that before we went for food we’d do a dry run to 12th and Porter to check out the place… Ok, you blink and you miss it. I’m so serious; it’s this small black building across from a bar/BBQ place. It was quiet so we kept driving and I’m not sure how but we ended up taking a wrong turn…
*snicker* We ended up in the getto, I mean seriously. The best part was that Chickie was the one in the back flipping out. Shanna quietly locked the door’s and tried not to giggle while Chickie flipped out in the back seat. “Why’d we stop? GO!!” As we quietly - but anxiously - waited for the school bus to move in front of us.
Me being the smart ass that I am decided to crack jokes… "Today two white women were killed in the ghetto while the third woman was taken to safety. The locals feared the third was being held against her will.” I then said something about ‘Driving Miss Chickie’ that made us all giggle as we pealed out of there and speeded off to find food.
While picking I was exposed for the first time to Chickie’s little pre-Chris spaz out. It’s like how I get with the anxious and it was so cute. Hehe. We were waiting for Layla [Ansky] to show up and call; which she did and we headed back to the hotel.
We all met up, talked, I showed off my ink and then we all decided to get dressed. No you perves, we weren't walking around the hotel naked - although there was an incident with bra’s and an open window. Finally dressed - and me with my hair recurled because it looked like total shit again *sigh* - the four of us piled into Shanna’s car - blasted KANE [House Rules again] - and headed over to 12th and Porter.
Parked in the lot behind and prayed that it wouldn’t rain. The door to the back room was open and we could see all the pretty standing and rehearsing. After a moment of oogling we headed into the bar - or well the tiny place that you could fit maybe fifty people in with breathing room - and the girl said they were still closed for another hour and to head over to the place next door.
So we did, it started to drizzle at that point when we walked across. Steve [later to be known as Steeeeeeeeeve!] was walking across, he seemed in a hurry so just waved and headed in. The four of us headed into the little hokey place and sitting at the bar was the second best thing that has come out of the south - yeah, I know, I’m biased - Brandon.
I met him at MR in the summer but I was running around so much that I didn’t have time to really talk and what not. We all ran around and got hugs and the sweetest thing was that Brandon remembered me from the con. So very cute and sweet. God he gives great hugs. *grin*.
Leah and Julie came in right after and I went out to get them. Showed off my ink to cement my insanity; that’s when ‘HEY FUCKER’ was born. *laugh* Brandon said he was doing security for the guys tonight and that’s why he was there; when asked who and why for he grinned *sigh* and said ‘You fuckers!’ Damn right.
We all hung around for a bit, got a round of Smirinoff’s since this bar didn’t do drinks, if it’s in a bottle they have it, otherwise you’re SOL… Ok then. lol.
The door’s open to 12th and Porter so we head out and piled into the bar, it seemed pretty quiet for the moment. We ended up meeting a few other people that are known on the circuit. Jackie and her friend [fuck if I remember her name *facepalm*] and Jerry [?]. Everyone kinda gravitated towards Chickie all night. You say the name and everyone’s ears perk up.
[Side note, I just ended up on page eight of word with this thing…damn I babble…]
The place started to crowd up - seemed like less than Leah said there was on Tuesday - and we lined up and waited to get into the back room. Eric was wondering around and as usual looked like a chicken looking for his damn head. Poor thing must have his hands full with those boys.
Finally like cattle we ended up going into the other end of the club and when I say we were at the stage…I mean we were at the stage, we ended up putting our purses on the speakers Damnit. [Pic Here] You'll notice that some of my pics have Chickie in them. hehe. Always fun.
The wait…omg it was insane. It wasn’t long but it felt like for-fucking-ever. Leah and Julie were off to the side of the stage and Leah being the klepto she is [as I say that with LOVE!] took the set list. She was awesome enough to make copies. [Picture Here]
So the chanting starts for the boys to come out. It gets loud and intense, the entire room is vibrating with energy and everyone was loaded and ready. The camera crew from CMT was there filming and talked to some fans. I didn’t have the balls - or mouth - enough to point myself out and show them my tattoo…oh well.
Lights blacked out and everyone but Christian came up on stage, you could hear everything even over the yelling. The camera’s started flashing and you could then the harmonica started - only getting more screams out of us - while it played in the dark. [Picture Here]
Then the big boy came out, lights came up and up started House Rules. To be redundant…they rocked, they kicked a whole lot of ass from the first beat of the drums on. Us being the nuts that we are - Chickie, Shanna, Layla and I - went and tossed up mardi gras beads during that one part of the song. Christian grinned down at us and totally played it up. Loved it.
Everything’s kind of a blur, I used my amazing camera and did some video clips that came out awesome, we ended up picking up some of the feedback from the speakers but it’s all good. I tried taking stills of the concert but well…Christian runs around the stage like a crack child with ADD. I love it; the energy is addicting. But my pictures and camera don’t and they came out blurry. Steve tossed out one of the beads at the end of the song and I think there was fighting over it…
There was also lifting of the shirt and then subtle grabbing of parts…just when you think that man can’t get sexier…
Next was Middle American Saturday Night; a song I’ve always loved. They then played a song I’ve never heard before - I’m not sure if it’s a cover (which I doubt) or a new song that we should all be chanting to have recorded - Wish You Were Here. I was so in the zone with this song and some stupid little twiggy cunt behind me said I was crowding her… *blink* excuse me, I’m standing there, you can move, I was there first whore. *cough* Yes, fangs are bared when I spend nearly 20 hours traveling to see a thirty minute show.
Back to the pretty. The song was fantastic and mellow, it’s one of those mellow songs that just make you get lost in the moment. I want to hear it recorded. Now, KTHX. It’s been a while since I’ve been in love with a slow song like this.
Somethin’s Gotta Give was the next song. Words can’t say how much I loved listening to this song; every time it plays I love it more, seriously. I ended up listening to it on loop at one point on the way home.
Their final song was Lucky Boar Texas which I’ve never heard before; it was so much fun to hear live.
The entire time I don’t think anyone stayed still, I know I didn’t and my pictures show that. lol. [Concert Pictures Here] It’s all a pleasant blur.
I was in front of Steve the entire time; well I think it was right in front of him and Chris straight away. Granted I heard them play at Moonlight Rising this was so much better. I didn’t have the pleasure of soaking everything up like I did this time and this concert was amazing. I missed the few people I wished could share it with me and I had a blast with everyone that was there with me.
Chris did the toast and when the concert ended he thanked us for coming and you could see the amazement and gratitude in his eyes that we were there to see him and it wasn’t even a full concert.
Side note: from what I know he was a fuck of a lot more relaxed this round because the fans were upfront and not all the suits - which I really didn’t see there at all.
The concert ended with much sadness. Everyone was anxious for more and it was like the worlds greatest tease that we were a part of. Then again I think that they could have played for seven hours and that still wouldn’t have been enough.
There was a bit of a lull and then Chris and Steve came out to do autographs and what not - I’m sure the rest of the band did but sadly I admit I still need to brush up on who’s who - and I made Shanna take me over to meet Steve.
Now, for me being the big mouth that I am I can be wicked shy when I’m nervous. I don’t know why I was so nervous or anything but I was and Shanna was great. She introduced us and he shook my hand - god he’s got warm rough guitar hands - and proceeded to call me Laura. *laughs* It was too noisy to correct him but I got a pretty picture with the big, warm and very nice smelling man. [Picture Here].
I adore that picture, he always seems to have this ‘I know something you don’t know’ and devious look on his face. I love it. Hehe.
[Side note...You can tell how much I've been drinking as the night goes on. My face gets redder and redder...I think I look like a glow worm at the bar.]
After my picture with Steve, Layla got hers [Picture Here] and then Shanna hers [Picture Here]
Some BSing went on and then I kindly dragged Layla over to Chris with me where we stood and tried to get his attention. But apparently the twiggy girls with the big tits were in the way. I made a crack that we weren't that but together we were - me with the rack and her with the twiggy - god I amuse me sometimes. [Picture Here]
We finally got up there and Layla I’m so sorry if I just kinda ignored you and forgot about you. I forgot my own name at one point being around him.
He grinned at me - not that slow as molasses smile but that cheeky ‘hey you’ smile - and I got a nice big hug. He signed the Live in London CD for me for my dearest Meg [Picture Here] - which proceeded him to call me Megan’s Friend - and I got another hug and a picture. [Picture Here].
I got another hug - ok, one can never OD on Christian hugs, seriously - and I don’t remember what exactly I said but I told him about my twenty hour bus ride and that I got a tattoo. He was like ‘oh really’ and I turned and showed him.
Everything’s a blur but I think his reaction was basically ‘No fucking way man, you’ve gotta be shittin’ me. Is that real?” He touched it and it hurt like hell but did we notice how much I didn’t care when he wrapped his arm around my neck for the other picture? Ok then. Good pain is just that…mmmm good. *cough*
This next little part was my down fall. I didn’t take my own damn advice! I looked into his eyes. Dear god in heaven it should be illegal. That man’s got eyes that…
*lost thought*
Ok, where was I…oh yeah.
He thought it was so cool and then pointed to this guy - who’s name so escapes me, sorry - by the door to the back rooms and asked me to go show him. I think I was so spazed that I didn’t even say goodbye - but I did say thank you - and went over to him. He introduced himself and the girl he was with - Renee - I remember her name because that’s my middle name. Like a big ass goober I said that too.
I got a hug from him - v-nice - and talked to him for a few. He asked me how I knew about the show and all that and I told him and it was a good conver.
Then I spazed around a bit more - like I was able to do anything but that at this point - and then pulled my CD from my bag and brought it over to Steve. I figured since everyone got their chance for pictures and what not that I could get him to sign the black CD for me and the London for Meg.
He was talking to his friend and I politely managed to get in. More talking happened and I told him of the tattoo. He said that it was awesome and he must toast to me. Which happened but I never had the nerve to say that I detest beer - the girls will tell you that there were reasons that I made sure to drink the entire thing - and then I went back to futzing around. At some point I ended up with Steve’s shot glass beads and I currently have it hanging on my desk with the other beads and Christian’s guest pass from MR that he signed.
I tried to get back over to Chris again to get a signature for myself but hey, poor man is always being molested but us fuckers so it’s ok that I didn’t get back over there.
We were then herded like cattle by little miss Leah into the main area of the bar where we all attacked poor Brandon… Wait. By saying ‘poor Brandon’ would assume that he didn’t like it… The fucker loved it. *grin*
We all got our pictures with him [Me & Brandon] [Layla & Brandon] [Leah & Brandon] [Chickie & Brandon]
Chris was doing more sigs with other people and I managed to get a few pretty candid’s of him. [Here] & [Here] - the first one is my favorite. The hair and…everything.
/fangirlng
We drank. We talked. We swooned. We yelled at the Jack Tease. The noise and what not started to kinda get to me so I headed outside to call my girl. Hehe Meg and I talked for about 30 minutes and totally spazed out. I didn’t want to tell her about the sig’s but I couldn’t not! I was too wired and slightly buzzed and I was upset too - though I hid it well - because she wasn’t there. *sigh*
I went back in and a bit later we headed over to the BBQ place across the street and waited for our ‘appointment’. ‘Appointment’ is Chickie code for ‘Boys said where they were going, we’re going. It’s hushhush’. I so love it.
This is when all six of us headed over to the bar across the street; ordered beer’s and Julie ordered the salsa from hell. It cleared up my sinuses the little bit I had. My god that stuff was horrid, this is coming from the girl who once drank a full bottle on a dare and liked it.
We eventually all piled in our cars and headed over to the hotel - blasting House Rules all the way - and decided against changing totally before heading across the street to The Tin Cup.
Now when I say this place was where to be, I so mean it. Steve was at the bar - and stayed there the entire night - and Chris was towards the bathroom and enthralled with his game of arcade put-put.
One thing that amused me so much - maybe it was partly from the liquor - was that Chris’ idea of ‘incognito’ was a ski hat with the red shirt… Ok, how cute. That shirt is legendary, seriously, it has it’s own website and he thinks he’s gonna hide like that? Plus that just pop’s in a crowd…
That was just cute. lol.
Ok, we ordered drinks, drank - a lot - and the night is one long glorious blur. Seriously. There was one amazingly smashed chick that was drunk and kept hitting on me. I told her I was taken then ignored her and bought Layla and I drinks; she looked quite sad sitting and trying to get the last bit from the ice. lol.
I do remember at one point when we were sitting with Jackie that I decided to add to the wall of writing - every wall was written on - and I stepped over Chickie and Shanna and wrote on the wall. [Here] and Shanna wrote as well [Here]. Yes, the Hydra’s live on. I also wrote on the walls in the bathroom but I was too drunk to pic it. I prob would have dropped it in the toilet if I tried.
Shanna was…*snicker* the drunkest I believe, we were all a few sheets to the wind but she was loud… *giggle* She’s an amusing drunk, till she spills my drink when Aaron called me.
Yes, Aaron called while I was drunk and I quickly got off the phone with him. Who knows what I would say when I’m that bombed. Oops.
Brandon came by and we all got hugs and pictures again with him - not that he’d remember at this point - and Chickie got her nightly dose of Charmin squeezing. Well, that was after he decided to ‘grope’ her. [Picture #1] [Picture #2] Layla has my pic with Brandon on her cam.
About 1am rolled around and it was so time to call it a night. Miss Margarita was ready to zonk and we decided to drag her across to the hotel room. On our way out we had to get a hold of Steve to say goodnight. Chickie and I saw Chris leave earlier saying he was coming back…uhhuh, sure.
Leah was off somewhere with one of her…boys and Shanna was the first to spot Steve….or should I say ‘STEEEEEEEEEEEVE!’ *cough*. Sorry honey but it was hysterical.
I don’t think that Steve was anywhere near sober enough to react and we all got hugs. I made a wise ass comment about hearing about his legendary hugs and I got a hand shake. lol. So I got a real nice hug from him. Strong arms, boy smell nice.
*cough*
Ok, back to the rest of the night.
We managed to get little miss drunky across the street to the hotel after we said goodnight to Leah, Julie and their…friends.
I headed to the office for menus because we had the munchies; none of us ate all day so we were really feeling it at this point. Ended up ordering pizza while Shanna became ‘Bubble Bubble’.
*snickers amusingly* That was too amusing; but thankfully she was ok after a while. We finally got our food, after nearly falling asleep waiting for it. Ate and then passed the hell out while Shanna was still bubble bubble.
Friday - Woke up to find Shanna in the bed. Gee, thanks guys. Ha. Stick me with the drunky. But the logic that I was closest to the bathroom made…logic.
We got up and it’s very strange but we all felt fine, like really fine. Leah came by and we all ended up hanging out; sadly Layla had to leave early *sob* to head back home so I was busty without the twiggy *snort*.
The four of us yammered about the night before - the drinking and pretty boys - and the fact that Leah was thankful to Jack Tease for not giving her the bottle. Poor thing. Even though we felt pretty fine we all kinda looked like shit. lol. At least I did and Leah had on hangover glasses.
Most amusing thing that morning had to be when we piled into the car and Shanna turned the car on and scared the crap out of Leah who was crunched in the backseat. We forgot to turn down the radio when we got out of the car the night before and nearly send the poor thing through the roof. Oops.
I so <3 the girls for humoring me. I said the night before that I wanted Chinese because I can’t get decent down here. We went but after a night of drinking…oh lord. But we ate - Leah picked and tried not to look like she had a trucks license plate tattooed on her forehead - and then walked around a bit, popped into a few stores to check out souvenirs to bring home. Went to Kinko’s to check in with everyone and taunt the boards some. I got a few of the pics printed out and got the ones with Chris, Steve and Brandon printed out for me.
Now that’s saying something to the time I had out in Nashville because I have yet to do that with anything from MR.
After a bit more shopping we headed back to the hotel and BSed for a bit before Leah headed back to Julies. We said our goodbye’s and the three of us hung out at the hotel for a bit, oogling the video’s I got the night before and squeeing over the little heart that Chris made up on stage at one point. Yes, we’re dorks.
Decided to head up to the other end of Broadway to find dinner, couldn’t find anything special so we ended up at Chili’s. We ended up with the most amusing waiter ever. Said he was supposed to go to the showcase but didn’t, mentioned he had a girlfriend and then started flirting with me.
Amused can’t even begin to tell you.
Flirted back a bit and we ate, Chickie did some texting back and forth while we ate. We had the case of ‘eyes bigger than our stomach’ again and ended up tossing half of what we got; even though mine was real good - even the sour cream Shanna *snort* - we ordered a lava cake to go and decided to have that when we watched Close To Home at the hotel.
Before we left the three of us decided to torment the poor waiter. We told him to sit down and he did - putting his arm around me and leaning to me - and we proceeded to tell him with a straight face that he wasn’t getting a tip because he didn’t go to 12th and Porter the night before. He thought we were serious and his face so fell. But we told him we were teasing and gave him a nice tip before heading out and back to the hotel to unwind and watch the three channels that the hotel got.
Sat around and watched Close To Home - which Christian wasn’t in which sucked - we flipped around a bit and ended up seeing the end of Conviction before watching GAC till about one am and going to bed.
We decided that since my bus wasn’t till four and Chickies flight wasn’t till later on as well that we’d all go and get breakfast before dropping me off at the station. It took us about an hour to finally find a place to eat - seriously - every place in Nashville had everything but breakfast. There wasn’t one breakfast place in all of town. We finally found one place on the other end of town and there was way too much yellow and blue there.
Chickie and I hovered around one table that seated four but had one guy reading the paper. He finally got up and we took the table. Go team us. Shanna was a sweetie and ordered for all three of us and I still say that I should have ordered one pancake. When I say the fucker was huge, I so mean it.
After we ate we headed to Kinko’s to get our last bit of net before the road. I checked my mail and printed up the two tags that I had from Meg. Mmmm pretty and angsty. *cough*
The three of us decided to take in a bit more of Broadway and walked up and over a bit, eating up time before going back to Kinko’s and then heading out to the bus station.
Chickie and Shanna dropped me off, exchanged well wishes and hugs. Chickie said she was glad I came and I finally realized that I was ecstatic that I came. The last fan events I’d gone to left such a sour taste in my mouth that I had second thoughts about going to Nashville but I’m glad I said screw it and went.
Best time ever.
Now, onto the horrid time coming home. Worst time ever.
Had lunch at the station - for station food it ain’t that bad, bout time I had good southern food it’s been a long time since - then I called Court when I was done. She was probably sleeping so I pulled out my book and wrote a bit. I think I managed to write two prompts and a fic for my au100 challenge.
Waited an hour and called Court back, talked and gushed for a bit before heading to wait for the bus. Called and talked to Meg for a bit on the bus. Things got crowded and I started to have one of my fits again.
It was about eight or nine by the time I was totally spazzing out that I had to call someone. I didn’t wanna bother Court because of school shit so I called Bunny. I so <3 talking to Bunny and I’ve decided that we have to do it more Damnit.
Bunny and I talked about everything from ‘fucking hell I wish you were there and I didn’t think about it but you could have come up with Shanna’ to ‘Adam and Amber forever!’ *snickers*
We talked for about an hour before she had to go get ready for her night out. I was so glad to talk to her because I was gonna flip the fuck out on someone. Between the over crowded and hot ass bus to the incredibly stinky guy that sat next to me.
Sorry, but I don’t care how fucking cute you are, showers are a good thing Damnit. So he sat next to me till we ended up in Birmingham and I then took the two seats to myself till Montgomery. Hopped out and flew across the highway to McDonalds. Alright, someone tell me how ‘three burgers no mustard’ translates into ‘three double cheese burgers with extra mustard’?
Picked at them till this kid started screaming on the bus he was hungry. He told his grandmother he didn’t wanna eat before so she didn’t bother moving. So I gave her my burger and fries before popping in Serenity and sleeping. I’m so glad I took that damn pillow from the hotel - I do it every trip - and slept pretty decently. Kept waking up from the smell of that guy and dear god I wanted to kill someone.
Rest of the bus ride was boring, looked at the phone and had nobody to call which sucked. The bus was about fifteen minutes late but I got home before noon like I wanted.
Too wound up to sleep so I got online and futzed around. Didn’t get to sleep till about 1am and I think that’s about the end of this cracktastic tale…
Hmm, I think that’s everything; literally. There are a few bits and bobbles I’m sure I left out. I know that there were a few country music people there - apparently Joe Don was there from Rascal Flats - but we all know that when pretty boy is there I can’t see anything else. Tunnel vision I guess. *snicker* Oblivious is nice once in a while.
Wow, sixteen pages...who says I don’t babble?
Ok, my mind is still spazzing and running from this past week, not to mention I feel like I’m missing a day or two here with the lack and the slight over sleep I’ve had. It feels like Tuesday or Wednesday, not Monday right now. [Yes, I started writing this yesterday...]
This is long, I'm warning you. All the pictures are linked so you don't have to worry if you're on dial-up like Jep.
Tuesday/Wednesday - hello, just call me chicken without the head. Seriously. Got up at about 5am to talk with Cat and play in one_post_stand and finish up the thread we were working on before I left. Ended up getting off line at about 10:30, got dressed in my ‘omfg this is too comfortable for words’ clothes [long sleeved Tshirt and my ripped ‘redneck’ - as my mom calls them - jeans].
I headed out on the bus and went to go get my hair highlighted and blowed out straight. OMG I love it. [Picture here]. Also splurged $5 and got my nails done; which is something I never do. *snicker* Like I said to Court and Meg, I ran around here like I was getting ready for a date/booty call. *snort* Ran into Winn Dixie and picked up some of my ice tea - yes, I’m addicted. No, I’m not giving it up. :P.
Yes, I’m most likely boring half of you but hey, deal. All this shit was a journey and since you all weren't there…you’re gonna get all of it now. *smirk*
Alright, end up coming back after my hair, futz around online, set the cats up for a week and made sure that everything was settled and fixed. Emailed my girls, had a slight separation anxiety attack from Megness. Yes, we’re pathetic, but it’s cute. *grin*
Hopped onto the bus at about 4, didn’t get to the bus station till 6; ended up on the wrong bus and took the long way to the station. Thankfully they have AC down here and a radio. I spanked on the Ipod and tuned everyone out till I got to the station. Ended up that he stopped printing Greyhound tickets at 3pm, seeing as it was 6 he said I’d have to hop on the bus and get it at the next station. Ok, annoying much? Whatever, I managed to get that without a problem so hey, no problem there.
Bus was supposed to get to the bus station at 6:45…it didn’t show up till 8. Thank goodness I had a layover in Tallahassee for two hours. In the time I waited for the bus…ok, and here I thought all of the interesting people were in any town but mine. There was a guy waiting with his girlfriend that had like 7 beers and kept sparking up while we were waiting, even offered me some. Umm, no thank you. Firstly when you’re about thirty feet from someone and the winds blowing away from you and you can smell the weed and the person looks skuzzy? You say no. lol.
The bus going up to Tallahassee was so fucking crowded - probably because it was going up from Clearwater - I ended up sitting next to this guy, thankfully he knew the blessings of a shower. He was real sweet when he asked me if I was ok. I get like insane panic attacks when crowded - like OMG don’t touch me - so I was slightly flipping out. He tried to talk to me and calmed me a bit. We got to the Brooksville station and I picked up my ticket - for those keeping track, no I haven’t eaten yet today - popped back on the crowded bus and zoned out till we got up to Tallahassee.
We didn’t have time to stop so I got off one bus and hopped on the other, took my bag with me because I so don’t check things with Greyhound anymore. Not since they lost my bag like six years ago. This time it wasn’t that crowded, I got the two seats to myself, pulled the seat back and popped on the best thing to go to sleep to. Firefly soundtrack. Popped that sucker on repeat and ended up dozing a few times; got up and called Court at some point, made some phone posts and then put my ass back to sleep.
After Firefly played three times and Serenity played four, I ended up popping on the light and pulled out my notebook, worked on a few challenges for btvsats_20 for Tara. Ended up doodling the K from the KANE CD’s and listening to the mix disk that I made with the new songs and the Steve songs I ripped for Leah from Steve's myspace. I think Dynamite is my favorite Steve song so far at this point.
We made a stop in Montgomery and then again in Birmingham for an hour a piece. Attempted to grab food but that so didn’t find anything food worthy. Ended up getting one of those pressed penny’s in Birmingham for my memory box collection [I lost track how many of those I have.]
Popped back on the bus and doodled a bit more in my book, wrote a bit of random tidbits for everyfiveyears for my Tara and Lindsey challenges till Leah called.
She wanted to see where I was and if everything was on time and what not, we ended up talking for about an hour till I got to the station and realized ‘umm, I’m twenty minutes from you, I should get my ass into the car…’.
Saw the most horrific sight waiting for Leah and her friend Julie to pick me up. Some guy in a cowboy hat [sexy], boots [sexy] and short shorts [OMG MY EYES!], I thought I was gonna die. I know people don’t get dressed up and shit for a bus…but that was just wrong. Very, very wrong.
I walked my ass outside [OMG WIND!] and waited for them and looking for Leah’s red pickup… *blink* I don’t think she realized how many red pickup’s there were in Nashville.
Leah and Julie showed up; now when I say Leah is exactly how I pictured her, I mean it. She’s just a trip. In walks this woman with blond hair, wearing a shirt that says ‘I have issues’ and this ‘attitude’ about her that is magnetic. lol. Plus? I also think she’s lying about having two kids; mom’s aren’t supposed to be awesome like that. *luff’s the Leahness* Only thing that’s different from how I pictured it was that she was without a beer…for the moment.
Hugged, said hello and headed out to the hotel. Got lost and turned around but quickly found it. The hotel was right outside everything and was a better price then I realized for the area. Made me one happy camper [became even better later on, you’ll see].
We three bullshitted for a while and they left about two to pick up Julie’s kids and leaving me to my own devices… *laughs* We all know that’s a bad thing.
No food, way over tired, reeking of bus, restless, excited and OMG bored.
Not a good combo it seems…
I jumped into the shower, unpacked my bags a bit [ok, it really looked like my bag exploded all over the room because I didn’t care where anything was at the moment], brushed out my hair and headed up to the office. I asked for a map and I already knew what I wanted to do. I wanted a tattoo.
Granted I’ve planned doing this for a while - years if you know me about the B one - but something always happens and I can’t get it or I don’t feel right getting it…something happens.
Not this time.
I headed out onto Broadway off Demonbrum - where the hotel is - and walked a bit. The tattoo place that everyone talked about was on Broadway and less than a half a mile from the hotel. Ipod firmly in place and I was very well on my way.
The tattoo place I ended up at was in an old bank building and the fucker was clean, way more than I expected or have seen. Inquired a bit about the place and looked over the artists. I have this thing, if you do tat’s and you have some of your own and they look good, chances are you or someone you work with did it so someone’s good.
Ended up with JD who was so nice and sweet to me. I was exhausted and overtired and so not on my game, but he was patient and told me all about what it entailed and I showed him my design and told him what I wanted exactly for the back of my neck.
He sketched it out on his own and tweaked it a bit - writing/drawing on the bus does not make smooth lines - and shrunk it down to the size I wanted, went over the aftercare with me and I paid the man.
He also drew out the second tattoo I wanted and I was kinda iffy about it. I think with the B on my toe I was so overly picky about it that I don’t think anything would have been ‘perfect’.
I paid for the one on my neck - $80 - and asked how much for a simple B on my big toe. $5 the manager said and I was thrilled. Not only for $85 for two tat’s but because most places won’t do it on your fingers or toes as I was told by Leah as well as the artist.
Now came the inking. He started with the tail end of the tat and it hurt like a bitch. Not the tattoo it’s self but the fact that the needle was vibrating in my spine. He asked me what was wrong and I explained my back problems to him.
What I very well left out is how my neck is more sensitive than anything and well… Bunny knows exactly what I’m talking about.
Tattoo’s I’m finding are nearly orgasmic; the best sex I never had. I want more. *cough*
When I say that JD was a god, I mean it. He mapped it out quick and easy, did the outline first and he would do a spot and stop for a second, then start again. He did this till he was done with the main part and all of the black. He then went onto the brown, we started talking about some random things and such - like Court getting a tat like we have planned - as well as some other things like where I was from and what I was doing in Nashville.
JD said that the one on my neck should take about an hour…it didn’t. He was done in about thirty minutes before he went on to do the second one on my toe.
We know me, I haven’t worn shoes aside from my chunkies in about five years, I wear sneakers up to Nashville and forget to pack the damn shoes so I’m now worried about how the tat’s going to fair going back into my shoes. Thankfully it was all good, JD did the tattoo real quick. He did the B like I paid for and then let the creative take over and he did the bunny ears like I wanted - which was the part I was picky about because I could never get some to look right - he even colored it in when I only paid for a simple black B.
White ink…hurts like fuck. The entire tat hurt, mostly the part where the B and the ears meet because it’s on the knuckle.
He wrapped me up, took a picture with my camera and I was on my way. But not before telling me that my skin was damn near made for inking because I never bled; he’s never had a non bleeder before. I also ended up buying this tattoo stuff called Ink Fixx, glad I did because as us girls find out later on while Driving Miss Chickie that there didn’t seem to be a damn drugstore in all of downtown Nashville.
*whispers* Want more ink… *cough*
I know, some of you are going ‘PICTURES FUCKER!’ so here they are. lol.
First one is the picture that JD took right after the inking. The last one is of the tattoo on my toe.
[Picture #1] [Picture #2] [Picture #3] [Picture #4]
*smirks and waits for reactions*
Yes, I got the K from KANE tattooed with a cowboy hat on my neck. It looks fantastic. It’s not totally fangirly in a way. I’ve had K as part of a few of my nicknames for a while so I figured why not. I got the KANE K for KANE naturally, as well as Kane [the boy. *purr*] and other reasons.
*blinks* Why am I explaining and trying to justify myself? *snort* I shouldn’t be and I’m not. I got it, I love it. Deal. Ha.
Then again it’s not like I went and got someone’s face or entire body tattooed on me, that’s just creepy. And a bit on the psycho side. *cough*
Ok, so I end up leaving the hotel and walking a bit down Broadway, there was a Kinko’s across the street but I was too damn tired - and hungry - to go online [yes, die of shock]. I ended up going to this one place and got a hotdog…omg ugh it was so bad. But I was too hungry to care. lol.
Hopped a public bus - ahhh the nostalgia for $1.50 bus fair - and got back to the hotel. Unwound for a bit - called up to the desk because the microwave blew the power out - cleaned the tat and then headed to the office where they said I could pop online for a few.
I did my thing, checked in, apparently became Chel’s hero. *giggle* Hobbled back to the room, grabbed a soda from the vending machine and proceeded to do everything possible not to fall asleep.
Called Court and talked for a few hours, rambled about random things. I don’t think I made an ounce of sense talking. Watched Charmed and bitched about no stations at the hotel. HBO had nothing on either.
It was about 9:30 when I called Shanna to see if the poor girl was alive and how the trip was going. We rambled and yammered about a few things. *giggle* thought she got pulled over for speeding but thankfully not. It’s very sad to say that I couldn’t tell you anything special we talked about aside from the OMG we’re tired aspect of the conversation because I was desperately trying not to fall asleep talking.
Ended up taking a nap and getting off the phone with her and waited for her call. Hotel was great, the bed…OMFG DIE. They sucked and hurt and made me real annoyed.
It was about one AM when Shanna called to wake my ass up and wondered into the hotel. I feel bad but I think the first words I said was ‘OMG I’m exhausted.’. Oops, but fun was had and Shan’s knows I love her - esp after Thursday *cough* - *bats lashes*.
Shanna went and washed the drive off of her and we proceeded to pass out; no worries Shanna, I was beyond ready to sleep at that point.
Thursday - I don’t know what the fuck was up with my body but I was up by 7 - would have been 8 my time - and wide awake. I had cramps from hell - nothing new - and I didn’t wanna wake Shanna up so I took my notebook and my Serenity comic into the bathroom with me.
Hey! I know, weird but I didn’t want to wake Shanna up after all that driving so I kept quiet. Turned the TV on after about an hour and put it on low - like lip reading low - and watched Charmed. Shanna woke up a bit later and ended up going out to her car and putting the parking pass in her car to save it from being toed. Decided to go over to the breakfast room to get food.
Add our ages together - twenty-four and twenty-six - and we still didn’t add up to one of the people that were there. We picked at juice and cereal before heading back into our room to wait for loudmouth - I mean Leah - to show up with Chickie.
The girls showed up a bit later when Shanna and I were dressed, we established that I shouldn’t be left alone in a new city and bored, talked for a little bit till Leah left to get ready and pick up Julie.
Chickie got settled and we headed out for food - we waited for Layla for a bit but were too hungry - ended up driving around and going to Sabarros. I’m so out of touch with city life but it’s been ages since I spent eight dollars on a small ziti and soda. Granted I didn’t eat most of it because we were all buzzing around and anxious for tonight.
Backtracking for a moment…
We decided that before we went for food we’d do a dry run to 12th and Porter to check out the place… Ok, you blink and you miss it. I’m so serious; it’s this small black building across from a bar/BBQ place. It was quiet so we kept driving and I’m not sure how but we ended up taking a wrong turn…
*snicker* We ended up in the getto, I mean seriously. The best part was that Chickie was the one in the back flipping out. Shanna quietly locked the door’s and tried not to giggle while Chickie flipped out in the back seat. “Why’d we stop? GO!!” As we quietly - but anxiously - waited for the school bus to move in front of us.
Me being the smart ass that I am decided to crack jokes… "Today two white women were killed in the ghetto while the third woman was taken to safety. The locals feared the third was being held against her will.” I then said something about ‘Driving Miss Chickie’ that made us all giggle as we pealed out of there and speeded off to find food.
While picking I was exposed for the first time to Chickie’s little pre-Chris spaz out. It’s like how I get with the anxious and it was so cute. Hehe. We were waiting for Layla [Ansky] to show up and call; which she did and we headed back to the hotel.
We all met up, talked, I showed off my ink and then we all decided to get dressed. No you perves, we weren't walking around the hotel naked - although there was an incident with bra’s and an open window. Finally dressed - and me with my hair recurled because it looked like total shit again *sigh* - the four of us piled into Shanna’s car - blasted KANE [House Rules again] - and headed over to 12th and Porter.
Parked in the lot behind and prayed that it wouldn’t rain. The door to the back room was open and we could see all the pretty standing and rehearsing. After a moment of oogling we headed into the bar - or well the tiny place that you could fit maybe fifty people in with breathing room - and the girl said they were still closed for another hour and to head over to the place next door.
So we did, it started to drizzle at that point when we walked across. Steve [later to be known as Steeeeeeeeeve!] was walking across, he seemed in a hurry so just waved and headed in. The four of us headed into the little hokey place and sitting at the bar was the second best thing that has come out of the south - yeah, I know, I’m biased - Brandon.
I met him at MR in the summer but I was running around so much that I didn’t have time to really talk and what not. We all ran around and got hugs and the sweetest thing was that Brandon remembered me from the con. So very cute and sweet. God he gives great hugs. *grin*.
Leah and Julie came in right after and I went out to get them. Showed off my ink to cement my insanity; that’s when ‘HEY FUCKER’ was born. *laugh* Brandon said he was doing security for the guys tonight and that’s why he was there; when asked who and why for he grinned *sigh* and said ‘You fuckers!’ Damn right.
We all hung around for a bit, got a round of Smirinoff’s since this bar didn’t do drinks, if it’s in a bottle they have it, otherwise you’re SOL… Ok then. lol.
The door’s open to 12th and Porter so we head out and piled into the bar, it seemed pretty quiet for the moment. We ended up meeting a few other people that are known on the circuit. Jackie and her friend [fuck if I remember her name *facepalm*] and Jerry [?]. Everyone kinda gravitated towards Chickie all night. You say the name and everyone’s ears perk up.
[Side note, I just ended up on page eight of word with this thing…damn I babble…]
The place started to crowd up - seemed like less than Leah said there was on Tuesday - and we lined up and waited to get into the back room. Eric was wondering around and as usual looked like a chicken looking for his damn head. Poor thing must have his hands full with those boys.
Finally like cattle we ended up going into the other end of the club and when I say we were at the stage…I mean we were at the stage, we ended up putting our purses on the speakers Damnit. [Pic Here] You'll notice that some of my pics have Chickie in them. hehe. Always fun.
The wait…omg it was insane. It wasn’t long but it felt like for-fucking-ever. Leah and Julie were off to the side of the stage and Leah being the klepto she is [as I say that with LOVE!] took the set list. She was awesome enough to make copies. [Picture Here]
So the chanting starts for the boys to come out. It gets loud and intense, the entire room is vibrating with energy and everyone was loaded and ready. The camera crew from CMT was there filming and talked to some fans. I didn’t have the balls - or mouth - enough to point myself out and show them my tattoo…oh well.
Lights blacked out and everyone but Christian came up on stage, you could hear everything even over the yelling. The camera’s started flashing and you could then the harmonica started - only getting more screams out of us - while it played in the dark. [Picture Here]
Then the big boy came out, lights came up and up started House Rules. To be redundant…they rocked, they kicked a whole lot of ass from the first beat of the drums on. Us being the nuts that we are - Chickie, Shanna, Layla and I - went and tossed up mardi gras beads during that one part of the song. Christian grinned down at us and totally played it up. Loved it.
Everything’s kind of a blur, I used my amazing camera and did some video clips that came out awesome, we ended up picking up some of the feedback from the speakers but it’s all good. I tried taking stills of the concert but well…Christian runs around the stage like a crack child with ADD. I love it; the energy is addicting. But my pictures and camera don’t and they came out blurry. Steve tossed out one of the beads at the end of the song and I think there was fighting over it…
There was also lifting of the shirt and then subtle grabbing of parts…just when you think that man can’t get sexier…
Next was Middle American Saturday Night; a song I’ve always loved. They then played a song I’ve never heard before - I’m not sure if it’s a cover (which I doubt) or a new song that we should all be chanting to have recorded - Wish You Were Here. I was so in the zone with this song and some stupid little twiggy cunt behind me said I was crowding her… *blink* excuse me, I’m standing there, you can move, I was there first whore. *cough* Yes, fangs are bared when I spend nearly 20 hours traveling to see a thirty minute show.
Back to the pretty. The song was fantastic and mellow, it’s one of those mellow songs that just make you get lost in the moment. I want to hear it recorded. Now, KTHX. It’s been a while since I’ve been in love with a slow song like this.
Somethin’s Gotta Give was the next song. Words can’t say how much I loved listening to this song; every time it plays I love it more, seriously. I ended up listening to it on loop at one point on the way home.
Their final song was Lucky Boar Texas which I’ve never heard before; it was so much fun to hear live.
The entire time I don’t think anyone stayed still, I know I didn’t and my pictures show that. lol. [Concert Pictures Here] It’s all a pleasant blur.
I was in front of Steve the entire time; well I think it was right in front of him and Chris straight away. Granted I heard them play at Moonlight Rising this was so much better. I didn’t have the pleasure of soaking everything up like I did this time and this concert was amazing. I missed the few people I wished could share it with me and I had a blast with everyone that was there with me.
Chris did the toast and when the concert ended he thanked us for coming and you could see the amazement and gratitude in his eyes that we were there to see him and it wasn’t even a full concert.
Side note: from what I know he was a fuck of a lot more relaxed this round because the fans were upfront and not all the suits - which I really didn’t see there at all.
The concert ended with much sadness. Everyone was anxious for more and it was like the worlds greatest tease that we were a part of. Then again I think that they could have played for seven hours and that still wouldn’t have been enough.
There was a bit of a lull and then Chris and Steve came out to do autographs and what not - I’m sure the rest of the band did but sadly I admit I still need to brush up on who’s who - and I made Shanna take me over to meet Steve.
Now, for me being the big mouth that I am I can be wicked shy when I’m nervous. I don’t know why I was so nervous or anything but I was and Shanna was great. She introduced us and he shook my hand - god he’s got warm rough guitar hands - and proceeded to call me Laura. *laughs* It was too noisy to correct him but I got a pretty picture with the big, warm and very nice smelling man. [Picture Here].
I adore that picture, he always seems to have this ‘I know something you don’t know’ and devious look on his face. I love it. Hehe.
[Side note...You can tell how much I've been drinking as the night goes on. My face gets redder and redder...I think I look like a glow worm at the bar.]
After my picture with Steve, Layla got hers [Picture Here] and then Shanna hers [Picture Here]
Some BSing went on and then I kindly dragged Layla over to Chris with me where we stood and tried to get his attention. But apparently the twiggy girls with the big tits were in the way. I made a crack that we weren't that but together we were - me with the rack and her with the twiggy - god I amuse me sometimes. [Picture Here]
We finally got up there and Layla I’m so sorry if I just kinda ignored you and forgot about you. I forgot my own name at one point being around him.
He grinned at me - not that slow as molasses smile but that cheeky ‘hey you’ smile - and I got a nice big hug. He signed the Live in London CD for me for my dearest Meg [Picture Here] - which proceeded him to call me Megan’s Friend - and I got another hug and a picture. [Picture Here].
I got another hug - ok, one can never OD on Christian hugs, seriously - and I don’t remember what exactly I said but I told him about my twenty hour bus ride and that I got a tattoo. He was like ‘oh really’ and I turned and showed him.
Everything’s a blur but I think his reaction was basically ‘No fucking way man, you’ve gotta be shittin’ me. Is that real?” He touched it and it hurt like hell but did we notice how much I didn’t care when he wrapped his arm around my neck for the other picture? Ok then. Good pain is just that…mmmm good. *cough*
This next little part was my down fall. I didn’t take my own damn advice! I looked into his eyes. Dear god in heaven it should be illegal. That man’s got eyes that…
*lost thought*
Ok, where was I…oh yeah.
He thought it was so cool and then pointed to this guy - who’s name so escapes me, sorry - by the door to the back rooms and asked me to go show him. I think I was so spazed that I didn’t even say goodbye - but I did say thank you - and went over to him. He introduced himself and the girl he was with - Renee - I remember her name because that’s my middle name. Like a big ass goober I said that too.
I got a hug from him - v-nice - and talked to him for a few. He asked me how I knew about the show and all that and I told him and it was a good conver.
Then I spazed around a bit more - like I was able to do anything but that at this point - and then pulled my CD from my bag and brought it over to Steve. I figured since everyone got their chance for pictures and what not that I could get him to sign the black CD for me and the London for Meg.
He was talking to his friend and I politely managed to get in. More talking happened and I told him of the tattoo. He said that it was awesome and he must toast to me. Which happened but I never had the nerve to say that I detest beer - the girls will tell you that there were reasons that I made sure to drink the entire thing - and then I went back to futzing around. At some point I ended up with Steve’s shot glass beads and I currently have it hanging on my desk with the other beads and Christian’s guest pass from MR that he signed.
I tried to get back over to Chris again to get a signature for myself but hey, poor man is always being molested but us fuckers so it’s ok that I didn’t get back over there.
We were then herded like cattle by little miss Leah into the main area of the bar where we all attacked poor Brandon… Wait. By saying ‘poor Brandon’ would assume that he didn’t like it… The fucker loved it. *grin*
We all got our pictures with him [Me & Brandon] [Layla & Brandon] [Leah & Brandon] [Chickie & Brandon]
Chris was doing more sigs with other people and I managed to get a few pretty candid’s of him. [Here] & [Here] - the first one is my favorite. The hair and…everything.
/fangirlng
We drank. We talked. We swooned. We yelled at the Jack Tease. The noise and what not started to kinda get to me so I headed outside to call my girl. Hehe Meg and I talked for about 30 minutes and totally spazed out. I didn’t want to tell her about the sig’s but I couldn’t not! I was too wired and slightly buzzed and I was upset too - though I hid it well - because she wasn’t there. *sigh*
I went back in and a bit later we headed over to the BBQ place across the street and waited for our ‘appointment’. ‘Appointment’ is Chickie code for ‘Boys said where they were going, we’re going. It’s hushhush’. I so love it.
This is when all six of us headed over to the bar across the street; ordered beer’s and Julie ordered the salsa from hell. It cleared up my sinuses the little bit I had. My god that stuff was horrid, this is coming from the girl who once drank a full bottle on a dare and liked it.
We eventually all piled in our cars and headed over to the hotel - blasting House Rules all the way - and decided against changing totally before heading across the street to The Tin Cup.
Now when I say this place was where to be, I so mean it. Steve was at the bar - and stayed there the entire night - and Chris was towards the bathroom and enthralled with his game of arcade put-put.
One thing that amused me so much - maybe it was partly from the liquor - was that Chris’ idea of ‘incognito’ was a ski hat with the red shirt… Ok, how cute. That shirt is legendary, seriously, it has it’s own website and he thinks he’s gonna hide like that? Plus that just pop’s in a crowd…
That was just cute. lol.
Ok, we ordered drinks, drank - a lot - and the night is one long glorious blur. Seriously. There was one amazingly smashed chick that was drunk and kept hitting on me. I told her I was taken then ignored her and bought Layla and I drinks; she looked quite sad sitting and trying to get the last bit from the ice. lol.
I do remember at one point when we were sitting with Jackie that I decided to add to the wall of writing - every wall was written on - and I stepped over Chickie and Shanna and wrote on the wall. [Here] and Shanna wrote as well [Here]. Yes, the Hydra’s live on. I also wrote on the walls in the bathroom but I was too drunk to pic it. I prob would have dropped it in the toilet if I tried.
Shanna was…*snicker* the drunkest I believe, we were all a few sheets to the wind but she was loud… *giggle* She’s an amusing drunk, till she spills my drink when Aaron called me.
Yes, Aaron called while I was drunk and I quickly got off the phone with him. Who knows what I would say when I’m that bombed. Oops.
Brandon came by and we all got hugs and pictures again with him - not that he’d remember at this point - and Chickie got her nightly dose of Charmin squeezing. Well, that was after he decided to ‘grope’ her. [Picture #1] [Picture #2] Layla has my pic with Brandon on her cam.
About 1am rolled around and it was so time to call it a night. Miss Margarita was ready to zonk and we decided to drag her across to the hotel room. On our way out we had to get a hold of Steve to say goodnight. Chickie and I saw Chris leave earlier saying he was coming back…uhhuh, sure.
Leah was off somewhere with one of her…boys and Shanna was the first to spot Steve….or should I say ‘STEEEEEEEEEEEVE!’ *cough*. Sorry honey but it was hysterical.
I don’t think that Steve was anywhere near sober enough to react and we all got hugs. I made a wise ass comment about hearing about his legendary hugs and I got a hand shake. lol. So I got a real nice hug from him. Strong arms, boy smell nice.
*cough*
Ok, back to the rest of the night.
We managed to get little miss drunky across the street to the hotel after we said goodnight to Leah, Julie and their…friends.
I headed to the office for menus because we had the munchies; none of us ate all day so we were really feeling it at this point. Ended up ordering pizza while Shanna became ‘Bubble Bubble’.
*snickers amusingly* That was too amusing; but thankfully she was ok after a while. We finally got our food, after nearly falling asleep waiting for it. Ate and then passed the hell out while Shanna was still bubble bubble.
Friday - Woke up to find Shanna in the bed. Gee, thanks guys. Ha. Stick me with the drunky. But the logic that I was closest to the bathroom made…logic.
We got up and it’s very strange but we all felt fine, like really fine. Leah came by and we all ended up hanging out; sadly Layla had to leave early *sob* to head back home so I was busty without the twiggy *snort*.
The four of us yammered about the night before - the drinking and pretty boys - and the fact that Leah was thankful to Jack Tease for not giving her the bottle. Poor thing. Even though we felt pretty fine we all kinda looked like shit. lol. At least I did and Leah had on hangover glasses.
Most amusing thing that morning had to be when we piled into the car and Shanna turned the car on and scared the crap out of Leah who was crunched in the backseat. We forgot to turn down the radio when we got out of the car the night before and nearly send the poor thing through the roof. Oops.
I so <3 the girls for humoring me. I said the night before that I wanted Chinese because I can’t get decent down here. We went but after a night of drinking…oh lord. But we ate - Leah picked and tried not to look like she had a trucks license plate tattooed on her forehead - and then walked around a bit, popped into a few stores to check out souvenirs to bring home. Went to Kinko’s to check in with everyone and taunt the boards some. I got a few of the pics printed out and got the ones with Chris, Steve and Brandon printed out for me.
Now that’s saying something to the time I had out in Nashville because I have yet to do that with anything from MR.
After a bit more shopping we headed back to the hotel and BSed for a bit before Leah headed back to Julies. We said our goodbye’s and the three of us hung out at the hotel for a bit, oogling the video’s I got the night before and squeeing over the little heart that Chris made up on stage at one point. Yes, we’re dorks.
Decided to head up to the other end of Broadway to find dinner, couldn’t find anything special so we ended up at Chili’s. We ended up with the most amusing waiter ever. Said he was supposed to go to the showcase but didn’t, mentioned he had a girlfriend and then started flirting with me.
Amused can’t even begin to tell you.
Flirted back a bit and we ate, Chickie did some texting back and forth while we ate. We had the case of ‘eyes bigger than our stomach’ again and ended up tossing half of what we got; even though mine was real good - even the sour cream Shanna *snort* - we ordered a lava cake to go and decided to have that when we watched Close To Home at the hotel.
Before we left the three of us decided to torment the poor waiter. We told him to sit down and he did - putting his arm around me and leaning to me - and we proceeded to tell him with a straight face that he wasn’t getting a tip because he didn’t go to 12th and Porter the night before. He thought we were serious and his face so fell. But we told him we were teasing and gave him a nice tip before heading out and back to the hotel to unwind and watch the three channels that the hotel got.
Sat around and watched Close To Home - which Christian wasn’t in which sucked - we flipped around a bit and ended up seeing the end of Conviction before watching GAC till about one am and going to bed.
We decided that since my bus wasn’t till four and Chickies flight wasn’t till later on as well that we’d all go and get breakfast before dropping me off at the station. It took us about an hour to finally find a place to eat - seriously - every place in Nashville had everything but breakfast. There wasn’t one breakfast place in all of town. We finally found one place on the other end of town and there was way too much yellow and blue there.
Chickie and I hovered around one table that seated four but had one guy reading the paper. He finally got up and we took the table. Go team us. Shanna was a sweetie and ordered for all three of us and I still say that I should have ordered one pancake. When I say the fucker was huge, I so mean it.
After we ate we headed to Kinko’s to get our last bit of net before the road. I checked my mail and printed up the two tags that I had from Meg. Mmmm pretty and angsty. *cough*
The three of us decided to take in a bit more of Broadway and walked up and over a bit, eating up time before going back to Kinko’s and then heading out to the bus station.
Chickie and Shanna dropped me off, exchanged well wishes and hugs. Chickie said she was glad I came and I finally realized that I was ecstatic that I came. The last fan events I’d gone to left such a sour taste in my mouth that I had second thoughts about going to Nashville but I’m glad I said screw it and went.
Best time ever.
Now, onto the horrid time coming home. Worst time ever.
Had lunch at the station - for station food it ain’t that bad, bout time I had good southern food it’s been a long time since - then I called Court when I was done. She was probably sleeping so I pulled out my book and wrote a bit. I think I managed to write two prompts and a fic for my au100 challenge.
Waited an hour and called Court back, talked and gushed for a bit before heading to wait for the bus. Called and talked to Meg for a bit on the bus. Things got crowded and I started to have one of my fits again.
It was about eight or nine by the time I was totally spazzing out that I had to call someone. I didn’t wanna bother Court because of school shit so I called Bunny. I so <3 talking to Bunny and I’ve decided that we have to do it more Damnit.
Bunny and I talked about everything from ‘fucking hell I wish you were there and I didn’t think about it but you could have come up with Shanna’ to ‘Adam and Amber forever!’ *snickers*
We talked for about an hour before she had to go get ready for her night out. I was so glad to talk to her because I was gonna flip the fuck out on someone. Between the over crowded and hot ass bus to the incredibly stinky guy that sat next to me.
Sorry, but I don’t care how fucking cute you are, showers are a good thing Damnit. So he sat next to me till we ended up in Birmingham and I then took the two seats to myself till Montgomery. Hopped out and flew across the highway to McDonalds. Alright, someone tell me how ‘three burgers no mustard’ translates into ‘three double cheese burgers with extra mustard’?
Picked at them till this kid started screaming on the bus he was hungry. He told his grandmother he didn’t wanna eat before so she didn’t bother moving. So I gave her my burger and fries before popping in Serenity and sleeping. I’m so glad I took that damn pillow from the hotel - I do it every trip - and slept pretty decently. Kept waking up from the smell of that guy and dear god I wanted to kill someone.
Rest of the bus ride was boring, looked at the phone and had nobody to call which sucked. The bus was about fifteen minutes late but I got home before noon like I wanted.
Too wound up to sleep so I got online and futzed around. Didn’t get to sleep till about 1am and I think that’s about the end of this cracktastic tale…
Hmm, I think that’s everything; literally. There are a few bits and bobbles I’m sure I left out. I know that there were a few country music people there - apparently Joe Don was there from Rascal Flats - but we all know that when pretty boy is there I can’t see anything else. Tunnel vision I guess. *snicker* Oblivious is nice once in a while.
Wow, sixteen pages...who says I don’t babble?