Steady as She Goes!

Third day on the road. Good time had by all is the best way to sum it all up. Friday was easy. I began the day w/ only 4 hours sleep; it didn't look promising. We took a limo from Andersonville to Midway (my first time @ that airport; indifferent). We had a short layover in Atlanta. Traffic was light; making me more relaxed about the whole journey's beginning. We arrived @ the airport in Sarasota; just a short while after Rick & Dylan drove up to the hotel (from Chicago a day earlier). It's a Days Inn. I've stayed in worse; and I've stayed in better. Who cares. We just need a place to sleep, right? We got some quick pool time in, and most of us began our so far continuous rantings of a bunch of preteens. It's been nice to let go and find comfort in this return to high school and college trips out of town. We are acting like children, but I really don't care. This is also a vacation, so I may as well enjoy it. We yelled words underwater; attempting to decipher what was shouted; we have been talking nonstop about genitals, celebrity hot tub lists, food, bodily functions and anything else that would not be out of place at a slumber party. I have this constant feeling of wanting to be w/ everyone so I don't miss a joke or an event that will be talked about for our entire Chicago run. But I also have to be sensible, and make sure I'm well rested and prepared for the job we're here to do. Our first day found us having dinner at a place called Beachhouse. Great food, good entertainment (the singer took our request for Fleetwood Mac), and plenty to drink. No pinecones** to be seen. The day ended w/ me desperately worrying if I would be able to fall asleep; as the night before. I could not afford to be sleepless, cranky, red-eyed for the next morning's show. The worries were unfounded, as sleep came so quickly that I was simply unable to worry. Not a surprise, as I had a large steak dinner, several drinks and the previous night's lack of sleep weighing heavily on my eyelids.

**Allow me a short moment to explain pinecones.

It's a term that the other half and his ex (his beau and the ex and I and the other half are all friends) coined for those nasty stomach cramps that indicate a pending diarrheal explosion; one in which you generally have only a few precious moments in which to find a toilet. I am extremely prone to pinecones; partially due to my horrible diet, but also cuz of my stress levels and the less than sensible ways I deal w/ heightened (or perceived heightened) stress situations. I usually get pinecones when I know there are no bathrooms immediately available, or don't know where there may be one (obviously this is a big problem when travelling!) Good old-fashioned panic attacks, folks! So, my concern; however unfounded or ridiculous; is always the threat of painful, degrading pinecones.

More later on our trip thus far; including our first show yesterday!