Ok.  Here’s the thing.  I was home-schooled.  For 10 years.  Many things that other kids found to be funny just stressed me out.  Like pranks.  I never pranked my friends.  And they never pranked me.  It was a blissful, innocent existence.  But that is all over now.

APPARENTLY, bands that go on extended tours together start playing pranks on each other half-way through the run.  I was warned, but that didn’t stop the home-schooler anxiety that ensued when Mr. Brandon Rosas of Sleeperstar led off with a prank on GRO.  The GRO boys have been covering “All The Single Ladies” by Beyoncé during their set.  Dear Brandon thought it would be funny to sneak onstage in a black leotard during the cover, mimicking the ATSL dance.  He actually learned some of the more risqué moves.  And though the mask he wore in an effort to disguise his identity only made him look like a single ninja, everyone got the idea.  Sleeperstar: 1 ; GRO: 0

Not to be outdone, GRO made sure that we received 6am wake-up calls the next morning in our hotel rooms.  It was a good effort, if not a little cliche.  Unfortunately for us, that wasn’t the half of it.

They sold-out the next show.  And midway through the set, we began hearing commentary on our performance through the monitors.  We looked to the back of the room, and Geoff Ice, who had apparently threatened our sound-man with violence, was waving from the sound booth, smile on his face.  Sleeperstar: 1 ; GRO: 1

I thought that surely this was the only prank of the set.  But just as we began our cover of “New York” by Jay-Z, Jamey Ice appeared onstage, dressed as a giant banana wielding an electric guitar.  He began dancing on Chris Pearson.  It was hilarious.  But Chris was quick on his feet, and forced Jamey (who professes to be tone-deaf) to sing the chorus.  Amazing turnaround.  Sleeperstar: 2 ; GRO: 1

I can’t call the game yet, because the tour isn’t over.  Currently, I feel that we are ahead…  Then again, acute fatigue may be impairing my judgement.  I received another 6am wake-up call this morning.

Sleeperstar: 2 ; GRO: 2

May the most diabolical band win.

Well so far, this tour has been a Texas kid’s dream come true.  It’s like reading a Calvin and Hobbes book.  There is snow everywhere.  I started a snowball fight today and I’m 25 years old.  But there have been many things we were COMPLETELY unprepared for.  If you are a fan from Texas, may the following list serve as a guide, should you choose to travel up north.  If you’re from up north, may our drastic lack of snow-preparedness entertain you.

Things that I have learned about snow:

1.)  Buy some snow boots.  When snow melts, it soaks whatever it touches… Like my now water-laden sketchers.  Loading gear with cold, wet feet is not fun.

2.)  If you are silly enough to be driving in blizzard weather, do it in the daytime, and stick to the highways.  The snowplows don’t spend a lot of time on residential streets.  So if you have to drive through a neighborhood, don’t be surprised when the locals who are shoveling their driveways all turn and look at you with blank, semi-judgmental stares…. or when you get stuck trying to drive up a hill (see pictures in entry below).

3.)  Long-underwear is the difference between complete misery and bliss.

Things that I have learned about snowball fights:

1.)  Gloves are not for losers… especially if you want to engage in an extended snowball confrontation.  I lost my first snowball fight because I couldn’t feel my hands anymore…

2.)  Don’t rush your snowball construction.  If you don’t take the time to fashion an aerodynamic projectile, you won’t be hitting anyone.  And if you don’t pack it tightly enough it will break apart before contact with your adversary.

3.)  Don’t throw ice.  Would you throw a rock at your best friend?  It’s the same thing.

That’s all I have for now.  We’re on our way to Boston today, riding in The Washington with the Kenobi in tow. Expect some new pictures from Shaun soon.

Song for the day?  “Freeze and Explode” by Cassettes Won’t Listen.  Do it now.

peace

nick

http://www.redcross.org
http://www.shauninthecity.com/2010/02/tents-for-haiti-what-you-can-do-now-until-our-website-launches-shortly.html
https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/disasterrelief.htm?referer=105120SocialSponsorshipBlitz

If you have anymore sites to suggest please leave them in the comments.  Thank you!

-Shaun-

Ps. this is a little video we shot for EMI to help promote Haiti relief efforts:

-Shaun-

ps. I can’t wait to start sharing photos with you guys of our adventures!  Here’s a few from our tour through the desert last year, including a stop at the Hoover Dam!  Enjoy: