Day Three

The night I met Lauren she took me to a bar to meet some of her friends. That night I met a few of her friends, one being a cute little brown haired chick named Devon. The first thing I noticed about her was that she was smiling and the first thing she said was “hey, you went to Electric Forest too!” then she showed me her wrist with the bracelet! Right then and there we became friends. So yesterday she picked me up with her friend Liz and we were on our way to the beach, Sullivans beach. As soon as I got in the car Liz hands me a beer and her chillum, my kind of girls right there.

The walk to the beach is a little different than southern California. It is very lush and green and then suddenly there is sand. The water is green and pretty gross looking, not saying that Seal beach is not but it looks better. I can’t believe how warm the water was. It was like bath water, like water I use to take a shower. We stayed in the water for hours, then got out and got some more beer and went back in. Then we went to their friend Jessica’s house where the hippie hospitality kept coming. After we chilled there for a while we went back to Liz’s. She took a shower while Devon and I ate lots of ice cream, ginger snapps, and cookie dough and we all watched the stupidest movie, Disturbia. Liz created her own gravity device out of a little blue cooler, we hit that multiple times. It was relaxing and refreshing to hang out with cool girls like the girls that I have grown to love like Lo, Molly, Han, Amy, Al, Liz, Kelly, Dana, Sam, and Dubby (both of them). I miss you girls and it is awesome to have some girls like us to hang with.

Now I’m chillin at the airport waiting for my flight to Atlanta.

Oh, and I decided I am moving to San Francisco come beginning of September, after Burning Man.

Charleston, South Carolina

Day one.

I woke up in Ashville. Got my stuff together and Kyle drove me to the greyhound station. The way everyone talks seems like the bus is a terrible experience, he asked if I wanted him to wait and the night before all the guys were asking if I needed them to come with me, Kyle told me to call him if I needed anything and then we hugged and parted ways. When I was giving my ticket to the bus driver he took one look at me and said,

“This is your first time, aint it? You got that dazed look in your eyes. Your about to learn what the bus is like.”

That was strange but it’s my only way to Charleston and I wasn’t about to pay $400 for a plane ticket. The bus wasn’t so bad. Ya sure there were a few drunks, a few crack heads that looked like homeless people and in worse shape than I would imagine Charles Bukowski in after reading Post Office. There was this one down southern girl who was in bright blue high heels and talked so loudly that the bus driver had to tell us to give her a Xanax. I listened to my ipod until it died, read a little, and watched Confessions of a Dangerous Mind on my computer. One guy threw up so we had to evacuate the bus. He was so drunk just standing there with a stupid look on his face, he doesn’t know anything about the world or how to be a positive contribution to it. An ambulance came and picked him up and he did a rock star hand symbol on the stretcher. We got back on the bus and continued to Charleston. We finally arrived and I got the first cab I saw to the luxurious Red Roof Inn. Let me tell you, this room is D I S G U S T I N G. it smells muggy and gross and obviously has no window that I can open for fresh air. The navy blue carpet is damp. The only fantastic thing about it, which I desperately needed, is a king sized bed and a nice warm shower. So I took advantage of both those things and two hours later I got a cab to take me down town.

Downtown Charleston is pretty cool. South Carolina is so green and lush and also carries with it one hell of a history. One street is gorgeous and lots of people and the next is all black and broken windows and somewhere you don’t want to be. I walked around for hours when it started raining. I had no umbrella so I was walking in the warm rain and loving it until about 9pm when it was getting too ridiculous wandering around in the dark, alone, soaking wet, and not hungry so I tried to get a cab. That didn’t work so I continued walking. I asked some people where Market St. was and they pointed in the opposite direction as I was walking and I started walking in hopes of getting a cab to my room. I walked two steps when a beautiful girl on her bike rode next to me on the sidewalk and asked what I was looking for.

“Can I help you find something? What’s at Market st.? Where are you going? I’m not trying to hit on you, don’t worry.”

She was talking so fast I didn’t get a word in until I finally said

“I’m not worried. I don’t know where I’m going. I’m not from here so I’m just walking.”

Lauren and I got to talking. I told her about how I just graduated and I was confused/am confused and I need this time to just travel and explore. She was saying how she is in the Charleston College and doesn’t know what she wants to do after either and how she wants to do what I’m doing. Yada yada she invites me to the bar she’s going to to meet her friends, I had nothing better to do so I went. We got there, she bought me a beer and introduced me to her table of friends. Do you think it was fate that I wasn’t able to get a cab? I think that it was pretty perfect that I got to spend an evening with some very interesting, funny people. At about 1am I took a cab back to my room and slept in my king sized bed.

Day two.

I woke up and was so sticky and muggy that I felt gross but I was in a king sized bed with three pillows, naked, so I wasn’t about to go anywhere. I watched Prison Break for a while and did nothing until mid day when I took a shower and called a cab to take me downtown. I figured there was a lot I didn’t get to see and I looked up this Gin Joint on Yelp where they said they had the best gin drinks “ever!.” I waited for a little while the taxi. I got in and asked him to take me downtown, the closest he could get me for $10, because that’s all the cash I had. He said he doesn’t cross the bridge for than little and asked where I was going, I said just wandering. I don’t have a car so I can’t really see Charleston because I chose not to couchsurf here, for the first time in this trip since Memphis two months ago I have my own room and no people, it’s interesting. He said

“I’ll tell you what, want to ride around with me for a while, we will pick up people and that way you can check out more of South Carolina?”

I was a little skeptical but said ok. I told him I wanted to see big houses and cool places. So we drove around for hours by the beach, he showed me really big rich houses, and we got lunch at this great seafood restaurant on the river. Then he dropped me off downtown and I paid only 20 dollars for the whole day. I know what my brother and mom are thinking, they are probably scared that I could be so open and in their words “stupid.” I guess it was instinct that I didn’t think I would get hurt. He dropped me off at about 6 downtown and I walked to new places on the pier. I visited Lauren at work at a burrito joint and sat on their patio for a while. I went into a small bookshop, I walked and sat in a park, got frozen yogurt and had a great evening. By 7 15 ish I decided to check out that gin spot called The Gin Joint on Easy Bay st. I stepped into a different era when I stepped into that place. The waiter had on a red button down shirt, grey slacks, white suspenders, and a green bow tie. The bar was stocked with glass bottles and there were only two beers on tap, no vodka in the place. The bartender had on a vest, and a green bow tie and made me one of the best gin drinks I have ever had. I sat in a seat that was not by anyone but I had no move next to a couple of guys because more people came in. They were cool and worked their and were just hanging out, drinking. We got to talking and savoring our delicious drinks, you know just shooting the shit. Another one of their co workers came by and sat next to me on the other side, James. I ordered a drink with homemade ginger beer, gin, lime, and other stuff and a candied ginger slice with mint and it was amazing. We all started talking and then it was just James and I talking for a while. After a couple hours he got both of us a drink with egg white in it and absinth. I didn’t like it so he drank most of it. I was ready to leave because by that point I was pretty hungry when James told me of this great burger joint that he would drive us to, the other one, Scott, came along. I guess I was in for the ride. My mom and brother would not approve. So we drove to this bar not far where they have great food, I had a traditional Irish car bomb and a chili cheese dog with fries. We played darts until it was late. I was sitting watching James shoot darts when he walked up and slowly kissed me. It was unexpected because all three of us were just being goofy all night. Scott stayed with his roommate who later came and James and I went for a ride. I wanted to go home. After making out in the car he asked

“My place or yours”

I said, “I want to go to my place and I want you to go to yours. I don’t want to sleep with you.”

So he said “that’s totally fine. Whatever you want to do.” The usual guy response.

The thought of sex doesn’t turn me on anymore. I guess it’s the thought of sex with someone that really cares about me and that I care about that really turns me on. I only want one person to enjoy me and who really knows me. I am completely fine until that happens. I went home and passed out and woke up to a message from James on my motel phone with his number, but I don’t think I’m going to do anything with it.

It’s my last full day here and I think I’m going to the beach. Tomorrow I’m off to Atlanta, Georgia to stay with Robert! He is a dear friend that went to Arizona and graduated a year before me and moved to Atlanta. Actually I met him at my very first music festival, Coachella, and we became great friends with a special bond there. Very exciting.

Bye Asheville and North Carolina

There is so much to say about my stay here in Ashville, North Carolina. First of all the scenery is pretty amazing, when you take the time to drive to it. A couple days ago Kyle and a couple of his friends and his parents went to this amazing rock mini water fall in the river. We walked up this road for about thirty minutes and got to this great spot where people were jumping off of logs into the river and to get to them you have to climb a bunch of slippery wet rocks and grab on to some branches while you pull yourself up. The first time I did it and was so proud of myself. The second time I did it I wasn’t so lucky, Kyle’s dad gave me his hand when I was on a rock but I slipped and slid all the way down the rocks to the water. The whole time I was waiting for some rock to hit me and a bone to break but surprisingly nothing happened but a big unexpected water slide. Then we went downtown to eat pizza and hang out. Jade came and met us and we went swimming at the JCC with one of her friends. It was only us, at night, in a warm huge pool with a diving board. I spent the night at Jades again where we talked for a long time on her balcony and again I sprawled on the futon. I saw Midnight in Paris the next day and it was good, I enjoyed it but I’m not screaming over it. Today Jamie, one of the roommates, and his friend Z, and I went hiking. It was very cloudy up there so we were in the clouds. But it was nice. We drove down the mountain a little and then we had a great view. Tonight we had a little going away party for me, which means that we got pizza and went to a brewery. It’s a pretty chill place, Ashville is. It has really chill people that really like to just drink and hang out with their good friends, I see everything right with that. We shouldn’t take advantage of having one good friend, let alone two, let alone those rare few. Shout out to all my friends, if I love you, you are smiling to yourself right now. It was a great place for me to take it easy and clear my mind, I am looking forward to the future now. Tomorrow at 9am I am taking the GreyHound Bus to Charleston, South Carolina where I have booked a few days in a nice little motel. The time has come for some me time because some big thoughts have entered my brain and I want and need time to myself to go over them and write them down and think about them. Also I’m exited for a bed and my own room.

When I began this trip, actually the reason I went on this trip was because I was so unbelievably confused about what to do after college. I was not ready to be thrown out of college, not ready for what people call "the real world," I didn't know right from left and I didn't know what I wanted, what I knew is that I needed time to calm down and to explore. I have been traveling for nearly two months now and I am so glad I gave myself the space and time to be confused and to let something find me and I think that it has. I have had a mini epiphany. it came in a different shape and form than I thought it would. I still am confused because I find that with more certainty and knowledge comes more confusion and clutter but the clutter becomes clearer.

One thing that I have learned is the value of giving yourself time and space and allowing yourself to be lost and confused because with time, what you need naturally becomes what you want.

finally, some girl time

The day I got here I met Jade. She came with us to the river and I enjoyed meeting her. She hung out with us the next day and we all went to The Devil Makes Three and got a little tipsy and had a blast together. I am staying with all boys and it was so nice to hang with a girl at the show. We understand each other, girl to girl, woman to woman. Yesterday we all went to this great bbq place called 12 Bones with a few of Kyle’s guy friends and one of their girlfriends, Spencer. After lunch Jade took me with her to Spencer’s apartment to hang out with them. I met their other roommate and then we got to know each other hippie style and watched Clueless. I am so glad Jade took me in and I found some awesome girls like my awesome girls. I was able to let a side of me out that I hadn’t in a while, the hang with my girl’s side. Then we came back to Kyle’s and all cooked a pretty delicious meal from veggies from his garden and Jade and I went out. We planned on it being a girl’s night. We met Spencer out and we had a fantastic night and topped it off with great food at 2 am and I slept on Jades futon, it was nice to be able to sprawl especially since I have been sleeping on a couch for as long as I can remember, no room to sprawl on a couch. I am lucky I met them and we hit it off, now I have awesome girlfriends in Asheville, North Carolina.

I am trying to find a way to Wilmington/Wrightsville beach. I need the beach, I crave the ocean, and I am couchsurfing with people at a beach house when I get there. Kyle’s parents came in town yesterday and said they can take me part of the way and from their Kyle’s brother might be driving to Wilmington or I can take the greyhound. Either way I am going to the beach. Asheville is a cool place but I need the beach, must be the way I grew up. Today we are going to a waterfall to chill and a music shindig at a park later tonight, at least that’s what they have been telling me. I'm just going with the flow, I just cooked Jade and myself breakfast and now we are chilling on the porch.

The Devil Makes 3

The Devil Makes Three was so great that i was clapping my hands as loudly as i could the whole time. usually I do the fake clap but this was serious business. I highly advise you to go to a show of theirs or listen to their music at least.

Asheville, North Carolina

I got into Asheville yesterday. I had an early flight from Chicago to Charleston then a connecting flight to Asheville. On the first flight I met a woman that I will not soon forget, Laura Kelly. Its not that we talked much, its that we talked little and what little we did talk has resounded with me. I started this trip with the idea that I will let things find me rather than search for them. Lately, I must admit that I have had a little trouble with this motivation because seemingly I am wasting time and money. But this is all on the contrary, I am not wasting time or money or anything else because many things are happening to me and I am taking them for granted. She asked me what I graduated with and what I wanted to do with it, I said, like I often say, “I don’t know. “That is why I am traveling, to let what is supposed to happen just…” and she finished my sentence, “find you.” Then she started nodding her head. Meeting her was like someone hugging me and telling me that I am doing the right thing. She told me to keep doing what I am doing and whatever I’m supposed to do next will just pop into my head and find me. Thank you Laura greatly for all that you have said in that short time we talked.

So then Kyle picked me up from the airport and took me to his house. Kyle is a couchsurfer who has hosted over 700 people in 3 years! That is amazing to me and he said he has only had 2 bad experiences, those are some odds. He lives with 3 guys and 1 girl who is out of town. The house is great but inside is even greater. About 4 guitars, 1 banjo, 1 ukulele, a drum set, keyboard, an old antique piano, tons of speakers and amps. That is “my room.” oh and no TV. Paintings all over the walls, a dartboard, a poster of Bob Dylan and great old chairs. His roommates and he just graduated from The University of North Carolina and are working now and hanging out. So yesterday one of his girl friends Jade, me, his cute little dog Fig, and Kyle went to the river for a dip. We parked and walked down a trail for about 20 minutes with trees, bushes, and flowers all around. We got to the spot and swam in the river. Then we went back and hung out with his roommates. Later Kyle, his roommate Nic, and I took a bike ride downtown to grab a beer and get to know each other. Then we rode back home and their friend Paul was waiting on the porch. The rest of the night consisted of music and drinks. It was a wonderful night of listening to great music and dancing and passing and laughing. Today they had work and I finally had a day to myself, by myself, with my own thoughts, and gladly having nobody to talk to. They trusted me enough to leave me alone in their house. I woke up at around 10 30, read a little, then went to the grocery store. I came back and I did something that I have been wanting to do for a long time, I called Fred. Last time he called me was about 3 weeks ago and I was not ready to speak to him because basically he told me to not make plans on seeing him when he came to America and that he didn’t love me anymore. I was angry but I understood because I did walk out on him in Australia half a year ago. After much of “I'm still in love with you and lets be together and we will see how things turn out when I come over in August” I was excited to see him, but he shot that to hell. That was right before I left for this trip. Now I am ready to be his friend. Once upon a time we had an intense love that love didn’t go away it just changed and I love the man he is and care for him immensely. We talked for over an hour about the changes he is making in his own life, the hardships he is going through and the light at the end of the tunnel. We talked about me and this trip and how it has affected my thinking, and we talked about how distance tore us apart. We ended that conversation and I had a smile on my face. I think about our relationships every day and how lucky I was to have experienced that and how much of a great influence he has had over my life, I thought about those times again today. I just have to take those memories and keep them, I can’t keep holding on to what was a year ago. He lives in Australia and I live in America, that is how life has turned out and it is that way for a reason. I am going to contradict myself if I try to fight that; it is what it is for a reason. I found him for a reason, I fell in love with him for a reason, he changed my life and way of thinking for a reason and I greatly thank him for that.

Embrace every day and take your life one day at a time. That’s all anybody can do. Sure I have ideas of what I want and how I want to live but right now I am sitting on a persons couch who I met yesterday and my only plan is to shower and go see The Devil Makes Three tonight. I am going to take this time for what it is, not for what I want it to be.

chicago part 3

Yesterday/thing morning was quite an adventure and quite a day. Ericka took the day off yesterday so we walked around and got lunch at this place called the goddess and the grocer, it was delicious. Then we got free sprinkles cupcakes because we said the magic word of the day. Then we got massages. I desperately needed a massage. All this traveling and all these festivals and dancing wound me up and an hour massage was a way of relaxing. Right after the massage we went to Millennium Park. Every Monday at Millennium Park there is a free concert. Yesterday it was Blonde Redhead. The park has a huge stage, which looks like a spaceship or stainless steel toilet and a huge grass area for people to sit on. Patrick came down from Milwaukee and he and Jordan met me and Ericka at the park for the concert. It was so good to see Patrick. Even if I don’t want to admit it or think about it how we met and what has happened between us is exactly why I am on this trip, one word and that word is fate. It was fate how we met, we care about each other and maybe it will flourish into something someday but for now its “hello, goodbye, until we meet again.” After the concert we all went to grab a bite and Ericka went home while we went out. We went to gay bars in boy’s town and let me tell you I loved it. As soon as we walked in there was a big screen playing scenes from musicals like Chicago, Abba during Mommy Dearest, Liza Minnelli, Dollie Parton, Wicked, and all these dudes were singing their hearts out. I loved it. I don’t know why we decided to go there but we did. It was a long successful night. Walking back to Jordan’s I saw the giants face on the side of a building. Jordan passed out when we got home and Patrick and I savored our last night together very well, we walked around and found a secret spot and stayed there until about 5 in the morning. He was on a train back to Milwaukee at 10 45 this morning and I am flying to North Carolina tomorrow. And it keeps going on.

Change of plans. on Wed i am flying to Asheville, North Carolina to see one of the best bands ever, The Devil Makes Three!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just confirmed the thing and i have the butterflys once again.

Chicago part 2

Yesterday Adam and I walked around for hours. Ericka had to work, as usual, so we walked her to work at 2 then continued our journey through Chicago. We went to Lincoln Park and that area and bumped into an art fair. I love the neighborhood there, so green and the houses are made of brick and have character. Chicago is full of sky rises that don’t have much character, they are just glass tall buildings and I don’t want to live in but Ericka does. Adam said the houses I like are older; he said it like it was a bad thing but that isn’t a bad thing to me. Then at 5 we went to the Rib Festival. It had tons of booths with ribs and other food. Adams two friends met us and we all split ribs from different places then split some SoCo. Then the Rusted Roots played, it was interesting. The best part was that I met a guy who had the Electric Forest bracelet on too! We talked for a long time even after I wanted to get away from him he kept at it. After the concert I could barely stand from walking and being on my feet all day so we took the train to his friends where we had one beer and sat for just a little. Then our adventures continued. I realize that it is not love, it is infatuation with Chicago. Maybe it’s impossible for me to love being somewhere right now. I feel burned out already. Maybe its because I don’t have my own space ever, never get to just sleep or go to bed early and not go out with people whose couches and living rooms in sleeping on and in, maybe its because I have been sleeping on couches for the past month and half, maybe its because I have been sleeping in the living room where everyone walks around, or maybe its because I don’t let myself just chill out ever. The whole thing is taking a toll on me and I am unable to enjoy or be excited for more of my trip. Something must be done about this because the rest of America must be seen but I can not continue running myself down and not taking care of myself. I think I have a solution. I am flying to North Carolina on Wednesday where I will be couchsurfing with a bunch of people in a beach house in Wrightsville Beach just “3 steps away from the Atlantic ocean.” I am going to get to know the people for a few days then find a room I can rent or use for a few weeks, maybe even a month. I want to be able to close the door and be alone and it be my space. I need that for just a little to recharge. Maybe ill get a little job, probably. I can’t wait to be by the beach again. But that’s not for a few days.

Tomorrow is a free concert at Millennium Park with Blonde RedHead! Jordan, Ericka, and I are going after Ericka and I get massages. Should be grand and I feel a lot better that I came to this conclusion because last night everyone came back after I stayed home and took a bath and shower and layed on the couch. They came back from going out and sat on the couch, drunk which is fine but I am burned out so I went to lay in Ericka and Adams bed for a while until they decided to go to sleep. That’s when I decided I need my own bed and room for just a little while so I don’t lose it.

pictures of Chicago part 1

Chicago

Chicago is an amazing city. So much is here, streets on top of other streets and restaurants, buses, trains on top of you, museums, parks, tons of hotels, and best of all people walking on the streets.

I got into Chicago yesterday afternoon. Ericka left her keys at the desk so when I got to her very high rise apartment building on Kinskie St. I went up to her apartment. There is no sign of a college kid here. She lives with her boyfriend who is some what of a consultant and their apartment is for lack of a better word chic. It is all white with a white curved leather sofa and a white leather ottoman and a white TV and a white long lamp. I immediately took a nap. I barely got sleep on Milwaukee so I needed a rest. She came home an hour later and we gave each other the biggest hug and kisses. It was amazing to see her, I love her so much and she is definitely one of those life friends. We took the train to this cute little Mexican restaurant that is supposed to be in the “hipster” part of town. We had lunch and margaritas which was great then the craziest thing happened. We were walking back to the train station and my friend Dorian comes running up and gave me a big hug. Dorian is a member of the band Badfish, a tribute to Sublime. I met him about two years ago when Badfish came to Tucson. They were so great that I got on stage, kissed the lead singer, and then crowd surfed for my first and last time to date. I am not sure how we met but he met me after the show for drinks and we ended up hanging out most of the night, not romantically just good old fashioned homies. We kept in touch and a year later when Badfish returned to Tucson he called me and I went backstage after and met the band. After the show him and his friend came back to my friend Kelly’s house and we hung out and had a hell of a time and a hell of a sleep over, really good old fashioned homies. Now about 5 months later I run into him in Chicago, well he ran up to me. He lives here and we are making plans to hang out tonight. So back to yesterday, after we got back to her apartment she had to go to work again. She is busy, she goes to the Institute of Art, interns at Gucci, and works at Nordstrom, and has bad rhuemoid arthritis that really affects her joints and bones. She is one hell of a person who I adore and admire so much. She went to work and Adam came home. He is great and funny and really layed back. We had dinner and a few drinks then sat on pool recliners when the sun went down by their pool and shot the shit. Ericka came home and by that time all we wanted to do was sleep, so we did. I slept on the couch in the living room.

The next morning bright and early the power couple got up and got ready. Ericka woke me up to tell me she had a class she forgot about and said FML, spelled out. So I walked her to her class then she skipped it so we could hang out then a couple hours later I walked her to Nordstrom because she has work until 8. Then I called up Jordan. Jordan is Patrick’s friend that he grew up with in Wisconsin and was in Milwaukee with us for the weekend and we became friends, we just clicked like some friends do, and he lives here styling and cutting hair. I walked around for an hour while he rode his bike down to meet me and we had a great fun awesome day walking around and seeing Chicago. We saw so much stuff and walked for hours and laughed all day. He had work at 5 so he left me at around 4 and I slowly began to find my way back to the apartment, which turned out to be very simple because I coincidentally was on the street I needed to walk down. Now I am chilling back at the apartment writing about my day. I am going to shower then I am going to meet up with Dorian. I have a feeling the fun is only beginning.

bye Milwaukee and Patrick

Today we went on a brewery tour of LakeFront Brewery co. My first tour and it was pretty cool. then we had sushi. now I am packing to leave for Chicago tomorrow.I am very excited to see Ericka. We met during freshman year at U of A and lived in the same apartment complex sophemore year then she transferred to Miami and now Chicago and im going to stay with her! We have kept in touch this whole time and are very close. Shes one of those friends.

Milwaukee

My mom just called me because I haven’t written on my blog since I arrived in Milwaukee. Two reasons why that is, either I have no Internet but I will always find an Internet café. The second reason is you are just having too much fun and don’t want to escape to write because writing takes times even though I absolutely love and need it. Any way I have been staying with Patrick in Milwaukee. At the airport waiting for Patrick to pick me up I saw Dustin from The Real World. I was embarrassed how awe struck I was and very caught off guard because he is really cute. Patrick picked me up, we had a nice hello and drove me to his house. If you don’t know who Pat is please read the previous sections, especially the Bonnaroo one. His roommates were fun and when he had to work that night I went to Summerfest with them to see The Goo Goo dolls, but really just to have fun. Summerfest is the largest festival in the world, apparently. /it goes for 11 days. It’s more like a fair with drunken midwesteners. Its not really about the music to them it seems, its about getting drunk. I didn’t really hear the band because it was too loud. There were about 5 guys I went with and we all found a table to stand on. Some guy was throwing up below us and about ten minutes later he was up dancing and making out with this girl. I wonder what he is going to take away from the “festival’ After we got a cab back to their apartment and pre gamed a little, I wrote and drew on their white wall then we went out. We had a great time, all those guys are so funny. They love to laugh and it makes me happy. Patrick came and met us when he got off work at 2 45am.

The next day we went downtown to meet up Pats old friend that lives in Chicago up then went home to get ready for The Flaming Lips at Summerfest that night. They were amazing. Walking home there were about 10 of us and we couldn’t stop talking about it. The next day we hung out with Jordan, the Chicago friend and went to The Natural History Museum. It was not as cool as the one in D.C or L.A; they had sculptures of plastic dinosaurs. But we had a great time together then we took Jordan to the train station to go back to Chicago. We are going to hang out in Chicago this weekend. Then we went to this place called the SafeHouse and if you don’t know the password you have to do something ridiculous for a period of time such as cluck like a little chicken for 10 seconds. The password is written inside somewhere and you have to figure it out. After that I wanted to go hang out with this Couchsurfer, Ben, while Patrick had to work. Ben was so chill, he picked me up in his red convertible and we stopped at his house for some hippie hospitality then off to some bars and to check out parts of Milwaukee that I haven’t seen yet. We went to the bar he manages, it was very nice looking and has a dress code on weekends. The bartender was 41 and he went to UofA too. We had a wonderful time and I tried cucumber flavored vodka for the first time. We went to another place and had soup with bread and then went to get ice cream and pass out. I was tired of being out and drinking, all I want right now is to chill out. This morning we got fresh squeezed orange juice and great fruit and went to serve eviction papers to tenants in a house he owns. Ben is so funny, I mean probably my favorite couchsurfer. We laughed so much and he has one hell of a sense of humor, personality, and head on his shoulders. We didn’t go to college, later in life took a road trip across America by himself and now is the manager of a high end bar. He plans on doing more later. I want that, I want to travel and then chill, travel and then chill and love life to the fullest, laugh everyday, and not be stressed. After we drove to get bloody marys, the best ones I think I have ever had and then I went back to Pats to rest. We didn’t rest. He plays the guitar I forgot to mention.

One day we were lying in bed and he just starts playing Yoshimi on his guitar on the chair. He has amps and his friends have jam sesh’s all the time. Life music just for me just steps away from the musicians. Pat plays guitar, acoustic and electric. Jordan sings and plays guitar, and Pat has an amp that you plug in and maracas. Saturday night Jordan and Pat started jamming then I picked up these two sticks and made a beat, someone else busted out the maracas and we played great music. Afterwards we all laughed.

When I met Patrick we immediately had chemistry at Bonnaroo. We hung out and he kissed me during the last show and Bon. Now I am just passing through and came to stay with him. It has been fun. I don’t know what it feels like, I don’t really feel any feeling right now. I am looking for something and i dont think i have found it, then again things do take time i just dont have time to sit and wait. I am running on the belief if it is supposed to happen, it will. I will have fond memories of this 5 day relationship i had with a fantastic and incredibly handsome man.

Today we went to the art museum which was awesome then fell asleep on the grass. He and his friend Troy are cooking us dinner, grilling fish and roasting potatoes. I have one more day tomorrow then I am off to Chicago on Thursday.

In the pictures Pat is the one with brown hair and a brown beard, Jordan is the red head

Eau Claire and New Auburn, Wisco baby

So the end of my trip with Kelly and Taylor is today. It really does feel like the end of something because I am looking forward to what is coming next and I know there is about to be a big change. Finally I will be on my own again and not a third wheel. It has been pretty great being with Kelly, we always have a great time and we can talk about anything. Her cabin has been amazing and just what we needed after a four day festival. It is on the lake in New Auburn, Wisconsin. Her dad is a baller who went to USC and her mom is a beautiful blonde housewife. This is their summer home and they live in Colorado. When we got here her parents were here and right away we changed into suits and went jet skiing and ate a lot of good food. Her parents are great, super down to earth and a pleasure to talk to. Its funny the lifestyle I have chosen to be living right now. The life style of being thankful when I get to sleep in a bed or when I get a shower, being used to sleeping on a couch or not going to sleep, thankful when I get a piece of fruit. I think this lifestyle is necessary for a while, it keeps you humble. The second day her mom made us oatmeal and we chatted with her parents for a while. Her dad is very inspiring; he talked to us about our future and gave us guidance. I don’t mind taking advice from someone who is rich and ballin like him. Then we jet skied some more and went on the boat and swam in the lake all day. Then we went to Eau Claire, which is a town 40 minutes away to hang out with some of Kelly’s friends. Then we went back and crashed. The next day we had a great breakfast of Vail Eggs. Her mom’s friend made them up years ago and they make them every time they come up here. Then we went tubing, water-skiing, water boarding, swimming some more. Later we watched Almost Famous. Today we swam and her parents left back to Colorado. We went on the Pontoon boat for hours this evening and watched the sunset. Welcome to the good life. Tomorrow I am flying to Milwaukee for a few days. I am actually going to stay with Patrick, a cutie I met at Bonnaroo and we are going to Summerfest which is a big music festival but you don’t camp and you just come for what you want, we are seeing The Flaming Lips. I am so excited to continue this trip the way I want, couchsurfing and finding friends and exploring and doing what I want. I am also excited to see Patrick, we had a little chemistry, it might grow since I am staying with him. I also have been in touch with a couchsurfer there, Ben, and he seems awesome as well. Ill keep you posted but for now here are some pictures of the lake house.

Electric Forest Festival

When I first arrived at Electric Forest Festival the center was not open yet, everyone was setting up their spaces. I remember talking to our neighbors who had gone to Rothbury a couple years ago. I told them it was my first time and all the other festivals I had gone to, their response to me was “The Sherwood Forest will change your life.”

There were 5 stages, a lake, swings, disc golf course, a water park, and the forest.

Lets begin with the forest. You walk through the festival doors and walk past the Ranch Area stage and all of a sudden you see purple and green lights, tall trees everywhere that are lit up by changing lights, paintings hung in the air, disco balls, sculptures on every corner, hammocks, lasers, and pictures of aliens and boxes and swirls. There are lights on the ground facing up and around that are always moving. At night the forest turns into a magical place and you cant believe you are witnessing it. All you can do it look around in awe and every time you look around you see something new. In the forest is a stage so music is spinning while you are completely immersed in the electric forest wonderland.

The acts were amazing. The stages had such good sound that it sounded like you were inside of a building but every stage was outside. No tents like Bonnaroo so every body could enjoy the artists. The light shows were amazing. One thing about Electric forest was that it was a relaxing festival as well. It wasn’t scorching hot at 7am, the first three days we slept until 12 because it was overcast and wonderful. You also get to lie in hammocks, which are the best thing ever, I bought one and now I can hammock anytime anywhere.

The first night we got there we saw Lynx. She is great, she sings, beat boxes, plays guitar, drums, and DJ’s all by herself and at the same time. Then we saw Excision, then Kaskade, then Lotus. We spent the rest of the early morning/late night in hammocks in the forest before they closed it for the night. We didn’t feel like sleeping so we danced on the main street where there was food and people spinning music until the sun came up.

The next day I saw Zion I and Mofro, then Stephen Marley, which was great. He played tons of Bob songs. Then someone said to check out The New Deal, wow they were great. Super dancy. The String Cheese Incident played for 4 hours every single night. I have never heard them before but enjoyed it. Then it was Galactic, they sounded like Cheese because they were a jam band as well but the singer had such a funky voice, I thought it was better. Then my dancing feet came on during the night for Tiesto, Break Science, and Feed Me. After Break Science Kelly was so tired so we were heading back but as soon as we passed the stage where Feed Me was he started playing some nasty dub step beats and I told them id see them later and sprinted for the crowd. After that I dragged my body back to the camp and passed out.

The next day the sun came out at around 11. This day was the dub step day so we knew we were going to be out super late so we tried to relax at our camp for a while. We chilled, got food, talked to lots of people. The best part was that on the main street when we got food there was a guy with a hammock stand with a few set up. I laid on one, Kelly on one, and Taylor on one and we didn’t get up for 3 hours, its ok though because we each were sold on buying one at the end. After we were rested we went back to get ready then ventured to the forest. Saw String Cheese then Bassnectar. Bassnectar knocked me and everyone out of the water. It was sooo good that it amazes me until this day. So loud that the music completely moved through you, so many lights that went with the sounds, and him with his long hair rocking out. In my opinion it was the best performance at the festival. Nothing topped it. I lost Kelly and Tay during it because all I wanted to do was dance. It was the first time I was sad that a performance ended because nothing would be that good. After that I went to see Skrillex, which was good, but not as amazing as Bassnectar. After I ventured to the forest. The forest is always in your mind after the first time you experience it at night.

Then came the last day. We went into the forest at about 1 and lay in hammocks for about two hours and listened to Railroad Earth play. Then it was time for Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes. Alex, the lead singer, went into the crowd and hugged lots of people and gave everyone high fives. He was right in front of me, I had to take a picture of him. They were great but I was a little disappointed seeing them live. Alex barely sang the songs, he was quiet and singing them differently than we know. At this point I was by myself, I didn’t need a couple cuddling and kissing in front of me when my Australian and I had just broken up. I was madly in love with the man when we were together then the separation tore us apart and now after a year of turmoil we are done. It makes me sad because I fear than I will never find something so amazing, that I might not fall in love so hard again. I was content being without them for most of the festival so I didn’t have to see that. After Edward Sharpe I went to Beats Antique, which was super great. There were two of them playing lots of different instruments and a girl with a huge drum who danced as well. There I met a friend. The first time I saw him we gave each other a huge hug. Then I said I was leaving and walked off and the next thing I know he is next to me offering me avocadoes and oranges back at his tent. At first I was weary but then I thought Why not? He is cute and seems nice and I am alone, so lets just go with the flow. We went back to his area, he set up a hammock for me, and we talked and laughed and drank beers and ate. At festivals the rate at which you become comfortable with people is super fast. Probably because you’re in an environment where you are just yourself, everyone is really who they are and its freeing and true. After we chilled out we went back to see the last of Cheese, which was awesome. Then the moment everyone has been waiting for, Pretty Lights!!!!! After Cheese Jed and I went to get a good spot. Pretty Lights was a half hour late and we were a half hour early. He killed it. The sound was so good and the light show was amazing. I love Pretty Lights, I planned all my festivals around where he was going to be and I could listen to him right now. He was supposed to play for an hour and a half then we were supposed to see Eoto close out the night but he played for hours and he closed out the night.

After the show we ventured to the forest for the last time. We sat there and looked around us at the electricity and colors and movement in the forest. It was amazing. I have met a few great guys and people at festivals. On one hand it makes me happy but on the other it makes me sad because I feel like I can only meet the types of people I want at festivals, then its over. Where are they in life? How do I find them and how do our true selves come out? At festivals we are already a couple weeks into knowing each other the first time we meet. When I started this summer trip I had the utmost faith that everything will turn out the right way. I still have that faith but it’s a rough patch. I want an epiphany. I want something to speak to my soul and tell me that this is where I’m supposed to be and this is who I’m supposed to be with. I know it’s only been a month and for the past 3 weeks I was with a couple and in a few days I will be by myself again and able to do whatever I want. That night Kelly and I slept for 3 hours in her car while Taylor was in my tent. We woke up at 530am and got our stuff together and packed then made out way to the ferry that took us across the Michigan River to Wisconsin where we drove another 4 hours to get to her cabin. Her cabin is sweet, it’s on the lake and we jet skied and played on the big blob at the camp across the lake. Then showered and slept in a real bed. I miss being able to hear out of my left ear.