We spent another night at the Castle. I wasn't going to post pictures for Artix's privacy, but apparently he doesn't care so many next post you'll get to see how cool it was.
After the show we went back there and I got to see the Theater room! It has crazy comfortable powered reclining chairs. The cup holders in them light up blue.We watched the awesomely terrible movie
Dead Sushi. Corey, Jeremy and/or Grant, if you happen to read this, we all need to get together when I get back and watch this! Atix is great though. Not only does he have an amazing castle, but he has great stories about ninjas, all sorts of awesome pictures from conventions, fun videos from stuff they've done, COSTUMES! I don't even know about to fully explain how awesome he is.
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| Cutest Bear Doggy ever! |
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| Everything was so neat and clean that Mike felt the need to sweep his dirt into a pile |
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| Something about a dragon? |
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| Mike in drumming bliss and Kimberly thinking "Woah!!!!" |
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| Cool tree outside the castle |
We stopped at a gas station on the way out of Tampa, and Artix's arch nemesis, Chairman Platinum, was there filling up as well. Random. We also found a ton of these crazy looking caterpillars. One accidentally rode on Mike's hat to our next stop at a store.
The Jacksonville is a crazy long story. I was looking forward to a
couple of things at the Jacksonville show. Stephanie, another fan
from the Lennon message board, was going to try to make the show, and
I'd been messaging Alyse,
Manna Zen's merch girl through facebook and was looking forward to meeting her. Well, Stephanie couldn't make it :( So here's a picture I photoshopped of us together so we can pretend we met.
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| We are SO metal! |
We didn't get to the venue until about a half hour before doors were supposed to open. Plus at some point along the drive it went from being nice and sunny out, to crazy downpour storm. So it was a crazy stressful rush to get everything in and set up, and I didn't get to
find Alyse. But we got everything in and set up, and the crowd had a good vibe. Some people came over to talk and bought a few things. Then, a couple of opening bands in, the power went out. At first they said it would be back on at 8:30. Then 9:30. Opening bands kept getting cut, and the crowd was getting restless. People still kept coming over to the OED table to chat and buy stuff though. Kim and Jason eventually came out to greet fans. In order to keep everyone happy for the time being, we passed out free posters and Kim and Jason signed them all. Finally, at 10:07 the lights came back on. Picture Me Broken was supposed to be cut, but OED was nice and only played for about 10 minutes so they could play for 10 minutes. Then Otep played her set. Despite not having power for most of the night and only playing 2 1/2 songs, we did really well in merch sales and even hit our bonus goal *does a happy dance*
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| The bartenders found some fireworks to light up the place for a bit |
Sunday night's show was at
The Masquerade in Atlanta. It's a really nice venue! When we first got there the boys and crew from the venue were unloading, so Kim and I wandered around the yard. There are all sorts of cool old equipment parts, and we think one part was an old drive in theater they may now use for outside concerts. Inside, there are 3 levels. The top floor ("Heaven") where we were, a middle level ("Purgatory") and a basement ("Hell"). The venue caters, and we had awesome, delicious, warm food! There was an entire pan of vegan stuff! There was coffee and tea and cookies! There was an actual green room/dressing room area in the back for Kim and Jason to hang out in (complete with water and nasty Bud Light if anyone wanted it). We didn't have time for it, but there was even a washer and dryer. They really spoil you there. After the show, we had a whopping 10 VIPs!!!! Many flew or drove from out of state. You guys are awesome! We couldn't fit them all in the limo, but we car pooled to this great place called R. Thomas deluxe grill. It was this small little place with great decor inside and birds outside. The dining room area was pretty much just an enclosed tent area with heat lamps and colored lights all over the ceiling. You had to go through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. But it was an amazing little place. We all just hung out, ate good food, and made a fan out of the waitress. One super awesome nice fan bought dinner for Kim, Junior, Mike and I. I didn't get a chance to give you a hug, so if that was you, and you're reading this, hug yourself!
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| I'm a bunny! Photo taken by VIP Thom |
After we said our sad goodbyes, we drove a couple of VIPs that flew in from Ohio to their hotel. They offered to put us up in a room at the Embassy Hotel where they were staying at, but we already had a room at the Motel 6. Thank you guys so much though!
Monday was a day off. We slept in, hung out in the hotel room while Jason had some maintenance done on the limo and picked up a few things from the store. Kim hung out with a friend in the area while Mike, Jason and I went to the bar. We got to talking to the bartender and found out she used to be an Otep fan. She wished she had known we were playing because she sat around with nothing to do the night before. She looked up the Committed video on her phone, and we gave her some stickers and a hoodie. We're making fans every where we go! Afterwards, we met up with Kim for dinner. The place we ate at had beer from New Holland Brewery in Holland, MI! It was called Night Tripper. I'd never had it before, and sounded like beers I like, so, of course, I had to get one. Nom nom nom!
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| I rode a baby unicorn over a rainbow into a garden of happiness! |
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| The hotel guy freaked out about me taking this picture. I just thought it was funny! |
This morning on our way out of Atlanta, we stopped at
Marlees Coffee & Tea House. Not only did they have good food (apparently the chili was amazing), but the people there were great. They have open mic night Tuesdays. Jason got to talking to the guy working, and he got his contact info so if they're ever in the area with more time, Kim might come in and do an acoustic set. The guy took our picture, Jason gave him some CDs, and I left some OED stickers on their business card table.
Now we're on our way to Spartanburg, SC. I'm sleepy and have no idea if any of this makes sense. Sorry. Don't forget to check out
Mike's blog too. He posts lots of awesome pictures. kejejglrghla;lglarlgoHrelghf :D
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