Medford is a different place in the daylight. I still like it, but it's got a different vibe. A kind of...eyebrow optional, dudes named after car parts vibe. I'm not talking shit, we've literally met both of those on our way out this morning. None the less, I like Medford and hope to rock there again soon. But now it's off for sweet redemption in Portland. I am so hung over at this point that all i can do is try and hold it together from the room to the truck. Doing a quick inventory I see I am not the only one. We do an idiot check before we leave and find a Tim under the bed, load him up and head off.
This is an important show for us. Last year, the sound was crazy and it didn't go off so well for us despite a big crowd. I want us to have a great show this year so i do what any respectable guy in his thirties would do. I sleep sitting straight up packed in a truck like our merch boxes. I got a tim next to me that is out like a light and wearing his underwear on the outside of his pants. Yep. It's a been a rough morning for all of us. We drive in silence, and in the few times I wake up I want to give Ed shit about his music choices. Unfortunately, words aren't really coming out for any of us, so I just fall back asleep and vow to remember it later.
Have I mentioned yet that Tim (stinger) has a backpack of socks? Not much else, but the guy is like MacGyver. He seems to solve all of our problems with random shit that is either in or attached to his backpack. I can't wait until he uses his parachute.
Anyway, we get into Portland with just enough time to start loading in. The place is a theater and is really nice. Portland in general is pretty cool. We load in, do a sound check and then split off for dinner. Me, mike and Tim hit a pho restaurant with Justin from guttermouth while the other dudes hit coney island. Manny hits the truck for a whiskey sandwich hold the bread.
So (sigh...). I have to tell this part of the story because it's just part of being on the road. If you are going to tour, you have to be able to go to any public restroom. It's just how it goes. If they are out of service you have to make due. Mike, Tim and i are at the Pho restaurant and nature comes calling. I am the last to go. Tim thankfully lets me know that the mens room is having some problems so my only option is to use the girls. It's a one person restroom so it's not a huge deal and there are only like two other tables in the whole place so the odds are good that no one notices anyway. I make a break for the bathroom. Damn the luck, some lady starts knocking. Nothing I can do at this point. A short time later, I come out. She gives me the old, what the fuck are you doing in there look so I respond verbally "sorry the mens room is broken". She rolls her eyes, which pisses me off because why would I just choose to go the wrong bathroom? But she gets her comeuppance. As I make a swift movement for the doors I hear her cry in dismay "OH JESUS!!". Sorry lady. Have a better attitude next time.
Anyway, we get to the venue. The show is well received. We played with the same band last year so it's good to see those guys again. The Tims are falling in sync and the shows are getting better and better. Also the stage is about 30 times bigger than the other two so it's fun to be able to move around more. Mike is hitting his tour stride as well. Tonight after the show, we opt to keep it pretty chill as we are still shaking off the Medford. Off to the hotel. We pull in and the security guard is waiting for us. Ed pulls the same howdy-do wave he did in earlier in the trip and keeps rolling. The hotel swoops around and apparently Ed went in the exit. So needless to say when we looped back to the entrance the security guard is standing in front of it waving us down. He is less than pleased. He wants us to back up (with a trailer) all the way back around. Ed lays down his charm by telling him to come over here and talk to him face to face and there's no way he can back the trailer up that far. Mike steps in with a sorry (and for the record, Ed did apologize as well). He finally lets us go forward and we check in. While we are checking in he comes up to Ed and tells him that he knows just by looking at him that he is a professional driver and could have backed that trailer up. I Google it. Nope. Ed is not a professional driver that could back a trailer up halfway around a motel. He is however, the third Edward Neal Chasteen which is number 1 in my book, an avid golfer a certified attorney in Spain. Thankfully he also does get us everywhere we need to go and we are very thankful for that.
Goodnight Portland.
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