Today is the fourth day of our tour with Man Overboard, Handguns and Seahaven, and we’re in Tampa, Florida. I’m typing this on my cellphone from the pull out couch at my grandmother’s apartment and it’s like 75 degrees in Februrary. The novelty of southern weather will never wear off.

So far tour has been amazing, but doesn’t everyone always say that? To be fair, I totally never say that, but we’ve been playing to some amazingly fun crowds - way bigger than we’re used to. The one thing that’s not bigger is our van. Unlike the other bands we’re with (who for the record, have been playing some amazing sets and have trailers the size of my apartment) we’re kicking it minivan style. This means excellent gas mileage, creative sleeping positions and people asking us when we’re going to soccer practice. But seriously, moms drive minivans for a reason. I have also figured out the perect trick to sleeping in the middle of anywhere - noise isolation headphones over ear plugs - and everyone has teased me about sleeping that way, but it totally works, especially because I seem like the only person on this tour who has trouble sleeping.

We haven’t really had any crazy experiences thusfar, other than massive Third Eye Blind sing alongs, dancing on tables at house parties and stumbling into some bizzarre techno dance club (the kind that looks like whats on Jersey Shore but with a dress code that made us leave and a doorman who looked like he was in the secret service). We did learn that you can drink outside in Savannah, Georgia and we drank beer and gin and walked around in the rain. I think Savannah my new favorite city that isn’t New York. I’m quite enjoying a few things right now: hanging out with the other bands who really are some of the most hysterical people I’ve met, eating tons of Waffle House (and hoping I don’t gain 1000 lbs on this tour) and finally figuring out that perfect way to totally isolate myself in a van full of people. I know it sounds strange because my band are my best friends, but it’s amazing to me how you can spend 24/7 with people and still find tiny little corners of peace.

Tomorrow we’re playing in Jacksonville and I hope to catch a glimpse of the beach and finally wear the summer clothes that have been hiding since October. Oh, and play a show. Super looking forward to that!

Mariel