Ups & Downs

These past handful of days have been very odd.  And filled with some weird ups and downs.

DOWN: I somehow, despite my rabid need to have clean hands as much as possible, have come down with a cold.  Yesterday's 6 hour car drive from Lubbock, TX, to Plano, TX, was accordingly unfortunate for those in my car--I ended up buying a small box of Kleenex to deal with the symptoms.  Here's to hoping this bug magically disappears in the next few hours before tonight's show...

UP: This gas station somewhere in the middle of Texas:

DOWN: Having to eat McDonald's after a show because everything in Graham, TX, closes at 10 p.m.

...DOWN-ER: While fresh fries at McDonald's are normally mouth-wateringly delicious, these were the worst, soggiest, oldest McDonald's fries I've ever choked down.  This McDonald's also didn't put lettuce or tomatoes on Charlie's Big Mac.

UP: Celebrating Kristina's birthday at Crú, in Plano.  (The goat cheese beignets I ordered were declared by my end of the table to be the best plate--they were unbelievably delicious!)

Chocolate fondue.

Opening her birthday card and gifts.

UP: Two shows left, and then home for a break on Monday!

The Parent Trap

Three days ago, Kristina knocked on my hotel room door in Rockwall, Texas, and said, smilingly, "Hey Taylor, are you busy?"  As I was merely surfing facebook and digging around in blogger, I wasn't really occupied.  "I want to show you a funny video I just found online."  I stepped back and gestured for her to come into the room.  "Oh, just come over to my room--I've already got it up on my computer."  So, I grabbed my key and walked across the hall into Kristina's room.

...wait, why is my dad in your room?

As it turns out, my parents had just flown in to surprise me.  It had all been an elaborate scheme, and nearly everyone in the band had known!  I've written before about how my parents are big on surprises, and they definitely got me with this one.  

As we're not performing anywhere near Arizona this year, my parents had talked about coming to our performance in Rockwall earlier this summer as it would have coincided with a trip to Texas they needed to make.  However, a few weeks ago, their trip got rescheduled, and it appeared as if my parents were no longer going to be coming to Texas to see the show.  But while I was busy moving on and assuming my parents weren't coming, my mom was busy arranging this surprise with Kristina--they had booked hotels, arranged cars, set aside comp tickets, and had otherwise conspired against me.  And I had absolutely no idea. 

Well-played, mom and dad.  Well-played.

The past few days were--quite obviously--wonderful.  Not only did they get a little more insight into what my life is actually like on the road (i.e. lots of waiting around, long drives, and the like), but I also got to hang out with them and discuss all the things that have been on my mind, and all the happenings of these past weeks.  Granted, they're always available via phone and e-mail, but it can be hard to find an hour or two to make phone calls when you know they'll be long ones.  And, they got to see two more great shows; one in Rockwall, TX, and a return to play with Revolution in Abilene, TX.

The Paramount Theatre in Abilene, TX.

L to R: Mom, me, Charlie, Dad, Tim, Annette, Hidayat, Naseem (Barrage alum who lives near Dallas), and Kristina.

I was also particularly excited that my parents got to experience the proverbial "lunch adventure," which refers to a meal, usually in the middle of nowhere, when we have absolutely no idea about the quality or type of food we'll be eating upon entering some random mom and pop establishment.  Yesterday's lunch adventure was, indeed, quite the gamble.

Charlie had discovered on his iPhone that there was a restaurant in Thurber, TX, which may be worth the visit.  However, when you're in the middle of nowhere on the interstate, not very many establishments or towns are actually worth visiting.

But not many establishments are the SmokeStack Restaurant.  And not many towns are Thurber, with a population of 5.  Seriously.  Five.  Formerly an old boom town with over 10,000 residents, the only people who remain are the Bennett Family.

There it is.  Thurber, Texas. The Bennett's house is visible in the distance.

My parents left this morning to fly back to Arizona.

Thank you to all of those involved in the scheme: Kristina & the band, Tyla (who got my parents free, standby airline tickets), and all of the neighbors who are watering my mom's garden, and feeding Ben (our cat) and Jack (our beta fish)...but hopefully you didn't feed Jack to Ben.

I'm so lucky to have such awesome parents!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

When in Memphis

I'm currently sitting in my hotel room happy about two different things: 
1) My laundry is in the dryer (having a suitcase where every item is clean is one of touring life's simpler pleasures).
2) I successfully evaded paying $8.95 for a "continental breakfast" by walking down the street to a drive-thru-only coffee shop, lining up behind a car, walking up to the window, and ordering breakfast.  Success!

The past few days have been wonderfully Southern.  After performing in Chattanooga (which seemed, from the car, like a really cool city), we had to make a long drive over to Jonesboro, Arkansas.  But, we decided to make a few smart stops along the way, including having lunch in Nashville, and spending the night in Memphis.

In Nashville, Daniel took us to his favorite Mexican place, Baja Burrito, which serves its burritos in the choose-your-own-ingredients style of Chipotle.  As a Chipotle enthusiast, and a loyal fan of authentic, quality Mexican food (I generally avoid Mexican outside of the Southwest as much as a I can), I was secretly skeptical.  However, I'm pleased to say that Baja Burrito proved itself to be the exception to the rule!  It was absolutely incredible (and much better than Chipotle).  Check it out when you're in Nashville.

With Mexican Coke!  (Keep your eye out for Mexican Coke...I'm starting to see it being sold more often in the US.  I think it's much better than American Coke, mainly because it's made with cane sugar and not high fructose corn syrup...plus it's in a glass bottle, which is just more awesome.)

We finished the drive to Memphis with our taste buds eagerly anticipating BBQ the whole way.  So, what could be more perfect upon arriving at our hotel than learning we could be picked up in a pink Cadillac and driven to dinner?  The answer is pretty much nothing, thanks to the clever convenience provided by Marlowe's Restaurant.

After dirtying his fingers with BBQ ribs, Charlie needed some help eating his coleslaw...

L to R: Charlie, Kristina, Hidayat, Annette, John, Daniel, Tim, and me

Before leaving Memphis, we visited Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley.  Admittedly, I didn't really know anything about Elvis.  As myself a cultural product of the late '90s and early 2000s, Elvis, who died in 1977 (10 years before I was born), wasn't relevant for me and my peers.  He was merely some antiquated sex symbol of the '60s and '70s, whose undisputed status as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" did not prevent him from being (somewhat unjustly) grouped with other deceased relics of popular music.

All that being said, I wasn't exactly enthused about going; it felt more like an obligation than a desire. But visiting Elvis' house turned out to be one of the most surprising, enlightening, amazing and awe-inspiring things I've done in recent memory.  In hindsight, it seems absurd that I knew as little about him as I did.  And while I still only really know what I learned in the self-guided audio tour (which was impeccably pieced together and highly effective), I now realize just how amazing Elvis was, not only as a musician and performer, but also as a person.

Truly an inspiring visit.  You must make time to visit Graceland if you find yourself in Memphis.

Living room.

Dining room.

From the back.

 

The dining room inside the Lisa Marie.