posted by Carolyn Ohme

"Since you've been gone..."

It has been a long while since I have updated. I don't have a really good excuse. Just haven't felt like sharing my life lately I guess. I am gonna glaze over what has occurred in the past few weeks, however, and hope that you don't get incredibly bored at my rantings.

I had picked up a tour with Dontrich at Disney-MGM Studios with a "Cash Money Founding Baller" and his family quite awhile back on my day off. Met up with them at the end of their birthday celebration and got to see The Incredibles hanging out with them. Too cute. The kids were adorable, the wife and friends were sweet and there was no sign of the "baller" himself. Kind of disappointing, but what are you gonna do? It was fun hanging out with Dontrich and the kids though. Good times.

When I got done with the tour I was checking my messages and I had one from my friend B, back in Atlanta, stating that she was boarding a flight to Orlando to come see me. YAY! Definitely a surprise! I love the fact that my friends are so sparatic and fun! Good times.

Got to the gas station and filled up in the same amount of time that it took to talk to a minimum of ten people that I would be seeing that evening. Got in touch with B and found out she had just landed. Was on my way to pick her up at the airport while I was talking to K, who was on his way to my apartment and should be there by the time I get back with B. Good times.

Great day for phone usage and I used the phone wisely. Good fun. Picked up B and we were heading on our way to grab some grub. Went to McDonald's by default and I get a call from K saying "You just leave McDonald's?" Stalking me much? He had just seen me turn out of it, nice. Excellent timing.

"Everyone's here, everyone's here, everybody's watching you now, everybody waits for you now, what happens next, what happens next, I dare you to move"

Met up with K at my apartment and we headed down to Ballards and Corum to see Matt Mackelcan and friends. It was probably one of my favorite nights in general. Tons of people came to support. The only one who did not show up and was invited specifically was Nick, to find out later he just had passed out early in the night from exhaustion. Too bad he missed out. *grin* It was B, Matt, Amy J and her friends, K, Libby, JP, Cali, Dan from Big 10-4, Gianina, Katrina, Carla, Cecile, John Frank (of course), Kris Nichols and more. What a fun night! We just hung out and had a great time making small talk and listening to great acoustic music. Definitely one of my favorite nights. Most of us headed to Steak and Shake that night. We had good "business" talk and great company. Such good times with good friends.

This evening was the very beginning of our CC moment. Or at least it was suppose to be. It was a very good start at least....

The next day (Saturday) K, B and I went to the Disney Bowl-a-Thon that I had volunteered to participate in and had also volunteered everyone else. Lots of work people were present and the game was so much fun. I got to play "Captain" and everyone was having a great time! After the game, we all headed to TGIFridays for dinner and when B had to leave the night got a bit devastating. There was an issue regarding trust and people were caring too much. It's funny to think about the extremes that happen and when there needs to be a medium. I can complain all day about certain people not caring and think that there is no limit to how much someone should or could care, but this time I was a bit annoyed of the caring too much extreme. But it was another proven moment where communication won out and I love the fact that both parties cared enough to sort it out. And that was the important part.

After the drama somewhat ceased, we got together with Nick and headed downtown in an effort to catch Kris Nichols' show at The Social. We ran into Julie, Kim, Katrina and Kris, but I wasn't feeling quite like myself and I needed to escape. I headed out and left the others to the evening's activities. My head was exploding with thoughts, pain and realizations. I needed to sleep.

Sleep was what I needed and what was best. "You never leave a live show for a headache" This time I had to. A definite first.

I got yelled at the next day by missing the show from mulitiple people, but I had to do what was best for me and I don't regret it. Woke up the next morning refreshed and slightly new. Once I got to work, I felt better about the entire situation, but it was still a mediocore day at the window. Had some time away and got to think a lot about things and had some needed moments to myself.

Tuesday started Day One of the Pleasure Island dates. K and Fish were my new roommates and things were great. The show was amazing per usual and when the guys got home, we set up my room with air mattresses and it reminded us of 7th grade sleepovers. Good fun. K kept us laughing until the wee hours of the morning with Back to the Future quotes and good chats. The next day, I headed out early for a special Undiscovered Future World tour with some manager friends and very interested guests. O'Kelly graced my tour and was very fun throughout the tour, giving me looks and being informing. The tour was not the best. It was rainy and freezing out. I was in shorts to allow the use of tennis shoes and I was regretting it later. Kimmie's friend was on the tour and he was so much fun. One of the nicest guys and so positive about everything. He and O'Kelly made the tour so much better than it might have been.

Thanks to Kimmie, I was able to leave a bit early to 1) get warm 2) hang out with K and Fish and 3) take a nap. I crashed when I got home and then woke up to enjoy the company of my new temporary roomies. We had all made a pact to not eat fast food before or after the shows so that we were being more health conscience and to avoid spending tons of dollars on food that just made us feel gross afterwards. So the boys went to the grocery store and we split the cost. The fridge and cabinets were full and dinner was being cooked. K became our resident chef and dinner was incredible every night. What a great idea! We ate at the table and had a "family" dinner each night. It was fun to do.

Throughout the week there were things constantly going on. The shows were amazing. Amy J became our choregrapher and taught Cali, Katrina, Gianina and myself two dances. Billie Jean dance and one for "Blinded". We debuted them on Thursday with positivie comments from Guy. He loved it. We had fun and that was the important thing. Each night brought out different crowds and we met some new fans including David who insists on taking the band's side on *everything*. But what can you do. Day One soon turned into Day Six and by that time I was done. I over did it with Chris on Saturday. We sang a bit too loud causing my voice to be gone and my throat to be in pain. It hurt to swallow. Needless to say, the next day I was in recovery mode from the shows. The rainy tour day had had it's affect on me and the nights of PI weren't helping so I began to develop a nice thick cough and a pain in my head. Oh the sickness was beginning.

Thursday Cali, Tony, Fish, Gianina and I went to the Braves game against the Pirates. It was a beautiful day and we were definitely red to prove it. The seats were great and the company rocked my world. We were talking "business" fun and chachos lingo the entire time and had a great time watching hot baseball players play the game that I adore. Saturday consisted of "pool time" with K and Fish. Met up with Sean, Ting and Tarl at the pool as well. Carla brought us refreshments and laid out with us until we were burnt out and ready to have some "living room time", which consisted of amazing videography and refreshments. Leo came over and I finally got to catch up with him. I missed my "husband"! *grin* It was great to just sit and relax for a bit.

Friday night consisted of me being a bit late to the PI show due to some business that was just beginning. It was a great first start and an impressive moment in our timeline. Matt Mackelcan was supportive and adorable. Made somewhat of a "talking" friendship with The Social Merch guy and he finally warmed up to me. Did some new things "That's never happened before" Glad I could help in some way. Even if it was just setting up the merch before the show. *grin* Good times!

I spent this past week recovering from the week before and being miserable with my sickness. I dug in my hole and rested while working the entire week and trying to feel better quicker. I hate being sick. It ruins my schedule. Wednesday was the kicker. I was closing the help desk with Coop and feeling worse and worse as the night went on. Coop noticed and after chatting about it, I requested a day off the next day to go to the doctor. Thankfully my management team rocks and allowed me to do it. Thursday was spent mostly looking for a doctor and getting an appointment. I found one near downtown and headed down there for a checkup. I have had this same sickness at least three times in the last six months and when I was telling the doctor my symptoms, he offered the knowledge of it being allergies. Not a big fan of that conclusion. Just didn't seem logical, however whom am I to say. Certainly not a doctor myself, so I took his recommendation and free samples of allergy medicine and began the pill taking process. Five days later and I am still not 100%. Typically after taking medicine, doctor prescribed, I am better within two days. Not so sure this is the cure. Hmmmm... The cough needs to disperse.

K came home after their show on St. Patty's Day that was cut short on Thursday. I was passed out and ready to head to bed. Friday was my first day at my new second job. I am working with Julie and 867 at BMG Models, Inc. It was a great day. Crazy and stressful, filled with puzzles to be solved and time related material. It was a new learning experience and something I have never dealt with before. I was fully immersed by the end of the day and feeling like I accomplished something and feeling good about the second job option.

Got home to K on his hands and knees, scrubbing my bathroom floor. Apparently he felt the need to clean. My bathroom was so clean by the time he was done. Nice! Thanks kid. Everyone had their plans for Friday night. The Curve, FYC, Berg, Jeff Lucero and Kris Williams were playing at Austins in Winter Park. Convienent and fun, they had their plans all set. I was headed to a different location. Lots of reasons why, but mostly because I needed something for me. I needed Honestly. They were playing in Cocoa Beach and I had my mind set on their show all day. Amy J was suppose to go, but work held her back so it was just gonna be me until Cali told me she wanted her first Honestly show to be that night. So we made plans and started our trek out to the beach.

Cocoa Beach is a pretty easy place to find and we made excellent time. However, mapquest was not so helpful when it came to finding the venue. 411 was also less than helpful, claiming that there was no listing for the venue and no way they could even search on the internet. Mapquest is not my friend. We made a few u-turns before stopping at the gas station and asking informative locals where the club was. They assisted and we were slightly late. I was getting ansy and the numbers were jumping around and not making it easy to find this place. We were driving for the ten miles we were suppose to (according to directions given by the locals) and I see a marquee in a patch of grass saying "900 North" and that was the SIGN for 900 North Beach Club. We made another u-turn and saw that Honestly's name was below the sign and we spotted their RV. We parked and ran. The bouncer was taking far too long to take our money and put on our wristbands even after we admitted our tardiness, but regardless they took their sweet time. Began to realize the venue's theme for being "classy" and we couldn't have cared less. We ran to the front of the stage and of the twenty or so people in the venue, we were the only ones remotely close to the stage.

I almost bit it running to the stage though because of the black carpet, dark room and only a blue lining of neon to guide my path. Cali held me back and saved me from crashing onto the floor. Once the band noticed us there I got tons of smiles and then got yelled at. Rob yelled at me from the stage about how I was in trouble for being late and missing most of their set. I heart Rob. Justin waved and gave us his winning smile showing he was glad that we came. And I was in my element. We heard about four songs and each one was totally worth the drive and time to find the place. Two of the songs were new and I was in love. They played U2's "Where the Streets have No Name" and then my favorite, they closed with "I don't know" and I was so happy.

As soon as the show was over the band was on the floor greeting us and "yelling" at us for being late. I totally blamed it on Mapquest and all was forgiven. Amazing guys this band consists of. I heart them. They make us feel wanted and welcomed and definitely appreciated. Not only that, but they enjoy getting to know us more everytime we see them and deeply appreciate the idea of hanging out after the show, which I find amazing. I heart them. I also adore them because when I ask if they need help they respond with "yea...that would be great" instead of saying "aw you don't have to help, blah blah blah" I adore that! "You are now official roadies" I love Justin.

After getting all the business stuff done, they decided that food was a neccessity so we all got in separate cars and headed over to Waffle House (it's the Atlanta in them). Justin and Rob rode with us and immediately commented on the nice smell in the car. *giggle* We introduced them to Big 10-4 and rocked out while chatting about new things happening in our lives. I cannot wait until their EP is finished. Happiness is more Honestly music. Good times!

Sat with Rob, Kurt (Rob's adorable younger brother) and Joe during dinner. Just a wonderful conclusion to an eventful and slightly disappointing evening (missing the majority of their set) and a great time that I have needed for awhile. I caught a bit of slack for not going "where I was suppose to go" that night, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. I can't be in more than one place at one time and I need to stop feeling guilty for not doing what everyone expects me to do. I would never want to make anyone feel like they *had* to be somewhere when their heart is somewhere else. I am happy with my choices and I *honestly* think that is what matters.

The next day was a whirlwind of a day. K had left me a drunk message the night before and I began listening to it while he was "singing in the shower" and it basically said "You have to come see us play at the race...." and it seemed like an excellent idea and a perfect way to spend the day. Katrina had also called and requested that if I was going that we should ride together. Everything was fitting into place nicely. K was getting ready and I was making phone calls to everyone seeing what the plan was. Julie and Kim decided to come as well and we had a full car for an impromtu road trip. To Sebring it is!

With Oreos in hand we headed through the traffic of I-4 and the most horrible road in the world, US-27. Fun road trip though. The girls made it totally fun and adventurous. We kept getting updates from K on the road since he was about a half an hour ahead of us. It was a chore to get there, but when we did everything was smooth. K had scored us four tickets for the race (12 hours of Sebring) and one rocking parking pass inabiling us to park right next to the stage. Rock on. We got them no problem and parked next to the stage and ran a few feet over to the stage. I got a rock on sign from Mikey and everything was great. The Curve rocked the tiny stage and it was a great show! We, of course, missed about three songs of their set, but got the majority of it so we were happy.

Jimmy from Big 10-4 was doing sound and he had been camping out there for three days prior and was loaded the entire time. He was a funny kid "Hey I know you, I KNOW YOU!" and got so excited. What a nut! He took us all on top of an RV to check out the view. It was amazing. The RV would shake and freak us out a bit but totally a cool experience. It was a beautiful day and totally worth the drive. Mikey was in rare form and chatting away. Got to meet Sean for the eighth time. Maybe he will remember me this time. Walked around with K to check out the race. It was cool to see K enjoy it so much. I am not a big race fan, by any means and I kept thinking about how much Valerie would enjoy being there with us, but K was too excited so we walked around and had some "pool talk" and it was good.

I think my favorite part of the trip was the drive home. K was behind us and we got totally sidetracked. We headed down a different way when exiting the venue and got on a side road that took us through orange groves and a beautiful landscape. We were on an open road when I noticed K was not behind me anymore and he had pulled over to grab five oranges from one of the orange grove trees. The air smelled sweet, windows down and the sun beamning in the car. It was a great ride home. No one cared that we were taking a side route, instead we embraced it and enjoyed the time together and the atmosphere. K was so hungry and we were heading to the DQ that we saw on the way in, but it was taking longer than expected so we passed him oreos through the car while going at least 55 miles per hour and he threw an orange at me that hit my leg and it made the car smell so good. We finally stopped at a DQ (not the specific one that we had wanted to though) and we grabbed some food and ate while discussing everyone's activities for the evening. Again they differed.

Honestly was on my agenda while going to Gainesville was everyone elses' plans. Got home just in time to meet up with Cali, Tony and Amy J. Katrina, Julie and Kim all headed out to meet their parties and head up to Gville. K decided that as appealing as seeing Honestly sounded, that he would hang out in my room and keep a lower profile to enjoy some much needed rest time. We all hopped in my car. My poor car. I used up an entire tank of gas that day. Regardless, I switched out my road trip crew for a new road trip crew and we headed down south towards Tampa to Seminole. Traffic sucked for the beginning of the trip, but it eased up and I booked it to make it on time. We made it JUST in time. Literally heard the beginning notes while paying at the door. I opened the door while waiting on our waistbands and we rocked out outside before running up to the stage. Jen and Shannon were already there and happiness was had. "In a strange way...." Amy J and I rocked out while Cali, Tony, Shannon and Jen were watching from the side. I was in heaven. Justin kept commenting on "thanks for getting here early...thanks for getting her on time" Can't help but think some of that was pointed at me. *grin* I heart them. After the show we said our hellos and chatted for a bit before having to head back out. All of us had to get up early the next morning and it was yet another trek home so we hung out as long as we could and said our goodbyes until April. Great night!

Got home to a more relaxed K and watched a bit of television while chatting about the night's activities. My favorite was Joe requesting to switch out the drumstick that he threw out into the crowd, which Amy J ran to retrieve, for a broken one. "These are $3 each, can I give you a broken one instead" I heart Joe! "My name is not VIC!"

I crashed and then woke up early this morning to pick up some overtime at the DSA Office. It was fun to help out the cast and play secretary at the "Eeyore Desk" and help out the coordinators. Good times....onto a crazy week of tours. Wish me luck. Not many shows coming up this week that I can go to, but of course they never stop. "Ain't no stopping us now..."