*Camille's Tour Journal*

Entry One - Preparing for The Tour

I've been a bundle of nerves for the past few weeks as the tour draws closer and closer. This is what I live for and I'm so excited but at the same time I'm terrified. This is my last go round for only God knows how long. I can't make a single mistake. I have to give the fans exactly what they want and more because they mean so much to me. Rehearsals just began today which was wonderful because I got to see old faces and new faces alike. Tommy and Ellie, who have worked with me since the very first tour, have come back for this final adventure. We all got acquainted with the new kids: Shannon, Dory, James, Darren, and Michael whom are all astounding dancers. I have no business on stage with them, you guys! Anyway, we all went over the choreography with Ellie since she choreographed the show this time around and, though we aren't bad, we definitely need a lot of work to get to where we need to be. 

Justin showed up with the kids about halfway through rehearsal which was a wonderful surprise. I can't explain how happy I am whenever he's around me. I move better. I sing better. I'm more myself around him than when I'm around anyone else. I'm crossing my fingers that I can get him to come on the tour with me. Possibly we'll do a duet together at one of the shows. Wouldn't that be a treat? Anyway, I'll try to write to you all as much as I possibly can! 

All of my love,
Cam

Entry Two - Preparing for The Tour

Rehearsals have gotten grueling. I swear, I came home and just fell out for dead. Some of the choreography had to be adjusted which is normal but today was definitely an off day for me at least. The day was jam packed from beginning to end. At about eight AM I met with my stylist, Joan McNamara, to go over designs for the costumes that the dancers and I will be wearing during the shows and get my measurements done all over again. Once that was over I had to go to the WEG Offices to go over publicizing the tour...yeah, guess who has a photo shoot tomorrow morning? That's right...Between that meeting and getting to rehearsals I had to go pick the kids up from my mother's and drop them off at Lynn's for the evening. Nikki was adamant about  not being left behind so she ended up tagging along with me to the dance studio. Justin would have done all of the transporting but he's out of town right now because he has some club shows to do in New York. Our schedules are crazy, man! So, yeah, I'm beat. I'll write you more later.

All of my love,
Cam

Entry Three - Promoting The Tour

Did tour promos with BET, VH1, and MTV this week. I can't wait for you guys to see the promo pictures! Justin and the kids were there for the photo shoots and he almost choked when I came out of the dressing room (he's going to freak because I told you that but oh, well) because they had me dressed in this cut off shirt and super-mini pleated skirt with these high-heels. I felt kind of scandalous there for a moment but, hey, sex sells right? Nikki said the cutest thing! "Mommy, I think that's my skirt you put on by accident."  I might give it to her later on because it probably would be an appropriate length on her.

All of my love,
Cam

Entry Four - The Tour Begins

We're heading out on the road tonight to kick this thing off. I am so anxious about this because I don't like leaving my kids behind but I'm restless sitting in the house, you know? We waited to get Erykah on solid foods before we even considered doing the tour and releasing the album but I'm still really worried about leaving her behind. Lynn's going to be keeping the kids which is a blessing and when Justin gets back from Tennessee he'll be joining me on the tour. Do I have the most perfect husband in the world or what? Do I talk about him too much? Yeah, you would too! LOL.

So, I had to say goodbye to my babies yesterday because all of today was spent getting everything in order to load up the bus and get started. It was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do because I don't leave them often. Nikki, Grant, and I were all crying but little Erykah? She's too little to understand that I'm going to be gone for a while, you know? I just held her for a little while and memorized what she was. She just placed her tiny hands on my cheeks as if to comfort me. She's a gift from God.

My mom came over and helped me to finish packing. She went on the first few tours with me so this is the first one that she's not going to be joining me on. She was all like, "suck it up, kid." I love it in her! :)

All of my love,
Cam