blood this

I donapos;t think there is a whole lot in life that I�am naiive about anymore, but I was startled to discover some new information the other morning.

So, remember I�told you about the skeevy motel in Longview, TX? Well, after our "conservative" performance, we went back to our motel and ordered pizza and settled in for a fun night of watching "Stayinapos; Alive". I noticed that there was still quite a bit of housekeeping activity when I went to bed around midnight, but didnapos;t think much of it because I had seen armies of staff during the day.�(Shocking, considering how stinky it was).�The next morning we loaded the bus and I got involved in some of the buzz about how icky our stay was. Except, it turns out I�had turned a blind eye to a lot of it. Apparently, the housekeeping staff is busy all night long tending to the HOURLY�RENTALS... When I protested that I�did not see any women, just lots of men staying at the motel, my castmates explained itapos;s because itapos;s the housekeeping staff that is moonlighting to turn an extra buck... In other words, we were staying in a brothel. WHAT? Are they pulling my leg or what?�I�did see quite a few strip clubs as we drove into town... Ah, the Brothel called Ramada.

As if to make up for that experience, the next night we stayed in a casino town (Shreveport, LA) to perform at The Strand and then on to Birmingham, AL, where Jen and I were put up in a beautiful suite in a historic hotel. We had a huge desk with armchair, sitting room, wet bar, a hallway with 2 sinks and 2 closets, and a bathroom to die for. I�took an awesome deep bath and then stepped across the room to rinse off in the 2 person glass shower. We even had the night off. We were sad to only stay there one night and leave so early in the morning, but we had a fun gathering hosting our co-workers to watch the Sarah Palin appearance on SNL. (Did you SEE that amazing show?)

Today we ate lunch in Knoxville, TN and just crossed into Virginia. I�guess I�forgot how beautiful the Blue Ridge Mountains are this time of year. I�used to come out to camp every summer and did a lot of backpacking in this area as a kid. Although I constantly protest that Northern VA is completely different than the rest of rural VA, I�do feel a sense of "home" when surrounded by all this beauty. We are spending the night in Roanoke and tomorrow I�expect to wave at my college campus as we drive by it around lunchtime. Ah, Shenandoah. Memories do become sweeter with Time.

Anyway, we did 13 shows in a row and 6 (VERY) different venues in 6 days. ALthough we are on the bus for 7 or 8 hours a day, it is nice to have the nights off for a couple of days and enjoy the scenery and each otherapos;s company. Let me say again how GREAT this cast is. I�am having SO�much fun. :~D

falling asleep driving, blood this, blood thirsty savages, blood thirsty monsters, blood thirsty lovers.