I'm alive!

It's been forever since I've wrote anything down, even though I've had the time off and should've really been able to. I should remedy that! I'll try to at least.

So! A lot has gone on! We should start with the fact that my name is on a CMT award somewhere in the world, yes? I think it's hilarious and awesome at the same time. But I'm so happy that "You and Tequila" won at the CMT Awards. I was really excited to get to perform on the show, even if I was a nervous wreck and possibly had a beer before I even left the hotel. It was an interesting experience, as I'm used to going to awards shows with other people and this time it was just me. I tend to get stupidly nervous over things like shows/performances so I was a bundle of nerves the whole night. But it all went off without a hitch and it was a really good time.

I also had the most awesome honour of attending a Marine Corps ball last month in North Carolina. It meant an overnight flight back to the US but it was so worth it! I didn't know how much attention was being paid to the fact that I was going until that night really, since I wasn't sure anyone would even care. Cue me being stupidly nervous again (it's a running theme, I know) over a blind "date", seeing as I've never actually been on a blind date. Especially one that had garnered such attention. Sergeant Moore and I had talked on the phone once before I got to North Carolina and he seemed like a very nice and personable guy. I was really excited to get to meet him in person and get to experience something I really had no clue about. In person, he was exactly like he was on the phone. Very friendly and funny, and he put up with me asking him a billion questions about everything throughout the night. I met so many people and it really was a wonderful experience.

"You and Tequila" has also gotten itself nominated for a couple of Grammy's, which is pretty awesome. It's the second time I've been nominated for a song I either played and/or sun on. You get a cookie if you know the other song;) I'm so proud of "You and Tequila" though, and of Kenny who is an amazing guy. It has some tough competition but I will be watching (like I do every year because I AM A DORK).

I've had some time off though and spent most of that time with Jensen/Ex Nihilo as they wrapped up the last dates of their tour. Blake was out with Jensen on his own before I joined back up with them, which has only added more stamps to his passport. I swear that kid has been to more places in this world by the age of two than I had by the time I was 20! It was a lot of fun though seeing the sights and getting to see an awesome show every night! Or well, some of the nights because Blake is two and he conks out early sometimes. I was glad to get back to New York, if only because it was a time zone my body recognizes. The last three shows in NYC were something really special, since it was the last of everything basically. It was great getting to see it all though, especially the last two shows that were (I think) a little bittersweet for everyone. I've only been around the Ex Nihilo family for a fairly short period of time, but everyone has been nothing but nice and welcoming the whole time. And while I was a little sad to see this tour cycle come to an end (because the shows were pretty fantastic), I'm not going to lie and say I won't be glad to see my husband for longer than a few days at a time.

…until I go back on tour and then we're back in the same cycle as we just got out of.

Did I mention touring? I DID.

Because Barclay is doing some stuff. It's been awhile, I know. Jayda let it slip on twitter that we're playing SXSW in March, as is my little band. Double duty ftw! I'm really excited for the Barclay stuff because it's good. Like, really good. And I'm excited because it's the first full Barclay album I'll be a part of! There might even be an album in the works for a soon-ish release which is a scary, scary thought. I've had such a blast working on my little side project (and that isn't going anywhere either!) but I have missed playing with Josh and Jayda something fierce. I don't know anything other than SXSW but we'll see where it all goes. Any touring we do is probably going to need a bus just for all of the small children/babies that'll be hanging around. But as soon as things get hammered out, I'm sure dates will be posted somewhere.

I think that might be pretty much it. I should really quit going months without writing in here (or at least get a tumblr so I can just reblog Jersey Shore gifs, ahem). But things are good, and I can't wait to see what's around the next corner.

oh it's been awhile.

I apologize for any cheesiness or extreme sappiness you might read here.

Well, kind of apologize.

I'm resisting the urge to be all I GOT HITCHED Y'ALL but it's hard. But the wedding weekend? Was amazing. I feel like in some ways we'd been planning the whole thing kind of in the spur of the moment. There were a lot of talks by phone and a lot of looking at things on the internet. We did have a lovely wedding planner who also helped us a ton. But it all felt easy, which I wasn't sure it should be? But it was a good thing, especially looking back. I liked that we weren't (seemingly) stressed about anything. At some points I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop or something bad to happen or just something. But it was all pretty much perfect and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I'm so glad that we got to celebrate with our friends and families.

Unfortunately (or fortunately if you're an Ex Nihilo fan), Jensen had to go back on tour a couple of days after the wedding. I'm just glad we got almost a full two weeks in together! I'm pretty sure we hadn't spent that much time together before that for quite a while. Yes, touring at the same time sucks sometimes. So no honeymoon for us yet, but I think we're going to disappear off the face of the earth in a bit so I'm looking forward to that. But I have a little bit of time off before the band heads back out on the road so I'm going to hop across the pond for a bit to play groupie.

Oh! I was going to fangirl about Lollapalooza! So I thought it'd be a good thing that Lolla was the week before the wedding because it'd be a good distraction. And it was in a lot of ways! Lollapalooza was always one of those things I'd wanted to go to, sort of like Bonnaroo too. I never thought about playing either one of those festivals but I've done BOTH in one summer. It's crazy to me! I knew going into Lollapalooza that not a lot of people would know who we were. We were playing on Friday afternoon and it was going to be hot. And I knew we'd have to go out there and basically punch people in the face so we didn't get booed off the stage. I was so incredibly nervous the night before and the morning of our set. I feel sorry for everyone who had to be around me because I wasn't doing a very good job with NOT freaking out. But I've found I usually have to have a good freak out and then about an hour before we go on, I'm good to go. I don't know, I'm weird. It was a blast though, and I like to think that maybe we made a few new fans! The rest of the weekend was spent running from stage to stage seeing good friends have their own Lolla experiences and seeing other awesome people. If you've never been and have the chance to go to Lollapalooza: do it! I want to go back next year if the lineup is half as good as this year's. Same with Bonnaroo. We had such great times at both and it's been such a great summer.

We head back out on the road next month, which is exciiiting! We're also going to open up for Ms. Lennix in November for a couple of shows. And somewhere in there I've got to find another dress to wear to the Marine Corps Ball that's also in November. There will be a few more of our own dates after that but I'm trying to attempt this thing where I don't tour for forever at once and try to have somewhat of a life with my husband and kiddo (I totally mistyped that at first and wrote "kiddos", uh oh). I'm not sure how well it'll work out but we'll see? Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But I don't love being away from home for super long periods of time. But I'm also not going anywhere just yet.

Most people probably know some about the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, but here's a quick background! It started in 1997 with "a mission to restore instrumental music education programs in schools, ensuring that every child has access to a complete education that includes music instruction". It's no secret that music education is usually one of the first programs to be cut or completely left out in public schools. But what a lot of people might not realize is how important music education is to other things, not just the music aspect! Research has shown that music education is important in critical thinking and it also helps kids work together better. Students are more engaged in school and are less likely to drop out, and do significantly better in other school subjects. What the Foundation does is to help develop long-term, sustainable instrumental music programs that provide children equal access to music education regardless of their financial situation.

I've always been a fan of this program from the start, I know how important music has been in my life and I feel like every child should have the opportunity to be exposed to music education in some form or fashion. It gives kids a shot at bettering themselves and well…who knows what the next generation might give this world, right?

So! What are you good people bidding on? AWESOMENESS, DUH. Okay, I'm joking but I tried to make this a little awesome at least! If you are the winning bidder, you'll not only get my undying respect, you'll also get:

-- 2 VIP tickets to Lollapalooza (August 5-7, 2011 in Chicago, IL. If this doesn't work with your schedule, we'll figure something else of equal awesomeness!)

-- Dinner at Katsuya, Hollywood CA (if you're turned off by sushi/seafood/find nothing on the menu that you like, we'll find a suitable alternative!)

Really, all of the charities people are a part of are awesome and amazing so bid on whoever/whatever if you can! Every little bit helps a lot.

I've always been the type of person who likes being on the road. I love traveling from place to place, I love sleeping on a bus and…yes, that probably makes me weird. It's not an easy way to live, especially with how friggen jet lagged I've been. But then I remember these last couple of tours, opening for Lennix and then for Dan, are really the first ones I've done since before I first joined Barclay. But I have had a blast, and feel really lucky to have gotten to see the places I have.

And as much as I love being on the road and working, I will be glad to get home. I think this has been the longest stretch of time that I've gone without seeing Blake (although Skype/text/e-mail does help that a little!) so I'll be glad to actually get to hug him. And make sure no one has given him an unfortunate hair cut in my absence.

We won't be in the T.O. for long before we go to LA to see Jensen. I can't wait. I feel like it's been forever but I guess it really hasn't been THAT long. I've sort of forgotten what it's like to be in a relationship where you're both traveling separately at the same time, oops? I don't know that you ever get used to it necessarily, but you do what you got to do (like meeting in the middle or skyping. SKYPE = BEST INVENTION EVER). But I look forward to doing a whole lot of nothing and playing with the munchkin for a little bit. If it includes the warm weather of LA, then so be it!

We won't be off the road for long though, which isn't a bad thing. I'm so excited about playing Bonnaroo. I've been wanting to go for several years now so to play? Is just awesome. I can't wait. AND! We're playing part of the Bonnaroo Buzz Tour, which is touring along some of the East coast and the South before ending up at Bonnaroo. And after Bonnaroo? I get to play NXNE (aka: SXSW for Canada), which Barclay played two years ago. Busy, I know? I like being busy though! It keeps me out of trouble. I think there's a little bit of time off after NXNE, I'll be glad for it. Plus Barclay!baby #2 is due in July and I want to be around to meet the little Jay!bean.

(and then you know, a wedding happens!)

So yeah, busy busy. I'll be home tomorrow night, it'll be a little strange to sleep in my own bed I think but I can't wait.

Not long after I joined Barclay (way back in the day, aka 2008) we got the chance to go to Japan on tour. It was my first time being there and I remember being SO excited and took about a billion pictures of everything I could get my camera focused on. And as different as it was from anything I'd seen by that point, the people that I got the chance to meet and interact with were some of the nicest, most polite and thoughtful people I've ever encountered in my life. And it's been like that every time I've been back there, even though I speak no Japanese and the people I meet don't speak much English. They're so friendly and so sweet, that I could sit here and talk about HOW MUCH SO all night probably.

I was in Japan not too awfully long before the earthquake and tsunami and we had such a great time, especially since it was most of the band's first time there. It was awesome to see their first time through their eyes and watch their reactions to everything. When I woke up to the news of the earthquake and tsunami back here in the States, I had this moment of insane panic just thinking "holy shit I was just THERE" and all the people we'd met and gotten to know in the short time we were there. I don't even know what I would do in an earthquake, because it's something I don't think I've ever experienced. Or at least not that I can remember. I don't know how people survived and have kept surviving in the days since. It amazes me the devastation that's occurred already, it's something that I personally can't even begin to fathom. I'm so sad for what that country has gone through and will go through for probably a long while. But I hope that the people who have been affected by everything going on can feel the thoughts (and prayers) that everyone from around the world is sending them. If you're like me and have wondered if there's anything you can do to help, there is plenty you can do! I'm of the mind that every little bit helps, no matter how small.

If you're like me and have wondered if there is anything you can do to help, there is plenty! I'm of the mind that every little bit helps, no matter how small or insignificant you might think it is. There are a lot of places out there you can donate to and here are just a couple:

Canadian Red Cross: Call toll-free 1-800-418-1111

Salvation Army (Canada): Text 'QUAKE' to 45678, SalvationArmy.ca/japan or calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY

American Red Cross: text 90999 to donate $10 or donate here

Salvation Army (US): Text 'JAPAN' or 'QUAKE' to 80888 to make a $10 donation or donate here

Music for Relief: Text 'MFR' to 85944 to make a $10 donation or donate here

Keep thinking good thoughts.
<3

I come from the future.

It's around 10 AM on Friday and I have the urge to make super cheesy time traveling jokes. But we're in Osaka, I've eaten my weight in food and have the urge to go exploring but I'm not sure if there's time. But the sun is out, it feels sort of warm and yeah…I'm going to go have to go wander around for a little bit. But first! I should actually write something of substance before I go get lost and piss off my tour manager. Tour has been crazy in a really good way. I've really missed being on the road and living out of a suitcase. Is that sad? Maybe a little, I don't know. It's just been fun to get out and play shows every night. I'm sure eventually we'll all get really sick of each other though.

(Kidding. I think!)

We've been opening for Lennix since last week and I have to say it's been a lot of fun. Have you seen her stage? It's insane in the best way possible. I think I'll be dreaming about huge cupcakes for the rest of my life now. I've been battling some major jet lag, which really means I nap on people randomly and am up at 3 and 4 AM consistently. I'm sure when I get back home I'll be up at random hours too but oh well, small price to pay. I was a little nervous coming to Europe, Russia and Asia just because….well, I didn't think anyone would know who the hell we were. I was also afraid people would hate us. I'm not above crap getting thrown at me though so I was expecting the worst. But the crowds have been really great so far. I understand what it's like to have to sit through an opener you're not familiar with. But I think we're up for the challenge and so far, so good. I think it was a good first step to playing more over here and getting our music exposed to people who might not have heard of us/checked us out otherwise.

I've done a lot of shopping when we've had the time off (aka: the munchkin is going to be rolling in trinkets by the time I get home). I may have to find another bag just to get everything home. I think a part of me feels a little guilty running off to play ~rockstar~ but I know he's in good hands...and getting more spoiled by the minute. We've gotten to Skype a few times, which is the best invention ever isn't it? It helps me at least be certain that he hasn't aged 10 years or grown too much since I've been gone. I don't know when I'll get home to see him in person so Skyping and e-mailing and everything else helps a lot. Plus I know his grandparents (and his dad, uncles) are taking very good care of him.

Know who else I miss? The fiance. Which yes, makes me giggle like a fool still. It probably will forever, even after we're married (which !!!). I forgot how weird it is when you're both on tour and sort of randomly wave at each other when you pass each other on an interstate somewhere (not really but you get the picture). It helps that the ~internet~ exists, and yes we Skype!date a lot which is nice. I'm excited I get to see him next week. I think it's next week at least? I win at remembering dates/days of the week apparently!

So yeah. I'm going to go get lost in Osaka for a little bit and quit rambling. I mean, I can ramble with the best of them but even that gets old after awhile. Plus! JAPAN! Needs exploring obviously. But first...a question (insert Jeopardy music here?) SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL?