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Wednesday

In the morning, we go to Bob Evans for breakfast. This is another first for Apes. The number of dining senior citizens astounds me. Erick's astounded at my food ordering and preparation rituals. I acknowledge that I am a complete and utter pain-in-the-ass. Mike interviews us. We take a few photos and then head for Columbia. The drive to Columbia is freakishly windy. Clouds are green and then a bizarre rainstorm materializes. This is tornado weather. We've seen it on the road before. When we hit the downpour, Paul pulls over so we can shut the back windows. Jeff jumps out and when he returns, he informs Paul that there is a giant green turd all over the van tire and that we were dragging it for about 20 feet because its all over the road too. I want to photograph it but it's pouring. Damn!

When we get to downtown Columbia, we park and scatter. Its 3 pm and we are playing around 11:30. We have only 8 ½ hours to pass. The weathers clear so Erick and I start walking. We had found out earlier in the day that our May Europe tour was cancelled so we , must vent. We walk up. We walk down. We walk on campus. We walk in town. We sit at Panera for an extended period of time, using free wireless and snacking. There is a guy eating across from me and every time he opens his wide mouth to take a giant bite of his sandwich, I awkwardly make eye contact with him. This is perfectly uncomfortable. I hope that he doesn't think that I think he's hot.

It's time for more walking. We get coffee first. Erick is in a foul mood. Nothing makes him happy. I think maybe if we go look at sorority girls, he will cheer up. Not really. I say fuck it and head for some used clothes stores. I can't take his glares and his threats so we start walking again. He starts lashing into me as well, tells me what a bitch I'm being. I doubt I'm being any more bitchy than usual. More walking. There are groups of large looking adults (fraternity and sorority people) outside of their houses doing strange things. The men are dressed up in furry blue jackets and are wearing high heels without pants. The girls have all sorts of naked strangeness going on. I wonder if they are about to play volleyball or do some charity fundraiser

We walk around the blocks a few more times and then go hang out by the club. We go to the record store and look at all the vinyl from past and present.

We sit outside the bar and eventually go in. I sit down at the bar to get hydrated and listen to the conversation between an older gentlemen at bar (he has a long grey braid) who is conversing with the bartender. They are talking about the best drummers of all time. Bonzo's name comes up.

The braid man notices me listening and says to m:e "I'll bet you don't even know who Bonzo is, li'l lady."

"I sure do," I tell him.

He starts quizzing me about classic rock history and I know the answers to all his questions. We start talking philosophy. He doesn't judge people. Ever since his leg got blown apart in 'Nam, he just lets shit go. That's cool. I try to as well. The bar begins to fill with young rock folks and the opening band sets up.

I go out for one more final walk and we change clothes in the van in front of the bar when I return. The crowd looks good and they are pretty drunk when we go on. Looks like they want to have some fun! We all throw down. They throw down. It's a rocking good time and I'm psyched when our buddy Dave Wilson, owner of the lovely ranch outside of town shows up. We will have good sleeping arrangements for the 3rd night in a row.

After the show, the streets are covered with super drunk youth. I witness a few hot bike wrecks. People are dancing and puking. I photograph some vomit and we load up and head for Dave's to stretch out and have a long rest. I try a combination of pills to induce a normal night's sleep.

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