May 18 2003
I was ready to stuff coconuts down the throats of the snore-team. Even though it was pouring rain, I went wandering into down-town Cork so I could have a little more time alone. For some reason, I was thinking that every Irish person was going to be in Church all day because it was Sunday, but I discovered that there was a big soccer match going on and the town was all drunk. I went to Dunne’s, maybe the Irish version of Target or Walmart, and bought myself a red nylon jacket. When I got back to the hostel, I learned that the Jammer had been out all morning “busking” (playing guitar on the street and begging) and he’d made 100 Euro. He asked if I wanted to go to a pub with him. I said “Hell no”.
We left for Limerick, a.k.a. "Stab City". The drive was short and there was plenty of time to wander the streets of Limerick upon arrival. More coffee. I knew I was burning holes in my fragile, scar-tissue filled, reconstructed stomach but I was powerless to resist the dark, tarry substance. The promoters made us dinner at their apartment and then we headed back to the club. We had a killer dressing room on the 3rd floor of the club next door, which was essentially a billiards club. These guys actually provided the stuff from our rider and everyone chowed on crisps and candy bars.
The show had a nice sized turn-out, especially for a Sunday night. We were lucky enough to have a heckler, and Paul apparently bit him on the nose. After the show I sat with Uri to sell merch and I asked this lady to take her beer off our vinyl; she exploded. ”Where the fook do ya want me to put my bier?” she shouted. Uh oh. I figured I was about to get stabbed. She must have been trashed because I immediately said “Oh I just love your necklace!” -- which was the truth -- and she completely forgot her anger and we engaged in a lengthy conversation about bargain silver sales in Limerick.
Erick, Jeff, Gozzy, and I stayed in another hostel. Uri slept in the van, and the rest of the smoke/snore team went back to promoter Ivan‘s house. The shower in our place was awesome; the hot water seemingly endless.
May 19 2003
Drive day -- to the ferry in Dublin -- and then to Gozzy’s house in Leeds. I always get excited for the ferry ride because I love water and boats and we can spread out. This time, I sat with Erick and Jeff, and Cory PoH was with us for part of the time. I peed no less than 7 times, enjoying the luxury of having the bathroom at my disposal and not having to ask the driver to pull over every twenty minutes. I think I tripped over the raised piece of metal in front of the bathroom door four times, despite the sign that said “Mind the Step”. At the end of the ferry ride we all strolled back to the van and saw another van with dudes that were probably musicians on tour. We did the Nod of Understanding with them, and then the wave, and pretty soon, someone ran over to their van and we were hooked up with their CD!
The drive back to Leeds was really, really long, and I had to pee like crazy by the time we got to town. Goz stopped at a gas station that doesn’t let the public use their restroom. The Balti men were kind enough to let the crying American girl with the worm-size bladder use their facilities.
We got to Gozzy’s house in Leeds and I got a bedroom with a bed which I shared with no one.
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