You know when you wake up feeling just a litttttle crazy? Well. That's how I woke up every morning before my Electric Zoo train-to-bus commute to Randall's Island. I think that close proximity to these electronic dance music festivals is enough to induce (insert any emotion or temporary altered mental condition).

Which, might I add, is not always a bad thing.

Electric Zoo/Randall's Island/New York, NY/8.31.12

I will marry the first person who can tell me who these people are, what they are doing and what drugs they are on - Rainbow Brite and her zoology pals included.

And, just kidding. Marriage isn't really my bag, but I can offer other things... like cake.

Electric Zoo/Randall's Island/New York, NY/8.31.12

Last, but not least, Mr. Chesney. Not an easy fellow to photograph, that's for sure.

Kenny Chesney/Brothers of the Sun Tour/Ford Field/Detroit, MI/8.18.12

Why, why, why, why did he not wear his white pants in Detroit?!? Ugh. Foiled again. I will say, however, that out of the four performers, McGraw was the most fun to photograph.

Tim McGraw/Brothers of the Sun Tour/Ford Field/Detroit, MI/8.18.12

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals/Brothers of the Sun Tour/Ford Field/Detroit, MI/8.18.12

Jake Owen/Brothers of the Sun Tour/Ford Field/Detroit, MI/8.18.12

Two things I do not like: long lines and hot dogs. In the last few hours of our Lolla trip, Ricky and I tried to go to the Sears (ugh, whatever, "Willis") Tower. Fail - due to long line. He also convinced me to eat a Chicago dog. Fail - due to me not liking hot dogs. And what's with the ketchup hate, Chicago? Tell a Pittsburgh girl to keep her hands off the Heinz 57? Please.

Chicago, IL/8.6.12

Ten minutes after Lollapalooza doors re-opened. Tens of thousands of happy kids.

Grant Park/Chicago, IL/8.4.12

Ten minutes prior to re-opening Lollapalooza gates.

Grant Park/Chicago, IL/8.4.12

Annnnd then the storm came.

With all of the stage collapses in recent years, flash storms aren't something that people take lightly  these days. Lollapalooza definitely was no exception.

Naturally, I didn't have my camera on-site (idiot), so I had to run back to the Palmer House before the storm hit. My dear roommate, Cindy, wanted to come along for my little shooting adventure and after dragging her through twenty minutes of a torrential down-pour, Ms. Cindy may never come on another adventure with me again. Haha, jussst kidding. We had a great time in the rain.

For an evacuation the size of a small town, it all went extraordinarily well. Everyone out of the park. Two hours later, everyone back into the park. Resume festival.

Meanwhile, the ticketing staff was jussst about to have a party in one of our hotel rooms when we got the call to head back to site. Needless to say, we were disappointed.

Lollapalooza/Chicago, IL/8.4.12

Ok, ok. Evvvveryyyone didn't get McFlurries. Most people took shelter in drug stores, hotel lobbies, bars (the smart ones) and restaurants.

Lollapalooza/Hilton Palmer House (evacuation shelter AND crew hotel... ain't bad, right?)/Chicago, IL/8.4.12

What happens when you evacuate over 61,000 people onto the streets of Chicago? McFlurries for everyone! Wooooooo!!

Lollapalooza/Chicago, IL/8.4.12

Cleveland may have been one of my favorite tour stops this summer. I know, I know, a Pittsburgh girl is supposed to hate that town, but we had a blast in that city. Probably the best part, however, was that my parents and sister drove from Pittsburgh to come to the show! I get very excited when my family visits a site to check out the scene, see what I love to do and meet all the fine people with whom I love to work.

Sunset shot from the back of Cleveland Browns Stadium. 7.28.12

Hey! That monkey isn't union!

As you saw a few posts ago, Team Z had a BBQ every Saturday before our Sunday shows. After a few games of corn hole, Bri and I grabbed a bottle of Woodford and headed to the top to the stadium... with our newly purchased 4-foot sock monkey (don't ask). I will only subject you to three of these photos.

Side note? This friendship is one of the greatest things that's happened this year. It's not often that you meet cool girls on the road and become such fast friends. Miss Bri already.

Cleveland Browns Stadium/Cleveland, OH/7.28.12

Day before the Brothers of the Sun show at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. 7.28.12

One of the highlights of this summer's tour was by far all of the baseball games we got to attend. Again, many thanks to all the stadium folks who hooked us up in Kansas City, Cincinnati, Cleveland and my personal favorite, Detroit.

In this episode of Tour Kid Fun, Bri (almost) punches a mascot and I spend yet another inning in yet another city trying to find the secret ball park space where they hide the good beer.

Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers/Progressive Field/Cleveland, OH/7.26.12

Canadohta Lake. A sanctuary. Away from the road, away from New York. One of the most important places on Earth to me.

Memory lane up in the headlights...

First photo: My sister and my mom holding sparklers

Second photo: Amateur fireworks. Don't worry, everyone's finger are still intact. (Including the Captain's... win.)

Third photo: Lake at sunset.

Fourth: Kira, my oldest friend, lighting a floating lantern on the dock.


7.21.12

Annual summer photo of Mom's flower garden/Pittsburgh, PA/7.20.12

Pensive, thoughtful Evan.

Perhaps he's thinking about his friend's (me) rather impromptu decision to cancel her early morning flight back to New York the night before to hang with him and his sis all day on a La Jolla beach. Did I know that I'd be able to get on another flight or what it would cost? Nope - but it didn't really matter. Like I said below, it was the perfect Cali day.

And just in case you were wondering, I made a non-stop flight to JFK (instead of my previous connecting flight) that evening for a small fee of $50.00. Does it always happen that way?

La Jolla, CA/7.16.12

Cool Evan.

La Jolla, CA/7.16.12