Well, I missed an entry yesterday due to the fact that it was probably the most important day of the trip. That’s right, RADIOHEAD DAY!!! Mandy and I got our weary frames out of bed and headed to the mall for some pre-Radiohead shopping. I have been eyeing some shoes at Banana Republic for a while, but they didn’t have my size. I ended up getting two pairs from American Eagle for less than the one pair at Banana Republic. We got some lunch at the food court next. It was Subway for her, and McDonald’s for me…I know, why McDonalds and not some fine Chinese-American. Well, to my delightful surprise, the food court McDonald’s had the McHero sandwich. That sandwich has not been around in South Carolina since the first of the Batman movies came out. This is the best Mickey Dees sandwich to date. Three beef patties covered with white and yellow American cheese, heap of mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on a hoagie bun. SO GOOD…if you spot it, eat it. We headed back to the house to get ready for the trip to Cleveland to see the show. After a bath for Mandy’s dog, Jackie (she likes to roll in rabbit poo) we were on the road. We arrived to the Blossom Music center in good time and made our way to the security checkpoint where my camera got the boot back to the car. Oh well, I came to listen so no biggie for me. Hit the bathrooms, picked up an eight dollar beer and found some good seats in the grass. The life, middle America, good friend, cool breeze, cup of bread, soft pretzel, Radiohead in the wings. First up, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. I like some of the older stuff but over all the indie dribble and piddling on the strings bores me. This guy has turned his music into long jams best suited for the heaps of bootleg tapes found in Loose Lucy’s or some other tie-dye shop. He also made the mistake of apologizing to the audience by way of saying, “thanks for showing up early for the awesome show tonight…after we play”. Booo! There is no need to degrade your band because of your own insecurities about playing with a more successful band. Well, on the other hand, when my band played with Stephen and the Jicks, they seemed awfully cocky with their three hour sound check and demands about not moving their flower covered stage set-up. Whatever. After they got off the stage and we listened to an hour of bad Reggae we were more than anxious for some of that Radiohead sauce. INCREDIBLE. The band played an awesome set. Tons of favorites from all albums, except Pablo Honey, and not one but two encores. The band sounds better live than on CD as do most, but the excitement they manage to put into such dark music is awesome. Thom’s seizure like dance moves provide for a good laugh and awe without getting in the way of his vocals (in key the whole night). There is really not much more I can say about them…they were incredible. I cannot believe what I saw and heard last night. If I am able to realize any of my thoughts from last night by tonight I will surely write more about it. Anyway, we headed back to Toledo. We were starving so we went to a travel plaza off of the turnpike. We waited in line at Wendy’s for almost an hour before getting some gross and cold breakfast sandwiches…Back in the car and home at about 4:30 this morning. I woke up at 2 and showered. Now it is relax day until tomorrow’s trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky.

Today started yesterday, actually. Yesterday morning I started back to Columbia from Charleston where I had been for a doctor’s appointment for a slight probing no dinner included. I arrived in Columbia two hours before my long awaited paycheck arrived in my hands. I then headed down to the mall and a few other stores to prepare for my trip to Ohio with today’s co-writer, Amanda Meszaros. That’s right we are on I-40 west as I type (thanks for the use of the laptop Ben.) heading for Toledo. Knoxville is the trading post of the minute so the day is still young. We are headed to see a shared favorite band, Oxford’s Radiohead. My intention is to keep a daily log of the trip with pics to be added later once I get my home server up and running. “Holy shit stay in your lane buddy, slow down!” says Mandy, whom also says “I wish I had tinted windows and a chinese sticker on the back of my car.” (Honda Civic is our conestoga. Eat that shite fast and furious lovers.) She also mentions that “Jebb is so lucky to be able to be in my presence and hear my lovely voice for twelve hours of [black tarred hell].” Well, it is about my turn to drive so I will write more later. Toodles.

Co-wriiten by: Amanda G. Meszaros