Hey everyone in internetland...

So it always takes me a little while after a tour before i can put it into perspective. In this case, it took longer than usual because the experience was so intense. sometimes, i feel like it didn't even happen, except that I have lots of new facebook friends/photos, (lots of people called me to complain that i had taken over their news feed, and for that, i apologize), some shaving cream that i bought at bed bath and beyond (desperate times call for desperate measures), and a couple ridiculous memories. I did learn a few things though:

Ryan Cabrera, contrary to popular belief, is not just "ashlee's ex". people who still think this need to wake up, cause it's not 2004 anymore. the guy works his ass off, and puts on a killer show every night. I was constantly and consistently impressed with him, especially after the shows, when we had been driving allllll day, when he would stay for an extra two hours, just to meet everyone who waited in line, and take photos, and sign stuff for them. the way he handled getting recognized (usually at an inconvenient time, like when we were eating, or checking into a hotel), was legend. always with a sense of humor, always taking time to be with people. crazy.

Zack Hexum, who you may or may not have heard of, is my new favorite songwriter (www.myspace.com/zackhexum). and, over the course of 12 days, we spent more time talking in a car together than any two people should. he is a superhero, always taking the shift when no one wanted to drive (except for gregg, the guy who booked the tour, who also did his share of driving at ungodly hours), and was almost always in a good mood. he is (even if he doesn't know it), my new best friend, and i miss him a lot. his ability to incorporate "that's what she said" into a conversation is the stuff of legend. and he has one of those sexy low voices that should totally be in voiceovers. i have already discussed this with him.

other stuff:

It's hard to play shows every night, but new people are amazing. I have never felt so consistently accepted by people who did not know who i was (if you are reading this and you were at one of the shows, a million times thank you)

about 20% of the time, when someone wants to take a photo with you after a show, there is a camera malfunction. usually, the main cause is "oh, the flash isnt on", OR, "oh, its on video", but my personal favorite is "oh, the camera is off". if you own a digital camera, you should probably learn how to use it. im just saying...although, this made for some hilariously awkward moments, which is always amazing.

5 dollar footlongs. yes. you have no idea how many times subway saved my life when i was hungry and could not comprehend having to eat mcdonalds.

it is possible to go 2 weeks without doing laundry.

it is also possible to perform while wearing a blazer.

after the ryan cabrera/zack hexum tour was over, i had a few days off, before my family and i drove to connecticut so that i could open for JEWEL.

I have to put her name in capital letters because she is...whoa. just as beautiful in person as on TV (i don't even care about her teeth.) and, like, ryan, she has some of the most incredible fans i've ever had the priviledge of entertaining. i felt completely welcome the moment i walked out on stage, and they were absolutely silent (all 1200 of them) while I was playing my songs. they also laughed extra loud at my jokes, which made my parents and sister very happy. JEWEL herself was extremely kind, and told me I was adorable, and I hope that I can open for her again, and that she does well on Dancing With The Stars (my mom is SUPER psyched about it)

So now, I am back in nashville for a few weeks before heading back up to philly. I am currently in the process having one of my songs featured on a TV show (not a crazy big deal, its just the History channel, but still, pretty awesome), and in the meantime, I am constantly writing new stuff (so many songs), as well as trying to find as many ways as possible to add parenthesis to blogs (ha.)

if you are still reading this, thank you. I am one of the luckiest people I know, because I get to do what I love and (sometimes) get paid for it. 2009 is going to be a big year, I know it with all of my heart. I promise I will try to have new music out as soon as possible, because a lot of people have been asking about it. Thank you for coming to the shows. Thank you for buying my album (when you could just as easily steal it). Thank you for telling your friends about me. Thank you for trying to get me to play at your college/high school. This is a hard (and wonderful) road, and I can't do it by myself.

Take care wonderful people. take care.


Love,

Jesse