March 29, 2002 - theSTART @ The Vera Project/Ladyfest, Seattle, WA.

I arrived in downtown Seattle at around 5:15. To my GREAT surprise, there was basically no traffic on the way there. On a Saturday no less! The day was turning out in my favor. I jotted down only about 4 lines of directions for myself, and I really had no clue where this Vera Project was. But I figure "hey, I'm smart. I can find the place." After follwing 4th Avenue/Street/whateverthehell for what seemed like a good distance, I spotted a parking lot that wasn't full, so I quickly right turned my ass in there. I got out of my car for a breath of the warm Seattle air, put on my START hoodie and shut the door. I turned around, and lo and behold, I saw Jamie running to get in the red van no more than 20 feet away from me. I walked up to the car and we all waved at each other (Aimee was driving). I had a huge goofy grin on my face. Aimee pulled out into the street and proceded to make a right on 5th avenue. I wondered if they were lost. I still had no idea where the venue was, myself. I thought I might have some walking to do, but hey, I had a parking spot at least. That was half the battle. So, after they drove off, I got in my car to gather my things and make ready for my trek to the venue. As I walked out of the parking lot, a homeless guy approached me asking for some money for his dinner at the mission. He swore it would only be for food, and not drugs or alcohol. He seemed sincere enough, so I gave him a few bucks. As I was talking to him, I noticed Aimee and Puke in the street. Voila! I had found the venue. There were no signs or anything to claim it as the Vera Project, so I was lucky I saw the band. It was RIGHT next to the parking lot. Shocking indeed. I approached Aimee and we shot the shit about parking. I finally had the nerve to introduce myself to her and she gave me a hug after I told her I'd always been to bashful to do so (I'm too shy for my own good). I offered to help them carry stuff up the long stairs, and Jamie said "No! That's our job." But I did it anyway. It's really the least I could do. Those guys work so hard. It seems like exhausting work. I introduced myself to Sarah, and talked with her a bit while carrying some things upstairs back and forth. I must say that each and every one of them are lovely people. I can't imagine a nicer bunch, Puke included. Jamie was especially gracious about me helping. I was GLAD to help! They're cool people.
I can see this is getting VERY wordy so I will try to keep the rest of this short ;D After getting everything upstairs, I helped Aimee set up the merch table and organize some things. She did most of it, but it was still cool to give her a hand. At one point she thanked me and said it was nice to have someone to bounce off of. That really made my day. I felt honored to hang around with them! I know they're regular people, but that's also what makes them all so great. They don't take anything or anyone for granted. But I digress, during the setting up, I got to watch them do soundcheck. They played Los Angelos, and it sounded fantastic. The sound then was actually 100 times better than during their set (I think there were some technical difficulties going on). Once the show started, I wandered around the Vera for a while as to not be overbearing. I'd basically hung around their table the whole night, so I wanted to give them space :D I'd noticed at one point in the evening Aimee called the guy helping them "Pukie" and it hit me that it was SrPukeALot. During the middle of the night, I finally asked him if he was so and he confirmed. We talked for awhile about random things, and I must say, another really cool person. No wonder the band has him along! Skip along to the performance, and I stand to the left of the stage next to Puke and in front of Jamie. My camera gives me hell, so I don't get a lot of pictures, and almost none were decent, but the set was awesome. It always makes me sad when they can't play longer! It amazes me though how they can do this night after night and still love it. I asked Aimee if she ever got tired of touring. "No, I don't get tired of touring, just setting up everything." Something along those lines.
After their set, I hung around for about 45 minutes. I wanted to stay and help them pack up but it was already 12:45am and I had to work in the morning. I said bye to everyone (though I didn't get a chance to say bye to Jamie or Brian), got pictures with Aimee and Sarah and was on my merry way. I could write SO much more and I left out some, but I'm sure I've already put most everyone asleep by now :)