i was looking through some old photos tonight of the first time my band toured to california and back in october of 2004.

the photos, which mainly consist of “dudes goofing off in a van”, bring back so many memories of what now feels like a past life.  i think about how crazy it is that we somehow convinced thirty people to put on shows for us in towns we’d never played in before.  then somehow each night we managed to convince the same number of people to let a random band sleep in their living room.  we made so many friends that we’d see once, maybe twice a year.  people i wouldn’t even know how to get in touch with today, but remember fondly. (and a few not-so-fondly)

i don’t regret leaving it behind, but i do miss it sometimes.  i’m just happy i didn’t take it for granted.  every day on the road, even while playing the shittiest shows and staying in the dirtiest living rooms… i knew we were on an adventure.  and i was grateful for it all.

i even tattooed it on my arm:

“one day you will be nostalgic for now”

turns out 2004 phil was right.  coincidentally, it’s also my shittiest tattoo.  seriously, the worst.  i don’t know what i was thinking.  but it’s a good reminder… which is probably the only reason i haven’t lasered it off my arm.

(and yes, for those curious - the roof of our van WAS held up by wooden beams.  and yes, we knew this was dangerous/stupid)