30 June 2006: Kansas City

The tour started with a dull drive, ~8 hours straight on I-35 to Kansas City. Lunch was at a Taco Mayo somewhere in Oklahoma, but thanks to Howard's USB-capable cell phone and the power of dorks with laptops, we were able to find the Whole Foods outside of KC and stop there for supplies. I also ducked in to the nearby liquor store for a bottle of Bulleit, as we'll have the 4th off en route to Boston and will need something to entertain us besides all of these books, DVDs, magazines, and conversation.

Show in KC was at the Record Bar, which is what, I dunno, Chili's would be like if it were run by indie rockers from Kansas City. The place was in a strip mall next to a Half-Price Books, but the staff were nice and the food there totally fine. I had penne w/ Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes and feta, along with too much Fat Tire. Kinda wished I gotten the salad instead. Most everybody else got The Moby, a sandwich w/ marinated portabella & veggies.

Friends The Minus Story came in from Lawrence. Very nice people, and they brought us some Oaxacan coffee from the café they work at. Though we have the Moka Easy and the Turkish mill, We have yet to actually brew for ourselves so far this trip due to logistics. To rub salt in the wound, I just had the shittiest cup of coffee I've ever had, an "espresso" from a rest stop in Iowa. Should I really be that surprised?

The Court and Spark had some van trouble in western Kansas, but managed to tough it out and heroically arrive minutes before the end of Shearwater's set. Chatted with them for a bit before heading off to the previously-Pricelined hotel north of town, which turned out to be a cramped single. Ended up crashing around 3:30 after taking care of some organizational stuff, and was up by 8:30. Thankfully Thor is driving now, giving me time to write this and relax a little bit. DeMoines is coming up soon, and we will hopefully find coffee there.

Our time in Chicago will be short, but I hope to find some good eats worth talking about.