There is so much to update that I just might have to hit the highlights. I will say it has been a mental challenge for us and the kitties getting started on the tour. Finding a save and inexpensive place to sleep every night and shade during the day AND a spot the bus will fit in where we are allowed to park is still a learning process. I did download an app called RV Parky that is super helpful. It shows where all the RV campgrounds, Pilot gas stations (where we have gift cards from my mom and her fiance), Walmarts and for some reason… Cracker Barrels are. We stayed one night on Kentucky River at an RV campground and it was really nice to have a hot shower. Otherwise, it has been unscented baby wipes along the way, essential oils and washing our feet in the sinks of bathrooms. Luckily we do have a potty. We only pee in it for now because the cleanup factor of anything else just seems too scary right now. So, we make pit stops along the way. Walmart has been the easiest lot to sleep in and free. Though we have had someone knock on our door to ask us about the bus when we didn't want to be bothered. We are in Dry Ridge, Kentucky now between Lexington and Covington. It's a really small town but we managed to find a coffee/bakery/deli shop with wifi called Beans so we can update you fine folks.
The last couple days before we headed out were really stressful trying to clean and organize a bus and clean and empty a house, find homes for our two foster kitties (Percy and Annabeth) which we miss very much, hunt for performers for Via Colori Street Painting Festival in Elizabethtown since other performers backed out at the last minute and taking Jacek's 3 kitties to a friend's farm in Bardstown where they could continue to enjoy the outdoor life and be looked after. I never want to experience that amount of stress again and especially not in that combination. I was also trying to sell my car before we left but it didn't happen so, right now it is sitting at my mom's house. If anyone wants a 2005 Mazda Tribute SUV for $1500 OBO please let us know!
Not to mention that the early part of the week, we organized and managed our going away event, got the bus painted by some old and new friends while I inadvertently pissed off 3 people that were dear to me. I was so torn up by unintentionally hurting loved ones but i couldn't cry. It was right on the edge. I was painting something on the bus and as I was climbing down, I bumped and scraped my shin really hard. That was all it took to literally let the waterworks burst out as I melted to the ground. I attempted resolution with the 3 folks and attempted amends to others that were long overdue. I have to say at least one resolution was made and that is okay. Others need to process their stuff in their own time.
Jacek is usually happy but there are definitely moments of stress for him too like rehoming his kitties, weening off of nicotine and driving a huge ass bus.
Yes, we are on an adventure and having fun times. There are also growing pains as we adjust to this new lifestyle. We have to make sure we eat properly, drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, prayer, snuggles and laughter to stay sane. If we just keep pushing forward without those things, we will surely lose our mind. We have the most fun when we are performing for a great audience and interactive crowd. We had a blast at Natasha's Bistro & Bar in Lexington, KY. I hadn't felt so much at home since we left that I cried leaving. It was great to see old and new friends and get so much support. Friends even stuck around to help us carry props in and out. We got to perform with the extremely sexy and talented, Daisy Ramos. That girl is going to be national and we are lucky we got to dance with her now. Our buddies of Tinderbox Circus Sideshow came to support us. Michael Sikora AKA Just Michael who used to juggle with us in Louisville came out and helped with props. That guy is the bees knees! Stacy Jones and Skare Kro got a tour of the bus and helped us load in props as well! They were in between comic conventions. We are lucky to know some talented and kind people. It's great when you can find that in combination.
Last night I started work on Bitch, the crow. It's one of my shadow puppet characters. Working on that gave me such joy. I am addicted to shadow puppets! Stay tuned because you've seen Kibbles… but now see Bitch! up close and personal. This crow's got tricks.
As far as art goes, I am feeling really stumped on our NOLA masquerade poster but I think I may have the perfect idea and am just going to finally get it out there. I wanted it to be done and sent out a month and a half ago but I was just plain stumped and didn't have the money or the time to trade anyone else to do it for us. But! Here is the event if you feel like spending October 25th in beautiful New Orleans:
https://www.facebook.com/events/864258493666088/
So, our timeline of events with photos to come for our next update (If we had a documenter with us, there would be photos of our freak outs too!):
Trying to find people to make discontinued parts of our bus
borrowing money to replace the radiator
paying a friend to help us replace thermostats, brake switch and a radiator
Cirque De Virgo
getting the bus painted
send-off party
rehoming fosters
taking kitties to the farm
prepping and painting the bus
send-off party
Via Colori
and life on the road thus far with kitties and such!
