It all started Thursday for me. I awoke from my bed to the sound of my 5:00 alarm. Though it was early I was not hesitant to put my eager feet on the ground. I got all ready to head to the glamorous city of Los Angeles. I arrived at the Toledo airport just a little time before my seven o’clock flight, checked in my bags, and said goodbye to my family.

I had a connection flight to Cincinnati that helped wake me up. Once I was awake and ready to face the world, or at least my long weekend, I stocked up one some goodies (candy, magazines, ect.) to assure my five-hour flight to LA was as pleasant as possible. By pleasant I'm not trying to sound intolerably picky here, but let’s just say airplanes don't like me and I get flight sickness ☹ Fortunately for me, I made it all the way to LA and didn't get sick one time (thanks to a wonderful drug… Dramamine. ☺ )

Though I flew solo, I had some company once I got there. A friend of a friend whose name is Keenan picked me up. He is originally from where I lived for several years of my life. He moved to LA a few years ago to take up acting. Although we had spoken on the phone several times through my other friend, Keenan and I had actually never met before, so I think we both enjoyed finally getting to meet each other. He helped my stay not be so lonely, Thanks Keenan! We cruised in his car for awhile, ok maybe not quite cruising- traffic by the LAX airport can get a liitle backed up at times, but we passed the times with laughs and listening to some sweet music. We finally ended up at the well known In and Out burger. I had had In and Out Burger once before and didn't know why so many people were in love with it until this particular visit. I think it has to do something in the crispness of the bun!? But whatever it was I could not stop craving it the rest of my stay in LA. Unfortunately I never made it back there, but bet your bottom dollar I'll be back soon!

After a very welcoming afternoon apox. Three I got to my hotel room. The room was neatly decorated and the bed was HUGE! And sooo fluffy, I couldn't help but fly through the air and try it out for a landing. Keenan left for work and I started unpacking. My eyes began to feel a little heavy, perhaps from the time change or the Dramamine, maybe the traveling but probably a combination of it all led to me lying down to take a “nap”. This three o’clock nap didn't end until 6:30 am the next morning. I wish I could write that I went out and partied at all the hottest spots in Hollywood, but that was simply not the case. Boring, I know…so we'll move along to Friday where the main event occurred, the Kick Off Party!!!

Friday rolls around as I myself roll out of bed. I showered, finished unpacking, and began to prepare for the night's event. When preparing to do interviews and such with so many people you have to be very organized, and you have to do your homework! I did research on each of the bands playing that night and any other bands attending the event that was brought to my knowledge. Several bands had e-mailed saying that they were interested in doing interviews; therefore, I needed to have a time frame I was working with, know my contacts with each of the bands, ect. Once I had most all of these tedious tasks completed I decided to take a break and catch some fresh air. I went outside and walked Sunset Blvd for quite sometime. As a passed by a Mexican Restaurant my taste buds perked up, it was lunchtime! So, here is the first exciting event of my Friday. I walk into the Restaurant and to my surprise a famous person walks right past me and sits down at the table next to me. It was Jason Batmon, aka Michael from Arrested Development, a show that ran for three seasons a couple of years ago on Fox. This was such a pleasant surprise! So I of course had to say hello. We actually ended up talking for a while, he was a really great guy! Then after a few minuets of chatting I headed back down Sunset Blvd. to get ready for the big night. I decided on a Kelly green dress covered in small white Polk-a-dots for my attire.

I arrived at the Key Club a little before the press event started. (6pm) I reacquainted myself with familiar faces and met many new faces that I will be seeing a lot of this summer. Libby, who was in charge of the press event, was awesome! She made sure I got set up in a quite place that way I could catch some one-on-one time with the bands to make sure I got the very best interviews for you guys. I started the interviews…and at some point ended up doing interviews in the bathroom, yup the bathroom. The lighting was just so good there we just couldn’t pass it up- so when you see interviews with a toilet in the background you’ll now know why ;) I was able to capture some great footage that I can’t wait to share with you all. You’ll have to stay tuned and find out who all I talked too! I should have some videos posted very very soon! I'd also like to give a shout out and thank you to my friend Brent who met me at the venue to help set things up, plus he helped shoot a few of the interviews- thanks!

After the event came the after party. For entertainment many people listened and danced to a group called the Pinkertones. My personal entertainment was watching Kevin dance, oh yes Kevin I saw you bust a couple of moves! Everyone socialized and had a good time. A less unfortunate event, my wallet was stolen during the after party…but that’s another story; however, I don't know what I would have done had my Warped Tour mommy, Sarah, not come to my rescue! She knew just how to handle the situation and we got it all taken care of. Thanks Sarah! When all of that went down in was Approximately 1 am. After all that running around and reporting all night I was ready to call it quits. I packed up my equipment and headed back to the hotel. When I arrived back to my room, I crashed again. What a long night, I was just exhausted.

Okay, I hope you’re all still following me here, I know this blog is getting long; I'll try to wrap things up a bit it’s just a lot can happen in a few days when you’re in LA. Saturday I didn’t really do much except venture out to Mel's diner for a bite to eat. Other than that I just relaxed a little in the hotel room and packed most of my things for my return on Sunday. I did get the chance to upload some really great pictures from the show though, I hope you all check them out; it was really an amazing time.

Sunday finally came. I woke up, got ready, and finished packing all of my things. Faithful Keenan was once again my escort to the airport. I went through security, which took a little longer than I had anticipated, and now I find myself here on a plane high in the sky on my way back home. The adventures in LA were fun, but nothing is as good as home when you’ve been gone for a few days. I can only imagine what it will be like returning home after the Warped Tour. Anyways, let's hope this flight goes well for me; I can't wait to get back to my family.

Till next time! Austin-Nichole