theSTART last night was the best show in history. We got to Boulder really early (around 5:30), and parked right across the street from the bands purdy red van. Tanya and I ran over there and, long story short, we ended up talking to the current drummer (Justin) for about twenty minutes. He was one nice guy and made me so excited to see the band. I felt bad because at first we were all about Aimee and Jamie but Justin RULES. I'm going to have to look into him and his other projects once this tour is over.

We finally decided to leave Justin alone and go hang out in front of the venue. After a few minutes Jamie came out with Eno the Wonderdog. I called Jamie over and we took pictures of Eno (Jamie plays guitar, Eno just rocks, so naturally we went for the dog). We pet him a little bit and let Jamie be on his way walking the fine young dog. He came back though and let us pet him more. Jamie seemed really shy so we tried not to pester him too much and went back to standing in front of the venue gushing with joy.

AND THEN, we saw Miss Aimee Echo walking towards us with Fiona. We ran up and gave her hugs and basked in her Aimee-ness. SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO SWEET, and she's about my size. Crazy. We saw her once again before the show and got pictures that time. ("I look so bad," she said, "I sat in something and there's water on my butt." pfft. Whatever Aimee. Like she could possibly look bad.) After finally getting our tickets (will call...ewwie) and standing at the front of the line for a few minutes, some people wearing theSTART t-shirts came up and asked us about tickets. Then they asked us if we were Mandy and (?). "Close," Tanya said, "Tanya and Jessica." We started talking when one of the guys (Phillip) realized I was from the message board and that we had talked on there before. I felt famous. So we invited them (Zoey, John and Phillip) up to the front of the line with us.

Finally we got in and took our place front and center. Nothing I can say can describe that feeling when I saw theSTART on the stage right in front of me, with Aimee Echo hovering over me. They opened with The 1234. Towards the end Zoey, Tanya and I found a microphone shoved in our face. So we sang as loud as we possibly could...."They last time I saw you was the first time, was the first time I saw god!!!" Oh wow. Aimee was hovering over us for almost the whole time and it was a beautiful thing. Jamie is so amazing with his guitar on stage, and Justin was going crazy on the drums. I love Justin. He needs a fanlisting. Zoe and Tanya and I excercised our vocal skill once more when Aimee stated, "You can dance if you want to, you can leave your friends behind." That was out cue to scream "CAUSE YOUR FRIENDS DON'T DANCE AND IF THEY DON'T DANCE THEN THEY'RE NO FRIENDS OF MINE!" Yes, we are talented and we are starting a band. You love us. ANYWAY.

Their FANTASTIC set ended with a brilliant cover Siouxsie and the Banshees "Love in a Void." I think I was the only one there who knew the song but hey, what can you do. We got out of the crowd as soon as they left the stage (even after we yelled COME BACK) and ran to the merch booth where we spent so much money that Fiona just threw a bunch of bumber stickers at Tanya. Aimee signed my zine from the UK (which she had never seen before...you would think the person who interviewed her would've sent her a copy or at least told her about it). She kissed it too, leaving pretty Aimee lipstick marks. <3 We went outside and headed towards Phillip's car with Zoey to do....I really don't know. We came back to find Aimee talking with Phillip and John and decided HEY, we'd like to jump in. She explained why Sarah and Brian are no longer in the band and just TALKED with us. It was so simple but it was such a huge thing for me.

After a while Jamie came up and he seemed much less shy. We got pictures with him and he gave Tanya and I a MASSIVE hug which made my night. That man has such long arms. He was so nice to us and made me so happy. Leaving was so sad and I wish I was doing the same thing tonight and the next night and the next night. Definetly the best show I have ever been to, and I can't wait to do it again. I had a great time and met some awesome people who I hope to keep in touch with. GO SEE THESTART AND YOU WILL BE AS HAPPY AS I AM RIGHT NOW....