July 14, 2003 Hello from the road! I can't believe that two weeks have passed already! Things out here have been crazy, but fun. Let's see, since last we talked I have been to Calgary and Vancouver in Canada, then all the way down the west coast from Washington, Oregon and all the way through California. This afternoon, after a 16-hour drive we are in Phoenix on a day off, waiting for the hottest day yet. When we pulled in at 5pm it was 116º, so I'm a little nervous for high noon! Everyday it seems like I had discovered a new band that I hadn't heard of before. The second stage known as the Maurice stage is jammed packed full of amazingly talented bands. Bands such as Vendetta Red, Rufio, Slick Shoes, Western Waste, Arraya, From Autumn to Ashes, Matchbook Romance, and the featured band this year on WarpedTour.com, Vaux. Ever-present is a new genre that has ventured from the mundane rock of today. A great mix of digital sound effects, electrical pianos, and all around amazing musicianship. When you come out to the tour this summer, make sure that you find some bands that you haven't heard of before. They are guaranteed to rock your socks. This year there are some really great booths to check out. You all have to stop by and get informed in the Take Action Area, which contains several nonprofit organizations. The actual "Take Action" organization is geared towards educating us on suicide prevention. Did you know that a teenager in America commits suicide every 2 hours? It was good to learn that there are people out there willing and ready to talk about it 24 hours a day at 1-800-SUICIDE. Other great nonprofit booths are Boarding for Breast Cancer, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Rock the Vote, and Fund for Animals. In between bands, breeze through the maze of nonprofits as well as merch. Every tent has something to offer, one way or another. So everything is going great. Our bus is still 18 people strong, smelly, and crazy as ever. See you all in another few weeks where the bands will changed up a little bit as we venture into the wilds of the south! Until the mosquitos eat me alive... See ya in da Pit, Heather The Pit Report ThePitReporter@hotmail.com