Time to fess up -- I'm actually a terrible, inconsistent blogger.

First, the post that should have come before Europe that's been sitting in "drafts":

It's a testament to how truly amazing our US tour was that I'm only 60% psyched to leave for Sweden today - the other 40% is mourning the end of the US leg. Intense!

Once again, packing and waiting.

The last four shows of our tour - Rochester, Burlington, Boston and Portland - were incredible. Rochester was a total surprise - who knew how awesome it was? Not only is the city beautiful (a waterfall downtown?), but everyone there had this really incredible talent for making us feel completely at home. Hanging at the Bug Jar in Rochester was like hanging out with our oldest, sweetest friends in NYC. Everyone danced, the other bands - Gaybot and Science vs. Witchcraft - ruled, and we had an awesome, epic night. Thanks to everyone who helped with the show, especially Brian. The best!

Burlington was, of course, awesome. I got to live my ultimate fantsay in life by playing tambourine and singing 'Moped Rally' with the Magogs, David had (I hope?) an awesome birthday party, The Smittens ruled, we ruled... it was a really fun show. The Smittens really know how to party. But we knew that. Plus, first ever 'You Got Served'-style dance off! Thanks to Holly and the guy who totally served her!

You know what's beautiful? New England.

And.... I finally had an awesome time in Boston. Finally! Frank's entire family showed up, and his grandma danced harder than anyone during our set. Literally. We bonded pretty hard with The Sammies, who share my North Carolina pedigree and who rock really hard (even though when Marisa tried to give Gymmy a highfive during their set she was... denied!). Everyone else was so great, Ashley had the ultimate birthday party and, once again (and of course most importantly) I finally had fun in Boston. Can we just play birthday parties from now on? Yes? Thanks.

We were all really emotional about the last show of tour... which creates a weird sort of pressure. This past month has been so unbelievable - we're better friends, and a better band, and I very literally don't ever want to go home. Portland, though, helped us through our tour-ending drama. The best city. We all want to move. I think partly (at least for me) it has to do with identifying with a seaside town (like the island where Marisa and I lived) but experiencing it in this completely different way -- instead of palm trees and seat turtles there are lighthouses and fog and rocky shores. So the smells and the sounds are sort of the same... I don't know if that makes any sense. But we really loved it there.

We spent the night before our show at the drive in - the 2nd oldest still-running drive in in the country, according to the sign. Best double feature ever - Ratatouille and Harry Potter!

The show we played at Sound Post in Portland was the perfect end to the US tour. The 500's and The Rattlesnakes were both incredible, and everyone at the show was unbelievably sweet and supportive. We had a really great time playing, and - somehow- the amazing crowd and perfect city made our last show not nearly as sad as we would have predicted. Thanks so much to Nick and Karina for letting us stay in the most amazing (like if Wes Anderson created a giant dollhouse on the sea...) house ever and being incredibly gracious hosts. We love Portland.

This month was so amazing. Thanks so much to everyone who helped us and showed us around the country - we have so many awesome new friends. We loved every single town we played and can't wait to see you guys again.

*So, techinically we're in Sweden now and I should be posting about Sweden. I will soon! And since I don't have my laptop there won't be any photos until we get back.