Sat., March 29, Crystal Lake, IL, Porter's -- The band hadn't played together for almost three months, but it didn't seem like it at this gig. It was a bit odd setting up at Porter's, because the last gig we had done was there three months before. The crowd was in a party mood, which encouraged us to dive into the new material, and it was well received. Joanna was having a little trouble remembering all the new words, but covered like a champ. I didn't get a chance to eat dinner and by the time we got to the club there was only enough time to set up and start playing. I figured I'd just order some food at break, but the kitchen had closed down. So I hit Darnell up for five bucks to go to the convenience store across the street, but by the time I got there, it had closed... I guess it was time to do the fasting thing... I made it through the rest of the night okay with low blood sugar, but was tired by the end. As we loaded out I failed to find out where the van was, assuming it was out back. I grabbed the kick drum, which was heavier than usual due to my weakened state and lugged the sucker out the back door, surprising two young women patrons smoking a doobie in the ally. Finding the van gone, I figured it was in front, and walked what seemed a quarter mile to the van. By the time I got there, everyone else had loaded out the rest of the drums and was wondering where I was. On the way home, mercifully, we stopped off at a 7-11 where I got some carbohydrates and Gatorade.