Wild Moccasins drummer Andrew Ortiz intends to blog for 29-95 throughout the band's tour. Here is his first post:

So this is going to be the first entry in a long series of "updates" I think I'll be doing to help keep you guys informed in things closely related to or loosely related to the Wild Moccasins along with other things that sound cool to me but probably not to you, like VHS. I've never really attempted to catalog events in a blog form like this with the exception of the three months I had a livejournal when I was sixteen and for that I offer no apologies. Those entries were usually pretty complacent in their development so I'll try to make these a little more "flashy" for your sake. Also I think my mom would be more at ease when we are on the road if I keep her posted with pictures showing that I am both well-nourished and unscathed by these dudes my dad has her believing are out there to rob/rape all of us. If that does happen, I will definitely post an entry.

Bear with me because I took English 1301 at a community college three times before I could manage to get a decent passing grade that could transfer over to an accredited university that I still do not attend (sorry dad).

It is officially Thursday, June 11, making it the eve of our grandiose tour. I am already physically and mentally exhausted and I have spent a total of 0 hours in a hot van. How is this possible? I have diligently been working on all the last minute things I literally saved until the last minute. The past couple days I have stayed up until 3 a.m. (which is late right? I am never awake at that hour) screening shirts for the tour, finishing the cassettes and working on tour posters. Nevertheless I am awake now on this freakishly hot June afternoon writing this blog that is overdue (sorry) planning out my next move.

The kick-off show is tonight. Last night I had a dream that no one showed up so I put three chairs together at Mango's and took a nap. If this is how events unfold I would not be disappointed but since we could use the moral support I will hope it is a nice turn-out!

During practice last night, in between the 20,000 shirts I had to screen, I realized that we are all going to be alright throughout this tour. I admit that lately I have been feeling lethargic when I am out ("What if I die on this tour? Will you buy me a beer now otherwise you'll never be able to again?") but the anxiety is subsiding. To illustrate our readiness Andrew Lee told us last night he plans on packing nothing but white shirts so if that doesn't say we are prepared then I don't know what else will.

So I sit here now drinking pomegranate blueberry juice that is way too acidic for my taste buds counting down the time between this nice serene moment where I can sit still enjoying breakfast and the inevitable moment where I'll be in my car yelling at the 75-year-old woman in front of me on 1-45 going 50 MPH when I really need her to go 80 because I did not manage my time very well.

Thank you everyone in Houston who has ever supported us and for this opportunity. Also, thank you Roy Mata for suggesting we bring Gold Bond on the road.

-- Andrew Ortiz