We've begun rehearsals for the tour. The full-on, larger-than-life, two-hour, tour show. We're actually into the tech rehearsal mode - which means we've moved to a studio lot, in a gigantic soundstage, with full lighting, set, sound, the whole nine. Sometimes I take a look around at the surroundings that seem mundane (at times) now to me, and think "how on earth did I get here?" Here, rehearsing in a massive sound stage on a film studio lot, because no other rehearsal space in LA is large enough to accommodate the actual scale of the show I am involved in at the moment. Here, waiting to finish dance rehearsals so I can leave to go to a late night writing session with people who have made millions of dollars documenting the intellectual property that I am currently helping bring to life on stage. Here, preparing to leave the country for 6 weeks for the 10th time in 3 years. Here, feeling a little overwhelmed by it all.

Peepl Wotcheeng.

There are ten thousand and one thoughts running around in my head at this moment, and I know I want/need to write...so here goes nothin'.

People are so amazing. I like people watching, because I like to try to figure out what is being said between friends, what this or that person is doing on their blackberry, or what he or she thinks about that book. It's like being a detective. More than that, I like to imagine what it would be like if I WERE that person - what would be the worry in the forefront of my mind? what small problems would I be stressing about? What kind of place would I return home to when I've finished my daily obligations? What kind of person would I be if I had not been born to my own parents, raised in my town, and experienced life thus far with my friends? Would my ideas about life be the same? not likely.

Human connection is of the utmost importance. Why are we here, if not to love and learn from one another? All we are is a bunch of lost souls, wandering around, bumping into each other, trying to make sense of it all. What we have somehow forgotten is that WE ARE ALL SOULS. Cut from the same fabric. Single drops of water from the same ocean. Whatever you're looking for at any given moment can be found, usually in people. What a gift God has given us in the reassurance of a like minded friend. It can be the tipping point for a life-changing decision, or just the pat on the back and the affirmation that the sky is, in fact blue.

a'ight. Time to bump into people (and dogs) at runyon. PEACE be with you. (and also with you.)

For your viewing pleasure...

Walking' round London-town

Hands down, one of my FAVORITE things to do on tour is walk around a beautiful city by myself. It is such a great way to absorb it; people watching, popping in and out of interesting shops, discovering great restaurants - I love it. My first day off in London, I proudly marched into the Kensington-High street tube station doing my best to hide the city map I'd been given by the concierge. I rode the train to St. Paul's Cathedral (the site of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding), and walked across an extremely shaky (due to strong wind) Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern. I heart Tate Modern. If there was a t-shirt, I'd buy it and rock it proudly. Open now, is a special interactive exhibit by Miroslaw Balka entitled "How It Is." Sitting on the ground floor of the museum is a giant cast iron shipping crate that is probably 25' x 20' x 50', and it is only open on one end. The walls are covered in pitch black fur, so once inside, all light is absorbed and it seems as though you've walked into a black hole. It is meant to conjure feelings associated with the unknown, and allow the experiencer to observe and examine his/her own method of confronting or accepting that. Do you march in confidently? Do you inch forward slowly with your hand on the wall for guidance? I ran straight into the back wall. That's muh shee-it :) It's there until April, I believe so go check it out if you can! Also at the museum all the time is an entire floor devoted to surrealism. Dali, Miro, Masson, Tanguy, Arp, even a few by Picasso.

The following day, Saturday, Kim, Dara (our Def Jam Label rep) and I met up with Damian and Avigail (the stylists) at the huge TOPSHOP at Oxford Circus. --"heaven...I'm in heaven..."-- We pretty much made a killing. Afterwards, I walked over to Portabello Rd and explored the Portabello Market. No Matty, it does not rain Balsamic Vinegar. It does however sport rows upon rows of quirky antiques, wares, clothing, jewelry, fresh fruit, crepes, churros - you name it. I found some amazing jewelry pieces for dirt cheap, and had myself a nice little warm crepe before it started to get dark and rainy. Later on in the evening, Damian, and Avigail took me to one of the swankiest restaurants in London, called the Wolseley. I had eggs benedict just because I felt like it. Everything we had was delicious, and I will definitely go there again.

Which brings me to Sunday.

I fed Swans in Kensington Royal Gardens, and ate the best Lebanese food I've ever had in my life. Also got an amazing pair of denim heels. Peace out London!

Hello again my lovelies, I am writing to you from the Kensington area of London. This is a great part of town to be in - close to Kensington Gardens, which I have found is perfect for a scenic morning run, across the street from a starbucks, and in the midst of many of yours and my favorite shopping outlets. We have already finished our work for the week, which means that I have the three and a half days to just enjoy London! Luckily for me, my favorite modern art museum in the world, Tate Modern, is here. I think after my run tomorrow I will go check out what new things there are to see. There is also an amazing vintage store called "Relic" that I have been dying to visit again, and Portabello market on Saturday. Praying for good weather!

In London and for some events in Europe, the stylists we work with are Damien and Avigail, two of the cutest, and sweetest people I have ever met in my life - who also happen to have the most impeccable taste. One of the off days this week, Kim and I have decided, will be spent tackling TOPSHOP with them...I'm gonna go ahead and say that I'm excited for that. Left extra room in my bag. Holla.

In case you were wondering, we came here to film two TV shows, one evening talk show called "the Alan Carr" show (he is HILARIOUS!!!), and one morning show called "GMTV." Alan Carr has already aired, but I think GMTV will air later on this month.

Well, it is almost 3am here, and after a skype session with friends from home, I'm feeling cozy and just about ready to fall asleep. I shall write again soon...

Mee-ah-mee

Here's what I did in Miami...

Songwriting and other delightful things

Hi. This is the first time I am posting a blog while in LA, and let me just tell you, I like it. Watch out 12 followers, there is more where that came from!

Super bowl weekend was fun, and weird. Fun because the team I was rooting for (the Saints) was the underdog, and if you don't live under a rock, you will know that they won. Everyone loves a winning underdog. Except Colts fans. Weird because I sat on pillows made of mink and chinchilla fur and watched the game at someone's house whom I was not previously acquainted with, in the company of wide array of strange-os. After the game, my friend Kim and I were driven home by two Orange County homicide detectives...which would explain why they were at a Super bowl party in Beverly Hills (way too much time on their hands).

Today was a productive one for me - between a lunch meeting, an after-lunch-music-swap-let's-work-together-powwow, and a writing session, I'm feeling very inspired! I am looking forward to the month ahead, since I will be in Los Angeles working on new projects, and finishing those already begun.

Isn't the creative process incredible? I swear I get high from it. Pulling ideas from the ether and piecing them together in a way that makes audible sense is something I will never tire of. In the way that books are preserved human thought, I think music is preserved human emotion. The fact that you can listen to a song and feel what it's writer was going through when he/she wrote is SO FREAKING COOL. I love that my life has a soundtrack and when I hear certain music I am taken right back to the time in my life when that specific music was always playing around me. What an amazing gift to human kind. Thanks again God, you're brilliant.

love,

Ashleigh