Dear diary,

So I made it to Ponyville today, finally. The train ride in was painfully uneventful. Maybe I should have flown after all… Well, even if I had, I would have had to wait for my gear to arrive by train.

I’m grateful to Vinyl Scratch for setting up this gig with me in mind. After Sapphire Shores cancelled her last tour out of the blue I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Even if I had a regular gig back in Cloudsdale, the cost of living there is starting to get out of hand, and I promised myself I would never go to mom or Starsong begging for bits…

Hmm… Maybe it’s time I moved? It’s not as though there’s anything in Cloudsdale that I couldn’t find elsewhere.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to this gig, even if it’s only a one night contract. I’ve worked with Vinyl a few times in the past and we sync together on an instinctive level; I doubt I’ve ever played behind anypony that matched my rhythm so perfectly. The mare’s pretty fun to hang out with, too.

The accommodations at this club, though, leave something to be desired. I’ll have to remember to ask the owner about why I was in the back alley trying to bring in all of my gear myself… Even if I am a freelance player, that’s just ridiculous.

Well, I supposed it worked out for the best, all things considered. Just as I was about to start the impossible task of trying to haul in the speakers myself, a tall, dark stranger came to my rescue. Actually, just calling him tall barely covers it; he’s easily the biggest stallion I’ve ever seen (and you and I both know I’ve seen quite a few). And not just big, either, this stallion is strong… like crazy strong! He brought in all of my equipment in two trips without even breaking a sweat! He said his name was Big Mac (I know, it figures, right?). I have to wonder if he lives up to that name everywhere? It took a little doing but I got him to stay for the show, so with any luck, I’ll be able to find out later tonight…

Oh well, no time to worry about all that now; it’s almost show time. Time I showed these country ponies why I’m the best there is at what I do! And even better; I’ve got a special audience tonight! I can’t wait to hear what he thinks of the view…

~ Starshadow