Sara Hammerzmith

I’ve spent most of my days working, packing and organizing for upcoming trips. For the next trip I’m making, it is something like three trips in one, I pretty much come home just to change my bag. So how convenient then, that I’ll actually prepare myself well and make sure I pack all the bags BEFORE I leave for the first one.

Might sound a bit too much for the average person, but I know for sure myself I’ll thank myself so much once I land after the US and just have to move the toiletries to the Lady Gaga bag and not think of anything else, and more importantly between Civil War and the US, where I’ll probably be stressed as heck instead.

So essentially, I need to start thinking about what I’d wear for Toto and Lady Gaga already now, which feels surreal to me. I haven’t even gotten around to properly pack US yet, but I guess it’s a different story with that, am I right?

My playlist these days, aside “Sign of the Dragonhead” consists of the bands playing the cruise. I better listen through them all, so I don’t end up missing out on something great. Like I’ve done a lot in the past.

Oh, touring preparations. Oh so fun.

// Sara

Leave’s Eyes new album is currently on my table, and it’s looking promising so far actually! I’m intrigued to dig deeper into it.

Besides all the preparations for the trip coming up, I’ve gotten around to deal a little bit with my apartment. A long time, very long time ago, my parents got me these vinyl shaped bowls, which I really wanted, but at the end of the day, I had no idea what to do with.

Gladly, with my new place, they are coming right to use. The smaller one I use in the bedroom, and the smaller one in the kitchen, and I store them to hold teabags actually. I carry quite a few different teaflavors, and it’s always a hassle not only deciding but then go and get the box to pull it out, so I’ve gotten myself the luxury to have a few bags of every box in both of the bowls, so I can easily take or choose one when I need it.

On top of that, my new set of coasters, also vinyl shaped, arrived the other day, so if I only find the light green one, I now carry around six of them, which should be enough at least for a while! I plan to get more as time goes by, as I like the luxury of just randomly having them placed all over where they are needed, thus I don’t need to think about it all. I got dashing colors this time, so I am very very happy!

The place is starting to feel more and more like a home. And I love that.

// Sara

Brothers of Metal is pretty much the only thing that is currently going on repeat, as I’m working  A LOT these days to make some extra cash before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and it seems to me that Brothers of Metal is the only thing that works for me in the background, which also inspires me to work more.

But with that said, I can’t believe it’s only about two or three weeks left until I see Gloryhammer and Civil War in Vosselaar, and after that it’s just one mere day or two before we take off to the US! It’s coming so close so quickly that I don’t even know what to do. I started packing, but I sense the travel fever hitting the better off me already… but I’m sure it will solve itself very soon.

And I’m still all too pumped about festivalseason. Before I leave for the US, I need to pack a bag for Toto and Lady Gaga, so as soon as I come home, I can simply repack everything (the hygiene products) in a different bag and then head back to Stockholm. It’s going to be sooo much going back and forth, but that is what happens, right? Ah, tourlife.

Today we’ve been celebrating my mothers birthday. She’s turning 57, and it was great popping over to celebrate it and to catch up on the latest.

// Sara

Another day has passed, and whole first week of January has passed! And we all survived! Or at least I did.

United States is creeping closer as we speak, and I’m starting to put together our initeray for Miami. Looking around the state, where are in fact the thing we wanna see, where should we stay, you know, the normal things. Because why not, right?

Other than that, I still have this really weird hype for the festival summer. I can’t wait for it, like, at all. Which doesn’t make any sense, I have so many shows to still go to just in January and February, and I’m thinking about things happening in June, July and August. It’s crazy.

But probably, this comes from the fact I know I will have the greatest of times at the festivals, because I always do, and that is what I love the most.

The festival seasons, and the tours, and everything, may just come.

// Sara

For some reason, completely out of nowhere, I got so excited for festivalsummer. Because clearly, I cannot focus on one thing at a time.

I guess this comes from my boss speaking of vacations the other day, and me and Niki starting to hype a potential Lordi camp at Masters of Rock, that I’m just looking forward to it soo much, I can’t even deal with it. And I’m even going to sort of a festival in just three weeks, so I should take a chill pill, but it feels like this years festivals might be different, in a way, and I like that.

I’ll be going out to our wilderness store some day now, to look for a new matress and sleeping bag. I want something smaller and lighter that I can bring on my backpack, and my sleeping bag I had for so long it’s sort of time you know.

But oh, I have so many great things ahead of me. I am truly blessed.

// Sara

Today has been a real good and productive day. It feels like I’m finally just like that snapping back into work and everyday mood, which I am so grateful for. I have managed to pick up quite seriously on my training again, which is beyond important for me. To finally get back to that.

I applied for my first job in forever, and even got a lot of work done today. Not as much as I might have wished for, but still good enough.

The evening was spent with Linn, it was way too long since we last saw each other, so we got together, went to the store, bought and cooked some tacos for some cozy tacos time. Hours of talking about music, festivals, experiences and good food, was a great evening to say the least, that ended way too soon, but I’m sure we will do it soon again!

And that aside, I just keep working and prepping for United States. So soon!

// Sar

It’s been three days into January and everything feels like a mess right now. I guess it’s because I have a lot of big, and perhaps too many big trips planned as of now and too many big decisions to make all at once, and what hasn’t really helped is the lack of a calendar, as it is in a way my best friends – when I get too much to think about or too many decision to make all at once, my brain shuts down.

Writing things down in a calendar helps a lot, and what helps me a lot is the fact I can cross of things on a list, I guess it is in a way a reward kind of system where I can see how much I accomplish in a day and I try never to overdo it. Which is very very helpful, I’m glad I started that.

With that said, I should probably get on with it!

// Sara

So here it was, the day that set of for Sjorven to leave. We got up at 7 in the morning already to get the last things ready before I took him to the busstation and waved him off. Once back at home, I jumped straight into bed again and slept for another hour before I got up and started cleaning up, and getting back in normal routine.

I also started packing. Yes, a bit premature, but quite frankly, I’m restless, and all I can think about is what I should and will pack, and because of that, I start already now. Will also give me time to change it up a few times, you know. Perfect, right?

I’m still deciding if I should go for the staffparty with my work or not. It’ll be squeezed in right betwen Belgium and USA, and I would love to go but… is it possible? Who knows.

// Sara

First day of the year has come to it’s end, and it’s been a very very calm day. It was an early night last night due to my illness, and we didn’t really do that much to be honest. It was Sjorvens last day in Sweden, so we took it easy, went out on some walks, played computer games – The Sims 4 as well as Roller Coaster Tycoon together and ate tacos and watch The Hunger Games toghter, as a final night before his departure.

The holidays has been pretty good back here I’ll admit, it’s been calm and nice, the way I like it. Not too exhausting, not too overwhelming, and all you do now is look forward on the oncoming year and all the amazing adventures that lies ahead of us.

// Sara

So here it goes, the official look back on my own 2017. I would dare to say that 2017 has on the other hand been an amazing year – ups and downs, as for everyone, but still been good.

January

January was an interestingly slow month – didn’t do much else but advancing in The Sims 4, which isn’t too bad. But this was indeed for a reason – it was all in preparation for going to USA!

February

The big tour, or well, the first big tour of the year anyway! We started the tour off in the UK, in London with Epica and Powerwolf on their joint tour, which was beyond amazing! Both these bands, seriously. The next day, Nathan and I headed off to Copenhagen in order to jump on our plan bound for Los Angeles and my first personal visit to United States! We arrived in Los Angeles around 18 and jumped on a very long busride all the way up to Santa Cruz where we’d attend the second show of the tour, which was a Lordi show at the catalyst. While Galway still hosts the smallest stage Lordi’s played on (when I’ve seen them) but it was still amazing. Got back to L.A. to do what I never thought I’d do – See Lordi perform at the Whisky a Go Go. I knew I’d one day see a band perform there, but never thought it’d be Lordi. But it was, and it was magical.

We stayed in Hollywood for some more time, seeing Danse de Sade at the Viper Room, visiting the Rainbow a few times and other places – perfect vacation. At the end of February I also caught my first show of Epica’s scandinavian principle tour.

March

Started the month off again with Epica tour, the second and last date for this time, but no need to be sad, as March was the month of Sabaton and a little Battle Beast. The shows was amazing – and it allowed me to discover Twilight Force as well, which has, well, you know that! Amazing show spent with amazing friends – visiting cities like Örebro, Norrköping, Stockholm and Paris. Was amazing.

In March I started three new jobs – all in the same time actually. Sometimes, it all just happens at once.

April

In April, I saw my last show of the Last Tour for this time – up in Luleå. It was interesting, as it was almost summer weather in Stockholm, but I arrived in snowstorm in Luleå. I loved it though. I also set sail for Finland and witnessing Amaranthe for the first time since the change of singer, and since the new singer was no less than Nils Molin, this was beyond amazing.

I also got my new apartment – so packing started happening.

May

May was a real slow month. I spent most of my time only moving actually. Eurovision was amazing – Portugal won, which was great. Preparations for festival seasons ensued.

June

Official start of festivalseason! Sweden Rock was first out with Sofia, Malin and Johanna, which was amazing. Sweden Rock is really like a safe haven. The week after I headed off to Belgium to attend Graspop Metal Meeting, and I found a whole bunch of new friends by accident, but friends I am happy to have in my life.

And the week after that, I set my sails for Norway instead to witness what in my own personal opinion is the most epic Sabaton show I’ve ever seen – at Fredrikstens fortress, a special “Carolus Rex” show. Beyond amazing.

July

Festival season continued, but in a lot smaller scale. One trip down to Trollhättan for Vicious Rock Festival together with Sjorven and having a jobinterview for something that would change everything. On top of that, I saw Lordi perform an amazing set. DEMONARCHY. Seriously.

August

Festival season again. I started out my August by abandoning Skogsröjet (Still painful) and set toward Germany and Wacken for the first time in my life together with Maria, Thomas, Jonathan and a bunch of their friends. Despite the deep mud and all the rain, we had an amazing stay and I do not regret going there at all! Next up was Sabaton Open Air, with Sjorven and his friends. The festival was amazing. Sjorven spent some time here, and in the mean time we managed to do Falkenberg Rock Fest and even some other things like Njupeskär and Liseberg.

September

We set off to Hagfors to catch Amaranthe live in this new cute venue called Uddeholmsladan, which is quite literally a barn. I really hope this venue kicks off real time. Next up was a minitour, going through Norway and Spain – starting in Oslo with the amazing Battle Beast and then to Spain for firstly Serious Black, which we missed half the show of, and then the next day Lordi at probably the oddest festival I have been to so far. But it was really good, really amazing.

October

October  was a bit quiet of a month, but I don’t think I mind it too much. Can be good sometimes to catch your breathe every once in a while. I took a tour down to Belgium, where I first saw, well, half a show, of Epica and then an amazing show of Twilight Force. I spent the next few days with Sjorven, playing Pokémon, shopping, dining, all good stuff, you know?

November

November was a lot busier. First off, Battle Beast tour in Sweden. I did two shows out of four, and Battle Beast aside, what was most amazing was seeing Dynazty being their opener! Both shows where amazing, I got to meet Toivo and Susanna on these gigs too! The week after I set off to the UK with my favorite brits Nathan and Niki for a great weekend in Leeds, seeing Alice Cooper with his original band! Beyond amazing!

Another week goes and go a bit south instead – Bochum and Germany, together with Sjorven, Laura and Niki to catch Battle Beast once again, but this time with Silver Dust as their supportband! Great show, and more so, a great stay. Before so, I saw Stone Sour and Pretty Reckless in Stockholm together with Robert, Ida and Adam. Two bands I have not seen before, which is quite rare for me!

December

December was a quiet and nice ending. Szilvi, Sofia and I went on the Sabaton Cruise for the first time, which was really cool. At first, a little disappointing as we had grown our expectations up too high, but once that was out of the way, we really enjoyed our stay. Will do again.

Sjorven came here for the holidays, and we went to Boda Borg together with Maria and Thomas and later my brother, playing Pokémon and boardgames. Sadly enough, I got ill for the New Years Eve, but it can’t all be perfect right?

So there it is folks. My year. It’s been filled with ups and downs, but in hindsight, it’s been a great year, and I’m not ready to leave, but on the same time I am so ready to head into 2018.

This was my predictions from last year:

• Make it to 500 CD’s. Despite not finishing my goals last year, I raise the bar. – NOPE-
• Travel somewhere new aside what is already planned. – I guess Wacken counts?
• See Van Halen live – Nope
• See Bon Jovi again – Nope
• Start writing somewhere new. – Yes, I did indeed. In the most unexpected of places.

So, essentially, I didn’t do a very good job. But at least two of them is done.

So for the next year:

• Make it to 500 CD’s. I’m just going to keep this.
• Make a long distance travel alone.
• See Van Halen live
• Read at least 50 books.

A bit different resolutions or what you wanna call them, but here they are. I really hope I can finish the reading one, I set it a bit short for a start so it’s you know, achieveable.

And here goes my honorary mentions, people who made my year special.

Nathan, Niki, Sjorven, Ida, Curt, Robert, Santi, Frida, Misa, Thomas, Szilvi, Hansi, Stephen, Jonathan, Sophie, Angelina, Maria, The Count, Laura, Nathalie, Jill, Adam, Sofia, Sofia, Emelie, Markus, Martine, Jörgen, Alexandra, Jonathan, Cyril, Chiara, Jenny, Linn, Sebastian, Toivo, Jesse, Susanna, Juuso, Hanna, Adam, Vanessa, Erik, Malin, Elin, Sandra, Réne, Mina, Helle, Mashima, Amanda, Kim, Julia, Tero, Susanna, Saana, Alice, Alex, Ludvig, Jack, Jenny, Stevan, Adam, Malin, Tinna, Ellen, Aly, Jeffery, Johanna & Sebastian. Sabaton, Amaranthe, Twilight Force, Battle Beast and most importantly – Lordi. Thank you for believing in me.

// Sara