I was obsessed with maps as a kid. I got it from my Dad, who would sit and read atlases for fun, not even because we were going anywhere. I’m not sure how you could read an atlas, but he did it. I never went that far, but from a young age I was perhaps not-so-stealthily removing the free map from the National Geographic Magazines from the school library and deciding they should be on my wall.

For fun in 2nd grade, I kid you not, I took it upon myself to copy every flag from every country in the encyclopedia. You know that “flags of the world” section? Instead of just looking at it in the book, I made my own. Apparently I had a geography itch.

I’m not sure about the flag part of it, but the map orientation has certainly parlayed into a fun time booking shows for people. I’m currently webbing tour routes through The Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, and the Northeast. I’m finding that for all my map staring I still have no general guesstimate on how far Portland is from Denver (20 hours, ideal gigs: Boise, Salt Lake City…help me). It’s daunting and fun and interesting all at the same time. Once I find a proper SLC venue it’ll feel less daunting. Come on, Utah!