Meanwhile back at the ranch...

So I rolled into the crib here in CT and promptly buried myself in Winterbloom to-do lists. They want the tour book done, but I have not heard from all of the venues yet. Bummer!!! A huge flurry of activity really and now... waiting.

Fits and starts is alot of what I deal with and it's teaching me to do what I can where I can to get everything I can done.

Not a bad thing to learn.

So much going on... and I know I only have a small window of opportunity to get stuff done before the holidays. I almost am anxious over it all. Full speed ahead as fast as I can...and then it's gonna slow waaaaaay down at Thanksgiving. Glad I have Winterbloom to keep me occupied.

  I have a feeling my time off in Nov/Early Dec will be filled with uploading video and going to AA meetings. I will book what I can... but I might be the only one who wants to keep moving this stuff seriously forward during times when people are gathering with family. I hope to gather with my mom in late December.. my fingers are crossed.

Connecticut.

After a day filled with pals in the Northampton area, I sped off (after a late lunch) to Milford where I will be camped for a few days.

It was fun kicking around that town at a very easy pace. And popping in and out of a few bookstores looking for a damn Final Cut helper. I'm intimidated by that damn video editing program.
I hate to admit it.. but it's true. I have it now, and I'm afraid to you use it.

WTF???

I'll be seriously back at work tomorrow doing more to try to fill some holes in October. November is getting interesting with some possibilities looming out there and waiting for word on some dates before I can proceed.

I have my work head screwed on pretty straight and I felt like the time off helped me get some perspective. Instead of plugging away, I tackled a few things and did what was in front of me instead of trying to plow through it. Maybe I found a little gray area for some fleeting moments.

Progress...not perfection.

I had an opportunity to share my ideas with some folks and it was good. I really love contributing to people more than just for work. I know that that some people just want the work side and that's ok. I feel like who I am and how I go about what I do most days is generally coming from a compassionate place that truly seeks to make people's lives better. Not that what I do is going to make all the difference and not that I think that I can do it it any better than anyone... I just do what I do with love and good joo joo in my heart... seeking to find ways to make that ever so slight bit of difference for people. And yes.. I have negative stuff... and judgements... and my issues. And this year especially I have taken so many of my difficulties into the rooms and communities of the AA groups I am connected to and really worked on my judgements and resentments and looked to others for the feedback on how to continue my journey of continually moving away from the drink instead of closer to one.

Self-portait

Me in the morning....

No really!

I'm not exactly sure how someone snuck into "a kitchen" and snapped this photo of "me" during my morning ritual! Regardless... it's not pretty.

The day has Martha's Vineyard written all over it. Just getting a few thoughts gathered before I go. Oh... and waiting to see what time is good for me to ferry over. It's not too extensive of a haul. Only an hour drive.. and a 45 minute ferry ride. And you know I'll love that ferry ride.

Laundry is clean...cheap gas is not too far away (2.53 per gal.) and a bunch of unknown fun awaits. I think...

That's one thing about my life these days... for the most part even on the days I am doing my best to move through my "stuff" I still seek the beauty and fun mixed in with the gratitude. Most days I find it. Great lessons for living and growing.

Being around so much water and old waterfront towns is something I love, no matter how much it tugs at my heartstrings.

Frida in the storm.

Looks like we are in for some precipitation!

Hurry up already!!!! It's bleedin' hooooooooot!

Dunno if you can see this but Jane had actually written ''Gracie'' on the van no less than 200 times.... it's etched in dirt on the window here.

Bloggers reading bloggers and newsletters.

My friend Emily Lichter turned me onto this newsletter online about the music business. I have been reading this letter with a great deal of interest. This guy, Bob Lefsetz has got a great writing style and when I read his stuff I just feel like so much of how I want to be in this business is validated.

It's an interactive thing where all kinds of people write in and put their two cents in. But it's very tastefully done. He knows the business and know a bazillion people in it and he's very well respected.

And let's face it... the reason I like it is because it feels like how I'd do it if I had the writing skills and connections that he does. But I sure as hell have neither. The one thing I can gather that we do have in common is we both have our hearts in the right place.

Seeking agreement and validation has been replaced by seeing how to get the job done well for me right now. I am in a good place to learn as far as my brain can tell. I did take the day off more or less to bask in some time with the air conditioner and some AA pals... then a fun dinner out with my pal Susan and her pal Betsy. So today will most likely be more of the follow-up/catch-up I need to do.

It's gonna be disgustingly sweaty today here in CT. I'll be indoors for most of that... with errands to find some Radiohead cd's and get to a noon meeting.

Let's give it up for The Famous Jane!

The Famous Jane (New Orleans May 2009)

I have to say... this lady knows this tour managing thing. And then some. I should profile people here on the wee bloggy. Let me ponder that...

Anyhow, Jane took very good care of us over the weekend. We were fed, housed and then some. This is one of those brains that has so much information that I should have a tape recorder when she's talking business. I am glad she is giving us a hand over here. Her feedback is important.

Why am I talking about Jane today?

Well... out of gratitude. And simply because even though I know she knows how much I value her opinion and mentoring I never tell her that she is helping to shape my tour manager brain. I will never be as good a tour manager as she is.. but I can take what she offers in her way of teaching me and implement it.

There is something to be said for acknowledging those who impact how you think and do.

And really, my godmother Irene has been on my brain a bunch lately too. Right after she passed away I heard Kelly Joe Phelp's version of "Goodnight Irene" on my ipod and it basically reduced me to tears for quite a while. Funny how music does that to a person sometimes. And at the Summerfolk Festival in Canadia Land this past weekend I had a chance to hear that song again in a couple of different incarnations... and each time I thought of Irene.

She was one of the earliest influences (strong personality) on my young life. So I guess this blog post.. that is going nowhere fast is really about honoring some of the strong women in my life.

And no blog post about strong women would be complete without mentioning my Mommy.
She is still one of the most resilient women I know...

Not has she only endured me.. (cricket...cricket...)

But she has gone through so much with her health and taking care of her mother and then watching her mother go... then all this crazy stuff with the house in Bisbee... and more having me a her "kid" .

Judas Priest! It's alot!

So I guess it's fitting that I just want to sit in some gratitude for some of these women who are helping me shape my life... past and present.

And now it's time to quit screwing around with my blog and get back to work!

Weather ?

A tornado hit a block away from my pal Venus De Mar's place in Minneapolis... and I just heard there is a hurricane that could hit Cape Cod.. WTF????

Who ordered this weather?

One model actually has the storm path hitting Milford...

Like I said... WTF???

Cambridge in the morning...

The coffee is from Canadia Land... it was gawd awful pricey... but it's pretty good. Kicking Horse Roasters Kick Ass Dark Roast.

I'm thinking I should make sure I have a place to stay tonight so I can't forget to email my pals... I know they appreciate knowing when I might show up. I want to take my 22 year chip at meeting. That would be something really good I can do for myself.

We are talking about marketing and the best ways to bring out crowds to shows.. and really it boils down to planning in advance and being great with people. That pretty much sums it up. If you want to get it done right you have to plan.

That is not my natural state.

It's a really good lesson for me.

Strangely, booking stuff has got me thinking smarter. But it's because of a bunch of things. It's not just routing.. but also how to keep it fresh, where the good rooms are, what's the strongest bill... it's not just about the money... at all. I don't want to be in an office booking but I do love learning more about it and doing to the best of my ability.

Being around some of these uber smart women is good for me... and just listening. A vast majority of conversations that are happening around me are not for me to join into. So I listen. I'm getting pretty good at it. I still can't tell you what was said, but I am like a little larvae... developing on the inside. Taking what I like and leaving the rest.

I am so committed to remaining teachable. I am so hungry for this. It's not obsessive crazy... but it's there. I am where I am supposed to be. I know that.

Seems like a simple request, right??

I liked this... we all liked this.

Susan likes this one...

She likes the angle... I like seeing the people watching them.

the crowd for Sat. nite...

Susan and Trina onstage and the packed house drinking them in.

Susan at Summerfolk.

Did I mention she really was one of the most bestest acts this weekend??

They worked her hard... lots of workshops. Lot's of craziness everywhere... and lot's of fun!

This wee drum was actually a prize!

Trina playing with Susan's prize for winning the "Owen Sound Song Contest" that was fun.

You are gonna see a bunch of pics go up shortly... all from Owen Sound.

Finally getting my pictures from Canada up. I got a few cute ones.

I didn't use my phone a bunch for fear I'd end up racking up a nasty cell phone bill. I couldn't explain why my bill the last time was huge!!! I hardly even texted!

Anyhow... we are safely in Boston.

Had El-Frida not broken down I would have most likely been in CT tonight. We will drive out tomorrow at around 10 am. I guess I should check in with my pals in Milford to see if I have a home for a couple days. Then I am off for a while. Hoping to maybe pick up a wee run with Anne Heaton in early/mid Sept.

Too much time off makes me nervous, I just need to get the word out when I have time that needs to be filled... there aren't huge clumps like this one coming up.. but there are a couple.

We shall see what happens. I really do think I might attempt to go to the Land of The Baer's on Martha's Vineyard. Better get to seeing about the reality of that...

I drove 1300 miles in the last 5 days... my shoulders hurt. I think a massage is in order too.

Oh, and it was an alternator... not hideously expensive and I really have to thank the 2 gentlemen I blogged about earlier for really taking care of me.

Frida rolls!

Thanks Bob!

The Midas Touch!

Here is Officer Ron Meides going way above and beyond giving El-Frida The Wondervan a jump! He then escorted me (no flashing lights or sirens tho...) to the best garage in town.

We may be kinda far from a lot of things... but we are not far from great people willing to help out a stranger.

Pay it forward!

I'm there!

No exact diagnosis yet...but Ginger the shop dog at the garage is a sweetie!

It's a crime!

We are broke down in Batavia!

I hate this... but the good news is this nice sherriff guy Officer Meides (sounds like Midas) is hooking me up with the good stuff...as in the best mechanic in the area.

I'm on the case...

F*#@!!!!!!

El-Frida is down...

Deed....

Might be an alternator.

My disappointment is huge...

Ugh!

At least we weren't on our way to a show... but it's a horrible inconvenience for Susan and Trina and Jane and I freakin' hate that!

And... I hate that Frida is broken... I never deal particularly well with car breakdowns.

Deep breath.....

Ok...where the hell is Batavia New York anyhow??

I feel pretty small about now....I have been processing so much in my head these last few weeks. I am happy we are all safe and at a hotel. And while I know it's not my fault...I feel responsible.

Blech!

And now it's Monday.

Actually really steamy out there in Canadia Land. As in Humid as hell and kind feeling a bit like Minnesota in the dead of summer! Except the mosquitos are smaller.

I have The Big McT coming over to fetch me to go have a beverage and catch up. Certainly didn't get enough time with those folks on Saturday. Sunday at Summerfolk was very sweet... starting with the Gospel Workshop and finishing up with standing at the top of the amphitheater at about 11:30 pm with everyone standing and singing "Goodnight Irene" with all the performers standing onstage and a sense of a true community solidifying the love of music and this festival and all it offers up...

Special... and very heartfelt.

Yes, some of the music is REALLY folky... but the guy who is booking the talent really does a great job of making sure so many genres are covered. It's eclectic and smart and traditional and all rolled into one it's a really great weekend.

Summerfolk is in late August over 3 days every year.

Time to get the El-Frida keys to Trina and scoot off with Dean.

We speed off towards Schenectady this afternoon.

I wonder what Gretchen is doing in Martha's Vineyard today??

Hot sunny... folky.

The day started off with massive amounts of caffeine for me... (good) and some very nice and hydrating coconut water (also good).

We got to the festival close to 9:30 and Susan was the emcee of the Gospel Workshop.

Rather fitting... and veeeeery entertaining! Especially since Vance Gilbert was up there as well. That man has such a sweeeeeet voice! If you have never heard him.. seek some of that out.

Anyhow, it's hot a sweaty here in Canadia Land. But the mood is fun and the next workshop is starting now... so off I go to watch.

Might get to hang with The Big McT tomorrow while the girls do whatever the girls do... hope so... I love that guy!