gameshows, chinese food and a real internet connection.

I have the tv on for background noise with some weird game show with that Regis Philbin guy as the host... my gawd, he is annoying! Obviously never liked him.. and to be honest, his time on my viewing schedule is limited to... oh.. about now.

Got some decent chinese food from around the corner and am getting ready to return emails and get back to folks. I was out of range after about 5pm... then I was driving.

The show last night was tres sweet! Is that a real phrase? Anyhow.. met some awesome folks at this gig and I have some new booking thoughts and possibilities and I am excited to get them cranked up.

It started pouring rain about 45 minutes ago here in Manhattan.. I guess this storm is following us from the weekend. We had zero visibility travel conditions in parts of Ohio and West Virginia. It was nasty! Mostly yesterday morning.

Last night Jane and I stayed in a kitschy old Winnie trailer on the bank of the Shenendoah River.

It was a real experience... with Jane wondering if there were any bears..( I told her no.) listening to weird noises outside while we watched ants march around inside..(including one loud crash in the middle of the night that had me question if bears were around) and then in the morning waking up, seeing we were in a beautiful setting with bald eagles and osprey.. and... bears in the area. I didn't tell Jane till later.

Looks like we will be back that way in early May for an outdoor festival. Good stuff... great people. And a coffee roaster in the area who was tipped off to my "Coffee Bitch" title so he brought some of his good dark roasts for us to sample. Perfect timing because Trina has no freakin' coffee in her apartment!

WTF???

I just haven't been staying here in Manhattan that much yet. I will be heading to AZ in July too so during that huge amount of downtime I will be filling my time with possibilities of progress on all things homeowner related in Bisbee and Tucson.

And here is an exciting prospect.. I might really get out and track down my buddy Ashen Keilyn who is in the band Scout. They are so close to putting out their new cd... I can't wait. Some of you may remember I raved about them a short while ago. They had broken up/disbanded a couple years ago but I had gotten ahold of their cd's and was blown away. Ash has put it back together now and they just got done mastering a new disc. We have been threatening to get together forever and over the next 2 days I am gonna try and make this happen!

Ok,

Now I will go through my crap and get laundry together and try and find my Elph camera which went missing a couple days ago. And that is really sad because I could have taken some great pics in Columbus and Luray from this weekend.

Also missing is the heating element to the bialetti coffee pot. It's unusable till we find that. And rather tragic that it's mysteriously absent.

I blame the gnomes in the van..

5... count them, 5!

No less than 5 emails waiting to send on my phone. And I am gonna let them all go because they are things that I didn't send yesterday that I sent from the computer here. Sometimes it's convenient to have a smartphone and other times not so much. Better than nothing though. I am really still trying to embrace the G1 phone I have. I spent some time with a 18 year old geek a few weeks back who raved about the thing. So I am possibly needing to grasp the concept that I am becoming a old lady who is not up on the lastest and then when I get frustrated it certainly must be the fucking shit design of the gadget. It shouldn't have to be that the gadget is one of the hottest things out there and I am too dumb to fully operate it.

Cricket...cricket...

Anyoldladywearssupporthosemomenthow...

The weather here in Canadia Land seems to have a theme... gray... moist... and cool. We watched Pinky conduct a bit at a rehearsal and his wife is one of the big cheese cellists and she did this cool solo thing while two VEEEEEEEEEEERY gay boys danced their routine onstage. We have adapted some of the moves from this piece into our daily lives as we were so moved by the performance.

Cricket...cricket...

After that was dinner and then finally back around 1 am. Who am I ??? I never used to be up this late consistently! I guess if there is something going on and I am interested it's really not that hard. Funny... one of my big beefs about one of the longer programs I did in Landmark Education was that it always kept me up so late... and yet while I love so much of my experience with that I guess I didn't really love that particular program that much.

We start the long haul back to Brooklyn at 10 am. Should be getting a late lunch/early dinner at Van's in Albany then heading in. And I am off like a prom dress to CT. Long day for me but I'll tell ya what, it has been a great run.

The time spent with Lyndell is always such a gift... lovely inside and out. And the experience at the school yesterday was terrific! The staff and students were really extraordinary. I filmed a bit and when we were done Lyndell and I went for sushi with the teacher. This teacher was so dedicated to getting her students as much experiences and in such a big bold way, I was reminded of a few of the teachers I had that were passionate about their job that really inspired me. Too few and far between..

As the ass crack flies...

So it's early...

Not hideously, but I did get up about an hour ago to get some kickass coffee in me and get ready to drive.

Me drive long time today. (and every day for the next week)

Today's destination is as far past Columbus as I can get. And the destination for tamale is Janie's. I should text her and let her know that... then a quick scoot into Brooklyn really early on Tuesday morning. It's a lovely morning here with loads of overfed birds chirping and the sky lightening up to a nice baby blue.

I'm only 2 cups into my huehuetenango so I am not yet 100% functional.

I will say this. I love these guys here in Kansas City. I loved cooking dinner for them, and I love that they are loving being here instead of Southern California. I cannot tell you the incredible difference in their stress levels. They are so happy and relaxed... and to see that in friends you can never get enough of is a beautiful thing.

Wed. morning.

So we are off to look at the 9th Ward with Susan now. Jane flew out really early so there is a noticeable absence. I went and checked on the van, then slammed a pot of coffee in the restaurant and had the fortune of getting a free caffeine experience as they didn't have a server asigned to the table?? I'm not sure my BFF hostess pal didn't rig that but... whatever! Coffee was had, so I can start the day.




And what visit to New Orleans would be complete without a visit to a cemetery?

Ok... off to look around then we depart from The Suze and go to Houston.

Voodoo.

We had a few encounters with voodoo-ish things. Like this.

The day ended with going to Preservation Hall for some great music. We ended the evening earlier than I thought we would, but sleep is good too. I have to start formulating my driving plans now to get to Brooklyn by the 26th. I have a feeling Kansas City is a veeeeery quick stopover if at all.

But I gotta say, I am excited about the run with Natalia and Lyndell. So I will most likely reschedule KC for the near future.

Time for slumber.

Let's post some stuff out of order...

Not getting things to send from the ol' smart phone. Maybe it's just alot smarter than I am? I'll reset the damn thing and see if I can get stuff to go. Technology is a chore at times.

I know mercury is in retrograde so I'll work to be patient.

The lineup for the weekend events is looking like a bunch of goodness for sure. And it looks as though we are going to make a side trip to The Big Easy on Monday. It's only 5 hours. Which is a piece of cake.

I am getting some details hammered out for Canada and beyond. Looks like all my free time is pretty much gone, which is fine. It just means staying focused and keeping things organized. Never a bad prospect.

So many big things coming up. So much to do...

Be ready for posts from last night to go up out of order...looks like it's going to post.

Off to Columbus.

We are gonna grab a break in Columbus after our approx 10 hour drive which starts in about a half hour. That town has some most excellent people in it and I am always excited to be anywhere near The Most SUpreme Corned Beef Hash in the World! We won't be eating it, but it'l be a nice teaser.

No rain this morning, and a fair temp outside. The coffee is a nice Huehuetenango from Old Bisbee Roasters. Not a bad start to the day.

Porcine Warning in Bisbee...

Just in case I really do have some nasty virus... I wanted it known I left this earth uploading video.

Dunno what happened but I am nauseous. and really yucky feeling... but here is Susan in Schenectady.

Back to the Baked Pueblo in the morning..

Show went really well! Bigger crowd than they say they usually have for a Thursday night show, and some familiar faces in the crowd. Best yet is the news that We can get them back in there around November.

Trina and Natalia really had fun and the crowd really got into it as evidenced by their enthusispasm at the cd table.

Looks like I don't get to go to Canada, but I guess I can always drive back to AZ if I need to from Houston. I am pretty willing to do what it takes to be happy and maintain my sanity these days. Not a bunch of room for chaos.

I do believe I have had my fill.

I need to get faster at settling at the end of the night. But other than that I am pretty damn pleased with how it all went. And of course... I got some amazing footage.

Ok... best to slumber now. The aeropuerto run is at 8:30 am.

lessons in letting go...

Yet even more small lessons to remind me to continually let go...

My tmobile phone deleted all of the pictures I had taken.

Sad really... friends... four leggeds...beautiful things.... just gotta remind myself I must need to just keep letting go. And don't forget to breathe.

Listening to a live recording of some radio from the early April tour with Natalia and Antje. I cleaned out my gear bag and found it... kinda like xmas! At least I have music... and let's be honest, I have more video than a lot of people. So... I can replace the pictures. And I will be in AZ for about 5 days instead of 2 1/2 so I may have time to get at some of that.. I may have to hook up a desktop computer depending in if my lappy is dead. And I'm flying back to NYC instead of driving with Trina from AZ. Te Bisbee house concert is not happening as Trina is not coming through at this time. The schedule shifted for many reasons and it makes this early part much more efficient. Of course, as soon as I get back, I have about a day to launder then leave... but that's ok. I'll be pretty fresh mentally and will have driven about 3000 miles less than originally planned.

I'll be flying back to get the van mid May and heading to Texas for our run with Susan of the Werner's. After that, Trina heads to Germany and I am planning on a few days in Kansas City. The plans after that are yet to be confirmed or denied, But there could be a haul across country into Brooklyn to meet up with Natalia of the Zukerman's and maybe get to join her on a run into Canada (with Lyndell Montgomery). We'll see how it pans out. If not that run... I'll hang in KC longer. That Ward Parkway group is calling my name... damn fine AA!!!

I gotta just do what's in front of me and keep my mind fresh and keep my heart open. As I was talking to someone yesterday I became grateful to be in this world at this time as there is this global shifting towards what might really be important...and it seems to be more heart centric these days. I have that in my heart and mind big time this morning as I get ready to go back to Bisbee for a few days and I am determined to get estimates, help my mom with her claim against the city of Bisbee, and generally stay strong around that house thing that precipitated my wee mental breakdown. You never know what's gonna put you over the edge. But over I went. And I feel pretty good today. And today is all I've got so I'll roll with it.

I need to get at the press lists though as yesterday became a bit of a "day off" unexpectedly as I went in search of my messenger bag.

Which I found... on sale... and I love it!

I am looking forward to wrapping up some more loose ends in AZ and seeing my peeps there.

And now let's see what today brings.

I just love the feel of this day in my heart.

We were in Minneapolis at a radio interview. We had told the guys at the studio we were going to go in search of Prince. They looked at us as if we had sprouted a third eyeball. There was also a lengthy discussion about perfect pitch and Natalia being one who is often pained by said perfect pitch. Put simply, it makes her ears bleed when things are out of tune...

She was tuning Antje's guitar here. And I don't know what the dealio was but that thing did not want to tune. But I got this shot that I love... and I think conveys the camaraderie between them. We went on to do a oversold show in Minneapolis that night... with John Gorka and his wife coming to listen in. And yes... John got up and sang "Long Way" with Antje. I have it on tape... oh yes I do!

And if that didn't show the lurve.... perhaps this does?

And as the night goes by.

Here we are in Trina's apt. after a really nice dinner at the best place around...(which is pretty freakin' nice I'll say...)Janie joined us and a great meal was had and we held a chair for Susan altho she never showed... but she did call from home to say she missed us. Love that.

I do love these women... and I do love my job. It's gonna be really hard to go home and not do this for a while. We won't start back up till probably April.

I'll be fine... just going to have to kick some booking ass and get back in shape for next year. I think I'm gonna do yoga when I go home. I love yoga in Bisbee.

Ok, it's after 11pm... Jane is texting me and driving...BAD JANE!!!! Love ya pal... great to get a nice Last Supper for the year withchoo!

Ok... I am off to think about slumber now. I drove all day and my brain is a little fried at this point. Either that or I'm completely overwhelmed (which is somewhat likely)

I can't believe I am done. More please... please?

Three Oaks.

Sleepy town this morning. Seems like I am on the right side of the cold that attempted to take over my health and good attitude. I will once again say that using a damn neti pot has most likely kept the goo from building up and making me sicker.

I have a spa appt. for Ms. El-Frida set up for tomorrow.. wiper blades/tire rotation/oil change etc here at my beloved Three Oaks Ford. Our wipers suck... nothing like driving in dirty snow to show you exactly how much they suck and where.

Lazy morning... video editing/uploading..(Tom..I'm doing a montage just for you!)and we head to Benton Harbor for the show around 5ish.

Only a 25 mile drive to a show... what a concept!

A few flakes of snow here but no storms or anything. It's warmer up here in "my room" than downstairs so I have my video stuff sprawled all over up here.

Should be a productive vid day.

Hot new vids! From over the summer that is.

This is a pretty sweet vid ( if I do say so myself..) of Trina having a bit of a showdown to Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Pride and Joy" with a young gent named Joe Peterson.



I fully expect you all to speak up and tell me who you thought won this little blues harp back alley scrap! My vote goes for... hmmm... lemme see...

Acorns and cold feet.

I got cold feet. Literally... it's chilly here at The good ol' Acorn Theater! I may just have to go put on some smart wool socks! It's not snowing but there is snow on the ground. We got here and went to a movie called "Trouble the Water" at the Vickers Theater here in Three Oaks. Of course we went and grabbed food from Nelson's Saloon first and brought it to the movie... that's just how you do it around here.

Emails flying around following up on bookings... I originally was just puttering through gossip sites till Trina started asking me some questions and I decided I could go get some answers. Here's the good news... I don't mind working at all hours on this job. That says something to me. I just got done sending an email to this neat man I had a brief semi-business meeting with and I feel pretty damn grateful for all that I get to do/see/hear in the course of doing this job. It's a good thing I didn't get into it for the money because there is not much of that. My challenge will be to make sure I can continue to do it because this is what I know I am meant to be doing right now.

I know I have said over and over how much of a learning experience this has been for me, but I say that and it really only encompasses a small portion of what I am learning about myself... not even about the job... but because of the job. And really, I don't fully have words for all of it. I am a work in progress. Very flawed in some ways and very human. And at the same time I will continue to dream and look at this adventure with sparkley colored glasses and endless possibility. I know that these women look at me like I am crazy sometimes. I don't want to separate myself by saying it's east coast vs. west coast mentality. Maybe I am a bit off my rocker in my ways of thinking. But I am becoming a really decent tour manager and constantly looking for ways to make it bigger bolder and brighter for all of us out here.

Being at The Ark with a nearly sold out crowd on Saturday was incredible. Made me so present with the fact that people will come hear these incredible artists. The price they paid for a ticket was so small in comparison to the joy they got from that show. And it was evident on their faces. I love that energy!

Ok.. enough outta me. Time for smart wool!

Friday.

My thought for the morning..."I think peanut butter is the true nectar of the gods... Trader Joe's peanut butter is the brand."

As I sit here waiting for the puppy cam to fire up and go live..(the pics are cute,but c'mon bring on the puppies!!!) I figured this was as good a time as any for a moment with the wee bloggy. I have a bunch of things to work out before I drive back to AZ...I am waiting to hear on several details. At this precise moment I feel a bit overwhelmed. I guess I need to get on the horn and work this shit out. Why am I worrying so early?? When technically I leave the east coast 4 weeks from now?? Well.. because I work tomorrow with Amy Speace, then have 2 days... then Natalia and I go to the Midwest, and then I get back and Trina and I go back to the Midwest for the last run. So the time is officially going to fly by. I'll figure it out... I shouldn't think too much before I jump start my brain by riding the brown pony.

And then if I think about having the off-season at my doorstep... how do I up my game? How do I get better at organizing and record keeping and really managing a tour as well as booking/routing? How can I be more effective? What if the economy poops all over all the touring musicians and people stop going out to shows?? That means these talented people might stop touring... Wow! I guess I have some fear.. I have an email to send out today to our supporters in Indianapolis to urge them to make this year's Hamlin Holiday Party on Dec. 6th the best ever and to remind them that Natalia and I will be there next week too!

I usually don't look at the negatives... but I guess if I don't look at what's really going on, then my approach might not be as effective. Love and community are a great place to start. Supporting these musicians however possible is a kickass adventure with lots of challenges and opportunities.

And let's face it.. the world will look brighter as soon as I have had at least 2 cups of coffee.

I just have to believe it's all going to work out the way it's supposed to.