I woke up at 4:50 in the morning in preparation for my train ride back to Portland. I had been sleeping in a log cabin out in the woods of Leavenworth for two nights. On the first night I slept in one room while the managers and several other guests occupied the other rooms. But on the second night, everyone – including the managers – went back to their homes, so I had the entire house to myself. I had performed at the Icicle Brewery on my first night in town, and had a great show. I played everything from angry break up songs to Christmas music and the crowd seemed to love it all. My second night in town was a night off, so I spent the day roaming around downtown in the snow, and spent the night in the cabin, where I savored the solitude.
On the morning that I left town, a shuttle arrived at 5:30 to take me to the train stop. The train arrived on time, at 6:08. I had packed sensibly this time, so I climbed aboard with just a large purse and my guitar. At first I had some difficulty locating an empty seat, but then a young man offered me a seat by the window next to his seat. At first we both stayed in our respective worlds: I listened to Julie Doiron while reading a novel written by Nick Cave; he read the People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and listened to something I couldn't hear in his large headphones. We went through the longest railway tunnel in America, called the Cascade Tunnel. It was dark when we entered it but the sun had come out before we made it through. I was disappointed to have missed the sunrise, rarely getting to see those occur. My seat-mate gazed out the window and exclaimed, “Oh my god, I have literally never been in the mountains before! This is so beautiful that I seriously want to cry right now.” I smiled at him, and then focused my attention on the view outside my window. The ground and the trees were all sprinkled with a beautiful white snow, and there was a morning mist in the air. “You're probably used to this by now,” he added.
“No,” I said quietly, genuinely in awe of my surroundings, “I'm really not.”
He told me he was born in Florida but grew up in Chicago and had never lived anywhere else. A few days ago he had been invited to live with a friend in Seattle, so he bought a ticket and packed his bags, lusting after an adventure. We got to talking about the Midwest. I told him about how the first train ride I took in my adult life was from Chicago to Ottumwa, IA, for some friends' wedding. I had loved watching the sunset across the flat lands. Then we talked about music. He said he was mainly a piano player, but he dabbled in many other instruments. We both thought it was a good idea not to limit oneself to one instrument or musical style. He told me he loved listening to hip hop and punk the most but he was best at playing jazz. He asked me for the names of some of my favorite artists so I threw out John Vanderslice, Destroyer, and Kristin Hersh. He said he was a Throwing Muses fan, too. He recommended Atmosphere and the Punch Brothers. We switched gears and began talking about philosophy. He told me why he favored Nietzsche; I explained why I preferred Sartre. Then I found out this guy I was chatting with was twenty-two, and felt my mind being slightly blown: I wished I had been so smart at that age.
We started talking about language, covering everything from accents to slang. I told him I loved learning about the etymologies of words. He lit up, and said, “You know what I love about words? You can go to the mall and see a really cool pair of sneakers and wish you had them. But if you can't afford them, you can't get them. With words, on the other hand, if you hear someone say something that you like, all you have to do is take their words and use them, and it's OK: they're free.” This was my favorite part of our discussion. He reminded me that words are free. Maybe that's one of the reasons I love to write.
We both got off the train in Seattle. He was home now and I had to switch trains. After I boarded the next train, I found my seat, which was by a window again. This time I sat alone, and tried to divide my attention between the view of the great Northwest covered in a diaphanous fog, and all the words in my head that I wanted to write down.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Week 22: Richard the Peanut Farmer
I met Richard the peanut farmer as I was getting ready to board a ferry from the Bainbridge Island to Seattle. He saw me struggling with my four bags and asked if he could help carry some of them on board. He had the kind of open, smiling eyes that a person can't help but trust. I handed him a couple of bags and we got in line.
We exchanged names, and then he told me he had been visiting his cousin on the island while his wife was in business meetings in Seattle. They were from NM. I told him how beautiful I thought it was there. Richard said that he was a semi-retired farmer, still growing a bit of crops and also playing the real estate game, but mostly traveling around and visiting his grand-kids. "That's how I stay young," he explained. He said he has three grand-kids and two more on the way.
After we got on board he offered to buy me some food and a drink, so I took him up on it. We took our snacks up to the sundeck to see the view. The view as we approached downtown Seattle was spectacular. Richard asked me if I'd paid for my ticket and I said "of course." He said that they only charge for the trip to Bainbridge and not the trip back. I looked at the ticket I'd bought from a machine and indeed it said it was good for a trip from Seattle to Bainbridge and not the other way around, but as that had been the only option that was the one I chose, not knowing the return trip was free. Richard said he'd be making the trip again in a couple days and kindly offered to buy my ticket from me, so I took him up on it.
Richard, a seemingly happily married 60 year old man, was friendly without being flirtatious. We talked about things that can go wrong when one is traveling, and he told me about a time when his daughter was going to school in France and he found out that she'd taken the wrong bus and gotten lost. I told him about a time when something similar happened to me, when I was going to school in London. I remember calling my mom, who also lived there, but neither of us could pin point where I was so it would have been futile for her to drive around looking for me. She suggested I find another bus and ask the driver which route to take home, which I did. I told Richard how my mom was forever worried after that that I'd be lost one day and call her up from across the world.
After we arrived in Seattle, Richard helped me carry my bags again until we reached First Ave, where we then headed our separate ways. "Well, I wish you success in your career, a long, happy life, and -- for your mom's sake -- safety!" he exclaimed with his big, friendly grin. I returned his sentiment: "I wish you a lovely retirement, and more healthy grand-babies!"
"Thanks," he replied, and turned to leave. Then he turned back and added, "Oh, and I hope your ship comes in!"
We exchanged names, and then he told me he had been visiting his cousin on the island while his wife was in business meetings in Seattle. They were from NM. I told him how beautiful I thought it was there. Richard said that he was a semi-retired farmer, still growing a bit of crops and also playing the real estate game, but mostly traveling around and visiting his grand-kids. "That's how I stay young," he explained. He said he has three grand-kids and two more on the way.
After we got on board he offered to buy me some food and a drink, so I took him up on it. We took our snacks up to the sundeck to see the view. The view as we approached downtown Seattle was spectacular. Richard asked me if I'd paid for my ticket and I said "of course." He said that they only charge for the trip to Bainbridge and not the trip back. I looked at the ticket I'd bought from a machine and indeed it said it was good for a trip from Seattle to Bainbridge and not the other way around, but as that had been the only option that was the one I chose, not knowing the return trip was free. Richard said he'd be making the trip again in a couple days and kindly offered to buy my ticket from me, so I took him up on it.
Richard, a seemingly happily married 60 year old man, was friendly without being flirtatious. We talked about things that can go wrong when one is traveling, and he told me about a time when his daughter was going to school in France and he found out that she'd taken the wrong bus and gotten lost. I told him about a time when something similar happened to me, when I was going to school in London. I remember calling my mom, who also lived there, but neither of us could pin point where I was so it would have been futile for her to drive around looking for me. She suggested I find another bus and ask the driver which route to take home, which I did. I told Richard how my mom was forever worried after that that I'd be lost one day and call her up from across the world.
After we arrived in Seattle, Richard helped me carry my bags again until we reached First Ave, where we then headed our separate ways. "Well, I wish you success in your career, a long, happy life, and -- for your mom's sake -- safety!" he exclaimed with his big, friendly grin. I returned his sentiment: "I wish you a lovely retirement, and more healthy grand-babies!"
"Thanks," he replied, and turned to leave. Then he turned back and added, "Oh, and I hope your ship comes in!"
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Weeks 18 + 19th (Highlights)
There is too much to say about my recent visit to the Bay Area. Here are my top five highlights:
On my first night, in Oakland, I played for the second time at a lovely cafe called the Actual Cafe. It was touted as a Ukulele Love-in, and it lived up to its name. It was hosted by a lady that I'm so glad I got to meet and share the stage with, Ms. Tippy Canoe. She started off the show with a ukulele lesson, then led everyone in a jam after my set. It was so much fun! After the show she shared a brownie with me and gave me a ride back to my hotel.
In Sacramento a couple days ago I tried Afghani food for the firs time. It was amazing!
This was the first tour that I brought the auto-harp out for, so I was really happy to not have to miss playing it. All six of the shows I played in the area went really well (what are the odds?).
I stayed in and got to explore five neighborhoods: Temescal (in Oakland and bordering Berkeley), downtown Sacramento, Sunnyvale, and Golden Gate Park and North Beach in SF. I especially liked getting to experienced more of North Beach, a neighborhood where I have stayed before. It's an Italian neighborhood, home to Golden Boy Pizza, the best pizza ever, and many other places that were popular haunts of the Beat poets. I took a whole Beat tour there, starting at Golden Boy, then going to the Beat Museum, followed by City Lights Books, a Beat-centric bookstore, and ending at Vesuvio, a bar that the Beats reportedly drank at often.
Finally, the best of all for me was having my "weekend" (two days off in a row) with one of my close friends, Kim, and her awesome boyfriend Jake. They came to see my show in SF, which made it even more special. Then on the weekend, Kim took me all over SF: we went bar-hopping in the Mission, hung out in Dolores Park, and ate fresh fish down at the Fisherman's Wharf and toured the penny arcade museum there. Jake took us all to see the new Batman movie, which was very entertaining. Thanks Kim & Jake! See you guys next time!
On my first night, in Oakland, I played for the second time at a lovely cafe called the Actual Cafe. It was touted as a Ukulele Love-in, and it lived up to its name. It was hosted by a lady that I'm so glad I got to meet and share the stage with, Ms. Tippy Canoe. She started off the show with a ukulele lesson, then led everyone in a jam after my set. It was so much fun! After the show she shared a brownie with me and gave me a ride back to my hotel.
In Sacramento a couple days ago I tried Afghani food for the firs time. It was amazing!
This was the first tour that I brought the auto-harp out for, so I was really happy to not have to miss playing it. All six of the shows I played in the area went really well (what are the odds?).
I stayed in and got to explore five neighborhoods: Temescal (in Oakland and bordering Berkeley), downtown Sacramento, Sunnyvale, and Golden Gate Park and North Beach in SF. I especially liked getting to experienced more of North Beach, a neighborhood where I have stayed before. It's an Italian neighborhood, home to Golden Boy Pizza, the best pizza ever, and many other places that were popular haunts of the Beat poets. I took a whole Beat tour there, starting at Golden Boy, then going to the Beat Museum, followed by City Lights Books, a Beat-centric bookstore, and ending at Vesuvio, a bar that the Beats reportedly drank at often.
Finally, the best of all for me was having my "weekend" (two days off in a row) with one of my close friends, Kim, and her awesome boyfriend Jake. They came to see my show in SF, which made it even more special. Then on the weekend, Kim took me all over SF: we went bar-hopping in the Mission, hung out in Dolores Park, and ate fresh fish down at the Fisherman's Wharf and toured the penny arcade museum there. Jake took us all to see the new Batman movie, which was very entertaining. Thanks Kim & Jake! See you guys next time!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Week 16: Redefining Success
Written on 7/5/2012 in Kennewick, WA
This morning I woke up in a spacious, empty house in Kennewick. Every room was pristine. The owners, who were veritable strangers to me, were trying to sell it and didn't live in it anymore so the house was essentially a model. I had a pretty good sleep in one of the bedrooms, enjoyed the cable T.V. in the living room and coffee and breakfast in the kitchen the next day. I also enjoyed the view of Pasco from their backyard patio. I had also planned to enjoy a bath but I hadn't thought it all through before I filled the bathtub up with cold water. Oh well, no problem, I decided: a cold bath was better than no bath. Sure, I could have filled up pots in the kitchen with water and boiled them, but I was feeling kind of slow after drinking the night before in the winery I'd been playing at. The cold water sort of felt good for the hangover.
I had been sleeping in Richland, one of the other Tri-Cities, in an RV parked in front of another stranger's house, just the night before. I found it quite nice even though it did not have working lights or plumbing. I had access to the stranger's house for the bathroom, kitchen, and for finding company. My host's mother was visiting, and she had a two-year-old daughter, so there was no shortage of company. I loved hanging out with all of them, and, when I stayed in the immaculate squat last night, I missed all their voices and found it almost too quiet. But both places were lovely to stay at, really. One of the hosts I met on Facebook and the other on CouchSurfing.org.
Now I am at a farmers market in Kennewick where I have just finished my second and last set of music, and am waiting for my next host to drive me to her farm in Benton City. She, her husband, and their three kids live out there and have dogs, chickens and cows! I can't wait to meet them all. They have a spare room in their basement so I won't have to sleep in a barn or anything. Success!
I often think about the small ways that my definition of success has changed recently. I make a little money playing music, not much more than the cost of my expenses, but enough to get me from town to town, with food in my belly. It helps to eat at the venue whenever possible, and to do all your drinking there, too. If I am at a hotel I always eat the continental breakfast now, whereas I used to be more discriminating*. Sometimes I eat my free breakfast a hotel, dinner that is part of my payment at a venue, and all I'm left paying for is lunch or a snack. Sometimes, on a night off, I'll order a big lunch and save half of it for dinner, and I take a perverse sort of pleasure in doing so, feeling successful. I'll order a $5 foot-long sandwich at Subway and think: It only cost me $5 to be alive today! Success!
I think about staying in motels more often, like I used to, but I know that staying in the homes of generous, willing strangers is another way to stretch my cash. If I earn $150 playing in a winery and then I don't have spend $50 to $100 on a hotel because I can sleep in an empty house or RV, or on someone's couch or in their spare room, that is another success. But it also sounds odd when I kick around these achievements in my head. I remember in my not-so-distant other life, when I was a social worker, if a client had told me they'd only spent $5 on food to nourish themselves for the whole day, or that their temporary housing plan was to couch-surf or squat somewhere, I might have questioned how truly happy she was. How strange. I can say that I am truly happy living this way. But I don't forget that I have other options, safe havens to run back to, and some people don't. I know that more than anything else, more than being successful, I am lucky.
*Not that there is anything wrong with a continental breakfast, especially when one is a lapsed vegan.
I had been sleeping in Richland, one of the other Tri-Cities, in an RV parked in front of another stranger's house, just the night before. I found it quite nice even though it did not have working lights or plumbing. I had access to the stranger's house for the bathroom, kitchen, and for finding company. My host's mother was visiting, and she had a two-year-old daughter, so there was no shortage of company. I loved hanging out with all of them, and, when I stayed in the immaculate squat last night, I missed all their voices and found it almost too quiet. But both places were lovely to stay at, really. One of the hosts I met on Facebook and the other on CouchSurfing.org.
Now I am at a farmers market in Kennewick where I have just finished my second and last set of music, and am waiting for my next host to drive me to her farm in Benton City. She, her husband, and their three kids live out there and have dogs, chickens and cows! I can't wait to meet them all. They have a spare room in their basement so I won't have to sleep in a barn or anything. Success!
I often think about the small ways that my definition of success has changed recently. I make a little money playing music, not much more than the cost of my expenses, but enough to get me from town to town, with food in my belly. It helps to eat at the venue whenever possible, and to do all your drinking there, too. If I am at a hotel I always eat the continental breakfast now, whereas I used to be more discriminating*. Sometimes I eat my free breakfast a hotel, dinner that is part of my payment at a venue, and all I'm left paying for is lunch or a snack. Sometimes, on a night off, I'll order a big lunch and save half of it for dinner, and I take a perverse sort of pleasure in doing so, feeling successful. I'll order a $5 foot-long sandwich at Subway and think: It only cost me $5 to be alive today! Success!
I think about staying in motels more often, like I used to, but I know that staying in the homes of generous, willing strangers is another way to stretch my cash. If I earn $150 playing in a winery and then I don't have spend $50 to $100 on a hotel because I can sleep in an empty house or RV, or on someone's couch or in their spare room, that is another success. But it also sounds odd when I kick around these achievements in my head. I remember in my not-so-distant other life, when I was a social worker, if a client had told me they'd only spent $5 on food to nourish themselves for the whole day, or that their temporary housing plan was to couch-surf or squat somewhere, I might have questioned how truly happy she was. How strange. I can say that I am truly happy living this way. But I don't forget that I have other options, safe havens to run back to, and some people don't. I know that more than anything else, more than being successful, I am lucky.
*Not that there is anything wrong with a continental breakfast, especially when one is a lapsed vegan.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Week 11
When I tell people that I am a full time musician living on the road, they ask me questions that lead me assume that they think I live a very glamorous lifestyle. I have had my share of great times so far, and I am very lucky to be able to do what I want to do for a living, so I am not here to complain. But, after having just spent three weeks alone touring the Southwest, I have had some time lately to contemplate the less glamorous aspects of my day-to-day existence. I have decided to recount them here.
Even if you are a working transient with money in your pocket, you are a transient nonetheless. I move from the hostel to a friend-of-a-friend's couch to my old friend's spare room to a cheap motel. On the average, in these last few weeks, I have moved about every two days. In Vegas I had cheap motels, but I had to move twice in order to receive the best deals. I pack and unpack. I constantly feel as if I'm coming and going at the same time.
I spend more time in laundromats than I would care to. I sit, wait, move the clothes from the washer to the dryer, sit, wait, fluff and fold. It's not always a party.
Speaking of parties... during my first couple days in Vegas, I drank copious amounts of alcohol, smoked cigarettes, gambled and hung out by the pool. But the drinks by the pool aren't cheap, and drinking and smoking all day is no way to prepare for a show. I remembered that the best way to maintain my energy and funds is to save my drinking for when I was at my shows so that I could collect my free drinks. After those first two days, I went back to my old routine of drinking too much coffee and walking around town all day, and then going to bed at a sensible hour without too many drinks in me.
Relaxing has always been a bit of a challenge for me, but now I find it even harder to do. I am constantly on my phone, confirming a show, looking for my next one. Sometimes I wish I could just chill but no one else is going to find me my next gig or make sure that the venues all have sound equipment and that everyone there knows I'm coming to play. But since this is the best job I've ever had, I really do not mind spending a great deal of my time looking for the work and making the contacts.
I feel compelled now to mention a few of the upsides to living this type of lifestyle:
- If you like people, this may be the job for you. You will get to meet so many people, and -- if you couch-surf as I have just started to do -- you will get to know some people that you might not have met otherwise.
- Free drinks, free food, free coffee, and sometimes free lodging. The more nights you play, the less you have to pay for.
- Waking up in different cities.
- And lastly, I love that I'm never really sure what day is it. I wonder if it is Friday on Monday, or Monday on Friday. Every day feels like a Saturday.
Even if you are a working transient with money in your pocket, you are a transient nonetheless. I move from the hostel to a friend-of-a-friend's couch to my old friend's spare room to a cheap motel. On the average, in these last few weeks, I have moved about every two days. In Vegas I had cheap motels, but I had to move twice in order to receive the best deals. I pack and unpack. I constantly feel as if I'm coming and going at the same time.
I spend more time in laundromats than I would care to. I sit, wait, move the clothes from the washer to the dryer, sit, wait, fluff and fold. It's not always a party.
Speaking of parties... during my first couple days in Vegas, I drank copious amounts of alcohol, smoked cigarettes, gambled and hung out by the pool. But the drinks by the pool aren't cheap, and drinking and smoking all day is no way to prepare for a show. I remembered that the best way to maintain my energy and funds is to save my drinking for when I was at my shows so that I could collect my free drinks. After those first two days, I went back to my old routine of drinking too much coffee and walking around town all day, and then going to bed at a sensible hour without too many drinks in me.
Relaxing has always been a bit of a challenge for me, but now I find it even harder to do. I am constantly on my phone, confirming a show, looking for my next one. Sometimes I wish I could just chill but no one else is going to find me my next gig or make sure that the venues all have sound equipment and that everyone there knows I'm coming to play. But since this is the best job I've ever had, I really do not mind spending a great deal of my time looking for the work and making the contacts.
I feel compelled now to mention a few of the upsides to living this type of lifestyle:
- If you like people, this may be the job for you. You will get to meet so many people, and -- if you couch-surf as I have just started to do -- you will get to know some people that you might not have met otherwise.
- Free drinks, free food, free coffee, and sometimes free lodging. The more nights you play, the less you have to pay for.
- Waking up in different cities.
- And lastly, I love that I'm never really sure what day is it. I wonder if it is Friday on Monday, or Monday on Friday. Every day feels like a Saturday.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Week 10: My Fan Girl Moment
Written on 5/27/2012, in Albuquerque, NM
I have often wondered if I should change my name again. If you love cult films like I do, you already know that I named myself after a character played by Rose McGowan in a campy Greg Araki flick. I chose the moniker when I was 17. It quickly became my nickname amongst my friends. I was first published under my pen name in a zine that a friend of mine edited and distributed at a high school in England where I attended 11th grade. Eventually I published stories and poems to a wider circle, as well as music. How silly is it to name oneself after a character in a B movie? Well, no sillier, I suppose, than a band like Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos naming their act for a character in a much classier flick (the Royal Tenenbaums).
I first saw Margot a couple years ago in Portland, but I had already had their album, the Dust of Retreat, for a while and was listening to it constantly. I was pleasantly surprised to find out, after I arrived in Albuquerque one day earlier than I had originally planned to, that Margot was going to be playing at a club downtown tonight! I promptly purchased a ticket.
I arrived at the show early enough to see the stellar opening bands, Whispertown and Dinosaur Feathers. Whispertown especially rocked my socks off. But then Margot undid everything else that was left on me. After an energetic set featuring songs off of their new record, Rot Gut, Domestic, and old fan favorites like "Skeleton Key", the band treated its audience to a 2-song encore, including one of my favorites, "Talking in Code". Then they rushed to the bar because local liquor laws had prohibited them from drinking on stage.
I wandered out to the patio with my cheap beer in hand, looking for a smoke. I found one and also found the lead singer of Margot, smoking, drinking and talking to fans. I was tempted to be a complete fan girl and bum rush him, but I didn't. Instead I watched many other girls do just that. I took slow drags off my cigarette and long sips of my beer while I tried to imagine myself approaching him. Cavalierly I'd say, "Hey... do you know of any cool parties later?" I don't smoke very much anymore, but I lamely bummed another cigarette from someone, just to have an excuse to stay outside.
My heart raced the more I envisioned this scene. I would never be able to speak to someone so cool because that would require me to open my mouth and say words and that seemed impossible. Best to just hang back, I decided. Then suddenly I turned to my left and saw that the drummer of the Nuclear So & Sos was standing right next to me. "Thanks for playing," I managed to say in his general direction.
He was very down-to-earth and kind. He asked if I'd seen them play before, which somehow enabled me to divulge my entire life story. He listened, asked me my stage name, and told me he'd like to look me up online. He asked about my style and the instruments I play, and how long my tour is. When I told him that I was on the road for at least five months (not counting short breaks in Portland), and was two months in, he seemed blown away. His band would usually go out for a few weeks at a time, but then again, they had more one-night engagements and longer voyages between gigs then I did.
When he noticed some of his band-mates loading gear out of the club, he politely excused himself, saying that he hoped our paths would cross again. Now I felt emboldened. I walked over to the lead singer, and thanked him for playing, too. I told him that I was on the road and that he and his band were a big inspiration to me. He asked me questions about my music, too, and even wrote my stage name down in his phone. Like his drummer, he seemed genuinely impressed with my ability to tour for a such a long period of time. It was so strange and awesome to have these guys that I admire thinking I was cool!
Eventually the lead singer, Richard, had to help load up the van, too, so he said goodbye. For the record, I did ask if the band was planning to party after the show, in hopes of being invited to a prodigious gathering, but, as it turned out, the band had plans to drive to El Paso tonight. As for me, I'm sleeping here in Albuquerque for a few more nights before I go all the way to Taos, NM (Richard asked me, "Where the hell is that?"), and then on to Vegas, where the members of Margot agree: no one plays anymore.
I have often wondered if I should change my name again. If you love cult films like I do, you already know that I named myself after a character played by Rose McGowan in a campy Greg Araki flick. I chose the moniker when I was 17. It quickly became my nickname amongst my friends. I was first published under my pen name in a zine that a friend of mine edited and distributed at a high school in England where I attended 11th grade. Eventually I published stories and poems to a wider circle, as well as music. How silly is it to name oneself after a character in a B movie? Well, no sillier, I suppose, than a band like Margot & the Nuclear So & Sos naming their act for a character in a much classier flick (the Royal Tenenbaums).
I first saw Margot a couple years ago in Portland, but I had already had their album, the Dust of Retreat, for a while and was listening to it constantly. I was pleasantly surprised to find out, after I arrived in Albuquerque one day earlier than I had originally planned to, that Margot was going to be playing at a club downtown tonight! I promptly purchased a ticket.
I arrived at the show early enough to see the stellar opening bands, Whispertown and Dinosaur Feathers. Whispertown especially rocked my socks off. But then Margot undid everything else that was left on me. After an energetic set featuring songs off of their new record, Rot Gut, Domestic, and old fan favorites like "Skeleton Key", the band treated its audience to a 2-song encore, including one of my favorites, "Talking in Code". Then they rushed to the bar because local liquor laws had prohibited them from drinking on stage.
I wandered out to the patio with my cheap beer in hand, looking for a smoke. I found one and also found the lead singer of Margot, smoking, drinking and talking to fans. I was tempted to be a complete fan girl and bum rush him, but I didn't. Instead I watched many other girls do just that. I took slow drags off my cigarette and long sips of my beer while I tried to imagine myself approaching him. Cavalierly I'd say, "Hey... do you know of any cool parties later?" I don't smoke very much anymore, but I lamely bummed another cigarette from someone, just to have an excuse to stay outside.
My heart raced the more I envisioned this scene. I would never be able to speak to someone so cool because that would require me to open my mouth and say words and that seemed impossible. Best to just hang back, I decided. Then suddenly I turned to my left and saw that the drummer of the Nuclear So & Sos was standing right next to me. "Thanks for playing," I managed to say in his general direction.
He was very down-to-earth and kind. He asked if I'd seen them play before, which somehow enabled me to divulge my entire life story. He listened, asked me my stage name, and told me he'd like to look me up online. He asked about my style and the instruments I play, and how long my tour is. When I told him that I was on the road for at least five months (not counting short breaks in Portland), and was two months in, he seemed blown away. His band would usually go out for a few weeks at a time, but then again, they had more one-night engagements and longer voyages between gigs then I did.
When he noticed some of his band-mates loading gear out of the club, he politely excused himself, saying that he hoped our paths would cross again. Now I felt emboldened. I walked over to the lead singer, and thanked him for playing, too. I told him that I was on the road and that he and his band were a big inspiration to me. He asked me questions about my music, too, and even wrote my stage name down in his phone. Like his drummer, he seemed genuinely impressed with my ability to tour for a such a long period of time. It was so strange and awesome to have these guys that I admire thinking I was cool!
Eventually the lead singer, Richard, had to help load up the van, too, so he said goodbye. For the record, I did ask if the band was planning to party after the show, in hopes of being invited to a prodigious gathering, but, as it turned out, the band had plans to drive to El Paso tonight. As for me, I'm sleeping here in Albuquerque for a few more nights before I go all the way to Taos, NM (Richard asked me, "Where the hell is that?"), and then on to Vegas, where the members of Margot agree: no one plays anymore.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Week 7
I have spent a lot of time in Spokane on this tour, from weeks 3 to 4, and then 6 to 7. I always spend the majority of my time there with one of my oldest and closest friends, Andrea, who lives there. In the last couple months, she has shared her bed with me, built me a fire, driven me all over Spokane and Northern Idaho, introduced me to new friends, showed me new places in our hometown, sang back-up for me at several shows, and stayed in one very sketchy Idaho motel with me. We have had so many adventures involving karaoke, mad libs, red wine, and car rides, far too many to recount here, but I just wanted to give a shout out to my best woman. You really are the best, grrlfriend!
I would be remiss if I didn't also thank her parents, who let me stay, shared their food, loaned me sound equipment, and, as always, made me feel very welcomed. I love all you Workmans! See you in June!
I would be remiss if I didn't also thank her parents, who let me stay, shared their food, loaned me sound equipment, and, as always, made me feel very welcomed. I love all you Workmans! See you in June!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Week 5
5:35 PM, 4/22/2012, on the train from Vancouver to Bellingham -
I started this leg of the tour in Seattle the night before last. I played at East Madison Coffee and Deli. It was an early show (5 to 7 PM). After the show, I had dinner at my favorite local Italian place, and then turned in early in order to prepare for my busy weekend.
Last night arrived at the border to B.C. in Blaine, WA at about 7 PM. Along with about 10 other passengers, I got off the bus and entered the customs building. All of the other passengers were ahead of me and I heard each of them get asked a few questions by a customs officers. The officer asked each of them if they'd ever been denied entrance into Canada, and then checked his computer records to see if anyone them had been lying. They were all found to be telling the truth, and were instructed to get back on the bus. Finally I was asked the same question. "Well, there was that one time..."
I had attempted to cross with a friend and my band-mates in order to play a show in Vancouver a few years ago. The customs officers could tell that we were planning to play a show, what with all of our gear, band t-shirts, CDs, instruments, etc. We did not have work permits. We were denied entrance, and there was a record of it here.
So what was I doing trying to cross without a permit again? Getting a permit seemed like too big a hassle. I just wanted to play a couple shows and see the sights! I figured this time I would come in without merch, and I even left my uke behind, so it was just me, my suitcase and my guitar. The customs officer who initially questioned me and my fellow bus riders instructed me to go into a back room where I'd be questioned further by another officer. By then I had nearly given up hope. I explained to the next officer why I'd been denied entrance into Canada the first time, but assured him I was just coming in for some sight-seeing this time.
"And you brought your guitar?"
"Oh, I bring it everywhere. I just play for fun now," I told him.
"Well, if you're a musician, I find that hard to believe," he replied. "Did you come here with someone or by yourself?"
"With - by myself," I responded.
"Why did you just say 'with'?"
"Because I'm tired," I told him truthfully. I had already played one show earlier that afternoon in Tacoma, and the sun had been beating down fiercely on me the entire time. As I answered more of the officer's questions, I felt my arms begin to itch. I looked down and they were both burning red. Instead of drawing the obvious conclusion that I'd incurred a sunburn, I immediately assumed that I was getting a rash because of all of the lying I was doing.
The officer went to his computer and typed something; maybe he was running a background check on me. I stopped feeling nervous, only because I was sure that I'd have to call my friend in Lynden soon and ask her to pick me up. I started putting on lip gloss. The officer eyed me strangely, and then handed me my passport and my ticket. "OK, you're free to go," he said.
I stood there, dumbfounded for a minute. Then I raced out to the bus. Holy shit, I thought, I guess I'm going to Canada.
Once inside the bus again, I noticed that the internet and the GPS on my phone had stopped working. This would have been more disconcerting if I hadn't been so giddy about being able to cross the border. I touched up my make-up and went over my set list for the show. When we arrived in Vancouver, I asked a few people for directions and found my way to the hotel by taking the sky rail. Then I asked the hotel manager for directions to the club. At first he didn't seem to think anything was at the address I mentioned, but then he remembered that there was a new underground club there. I changed quickly and hurried to the venue. There I met Duncan, a singer-songwriter who opened for me, and two bands called Goodnight Grace and the Cut Losses, who both went on after me. All three acts were local, high-energy, and fantastic. I also met James, who had booked me, and Brody, who was acting as a host, announcing each act before we played. James and Brody owned the place, which seemed to have been an auto repair shop in its last life. Now it was an awesome performance space, complete with lights, sound and booze. I stayed until 2 AM, enjoying the company, music and free beer.
The next day I went to breakfast in Chinatown, where I was staying. Then I asked for more directions and found my way to the Croatian Cultural Centre, where I was to perform as part of a big DIY festival. I found the place with enough time to shop around and enjoy the act that was on before me, a very talented bluegrass duo called the River and the Road. During my set I felt a bit fatigued. I had rushed around 3 cities in 48 hours, playing four gigs in that time. The spotlight seemed to be melting me. Still I was so happy to have made it there, and I think I made some new fans, so thanks for letting me in, Canada!
After my second show ended, it was already time to find my way back to the Amtrak Station so that I could get on the train to Bellingham. Now I am nearly there. I'm sad to have had to leave so soon, but I'm excited to see my friends in Bellingham!
11:50 AM, 4/27/12, on the bus to Yakima from Seattle -
Some people find Yakima boring because it is a small town. Others refer to it as "the Palm Springs of WA." When I lived here for 3 weeks in 1999, I found it less than thrilling. I was 18. I had just obtained a job and hadn't gotten paid yet, so I was completely broke. I lived with a sausage salesman who traveled constantly. Some of my coworkers would buy me a things from the vending machine at the store we worked at, knowing that I had no money and no food at my apartment. One candy bar and one soda was usually all I had to eat for the day. In my three weeks there, I lost 15 pounds. Even if I'd had money, I wasn't old enough to go out to the bars. I was so bored and hungry and depressed that I barely noticed the natural beauty of the mountains and desert around me.
Now whenever I visit, I become enamored. Besides the aforementioned natural beauty, there is the charm of the vintage buildings downtown, many with the original early 20th century ads on them. Sure, we have similar buildings in Portland, but not nearly as many opportunities for sun-bathing. The first time I returned here after moving away was a few years ago, when my friend Charissa and I came to the Yakima Folklife Festival. Now Charissa loves Yakima, too.
Just yesterday, I said goodbye to Charissa in Bellingham. I was there for a few days, but it went by so quickly. During the beginning of the week, we shared some great meals, went shopping, and got matching pedicures. Then on Wednesday night I played at Pure Bliss Desserts, a great little place that served cake and wine. Everything was delicious! My friends Katie and Renae (Charissa's little sister) came up from Everett to visit us and see the show. Afterwards we went to a local bar, the Beaver Inn. It was a fun night!
On Thursday, Charissa took me out for a bloody mary before my bus ride to Seattle. Thanks Charissa! I stayed the night in Seattle and didn't do too much as I was trying to recover from the night before. I did walk around the city, and enjoyed being downtown again and taking pictures of the city. I turned in early and now I'm feeling much better and ready to play in Yakima tonight. Tomorrow night I will play in the Tri-Cities again, and then it will be time to head back to Spokane. I can't believe I left there only two weeks ago.
6:25 PM, 4/29/12, Pasco, WA -
I have had such a wonderful time in WA! On Friday I played to a big crowd in Yakima, at the North Town Coffeehouse. Before the show I had been unaware that Pat Muir had given me another great write-up in the Yakima Herald Republic (thanks Pat!), and it got lots of people out! I was delighted, and a little intimidated.
On Saturday I headed to Pasco on the Greyhound, and then to Kennewick on the city bus. I performed at Smasne Cellars, a lovely winery. The highlight of the night was meeting a nice local couple who had seen my name on the winery's website and had looked me up on youtube and decided to come to check me out.
After the show I went back to my hotel to take advantage of the 24 hour pool and hot tub. Today I've just been enjoying the sunshine before my night train to Spokane. I had breakfast in Kennewick, then walked across the freeway and down into Richland, where I found the Columbia River. I walked along the river for a while, and then went to a lounge across from the river and sat outside on the patio and had a drink, enjoying more of the view. Then I headed to Pasco, where I am currently eating at my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Mi Lindo Nayarit. I found this place during the first year that I came in town for the festival and have been coming back before my bus and train rides since (it is just a few blocks from the station so it's very convenient). The waitresses don't speak much English but, now that I'm trying to learn Spanish, it provides me an opportunity to practice. I enjoyed some good food and beer, and just watched a group of mariachis walk around and serenade the audience. Que bella noche!
I started this leg of the tour in Seattle the night before last. I played at East Madison Coffee and Deli. It was an early show (5 to 7 PM). After the show, I had dinner at my favorite local Italian place, and then turned in early in order to prepare for my busy weekend.
Last night arrived at the border to B.C. in Blaine, WA at about 7 PM. Along with about 10 other passengers, I got off the bus and entered the customs building. All of the other passengers were ahead of me and I heard each of them get asked a few questions by a customs officers. The officer asked each of them if they'd ever been denied entrance into Canada, and then checked his computer records to see if anyone them had been lying. They were all found to be telling the truth, and were instructed to get back on the bus. Finally I was asked the same question. "Well, there was that one time..."
I had attempted to cross with a friend and my band-mates in order to play a show in Vancouver a few years ago. The customs officers could tell that we were planning to play a show, what with all of our gear, band t-shirts, CDs, instruments, etc. We did not have work permits. We were denied entrance, and there was a record of it here.
So what was I doing trying to cross without a permit again? Getting a permit seemed like too big a hassle. I just wanted to play a couple shows and see the sights! I figured this time I would come in without merch, and I even left my uke behind, so it was just me, my suitcase and my guitar. The customs officer who initially questioned me and my fellow bus riders instructed me to go into a back room where I'd be questioned further by another officer. By then I had nearly given up hope. I explained to the next officer why I'd been denied entrance into Canada the first time, but assured him I was just coming in for some sight-seeing this time.
"And you brought your guitar?"
"Oh, I bring it everywhere. I just play for fun now," I told him.
"Well, if you're a musician, I find that hard to believe," he replied. "Did you come here with someone or by yourself?"
"With - by myself," I responded.
"Why did you just say 'with'?"
"Because I'm tired," I told him truthfully. I had already played one show earlier that afternoon in Tacoma, and the sun had been beating down fiercely on me the entire time. As I answered more of the officer's questions, I felt my arms begin to itch. I looked down and they were both burning red. Instead of drawing the obvious conclusion that I'd incurred a sunburn, I immediately assumed that I was getting a rash because of all of the lying I was doing.
The officer went to his computer and typed something; maybe he was running a background check on me. I stopped feeling nervous, only because I was sure that I'd have to call my friend in Lynden soon and ask her to pick me up. I started putting on lip gloss. The officer eyed me strangely, and then handed me my passport and my ticket. "OK, you're free to go," he said.
I stood there, dumbfounded for a minute. Then I raced out to the bus. Holy shit, I thought, I guess I'm going to Canada.
Once inside the bus again, I noticed that the internet and the GPS on my phone had stopped working. This would have been more disconcerting if I hadn't been so giddy about being able to cross the border. I touched up my make-up and went over my set list for the show. When we arrived in Vancouver, I asked a few people for directions and found my way to the hotel by taking the sky rail. Then I asked the hotel manager for directions to the club. At first he didn't seem to think anything was at the address I mentioned, but then he remembered that there was a new underground club there. I changed quickly and hurried to the venue. There I met Duncan, a singer-songwriter who opened for me, and two bands called Goodnight Grace and the Cut Losses, who both went on after me. All three acts were local, high-energy, and fantastic. I also met James, who had booked me, and Brody, who was acting as a host, announcing each act before we played. James and Brody owned the place, which seemed to have been an auto repair shop in its last life. Now it was an awesome performance space, complete with lights, sound and booze. I stayed until 2 AM, enjoying the company, music and free beer.
The next day I went to breakfast in Chinatown, where I was staying. Then I asked for more directions and found my way to the Croatian Cultural Centre, where I was to perform as part of a big DIY festival. I found the place with enough time to shop around and enjoy the act that was on before me, a very talented bluegrass duo called the River and the Road. During my set I felt a bit fatigued. I had rushed around 3 cities in 48 hours, playing four gigs in that time. The spotlight seemed to be melting me. Still I was so happy to have made it there, and I think I made some new fans, so thanks for letting me in, Canada!
After my second show ended, it was already time to find my way back to the Amtrak Station so that I could get on the train to Bellingham. Now I am nearly there. I'm sad to have had to leave so soon, but I'm excited to see my friends in Bellingham!
11:50 AM, 4/27/12, on the bus to Yakima from Seattle -
Some people find Yakima boring because it is a small town. Others refer to it as "the Palm Springs of WA." When I lived here for 3 weeks in 1999, I found it less than thrilling. I was 18. I had just obtained a job and hadn't gotten paid yet, so I was completely broke. I lived with a sausage salesman who traveled constantly. Some of my coworkers would buy me a things from the vending machine at the store we worked at, knowing that I had no money and no food at my apartment. One candy bar and one soda was usually all I had to eat for the day. In my three weeks there, I lost 15 pounds. Even if I'd had money, I wasn't old enough to go out to the bars. I was so bored and hungry and depressed that I barely noticed the natural beauty of the mountains and desert around me.
Now whenever I visit, I become enamored. Besides the aforementioned natural beauty, there is the charm of the vintage buildings downtown, many with the original early 20th century ads on them. Sure, we have similar buildings in Portland, but not nearly as many opportunities for sun-bathing. The first time I returned here after moving away was a few years ago, when my friend Charissa and I came to the Yakima Folklife Festival. Now Charissa loves Yakima, too.
Just yesterday, I said goodbye to Charissa in Bellingham. I was there for a few days, but it went by so quickly. During the beginning of the week, we shared some great meals, went shopping, and got matching pedicures. Then on Wednesday night I played at Pure Bliss Desserts, a great little place that served cake and wine. Everything was delicious! My friends Katie and Renae (Charissa's little sister) came up from Everett to visit us and see the show. Afterwards we went to a local bar, the Beaver Inn. It was a fun night!
On Thursday, Charissa took me out for a bloody mary before my bus ride to Seattle. Thanks Charissa! I stayed the night in Seattle and didn't do too much as I was trying to recover from the night before. I did walk around the city, and enjoyed being downtown again and taking pictures of the city. I turned in early and now I'm feeling much better and ready to play in Yakima tonight. Tomorrow night I will play in the Tri-Cities again, and then it will be time to head back to Spokane. I can't believe I left there only two weeks ago.
6:25 PM, 4/29/12, Pasco, WA -
I have had such a wonderful time in WA! On Friday I played to a big crowd in Yakima, at the North Town Coffeehouse. Before the show I had been unaware that Pat Muir had given me another great write-up in the Yakima Herald Republic (thanks Pat!), and it got lots of people out! I was delighted, and a little intimidated.
On Saturday I headed to Pasco on the Greyhound, and then to Kennewick on the city bus. I performed at Smasne Cellars, a lovely winery. The highlight of the night was meeting a nice local couple who had seen my name on the winery's website and had looked me up on youtube and decided to come to check me out.
After the show I went back to my hotel to take advantage of the 24 hour pool and hot tub. Today I've just been enjoying the sunshine before my night train to Spokane. I had breakfast in Kennewick, then walked across the freeway and down into Richland, where I found the Columbia River. I walked along the river for a while, and then went to a lounge across from the river and sat outside on the patio and had a drink, enjoying more of the view. Then I headed to Pasco, where I am currently eating at my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Mi Lindo Nayarit. I found this place during the first year that I came in town for the festival and have been coming back before my bus and train rides since (it is just a few blocks from the station so it's very convenient). The waitresses don't speak much English but, now that I'm trying to learn Spanish, it provides me an opportunity to practice. I enjoyed some good food and beer, and just watched a group of mariachis walk around and serenade the audience. Que bella noche!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Week 3: Near Misses
I spent this last Friday recovering from my show in Spokane the night before at the Saranac Pub. The only trouble was: I had to recover on a bus, which I caught at 8:45 in the morning. I had managed to sleep for about 4 1/2 hours at my Grandma's house the night before, and she was kind enough to drive me to the bus station. I was on my way to Everett, which takes 6 1/2 hours by bus. I figured I'd be able to sleep more on the bus. I put on my sleeping mask and my headphones right after I boarded but, by the time we reached Wenatchee at noon, I hadn't slept at all.
Everyone got off the bus in Wenatchee for a half hour lunch break. The cafe inside the bus station did not looking promising. As an ovo-pesco-vegetarian, I think the only thing I could have ordered there was a bag of chips. I noticed a bar across from the station, and decided that a bloody mary and french fries sounded much more appetizing. I also figured that the bloody mary would help me to sleep once I got back on the bus. I wandered into the dive. Suzy, the bartender, made me an excellent bloody mary and fried up some green bean fries for me which were delicious. An older man sitting next to me at the bar turned toward me as I placed my order. "Where the hell did you come from?" he asked with a big smile.
"I ... uh, I ... just got off the bus," I responded sleepily.
"Yeah, no kidding!" he replied. He introduced himself as Dave. We talked about music and traveling for a bit, then he introduced me to a local 'zine called Rotten Apple. Named for Wenatchee's main export, the Apple pokes fun at the town and its inhabitants through stories and comics.
I told Dave that I love learning about the histories of different cities, and asked him if he could tell me more about Wenatchee. He started to tell me about "something that blew up once", but it was unclear whether that was a building or a vehicle. He got sidetracked and began telling me about his rough childhood. He was admittedly struggling to get his stories out due to the effects of some "devil's lettuce" he'd enjoyed before coming to the bar. As he delved deeper into his memories of childhood trauma, I began to fret over how to extricate myself from the conversation; it was nearly time to get back on the bus.
I kept trying to get Suzy's attention so I could pay my tab, but she was the only one on shift. Finally she made her way back to me and I paid her. Dave was trying to get me to write down the info for my show next month in Leavenworth, but I just bellowed it at him and told him he'd have to write it down himself because I had to catch my bus. The bus had been slated to depart at 12:40; my watch read 12:39.
I ran across the street. Initially I didn't see my bus. Then I saw a bus parked in what seemed to be a different spot but I attempted to board it anyway. The driver told me he was headed South and that my bus had just departed. I ran to the corner and saw that my bus was about a block away. I chased it and somehow caught up with it. The driver opened the door and let me in. I was relieved, but also felt nauseous as I curled up in my seat, due to the combination of booze, fried food, running and worrying about becoming stranded in Wenatchee. Never again, I vowed, will I drink when I should be getting on a bus or train.
Luckily I did manage to sleep through the second leg of the bus trip, and I arrived in Everett feeling refreshed. My friend Renae picked me up at the station and took me out to the Vintage Cafe for dinner. The food was great and I loved the atmosphere there. Then we headed Cafe Zippy's where my show was going to be held. I met a guy named Michael who said he was going to be opening for me. His music was good, and I especially liked it when he played harmonica. Renae's and my friend, Katie, met us at the cafe, as well as two of their friends, Keffer and Ryan. There were only a few other people in the audience, so it was a pretty intimate show.
After my set, we all went back to Renae's to get ready to go bar hopping. Some more of her friends as well as her roommates met up with us at the house, and then we all headed to the Irishmen, and then to a bar with pool tables and a jukebox. My friends and I danced even though there was no dance floor and no one else was joining in. At the end of the night, Katie's uncle, who is a cab driver, picked us up and took us all back to Renae's house. I started my last beer but things got fuzzy and I never finished it. Evidently I just put myself to bed and passed out instead.
The next day, Renae, Keffer and I went to Golden Gardens Beach in Seattle. We cured our hangovers by laying in the sun and drinking wine all day. It was strangely hot and sunny out for a day in mid-April in the NW. Keffer played my guitar and it sounded lovely. After we all walked along the beach searching for rocks and shells, I noticed that it was nearly 4:30. My train was scheduled to depart at 5:30. Keffer said that he thought it would only take 20 minutes to get to the station, but we all agreed that we should leave then and give ourselves extra time to get there.
After about 40 minutes in the car, we realized that it was going to take a little longer to get there than we expected. At that point we were near the U district, so things were beginning to look familiar to me but I knew that we weren't very close to the station yet. Keffer said not to worry, and he sped and wove through the thick traffic. We arrived at 5:23 PM. Thanks Keffer!
I was still a little nervous: I knew that the train usually left right at 5:30, and I still needed to print my ticket from the U-scan! Thankfully we found, after entering the station, that there was a long line and that the train to Portland had not made it in yet.
I said goodbye to my friends and boarded my train about 15 minutes minutes later. I found my seat, and then stretched out over the empty seat next to mine, tired but relieved. I was ready to go back home for a few days before the next adventure.
Everyone got off the bus in Wenatchee for a half hour lunch break. The cafe inside the bus station did not looking promising. As an ovo-pesco-vegetarian, I think the only thing I could have ordered there was a bag of chips. I noticed a bar across from the station, and decided that a bloody mary and french fries sounded much more appetizing. I also figured that the bloody mary would help me to sleep once I got back on the bus. I wandered into the dive. Suzy, the bartender, made me an excellent bloody mary and fried up some green bean fries for me which were delicious. An older man sitting next to me at the bar turned toward me as I placed my order. "Where the hell did you come from?" he asked with a big smile.
"I ... uh, I ... just got off the bus," I responded sleepily.
"Yeah, no kidding!" he replied. He introduced himself as Dave. We talked about music and traveling for a bit, then he introduced me to a local 'zine called Rotten Apple. Named for Wenatchee's main export, the Apple pokes fun at the town and its inhabitants through stories and comics.
I told Dave that I love learning about the histories of different cities, and asked him if he could tell me more about Wenatchee. He started to tell me about "something that blew up once", but it was unclear whether that was a building or a vehicle. He got sidetracked and began telling me about his rough childhood. He was admittedly struggling to get his stories out due to the effects of some "devil's lettuce" he'd enjoyed before coming to the bar. As he delved deeper into his memories of childhood trauma, I began to fret over how to extricate myself from the conversation; it was nearly time to get back on the bus.
I kept trying to get Suzy's attention so I could pay my tab, but she was the only one on shift. Finally she made her way back to me and I paid her. Dave was trying to get me to write down the info for my show next month in Leavenworth, but I just bellowed it at him and told him he'd have to write it down himself because I had to catch my bus. The bus had been slated to depart at 12:40; my watch read 12:39.
I ran across the street. Initially I didn't see my bus. Then I saw a bus parked in what seemed to be a different spot but I attempted to board it anyway. The driver told me he was headed South and that my bus had just departed. I ran to the corner and saw that my bus was about a block away. I chased it and somehow caught up with it. The driver opened the door and let me in. I was relieved, but also felt nauseous as I curled up in my seat, due to the combination of booze, fried food, running and worrying about becoming stranded in Wenatchee. Never again, I vowed, will I drink when I should be getting on a bus or train.
Luckily I did manage to sleep through the second leg of the bus trip, and I arrived in Everett feeling refreshed. My friend Renae picked me up at the station and took me out to the Vintage Cafe for dinner. The food was great and I loved the atmosphere there. Then we headed Cafe Zippy's where my show was going to be held. I met a guy named Michael who said he was going to be opening for me. His music was good, and I especially liked it when he played harmonica. Renae's and my friend, Katie, met us at the cafe, as well as two of their friends, Keffer and Ryan. There were only a few other people in the audience, so it was a pretty intimate show.
After my set, we all went back to Renae's to get ready to go bar hopping. Some more of her friends as well as her roommates met up with us at the house, and then we all headed to the Irishmen, and then to a bar with pool tables and a jukebox. My friends and I danced even though there was no dance floor and no one else was joining in. At the end of the night, Katie's uncle, who is a cab driver, picked us up and took us all back to Renae's house. I started my last beer but things got fuzzy and I never finished it. Evidently I just put myself to bed and passed out instead.
The next day, Renae, Keffer and I went to Golden Gardens Beach in Seattle. We cured our hangovers by laying in the sun and drinking wine all day. It was strangely hot and sunny out for a day in mid-April in the NW. Keffer played my guitar and it sounded lovely. After we all walked along the beach searching for rocks and shells, I noticed that it was nearly 4:30. My train was scheduled to depart at 5:30. Keffer said that he thought it would only take 20 minutes to get to the station, but we all agreed that we should leave then and give ourselves extra time to get there.
After about 40 minutes in the car, we realized that it was going to take a little longer to get there than we expected. At that point we were near the U district, so things were beginning to look familiar to me but I knew that we weren't very close to the station yet. Keffer said not to worry, and he sped and wove through the thick traffic. We arrived at 5:23 PM. Thanks Keffer!
I was still a little nervous: I knew that the train usually left right at 5:30, and I still needed to print my ticket from the U-scan! Thankfully we found, after entering the station, that there was a long line and that the train to Portland had not made it in yet.
I said goodbye to my friends and boarded my train about 15 minutes minutes later. I found my seat, and then stretched out over the empty seat next to mine, tired but relieved. I was ready to go back home for a few days before the next adventure.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Week 1
I started my current tour in Oakland. I actually arrived nearly two weeks ago, but I had a few days to relax before my first show. I ended up needing them, as I caught a cold and began exhibiting its symptoms just as I arrived in Oakland! I was staying with one of my best friends, Jane, and her family. I didn't want to get them sick, but, as it turned out, her 2 year old son had a cold already, and neither Jane nor her partner ended up getting sick. I chilled out at their house for a couple days, then felt better by the time my first show rolled around. It was at the Actual Cafe in Oakland. I had so much fun there, and there was a great turn out! In addition to dozens of strangers being there, Jane came with me, and my friend Kim, who lives in San Francisco, showed up, as did my friend Sara, who lives in Portland but was vacationing in Oakland for the week. She also brought a couple of friends that she was staying with, who took us all out to the Prizefighter in Emeryville after the show.
At the Actual Cafe, a singer named Myles with a beautiful voice opened for me on the keyboard, and then I got to open for Eli Conley, who played guitar and sang very clever lyrics with a soulful voice. Eli also had a lead guitarist who played slide guitar for part of his set. They were great! During my set, I sang my heart out, so much so that -- as I was sad to discover the next day -- I ended up losing my voice. Too bad I had another show that very next night!
Physically I still felt much better from the cold, so I went shopping with Jane in Rockridge before the show. After shopping, we got some pizza, and she helped me find the BART station so I could get to SF. My show was in the ballroom inside the Green Tortoise Hostel. I found the hostel and was very excited to be in SF for the first time in about four years. I was bummed, however, to still have laryngitis. Right after I checked in, I found the sound man and asked him what I should do. He bought me a beer (with a lemon it, so, as he said, "it's good for you!") and asked me if I wanted to just try playing a few and see what happened. I agreed. We got set up, and a couple of guys were watching us from their table nearby. One of them saw my uke and told me excitedly that he had planned to leave when the music started, but that now he was going to stay. I whispered for him to not get too excited, on account of my condition. He noticed the random percussion instruments that were strewn about the stage. He offered to back me up. He said his name was Mike. I told Mike "I don't know if I can do it." He replied, "Yes, you can. Come on, let's do this!" And so we did. His drumming was excellent, and we made it through three songs. I was happy that I got to play "the Mission", a song I wrote for the San Francisco neighborhood of the same name.
After the show, Mike and his friend Jeff bought me a baklava and gave me one of the beers they'd brought in their backpack. The honey in the baklava was just what my strained throat needed. Thanks guys! I had a bed in a four-bed female dorm room. All of the other ladies I was staying with were very kind, especially Margie from Ireland, who gave me tea and cough drops. She told me that she had quit her job and was going to travel the US and Europe for several months, and then work in Canada for four months, while she figured out what she wanted to do with her life. She said that that she would gone from Ireland for a total of nine months! That made me feel a little less crazy for quitting my day job and going on the road indefinitely.
The next night I went to the Mission and had dinner with my friend Kim at Bissap Baobab, one of my favorite restaurants. They serve Senegalese food. It was nice to see that the restaurant was still there, and to see Kim again. After dinner I took the BART back to Oakland, where I spent another couple days at Jane's house before leaving for Sacramento.
On Thursday afternoon I took the Amtrak train from Oakland to Sacramento. I found the motel where I had reserved a room, then found a place to eat dinner before my show. Then I made my way to the venue, the Fox & Goose, where I got to open for a local singer named Hans, and a touring band from San Diego called Adams & Eves. Everyone was very talented. I walked away with a CD from Hans and a vinyl album from Adams & Eves. It was one of those nights that make a performer feel so lucky: you get to watch other talented acts for free!
The next morning it was time to get back on the train again, this time for five hours, to Reno. It was a beautiful ride! I enjoyed my favorite snack bar car treats -- pretzels with hummus, and a whiskey and coke -- and watched the sun and the palm trees of California disappear as we headed into the snowy mountains. The snow only slowed the train down by about twenty minutes. After I arrived, I found my hotel, the Sands, and had a quick dinner before my next show.
I had to take a city bus out to the highway and then walk a half a mile to the coffeehouse where I was going to perform. It was in the suburbs. The coffeehouse, Walden's, is a well-known spot for touring and local artists. The host, Todd C. South, is also a musician so he treats the guests very well. I got to open for a singer/songwriter named Jose Skinner and his back-up band. Jose even joined me on my set for one song, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. It was really fun to sing a duet with him! After Jose's band's set, his lead guitarist/bassist, Eric, and his wife, Ashley, offered me a ride back downtown, which I happily accepted.
I awoke the next day to discover that my cold had never really gone away, it had just moved. Instead of being in my throat, it was down in my lungs. I spent time in the steam room at my hotel, and drank a hot toddy with dinner that night, hoping the two things would help. I also decided to give up my one-to-two-a-day cigarette habit, even though I knew that Nevada is probably the worst state to do that in. People are, of course, smoking in every casino.
Throughout the day I kept trying to go out for a little walk. At first there was an intolerable combination of wind and cold rain, so I went right back to my room. Later it looked to be clearing up, so I headed out again. This time I got to walk around for a while and see the river, until it began to snow on me. That's when I decided to have my dinner and drink in the hotel restaurant.
Finally, I awoke the next day feeling like I could breathe. My throat was a little scratchy though, but I drank plenty of tea. I got to play my last show in Reno that night at Java Jungle, another great local coffeehouse. The host, Ryan, was really cool. He gave me free tea and a sandwich. There was a small crowd there at first but, about 15 minutes into my set, a huge group of friends (maybe 20 more people) all came in together and started dancing. It turned out that two of them had just gotten married! They decided to have their reception at Java Jungle, which boded well for me! I talked to them on my break. They were all really cool, and most of them lived in a house together and were a poetry collective. They offered me a place to stay and I told them I'd take them up on it when I'm back in a couple months. Before I headed back to the Sands, Michael, the bartender from the bar below the Java Jungle, invited me to come down for a free drink. I enjoyed a glass wine and the epic playlist on Michael's ipod. Unfortunately I wasn't about to stay out too late; I had to go to bed early and prepare to depart Reno the next day. Next stop: all the way up in the Tri-Cities in WA. Looking forward to week 2!
At the Actual Cafe, a singer named Myles with a beautiful voice opened for me on the keyboard, and then I got to open for Eli Conley, who played guitar and sang very clever lyrics with a soulful voice. Eli also had a lead guitarist who played slide guitar for part of his set. They were great! During my set, I sang my heart out, so much so that -- as I was sad to discover the next day -- I ended up losing my voice. Too bad I had another show that very next night!
Physically I still felt much better from the cold, so I went shopping with Jane in Rockridge before the show. After shopping, we got some pizza, and she helped me find the BART station so I could get to SF. My show was in the ballroom inside the Green Tortoise Hostel. I found the hostel and was very excited to be in SF for the first time in about four years. I was bummed, however, to still have laryngitis. Right after I checked in, I found the sound man and asked him what I should do. He bought me a beer (with a lemon it, so, as he said, "it's good for you!") and asked me if I wanted to just try playing a few and see what happened. I agreed. We got set up, and a couple of guys were watching us from their table nearby. One of them saw my uke and told me excitedly that he had planned to leave when the music started, but that now he was going to stay. I whispered for him to not get too excited, on account of my condition. He noticed the random percussion instruments that were strewn about the stage. He offered to back me up. He said his name was Mike. I told Mike "I don't know if I can do it." He replied, "Yes, you can. Come on, let's do this!" And so we did. His drumming was excellent, and we made it through three songs. I was happy that I got to play "the Mission", a song I wrote for the San Francisco neighborhood of the same name.
After the show, Mike and his friend Jeff bought me a baklava and gave me one of the beers they'd brought in their backpack. The honey in the baklava was just what my strained throat needed. Thanks guys! I had a bed in a four-bed female dorm room. All of the other ladies I was staying with were very kind, especially Margie from Ireland, who gave me tea and cough drops. She told me that she had quit her job and was going to travel the US and Europe for several months, and then work in Canada for four months, while she figured out what she wanted to do with her life. She said that that she would gone from Ireland for a total of nine months! That made me feel a little less crazy for quitting my day job and going on the road indefinitely.
The next night I went to the Mission and had dinner with my friend Kim at Bissap Baobab, one of my favorite restaurants. They serve Senegalese food. It was nice to see that the restaurant was still there, and to see Kim again. After dinner I took the BART back to Oakland, where I spent another couple days at Jane's house before leaving for Sacramento.
On Thursday afternoon I took the Amtrak train from Oakland to Sacramento. I found the motel where I had reserved a room, then found a place to eat dinner before my show. Then I made my way to the venue, the Fox & Goose, where I got to open for a local singer named Hans, and a touring band from San Diego called Adams & Eves. Everyone was very talented. I walked away with a CD from Hans and a vinyl album from Adams & Eves. It was one of those nights that make a performer feel so lucky: you get to watch other talented acts for free!
The next morning it was time to get back on the train again, this time for five hours, to Reno. It was a beautiful ride! I enjoyed my favorite snack bar car treats -- pretzels with hummus, and a whiskey and coke -- and watched the sun and the palm trees of California disappear as we headed into the snowy mountains. The snow only slowed the train down by about twenty minutes. After I arrived, I found my hotel, the Sands, and had a quick dinner before my next show.
I had to take a city bus out to the highway and then walk a half a mile to the coffeehouse where I was going to perform. It was in the suburbs. The coffeehouse, Walden's, is a well-known spot for touring and local artists. The host, Todd C. South, is also a musician so he treats the guests very well. I got to open for a singer/songwriter named Jose Skinner and his back-up band. Jose even joined me on my set for one song, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash. It was really fun to sing a duet with him! After Jose's band's set, his lead guitarist/bassist, Eric, and his wife, Ashley, offered me a ride back downtown, which I happily accepted.
I awoke the next day to discover that my cold had never really gone away, it had just moved. Instead of being in my throat, it was down in my lungs. I spent time in the steam room at my hotel, and drank a hot toddy with dinner that night, hoping the two things would help. I also decided to give up my one-to-two-a-day cigarette habit, even though I knew that Nevada is probably the worst state to do that in. People are, of course, smoking in every casino.
Throughout the day I kept trying to go out for a little walk. At first there was an intolerable combination of wind and cold rain, so I went right back to my room. Later it looked to be clearing up, so I headed out again. This time I got to walk around for a while and see the river, until it began to snow on me. That's when I decided to have my dinner and drink in the hotel restaurant.
Finally, I awoke the next day feeling like I could breathe. My throat was a little scratchy though, but I drank plenty of tea. I got to play my last show in Reno that night at Java Jungle, another great local coffeehouse. The host, Ryan, was really cool. He gave me free tea and a sandwich. There was a small crowd there at first but, about 15 minutes into my set, a huge group of friends (maybe 20 more people) all came in together and started dancing. It turned out that two of them had just gotten married! They decided to have their reception at Java Jungle, which boded well for me! I talked to them on my break. They were all really cool, and most of them lived in a house together and were a poetry collective. They offered me a place to stay and I told them I'd take them up on it when I'm back in a couple months. Before I headed back to the Sands, Michael, the bartender from the bar below the Java Jungle, invited me to come down for a free drink. I enjoyed a glass wine and the epic playlist on Michael's ipod. Unfortunately I wasn't about to stay out too late; I had to go to bed early and prepare to depart Reno the next day. Next stop: all the way up in the Tri-Cities in WA. Looking forward to week 2!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)