Northbound. MUCH more Northbound than we normally are. I mean… we’ve gone more north. Up to Maine was probably literally more North than we’re currently going – but we’re headed compass-direct-northbound to Canada. None of I-95’s wishy washy eastern-leaning northerness.
Rowan’s on the phone with National Geographic remote-piloting his printshop. Heather’s working through a rhythm in 5 and singing to herself. Kristen is driving. I just wrapped an Institute of Musical Traditions call dealing with this weekend’s shows after a week’s leadup of taking care of everything because I wouldn’t be able to do things easily on the road, same with Focus who needed something at 9.30pm last night. I[ didn’t get to it till 8am because their Lives are hard when I’m away. Bloody exhausting. I seem to have more and more “bosses” all the time – and eventually they’ll run full-tilt into “no, really – sorry – I don’t have the time for this” and they’ll be upset and we’ll see where it goes from there.
Exhausting.
Last night’s open mic was a deep depressive dive as both Dave and artists played songs coping with the assault on Israel. There’s a pall over the world as I read the news and listen to another song that… yeah… isn’t going to solve anything. It’s just trying to salve.
Crossing the Pennsylvania line. Barrelling forward. I’ve watched each of us suddenly pat a pocket and I think we’re ALL kind of nerve-wracked over crossing the border tomorrow. That being said… yes. We all have our passports!
Later, driving up 15, passing one of my favourite dragons on way north towards Williamsport, PA – I’m remembering this drive from childhood, up along the river, in the shadow of rock walls blasted from the mountain side. As a kid this always seemed the most beautiful place, mountainous and enchanted. It’s laden with sunshine and memory and unfortunately, interrupted by spam calls and Rowan’s office, which seems a little unable-to-function without him-ish.
The next couple of days feel like they OUGHT to be a whirlwind, but having gone through a careful perusal of the schedule in advance, most of it is going to be listening to music. There’s not as heavy a “learning” component as there is for other conferences we’ve been to. It’ll be interesting to see how different it is.
Hours later and we’re pulling out of Bath, NY. Rowan’s continued to do battle with work issues, Kristen’s continued to drive. Heather practices. I am going through and prepping some random paper cards and things. Stickering postcards. And writing to you. Worrying and thinking too much. Realizing I forgot my boots. Bummed about the boots.
We’ll be meeting up with Greg Klyma in Hamburg, NY and crashing up there before heading off to Canada tomorrow morning. Heather’s actually really excited, as she’s never been out of the country before. It’s good to see. Excitement wears well on her and it’s good to see.
