We woke up after a night of fitful sleep in the special Radisson sleep number bed. A glorified air mattress if you ask me (d wants to call up Lindsey Wagner and tell her she's full of shit). The housekeeper waking us up at 8.15am and then only one towel in the bathroom really started this day off well for us (and if I hadve actually paid more than 50 bucks for the experience I would have been truely pissed off - thanks priceline). But we headed out to find Aldos Coffee as per the recommendation of our friend BJ - who owns BJava in Indianapolis and is our resident coffee expert - and life is feeling much clearer right now.
Yes, even with the pouring rain.
So, we are spending the day exploring Pittsburgh before finishing the rest of our drive back to indy. Huge weekend this one - Tommy Emmanuel is in town on thurs, we have a show with Carolyn in Bloomington Friday, Saturday it looks like we will be making apple butter (a first for me) and then Sunday we see our mate Lisa Koch in her comedy show, Dos Fillopia......big weekend.
Of course, next weekend - the 10th - Lisa and us are doing our last indy show together. Head to www.indyindie.com to grab your tickets now and save $5!!
One of our wonderful friends left this little surprise for me this morning.
Can you are what it is?
We had been talking about how much hair comes out of my head when I wash my hair and Janna found this chunk (yes she found it in the bin, not randomly somewhere!)...and yes, this is the normal amount!!!
I know, tmi.
Was trying to find a place for her in dascheville...
We have shopped, laughed, got caught in the rain, walked the whole damn city, eaten over priced new york food and now, we sit on the ground and wait for our train to come......weary and satiated.
We decided to stop. The smell of chocolate was too much for us to bear. One hot chocolate (as thick as pumpkin soup), one peanut butter crape and one peanut butter milkshake later....we're completely sugar stoned.
The cutest little puppy that belongs to our house concert hosts Vanessa, Scott, Caroline & Elizabeth. Wilco comes with the proviso that if the kids don't take care of him, he comes to live with us in the van.
Hear that chidlins?!!
Nothing better than the smell of wet puppy.....or maybe that's just me. I wanted to eat him all up....
But alas, the van really is too small and the joy of wet puppy would only last for but a moment.
At our house concert in New Jersey tonight, these were our first attendees. They couldn't quite make the cover so we had to ask them to leave......
Totally fun show tonight. It was an 'inside/outside' show though. The rain held off until our second set and so folks got a taste of it all. Scot and Vanessa were the consumate hosts and provided a perfect backdrop for a fun house concert, filled with fun people. (lol....the radio station here is 94.5 PST radio....sounds like 'pissed' radio when they are saying it...my kind of radio).
Anyway, time to lay my weary body down. Our friend Sherree, who we are staying with, is a kick ass personal trainer and she is going to work us out tomorrow.....ha!
Here we are, three hours into our monster trek to New Jersey and I keep feeling like I've been here before.
Oh yeah, that's right. I was.
LAST weekend.
Damien Rice is playing on the ipod and we only have another 471 miles to drive. I keep telling myself to remember how excited I will be to have a few days in New York City. I am excited to be there with my girl for the first time together. I love to just walk that city for hours.
We are sitting in the audience of the North Central High School auditorium to watch them do The Laramie Project. Anyone who read my blog entry the other day knows the Rev Fred Phelps' church was protesting the school today.
The bastards. I do get the idea of free speech but damn, it makes me angry when that speech is filled with hate. Especially hate under the guise of religion.
I am sure the rain in Indianapolis today are tears falling from the very eyes of God.
The other thing about being here, is that its where Dionne went to high school. I just saw the bathroom she ran into when her girlfriend at the time gave her a hicky. Ha! Trying to re-live that moment right now. So, there are many memories here for her and we are proud to be here to support them.
In other news, the folks out at IndyImpact.com will be setting up an informational table at our October 10th gig in Indianapolis. Tickets are on sale for the show now and WILL sell out - so make sure you get em quick (and save $5). The wonderful Lisa Koch will be sharing the show with us that night so it's sure to be as funny as all hell!!
Saturday October 10th, 2009 IndyIndie clubhouse 7780 Eagle Valley Pass Indianapolis doors open 6:30/show starts 7:30 - dinner buffet and soft drinks included Advance Tickets $20 - $25 on the door Purchase from www.indyindie.com or Out Word Bound Books, 625 N. East St., Indianapolis, IN
It started to rain over here in pataskala, Ohio and we were like drowned rats by the time we finished packing up our stuff.
We had a wildly successful festival with selling MuseKraft pieces, emcee'ing the day stage yesterday and catching up with performing mates as well as new vending mates. We roll out of here wet, satiated and happy little campers......but will be glad to get a hot shower and lay our weary bodies into our bed.
The organizers of this festival work tirelessly to make this happen. And like all the others around the country we have done this year, they have succeeded in making the weekend an awesome event. Gotta keep getting the word out there about these womens music festivals, without all of us supporting them, they won't survive.
Xxm
PS We just passed through 'licking county'.....seems very fitting really.
From the back of the van this morning....I know, sounds a little dirty but we slept in the back of our van last night and when I woke up this morning, this is what my eyes opened to. Brilliant blue sky and multi shaded trees.....and a steady stream of cars coming in the entry gate.....at 11PM last night when we were parking the car we had no clue how close we were to the front gate.
Ahha, we'll be moving any moment now.
So, here we be in Ohio, the last festival for us this summer. And what a fun summer it has been.
D and I are sitting at the Oliver Winery just outside of Bloomington, Indiana, we have driven down here for a radio interview tonight on WFHB 91.3 radio. I am a firm believer in making the most of every opportunity and that extends to turning a drive in peak hour traffic into something that works for us.
Today, that meant stopping at this winery. We have 3 hours to kill before the interview and this beautiful place sits right on the way.....so, you know, we had to stop. And this place has the biggest damn Koi pond you have ever seen.
Sitting here, with the woman I love and adore, doing something I love and adore, sipping something I love and adore. The cool breeze hitting my skin, the fall colors starting to come in around me. Tis a grand life indeed.
Big believer in us making and creating the life we want....and here it is.
We put a bid in on a house yesterday. It already has an accepted offer and we put in a back up because the last 3 deals have fallen thru on it. What if it was just waiting for us? We will know soon.
Meanwhile, we dream and talk excitedly about creating home and having the people we love IN that home. Did I say its grand? Did I say I believe we create the life we want?
This was a wonderful find at the local salvation army thrift store today. Its one of those 'what the hell is this', kinda find....one that demands to be tried on, snap crotch and all. I imagined a super hero wearing this, or perhaps a stylish grannie, or independent musician.
I am sure someone, somewhere, will make this look pretty again oneday.....
Today lawmakers introduced legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that discriminates against lawfully married same-sex couples. Through DOMA, the federal government selectively denies same-sex couples more than 1,100 federal protections and responsibilities, including Social Security and immigration benefits, that apply to all other married couples.
The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced in the House by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO). The bill has 91 co-sponsors.
DOMA is discriminatory and harmful to families. Married same-sex couples pay taxes, serve their communities, struggle to balance work and family, raise children, and care for aging parents like other Americans. Their contributions and needs are no different than anyone else’s and their relationships deserve the dignity and protection of federal recognition.
The Respect for Marriage Act would repeal both sections 2 and 3 of DOMA. Section 2 creates an exception to the full faith and credit clause for married same-sex couples. The Respect for Marriage Act would eliminate that provision, but it would leave each state free to decide whether to recognize marriages of same-sex couples from other states. Section 3 excludes same-sex spouses from all federal benefits and protections, including Social Security survivor benefits, the right to file joint taxes, and the right to petition for permanent residence for a foreign spouse. The Respect for Marriage Act would require that the federal government treat all married couples equally.
Our friend and partner Jason Bartlett from the National Black Justice Coalition reminds us of what exactly DOMA has meant for our community. “DOMA is an egregious piece of legislation as it codifies discrimination into federal law. As African Americans, we know all too well the injustices that laws such as this impose on our communities and our families and we are sensitive to the federal government trying to define our families. Let us consign the mistakes of the past to history and move forward together. We call on Congress to pass the Respect to Marriage Act as we continue to fight for our civil rights.”
President Obama has made it clear that he, too, supports an end to DOMA. On June 17, 2009, President Obama said, “I stand by my long-standing commitment to work with Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. It’s discriminatory, it interferes with states’ rights, and it’s time we overturned it.” The President most recently reiterated his support for the repeal of DOMA in an August 17, 2009 White House statement.
Read more about it here: http://www.nclrights.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6701.0&dlv_id=10901
Keep your fingers crossed that this goes through. It's a piece of legislation that shouldn't have made it in the first place.
In the middle of corn fields, driving back from the Iowa Womens Music Festival. The sun is setting behind us and we are both dusty and ready for a shower. I have this whole new video blog I am working on called 'the creatures that walk our table'. I swear, there were daddy long legs the size of my hand all over the place. Every few minutes we were swiping them off our stuff. So I took footage of them and the ants and the big yellow caterpillers with beautiful head dressings.....they were my favorite.
The festival was a huge success, a great big crowd last night and today and I was happy to see that Michelle Shocked had 'found herself' again. The last time I saw her play was in Australia after she had gone through a dramatic 'come to Jesus' conversion and refused to sing any of her old material. Needless to say, her audience then was PISSED off and typically Australian, they made that fact known. The main thing I remember was an altercation between michelle's husband and a guy on one of the front tables who was quite unhappy about the 'no old songs' thing. I think he ended up with a black eye and being removed from the event...kinda soured the whole show.
Anyway, this time around (and only the second time I have seen her perform), she was warm and engaged with the audience and very very giving and gracious. AND she did all the songs I personally remember her for.
My phone doesn't like Iowa and so has been on the blink since we got here. No photos of the event to show, but here is the pretty sunset as we are driving out of Iowa City!!
Well done to all the crew out there in Iowa. Not only do you have marriage equality but you also run a damn fine festival!
Found on Iowa 80 highway, you know, IN Iowa. This pivotal part of the American countryside sits proudly out in the middle of a corn field.
Its true. There are a lot of trucks stopped there. And even though I have never actually stopped at the 'World's Largest Truckstop' (because of course, I am not a truck), I am always grateful to see its sign, because it means I don't have much further to go.
Seems there should be some deep message in there, but no, will just be happy to no be driving anymore.
A little known fact about me is that I LOVE to cook. One of my favourite things in the world to do is to invite a group of good friends around and cook an amazing multi course dinner. I love the experience of giving to my friends in that way and creating something that makes you exclaim 'yum'! I haven't had a kitchen to cook in for a few years because of my travels and when D and I are looking at houses the first room I check out is the kitchen....it has to 'feel' right. I have to be able to see our friends standing in the kitchen with us, glass of wine in hand and laughter filling the room. I have to be able to see myself cooking in there and where I would put things and how easy it is to get to things when I am cooking. I have to be able to see our friends sitting around the dining room table having a spirited discussion about politics, or religion or life. It's really important to me to see and to feel those things when I am standing in our potential new home.
And I cannot wait.
I cannot wait to have a home with the woman that I adore. To create a home together filled with art and creativity, food, wine and photos and music. A home that reflects us individually and together.
March 27th we are getting hitched....or whatever we are calling it....in front of our nearest and dearest friends in CA. Two of our best mates, Adrienne & Justine, are preparing the food for us - they are the most wonderful chefs and I aspire to be like them, so the fact that they are making the food for us is indeed completely special to us.
I can see the day clearly in my mind. I can taste the amazing food and the amazing wine and I can see the faces and the eyes of the people who will be standing there with us, celebrating our relationship and upholding our commitment to one another. (Still working on a date for the Oz celebration - that one will be smaller with family and a few best mates but hopefully something equally as special).
So, what does this video have to do with anything I have just written? Well, it started out because we went and saw Julia & Julie last night, the movie about Julia Child (somewhat about her). Julia Child is touted as being the woman who taught America how to cook. I was looking at some of the videos on youtube of her show The French Chef and somewhere in all of that I started thinking about our home and our day and the things that are important to me and to us..and well, here I am.
If you have ever wondered how to make the perfect omelet, look no further than here.
A most appealing place to live. Lush, year round, this diverse community is for anyone who believes in freedom, diversity, peace, love, creativity and fun. All residents of Daschville have access to the best in education, the best in healthcare and a plentiful supply of jobs in whatever field you so desire.
No over paid politicians, over paid business men (or women), crooks, liars, whores, anyone who profits from the demise of another or nasty mean people need apply.
No pollution, all organic produce grown, clean drinking water and just a general sense of well being, all the way around.
So, D and I have labor day weekend off, which is really nice. And we have the house to ourselves, which is really nice too. We threw some food together, grabbed some mates and had a bbq out on the back deck. The weather was perfect, the conversation was flowing and we ate ourselves silly.
When we get our place one of the first things we will have is a gas grill....I swear, I would cook on it every day, it's my favourite way to cook food hands down. And, I love the ceremony of getting together with friends around a grill. D and I just picked the date for our commitment ceremony..YAY!!!...so excited, (March 27th for the USA, still working on the date for Australia)...I wonder if I can suggest a bbq. HA! Given that some of our closest friends are chefs (and two of whom will be working on the day with us) I think that would be a 'duck your head and run' kinda comment.
It's a dark sunday here today and it looks like it's going to rain...we are headed to a movie, to spend time together and just chill. I am happiest when I am looking into the beautiful eyes of my love...to see the love in her eyes looking back at me causes me to sigh with glee.
We are playing this weird game. One i haven't ever played before. Its where you throw a bag of corn into a hole.
I know, sounds kinda dirty doesn't it?! But its a true game and we are outside with our mate Joyce, its 9.30 at night and the only reason we can even see the holes is because they have lights around the holes. (I will try to show you the hole, coz I know you are interested).
You know, add a few beers and it makes for a good laugh. Oh the wonderful things we do to keep ourselves entertained.....
