Over the mountains we go

A thousand apologies for my lack of updates. I'll go ahead and say that there's "a lot" going on right now. Nothing too immediate, but lots of long-range plans are taking shape.

The tour for this fall is slowly coming together. I finally booked a couple of shows in Austin, so that's kind of a big deal. I'm working hard right now to generate press in the cities I play ... plant reviews, blurbs, etc. So if anyone knows any entertainment editors, holla back.

I met with Steve The Producer the other day, and he helped me brainstorm and design a post-graduation career strategy. So now I'm negotiating with Borders to sponsor a national tour for next summer, and I'm going to attempt to tour as a supporting act next fall. So we'll see what happens there.

As for the immediate stuff, Patrick and I are taking some of the high school guys camping at Enchanted Rock this weekend. I bought a sweet head lamp to wear when we crawl through the caves. I also decided to purchase a big-ass MAG-LITE ... I am now a real man. All real men need a good MAG-LITE.

Let's talk about Ray LaMontagne for a second. He played at La Zona Rosa in Austin on Friday night, so I went to check it out. Let's just say that Mr. LaMontagne is more of a spirit than a real human. Sometimes, he would belt the music at the top of his lungs, and sometimes he was inaudible. A dynamic performer. The three or four words he said between songs were mumbled so low that no one heard them. Ray is the most detached and inaccessible artist around ... but that just adds to the mystery. Overall, a great show.

Blake and Greg Scott The Insomniac joined me on my little excursion. Of course, they didn't get tickets beforehand, and the show was sold out. So they ended up paying scalpers far too much ... but ... they got in, and that's all that matters.

That's really all that's happening in my life at the moment. Just comsumed by music and all. I figured I'd update, anyhow. Peace.

Meet "Cedrick"

Here it is, friends. The dinosaur chair. We've decided to name him "Cedrick." Bush and I picked this dude up at Barkin' Basement yesterday for $10. Sweet, I know.

Myself in the dinosaur chair.

Outcasts of Poker Flat

I have a burning desire to go hiking in the mountains.

Last night, around 10 p.m., I made my final trip back to Waco from the Cessna's farm in West. I enjoyed the quiet and solitude, and I even enjoyed messing with the demonic cat. I came home with a 10-pound bag of rice ... I told Roger I like rice, and he bought me enough to feed all the orphans in China.

I really don't have much else going on. Blake's coming in this weekend, and we're going to see Ray LaMontagne in Austin. That'll be pretty fly.

Hiking. Colorado. Sounds way too good right now. That's all I want.

Down on the farm

I'll be spending the remainder of this week house-sitting for a family from church. They live 15 miles out of Waco, on a farm in West. It's been a while since I've partied with a horse, but when I met the colt yesterday, it bit my shoulder. I think it likes me.

In addition, I'll be watching the dogs, cat, fish and rabbits. And if one of Tex Black's cattle gets loose on the property, it's my job to call him up and let him know.

I finished reading "Huck Finn" tonight for my lit class. It's an excellent book ... that is, until the third section, when Tom Sawyer jumps back into the plot. I really hate that Tom Sawyer. Honest Injun, I do. He turns the most simple tasks into huge productions, and risks the well-being of others for the sake of fun. The only thing admirable about Tom is that he enjoys getting shot in the leg. I'm down with that.

I can't decide who the "father figure" is in this novel, though. Does Jim serve as a father for Huck, or does Huck serve as a father for Jim? Jim helps to develop Huck's understandings of morality and loyalty, but Jim can't function without Huck's knowledge and - dare I say? - wisdom. Perhaps there's no correct answer to that question ... And perhaps that's why "Huck Finn" is such a great work.

I played two shows and a wedding this weekend. Blake joined me at the Coffee Haus on Friday night, and we let the chemistry flow. Some of it sucked, and some of it was really beautiful ... but that's what made it so great - it was organic, unpredictable and inconsistent. It was like jamming around, except with a big crowd watching. I busted out piano stuff for the first time. Some of that sucked, too, which is why I enjoyed it. It was a "real" performance, and I dig that.

To all my friends in more pleasant regions of the world ... Waco is nasty hot. So be thankful for good weather, if, indeed, that's what you're experiencing.

I think I'm looking forward to this house-sitting deal. It's really peaceful out in West. There's a pond on the property, with cattle and ducks and a horse ... it's splendid. I'm aiming to write a lot, and to finish some of the books on my summer reading list. I'll catch up with all you catts in a week or so. Peace.

Your name is Gay Fokker?

I went to the Gaylord Texan hotel last night. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything like it in my life. There are three large "atrium" areas (as pictured above), which I would compare to something from the movies "BioDome" or "The Truman Show."

Get this -- the atrium we passed through simulated Texas landscape. Wait ... what? Isn't there something wrong with that? We're in Texas. Why the hell would I stay in a hotel that simulates the Texas outdoors? I suppose the Gaylord is the only place you can experience both "the great outdoors" and high-class living all at once.

All that just kind of freaked me out. And let's add to that the fact that it covers more land area than any structure I've ever seen. There is NO reason for a structure that big to exist. It's not even close to anything, geographically ... maybe Bass Pro Shops. I suppose you stay at the Gaylord for the sake of staying there. Instead of saying, "Let's go to the mountains for vacation," I guess people say, "Let's go spend money at the Gaylord."

This, friends, along with my obnoxiously cynical attitude, is why God will soon destroy the earth.