The Great Northeastern Book Tour, "Live from the Cafe," and Other Musings

Well, here we are again...fooling around with colors, fonts and other inane things as I sit here, trying to stay awake, and also working to figure out what on earth I am to do next.

It's been nearly a week, and my new book, "Live from the Cafe" is out...

SMLXL

 

It's just arrived in my hands, the physical books, and they look great. The book is 328 pages, but the print is of decent size, and I feel this will be a good, fast read. 

I have been fooling around with a bunch of ideas in my head, and I have decided to try a few promotional things this summer. I've gotten an opportunity, and so I've built around it.

Seems like we're always on display and always on the make, so I figure best to embrace it. Before and after events, I am trying my own weird little concept:

NINJA BOOK SIGNINGS!

SMLXL

 

I know, you're asking, "What the fuck are those?"

Well...be vewy, vewy quiet..."

Since I've discovered that book shops (even indie ones!) and other places of business just don't have the time or wherewithal to have every single undiscovered and unknown author in their establishment, you have to do your own thing.

I am stealing an idea from Amanda Palmer...any fan of hers knows when on tour, she likes to do "Ninja Gigs." She'll show up with a ukelele (or if there's a piano, even better) at a place and do a free, spontaneous gig. Those are more fun sometimes.

SMLXL

 

Those just look like more fun, don't they?

So, I'm doing this...I'll choose random places, and then promote on social media that I'll be doing a ninja book signing. If you want to get a copy of "Live..." or one of my other books, just show up.

"Aren't you gonna get in trouble for that?" You may ask.

Well, I might. But it's like this. I put up NO signs. The book sits next to my laptop and my coffee, like so:

SMLXL

 

Sorry for the glare. But that's it. I'm just sitting here, enjoying my coffee, while a couple hundred people in various forms of dress/undress fly through this place and get tanked up.

Now trouble? As I say, I'm not bothering anyone. I'm not talking to anyone. I'm just here. If anyone sees the book and asks, then I'll talk to them.

If you come see me, and decide to buy, the transaction is done between two agreeing parties.

No one gets hurt, no one is bothered, and I'm also paying for my drinks. 

I'll have fun with this, and refine it. I don't expect huge sales, but as I spend lots of time out and about, why not have fun?

Now...the Great Northeastern Book Tour, haha...well, I have a couple of events lined up, and here's what I'm doing so far.

On Thursday, July 13th, I'll be reading and signing (and hopefully selling) at DogStar Books in Lancaster as part of the Turning Wheel series of authors. This will be fun. Eliot White is the head of a site called Triangle, and he's working to bring the arts communities from around the region together. Really nice, enthusiastic guy...I like him very much and I think this is a great inroad for us all.

Later this month, I head back to my native New England for a needed vacation...but I'm not without enterprise.

On Friday, July 28th, I'll be at the Diesel Cafe on Elm St. in Somerville, Massachusetts to do a signing at the place that started "Live from the Cafe." 

http://www.diesel-cafe.com/

This is where it all began. And I didn't even know it.

Years ago, I went in there and saw a large, open place that had pint glasses of coffee, good food, and a cool place to hang out. I wrote, drank, and enjoyed it.

Back in York, PA, where I lived at the time, I was spitting distance from Borders. When it closed, I thought about opening my version of the Diesel there. The size, space, color and location made me think it could be a different place.

But different doesn't translate very well, does it? I don't think it would have worked, because change is not embraced too well at times. I also would not have had the money to get started, and who knows what a lease would have cost.

But it was a fun thought...and in my mind, I often asked myself, "What kind of coffee place would I run, if I opened one?"

From years of hanging out in coffee shops, corporate and otherwise, I started to find something that I thought would be cool. It might not make money in the real world, but I left it as a "Who Cares?" attitude for the story.

Le Cafe began to form in my head, and I drew upon the many people I watched, listened to and hung out with in places like these.

I had enough fodder for characters in my head to begin with, and then others started to filter in. 

And here we have it...a strange little place in a strange little town. The people are recognizable, I hope, the issues they face are real, and I hope I put you into a land that is at least understandable to your own situation.

I had a lot of fun writing this, and now I hope to bring it to you.

So yes, that strange author will be sitting about, hawking his wares in a different way...getting rid of the middleman...usually.

Diesel has been kind enough to have me, and then comes the really interesting one.

The next day, July 29th, I'll be doing a signing at my college. Saint Joseph's College of Maine is having me at the 30th reunion...well, mine is 30 years.

I hope to see old friends, and find out just how different we've become (or not), and I hope they'll see that awkward radio geek didn't turn out too badly.

I'm still in radio. That's enough to certify me, but I had that to start with.

So I'm gonna do that one, too. That's gonna be fun.

Been years since I was up in Maine, so I'll be hanging out with my sister and brother in law in Freeport, in their amazing old house, hooking up with old radio and music friends...

And on the radio as a subject!

WMPG 90.9 FM in Portland was WSJB's rival back in the day, or one of them on the left side of the dial. On Tuesday, August 1st, at 7:30 pm, Christopher White will host me on the Tuesday Night Talk Radio Club. They have a stream and everything...that will be fun...one of my old friends from Rocky Horror days, DJ Pete, will do a swing show right after that...fun.

I will move about the region, and head to the midcoast for a bit of research, but also to help blast Pennsylvania out of my head for a time. 

So many people I'd like to see, and also a time to consider what next I'll do.

Now...back to the house...I'm really enjoying living in the 'burg, and the home is a cool little spot. I don't spend enough time in it, and I wish I could. I spent the better part of two days home, while inspections went on.

My chimney needed a metal sleeve and a cap, after UGI found it clogged by birds, and who knows what else. Got that done, and on the same day, UGI came back to untag my water heater, clean it and do the same assessment to my AC.

Costly, but needed. That's life.

Well, I have some touring to do this summer, books to sell, and I hope you'll find it in you to pick up "Live from the Cafe," and my others...the labor of love that these are comes with various prices, but I have enjoyed this long several years of creativity, and there's more to come. Much more.

http://www.sunburypressstore.com/Live-from-the-Cafe-9781620067147.htm

Enjoy...and I hope to see you so I can sign your work and thank you personally for the support...and just to see anyone these days is important.

Not starting at screens or our phones. Like in the cafe, the rule ought to be: "No Wifi. Drink coffee, and talk to each other."

Peace, Out. 

Screech. Dharma Fools, New England, and Writing Update

The first Dresden Dolls album is coursing through my brain at a non-syncopated gait this morning.  I have again crawled from the wreckage of last night, and I'll probably end up working backwards on this missive to the universe.

I have caught my first cold in like three or four years.  Being vegetarian does that...since going meatless back in 2001, really, I've rarely been sick.  It's not a bad one, either; no real symptoms, but that it goes straight for the throat.  Doesn't hurt, but it feels like I fronted a Screamo band.

That's the least of my worries.  Well, good things to start with:  the Dharma Fools returned to the stage last night for the first time in over a year.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thedharmafools?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Our new page is there, recent video and some old tracks.  Got a nice "love it" from a musician named Tim Caudill last night...thanks, Tim!

Yeah, last night...slightly new lineup.  Those who know of the history of The Band Formerly Known As Ahltyrra know that the Dharma Fools were to be a side project, and they became the project.

From the original lineup is myself, Dan Shearer and Merryiad.  Jim Hooker has joined us on harp, vocals and djembe; the former he mostly does and Jim brought us a wonderful djembe player named Mari up to Harrisburg for the event.

A fixture in Harrisburg's music scene is the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, or HMAC.  Wednesday night's Open Mic Night, hosted by Mike Banks.  He opened up with more of his blazing acoustic guitar pyro action, and an amazing voice that can do Leon Redbone stuff, and then with a more conventional, but exceptional voice.  Great guy, and we appreciate his support.

Well, wouldn't you know?  We had to follow his blazing set!  But we've done it before.  The set list:

Black Ambition (one of mine, an Ahltyrra standby and opener)
Keep on Truckin' (the product of Dan's grooving bass line, Jim's harp and words I quickly brought together)...smoked for not playing it ever.
Dead Flowers (yeah, we had to)

Got an awesome hand, thank you all for doing that!  Some old friends and fans turned up, and a couple of my radio friends turned up as well.  Wonderful time...we still got it.

Dunno what's next, but we'll keep at it.  Hopefully I'll have some new rehearsal or live tracks up on the ReverbNation site.

Good work last night by a lot of artists...Piano & Cocktail Murders (I think that's the right name), Cameron Malloy, Yellow Day, and Octavia all did great...the latter is a blues lady, find her music!!!

Doing some TV work this week for WITF...nice to get a chance to do some behind the scenes work, and I'm not averse to much of anything right about now.

NEXT...Radio-Airwaves is back on the air!

http://radio-airwaves.co.uk/index.html

I return to the air tonight at 11 pm Eastern time, as DJ Riff.  Got a bunch of new tracks to thrown down for you...some odd, some obscure, and some local stuff.

I was in New England last week.  Business and pleasure it all turned out to be.  Spent a few days in Maine with family, which was fun.  Also zoomed up the Midcoast to see my former boss and owner of a couple of interesting little stations.  

Turned out I had a job interview with a start-up AM.  Radio 9 WCME, on 900 AM in Brunswick has been an odd little station with a long past.  The new owner is a radio pro who has been making things happen on his own pace, and I had a nice chat.  Not much there right now, but worth staying in touch with the gentleman.

Also saw my old XM Radio friend Joe in Portland, and ran into another of his regular buddies, a good time.  Very good indeed.

Boston for two days...saw my old friend TJ Welch from Saint Joe's days.  The one year he was there shaped my musical vision in a big way.  He was the host of "Sonic Lobotomy," a punk show that for that one year defined a lot of things for me.

He introduced me to Dead Kennedys.  TJ's band The Welch Boys will support DK's in Cambridge, MA and in NYC and Washington this month.  Great to see him again, and I sold him a Telecaster. 

A wonderful time, I must say.  Spent a couple days at my friend Riz's house, and then it was back down here for the action.

Okay...writing time.

I have not written or edited much lately.  But I'm coming up with ideas again. Right now, I have to get "Parasite Girls" re-read as a book and ready for the self-publishing steps.  

My agent, Jeanie Loiacono has left Sullivan-Maxx and is forging ahead on her own.  LLA will be out of Irving, TX and I will likely re-up with her.  Jeanie has been kicking open doors and I feel she can help with the Sweet Dreams Series and get this into the hands it must go to.

It is that big to me, that some kind of help is required.  The SDS is the best thing I've ever written; it must get out there.

Now...not to diminish "Parasite Girls."  It's a good story, and I hope it will be received well.  Better to fail by trying than to not, eh?

My friend Nick Bento once said, "Even if it flops, at least you did it."  Something like that, and he's right.  Gotta go there.

Now...two new ideas have been slowly cooking in my head, and they have to stay there because they are not ready to come out of the oven yet.  I have to edit SDS-4, and do rewrites, because that's not what it should be.

"Time the Healer" needs a go-over...so much to do.

But I'd not have it another way; it's good like this.  Stuff ahead of me gives me incentive.

Okay, off to the mad world I've created for myself.  Peace, out.

Why Do I Write...and taking One Tiger at a Time!

Every now and then I ask myself, just why I do I do this?  Here I am, sitting in the Morebucks trying to gather some sort of wakefulness, considering what I've been doing the past several days, weeks, whatever...

In case you don't know, when I blog I generally do it in a stream of consciousness and I do tend to sidetrack myself.  A mental multi-tasking, as long as the tendons in my wrists allow me.

And I listen to my iTunes...a lot.

"Life is Just a Tire Swing," Jimmy Buffett...how appropriate.

So anyway...my last blog post was the announcement that I will put out my first novel, "Parasite Girls" later this year as an e-book, through Amazon.com and Kindle.

The first order of business was to get the manuscript ready.  It was not.  I had taken this rather strange, knocked out story with few characters and settings that are more familiar to American audiences.  Seemed the best and easiest one to get out there, and I feel it's a good story.

"My God," Jethro Tull, from Aqualung Live...

This is very different from what you will find if you page back through this blog.  I do not consider myself a great writer, nor do I consider myself cutting edge.  I just choose to write something different, and I like being different.  It's easy to make up silly stories based on whatever came before.  

I've made that mistake in the past.  It does not work, though it may for a short-term ego and checkbook fix.  

It is not cool to walk into a bookshop (there are no such things it feels to me around here) and see shelf upon shelf upon shelf of alleged original works that are nothing but knock-offs of Stephanie Meyer and whatever else.  It bores the shit out of me.

Because I know I can do better; but can I make myself do it.

"Parasite Girls" is not a great novel, but it is a good story.  About remaking oneself, finding oneself again, and realizing that no matter how many years pass and how many miles pass under you that there are still people that matter in your life.  Not always your family, either.

Not that I know much of what that's about...but I suppose it's what I wanted to see, and perhaps others will experience that.

As usual I tackle too many issues at once, but the issues become secondary I hope to the people that are living them.

So, why do I write?  I have always enjoyed it.  To me, it's fun.  I enjoy creating a world within the real world, and making characters up that are like those I see around me, but also those who are just a bit off-kilter, and even, yes, fucked up.  We all are.

That said...I'm nearly done with it.  I discovered through a friend an interesting software called Grammarly.  It's a trick to use, and you have to be patient with it and make it work to your advantage.  

The best way for me is to use it chapter by chapter.  It offers grammatical help, way beyond what spellcheckers do.  You also get a lot more in the way of alternatives to words you use too much. 

I did not realize how much I used certain words to the point of madness.  I feel incredibly illiterate now.  What the fuck happened there?

At this point, I am down to the final chapters, but even then I need to really read it over...the more I read, the more I realize it does not always flow.  Getting there, though.

Either way, should be a good read.  Once it's ready, then I'll worry about the next step of navigating the mad world of getting it formatted for online.  And every other damned thing.

--

That's what I do most days...not a lot of work, and time on my hands, better do something with it.  

"Caress Me Baby," by Omar Dykes & Lou Ann Barton...old Jimmy Reed stuff with Jimmie Vaughan on guitar.

My several months without medication has turned out okay.  I still feel periods of nervousness and my mind jumps ahead to things before I have to rein it in.  

When it comes to the writing, I find myself planning out ideas well ahead.  I have at least two more story ideas, one of which is good but it does not make enough sense to go anywhere.  You can't start something if you don't have a good timeline and plan in place.

And I have too much to do right now; so thinking about it is all I can do.

Idea to turn another story from my past into a first-person narrative...and then I have to get back to something else.

--

I am off to New England tomorrow, for a week to visit my sister and bro-in-law up in Maine; a couple days there, see some friends, and then to Boston where I'll sell a guitar to an old friend, and meet up with more friends.

Cool thing, here:

https://pinterest.com/pin/553168766700477254/

That's me, one of my agent's charges on Pinterest.  I think it's a good idea to get us out there, but I wonder how it will work.  Gotta wait and see.

"I Wish Lunch Could Last Forever."  Back to Buffett I see...great song from "Off to See the Lizard."

So yeah...the first book in that thing called the Sweet Dreams Series.  I am taking on an old and dear friend as my "Japan Advisor."  Sara may be interested in helping me plow through some of this, and give me some good insights on the land I've not been to yet.

I will eventually get back to that...as my friend Alice says, "One Tiger at a Time."  I think this comes from taming the tiger or something.

So I'm trying to do that...feel more and more like a person in a hurry.  Is this my lack of meds, so I am now foot to the floor?  No idea.

I also did get a bit of write-up in Front Row Literary, the online version.  A portion of the first book was put up, and the who I am bit.  Very nice.

Now...I will get the chance to take my new ride on a good long run, which should be enjoyable.  The Silver Saturn finally was retired in December, after just under a quarter million miles.  I have an '06 Honda Civic with few miles.  Nice ride, and I'm enjoying it.

I have to consider so many things, and a nice long ride will help with that.  

To answer that question again...this is something I love very much.  I enjoy coming up with these stories, ideas and things, and I want to see them in the hands of others.  I just hope very much that a larger circle beyond my friends can read these, and get something good out of them.

"I Cover the Waterfront," old version of the John Lee Hooker track...

So do I do this for the money?  Well, I've never made any as a writer; would be nice.  Could I make enough to do just that?  At this point, no.  But I also am first and foremost a broadcaster.  Radio is my first love, and I wish to stay in it, despite my just being a jobber the past four years out of the 29 I've invested in it.

It's how it goes.  You do what you can, and I still do.

I know that my ego would love to see some of these in book form.  I would strongly hope I don't let shit go to my head, but we're human.  I don't want it to be that way.  So I do it; cool, what's next?

I will eventually get "Parasite Girls" ready and it will get out there.  I just hope I can be patient enough to do it right, get it set right, get the right everything in place, without taking too long.  My goal is by the spring, and that I believe is in reach.

My recent examination of the story has shown it to be a good one.  I don't think much more is needed.  Other stories?  We'll see.

The one thing I will tell others who say, "Oh, I've always wanted to write a story about..." and then they tell me all about it.

Well...do it.

My old and dear artist friend Sunny said it over 20 years ago...you just have to do it.

Make the time, take it and fucking do it.

I'm outta here...Peace.

"Here comes the end...here comes the end of the world..."

Well, here we are once again!  It is Sunday morning, and I am typing from my desk at home as I prepare for another work weekend.

As you all know, Hurricane Sandy is coming, and oh, this part of the nation has gone into its regular gyrations of screwing oneself into the ground with the impending FRANKENSTORM!

I want to know who in the media came up with this latest load of ignorant shit.  They knew full well the below average population would go mad, rush out to the stores etc., etc.

Usually this happens in the winter time; from my years in Washington, and my sister will attest to it, if a snowflake even THINKS of hitting the ground, DC reacts like it's under nuclear attack.

Around here in Pennsylvania, almost the same thing.  

Just in case you wonder, here's the current Hurricane wind speed probabilities.  Reminder that a hurricane force wind is a sustained wind of 74 mph or above.

I'm not expert, but the feeling from me is that Sandy will be a tropical storm before it gets here.  The conspiratorial bullshit idea that a storm from the west will make the FRANKENSTORM could occur, but snow?  Come now; the temps are not going to fall anywhere near freezing in this area.  Upper elevations, sure, it's possible, but again it's all about whipping the senseless masses into a frenzy.

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/zoom/hltimages.shtml

Now that's a link to projected rainfall over the next few days.  Yes, I think we're gonna get some wet weather; we may get some flooding, and some wind issues.  It happens; we survive, we wake up the next day, and we keep on going.

I will admit to making a few precautions of my own, just regular stocking up of a few things.  Better to be safe than sorry, true...BUT THAT IS WHERE OUR COMMON SENSE KICKS IN AND EVERYONE ELSE'S FLIES AWAY!

I had to go to a nearby supermarket in a shopping center of some size yesterday to pick up a prescription.  I had no need to get anything else at the moment, because I was headed to work.  It was like rush hour on I-83 or Route 30 (for those in other parts of the world...think, "Kenmore Square after a Red Sox game."  That should help.)

The store had a fair to moderate number of people buying things out, but it didn't look too bad.  Then I saw the woman rush by with a big shopping cart layered with plastic bottles of water.  Gonna be thirsty, sometime along?  The Lowes was crammed with people, the parking lot jammed up with everyone laying in their supplies for the End of the World as We Know It...

This is what everyone does...I don't know who started the "bread, milk, toilet paper" scam, but it makes supermarkets and grocery stores wealthy.  The populace, who have never known real privation (if their internet connection goes out for more than 2 minutes, they howl like raving valkyries), stock up for the BIG ONE.

Last night, I decided to drop into one near Harrisburg to pick up the extra stuff.  Two bags, all I needed; empty shelves.  No water jugs, but for two.  Cases and cases of little bottles everywhere; even the artisan and pretentious water was gone.

Yes, someone's kidney are gonna collapse, aren't they?

Didn't go down the toilet paper aisle, but it didn't look as devastated.  There was still bread on the shelves, in some sections.  I think there was a run on doughnuts, though...hmmm...

Not so many there that time of night, but it was amusing.  

I wonder if they have bunkers like we used to back in the 50's and 60's for when the Commies bomb us.  Around here, I'd not be surprised.  Make sure the AK-47's are locked and loaded, and there's five years of ammo ready, while you're at it there...I was on jury duty with a religious whackjob woman who was going on and on and on about canned water, three years of dry goods in her underground whatever...you would not be surprised to know this is "normal" around these parts.

Or do people do this, perhaps...as a big adventure?  As fun?  Maybe this is their form of fun...they don't have the life they wanted, so this is how they excite themselves.  

Being a broadcaster, how's it going around here?  The TV stations are all in their 2012 Storm of the Century mode yet again.  I'm sure they've all staked out their territory, at the markets, the Home Depots, the Lowes', the hospitals, and their favored spots by the side of the road, where the low-level wannabe reports can do their impression of Jim Cantore every 15 minutes.

Radio-wise...I can't imagine there's going to be much.  Since most stations are now automated, and on satellite programming, there is little in the way of local, real radio any longer.

The few that do have local programming (I'm talking commercial outlets here), may lay on some extra coverage and all that, but there isn't much left for actual reportage.  

There are state-oriented outlets that might do better, and in the bigger cities they have enough staff to be on top of it.  There will be some work on the NPR affiliates, but hopefully it will be measured, and not as alarmist as the rest.

Will this be a FRANKENSTORM?  I don't think so; a little discomfort, a little lost power, but oh, the wailing creatures of comfort and habit will howl if their power goes out!  Satellite dish got skewed by the wind?  OH NOOOOOO!!!  WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE...!!!

And when the power comes back on, they'll rouse themselves from their coma and be on the horn to their Congressman demanding action.  

We all do get way bent out of shape on this stuff.  It goes back to my feeling we as a nation don't have a clue about real privation or suffering, unless...you lived through a natural disaster, a real one.  Hurricane Katrina, and you were in New Orleans.  The earthquake in San Fran. in '89...the tsunami that hit Fukushima last year...that kind of thing.

We don't know what it's like to be hungry...really hungry, starving even...to have no light, heat, power, etc.  Of course we try to make people think we know, with post-Apocalyptic TV shows, movies and all that.  Most of which either does not scratch the surface or makes it all so fanciful.

We do not know, and we should not make light of it.  Somehow this mass consumption and mass buying mocks the whole thing, because we don't know when to stop.  Or shut up.

Sometimes, we do get a fascination with the weather, because we ourselves do not have anything to do.  Often that is because we're in it; we are relatively safe, but cannot do much.  

I remember the Great Ice Storm of 1998 all too well.  My then-wife and I had just moved to Maine the week before.  Layers of ice, everywhere; I'd never seen anything like it.  It was seriously dangerous; I could not even drive the short distance to the station I managed, because everything was stopped.

"Ya got powah?" was the mantra, and it was for real.  We were lucky; we did not lose it, but huge swaths of the region were knocked out.  

This was a real, serious storm.  Everything stopped.  And it stopped for days.  I think it reminded people, especially those with the short memories about nature, and what it sometimes can do.

Kaitryth and I watched the Weather Channel a lot; I admit it was fascinating to watch how the channel handled themselves. Back then, it was 24 hours of weather, not a few hours of weather, silly talk shows and fake reality shows like it is now.  What a fucking joke it now is.

Anyway, you can get drawn into that, as long as you remember where you are.  

So that being said, I foresee a storm with some significant power; we're gonna get dumped on, and we might lose some power lines, some roofs, etc.  I hope not; I never want to see that, and I don't want to see anyone lose their stuff.  But it does happen.

I do not know where I will be; I could be called to duty, or I might be about here.  If so, I suppose I'll do my own reporting and see how it all goes.

And stand back and watch the world go made for something that is a pin prick to third world residents.  Oh, it could be fun...fun indeed.

"Hurricane" Irene, Part 4...that should be about it from here...

Okay!  It's now 10:21 am Eastern Time as I write this, back to work at WITF.  My colleagues, Tim Lambert and Megan Lello are working it on 89.5, but I have not had time to really listen in; getting ready for very abbreviated sports reports for KYW 1060 in Philly.

I needless to say didn't sleep an awful lot; found plenty of things to do around the house while keeping an eye and ear out on things.  Had a couple of minor power outages, but the electricity came right back on. 

The worst of the storm has moved northward...

http://www1.whdh.com/video/7newslive

I haven't watched Boston TV in years, even when I go up to visit.  Looks like they're doing their best.  I give kudos to the NBC 4 crews in New York for doing a very good job, without sounding like they're covering the end of the world.  A lot of local and some cable outlets could take lessons from those folks.

I finally awakened this morning to find still windy conditions and occasional bursts of rain.  The house survived the night okay, and the property looks good.  Couple of big downed limbs, but one of those was already headed for the ground anyway.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150275719565787.336997.552340786&saved#!/media/set/?set=a.10150275719565787.336997.552340786&type=1

Not a lot of exciting pictures, sorry to say.  My old friend Alexandra who lives in NYC said Irene was all hype.  She certainly still caused plenty of damage along the coast.

Another old friend Ardyth rode out the storm on Long Island, in the mandatory evac. zone:  she reports they had power nearly all night, some heavy waves washed over the boardwalk onto the beach, but flooding has closed a number of highways.  So no one's going much of anywhere.

Irene is now a tropical storm, but still can cause trouble as it blasts through New England and into Canada.  But it looks like we came out of it without too much difficulty. 

Anyway, I do not expect to blog much more about the storm, unless something really unusual happens.  I did this mostly as an exercise of my skillz; keeps you busy and going.

I well remember the days when we had to go mad trying to rig any possible way of getting information, begging, borrowing and pirating if need be.  The Internet has made it easier, though not always perfect.

Looks like we're cool...now back to your regularly scheduled blog...haha!

Irene Update, Part 3

This will need to be short...it's about 1:30 in the morning Eastern Time as I write this...we are now getting lashed by wind and rain here in the Midstate.  Bear this in mind:  I am a good 90 miles west of Philadelphia.  This is a storm here, with continuous rain and winds; go that far east, and think of how rough it is.

I was roused by a sound that didn't shake me, but it was enough:  power outage.  Momentarily, thankfully, and I was able to get things back up.  Cold, clammy conditions, forcing me to close my bedroom window.  With it closed, you can feel and hear the situation outside.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Watch-Live-Storm-Tracker-Hurricane-Irene-Coverage-128389848.html

I've been watching NBC 4 (hooray for the Internet and streaming!), or listening throughout the night; they have done damned fine work.  New York is getting it now...what you can hear on the stream as well as see proves it's getting worse.  Now look at this:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/feature?section=weather&id=8320373

This ABC affiliate's fine weather link shows Irene has not yet hit New York.  It will not be paralell to Philadelphia until 8 am.  Now, that is telling.  While Irene appears to be weakening a little, it's still powerful.

The storm appears to be skirting the Jersey Shore, but it's on track to move on New York, especially the western edge of Long Island, then into Connecticut, through New Hampshire and into Canada.

Now, we are getting some higher winds, gusting up...they are talking of storm surges.  We saw what it did in Japan, with the tsunami; we're not going to have that but it's still dangerous.  3-8 feet along the Jersey Shore.

Anyway, I must crash again...a long day tomorrow, and I'm sure I'll have much more to report as my day wears on.

Again, be safe, all...

"Take Another Road," Chapter 10; plus, a Slight Recap

Greetings, once again!  Before we get to Chapter 10 of "Take Another Road," I'd like to give you a brief look-back at my past few days.


Returned to PA yesterday, following a largely good vacation to New England.  Back in Vermont for my nephew Aubrey's wedding, a short jam session with my brother Mark, and then off to Boston.


While there, good meetings with Riz and Jen (we're collaborating on the Sweet Dreams Series manga venture), plus my old friends Gretchen, Linda, and a fine dinner at the Friendly Toast in Portsmouth with Jesse...great to see him again, but all of them really.


I'm in a better state of mind, now that I've returned, and I again feel centered and ready to take on whatever comes next.  


Time now...for Chapter 10...enjoy, and do comment if you please, in any way you wish!


###

Chapter 10--Other Roads

            Aimi, Kaz and Mei stepped through the doors of Masuyo, joined by a wave of their classmates.  The half-day had passed swiftly, as students prepared for the coming exam week.  Their schedules for the finals were similar, as they shared most of the same classes.

            “Glad it’s only one exam a day,” Kaz noted as he perused his copy of the printed schedule.  “My science one is last, which is good.”  Kaz was not outstanding in that particular class, but Aimi and Mei had helped him through it.

            “Why don’t we do what we’ve done in the past?”  Aimi suggested as they walked toward their usual bench, where Midori waited, again seated in meditation.  “Let’s all get together, and test each other.”

            “That’s cool.”  Mei nodded her agreement, as did Kaz.  The three often met up at one or another’s houses and went over their like subjects.  They had made a game out of studying, and found their test scores were much higher when it was done that way.  Aimi also found studying a lot more fun, when it was done with her friends. 

            “I have to work out,” Mei added, “but come around after that.  Let’s ask Midori, too; she mostly has first-year classes, but it should work.”

            Midori opened her eyes and smiled as she saw her friends approach.  She was wearing the jacket Mei had given her the night before, and it was wrapped about her shoulders like a cape.  “Hello again,” she hailed the three, and climbed down to greet her friends.  “I can’t get over how great last night was,” she continued, “Mom and Dad really enjoyed themselves.”

            “Kaldera was really good, I have to admit,” Mei added as they sat down.  “That guy’s a pro; and Kaz, I’ll say it again:  you rocked last night!”

            Kaz grinned and lowered his head slightly.  “Thanks,” he said, “but you don’t know scared I was!  Kaldera sprung that on me just before he went on, Minoru too.  Minoru didn’t want to play until the end, because he didn’t think the shamisen would work on anything else.  Me, I was shaking until I got out there.”

            “So you felt fine, then?”  Aimi asked.

            Kaz nodded.  “Yeah.  As soon as I started playing, I was all right.  It’s kind of an odd thing, me singing about Johnny Cash, but it was a song I heard over at Kaldera’s, and I just picked up on it.”

            “No matter, it was great to hear you finally,” Midori told him.  “I think everybody enjoyed what you guys did.”

            “By the way…”  Aimi wasn’t sure how to ask it, but felt she must.  “Your folks weren’t there.  You did invite them, right?”

            “I did.”  Kaz shook his head in the affirmative.  “I think they were actually curious,” he continued, “but Mom told me this morning they’d had another argument.  Neither felt like going by the time they got it settled.”

            Aimi watched Kaz’s expression; it again was a fallen one.  “They’re fighting now?”

            “Not really.”  Kaz shook his head again.  “There is a lot of tension between the two of them, lately.  I know part of it is because of their jobs.  They work long hours, and there’s not much time for anything else.  I don’t know for sure, but I’m afraid I may be the source of some of their troubles.”

            Mei reached over and took his arm.  “I can sympathize,” she replied, “but you’re not it, believe me.  My mom and dad had their fights, too, and I used to think a lot of it was my fault.  You know the problems I had when I was younger,” she went on as she indicated Aimi and Kaz, “but they made it clear that I was not the problem, it was them.  Dad was always on the road, doing construction; he still does, he loves traveling and doing different jobs, not always the same thing all the time.  Well, Mom got sick of him not being home; and when her health problems started to mount, they were at odds.  They finally agreed to end the marriage before they hurt each other, or me.”

            “I know what you’re saying, Mei, and I appreciate it,” Kaz said.  “This thing with Mom and Dad is sort of like that, but only in certain ways.  I do know I am a problem to them; they don’t say much, but I know that both of them are concerned.  They want me to go to university, and find a stable life.  I know they’re right, I should do that.”

            Kaz interlaced his fingers before him.  “I should go on to university,” he said, “but for what?  I don’t know; I don’t honestly know what I want to be, or do.  Music is the only thing I’ve truly enjoyed the past year or so.  I love learning from Kaldera, and I learn more than just guitar; he is a great teacher.  Minoru and I spend a lot of time talking with him about so many different subjects.  He’s knowledgeable in a lot of areas, and I feel like he’s gotten me to look inside myself, to find out what more is there.’

            All listened, interested.  “I’ve always felt there was more to Kaldera,” Aimi agreed.  “Hey, that leads me to a question:  we all saw what happened last night when he did that song, the one toward the end?”

            “The one about the ‘Spirit Trail?’  Yeah, that was eerie,” Mei said. 

            “Well, Kaldera’s done stuff like that before,” Kaz interjected, “we’ve seen it.  He radiates a kind of light or energy when we play music; even when he’s just around, I feel it.  I’ve never experienced that from anybody before.  I don’t think there’s anything harmful in it, like Tanaka-san said last night, but it makes you wonder.”

            “He could be a kind of shaman.”  Midori had suddenly made this suggestion.  When all looked to her, she explained, “Shamans are healers, but they’re also seekers.  We read about this in history class:  certain people in tribes all around the world are believed to be able to walk in the Spirit World, and find answers to questions and things.  They can heal people, and in some cases harm others. 

            ‘But I agree,” Midori quickly went on, “I don’t think Kaldera is dangerous.  Now there’s another thing--have you guys noticed that Kaldera is sort of the focal point for all of us?  He’s brought Kaz and Minoru together; he then brought Asuka, really all of us together.  He did it last night, and I wish I was gonna be around next weekend; I am interested to know what he’s talking about, beyond just going sailing.”

            Everyone nodded.  “He has done it,” Aimi said.  “Kaz, Mei and I have always been united, but then came you, Midori.  Minoru and Asuka are here now…he’s almost put us together,” she added, “like a puzzle.  We all get along as friends, and I feel like we’re destined to be together.”

            “Like a club?”  Kaz asked.

            “Yes,” Aimi responded, all the more excited as she talked about it, “and that last song he did, about another road?  Perhaps that’s it:  we’re all on a road that was made for us, but perhaps some of us, or all of us need to take the other, the ‘road less traveled.’”

            “There’s no harm in going in another direction,” Midori said, “if it is the right one for that individual.”  She had picked up on Aimi’s train of thought before anyone else. 

            Aimi stood up.  “I have an idea,” she said.  “We’ve always been our own little group.  I suggest we form a club:  The Other Roads Club.  We’ll bring Asuka and Minoru in, and Kaldera if he wishes.  We’re all in this life together; why not join as friends and go together, and help each other when in need?”

            She put her hand out, and each put their hands on the others.  “We are,” Aimi declared, “The Other Roads Club!”

            “Hear, hear!”  All shouted.

            “Permission to come aboard, sir?”           

            “Permission granted.”  Keru extended his hand as Kaldera stepped from the dock onto the deck of the Bayliner.  The two shook hands, and Keru added, “I see you’ve recovered from last night.” 

            “I’m not sure what there was to recover from,” Kaldera replied with a laugh.  “It seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves, that was the point.”

            “Quite.”  Keru was dressed for the yacht, in a fashionable striped polo shirt and shorts from one of Tokyo’s finer downtown clothiers, plus a pair of red-lensed Mykita sunglasses.  Kaldera thought to himself, clothes do make the man—in some cases. 

            He followed Keru around the port rail, and said hello to Asuka and Minoru, who were lounging on the fiberglass deck before the bow.  Both stood up to greet him, Asuka in a barely-there white bikini, which showed off her every curve quite nicely.  Minoru was in his customary black, jeans this time, and a tank top. 

            “Good to see you again, Kaldera,” Asuka said, “and again, you and your band were wonderful last night.”

            “Thank you,” Kaldera replied, “the whole show went really well, and I am at peace.”  He leaned against the rail, whie Keru went aft; the others sat back down on the towels they’d laid out.  “I gather Keru is ready to give the boat a trial.”

            “Yes,” Asuka replied, “we’re glad you could join us.” 

            Kaldera chuckled as he pulled out his pack of Silk Cut.  “I have always been more of a sail guy,” he admitted, “but it is good to try out different things.”

He regarded Minoru through the smoke of his cigarette as he lit up; Minoru had been quiet and more reserved than usual, it was that pronounced.  “Last night go okay for you, Minoru?”

            “It was,” Minoru replied, “but I’m more happy for Kaz.  He gave an excellent performance, as I knew he would.”

            “He did,” Asuka concurred. “You’ve really done well by him, Kaldera.”

            “Well, a lot of that’s been on his own.”  Kaldera exhaled the smoke through his nose, and continued, “I never had a teacher.  I just fooled around on guitar, piano and other instruments to get what I wanted.  Kaz is doing the same, and he really does work at it.”

            “He does.”  Minoru pulled his knees to his chest and said, “I think he really has found himself.  I did the same, a little earlier in that way.  But I’m pleased for him, and I can’t think of too many others I respect as much as Kaz.”

            Kaldera nodded.  “That’s good to hear,” he replied, “and you two get along really well, but I knew you would from the start.  Speaking of which…” He addressed Asuka, “Will Father let you out of the pen next weekend?”

            Asuka laughed, as did the others.  “Mom worked on him,” she said, “it is a go.  My meeting with Aimi the other day really opened some doors for me, and I really like her, Kaz as well.  I am not so sure about Mei, she still seems a little standoffish.”

            “She is that way,” Minoru said, “but really, she is the kind of person that, if Aimi or Kaz have friends, they become her friends, too.  I would not worry Asuka, about her.”

            Keru returned at this moment, preceded by Nanae, who wore a colorful sarong over her one-piece bathing suit.  “Ah, Kaldera,” she greeted as she took his hand and kissed his cheek as he stood.  “Welcome!  You have been getting rave reviews from our friends who were at the club last night, and you get one from me as well.”

            Kaldera grinned and sat again, Nanae beside him, while Keru remained standing.  “I am honored,” he replied, “and I will have to see how future shows go.  I may have an old friend coming to Japan to tour, and I want to see if I may entice her to join me next time.”

            “Who is this?”  Nanae asked.

            “Her name’s Marlie,” Kaldera explained, “a folksinger that I’ve known for a long time.  She’s had a few records out in the States.  No huge hits, but then again Marlie was never known for being commercial.  I have not seen her in years; it’ll be good to, and I hope you and your friends,” he motioned to Asuka and Minoru, “will be able to meet her.  She’s a great person.”

            “I would like that,” Minoru replied, and Asuka nodded her agreement.

            “Well, we’re loaded up,” Keru broke in, “shall we?”

            “Let’s.”  Nanae stood up and said, “Come down all of you, lunch is on.”

            Kaldera helped Minoru cast off the lines, while Keru climbed to the bridge and fired up the twin diesels.  Kaldera joined him there, and he watched Keru guide the boat (named the Kiyomi) out of her slip, past the long lines of other yachts, cabin cruisers and vessels of the upper classes. 

            “Where’s Daisuke?”  He asked.  “Thought he’d be with us.”

            “He is off today,” Keru told him, “I believe he is on a date with Saki.”  At this, the two chuckled.  Daisuke was unmarried, and was a known favorite of the ladies at the club, Saki for one. 

            “Good for them both,” Kaldera replied.  He lowered his shades as he watched Keru guide the Kiyomi into the channel, a little too close to a passing cruiser for his liking. 

            Keru seemed not to notice, and increased the throttle speed slightly as they moved past several more slips.  “Saki has become an exceptional manager,“ he commented, “for one so young.  Being a hostess is never easy, I’ve learned that much; but she has a thick skin, and knows how to deal with people.”

            Kaldera nodded as Nanae effortlessly climbed to the bridge with a pair of wide, heavy-bottomed glasses.  “Here you are, gentlemen.”

            Keru nodded his thanks, and Kaldera voiced his as he accepted his drink and tasted it.  Tanqueray and tonic, he noted, and very well made; Kaldera made a mental note to himself that he would have to be careful about how much he drank while out here.

            Nanae returned below, and Keru bumped up the throttle a little more as he guided the boat into open water.  “Good day for a sail, eh, Kaldera?”  He asked, over the sound of the diesels.

            “Indeed,” Kaldera replied.  He clinked his glass to Keru’s and took another sip.  He looked out across the water; it was a sunny, almost cloudless day and he eyed some of the other pleasure craft.  I remember these days; I thought I’d left them behind.  But in looking back, I feel happier, I think because of these friends of mine, especially the younger ones.  I must, I know now, watch over them if I can.  I will never be their father, but I can be their friend and stand by them if they need help.  If only they knew how much I need them--but then, that would be too much for them to know right now.

###

There you have it...thank you for reading!