Irene Update from Midstate PA...

A pretty quiet evening on the whole for this part of the Mid-Atlantic; my guess is we in the midstate are going to get off reasonably lightly.

The past 2-1/2 hours have had light to moderate rains and breezy conditions, but nothing serious.  That could change as the night goes on.

http://www.my9tv.com/subindex/news/live_video

An interesting steady cam on the Jersey Shore somewhere...the sound of the wind, the rain hitting the camera and the ground is different.  There are some voices, but I don't know if they're camera minders or people just out for "fun."

http://www.weather.com/tv/tvshows/Livestream

The Weather Channel has done pretty well on the coverage today and tonight, mostly because the Drama Queens aren't on much, if at all.  The people who do the real work are at it, and it's good work so far.

Now if you've watched any of this, the closer to shore you are the more dangerous this is.  Then, there are some people who have no clue whatsoever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY4gJoKwtAQ&feature=player_embedded&has_verified=1

What do you want to bet someone's gonna demand that idiot be charged for indecent exposure?  Actually, the whole world now knows he's a moron, so that should be enough shame for him...do have to admit though, it was pretty funny.

Twitterverse for me is pretty quiet, don't have a lot of followers.  Some of the comments and re-tweets are pretty funny.  A literary agent named JC reports her cousin in Vermont is terrified she will die.

Um...as a native Vermonter, the storm's not going up there...she stands a better chance of being butted by an irate deer while jogging than dying from the storm.

I'm so having too much fun...no specific duties until tomorrow morning.  Quiet day at WITF, covering KYW Sports...wall to wall weather coverage of course:  Phillies game postponed, Union match postponed, just about everything shut down and done till the storm passes through. 

I thought tonight might be a good stretch of my skills as a blogger, to keep you in the loop.  Just for fun more than anything; right now, pretty quiet.  Still very light rain, and the wind has again picked up, but nothing too terrible at this point.

The cats are pretty calm about it all; you can generally tell if something's up, based on their behavior.  Baldrick I think was a bit worried early on yesterday, but now everyone's laid back.

Hell, even the deer are back...more pics on my new folder on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/tory.gates

Yeah, having too much fun here...I will see what else there is to do while listening and checking in on things.

If you're in the zone, I wish you safety through this time and to be careful. 

1 million w/o power in the Mid-Atlantic, heavy gusts in Virginia; I'd check with friends down in the VA/DC region earlier...it's getting a bit more hairy now, I'm sure.

Okay...again, be safe!

"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!

So Much to Do, and Yet Nothing to Do Just Now...

The roller coaster ride continues...been on the whole a good day, a really good one.  Slept in, which was not by design, but I suppose I needed it.  And got some exercise.


For those who don't know, you really don't need a car in Boston, if you live and work in the city.  The "T" may not be the best transit system in the world, but it does pretty well under the circumstances.  You can get about anywhere, as long as you're willing to be a little bit patient.


I chose not to try and drive the short distance from my hotel into Harvard Square, because of the time, cost and stress.  A fair walk up to Kendall Square, then the Red Line into Harvard is more than reasonable; while waiting for the business lunch (haha) with Riz and Jen I did what I do when I come to Boston.


I hit Newbury Comics for some "Market Research."


NC is really the spot to go...new, used, this and that...and they were playing the Stones when I got in there, "Exile on Main Street" I'm pretty sure.  Quite alright.


As usual, I dropped some cash in there.  New John Hiatt CD, new Seasick Steve, and bunch of used stuff.  I'm also intrigued by a 2-CD set of John Cale shows from Rockpalast in the 80's...interesting indeed they look.


Well, Jen arrives, and I do love her company.  Jen is a 23-year-old ball of happy energy, and she is the template for Mima in "Parasite Girls," one of my many unpublished works.  She is just fun to be around.  We also hit up Hootenanny, a retro clothing shop in the Garage, also owned by Newbs.  


Riz rolled up in the Blue Bomber, but not after nailing someone from behind who probably deserved it.  Traffic in Boston, Cambridge, hell anywhere here is dangerous.  And Riz is extremely dangerous behind the wheel of the Bomber.


Okay...lunch at Pho Pasteur (the good one), and over to the Harvard Square Office (aka Morebucks) to have a long overdue discussion of the manga version of "Sweet Dreams:  Searching for Roy Buchanan."  Been working toward this for a long time.


This meeting lasted 3+ hours, and over a lot of coffee.  There were digressions of course, but the aim will be for Riz to storyboard out the first chapter.  Jen will then translate it into her own amazing style, I hope, and soon something else for the agent and potential publishers to chew upon.


Oh, one can hope.


Again reminded of why I just need to leave Pennsylvania...the PEOPLE.  Now, I've written of how Burlington, VT has had a Renaissance, a rebirth or whatever.  Despite Harvard Square turning into "Bank Square," as someone calls it, there is still some character and life there, and in the surrounding parts of Cambridge, to whit, Porter, Davis, Kendall and Central Square.  It's still vital and vibrant, and I have to get back here.


I miss the diversity, the coolness factor, the way people young and old can live together, go about and be entirely NON-SELFCONSCIOUS about all of it.  I love hearing different languages being spoken about me, even if I don't know what they are talking about; not my business, anyway.  


I love the fashion, the style, and the air of the people in this part of the world.  I am from here, these are my people.  It is at times painful for me to not be able to remain here.


Again, nothing against my friends and my people in PA, but it's not where I am from.  I never fully understood you; yet I do appreciate that most of you accepted me for who and what I was.  


There were only two places in this world that I have ever felt welcome and accepted:  that was in theater (Rocky Horror and elsewhere), and in the Pagan Community.


Now...Rocky has changed over the years, and the Pagans do as well.  The latter is what I focus on here...we have changed, we have had to adapt to changing times, and we do what we must do to preserve ourselves and our families.  We don't have to like it, but we do it.


The practical consideration is this:  I cannot afford to move from PA.  I have no job prospects (yet) in New England, and I can't expect any to magically appear.  When I will have time to really look, I cannot say.


The one last chance I have to secure real, meaningful employment in the business lies where I work right now.  I have to hang in there, continue to do my job to the best of my ability, and hope that the powers that be understand that I will stay there if it means I will have a reason to.  That means:


Make it worth my while, not just in money; I didn't get into radio to make a ton of money or become famous.  I did it because I wanted to.  I wanted to do something different with my life, and so far I have.


If there's nothing more for me, I accept that.  I am glad to still be in this business; if I commit, I'm giving my word to not take the next thing smoking.  


It is hard, though, to live in a place where you don't feel a part of it all.  You feel disconnected, cut off from what you know and are comfortable with, and despite your best efforts to tone up or down to the present situation, you know it's never gonna be enough for most others.


This may sound foolish, but if I was offered a good job there, with gave me stability to do the other important things in my life, I'd do it.  I can write, refine and continue on my literary works anywhere; I can play music anywhere, though I'd certainly miss my old bandmates.  But we come and go, that's a fact.


"Tarkus," by ELP is going on my iTunes right now...it's been running and I can't even remember what I heard before.  Oh well...


...I must be practical, as awful as the truth is.  Where I live is good.  The work I have is good; I want more, and not just to pay my bills.  It makes my living down there worthwhile to know that I can make a difference in that job.  That propels me, and lets me carry on with every other thing I have to do to survive.


It's not so bad, really; but again, I have more searching to do of myself, and I am doing that.  I am considering what I need to do to make myself feel fulfilled.  It can't just be the job.  It has to be other things.


Now, I'm gonna probably get more personal here than I should ever...but I don't think I'd say this to anybody to their face, but most of you probably already have thought it.  I see a chance to continue my broadcasting career in Pennsylvania; I see a chance to be able to use wherever in the area I live as a base for all the other works.  It's portable, it's easy.  If I didn't have to move, that'd be great, because I hate moving.


Problems beyond employment:  living standard.  Living in New England is not cheap, folks.  Massachusetts is one of the highest taxed states, though their sales tax is ironically lower than Pennsylvania's.  Isn't that interesting?


But yeah...Vermont's prices for things like gas are not much different than PA for example.  But cigarettes are $8 a pack across much of New England; well, I don't anymore, so that's fine.  Most people though...bite the bullet, or quit?  


Gas in Mass. is nearly $4 a gallon on average.  Costs are higher here, they really are.  Like in NYC and other places, your pay tends to be geared toward what you have to pay to stay.


In the 90's, I lived in a rundown house in Watertown for $200 a month.  The only reason we could get it that low was because there on average were four to five other roommates.  Most of us could not afford anything else.  


So...get a really good job, or sell the book?  One or the other, and that's about fucking it.


I have to stay where I am...but coming back keeps me from going insane.


Other problem:  in PA, I have almost ZERO chance of finding someone to have a long, and meaningful relationship with.  I will not go into my rel. with Alice, whom I've spoken of; we are great friends, and I adore everything about her.  We may not be "it," though.  Doesn't look it.


Everybody always says that whomever I end up with (at least in the wake of my marriage) is perfect for me.  NO, actually not.  Never has been; I know a lot of that is me.


But there is no choice down there.  I am too different, in most cases too old, and others tend to want more than I can give.


Marriage?  Do you actually think I want to do THAT again?


Children?  You're joking, right?


I have enough trouble keeping myself alive, let alone the responsibility and obligation of that subject.  Years ago, I was aware that I am an unfit parent, temperamentally.  I lack the patience.  Some of that I think runs in the family, but some of it also is just me.


My health is another matter; I cannot father a child because my illnesses, one physical, one mental are both hereditary.  I wouldn't wish either of these on my worst enemies.


Religion?  What am I, anyway?  How do you explain that to more mainstream, conventional people?  You can't, not really.  I certainly don't expect anyone to convert to what I am, and I don't plan to change myself unless I feel it is right.  What I am right now, is right for me.


I feel my luck would be better in another place, maybe even in another lifetime.


Now:  I don't tell you this because I am feeling sorry for myself; not at all, I'm actually feeling very relieved that I'm writing this.  What I can't speak in words, I can write.  If you read any of my writings, you'll see a lot of strange, dysfunctional characters.  They are not all me; some are amalgams of others I've viewed, some of whom deal in the very same things I have.


I also write what I want to see, what I hope the world could be, if we really made an effort. Either way, this is what I deal with, every damned day.


I do what I do because yes, it makes a living, but because I love it to death.  I think to my dying day, I'd do something in radio, if I felt it made a difference, and I could perpetuate some form of it the way it should be done.  I can't change it, but I can make it better, even in a small way.


I write because I must; I have stories to tell, and it's really good therapy.  If I didn't have this outlet, I probably would be dead right now.


Music is another; after years of listening and DJing it, I like making my own for others.  We'll see where it goes.


"Hold on My Heart," by Genesis just ended...I never like Phil Collins' singing...I greatly admire his drumming, but not his sappy songs and his narcissistic need to have that dome of his right up in your face of nearly every record.


"Future Primitive," by Santana...ah, neat.


Well, I think that about does it for my therapy this evening.  Time to get back to whatever work I am doing on my vacation.  One more day in Boston, and NH...must get ready for it.

Day 2--Vermont, Marriage, Music and What I Have Seen...

Well, Day 2 of my vacation and my last day in VT is nearly done.  Another day of going about, and seeing much more of this place that I think I need to return to.


My sister and bro-in-law ARE staying in the hotel after all!  Amazing we never saw one another; turns out Rob, who is a huge minor league baseball fan, went to the Lake Monsters game at the park I drove by.  They have been up here; Rob is a brilliant artist, and an ex-roofer who dusted off his skills on David & Liz's house.  He said it was pretty bad up there.


To explain:  my brother David is the father of Aubrey, who walked the aisle today.  Lot of intriguing subplots to the new additions to our family.  Erica is a lovely young lady, and very sweet; she and Aubrey are perfect for each other.  The remodeling of the family home inside is ongoing.  The outside looks pretty dire, but they know what they're doing.  Change, it's inevitable.


Erica's family apparently has some $$$, because they paid for the whole wedding.  No Bridezillas, thank Heavens, and the bride's mom is a really nice lady.  In fact, everyone on Erica's side seems pretty cool.  


As is the case with weddings, both sides of the family did not appear to have an awful lot to say to one another, but I think that'll change in time.  A short but sweet wedding, with an officicant, or however you spel that word.  No Xtian bullshit, thankfully.


Now...the grandfather did not show up, probably due to his age.  Turns out that fellow was in the SS...yes, that SS, in THAT war.  "Don't Mention the War," was all I could think of.  Actually I would love to meet the man, I think he'd be a bit of living history, and what one could learn from the other side of things.


But you know what, a great time, and I wish Aubrey and Erica nothing but the best.    


My younger nephew Angus looks damned good; he lives in Burlington, the city I have fallen in love with all over again.  He agrees it's a happening place once more.


I also got the chance of a lifetime, one which may not come again:  I got to jam with my brother Mark in his "Music Room," a den of computers, amps, tape decks, sound gear, and guitars, guitars, and more guitars!  Many of which he made himself.


We didn't have long, but we blasted through a few of my songs, plus two or three covers...he just dropped in with some blistering lead guitar like you'd not believe.  OMG...he seemed to like my stuff, and he was thankful, as am I.


His daughter Hanna is all growed up now...about 16 or 17...cute as ever, smart and really cool.  We're all proud of her; she has a great interest in art, and painting...nothing is out of her reach.


Well...I am back in Winooski, across the line from Colchester, at the Block Gallery and Coffeehouse.  Awesome place, and great coffee.  The whole area has undergone a Renaissance of sorts; more development, but it is a place to be again.  I feel an energy from Vermont I've not felt in years...


The road up to Cambridge was much the same...not a lot of changes, though a bit more development here and there.  A rural area that Charles Kuralt would have admired; he may well have even been here.


The hometown...almost the same...one of the general stores is gone...I don't know what happened to it.  One gas station now, not two, but it is so much alike.


The farm looks a little rough, but so it should, because you work a farm, you don't keep it nice for Norman Rockwell to show up.  The strangest thing I saw was this monstrous silo; a nod to environmental rules and regs.  It has put the farm into debt, a lot of it, and the state is to blame for part of that idiocy.  I'm all for keeping the cow shit away from the river that runs through the property, yes, but the engineers fucked things up, according to Mark.


It's a big blue monument, but to what I have no idea.


Another thing:  GREEN.  The whole area is now more GREEN than I ever remembered it.  More trees, more greenspace, more growth along the roadways.  It's nice to see.


I also took a side trip to Westford, a small town where I own grazing land.  It is the Land That Time Forgot; a long dirt road past a few houses, to open, forested space.  Relaxing, enchanting, just fucking awesome.  My brothers use it to graze a few animals every year, and that's about it.  I plan to hold onto it as long as I can; nice place to retire to, build a house on, and yes, I can imagine an awful lot.


All I can say is, that I have experienced a re-understanding of where I came from; I need to get back to New England someday.  I can't afford it right now, but one day I will do this.  I need to live in a land like this again, a part of the world that cannot be duplicated.  Nothing comes close, in my opinion.


Happy as all get out to see everyone, happy to see my nephew and his lady get hitched, and happy to see a land coming back into its own again.  Very much at peace I am.


I'm off to Salem tomorrow to see an old and dear friend, and then Boston, right after that.  So much more to get done...

Day 1--Return to Vermont

Well, once again here we go with my Reports from the Road!  It has been a hectic week in preparation for my road trip back to New England, i.e., finishing work, securing the domain, making sure someone's going to make sure the cats aren't gonna go all "Risky Business" (is that the movie I'm thinking of?) on the house while I'm gone, and all that.


"Escape" by Journey is playing on my iTunes.  My Walkman does not play well with iTunes or a Mac, so the music selection is very different.  Not as many songs, and also a number of "borrowed" discs from The River studio (hee-hee)...hell, I BOUGHT a bunch of these damn records back in the day, yes, records!


So two shows to deal with on the eve of my leaving; hosted "Fresh Air/All Things Considered" on WITF, and then it's zoom over to where I was staying, then to Clear Channel to do the Senators game.  


Not much sleep, and at 5 am I was off and running...eight hours or so in the vehicle, propelled by my Walkman, the BBC, NPR, and occasional local radio.  Scott Fybush would be all over my not giving you every dial position of every New York Public Radio station, and there are a lot of them.


A slightly different road trip for me, through parts of NY State and VT...the latter state I've not been to since my mother's funeral in 2005.  Far too long; that scenic if somewhat slow ride up through SW VT on varied roads into Burlington reminded me quite a bit of what the whole Green Mountain State used to look like.  Yes, used.  I shudder to think what my hometown of Cambridge is gonna look like when I go there tomorrow.


My reason for the trip to VT is to watch my nephew Aubrey walk that aisle with his soon to be new bride, Erica.  This should be interesting...very interesting, indeed.  


I need to see what the home I grew up in looks like now, though I will not ask to see the inside.  A/E did a great remodeling job, to the point I did not recognize some of the rooms I lived in the first 17 years of my life.  Change is good; it is inevitable and I'm glad some of the family will carry it on.


Need to see the farm, see the rest of the gang...most relatives will not be there (and I don't mind telling you I am thankful for THAT).  This is gonna mostly be Aubrey and Erica's crowd, most of whom will be young enough to be my and other sibling's kids. 


I need to see what the place looks like, and the area.  Recalling my earlier life there, it became the template for "Out Among the Stars," one of my "adult" novels (meaning for adults, not X-rated, come on, now!).  Wonder if it'll stand up to the test of what I recall and how I envision it now.


Speaking of siblings...I do wonder where my sister and brother in law are?  Susan and Robert are supposed to be staying in the same hotel I am...they've no-showed.  That is not like them.


I am betting they either got sidetracked somewhere, or they ended up in the other hotel of the same general name in this neighborhood.  What do you wanna bet?


Ah well...I had the chance to look about and see the changes.  Essex, what I saw of it looked rather built up, but still the same...the Fairgrounds was redone, but the barns were the same. Interesting.


My hotel is on the border of Colchester and Winooski, so I dropped down through the latter, to find lots of food spots...and a PHO PASTEUR!  Yes!  To die for!


Susan and Rob owe me a dinner...heh heh heh...see what I can do to influence their decision...


I also drove into Burlington...it's a city that has so many memories and thoughts for me of my youth...and what I didn't have.  I was born in Burlington, and it was "the big city" for kids like me.  Going there for any reason was a special thing.  


My radio career (the paying one) started there, too; in the old WDOT studios on College Street in 1984.  I can't remember the last time I was in Burlington and actually looked around, but I got the chance to do it this afternoon.


Damn.  I want to live here again.


It's so new again...cool places, stores, restaurants, the music, all of it.  The old Oasis Diner building is there, but now is a deli of sorts.  Looks like they're keeping the motif in some way.


Nector's, the place where a funky little band called Phish got their start is there...right next door is Esox, where I used to drink after my shifts on 'DOT...and right across the street from where the late Peter Freyne and I smoked a joint, in full view of the world on a hot summer night in 1985.


Memories.  "Zombie" by Fela Kuti has been rocking for one hell of a long time, but it's cool.


The music shop is gone, but Pure Pop Records is still there...went in and looked around.  My old friend/radio colleague Ira Melnick used to work there...wonder what happened to him, great guy.


The store was a little pricey, but I can see why.  Snagged the new Boxer Rebellion CD The Cold Still and Johnny Clegg's Human, his first CD in 17 years.


"Real as an Animal," Alejandro Escovedo is playing now.  Yeah...


Irregardless of what I see and experience tomorrow in Cambridge, I have to tell you:  I NEED TO BE BACK IN NEW ENGLAND.  IF NOT BOSTON, VERMONT, or somewhere in between.


This is where I'm from...the diversity, the culture clashes (the peaceful ones), the whole fucking world is so different here.  It's not changed that much, not at all; despite the influx of Flatlanders (not the band, a not-always nice term for "Outtastaters"), there's still a unique character to Vermont.


My youth came back to me in a college city...oh!  Passed the ballpark where the Lake Monsters play...$3 FOR PARKING.


3 FUCKING DOLLARS...TAKE THAT, FEDEX FIELD!!!


Now, I have felt rather focused on doing something.  Before going out to do my shopping URRRR!!!! market research I got back to work on music.  Two more songs that begged for months to get music put to them have music now.  Just bare bones stuff, but I like it so far.


The rough mix of "Aki's Song," by my old band, Ahltyrra is playing...Dan and I did get together this week, but I wonder where it's all going.


Where am I going?  I have no job prospects in VT or in Boston...I have to stay where I am, because of my commitments to WITF and to CC.  I have nothing else anyway that I want or need to do in radio.


The book...getting the Sweet Dreams Series published, that may well do it.  I have to hope so.


"Hot Burrito #2," Flying Burrito Brothers is up.


I am again at a new crossroads in my life...I wonder what the next change will be.  Part of me wants out of PA, part of me feels my work is not done there yet.


Part of me is pulling me hard to come home to New England, doesn't matter where in it, but to be there.  


I want to see how things go tomorrow...that will help me consider a bit more...then Boston once more.  


I miss this area; some of my old friends are still here, and I'd love to see them again.  I admit my ties to my family aren't much; my sister and brothers and I are cool with each other, as are the kids I think.  The rest...I will not say anything...let's just leave it at that.


Life has gone on, and it always will.  I now need to see what is going to come up next in these coming days.  Whatever the case, I aim to enjoy myself a little and I will try to relax, but I also have to work out somewhere...other than minimal stuff here in this place, I'll have to wait til I get to Boston.


Either way, it's pretty good.  20 days without a smoke, feeling more like myself already, feeling more awake.  We shall see...

Da Bruins, Radio Coverage, Writing and Stuff

Well, congrats to the Boston Bruins are in order...they pulled out Game 7 in fine fashion last night, beating Vancouver on their home ice, 4-0.


As a native New Englander, I well remember the last time the Bruins won the cup, in 1972.  I was only about six years old at the time, and being the dumb kid I was, I wanted the Rangers to win.  No idea why.


I was producing the Senators' win over the Thunder on the Ticket last night, but I made it to my car by early in the third period.  It was already a done deal; the Canucks just could not get back into the game.


I tuned to Home Ice, the hockey channel on Sirius/XM.  Now in playoff sports, S/XM takes the home radio feed, so I got to hear the Vancouver broadcast team handling the call.  To my surprise they were playing it straight.  No real homerism, they called the game right, fairly and professionally.  Something that is lost on NESN and quite a few American commentators.


The only crack came after the empty-net goal...the color guy said, "That sucks."  And I'm sure it did.  The guys appealed for calm, as they were watching a CTV raw feed from the city...does Vancouver have professional rioters living there?  It's clear to me those people were out to start trouble, and were not real hockey fans.


Either way, I'm glad the Bruins won it, a long time coming, and happy for Tim Thomas, the University of Vermont product...yay, Catamounts!


I went to UVM for about two months one summer, that's my only connection.


That said...another day of editing SDS-1...it's getting much better.  My friend Riz and I had a brief talk about the recent feelings thrown down by a publisher...they have good points, but the readability is still there.  Riz of course would tell me if it wasn't...she pulls no punches.


Another game tonight at the Ticket, and I hope I can keep up a good level of concentration on the edit.  This needs to be finished and soon.


"Five Fifty-One," track from Bruce Cockburn's new CD on my Walkman...nice...trying to keep it together here...much to do.


So yeah...B's fans rejoice, Canucks fans clean up their city and I have to get on with life.