Had an absolutely lovely time at the gig tonight.
I always feel, when I'm just starting the gig, that I might be, like, imposing. Like someone is thinking "Aw, crap. I was just gonna have a nice drink and peace and quiet." Just for a second, but the thought is there.
Tonight, I was setting up and taking my time a bit, having this kind of irrational thought. It didn't last long, 'cuz people kept yelling "WHEN ARE YOU PLAYING?" "I HEARD ABOUT THIS! GET ON WITH IT!" and other stuff. Busting my chops pretty good, but, like, really encouraging.
I opened, as always, with "Baby, Can I Hold You", which I can do with my brain turned off, which is good, 'cuz it's a REALLY quick and quiet soundcheck/crowdcheck/find my buddy (i.e. the person paying attention the most). Didn't have to, as there were a bunch of kids around and they just tortured me. I got to make a few "Children of the Corn" jokes (DUDE! Seriously! They were, like, staring... unblinking. CREEPY AS HELL!), which broke the ice. I did a couple new ones tonight. The aforementioned Chumbawumba song went over as well as it should (i.e. People hate it that they love the song, so they flip me the bird and roll their eyes... while singing along!) and "Smile On" was lovely.
The owner came out with a DE-FUCKIN'-LICIOUS (pardon my English... Mim, cover your ears!) pepperoni pizza with a bit of sausage and a sprinkling of bacon. Not, like MEAT LOVERS!!!!™ craziness, but exactly the right amount to mix well when you eat it, in proportions that change pleasantly with each mouthful.
And a HUGE hug and a thank you and a "this is so perfect, I was crying in the kitchen 'cuz it's like my dream coming true while I was watching" kinda thing, which made my heart swell like you wouldn't believe. It felt SO right to be there, under a tree with fairy lights all around.
I need a bit more light on me, so, instead of a spot or something, I want to get one of those old Edison bulbs, with the filament, and just a thingie you screw the bulb into and a long cord... tweed cloth covered, of course!
Actually, if any of you lot going to UWC know anyone that could do something like that, let me know, wouldja?
and I'm just going to hang it from the tree above and slightly in front of me. A bare, old-fashioned bulb, just hanging there. I love that idea.
Gorgeous night. I am the luckiest man alive.
OH! And our friend, who is getting married next month - while I'm away, sadly - is marrying a carpenter. A CABINET MAKER!
And he's a super nice guy. I told him that when he was all done with this wedding crap, that I want to talk to him about making a case for the 8-string. I want two, actually. One that'll hold, like, all my cords and a couple of mics and, hopefully, a mic stand, as well as the uke, and another that's just for the uke. He was like "Wanna do it tomorrow?" We like Alex!
Ok. I'm babbling. Love you guys. Couldn't do this without you. I don't know where I'd be but I guarantee I wouldn't be as happy!
