Updates: CD out and Spoutwood

But first, I never posted my setlist from the last Constellation Books gig:
constellation setlist 4/26

Last week was a whirlwind.
On Tuesday I finally finished the audio for the CD.
On Wednsday, I finally finished the cover.
On Wednsday I also got to have massive front end and bearing work done on Mama Tiger. It turns out that she *did* need to have work done before her alignment could be fixed, and it's probably a good thing, because she vibrates a whole lot less now, and I'm not nervous about the wheel bearings any more. Unfortunately, my choices for the rest of the day were limited once I gave the go ahead to do the work. I'd brought my bike so that I could ride to Kinko's from the repair shop to work on the cover, but then realised that, given the timetable, the hour long ride the rest of the way home would STILL be the most productive use of my time, because the downtime would have me on my home turf. I am very out of shape for that kind of trek, but it was good and good for me.
Thursday was my production day. It took far too long to burn the new CDs I wanted as well as copies of the old ones, and to print, cut and fold covers. Far too long.
We didn't get to leave for Spoutwood until 9pm.

But then we got to Spoutwood and it was, like always, arriving into the bosom of a loving family.

It was SO SO SO good to see everyone, and be at that blessed place.
As I usually do, I brought extra sound gear, just in case they needed something and it turns out that they did. I was able to lend speakers, mics, and an amp to the human friends of Lestrythus the Dragon, and thus they were audible to the crowds assembled.

My tips and sales were most excellent, which really made the gig itself even more worthwhile, even though I'd be almost willing to play it for free. I mean, Spoutwood is already a decently paying gig, but this time around it was outstanding. People are really happy about the new CD and can't wait to hear it.

Saturday was a bit of hassle, as somewhere in there I acquired some sort of tummy trouble that would have me dropping everything to RUN to the johns. But that passed, and I managed to not have it leave me dehydrated, but I was rather fried by night-time. It didn't dampen my spirits tho, and I played well and often and long.

On Sunday, I got to save the day for the nice lady leading the maypole dances, as she seemed to have lost the musicians she thought she'd have. I always love playing for the maypole, and got to pull out some of my instrumental faves that I don't get to play w/out 3LF.
For the garland dance she taught, I was suddenly inspired to play "Ly Bens Distonys", which is a weirdly structured pre-Playford English dance. Usually I'm playing this for what always seemed to me a bit of an incomplete reconstruction of the dance. I don't know why it seems that way, but it does. However: playing it outside in the sunshine and flowers for people doing a Mayday dance seemed to wake up a sleeping soul in the music and for the first time, this merry tune that (while fun and pretty) always seemed a little restless- seemed to truly breathe and pulse. I could SEE the ripples of that pulse flow through the audience and watch them respond. I must learn more about this somehow.

Sunday also brought me another surprise from the land of Bardoom. The venerable Bishop Olender was there with a friend, and knowing that he'd find me, brought pictures from the old days, when I was much smaller and had more hair. He had a picture of me from 1981! One look and I could tell that I had not quite found myself yet. It was not to be for another couple of years until Music would truly manifest itself in me and give me my direction. I *looked* just a little bit lost.

Other highlights:
-Seeing and hanging out just a bit with susannaknits. I NEVER get to do that enough! It's just not fair! I got a LOVELY shirt from her tho.
-Seeing and hanging out with all kinds of friends old and new at and after the faire.
-Someone caught me playing a song by The Decemberists, and sat enraptured as I played more for them. The person's friends didn't seem to see what the fuss was, but WE knew!
-I *think* I got to do a "good thing"(tm) and I hope it turns out for the best. Sorry to be cryptic, but it's right to be discrete here. But I feel good about this and so it's worth mentioning.
-SEVERAL old friends with whom I am out of touch in cruel disproportion to my affection managed to show up and while the time was short together, it was quality time.
-Every couple of hours, someone told me "I love you, Maugie!", which was affirming and refreshing, and something that really helped unbow my back a bit.
-Despite some dire potential, the weather held up and was actually pretty darn good. It's not that much of a surprise
-I learned a delightful new joke, which I WILL be sharing far and wide.
-The weight I've lost, and the exercise I've gotten seemed to be making a difference in my ability to drag myself up that confounded hill to camping. It did not slay me as it has in the past. It's still a pretty grump-worthy hill. Not as bad as Runestone at Pennsic, but still...

And once again, I had to TEAR myself away from the Farm at the end with tears in my eyes.
I love that place.
I love that event.
And most of all I LOVE those people.

It remains my favorite gig of all time anywhere, ever!
It is Pepperland made real.