I took off Friday so that I could pack before the Brother Tim show at 8:00. You see, we decided (and by “we” I mean Michelle) that we would leave when I got back from that show at 2am. Then I would sleep in the car for 4 or so hours while Michelle drove. But we’ll talk about Saturday later.
Anyway, I was home all day trying to get everything done before I left. So, I was stressed. I was stressed trying to get stuff done. I was stressed because I didn’t feel particularly prepared for the BT show. I was stressed because we were leaving when I got home. AND I was stressed because Brent was supposed to be coming but he is quite unreliable. I stressed around home all day. Got most of my stuff packed and got the bikes all prepared and loaded. Oh, and did I mention the shoulder pain? My left shoulder, inside the shoulder blade. It’s been hurting for a few days. And guess where the strap for the bass rests? You got it.
We didn’t quite get everything packed (actually didn’t get ANYTHING in the car, but I had to go so I loaded up my 2 basses, my bag of goodies, and a stand for my bass and went to Mark’s (the guitarist) to load up Delilah (the band van). We drag all of our stuff (we needed our own PA) up from the basement and load it into the van to take to the show. Brent was supposed to be on the train getting there at 4:30 but he cut his finger and missed it. So we didn’t have any young back to help.
Van packed, went to pick up Brent (who was there) and headed to Millrose for the BT show. As usual it took us forever to get things set up and working. We had a sound guy and he helped, but since we don’t use our own PA that often, it always takes a long time. I have a beer. Brent and the other bandmates have dinner. Steve gets us set up. We were supposed to start at 8 but weren’t ready ‘til 8:30. But that’s OK because people there to see us were still having dinner.
So we get started. We have a real good show! The crowd is into us. We remember our songs. We get to the end of what was planned to be the first set and we decide to go on without a break. Good. We can do that. But when we get halfway through our second set (of 3), I have to call a break. I’m tired and thirsty and I need to have a break. Luckily everyone agrees (I insist) and we get some rest. I get a beer. Take a little breather.
Second set, we have the crowd back into us. We blast thru our second and then our third set. About 5 or 6 songs from the end, I get a huge cramp in my fretting hand. So badly that I literally cannot lift my index finger from the fretboard. And it HURTS! I pull it off with my right hand (this is in mid song) and now it’s behind the neck all cramped up. I finish the song (actually this is 2 that we blend together) by using my other fingers and sliding a lot instead of fretting each finger. Luckily this all dissipates and I am able to finish the set. It’s all good.
So we pack up Delilah again. Goes faster this time because Brent and Art’s kids are there to help. Brent has missed the last train back to Chicago so I have to drive him all the way back to O’Hare to catch the el. Then I drive home. I get there by 2:30am and Michelle is up ready to go. We pack up the car (it was not packed). And off we go. Michelle drives. I sleep for about 3 hours before she has to take a nap. I drive for about 3 and then she drives again because I need sleep. We do well. We are in Buffalo by 2:30pm local time.
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