Today is Shakespeare’s birthday, and in his honor I’ve composed a sonnet AND written a stunning play about treachery, love, and many other timeless themes…
Ha, just kidding. I just realized that today’s the day, but I couldn’t have been less creative or productive today. Mike and I drove all day and then got into New Jersey, where we’re staying, on Monday night somewhat late. His aunt fed us well and then we got up the next morning and met a friend in the city, in the area she describes as ‘north Gramercy’ (she could call it anything, what do I know?). It was a lovely day, a lovely lunch, a lovely time just catching up. It was such a spring-y day, and we went through enough wintry weather on our way out here that I felt I could enjoy it along with the New Yorkers, even though we should be used to sun. This friend enjoys what I enjoy – walking and talking, eating, drinking a coffee – nice, laid-back fun.
The Port Authority bus station and the traffic to get back to NJ was not exactly laid-back, however, and I think Mike and I were just wiped out this morning. He had some stuff to do, and both of us had errands to run. So he wound up doing some work at Barnes and Noble while I wandered the store and the surrounding mall, looking at fancy NY chain stores with stuff I can’t afford (ooh, Marc Jacobs.) Sometimes I’m particularly weak on that sort of thing, but I enjoyed just the browsing today.
It was kind of the pace I wanted to go – suburban pace – which is weird for me. Maybe I’m just over needing the hustle and bustle since moving to LA and working downtown, taking the train everyday, etc. As a kid I always dreamed about living in NYC but ultimately decided that I am such a high-strung person, I might need a place that itself moves a little slower or I would just become a big ball of anxiety. I imagine you get used to it, and there truly is no place like NYC. But for now I feel like LA is just right. Lots of traffic, yes, but lots of green and more space. It’s been just over 2 weeks and while I’m very excited for the NY show and all the others to come, I do find myself longing to see a palm tree, if just for a moment. I had a little daydream about living in Cleveland again (for real, it was just like that 30 Rock episode, have you guys seen it?), but I suppose there are no palm trees there. Dilemma.
Returning to Mike’s aunt’s house today, I napped for a couple hours, which more or less brings me to now. I can’t remember the last time I napped, or even slowed down, because things have been hectic for months, even before we left. I’ve been kind of plowing ahead, ignoring the fact that traveling and performing is pretty tiring, not only because I need to play the shows but because I need to spend time getting the word out about them, trying to get on the radio and in papers and generally make the tour a ’success.’ Hard to know what would make it a success to me, since I set my own standards pretty high. But thus far I feel great; I’ve gotten some help here and there but pretty much built this crazy thing myself. To see it come to life as a real tour is pretty satisfying. We’ve met lots of new people, made some new fans, laid some groundwork in some new places. And we’ve certainly been having a great time, so that alone should count for something. None of it is worth it if you’re not enjoying it…
Ok, off to be over-fed by Mike’s aunt again and round out the day with a little NJ evening.