Staples

Sometimes I do my best thinking while perusing an Office Supply Catalog. In this case; Staples.

Enlightenment

I think I've tapped on Enlightenment's door twice. Very briefly both times, but I'm beginning to know darn well when I knock.

Once was on Topsail Island about three or four years ago. I had just showered from being in the ocean, and was outside in a fresh T-shirt and shorts, at dusk, walking along the beach. The wind was wonderful. I turned into it and consciously tried to meditate as I had been taught and read, and poof! for just a second, I was there. I think it took about 10 minutes to rid my mind of thought. But then I think the magnitude of what happened snapped me right back out of it. Either way it was wonderful, and I still have the shell I found and 'used' to remove thought. For that brief second, I only was.

The second time was about three minutes ago. I was sitting here worrying about Bristol and all it may or may not entail, and, as is my recent habit when Bristol comes to mind, I reminded myself that it doesn't exist yet. To be where I am. And POOF again. I wasn't trying to knock. It just happened. I like that.

Rawhide!

Gig went great. Not too many people, but we cleared $200, which means one more gig like that and we might have everyone in the band paid off for what we bought. The bar was no better or worse than Choppy's. Same good folks there. Small place. I didn't even mic my bass drum, and Donna and others said we sounded the best we ever have. Brian Jefferson even showed up and played Harmonica on some songs with us. Donna sounded great. I'd say that even if I wasn't biased. A couple of folks (Beth, Maria and her husband Scott) from Cat's Corner showed up. We'll be back there on December 18th. Probably a bit early for Liam's first live performance, but you know...

Still nothing on Bristol. It's almost the exact same distance North to South highwaywise from everybody. It's been 18 days since I interviewed, and it's driving me batty. There are quite a few things I need to start here at the Journal, but won't need to worry about if I'm leaving. Of course besides not having been offered the job yet, I've not accepted it either. No idea either way, just priming myself for some good sour grapes if they offer it to the other person... And the longer it takes to hear something, the more it feels like they are in negotiations with the other guy.

Patience, Grasshopper. Patience.

Whoa... who am I,, Will?

Long time long time. Let's see.. Not much time now, but enough to say I can't wait to see Liam.. As I'm sure the rest of the Chandlers .. (especially the one carrying him) are thinking.

I interviewed in Bristol VA/TN (the state line goes down the 'Noble Street' of the city) last week, and should hear something back soon. I'd be the IT manager of the 4th largest Media General Newspaper.. Well, 6 papers, actually, and one TV station. Of course they haven't offered it to me yet, so it's all words until then.

We have a gig at a Hell's Angel's bar this Saturday. Donna is going to sing some, but I don't think she's too thrilled about the Hells Angel thing. Could be worse.. We are learning Rawhide tonight.

The Parents (O & E) are coming for Turkey. I'm eating a bunch of pickles.

I miss you all. Come visit!

Camping and Fiddlers.

If you've read Jamie's Blog you know we had a marvelous time camping. As he's done a wonderful job of recounting it, I'll leave a little here. Really not much more than a memo to let everyone know I enjoyed it quite throughly as well. As soon as I get some time, I'll scan the map we used and post some additional photos.

This is also another plea with the certain eldest Chandler sibling to please make it to Fiddler's. Donna's not going to be able to make it due to her new job starting last week. She loves it, but there is a lot of intense training for the first couple of months that she really cannot miss. So, alas, I'll be making the trip in Thunder by myself. She will be missed.

Another bit to try to infulence all of my extended family to be there (now more extended than I ever dreamed considering recent adoptive innovations) is to be there to meet my birth mother, who is also planning to be in attendance with us in front of Founder's Hall.

I hope everyone can make it. Geoff and Stacy, I'm sorry you'll be in Japan, but I'm glad you'll be in Japan. That. Rocks.

See you all soon, I hope!

David

No!

Almost lost everything on the Track server today. That would not have been fun. It wasn't fun anyway.. I'll leave out the details. The emphatic No! as the title refers to the fact that it appears Will will not be able to go on our camping trip. That is a shame, because, I feel, that out of us three, he needs the break the most. We will miss you, friend. Please make it to Fiddler's.

Yes!

Jamie is on his way! ... or will be soon. Either way he'll be here this weekend! Will, you better get someone to do your paper route for you. For that matter, who thought I'd ever be saying that... Yipppeeee!