RAIN WITH SUN
I remember watching an episode of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman with my mother. In the scene, it was a wet and muddy day in the newly developing town of Colorado Springs. (Byron Sully was probably off hunting buffalo with the GREAT WHITE WOLF. Loren Bray was slurring words. I always had a strange attachment to Horace, the owner of the general store and the only telegrapher in town. He must have gathered a lot of secrets, written them down twice, and then with his big goofy grin... bribed the townspeople for land shares and/or guns.) The sun was shining through in the background as the rainy episode developed, highlighting each rain drop and revealing that it's origin was not from the sky... but from a sprinkler system suspended above the actors. This, for my mother, was evidence of the disadvantage of the strict time schedules in filmmaking. The sun and rain would never exist together and if they do in a television series or a film, it is a clear indication that it is a created set in sunny California, on a lovely day, and so destroys the viewer's ability to suspend disbelief. So, I am NOT in Colorado Springs and I can't connect to Michaela Quinn or the three orphaned children that she has been TRICKED into taking care of.
Since moving to Auckland, I have realized that rain and sun are somewhat guaranteed here. I have witnessed, almost daily, gorgeously bright sunsets, sunrises, and midday sun hangouts with full on showers happening in front of them. I'm not sure if it is a characteristic of the city's elevation, the fact it's between two bays, or the general modestly optimistic nature of the population ("Well, it's raining now, but LOOK there is the sun hanging out behind it!...But yeah, it is raining."). I'm pretty positive the rain/cloud combo happens in lots of places around the world. It's probably not exciting for a non-midwesterner to realize that. But for me, it allows me to truly believe in Dr. Quinn... to be able to smell her hair, hold her soft (yet firm and directed) hand, and know that at some point... this show was REAL! MOTHER, IT HAPPENED! It did.
WOODY ALLEN as a model
I found this eye protection sign to have strong resemblance to Woody Allen. Yes?
Lucky Dragons show went really well. It was very nice seeing them again.
LUCKY DRAGONS SHOAW IN AUCKLAND
"BB" has been added super last minute to this show! Excited to play with Lucky Dragons again...in another foreign country.
R.C. LEGACY GOES INNER
R.C. LEGACY records, the label run by my brother David, has put up a website that features the releases and shows by the bands released on the label. One of which is the "BB" release, "Hard History: the story of bruno and his bingeful bosom buddies" which is now only available through the website. Check it!
AUCKLAND
I arrived in New Zealand this morning (Wednesday the 17th) around 5:30am. The flight was pretty painless until I got off and then the jet lag set in. I had to lay down. Took a short nap. Ate some food. It was a really sunny somewhat brisk day. Now, it's raining. Supposedly, it will be for the next few days. NO WORRIES.
Before coming here, I stayed in San Francisco and Los Angeles. California has always treated me well. I have some good friends there, whose generosity continues to grow greater and greater. In a recent post, I pointed out finding two of my friends in clothing advertisement...in Florida. This past visit to San Francisco...I found yet another chance media publication featuring one of the same people...
FORTUNATE TIMES
The past few weeks have consisted of a series of relaxed events. My brother has married a lovely girl, I spent a week with my friend, Andrew, and now I am in San Francisco using the bus system to explore the many parts of the city. Nothing in the trip has disappointed or lacked all that I had anticipated. I generally have high expectations for what amounts to normal or mediocre events. I do not think that this trip has been that much different from the others I have taken. All of my travels have moved me. Generally, everyday contains experiences that allow me to move outside my body for a few breathes while at other times I feel tired and bored.
My revelation has been that desiring those moments of transcendence, or whatever you want to call it, depends to a great degree on an ability to forgive the body for limiting the mind. And I don't mean to say that all of these revelations are physical in nature, but instead that reaching a certain tranquility depends on attitude and acceptance of limitation. I am not invincible. I don't know everything. My opinions are not all encompassing. Walking around each day will be taxing on my body. Going to sleep or lying down is always more enjoyable than work. Eating costs money. ETC.
I am finding that the list of limitations is getting longer, but I don't really believe in them. I'm learning to not blame myself for having them while still attempting to defy them. Somehow I think there is just as much joy in being defeated by them as there is in defeating them...or maybe just as much life.
Overseas
This monday, August 4th, will likely be the last "full band" BB show for a while. It will be at Vertigo Records with Nat Baldwin and Breathe Owl Breathe. I am going to be traveling to New Zealand for a little bit. I have found an opportunity there that I feel I need to explore.
Please, come out and wish our raggidy bunch a safe ride through life. We're all going through changes...becoming new...or old depending on how you look at it.
blessings.
TO BE BACK
We are back. Sort of. Our tour band disbanded as quickly as it was formed. Karis turned around and drove back to Florida. Bob returned to Baltimore, MD to continue his unprecedented success as a "GNARLY TEACHER/LANDLORD COMBO!" Matt and I have re-assimilated with some of the old band to play a show with the Dodos. It was a treat.
Here are some things/people we ran into and have loved since being back:
These things help you.
Up next, is a record...unknown how it will be produced, but it will be and is in the process. Also, more t-shirts, handmade sketchbooks, dresses, war paint, temporary tattoos, famous movie stars from the fifties, rechargeable batteries, girlfriends, "boy" friends, etc.
THANKYOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED US TRAVEL AROUND AND PLAY SHOWS!
FASHIONFRIENDSFOUND-WHOISTHEBEAUTY?
It is a funny thing to find your friends, as models.
We found this photo of bob in a magazine as well...I think he got a pretty penny for this add.
READY/EXCITEMENT!!
TOUR SCHEDULE IN PLACE:
June 17th: Charlottesville, VA @ The Garage 100 W. Jefferson
June 18th: Greensboro, NC @ Erik's house 303 mimosa dr w/ Small Sur and beloved binge
June 19th:
June 20th: Gainesville, FL @ the Kickstand w/ woven bones, nervous systems, and small sur
June 21st: Lakeland, FL @ Mitchell's Coffee House w/ Pemberley and Win Win Winter
June 22nd:
June 23rd: Orlando, FL @ Uncle Lou's bar w/ Small Sur, Woven Bones, and TBA
June 24th: Athens, GA @ The Spillage House w/ Small Sur, others TBA
June 25th: Lexington, KY @ The Shrieking Shack (503 oldham ct.)
June 26th: Chattanooga, TN @ JJ's Bohemia others, TBA
June 27th: Baltimore, MD @ Copycat Annex w/ Shivers, Small Sur, & Andy Abelow
June 28th: Brooklyn, NY @ Death By Audio w/ City Center, Nat Baldwin
June 29th: Cambridge, MA @ 18 Amory St, Apt 3R w/ Small Sur, City Center,
June 30th: Pittsburgh, PA @ Union Project w/ Small Sur
Our tour to Florida VIA the eastern coast is set! Karis, Matt, and I will travel to Baltimore this weekend to pickup Bob, our final tour bandmate, and set out for our trip. We haven't named the our tour vehicle yet, but it has been referred to as "the CLOWN CAR" and "Tiny."
ROOF RACK COMPLETED:
We built this rooftop carrier for the vehicle... also waiting to be named. It has been referred to as "the coffin" and "box."
NEW T-SHIRTS COMPLETED:
Two new deigns of home-dyed home screen printed t shirts will be sold on tour.
SLEEPTALKER COMPLETED:
Also, the first completed tape on the Grand Rapids tape label, GRAND MANOR TAPE COLLECTION/GRAND MANOR PRINTING PRESS, will be sold on tour. The tape features two 15 minute sides of recordings made by Chad Vickery of himself talking in his sleep compiled and set to music (music also made by Chad). The tape is packaged in a two color screen printed box with a fold out booklet.
DRAG CITY POSTER COMPLETED:
Lastly, available on tour will be a promtional poster designed for the release of "Songs from the source" by Children Of The Sixth Root Race. The album will be out on Drag City, June 17th. "BUY IT!" the poster says! The posters are five color screen prints on arches 88 paper (some are on other paper...oops)!
COME TO A SHOW!!!! TALK TO YOU IN A COUPLE WEEKS!!!