The PA system just announced that my flight is looking for a volunteer to switch flights. While I’d love that $200 travel voucher, I want to get to NOLA when Tracy and the Mulvey’s do. Hopefully I won’t get bumped. My previous flight option didn’t have me getting into NOLA until 5pm. 12 hours of traveling? Um, no.

Happily, I was able to check my big bag for free. I could’ve checked 2 bags free since I booked my original ticket so long ago. That will be handy for coming back. 50 pounds of beads checked free? Yes, please.

I want to get there, have some lunch, go to Napoleon House for a Pimm’s Cup, then have some tasty dinner, then call it a night. I need one night of decent sleep. Thankfully there aren’t parades until Thursday.

Many thanks to Sara for getting up super early to bring me to the airport. You rock, Sara!

NOLA, here I come!

Photos from four of the five shows (nothing from Madison, more on that later…)
If you click on a photo when it is the big photo, it will give you the caption for the photo, with the option to click over to Flickr and see all the sizes.

All my video clips (some short, some long) in one big playlist:

And now a trip overview:

Last Wednesday, my boys of Bonerama came to Iowa City and enjoyed the cozy surrounds of the basement of the Iowa City Yacht Club. Huge thanks to all my friends and family from many parts of my life that came out to enjoy the fabulous music. I know it was tough since it was a Wednesday, but I hope the music and fun was more than worth it for everyone. It was very cool for me to get to see even more people I know see the guys for the first time or get a second or third (or more) taste. I can’t wait for them to come back in July and play the Iowa City Jazz Fest! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 5th at 6pm! Bring the family!

On Thursday, Julie and I headed for Minneapolis. We stayed with the Whitworths and got a chance to enjoy the cuteness that is Muiread. There was dinner and BC dropped by for a few drinks before the show. Brandon went to the show with Julie and I. I think he enjoyed himself. The Cabooze was a cool club in Minneapolis and the show was great with an enthusiastic crowd.

Friday, we rolled eastward to Madison to our one night in a hotel. I hadn’t been to Madison before and expectations were a little high since the city was so highly recommended, but Wisconsin managed to not disappoint. Jewels and I had a great dinner at a wonderful restaurant called ‘The Icon’ that was across the street from the theater. Highly recommended for both before and after show fun. The concert on Friday was in a real theater. It was sold out and packed with around 900 people! Julie can report on the show as I mostly heard it from the lobby. I was helping out the band and selling merchandise. It was nice to be thought of and asked by Mark. Yes, I know I said ‘yes’ three times, but wow, it was crazy!! I liked getting to talk to people about the show as they came in and out for drinks or the restroom, but after the smokin’ encore, it was pandelrium! So many new fans!! And the guys came out and signed autographs and talked to the eager people. I complained, but they know I loved it. Anything to help out and share the joy of the Bone!

Saturday (and we were surprisingly feeling good, other than some lingering/developing colds), and we had a nice short drive to Chicago. There was cheese and wine tasting along the way (isn’t that required by law in Wisconsin?) and we settled into my home away from home in Chicago, at my friend Scott’s apartment. We went out for a fabulous seafood dinner at a restaurant that I can’t remember at the moment, and then grabbed a tasty (and properly filled) drink before Julie and I headed to the club. Bonerama had played Martyrs last July and I was there and it was a good crowd: dance floor in the middle with tables on both sides and it was all comfortably filled. Obviously the second time around had built up a following because when we walked in at 10:45pm it was a sweaty madhouse! Totally packed from wall to wall with people fired up to see the guys and they definitely brought the goods. The people were dancing and loving it all night. I hadn’t been to a hot, sweaty club show in quite awhile. That’s what they’re like in NYC or NOLA. It was fun. And hot. The music was so good. Seriously, watch some of my shaky video. Revisited the Green Mill, site of one of my best Harry shows ever, later that night which was a great way to end the day (or start Sunday).

Sunday, we hung out with Scott. There was brunch and a lot of walking. Then we headed to DeKalb for an evening of contrasts. A slightly smaller crowd, but no less appreciative. It was kind of like a fan appreciation show. It was nice to have time to chat with people in a calm fashion and be able to sit back and enjoy the show. Though the music was so good I pretty much wanted to crawl out of my skin. What was really cool about the setlist was that it included both ‘Moby Dick’ (with a crazy 13+ minute jam) from the first Bonerama album, which I hadn’t heard for quite awhile, as well as a brand new arrangement of ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ that they had just rehearsed that afternoon. Its going to be so awesome.

And then we said our goodbyes. I cried a little bit on the way home, more from joy than sadness. What an adventure to get to take. We got back to Iowa City around 1:30am on Monday.

I can and will say more… its coming!

Look: photographic proof that I was within spitting distance of Daniel Craig. *sigh*
I’ve posted some of my Academy Awards red carpet photos over on flickr. There’s a lot of cropping involved in my pictures, so its taking a bit longer than I’d hoped to get all finished. I still have some more to add to the set… they’re coming soon.

Andy and I went to the Meet the Oscars exhibition today in Hollywood, the most touristy thing I wanted to do. Its completely cliche to say, but it really is heavier than it looks. I expected heavy and I got heavy.

We also went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, ate some really tasty cuban food for breakfast, and sat in LA traffic for a few hours. We may take in a movie tonight, but we’re still both recovering from illnesses and I need to be my best on Sunday!

No, I’m not actually in New Orleans today. This is from Mardi Gras morning last year with my friend Tracy (who isn’t in costume because she had to be responsible and take an early flight out that day to get home to teach).

I hope everyone has a great Mardi Gras day. Wear some beads and listen to a little WWOZ!

Then yesterday rolled around… and the problem with the costs (expensive flights, hotel by myself, etc) basically went out the window as flights dropped by at least a hundred dollars and there’s a group of people going now and the hotel would’ve been like $80 for four nights. I took a long hard look at my financial situation and decided I was willing to sacrifice doing anything at all for the entire fall in order to go to NOLA next week. And on top of all of that, the group is set up to work for two days with the AWK, which is the one thing I really regretted not getting to do when I went for Mardi Gras. Everything around here has just been so depressing lately, I’ve been working so much for what feels like no reason at all, and on and on and I just really need a few days to go and have some fun and do some work that felt like it had purpose behind it.

I knew it was short notice to get vacation time from work, technically we’re supposed to ask for vacation a month in advance, but I’ve actually done shorter notice before with no problem. So about 12:30pm yesterday I was flying high thinking “I’m going to New Orleans!” Well, I’m sure you have figured out by now where this is going…

My boss said, “no.”

Two of my co-workers had already asked for Friday off and my boss has to leave early on that Friday and so I have to be here to cover for everyone because apparently just our designers aren’t enough. I was crushed. I am crushed. I’m pissed and bitter and disappointed. I’ve only taken a day and a half of vacation since I got back from Mardi Gras at the beginning of March. I’ve been working overtime, I’m trying to be a better employee after being told with my current attitude I’m “unpromotable at any company”, and it all feels even more pointless than before. I’m constantly trying to reason with myself and tell myself its my own fault, I knew the rules of vacation time requesting, I should’ve just requested the time earlier if I’d thought I was supposed to go. Or how about, “how dare I think that my time or destination is anymore valuable or important” than whatever my co-workers are going to take their time and do. Or I “should be happy to just have a job.” Or then there’s the “it just wasn’t meant to be” crap. I know all the logical or platitude-scented thoughts to have.

I thought I’d be over it after a night’s sleep, but instead I dreamed about packing to go, considering the new airline restrictions… seriously… my brain. I think it stings more that I was told I couldn’t do something than just me making the decision to not go. Yes, I know I should just move on and focus on the next thing… but I just wanted to do this so badly. It didn’t help that all this happened yesterday as I’m trying to tell people, “remember New Orleans… do what you can to help” and my chance to really go help was taken away from me. Again, I know “there will be other chances to help” and all that.

I know all this stuff and I know how I should feel and how I should pray about it and cope, but the truth is, I’m just bitterly disappointed. I can’t stop crying. I don’t even want to look at my co-workers or talk to anyone. I just want everyone to leave me alone.

Sometimes it feels like the photo editing/video clip arranging/blog entry composing after a trip can take as long as the trip itself. Ok, maybe just as long as driving back on I-88… which usually feels like about four years, give or take a month.

After work on Thursday, I headed east to see Bonerama play their first Chicagoland gig at Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn. Even with the short notice of the show, it was such a treat to be able to just get in my car and see the guys’ smiling faces within a few hours. *sigh* I’m such a sucker for them. There was a good crowd considering it was a Thursday night and it was their first time playing the venue. I liked the venue; it had good sound, a good space, and the right amount of character. I met several people who’d seen the guys in New Orleans at Jazzfest or Mardi Gras, as well as some who were there because they’d heard Stanton Moore would be doing the duties on the drums for the show. Ah Stanton. It was very rock star that I got to hear him play with them for two gigs. He just elevates everything. I was flying solo for this trip since everyone else seems to think they actually need to work during the week. (It was even an early show; they started by 9:15?! and were done a little before 1am.) The guys managed to muddle through with only one overly enthusiastic groupie in attendance. They’re such troopers. Sold a nice little stack of CD’s to those who were digging the bone. Several people asked when they’d be coming back and hoping for a weekend show. Me too, as I need to get more of my friends out on the road to enjoy the guys.

And for those who are interested, there are a few photos. (I’m trying to cut back on the bone show photo taking because its gotten to the point where I’ve got pictures of every article of clothing they all own at least three times.) In place of dozens of photos, I give you the new hottness: video clips on YouTube.

And because the world is a small place, I ended up talking to the guy who was running the sound for the venue and it turns out he went to Iowa for a couple of years and was in the Hawkeye Marching Band back in the day. Back in the mid 1970′s when Iowa was the doormat of the BigTen. He said they only had 86 members! But it was under the tulage of Dr. Jones. Himie Voxman was even his advisor. So random.

I headed into Chicago proper as I was to stay with Scott for the weekend. What a great friend as I only ever show up in town when there’s a show I want to go to. And this time I’m showing up at around 2am, on a work night. I hadn’t see him since the Christmas tour in 2003 I think. Has it really been that long?? No. I think there was another gig in there somewhere. Anyway, it had been awhile. But Scott understands the driving compulsion to attend concerts as he’d just seen Madonna the night before and was going to see her two more times on Sunday and Monday after I left. He’s got a new place that is properly downtown now. You can see Oprah’s city residence from his window. Swanky! I got a couple hours of sleep, but then the sun came up. Pesky sun, with its brightness and the whole shining in the window thing. So overrated. More to come…

Last night, as I was completely procrastinating from packing, I was going to look through my photos to find suitably embarassing ones to post today for Jeff’s birthday. But he saved me the work.

Happy Birthday, Jeff! See you tonight. Don’t touch the box!

The title of this post was swiped from Metroblogging New Orleans. The latest post describes just what I’ve been experiencing since arriving home on Wednesday night:

Convalescence: n. 1. Gradual return to health and strength after illness. 2. The period needed for returning to health after illness.

Carnivalescence: n. 1. Gradual return to health and strength after mardi gras. 2. The period needed for returning to health after mardi gras.

In my experience, carnivalescence usually lasts at least one week. Even if the carnivalescent isn’t really sick or weak, there is still a lack of interest in any social activity, or even routine errands. Some folks might say that sounds like depression, but no, it’s just the brain saying “Okay, you’ve had your fun, now let’s just sit on the couch, drink cocoa, and watch Court TV for a week.” Even a mundane activity such as talking on the phone or reading a book is shot down by the brain as being too taxing.

Although my mom came over to visit, return Mac, and celebrate her birthday with me on Friday and we went out shopping and eating out with Jerry & Sara for Sara’s birthday (same day as my mom’s), I haven’t had the desire to go do anything else since I returned home. Somehow I got lucky and I did not end up sick after seven days in New Orleans. I took off the rest of the week anticipating I’d be on death’s door from exhaustion, but instead of being sick, I was just tired and kind of numb.

The trip was really wonderful. I ate so much good food, walked so many miles, and heard so much amazing music. The fried chicken at Fiorella’s was a culinary highlight. I got to see Bonerama twice, the Storyville Stompers, Better Than Ezra, and got introduced to the fun, funky sounds of George Porter.

I got to walk around wearing a feathered wig. I love being able to wear costumes and glitter and colorful makeup and its not looked on as being out of the ordinary. I met a fun guy who was playing the organ with Bonerama on Friday night. He was wearing a pink wig and a dress. I saw him again on Mardi Gras morning and he was wearing a blue wig and the whole rest of him was painted blue. I have no idea what his natural haircolor is and I’d probably never recognize him in street clothes. And come to thing of it, he saw me once wearing a feather wig and the other time with my face painted wearing a top hat covered in feathers. Such is the fun of Mardi Gras.

The parades, oh the parades. What fun! I managed to see nine parades and now I understand what the hoopla is about attending them. The parades are really a key part of Mardi Gras. They are what people should think of when they think of MG, not the stupid co-eds flashing on Bourbon Street. The parades are this big party on the streets. People bring their whole family and will even camp out overnight to keep their prime parade spots. It reminded me of tailgating. Chairs and coolers and friends out hours before the actual event even starts. And for those couple of days, those little strands of plastic beads and other odd little items (doubloons, shoes, plungers, spears, coconuts, and cups) are the most valuable things in the entire world.

I encountered a lot of wonderful New Orleanians who were so welcoming and so grateful that we had come to NOLA. I think that was the most surprising and delightful, yet somehow saddest part of the trip. Its hard to come home and know that so much of the country has already moved on and forgotten about the plight of New Orleans. There are a lot of great people in the city who are working so hard to get their lives and their city back. One group who is doing a lot of really hard work is The Arabi Wrecking Krewe. I got to meet some more members of this awesome group, in addition to already knowing Craig and Stacey. You’re going to be hearing a lot more about their efforts to bring all the NOLA musicians home as they’re going to be featured on an upcoming episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!

I don’t know what else to say except please keep thinking about New Orleans and do what you can to support this singular city that has given our country and the world so much.