Life Stuff: Packing Light

The other day I went to Costco for the first time. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are more my "go to" destinations for shopping, but the endless rumors over the years of "deals & savings" made me curious. It was quite interesting to me. Yes, there were good deals for sure. What was a bit alarming to me was the quantity of things you had to buy to get this "deal." I mean, how long would it take me to use up 5 tubes of toothpaste to save $2.00? Even more, where was I gonna put all this extra stuff? Being a single girl, I don't really need that much. Is it worth the $50 membership fee just to save a few dollars a month? I know there are plenty of large families out there who save a ton of dough at Costco cuz they go thru groceries like crazy. And for them, I say, go to Costco with my blessing. But for the rest of us, I wonder what the appeal is?
In a world so full of unknown, maybe we find some sort of comfort in having a deep stash of stuff. We feel more in control of our lives, more prepared somehow... but the truth is, a years supply of clean x isn't really gonna do it for me. I guess I am comfortable in the unknown. Life is an adventure full of surprises... if you've got too much stuff in your backpack, you just might be the last one up the mountain. There is something to be said for packing light...
However, I did see a cool flat screen at Costco if anyone out there wants to let me use their card...

From The Road: NYC Jan '09

New York :: January 21, 2009

January 21, 2009
Wednesday 8:30 AM

I slept so well last night . . a bit unusual for New York as it is truly the "city that never sleeps so wont let you either" , AND it is also the city that is constantly collecting trash. I can't tell you how many times I somehow get the room by "trash can ally". But not this time – we are off to a great start. More good news: when I checked in yesterday, I was happy to see a Starbucks right across the street. Morning coffee problem solved!
My Susan team has pretty much cushioned my day so I will be focused on the show tonight. They are all making calls and emailing everyone in town to make sure we have invited everyone. I spent like 2 hours in the gym today just to make the time go by till I have to go to the club. Working out always makes me feel better. Funny thing working out in hotels. . . at this one, the treadmill kept stopping every time I ran 1.2 miles. It was so annoying. Wow, are they rationing the guests treadmill time? How crazy is that? I still managed to run 6 miles . . .

Wednesday 2:00 PM

You can't really come to NY and not have a Tasti Delight. It is the best. I am addicted. It's funny cuz in every city I spend time in these days, I make it a point to find a low fat frozen yogurt place. In LA, it is Angelina's. Detroit, YOZ. New York, Tasti Delight. It was so cold in the city today. I talked my producer in to going to Tasti Delight cuz it would "help me really focus on the show" and he so nicely agreed. We walked so far and the wind was blowing so hard and he didn't have a hat ( he has a shave ) I felt like prima donna jerk.
We finally found one in the empire state building. I got the peanut butter marshmellow flavor. It was perfect. I am selfish rockstar for sure. I bought his icecream and may have to buy him dinner too to make up for this.

Wednesday PM 4:00

Time to start getting ready for the show. I am feeling a little nervous. I practiced so much these past few weeks. I just want everything to go smoothly... there will be so many people tonight !! ( I hope ) I just want to focus and make a great connection… that's what I try to think about. I say a prayer before I leave the room. I am so glad that God is with me all the time. It gives me so much strength.

Wednesday 5:45 PM

So we pull up to the club and our cab driver hits this biker guy who is not driving in his "bike area". Can't believe how mad the cab driver is. He is terrible driver himself, BTW. To our shock and amazement , he gets out of the cab and starts fighting with the biker. The biker than starts beating up the cab driver. Crazy. Soon they are brawling all over the street. We get out of the cab with all our stuff (2 guitars so hands are full) and try to get away from them. My producer pays the cab in between punches. Only in New York.

Wednesday 11:45 PM

I am in the best mood tonight. The show went so well!! I really enjoyed playing the piano at the Bitterend .. so much more fun than playing a keyboard ( had to do that at the show in LA last month ) I just love that room. I must call Kenny when I get back and rebook !! I loved that the crowd was into songwriting. So many people made insightful comments about the tunes. That means a lot to an artist. It is like another level of listening that not every crowd dials in to. The girl that went on after me was so good too, she was so young. I was proud of her. She loved my set. I felt like a big sister for a minute. . . which I kind of liked. I also saw some long time susan fans that had relocated to NY from Detroit. It is great to be remembered. I was so happy they had braved the cold to see the show.
I went out with my susan team and some other musician friends who live in NY. We went to this great sushi place that had king size sashimi. Seriously, it’s like they barely cut the fish. It was killer.
Have to get to bed at decent hour for Fearless Music show tomorrow. It is hard to wind down. Tonight was so great. I love this town. I forget how much till I come back. The energy, the people, the food, the vibe . . . it feels so comfortable to me. Definitely want to live here part of the time. Just need to figure out how to pay for that and I'm all set.



January 22, 2009
Thursday 8:45 AM

Today I was woken by loud chatter and laughing outside my door. I finally got up and checked out the hallway to see what was up & possibly give a dirty look to someone and it was a group of hotel Maids. Aren't they supposed to be quiet ? I mean, it is still kind of early isn't it? Whatever! I should get up anyways. I wondered over to Starbucks without getting run over and that helped. The Starbucks person got my order wrong giving me a Grande instead of a Venti. Oh well, still too out of it to complain. It is warmer today and sunny which is helping me wake up. I went to the gym and ran on the crazy treadmill again. That helped to. I am a little tired today. Need to refocus for this TV show. Not sure what to expect from this. I think it will be fun. We had to rent a keyboard cuz they don't have a piano at the studio. The cartage was more than the actual rental. After the cab experience last night, I kind of understand. One more show to go and than I can chill J

Thursday 4:00 PM

Fearless Music Show taping went well. I was bummed cuz when I was playing the first song , Chasing the sun, I was really doing a great version and when I got to the solo, I totally blanked. I just stopped and started laughing. Luckily they let me start over. I played a few more tunes and than I was interviewed. It was cool. It went by kind of fast . . you always hope that interviews don't make you sound like a dork. You just never know what they are gonna ask you so you have to think fast. . . especially for the "personal" questions. Those are always the worst! See, I could've used the Venti !!

Thursday 6:30 PM

The President of Track Entertainment just called me. He loved the show at the Bitterend ! I am SO glad he came to the show. He wanted to make sure the taping at Fearless went ok as it is sponsored by his company. We had such a great talk. I am so flattered that he has such faith in my music. I'm so blessed to have such talented people in my corner. There is so much going on here …. Already can’t wait to come back and play in March !! I need to make sure I stay an extra day to go shopping however. I keep passing all these cool shops in the village and we never have any time to go in and look around cuz the schedule is so full. I miss my BFF May. I want her to come with me next trip for sure. How lucky am I to have best friend who is amazing stylist from LA? Lucky Susie. Sometimes we plan outfits for shows via Iphone photos. It's pretty funny. She'll be like, that looks horrible take that off right now and burn it ! Or she'll be like, if I was a boy I'd marry you on the spot. Girlfriends are the best, yes? I love May.


January 23, 2009
Friday 12:00 AM

I thought I would be ready to be crazy tonight but honestly, I am so wiped out. This has been a great trip and it always surprises me how much it takes out of me. It is hard to go to sleep. I don't want to go home. I miss my dogs, Henry & Rose. They make this funny breathing noise when they sleep and I am kind of used to hearing it. . . It's funny the things you miss sometimes.


Friday 10:45 AM

We are eating Breakfast at "Tick Tock" and being waited on by traditional "Flo" type diner waitress. Whenever I get a waitress like that I always miss my mom. She snuck "fruit" in my order without charging me. I drive waitresses crazy because I change everything around and substitute X for Z, etc. They have their work cut out for them with me. But I always leave a big tip . . hey at least I know I'm a pain in the neck, right? We are in a big hurry cuz we have to get cab to Lagaurdia, & manage the guitars with all our stuff. Traveling with gear makes things a bit difficult. Thank Goodness Northwest seems to once again completely ignore the guitars we keep boarding the plane with, putting us both way over our "carry on" limit. I never thought it would be this easy to bring guitars on a plane. Maybe they feel sorry for us having to lug around all our stuff? Who knows . .
Our flight is running on time. This is good. My arms are sore. I am already hungry again. I miss the days when they brought you snacks on the plane. That was cool.

Friday 2:45 PM

I am still on the plane. I can see us coming up to Detroit metro. There is so much snow everywhere. Funny when you go to New York, you don’t see trees really except when you go by Central Park. As I look out my egg shape plane window, Everything is white below. I feel like I am landing in Fargo. So much has happened this week, I can't believe it has only been a few days. I am glad to be home safe though I wish it was warmer outside. I am also glad that my manager has offered to get the car while I stay inside toasty airport area. I am being spoiled rock star again. But that's ok sometimes, right? I will spoil him right back one day with large paycheck and points on the record. I feel grateful today. I still have a lot of dreams to see thru with my music, but this week has been a great stepping stone. One city, one week, one moment at a time. I hope I will strive to cherish the journey as much as the end. That's what life is all about after all, yes? And this week has been some journey.