Texas Show Two: Austin Night One

2.5 hrs? I thought “down here” south from home, Abilene, all cities were right next to each other and required no time or effort to get between.

I have the magical, if annoying ability to sleep the second I’m in a moving vehicle so the trip from Houston to Austin takes no time to me.

I’ve picked all our hotels for this trip with proximity to venue in mind, but Austin is two shows so apparently I picked it for distance to the second show… we’re accidentally 20 miles away from the first show.

We hang out at the hotel. Doug sleeps. I write, mess with my pictures from Houston, get Doordash (Michi Ramen, y’all, accept no substitute! Though I apologize to anyone who met me after as I am now a walking garlic glove.)

I don’t know if needs will change in the next few days, but right now I’m so delighted NOT being at work, I’m happy as a clam in bed surfing for the ubiquitous episode of Forensic Files. Updating Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, TikTok, my own website that I don’t even know how to access right now because of hosting issues and my own virtua-ignorance – I’m emailing entries to an extremely tolerant gentleman I met on Fiverr: just update everything now and I”ll learn to internet later, please? Ok.

I’ve taught myself basic graphic design, marketing and literally created an internet presence purely to try and amplify the presence of these musicians I’ve come to love so much.

In the back of my mind, a tiny voice keeps whispering: these are skills. Skills people might want. You could parlay this in to a job that doesn’t kill your soul, makes you look forward to waking up every day… but I’ve also never been the type of person who just believes; takes for granted that good things will happen. I’m trying to change and I would love to believe that if I gaze in to the future, I’ll see myself happy, doing something I love that fulfills me spiritually instead of just paying the bills… but some lessons hammered in to my head as a child (life, work is to be endured not enjoyed) stick like cement and feel impossible to break.

But I will keep trying. Things change. One of my Zox affirmational bracelets I’ve taken to adorning my wrist with recently says: ‘Just Breathe.’ As long as there is breath, there is hope. If you are still here, if you are ALIVE, you can change.

The first Austin show is cold.

The audacity of having an outdoor show in January! But this is Texas. My Rocky Horror troupe at home performed in the cold, I was Janet is the pouring rain once (actual splashing during the swimming pool scene, can you imagine?)

There are heaters, but occasionally the musicians still stop to flex and wiggle life back in to cold digits.

Olivia has borrowed a black throw from the lady of the house and knotted it about her shoulders. A simple knot, a careless/careful draping and suddenly that throw is any stylish piece off a Paris or Milan runway.

Joe and Salim are in layers. I’m layered too, but Salim still lends me his coat while he performs. I wear it like a lap blanket. Wool. Cozy.

I pull up my hoodie. Run inside. Steal some cheese from a charcuterie. “Leave the moon alone” one gentleman, also enjoying the cheese, comments. That’s what my hood says. It’s an inside joke from the Jimmy Newquist Zoom COVID shows. “Remember Caroline’s Spine?” Head shake. “Sullivan? The song about the brothers in the navy who died together? It’s the story ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was based on” He doesn’t remember. Normally, I pull out my phone and play the song when I have a captive audience like this, but I shrug and head back outside.

Marty banters. Marty poses like Robert Plant.

Some day, bless them, my musicians will learn that I’m here to document… and that includes the silly stuff too. I have pictures of all of this. I love it though. I love Marty being silly with us. I love that I can talk to him and he will smile and joke. I’ve met so many who can’t be bothered – one of Marty’s previous group of contemporaries comes immediately to mind. So many whose self importance takes up too much room. Leaving no room for a fan to squeak by and pass a word of admiration or two.

It was a cold, beautiful night.

I’m already so aware though that the trip is speeding by. Tonight is the Cactus Cafe. Tomorrow is San Antonio and hopefully a friend or two or three to see. Then leg one is over.

Salim brought up a term at the show last night that I am now trying to keep in my head, “Hyper presence.” Just be here. Be here now.

Eyes open. See everything. Experience. Be here. Eat the food. Hear the music. Love the companions.

Be alive for this.

Live.