Mar. 12, 2003
Sunshine II: Electric Deja Vu
I didn't have any fun with alligators this time, but I did make it down to Tampa, FL during the season when I most needed to feel the sunshine for the second year in a row. Sacred Grounds is still an awesome coffeehouse; I had even more fun playing there than I did last time. My friend Bob Anthony played a couple of songs with me, and that was really fun, if unrehearsed. Bob also let us stay at his house and gave us fresh-squeezed orange juice, for which we are eternally grateful. (I used to hate orange juice with pulp in it, and I never understood why anyone would buy the "fresh-squeezed!" carton of Tropicana when you can just get the one with no pulp and save yourself the trouble of picking it out of your teeth, but now that I've had actual fresh-squeezed juice, from the sweetest, most delicious oranges I've ever tasted, I understand. I still don't think pulpy Tropicana is any good, but now I know what they're aiming for.)
Last year, Kevin and I dared each other to stop at the Family Values Inn on I-75 and ask if they had hourly rates, but we chickened out on the way down, and on the way back, I didn't feel like it anymore because I just wanted to get home. So this time, I was determined that we were going to stop at the Family Values Inn and ask about hourly rates so that we would have a hilarious story for the Goober Diaries. But we got a really late start leaving on Sunday (I don't even think we made it out of Tampa until 3:00 p.m.), and I forgot all about it. Sad. If any of you ever happen to be driving on I-75 and see the huge billboards for the Family Values Inn, complete with crosses and crowns and light beams of glory, would you do me a favor and ask if they have hourly rates? I think it would be especially funny if a married couple did this; you could say, "It's OK; we're married!" (Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this would be hilarious. I really think it would be hilarious. But it's also possible that this is a joke that belongs in the "let's not and say we did" category.)
I have so much fun on the road. People are so nice to me! It never ceases to amaze me how generous and kind people are. At the Tampa show, I played what I call my two "crazy bird songs" back to back, as I am wont to do lately, and when I picked up my tip jar at the end of the night, someone had made two origami cranes for me and labeled them "Sebastian" and "Arthurina." How cool is that?
In Macon, we stayed with my college friend Mark's Aunt Palmer, who picked us fresh flowers from her garden and made us scrambled eggs and toast with mulberry preserves for breakfast. (I had never actually tasted mulberries. I think I assumed they were only found in olden times or in England or something, since you only hear about them in old books and songs. It turns out that mulberries are alive and well in Macon, GA, and that they are quite tasty.) Palmer has moved in with her mother, who joined us for breakfast, and they are both true Southern ladies, armed with enough hospitality and charisma to get through any situation. I slept in a canopy bed that has been in their family since before the Civil War; Palmer says they hid it in the garage "when Sherman came through." Now that's Georgia!
Aunt Palmer and her camellia tree
Then there's Chris, whom I hadn't seen since the famous Summer Vacation Tour of 2001. Back then, he was living in Harrisonburg, where I played a show at a coffeehouse that actually serves s'mores - you get graham crackers, marshmallows, Hershey bars, and one of those little burners with an open flame like you get in Chinese restaurants when you order a Pu-Pu Platter - and I thought that was such a cool idea! There were some kids there eating them (I thought they were JMU students, but Chris tells me he was actually still in high school at the time), and they saved me one for after the show. (Here's the entry in which this happened, as well as a picture of the kids; Chris is the one on the right.) So anyway, I played a show at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg last Monday night (a fun hometown show, mostly parents' friends in the audience), and during the break, someone came up to me and said that he and his friends were eating s'mores and wanted to know if I wanted one. I was all, "Dude, they have s'mores here? That's so weird! There's this place in Harrisonburg that has them, but I've never seen them anywhere else. I played there once, and these kids were eating s'mores, and they gave me one." At that point, the guy said, "I know. I was there!" I said, "I thought you looked familiar! You were at the Artful Dodger in Harrisonburg! There's a picture of you on my web site!" Chris introduced himself and told me that he was a student at MWC, where both my parents teach. The story, as he tells it, is that he was hanging out in his friend's dorm room and saw my CD, which freaked him out since he'd never seen my CD anywhere besides that one show he'd seen me play in Harrisonburg. He asked her where she'd gotten it, and she said, "Oh, this is my English teacher's daughter." He said, "No way!" Then, when he found out I was going to be playing at MWC, he and his friends hatched their scheme to surprise me with s'mores. 'Cause that's the thing: the Underground at MWC doesn't have s'mores on the menu. They just brought the ingredients themselves and made s'mores at their table! How cool is that??? I love it for so many reasons: because the world is so small, because it's so totally something I would have done when I was in college, because it took so much effort of execution, and because I really do love s'mores. That show was on March 3rd, the day before my birthday, and that s'more was totally the best part of the night!
On my birthday I played a show in Baltimore with my friend and fellow songwriter Sarah Pinsker. (Her new 5-song CD is out this week, I think; give it a listen!) It was Mardi Gras, which I thought was totally cool, since I don't think my birthday has ever been on Mardi Gras before. (Don't tell me to look it up in an almanac. I'm far too lazy.) All day I meant to eat pancakes, but I never did, and when I said that at the show, everyone kept looking at me like I was crazy. So, I'm taking a poll: does anyone else have a tradition of eating pancakes on Mardi Gras? Or is it just the Episcopal church I went to when I was a kid? Anyone? My friend Moria happened to be in town (she lives in San Diego now), and she brought a couple of friends out to Paloma's for the show. It was a good birthday; I was on the road, doing what I love to do, I had lunch with my parents in my home town, I saw an old childhood friend, I met some cool new people at the show, I enjoyed my time on the road while still looking forward to getting home to Atlanta... I felt connected to my past, my present, and my future, and it all felt pretty good to me. I think I am going to like being 30.
Now that I'm back home, I'm freaking out again, always, forever, about being so busy. Where, where, where can I buy some magical, stretching hours? I need for the structure of my days, weeks, and months to be much more flexible. I get very tired of always having so many plates in the air, knowing that one of them is bound to drop eventually but not being willing to give any of them up on purpose. Needless to say, the whole gym thing has gone right out the window. Of course, having a new boyfriend doesn't really help with that particular goal, either. Here's how that scene goes:
(Lindsay conscientiously studies the menu, looking for dishes which fit within the Winning PointsTM of her Weight Watchers plan.)
New Boyfriend: What are you doing?
Lindsay: I'm looking for things that I can eat on my diet.
New Boyfriend: Diet??? Why on earth are you on a diet?
Lindsay: To lose weight, of course!
New Boyfriend: But you're so beautiful already. You're perfect just the way you are!
Lindsay: Really? For real?
New Boyfriend: Totally!
Lindsay: Rock! I'm getting fries.
So you can see where I might not be quite as motivated as I was in January with the whole health and fitness thing.
Sometimes it amazes me how busy I am and how much I actually do manage to accomplish in any given day when all I really want to do is go to the movies.
I'm glad to be home for a couple of weeks so I can try to get caught up on some things. Kelley and I are having our traditional co-birthday party next weekend, which will be a great opportunity to get caught up with my friends, and I can get some work done on my record. On Saturday, March 29th, Collegium Vocale will present Cherubini's Requiem at Emory University. I'm really looking forward to that concert. I'd never heard the piece before, and it's so, so good! Beethoven liked it so much that it was played at his funeral, and parts of it remind me very much of the Requiem that Mozart wrote. I really love singing in a community choir. I'm so busy lately that it's hard to prioritize a community choir, and when Tuesday rehearsal rolls around, I'm always still so tired from the weekend, and I dread going, but I always feel so refreshed afterward. Sometimes trying to be a professional singer/songwriter is depressing because everything I do, I do for a purpose, to achieve a specific goal. When I write a song, it's not just for the sake of exploring musical and lyrical possibilities, it's because I need new material. When I play an open mic, it's to "network" or to try to score a gig. When I play a show, it's to make money and sell CD's. I love that when I sing with Collegium Vocale, it's not about me. It's not about furthering my career or promoting my work or making contacts or any of the other things I get so tired of doing sometimes. It's because so many composers wrote so much great music, and someone has to sing it. It's because the music itself is a worthy goal, and a good performance of that music, a stunning victory. I love that when I talk to people during a break in the rehearsal, I'm not "networking," just making friends. I love that I'm a tiny fraction of a beautiful sound, part of something much bigger and much more beautiful than anything I could ever create on my own. I love that we all love it so much.
Our conductor, Kevin Hibbard, said something at his first rehearsal with us that I really loved. He talked about the word "amateur." He pointed out that the word derives from the Latin "ama," which means "to love." I've been keeping that in my mind ever since he said it because it's so true and so easy to forget in our profit-driven, goal-driven society. The word "amateur" is used in a derogatory sense most of the time, to insult someone's attempt to do something he or she wants to do. The idea is that an "amateur" is just someone who is not good enough to be a "professional." But that's not really the point, at the end of the day. An amateur does something because he or she loves to do it. I remember Kevin's speech every time I worry that singing in a choir is taking too much of my time and that it's just one more thing I have to juggle. But, even more so, I remember it every time I catch myself freaking out about my progress as a singer/songwriter. Every time I come away from a gig with only $12 or make a hideous mistake onstage or get turned down for a show and start to worry that I'll never be a professional, that I'll never be good enough, I remember the point. And the point is that I write songs and perform them because I love to do it. There is nothing I love more than a good song, and I will always be engaged in the pursuit of good songs. To me, there is no worthier goal.
This is getting too serious, and I think it's time to do a Goober Mail Bag. I haven't done this in a while, but I really want to introduce everyone to my two newest fans, Lauren and Allison. Below, the correspondence:
Sat., 8 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Lauren
I love your CD! i Have a friend named Lindsay Smith who is 11 and looks alot like you! I realize it may be hard to find time to but if you can could you email me?
Thanks!
my name is LaurenMon., 10 Mar.
To: Lauren
From: Lindsay Smith
Hi, Lauren!
I'm really glad you like the CD! There are indeed a lot of Lindsay Smiths out there. Do you mind if I add you to my mailing list? That way I can let you know if I ever play a show in your town. Thanks for writing!
LindsayMon., 10 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Lauren
I dont mind if you put me on your mailing list. Do you like horses? My horses name is Koris our first show is april 19. I can't wait!!! I have alot of friends named Lindsay sometimes my mom tells me Lindsay called and I don't know which one it was but its fun having them all. I know your on a busy schedule but write back if you can.
LaurenTues., 11 Mar.
To: Lauren
From: Lindsay SmithHi, Lauren!
I like horses, but not as much as my mom does! I used to ride horses when I was little, a long time ago. Somewhere there is a drawer full of ribbons from my horse riding days. Good luck with Koris on April 19th!
LindsayMon., 10 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Allison
Hey,
My name is Allison.Do you like horses? because I just love horses.I have my own horse named Darqq Secrets. I know your probably on a big scedule but please write me back.
AllisonTues., 11 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Lauren
Cool Koris full name is Ba korbel thanks ( : I'll tell you what we get! When are you letting out a new CD? Have you heard from my little sister? She said whe was going to write you off your site she likes your CD's to her name is Allison...She has a horse named Darqq Secrets have you heard from her? She's showing to if she hasn't emailed you she probably will later when she heard you wrote me back she was like all over me that night until I told her to leave me alone and I suggested she write you to she said it wasn't a bad idea and could hardly sleep! So if you haven't gotten her mail I think it's a pretty fair chance you'll hear from her soon.
bye!
LaurenTues., 11 Mar. To: Allison
From: Lindsay SmithHi, Allison!
I do like horses, but not nearly as much as my mom does! I haven't ridden a horse since I was 10 years old, but my mom still rides a lot. Right now she rides a mare named Rhiannon; I'm so lame, I don't even remember what kind of horse she is. When I was little, my mom leased a chestnut Quarter Horse named Bobby, and we would all ride him on the weekends. He was a really sweet horse.Good luck with Darqq Secrets!
LindsayP.S. Have you ever read "King of the Wind" by Marguerite Henry? It was my favorite book when I was riding horses.
Wed., 12 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Allison
Have I replied this yet? just checking
bye
AllisonWed., 12 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Lauren
Hey,
My mom says we can buy your CD and Iam so excited but she wants me to ask you if there is anything my nine year old sister shouldn't hear which I really dought but she said I had to ask or we couldn't get it so anyway I realize your on a real tight schedule so I wont care if you don't write that much I know your probably really bussy.
bye,
LaurenWed., 12 Mar.
To: Lauren
From: Lindsay SmithHi, Lauren!
Please tell your mom that there is only one curse word on the CD, during the song "Answer Me Back" (it's the "s" word). The only other song people sometimes don't like is "My Mother is a Christian." It's not an anti-Christian song, but sometimes people take it that way.If your mom would like to read the lyrics to the songs on the CD, they are on my web site at http://www.lindsay-smith.com. (Just click on the link on the left-hand side that says "lyrics.")
I hope she approves!
LindsayWed., 12 Mar.
To: Lindsay Smith
From: Allison
No I haven't but I think it is in my school library.I'll check tomorrow.Thanks for writing me back!!! Do you know a girl whos name is Lauren with a horse named BA Korbell.If you do shes my sister.Oh and theres this one site called Horseland you may wan't to check it out if you havent seen it.
How these girls found me, I'll never know. These kinds of random correspondences are my favorite thing about having a web site! I haven't heard back from them, so it's possible that their mom was horrified by my lyrics and by the lifestyle depicted in this journal (it's really not that bad, but when I read over some of my past entries, I can see why a parent might not deem it appropriate reading for a nine-year-old), that she put a stop to their e-mailing.
It's nice to see that the idea of pen pals is alive and well over the internet. It's funny; when I was a kid, it was such a big deal to get a pen pal from another country (or even from the next county). We would spend hours chronicling the minutiae of our lives for each other, quizzing each other on favorite colors, favorite songs, favorite foods. We'd send our huge missives, covered with stamps, and wait with held breath for a fat envelope to appear in our mailboxes the following week. Maybe two, if they were lazy. Now it's all instantaneous; the whole world is right there at the touch of a button, waiting to hear from you. I wonder if the thrill is the same. I remember very well the trailing off of the letter exchange with people I didn't know as I grew up, got busy, and made friends I could see at school every day. Sometimes a pen pal and I would grow up over the course of the year and not have anything in common anymore; she'd be gushing over boys and make-up, and I'd still be talking about horses. I wonder if that happens even more quickly now. I can only imagine that you'd find out everything about a person pretty quickly if you e-mailed them every single day and got an instant reply. I guess Lauren and Allison would know better than I.
I got an e-mail yesterday from my friend Dave Mann (see? I call him a "friend," but I've never even met the guy; he co-founded TourBaby, the show I worked on last September) that was all about how much better and healthier and happier we were as kids than the kids are who are growing up today. I don't know if I buy it. The e-mail says things like, "We played outside and didn't have to come in until dinner. We had real friends; we went outside, and we found them. If we got bruised in an accident, no one thought about suing each other. If we got in trouble with the law, our parents sided with the law." Well, maybe. Maybe not. I myself didn't play outside that much once I started school; I was more of a bookworm. My friends were characters in books, not neighborhood kids. I knew plenty of kids in school whose parents made excuses for them and got them out of trouble. I never buy this nostalgic good-old-days crap. Technology will always keep evolving, but humans will always be human, too. We're social creatures. We'll always form communities, and we'll always have friends. If those friends are on the other side of a computer, well, is that so wrong? There are so many great people in the world that I can only approve of technology that gives us even more ways to connect.
And on that treacly note, I'd better get back to work.
What’s in my stereo at home:
What’s in my car:
What's in my CD player at work:
