I'm pretty sure today qualifies as the worst morning ever. Luckily, the gig started right at noon, which saved the day. It was my first time using a zipcar (the uber-convenient rent a car by the hour service) so I could get my sound system to the Embarcadero Center. It's all nifty and high tech. And apparently won't let you start the car if it thinks you are someone else (so I spent about 10 minutes thinking the battery was dead).
Once on the road, I missed the 280N ramp and somehow ended up in another town. I happened to spot another ramp but needed to turn around to get to it, so I found a nice safe place to do it: right through a parking lot exit-only. Of a police station. 40 minutes to downbeat. After some frantic begging, the officer who had immediately pulled up behind me said he would pass on the $300 ticket and gave me directions to 280 (but only after a stern "And what did we learn?"). Thank you, officer.
At some point while on 280, I realized I forgot my heels and was still wearing sneakers. Oops. Finally made it to the gig at 10 minutes to downbeat, set up the speakers (forget the stands!) and started crooning into the mic with all the angst the morning had giving me. So I guess it sounded pretty good.
It was one of those moments when I realized, it doesn't matter how crappy your day is; music can always make it better. I looked around at the band and thought, Damn, I'm lucky.
Top: Me and Keiko Takamura, who graciously turned up to support Spoonbill. Bottom: Spoonbill: (left to right) Rick Rivera, Colin Williams, Robin Yukiko, Jon Monahan.
Once on the road, I missed the 280N ramp and somehow ended up in another town. I happened to spot another ramp but needed to turn around to get to it, so I found a nice safe place to do it: right through a parking lot exit-only. Of a police station. 40 minutes to downbeat. After some frantic begging, the officer who had immediately pulled up behind me said he would pass on the $300 ticket and gave me directions to 280 (but only after a stern "And what did we learn?"). Thank you, officer.
At some point while on 280, I realized I forgot my heels and was still wearing sneakers. Oops. Finally made it to the gig at 10 minutes to downbeat, set up the speakers (forget the stands!) and started crooning into the mic with all the angst the morning had giving me. So I guess it sounded pretty good.
It was one of those moments when I realized, it doesn't matter how crappy your day is; music can always make it better. I looked around at the band and thought, Damn, I'm lucky.
Top: Me and Keiko Takamura, who graciously turned up to support Spoonbill. Bottom: Spoonbill: (left to right) Rick Rivera, Colin Williams, Robin Yukiko, Jon Monahan.