Diamond Lane on the Autobahn

If life is a long and winding road, I’m in the diamond lane on the Autobahn. And it’s a double black diamond lane at that. Life has been cranked up for me since, well, June. Got back from my first east coast tour (7 performances in 4 states in 11 days) and the second (literally) I stepped in the door, I started packin and movin. As of today I have a marginally habitable space. There aren’t stacks of boxes surrounding the bed. Just in the hall.

Got the piano back via FedEx Ground (a week and $60 to get it across the country) and played it for the first time in 10 days and Man, was it sweet.

As a personal trainer, I learned the importance of “interval training”. That’s when you have spurts of intense physical activity interspersed with light or no activity. The net result (the theory says) is greater impact to cardiovascular capacity and muscle development.

Well, I’ve learned that interval training has a place in music, too. After two weeks of intensive rehearsal and performance, i didn’t play for 10 days. And last night, I played like I’ve never played before. My playing seems to have taken a distinct upward bend. Which, of course, I delight in.

I’m working on trying to line up gigs for the protests in NYC in two weeks. It’s a short time frame, and I’m calling everyone I can imagine. Having to move has been tough, and I’m getting really clear that one of the first things I’m going to need if my music takes off is a manager who can do a little bit more advanced planning. It’s tough doing everything by yourself, especially when you’re trying to make a living and move all your belongings, too.

But I’ll make it work. I’m definitely cut out for hard work, and don’t shrink from it. This is, however, another huge test of my faith. that’s probably the hardest part to all of this. Having faith that I don’t need to worry about having enough money (I have always had just enough), or that I’ll be “discovered”. I guess I need a little more heat and compression to continue forming this diamond of a gift. Diamond lane, indeed.