Back home... local/live on the drive

I bet you thought I forgot about you. But I didn't.

I'm home, have been for a few days. I've been so busy playing catch-up here that I haven't had time to post a proper post-mortum of the trip.. but don't worry, I will. It just won't be now.

Today is the launch party for Local/Live on the Drive, a very cool new program that puts eight videos of local musicians on city bus televisions in Milwaukee, Chicago, Atlanta, LA & Orlando. My song, "Cleared for Departure" (recorded at the WMSE 91.7 studios in Milwaukee) is one of the first videos to debut. It'll only play about once every three days they think, but it's still very exciting to know that people in LA will see my video.

Any time you are recognized for something you have created it is a humbling experience. But to have the added honor of being one of the few chosen to represent all the amazing talent we have going on in Milwaukee, well, that's just icing on the cake.

Oh, man, I hope there's cake.

So, ride the bus, see some great videos from The Barrettes, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, The Desert Sound Ensemble, El Gordo, Lisa Gatewood, Mike Mangione, Rusty Ps, and The Trusty Knife.

And for more information.....
Here's the article from the WMSE newsletter:

Local/Live on the Drive.

So we've been alluding to some big developments around here for quite some time, and one of them is coming to pass this week: Local/Live on the Drive. You may have noticed wmse.org now contains a number of videos documenting in-studio performances... (More are on the way with a fancy new video player!) Well, the Milwaukee County Transit System liked them enough to use their community service time on their Transit TV monitors to spotlight ten Milwaukee bands.

So in case there weren't enough good reasons to ride the bus (gas prices, parking, fighting traffic, your Kia doesn't plow through those roving packs of zombies like a big bus can, etc), now you can watch your favorite radio station (wrap your head around that one)!

Cool, huh? It gets better. The Florida-based TTV liked our demo so much that they are putting our videos of Milwaukee bands on all of their buses in the country. For real! So The Barrettes, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, The Desert Sound Ensemble, El Gordo, Lisa Gatewood, Mike Mangione, Rusty Ps, and The Trusty Knife (with a couple more to be added in the coming weeks) will have their music heard and their pretty faces seen in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando, in addition to their hometown.

Kind of makes you wanna eat pizza, don't it? Well! Join us tomorrow at the Cudahy Pub in the lobby of the Pabst Theater for a special live acoustic performance from Paul Cebar (who will be bussed over after his show tomorrow), a preview of the videos, and refreshments/pizza (while it lasts). We'll be over there at the Pub on the corner of Water and Wells tomorrow (Wednesday) from 12:30-1:30, so stop on by and see what WMSE, MCTS, and our friends at Versant have been up to. We will pizza you there.

Washington, DC: Pt. 2

Remember that school house rock song about a Bill becoming a Law? Well, yesterday I saw the capitol building, and I couldn't stop humming that song. That little bill was so adorable and sad.

Washington, DC makes me tired. My feet are sore, my back aches, but damn did I get to see some cool things... as well as some surprisingly not so cool things.

Here is what is NOT awesome in Washington:

1) The White House-- so overrated.

2) The Library of Congress-- so boring*

3) The Hope Diamond-- kind of looks like a big sapphire... meanwhile the big sapphire looks like a big diamond... I don't know. I just expected something more.

Here is what IS awesome in Washington:

1) The Holocaust Museum-- Very powerful and well realised. I think Elie Wiesel is the chairman or something. There was also a small corner dedicated to the concentration camp revolts and they mention the big revolt lead by Leon at Sobibor (The subject of the play DEAR ESTHER that Next Act Theatre produced in '04). It was an amazing and moving museum and I highly recommend it.

2) The International Spy Museum-- I would make a terrible spy because I know I'd want to tell people. Or I'd at least want to say, "I have something I can't tell you.... Do you want to know what it is?" I'm terrible with my own secrets (but I can keep other people's secrets like a champ). Did you know that Julia Childs was a spy before she became a TV Chef? I always knew there was something suspicious about her.. but I always thought it was that she was a little manly.

3) Mel, my awesome tour guide on the sightseeing tour bus-- He reminded me a bit of Sammy Davis, Jr.-- similar sense of humor and all. At one point a car behind the bus began honking for us to move and he leaned out the side and said to the driver, "Just hold on a minute. There is riveting narration going on here."

*I should say here that even though the Library of Congress was really stupid and boring, in the basement there was a small series of rooms that housed some of Bob Hope's personal memorabilia. One piece in particular tickled me. An autographed picture from Bing Crosby on which Bing had written: "To Bob- I know you have yearned for an autographed picture but you are too shy to ask-- So with love, Bing"

I gotta say, I'm pretty museumed out. I've seen so much and taken so many pictures. I'm having a little bit of History Overload. So tomorrow I'll pack it in to move on out of DC.

My trip plans have changed once again. Due to a death in my Uncle's Girlfriend's family, I won't be returning to Norfolk this weekend. I will possibly be stopping in Cleveland, but any way you slice it, I'm headed back in the direction of Milwaukee. You can expect me some time early next week.

Happy Trails,
Lisa

Washington, DC pt.1

Today, after a last minute change of agenda, I said goodbye to grandma, left the OBX and headed 5 hours north to Washington, DC. My hotel is nice. No pool, but two private business centers with a computer in each one. AN ACTUAL COMPUTER! I've been sending and receiving e-mails almost exclusively through my tiny cell phone, so this is a perk I am excited about.

During today's travels I was coyly courted by a young man at a gas station in Colonial Williamsburg (at least I think he was flirting-- either that or he has some sort of mental deficiency), I discovered a great Rilo Kiley song hidden somewhere in the abyss of my iPod called "Does he love you?", and I saw Stonewall Jackson's house (after a very brave five mile detour from the expressway). Driving through the lonely farm roads of the south I noticed a very strange trend. It appears that some families have a small cemetery in their yards. These look like ordinary family plots that you'd see in any cemetery, a few headstones lined up side by side-- only these are next to their driveways. I love my family, but when they die, I'm definitely keeping them in a cemetery. I just like to know that there's a little distance between me and them... in case they come back as zombies.

The small town I'm staying in is less impressive than the beautiful drive through Virginia. I arrived an encountered some extensive check-in problems at the hotel. After the long drive, I had a splitting headache and just wanted to lie down and be alone for awhile, but instead I spent a half an hour at the front desk. And, yes, I do regret being a little short with the man behind the desk because I realize the problem was not his fault at all-- but they've been really nice to me ever since. I suppose the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I try not to be the squeaky wheel.

I ordered Chinese food and took a bubble bath in a very small tub. I was disappointed that it was so tiny, but was pleased to find that I fit in it anyway. I'm feeling better now and am so looking forward to my adventure tomorrow. I'll be taking the Metro commuter train into DC, then the orange line trolley around the National Mall and Downtown. Here are the locations that are must-sees for me over the next two days:

1) The Holocaust Museum
2) The Smithsonian
3) The Lincoln Memorial
4) The International Spy Museum
5) The White House
6) All four of the city's Ben & Jerry's

I'll be sure to post tomorrow since I'll still have this great computer at my fingertips. Keep in touch and if you know of any great places in Washington, DC, send them my way.

xoxo,
lisa

We didn't start the fire....

There is a wild fire burning somewhere inland and everything in the whole state smells like smoke. Every morning there is a smokey haze over the OBX, sometimes ash falls from the sky in Manteo (where Andy Griffith lives). Even this library smells like it had a small fire. But I can't complain. I'm just so excited to have found a computer today so I could finally update my blog and check my e-mail. I never realized how reliant I was on computers until I didn't have one. Okay, that's a lie, I did realize it.





I've been in the OBX with my grandma since last Wednesday and it's been a busy leg of my trip. I've met about a hundred people who all claim to be close personal friends of my Grandma, Lorraine ("Larry" as they call her). It's hard to keep track with a woman this popular. Every day there are people to visit, dinners to attend, cocktail hours to hold and miles and miles of beach to explore. This morning my grandma lead her water aerobics class, which is three times a week. I went and could barely keep up. She's in pretty good shape for 84 years old.

They've been having a heat wave down here. It's been around 90 every day. The pool felt good this morning, but I'm anxious to move on to cooler pastures. Although I hear it hasn't been much better in Milwaukee-- and flash floods to boot. I swear, sometimes the earth seems to be trying to shake us off like fleas.

Next on the agenda is Norfolk, then Washington DC, then Cleveland, then home. Washington is a new addition to the trip plans. I'm looking forward to seeing the Holocaust Museum and the Smithsonian, which has a new Native American museum that is supposed to be outstanding. I've never been there before, so it's the think I'm most looking forward to.

Norfolk to OBX

Have you forgotten what I look like?

It feels like I've been gone much longer than I have. I only left on Sunday morning, but here we are on Wednesday and I find myself saving all my voicemail messages, no matter how insignificant the content, because I miss your voices.

Just said goodbye to Uncle Jim and sent him on his way to work. I retrieved Harriet from his office drawer (where he put her last night after I left her next to his bottle of water in the fridge, which I knew he'd go get right before heading up to bed).

Last night I played my show at The Pier. The place is amazing. You walk out on a long pier to get to the building and then the pier extends past it on the other side. I literally played a show out in the water. It was gorgeous. My Uncle came with my two cousins and a few of their friends. Other's trickled in and out. It's tough to play in another city where no one knows you or gets your jokes. All in all I think they liked it. A bartender, Courtney, bought one of my CD's. So did the daughter of one of my Grandma's friend's. An old middle-school friend, who is living here with her husband, came out to the show. She's very pregnant. 10 days overdue. My singing did not induce labor.

I'm leaving here in about an hour and a half to mosey on down to the OBX (Outer Banks). Once there, I can really start to settle in. I'll be staying with my grandma for about two weeks. The original plan was to leave OBX and head for a friend's house in Pinehurst-- but now I'm thinking I might attempt to make that a day trip of sorts in the middle of my NC stay, and instead head back up here for a weekend in a couple weeks to spend more time with UJ and the clan. We're playing it by ear-- which is something I've never been good at. I keep getting a little frustrated that I don't know where I'm going to be on certain days towards the end of my trip, but then I remind myself that this is a vacation and I'll be fine.

Things I have learned so far:
Walking in sand makes me tired.
Ladybugs are fine as long as they don't land on me.
I still have nightmares, even when I'm not in Milwaukee.
I love books on tape!

Off to shower, pack & hopefully shove off by noon. Not sure what my internet access will be in OBX, so I'll be in touch when I can.

Love,
Lisa

PS. Bye Harriet!

Norfolk, VA

I am staying with my uncle and his girlfriend Linda in Norfolk, VA. From my bedroom window I can see the Chesapeake Bay, which I still don't know how to spell. Last night we drank Spotted Cow Beer (which I brought from Milwaukee) on the second floor balcony, then ate sushi and enjoyed the cool breeze coming in off the Bay. It's beautiful here.

I find it fascinating that people who live on the water always seem obsessed with ocean memorabilia. They have a home decorated with lighthouses, dolphins & seashells. I think it looks lovely, but I find it interesting that not every location is like this.

Me: I live in Milwaukee, but I don't have an apartment full of beer signs.
Uncle Jim: But some people do.

Maybe I just reject my surroundings. Maybe I refuse to be a part of any defined cultural (or geographical) movement. Maybe I just prefer to spend my money on actual beer rather than beer-related paraphernalia.

I do this thing when I'm visiting my family where I get up really early in the morning. I just don't want them to think I'm lazy. This morning I got up at 8:30am... which is 7:30 Milwaukee time. I had coffee and watched CNN so my Uncle would see how grown up I am. I wished for cartoons. It's only 11:47 and I'm exhausted. I need a nap. It's really tiring trying to keep up this early-riser, concerned-about-the-world persona.

The plan for today:
Find a new place to hide Harriet.

Harriet is the ugliest doll in all the world (something like the one on the Right, but MUCH uglier-- Image from eBay.com).

The game began about 4 years ago when my uncle and I found her at my grandma's house. "Oh my god, what is this?" my uncle exclaimed, pulling the 5" doll from the shelf above my grandma's TV. "That's the ugliest thing I've ever seen!" I replied. My grandma defended her decision to buy the doll, but it no longer belonged to her. Harriet became the property of myself and my Uncle Jim in a game which has lasted 4 years, but has never been discussed. One person hides her, the other finds her in their bed/shower/drawer/car/etc. Then without reacting or saying anything they hide her in a place the other person will find her.

The last time I saw her was a couple years ago at the house in NC. I buckled her into the back seat of my uncle's car... and I never saw her again. Until last night.

It was late and I went into the guestroom to begin turning down the bed. I removed the fancy pillows and there, between the two remaining pillows, was Harriet. I silently laughed so Uncle Jim wouldn't know I'd found her. Today I will find a new place to put her.

I'm also playing a show tonight at the Pier. I invited a woman from Walmart who was behind me in line. She's my number one Norfolk fan now.

Tomorrow afternoon I leave for North Carolina to see my Grandma. It's looking like I might head back this way at the end of my trip to spend a little more time with Uncle Jim. We're playing it by ear.

Here's a picture of the real harriet:

Pennsylvania-- the prettiest place in America

(This is a picture of my good luck elephant from heidi. Yes, I took this picture while driving-- I'm a rebel.)


Seriously, folks. I love Pennsylvania. Maybe anything would seem this pretty after the long, tedious, journey through Ohio... but PA is probably the greatest place on earth.

I wish I had noticed this computer in the lobby last night. But after a 9 hour drive and an all carb dinner at the Cracker Barrel (classy, I know), I was tuckered out.

Today it's 6 1/2 hours to Virginia Beach where I will stay with my Uncle Jim. The drive hasn't been bad at all. I've been listening to "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" By Jonathan Safran Foer (forgive the misspelling if there is one) and I find that I'm not lonely or bored at all.

I'm also not tired, but I drank like 3 redbulls, so it could have something to do with that.

I promise there will be more interesting posts to come... but right now I must get on the road if I plan to get to my Uncle's by 4:30.

But here's a haiku about Ohio:

Ohio looks small
Like a torn piece of paper
but then, nothing's clear

Love,
Lisa