Case packed. Comes in at about 58lb, which means a charge of £40 going and $60 coming back - I can live with that. I could have had two cases with 51lb in each, but I could not handle two cases on my long journey - three trains and an underground! In spite of the number of ladies who have advised me to go commando so I carry less weight. I can assure everyone I will be modestly attired at all times, and believe I have enough clothes so that I will not need to wash - clothes - till I get back. Carry on bag packed, except for this iPad which will be with me at all times, meaning I can stay in touch via Skype and Facebook, and this blog. Apparently my cell phone will not work in America, but I will be carrying it so I have some contact on the way to and from the airport. Despite all the scare stories about poison ivy, I ave no calamine or other remedies. I do have Deet and after bite care, but I do not have sunscreen. Perhaps I should. I have booked the taxi to the train station in the morning. I still have to print off a boarding pass tonight.
This is a big thing for me. I have never been to America. I have never flown for eight hours - my longest flight was one hour when I was sixteen, to Munich. I have never been away from my wife for more than a week. I have never been in a pop-up on a campsite in the middle of nowhere with no transport of my own. I am so grateful to Holly and Neils, and Coleen and Neal, for all the help they have given me to get me thus far, and look forward enormously to spending time with them and to meeting so many people that I feel I know already because of our shared interest in autoharps.bring it on!
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteKaren McCarty here, from Canada. Enjoyed reading your blog. You should be in the US by now, according to your reporting.
Last year was my first & only MLAG, so I TOTALLY understand how & why you're feeling. I hadn't been on a holiday for 7 yrs (due to family & health issues), so I also wrote a count-down journal, just in a book, not on-line. Never been to an "autoharp gathering" in my life! With much fear & anticipation, it also took me weeks to prepare & 12 hrs for the drive alone (my GPS conked out temporarily in Ohio, so only 1 wrong turn, which cost me 2 extra hrs... I just considered it extra sight-seeing!) with VERY long anxious minutes driving up, up, up through the loooonnnng winding uninhabited roads in total darkness. You will have already experienced this drive before arriving at Mount Laurel, but thankfully not alone, hopefully not in the night. As you know by now, the beauty is breath-taking!!
Well, I can tell you... as you probably know by now, you have NOTHING to worry about!! Coleen & Neal & others will make sure you are well-taken of (bad grammar!). After a couple of hrs, I KNEW I was in a WONDERFUL place. Upon arrival at 11:30 p.m., I had help by friendly musicians, putting up my tent in the total darkness.... thought I'd have to sleep in the car, I was so dog tired.
Next morning, I was AMAZED at the camaraderie, the friendliness, the kind caring. Since I have an invisible pain disability, only Coleen & Neal were aware when I had to drive the steep hills to & from my campsite, to the main hall or washroom. No one realized, & it didn't matter..... the music was EVERYWHERE!! I audio recorded all the workshops (w/permission), & a few performances. This week I'll be listening to them all, remembering & reminded of those AH lessons, many that I'm STILL learning.
I REALLY wanted to attend this year, I just couldn't make it happen...too many life & health issues. I had hoped to meet you (besides re-unite w/others), to sing a song with your beautiful AH playing. Glad to hear you've regained your singing voice... that also happened to me several yrs ago, slowly it came back. My main advice: don't push it. Singing often, for short periods of time, will build up those muscles. Maybe we can do something like I did with Ziggy of Germany? Remember when I sang his new lyrics "Autoharping in the Springtime" to the tune "I Love Paris" which he'd recorded? If I find a song that you play, could you please consider this duet collaboration? I've just had a skype lesson with Karla Armstrong yesterday. She's an incredible player, I appreciate her expertise in chromatic playing.
Lastly, I've just been invited to play at a local outdoor arts festival, only my 2nd one ever! It's next week-end, when everyone will be in MLAG. Instead of taking in the musical love, I'll be giving & sharing it instead, which is wonderful compensation. I perform for 1 hr on Sat. afternoon, & again 1 hr on Sun. p.m., the first time to play 2 gigs in a row. Any advice?
So, I KNOW you will have a marvelous time!! PLEASE, buy some suntan block, at least no.30, 45 is even better. The sun's rays are VERY strong now, & you're fair-skinned. Just watch to wash the palms of your hands from it, (it affects the wood finish on autoharps) & don't get it on your clothes, as it stains a lot of fabrics... ruined at LOT of summer clothes last yr! But that's the least of your concerns. You'll be having SOOOOO much fun!!!
Blessings, & looking forward to hearing how it's going!
from a pensive Canadian,
Karen
P.S. Coleen or Neal probably told you, but Deet can also affect the wood finish on autoharps; don't know if it affects clothes, I don't use it a lot. I really didn't notice many flesh-biting insects last yr., but every yr. can be different. Just FYI, to prevent AH damage, if you weren't told.
ReplyDeleteOK. I'm SURE you're having a fantastic time!!
Cheers,
Karen